#wow that tag just showed up next to mr law's name

[nemirutami]

Kofi for @Vee_lo0! Their OC March and Trafalgar law from One piece! I know nothing about OP but this is canon in my eyes now on the basis of OC just being way too cute.

[pixie88]

Oxford to the Cotswolds

Chapter 23 - Always the Bridesmaid.  

A/N: So here it is the LAST chapter of Always the Bridesmaid. I kinda feel  sad but I know it’s not the end of H&L.Thanks so much @aussieez​ for proof reading. Thank you again to all those following this story and continue to follow it, you have no idea how much it means to me that you take the time to read.😘  

I’m finalizing my tag list for this over the next few days, so again if you like to be tagged just let me know!

Read previous chapters HERE!

Warnings: Fluff & NSFW

Word Count: 2914

Pairings: Laila x Harry

Enjoy! 😘 

A week later.

After their little spat, Harry decided maybe now was the time to take up his parents offer of using their cottage. They had their trip planned out, they would leave London on the Sunday morning stop at Oxford for a day or two and get to his parents' cottage on the Tuesday afternoon. "We are staying in an old prison that has been converted into a hotel?" Laila asks as they drove along the M40 "Yeah, I thought it was unusual and right up your street?" he takes his eyes off the road for a second to wink at her "You know the whole cops and robbers thing"

She rolls her eyes and laughs, "I'm guessing you're the criminal?" he smirks. "Nah, I'm a law abiding citizen, my love. You seem like the troublemaker here!" she laughs, "I've been looking up all the sites we need to visit while we are there"

He knew she wouldn't be able to visit a place without doing her research.

"Where do you need to visit then?" she smiles at the fact he asked "So, there is the obvious Bridge of Sighs, which is kind of a copy of the Rialto Bridge in Venice, Carfax tower the views of Oxford, from there are supposed to be amazing, Martyr's Cross which is a cross they have in the road where two Anglican bishops and the Archbishop of Canterbury were burned, oh and there is a Harry Potter tour around the University as some scenes were filmed there and Oxford Castle which is right next door to our prison hotel!"

"Sounds like a couple of days of learning!" he laughs at her "NOT just learning! There is a bar with magical cocktails, ones in test tubes, with fire and even smoke!" she's excited.

Harry doesn't know it, but Laila is a bit of a history buff, if she goes somewhere new she will research the hell out of it. Not long after they moved to London Laila was still adjusting to life in the city, Ezra could see his granddaughter struggling, so he planned a day out with her.

They stood on platform 5 at Harrow and Wealdstone Station "Grandad, where are we going?" she asked him "You will see when we get there!" he smiles at her. The train ride wasn't long. Fifty minutes later they pulled into Bletchley Station "Grandad, why are we here?" he chuckled "And I thought you knew everything about World War 2!" he winks at her, but it doesn't click until 10 minutes later when they were standing outside Bletchley Park.

Laila's eyes are wide "Oh my god!! This....this is where Alan Turing cracked the enigma machine!!" she squealed with excitement before hugging him. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" she's beaming, she takes his hand and drags him through the doors.

This was one thing he and his granddaughter had in common, was their interest in World War 2. They spent hours looking around the huts where it all happened. He never saw her face light up so much as she looked around at the artefacts. They had a look around Station X (National Radio Centre) and when they finally reached the Mansion Laila was overjoyed "Grandad, just think all those people that helped crack the code have been in this very room...no house!!"

They spend hours looking around, before grabbing something to eat at hut 4 "Grandad, just think this is where they would get lunch or even dinner!" she looks around the hut "Laila, just think while they were here no one knew! They had to lie about working here, they couldn't tell anyone even family members. They had to take a vow of silence" he said.

This rang true, as years later Max was building an annex for a couple at the end of their garden and when he got talking to the Nan, whom the annex was being built for she told him how her mum worked at Bletchley Park and had to take a vow of silence which she kept until the park reopened as a museum in 1994.

When it was time to go home Laila couldn't thank him enough for taking her there "Just don't tell your brothers!" she laughs, "I've taken the Bletchley Park vow of silence!"

They finally arrived, Harry pulls into a parking space outside the hotel and a valet comes over Harry hands him the keys and they head in with their cases. They check in; "you will be on the fifth floor in room 135, so take the lift to the right once you go through those doors. Here is your room key and enjoy your stay!" she smiles. "I'm sure we will!" Harry grins at her before they make their way to their room.

"Did you ever watch the TV show Bad Girls?" Laila asks him as the lift takes them to the fifth floor. "I did! Izzy made me watch it with her. That woman that played Yvonne plays Shirley from Eastenders now, doesn't she?" she laughs, "I thought you don't watch it?" she nudges him as the doors open "I don't but when you put it on what am I supposed to do?" he winks.

"129...130...4 more rooms to go," she calls behind her. "Actually 5 more my love," he laughs, she turns to look at him "No! You don't include our room!" she protests. "I think you do," he laughs at her. "NO! No, you don't," he doesn't argue with her.

They dump their bags and head out to look around the city "Oh, they have a Harry Potter tour" Laila's tone is ecstatic, Harry sighs "Don't you want to do it?" she asks "If you want to we will do it" her eyes scan his face "Did the kids in school use to take the piss out of you in school because you had the same name?" she asks, he laughs, "No, if anything they used to call me...oh what was his fat mate called?"

"Crabbe?" she looks at him. "Yeah, that's the one," he offers a weak smile, she runs her fingers through his hair before her arms cling around his neck "Well, who's laughing now? I bet a lot of the girls and boys that bullied you regret it now! You are handsome, fit, funny and you are mine" she winks, he can't help smiling at her "And I have a drop dead gorgeous girlfriend" he says making her blush.

"We'll do something else," she smiles at him and kisses his lips "No, we'll do the tour if you want to!" she looks how long the tour is "2 hours, argh, I'd rather be doing some kinda cardio" he looks at her confused and she laughs, "use your imagination, you are a personal trainer" she winks. He quickly gets the hint "Right, what do we need to look at before I drag you back to the hotel?" he grins at her.

Later.

After dinner, they had back up to their room, "I'm going for a shower" Laila winks at him "OK, I'll grab one after you," she smirks "I was thinking more along the lines of you joining me," she doesn't have to ask him twice, he picks her up and she wraps her legs around his waist as he walks them to the bathroom.

After their shower, Laila notices the chocolate on the bed as she's drying herself. "Oh wow! They're shaped like handcuffs!" she giggles "Hmmm.....that reminds me," he wanders over to his case in just his towel and pulls out a pair of metal handcuffs. "And what do you intend to do with those Mr. Taylor?" she bites her lip "Oh, maybe make an arrest," he winks at her, she notices his arousal through the towel "Oh, on what grounds?" she asks.

"Hmmm....for being stubborn and sarcastic, but also gorgeous, funny, adorable and extremely impossible not to fall in love with" he stands in front of her, pulling off her towel until it drops to the floor. He cups her face, his thumb runs over her lips before capturing them with his, he lifts her arms above her head and his hands run up her arms before he suddenly cuffs her hands.

She smirks against his lips "Oh, PC Taylor, what do I have to do to get you to uncuff me?" his kiss becomes more intense. She drops her hands, so they are wrapped around his neck, he moves them until the backs of her knees hit the bed. They fall onto it with Harry landing on top of her "Well, Miss. Carelli, I think you can convince me somehow" his fingers finds her core.

She hisses at the contact, his other hand comes up and pins her arms above her head as he found her slick petals. "I thought I was the one who had to.....oh shit...convince you to free me," she can barely get her words out, his lips find her pulse line "How exactly are you planning on doing that?" he smirks against her neck.

"Stand up and I'll show you," he does as she says, she sits up and pulls off his towel. Grasping him, she works her hand along him a few times before her mouth follows the same path, he groans as his hips thrust forward in need. Her pillowy lips work along his hardened member, he grunts as her jaw slacks, taking him in further "Fuck...." he mutters.

He rocks his hips back and forth as her tongue runs along the ridges of his cock, he grips a fistful of her hair. His head fell back as he groans, "That's...it gorgeous! Fuck...".  She hums against him and her pace moves faster. His knees bucks, her apex is throbbing as she feels him nearing the edge "Laila....I'm...gonna....fuck!" he jerks as he hits his climax and he groans.

She releases him from her mouth and looks up at him. "Are you going to uncuff me now?" she asks as she's sat on her feet, he looks down at her with a grin. He lifts her up and throws her onto the bed, making her giggle "Hey, you said would take these off!" he has a mischievous grin on his face. "Well, Miss. Carelli! I prefer to have you like this, sorry." he captures her lips.

"That's not fair......." she protests, but she soon cuts off as he moves down her body to her centre, his hands grasp the back of both her thighs. His tongue moves apart her folds "Oh Harry!" she moves her arms to run her fingers through his hair. He pulls away, lifts her arms above her head again and kisses her lips "Keep them there!" he tells her before moving back to her core.

Her breathing hitches, he sucks against her clit, making her cry out "Ohhh"

A little later.

His legs are entwined with hers beneath the sheets, she's cuddled up against him as her head rests on his chest "When we get back do you think we should look at properties?" she lifts up and places her hand against his chest stroking his chest hair, looking up to him. He smirks at her, "definitely!" he strokes her hair away from her face "What if we have a look online now?" she stares into his ocean blue eyes and bites her lip waiting for his response.

He reaches for his phone "Let's have a look," he loads up and scrolls through the properties. "What are we going for?" he asks "Somewhere with gates, private drive and pool," she laughs, he digs his fingers into her ribs and she tries to wiggle away "Ahhhh! Harry! Stop!!"  his phone is discarded, he cups her face and claims her lips.

His body covers hers and he takes her against.

The next day.

They are back in the car on the way to Harry's parents cottage in Wyck Rissington, Gloucestershire.

Along the way they find a supermarket and grab a few essentials before they continued their drive. They arrive at the cottage 10 minutes later "Aww wow! This is cute!" she smiles as they get out the car. "And it's ours for the next few days" he winks at her.

They head inside, "wow, look at those beams!" she points up at the ceiling. "Have you been here before?" she looks to Harry. "Nah, Mum and Dad haven't let any of us use it...well until now" he winks.

Once they bring in their bags inside, he takes her hand and they have a look around when Harry spots a hot tub outside "Oh, what do we have here?" he nods as he opens the door "I didn't bring a swimsuit!" he has a devilish grin. "Who said anything about swimsuits?" she bit her lip and shook her head at him.

Harry runs Laila a bubble bath with candles around the tub and told her to relax while he cooked dinner. The water was warm against her skin as she sinks into the bathtub, a minute or so later there is a knock on the bathroom door before Harry wanders in with a glass of wine "Here you go, my love," she smiles up at him as she takes the glass "Thank you! So, what's for dinner?"

He leans over kisses her nose and winks "You'll find out when it's on the table. Now enjoy." He leaves her to it.

34 minutes later.

Laila walks into the bedroom and Harry has laid out a dress grey dress on the bed for her to wear. She smiles and starts to get dressed, underneath she puts on some lacy lingerie she had brought for the trip. When she's dressed, she goes in search for Harry, as soon as she saw him, she blushes but can't help but laugh.

"Harry!! What are you doing?" he's stood in the kitchen in just an apron and his boxers, he looks up at her and grins. "You've heard of the Naked Chef right?" he winks. "But he isn't actually naked!" she laughs at him. "I'm not either! I was thinking about it but I thought that would be unsanitary. I see you're wearing the dress I picked out for you." She makes her way over to him.

"Yeah, but the view would be...very sexy," she squeezes his behind "What's for dinner?" she looks around him on the kitchen side "Ah, ah, ah go and sit down," he moves, so she can't see, she sighs, "Fine!" Laila pulls out her phone and sends a picture she took earlier.

Laila looks over to Harry, biting her lip and he catches her checking him out. "You realise I'm not dinner right?" He says. She looks up catching his eye, "might not be dinner, but there is always dessert!" She winks twirling her hair. He chuckles turning back to cooking.

She puts down her phone as he comes over with 2 plates, placing them on table. "Ooo spaghetti and meatballs!" he pours them more wine, Laila twirls her fork collecting the spaghetti "Did you ever see the film The Lady and the Tramp?" she looks over to him. "I have. Mila made me watch it once." He laughs. "Do think we can do a Lady and the Tramp kiss?" she hold up a a string of spaghetti and he chuckles "We can try. Let me put it in my mouth first" Laila cracks and can't help but laugh "OH MY GOD!!"

"Come on, let's give it ago!" He takes the end of the spaghetti and lifts the other side to Laila, she takes it in her mouth and begins to get closer to Harry until their lips are just above each other's. He brushes his lips lightly over hers before pulling away. "Come on, eat up" he smiles at her and she rolls her eyes at him.

After dinner, he takes their plates. "I'll wash them up," she offers. "You can or I can put them in the dishwasher," he jokes, "Actually, you load the dishwasher. I'm going to start up the hot tub!" she gets up from the table "Already done, my love!" he winks at her. "Oh OK!" she stands and lets her dress fall off her shoulders until it's a puddle on the floor.

He looks her up and down. "I didn't bring a swimsuit, but this will do?" say asks as she makes her way to the back door. His eyes never leave hers, she grins, knowing she had him hook, line and sinker. He quickly closes the dish washer and chases after her, she squeals running from him and towards the door.

@lem-20​ @aussieez​ @secretaryunpaid​ @irisofpurple​ @khoicesbyk​ @txemrn​ @gloriousalmondvoiddreamer​ @tea-me-kah​ @casualpostqueen​ @beautifuluknownvoid​ @wombatsxkookaburras​

Their moans fill the night sky, both are blissfully happy.

Series 2 - Chapter 1

[coeurdastronaute]

Essays in Existentialism: Ages

Hey there, in case you're taking prompts right now I would love to see you write something about Clarke & Lexa at different stages in life/ages, from like little kids (first meeting) to adults. Thank you for your time and love your writing!

5

The classroom was colorful and happy, brimming with numbers and letters and pictures of animals on the walls. An entire side had windows that looked out toward the yard and playground for recess and there were tiny desks arranged in little squares, while the back corner had a very nice looking story time circle. 

Nervously, a tiny girl with messy brown hair stood behind her father’s legs and peered out at her new classroom. She could hear the kids screaming and having fun outside, and she wanted to sneak toward the window and see what they were doing, but she had to put her things in a cubby first, and her teacher had to tell her how to get there and where to sit. 

It was all very new, and Lexa wasn’t sure how to handle it all, so she held onto the leg of her father’s uniform. She missed her old house, and her old park, and her old friends and her old city. She didn’t like the moving part, or that her new house had a scary  basement. 

“We are very excited to have Lexa here, and we appreciate you keeping us up to date on your deployment schedule,” the smiling teacher nodded before squatting down lower to Lexa’s level. “I know kindergarten can be kind of scary at first, but soon you’ll look back and say ‘wow, I didn’t have to be scared. I love it here’.” 

Lexa dug into her father’s leg a little more, shying back slightly. He patted her hair before kneeling down as well. 

“Hey, kid, come on. You’re not usually this shy,” he furrowed and held her tiny hands in his large ones. “What’s wrong?” 

At first, Lexa looked around and shifted back and forth in her new sneakers. They lit up. But he waited patiently for a response. 

“I don’t know nobody,” she mumbled. 

“You’re going to meat the class soon,” he promised. “And you’ll make all kinds of great friends.” 

“And now you know me,” Mrs. Gates offered. “Your dad told me you like superheroes.” 

Lexa nodded after looking at her father for confirmation. 

“I put you in a seat next to someone who also likes superheroes. Do you want to see your desk?” 

When she didn’t move, her father decided it was time to do a bit more. 

“I want to see your desk. That’s really cool. You can practice your letters and numbers and reading at your desk, isn’t that right, Mrs. Gates?” 

“We’re going to learn so many things. We even get to do science experiments.” 

“One time, we made a tornado in a bottle,” Lexa offered quickly. “I got to pick the color and I picked blue because I like blue.” 

Slowly, Lexa came out of her shell as she walked toward her desk, her father holding her hand and showing her the name tag on it. She sat there and smiled slightly before looking at her cubby and moving to put her bag there herself. 

The noise outside calmed and moved to the hall a few moments later. 

“I’m going to go back to work now, Lex. But you’re going to stay here and Mom will pick you up after school, okay?” 

“Do you have to?” 

“I do, kid,” he smiled. “What are we?”

“Tough.” 

“And.”

“Brave.”

“And.”

“Kind.”

“That’s right,” he nodded and kissed her forehead. “I’m so proud of you, and I will want to hear all about your day at dinner okay? So have a good time.” 

Lexa nodded and sat at her desk quietly going back into her shell when her father waved at the door and disappeared. 

At nearly the same moment, the class filtered back in, noticing a new person and not knowing what to do with the news. 

“Good afternoon, scientists,” the teacher greeted them. “We have a new friend who is joining us today. Her name is Lexa. Can everyone say hello to Lexa?” 

The chorus rang out, some more energetic than others. 

“Lexa is coming to us from Virginia. Does anyone know anything about Virginia?” 

There was a rumble of no’s. 

“Would you like to tell us something, Lexa?” 

“Um,” she swallowed. “I used to live close to the beach and I got to see a hurricane once.” 

The series of ooh’s and ahh’s made her feel a little braver than the fake level of confidence her father had instilled her with. She pushed at the haphazard hair that fell into her eyes. 

“Wow, that must have been scary.” 

“It was. There was purple lightning.” 

Again the crowd was fascinated. 

“Now I want each of you to take turns meeting Lexa over the next few days and telling her your names and being helpful. Wouldn’t we all want some nice friends if we moved somewhere new?” 

The group nodded along, still eyeing her, but less brutally than before. 

“Okay, loves. To your seats and let’s show Lexa how we behave after recess, okay?” 

With more than enough confidence to spare, a tiny blonde girl marched toward Lexa and sat down beside her. 

“Hi. My name is Clarke Griffin. I am going to show you around. It’s my job.” 

“Oh.” 

“We can be friends if you want.” 

Lexa just nodded and stared at her blue eyes. 

“I like your hair. It reminds me of Tarzan’s or Wonder Woman.” 

Still confused about the little person who sat beside her and said things with such clarity and confidence, Lexa pushed her hair away from her face again and nodded. 

“I like your… eyes. They are like the sky, and the sky is my favorite thing ever.” 

“Ever?” Clarke asked incredulously. 

“Mhm. Did you know there are like a million stars? And clouds are cool.” 

“Yeah, they are,” she nodded and dug into her desk for a notebook. “Have you seen Frozen yet?” Lexa shook her head sadly. “I just got it. You should come watch it. We can build a fort.” 

“I am really good at that.” 

“Me too! Ours will be awesome!” 

From the front of the classroom the teacher smiled to herself, allowing the group extra time to settle as the two new friends talked a little bit. She saw Lexa cover her mouth from laughing and Clarke made some kind of face and shared a pencil. 

By the end of the day, Lexa was certain Clarke was the best person on the planet. She was very nice and she liked good movies and they had the same favorite food of pizza and ice cream and candy. She couldn’t keep quiet when her mom picked her up, and she nervously paced near the front door, looking out the window for her father to come home so she could tell him everything, sparing no detail. 

“Daddy!” Lexa pounces on him from the steps as soon as he makes it into the still packed house in need of organization. 

“Hey kid, I missed you so much,” he hugged her tightly. “How was school?” 

“I made a friend! And it was very fun. We saw pictures of bugs!” 

“Wow, what a day. Do you want to go back tomorrow?” 

“Mhm.” 

“Good. Now tell me everything.” 

10

“You’re still my best friend.” 

The statement came out angry and informative. It was declarative and exact, a fact that could not be argued. It was a law of nature. It was absolute. 

Lexa nodded, agreeing eagerly and quickly. 

“We can talk on the phone and write letters,” Clarke decided. “We can watch movies together, too sometimes. I can ask my mom to use her iPad.”

Again, Lexa nodded. 

“This is stupid and I hate the military and I hate that you have to leave.” 

Nod. 

Clarke had a temper. She liked to yell when she was frustrated, and she’d stomp her foot and clench her fists at her sides, arms straight and her face would get red with a distinct type of rage that Lexa learned to avoid and how to calm her down when needed. Sometimes it was impossible. Clarke said it felt like she was trapped in one of those balls of snow that roll down a hill and get bitter and bigger, and the anger was just rolling around her and she couldn’t escape it. And Lexa could get that, even if she didn’t show it. 

“You’re my best friend,” Clarke finally sighed. “And I don’t want to lose you.” 

Lexa shook her head and hugged her friend quickly, tightly, eagerly. 

“You’re my best friend, too. I don’t care where my dad gets stationed. I wont’ be anyone else’s best friend ever.” 

The pair stood there, clinging to each other, uninterested in separating, even by a few inches. There were not many things more powerful than a friendship of two people who worked well together, already seamlessly filling in each other’s personality points and understanding the other’s moods. There was an innate ease between them that always existed, and even now, when clearly stuck in the midst of intense turmoil, they just hugged each other and tried to be better for the other. 

“When do you have to leave to move?” 

“Next month, right after school ends,” Lexa sighed. 

“So we still have time to do all kinds of hings,” Clarke decided. “Maybe my mom will let you come visit for the summer or for breaks. Or I can come visit you.”

“Yeah,” her friend agreed eagerly. “My grandma and grandpa still live near here, so we will have to come close to see them.” 

“And then we can go away to college together, and live together, like my cousin Chris.” 

“We can?” 

“Oh yeah. In the dorms. We get our own beds and sometimes they can be bunk beds.” 

“Wow,” Lexa mouthed, her eyes wide. 

Even so young, she just enjoyed listening to Clarke talk and tell stories. She bit every single time, and she didn’t care if it was true or not. The only thing that matter was the Clarke knew a lot and Clarke liked to share. 

“You won’t forget about me?” Clarke asked after a moment of looking at her shoes. She looked up at her friend, her bet friend, and she waited nervously. 

“No way,” Lexa swore. “I could never.” 

Clarke held out her little finger and waited for Lexa to shake, completing the promise. 

“And I won’t forget about you, never ever,” Clarke swore. 

The solemn vow complete, neither knew what came next, only that they were already aware of how little time a month was, and now had to fill up every second. 

15

The gymnasium was packed to the brim with people as the tournament drew to a close during the finals match. Cheers and the echo of shouts and coaching practically vibrated the entire arena. Though she wasn’t much of a fan of sports, Clarke Griffin was, in fact, a fan of one basketball player who travelled across the country to play in the girl’s high school national championships. 

Even though Lexa moved nearly five years prior, their solemn vow, that between elementary school chums who were young enough to believe in such things, held strong with them talking every day, and gradually moving up to emails and FaceTime and text. Periodically, over that half decade, they’d even been grated time to see each other, whether it was family trips or one going to stay with the other’s family for a school break. Whenever they were asked where they wanted to go, the answer was always to each other. 

When Lexa texted after they won state, she was over the moon, and Clarke immediately made sure to get tickets so she could see her best friend play, even though she still didn’t particularly understand the rules, no matter how often Lexa explained them. 

“I can’t believe you guys have stayed in touch so long,” Abby smiled as Clarke sat down from cheering and yelling Lexa’s name after she scored. “It seems like just yesterday you were coming home from kindergarten to tell me about your new best friend, Lexa.” 

“It just kind of works,” Clarke shrugged, unable to pinpoint why it did. There wasn’t an easy answer or any real logic to it. Perhaps it was mostly dumb luck. 

“Hard to believe that little girl is playing in a national championship,” Jake agreed. “I’ve been following her stats online. She’s ranked and is set to go to a Division I school.” 

“Lexa’s going to the University of Oregon, just like me.” 

“You’ve changed your mind a hundred times and you’re halfway through your sophomore year.”

“That’s where she wants to go, and it’s where I want to go.” 

“We’ll add it to the list, but don’t think about it too much just yet,” Jake shared a look with his wife. “A lot can happen in a year.” 

Clarke didn’t want to argue. Instead, she clapped and cheered as Lexa was subbed out in the third. She wasn’t particularly invested in the rest of the game without Lexa out there, but Clarke did her best to watch the entire thing and stay involved with what was happening. In the end, Lexa’s team won, and she cheered the loudest of all. She was wearing Lexa’s old jersey. She was a true fan. 

“You did so well, honey,” Jake promised as he hugged Lexa after they cleaned and gotten ready in the lock room. 

It was a long ceremony, to lift the trophy and answer questions, and listen to coaches. Clarke just grew more and more anxious. She hadn’t been able to see much of Lexa because of the game for the past two days, and she only had 2 more to see her. They always knew they had to make the most of it. 

“Congrats!” Clarke cheered as she launched herself at her best friend, hugging her tightly as they met in the lobby of the convention center. “That was amazing. You’re the best basketball player in the nation.” 

“I don’t know about that,” Lexa chuckled and hugged her back, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. “Thanks for sticking through it though. I’m sure it wasn’t very fun to watch.” 

“Yeah, well. Best friends, biggest fan and such.” 

They hang on each other, never far apart as the family made their way to a celebratory dinner, facetiming with Lexa’s family to share the good news since they couldn’t make the trip. It was exceedingly normal for Lexa to be taken in my the Griffins; it happened nearly every year in some way, same for Clarke with the Woods. Jake spent dinner going over all of the plays and applauding Lexa’s efforts, amazed that she could do such things. He only took credit for her layup, as they’d spent a good portion of her last visit the previous summer working on it in the driveway after diner. Lexa let him have it. It wasn’t lost on her that he put up a basketball hoop for her and her alone, even though she spent collectively less than three months over the past five years at their house. 

Ice cream was a given. The rest of the team would be back at the hotel, probably drinking their water bottles of vodka. Lexa was the youngest on the team, the only underclassman on varsity, and she was oddly grateful to miss it. Nothing could beat ice cream with Clarke and her parents. Only there, sitting outside in the chilly autumn evening, did she swap cones with Clarke as they had since they were five. Only there, did she let Clarke wear her jacket because she was cold. 

The Griffins had a guest room. They had two, in fact. But after the festivities and still a little giddy from the evening, the two friends climbed to Clarke’s room and tried to settle in for a movie.

Freshly showered, Lexa fiddled with the menu, trying to find something to watch while Clarke took her turn showering and washing the excitement off. She played with her phone, texting back friends home and the team lazily, stretched out in Clarke’s bed. 

It shouldn’t have been as big of a deal when Clarke walked out in her towel, asking about what movie they were going to watch. But it somehow was a big deal and Lexa found herself sitting up slightly against the headboard. She looked at Clarke’s bare shoulders as she slipped underwear on. She stared, wide-eyed and dry-mouthed as the towel dropped, and Clarke slipped on shorts and then an old shirt before toweling her hair. 

“You used all the hot water, and I will not be allowing you to shower first, no matter how many championships you win,” Clarke decided, as she joined her in the bed. 

“That’s fair.” 

Suddenly, Lexa was aware of how close they laid together in bed, and how they shared the blankets, and how they watched part of the movie before falling into their normal quiet talking in the middle of the night. She wasn’t sure how or why or what except she was very comfortable and uncomfortable with how comfortable she was. 

“My dad thinks it’s ridiculous I plan on going to the same school as you.” 

“I haven’t gotten in anywhere,” Lexa reminded her. “Or any actual offers.”

“You will,” Clarke promised. “I’m just keeping my options open. It’d be nice to be near you.”

Lexa smiled to herself in the dark and felt Clarke scoot closer so they were facing each other, their knees touching. 

“We haven’t gotten much time alone this visit,” Lexa sighed. 

“Kind of rude of you to interrupt it with basketball.” 

“But at least I got to visit.” 

“True. I needed this,” Clarke yawned. “It’s been a rough semester.” 

“Because you’re dating a real dumb guy.” 

“But he’s so cute.” 

Lexa couldn’t help groaning and wiggling around in bed. She made a show of rolling over before she felt Clarke pull her back with a chuckle. 

“He’s a moron and you can do a billion times better than Finn.” 

“I know, he’s just… nice. He’s steady and doesn’t take much effort.” 

“Shouldn’t it take some effort?” Lexa ventured, not at all sure about any philosophies about love or relationships. 

“Probably a combination of effortlessness and effort,” Clarke nodded. “How’s your crush? Did she text you after you won?” 

“It’s going good,” she shrugged in the dark. “I don’t know if she knows it’s a crush or not.”

“You have to be daring and bold. You’re already charming and funny and adorable. She has to have a crush on you. Just ask her out when you get back. Or text her right now.” 

“Let me think about it a little more.” 

“Fine,” Clarke finally relents and yawns again. “Do you think being in love with someone is talking in the middle of the night, but like forever?” 

There’s a quiet in the bedroom in the middle of the night as Lexa mulls over the words. Since they were five, Clarke was the sure one, the loud one, the persistent and confident and sure one. 

“I hope love is comfortable. I hope it’s talking all night. I hope it also makes you nervous and excited to see the other person. I hope it’s being someone’s one person that they count on no matter what. I hope being in love is all of those things. It has to be, right?”

“You make it sound like we’re in love. I think you just described our entire friendship.” 

Lexa blushed and cleared her throat.

“But we’re best friends. We can’t be in love.” 

The quiet settled there again until Clarke readjusted and sighed. 

“Exactly.” 

“It’d be nice though,” Lexa sighed as well. “To be in love with my favorite person on the planet.” 

“It would.” 

“Unfortunately, my best friend is painfully straight. Oh darn.” She tried to make her voice sound lighter, like this wasn’t a very confusing hole she’d somehow dug herself into. 

“God, I have to dump Finn.” 

They both chuckled at that, breaking the fog of the layered conversation they found themselves stuck in. And with that it was easy to fall back into talking about everything else until neither could keep their eyes open. 

20

The sorority house on Sorority Row was spilling out onto the yard and into the street with people celebrating the start of spring semester. For a moment, Lexa stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the brightly lit building and took a deep breath. She’d spent most of her free time not practicing or with the team here, in Clarke’s room, or doing something with Clarke. 

It was almost an accident that they ended up at the same school, with Lexa accepting the offer late in the year, well after Clarke had been accepted and decided. And it was the best decision of her life because she got to spend so much time with her best friend, and her best friend was at every home game. And for two years, Lexa watched her best friend date her way through a handful of steadies that all bugged her to no-end. And she knew why. She knew exactly why and yet she could never say. That would ruin everything. 

So Lexa stood there for a moment and prepared herself to survive another night of being in love with her best friend and watching her flirt with someone else. 

Lexa had a fairly good reputation all over campus due to her breakout season on the court and a Division Championship under her belt. She was active in a few clubs, volunteer organizations, and mostly, she was Clarke’s friend. 

“Lexa!” Clarke cheered, hugging her tightly as soon as she found her. “I was wondering when I’d get to see you.” 

“I came as soon as I could, darling. I know you miss me too much if I leave you waiting.” 

“I’m a demanding broad, and you know me well, skipper.” 

“You two are disgusting,” Raven observed. 

Lexa just looked down at Clarke who still clung to her, arms wrapped around her middle and grinning back. They were a rather disgusting pair, especially when they did their loving rendition of a polite couple. 

“You are looking rather cute tonight,” Lexa observed. 

“I’ve been known to look cute from time to time. Shouldn’t be too surprising.” 

Lexa just rolled her eyes and waited for Clarke to tug her hand toward the bar. They were practically a packaged deal, and not many believed they’d been friends since they were children because that just didn’t happen anymore, especially across time and space to such stretched degrees. 

But the night went on as it usually did, with music and dancing, though neither were extremely heavy drinkers that often, they retained a mild buzz that lasted into the wee hours of the morning. Rarely where they far away from the other. Often, Lexa would find herself looking across the room and finding her friend. 

But the party waned, and Lexa let herself be invited to stay instead of trying to traverse her way home across campus. There were enough of her old shirts and workout shorts as part of Clarke’s wardrobe that she always had clothes around anyway. 

Lazily, Lexa lounged on the bed as Clarke finished getting ready for bed. She scrolled on her phone for a little bit and yawned, exhausted by the day and drinks. 

When Clarke walked out of the bathroom, Lexa stared more intently at her phone because her friend was in a bath towel, and that was too much to handle anymore. She didn’t look. For a solid ten seconds. But then the towel disappeared, and she saw the curly hairs at the base of Clarke’s neck, her hair pulled up in a sloppy bun as she slid on a shirt. Lexa watched all of it happen and she couldn’t pretend otherwise. 

“That was a good night, darling. We should have the gang over more often,” Clarke decided with a smile as she turned back toward the bed. 

“That was a small showing. I expected better.”

“I’ll russell up a better gang, I swear.” 

With a chuckle, Clarke flipped off the light and got into bed, careful to crawl over Lexa and find her spot against the wall. Lexa felt all of that and she remained stoic, staring at the ceiling and thinking about the queen and such. 

“I can’t believe we’ve been having sleep overs since we were five,” Clarke whispered. 

“You kind of made me be your friend. Mrs. Gates sat me beside you and that was it.” 

“Do you think she knows what she started?” 

“We should let her know.” 

An arm moved around Lexa’s middle. It grabbed her arm and pulled it around her body so that Clarke was the little spoon. Over the past few months, Clarke had been more affectionate, physically. She’d taken the time to touch Lexa and hug her, though Lexa chalked it up to her own wavering brain looking for something that wasn’t there, and resoling herself to being the best friend anyone could ask for. Best friends were the big spoon sometimes. 

Stuck smelling Clarke’s hair, Lexa closed her eyes and let her arms squeeze her friend, eclipsed by her taller frame. She held her breath for as long as she could. 

“I sleep best when you’re in bed. I’m getting spoiled,” Clarke yawned, wiggling slightly as she found a comfortable spot. 

“I’ll have to train your future husband in how to do it.” 

“I don’t think I want anyone else.” 

“You have your pick of the litter. We’ll find you a squire to court you.” 

“Nah,” she sighed, smiling. “I only want you.” 

“I, um,” Lexa gulped and felt Clarke’s thumb on her wrist, rubbing soothingly as she was known to do. “I only want you, too.” 

“Good.” 

25

It’d been a long day. The world’s longest day. The worst, longest, most exhausting day, and all Lexa wanted to do was sleep. Sleep would wash away the entire week that beat her up, and sleep would save her from dinner with her parents. Sleep was a welcomed reward she was hoping to cash in on so she could escape the stress of breathing. 

Cranky and sore, Lexa tossed her keys on the table by the door and chucked her bag on the chair in the living room, kicking off her shoes as she made her way down the hall toward the kitchen. The house was quiet and empty for a Friday night, and she appreciate that for the time being. 

From the fridge, she dug out a bottle of beer and tossed the cap on the counter before shrugging off her jacket between eager swigs. With heavy feet, she padded upstairs and collapsed into the bed with a grunt, hoping a nap would help her escape the headache that’d been brewing since before lunch. Still with her work clothes on, Lexa fell asleep quickly and without any resistance. 

It wasn’t until she felt the bed dip that Lexa smiled into the bed, a familiar weight settled atop her, squishing her slightly with affection. 

“Long day?” Clarke whispered, kissing her fiancé’s shoulder though her shirt. 

“Long week,” Lexa complained and stretched, enjoying the feeling. 

“Want to order pizza and take a bath?” 

“Very much.” 

“I’ll open the wine.” 

Though she tried to move, Lexa flipped, holding Clarke to her, finally kissing her softly, and then eagerly, and then happily. 

“How was your day, darling?” 

“Not nearly as bad as yours.” 

“Good.” 

Clarke sat up slightly and pushed her messy hair away from her face as it fell in front of her eyes as she tried to kiss her best friend and make her smile. 

“I think being in love might be wine and pizza and a bath,” she grinned, running her thumb along Lexa’s cheek and jaw and then neck before kissing her again. 

“Let’s find out.”

[talesofphantombandits]

Tech Whiz ~ Matt Devlin - Part 1.

Hey guys, so I recently watched all the episodes of Law and Order: UK that Matt was in and came up with this idea for a story.  Hope you all enjoy and let me know if you want to be tagged in future parts.  Edits will be made later on.

Pairing: Matt Devlin X OC. Summary: Saylor Clarke gets a new job working on the tech aspects of solving the crimes that Ronnie and Matt investigate. She swears to herself that she will not get into any office romances but the more time she spends with Matt the harder it gets not to fall for him. Someone on the sidelines however are always watching their every interacting, when things go to the next level Saylors mystery admirer will make themselves known in the worst way possible. 

Tagging those who showed interest in my post about this story, if you don’t want to be tagged in further parts let me know and i’ll untag it immediately.  Thank you for showing support though <3 @dreamingundone​ , @fyeahmeninroyalnavy​ , @alittlepronetopanic​

Saylor Clarke visuals. 

As it is for anyone, the first day of walking into a new workplace was a nerve wracking experience. It was only made more daunting as Saylor took in all the bodies dressed in various formal suits and ties, pencil skirts and blazers. 

Of course, Saylor was also dressed presentably, but the big difference between her and her new colleagues was the dip dyed shoulder length emerald hair she sported, the numerous piercings in her ears - which were mainly covered by her hair - and a small green ring through her nostril. 

She was grateful her sleeve tattoo in progress was covered under her blazer or she would have felt even more uneasy than she already did. Her only body art on show was five thin lines encircling four of her fingers. They were dainty and usually most people didn’t even notice them unless they were in close proximity to her. Even so, she loosely clasped her hands into fists in case anyone decided to peer too closely. 

Still, alternative styles evidently were not a popular sight in the The Crown office, because as Saylor walked down the aisles of cubicles, eyes zoned in on her. She tried to remind herself that this was not the first time she’d faced stares over her appearance and that it no way detracted from her professionalism or ability to do her job. That’s all that mattered, and she would remind them all of that in due course. 

Arriving at a standard looking office that overlooked the city, she met DI Natalie Chandler who went over all the necessary debriefing and documentation with her. The woman’s kind nature lifted some of the nerves rattling through her and she hoped she would get to work with Ms Chandler in the future.

Natalie then led her over to the middle of the bustling office to a set of desks where two men had their backs to her. 

“Guys! This is our new tech master, Saylor Clarke.” 

Both of them swung around in their chairs, the older gentleman who sat to the right and she shared a warm smile with him, but what caught Saylor’s was the young man on the left. “I’d like you to meet DS Ronnie Brooks and DS Matthew Devlin.” She smiled, meeting both their gazes in greeting. 

“She’ll be taking over from Angela from today.” Before Natalie walked away she gave both of them a pointed stare. “Be nice! Look after her.” 

“We’re always nice!” Matt called after her playfully then turned on Saylor and she forgot her own name for a breath. “Hey, Mathew Devlin but you can call me Matt.” He held out his hand for her to shake.  Worried her hand would be sweaty due to the first day nerves and her body’s response to meeting someone as striking as Matt before, Saylor hesitated, but suddenly she realised how rude that would look and slipped her hand into his. It enveloped hers and she hoped he didn’t hear the way her breathing jittered at the contact and noticed the electricity that skated up her skin leaving goosebumps in its wake, and she truly hoped he didn’t feel the slight moist covering on her hand. If he clocked onto anything at all, he never let it show as he gave her a friendly grin and returned to his desk. 

With ocean eyes that shamed the carribean shores, sunkissed skin that enhanced every muscular valley in his bare forearms and bone structure that rivaled the godly marbled statues she’d seen at the A&E, it was fair to say Matt might have been the most mesmerizing man she’d ever laid her eyes upon. 

One word came to her mind. Shit.

How was she going to stop herself from crushing on Mr Devlin?

“Ronnie Brooks,” The older man stated, waving a hand. “don’t worry you’ll settle in right away. If you need anything though don’t be afraid to ask us. Me and Matty will be happy to help.” They both offered her bright and reassuring smiles and she felt instantly welcome in their company.  

“Thank you, guys. It’s nice to meet you both. I guess I better go log into my computer, and get it all set up.” Ronnie pointed out her desk which was a little way across the room from theirs, she thanked him and made her way over, cursing herself on the way for being so awkward.

Her first day seemed to flash by, and before she knew it, it was dark outside and people started leaving the office in drips and drabs. Nothing too exciting had happened through the duration of the day. It wasn’t as though she had expected to be thrown straight into the middle of the chaos on day one, but admittedly, lack of productivity had her itching in her seat. 

However, her day was pleasant nonetheless; she had managed to set up her computer almost exactly the way she liked it, she’d gone and spoke to some of her other new colleagues around the office to get to know who she would be working with and had been pleasantly surprised at the warmth she was met with. She shouldn’t have assumed they would judge her based on her looks, she needed to squash that insecurity. 

But mostly, she had chatted with Matt and Ronnie. Apparently, not much was happening in the way of cases, so they had time to tell her about some of their most interesting cases and how tech had helped them catch their criminal in the end. She looked forward to being able to be a part of that team and process in the future. 

Both men were incredibly charming and sweet. She counted herself lucky that she’d been put in an office with such lovely company. Ronnie was instantly like a father figure to her, he seemed gentle and caring and she was in no doubt that he’d be the first to her aid if she needed it. Matt on the other hand spoke to her in a more flirtatious manner, which of course she could never honestly say she minded. It was actually an honour to have such a beautiful man trade playful banter with her, but she had to remind herself that this was her work place now and no matter how she may want to, nothing past friendship was to be permitted between the two of them. 

There was only one person she met in that office that first day that made her uncomfortable; Mike had walked up to her desk, and she could tell right off the bat that this man was typically shy. Knowing this feeling all too well she greeted him warmly, but as soon as he started speaking she got an unsettling feeling from the interaction. She couldn’t, however, put her finger on what exactly it was that was making her so uneasy about the man who had only said one word to her. 

After the single interaction though, she didn’t see him for the rest of the day so she brushed it off and buried herself in customising her systems to her personal preference. 

At the end of the day, she was at her desk switching everything off when she felt someone approach her from behind. She sent a silent prayer that whoever it was, it wasn’t Mike. Regardless, of the lack of action she’d seen through the day, she still felt drained from all the information she’d had to retain and had no energy left to try to understand him.

“How are you getting home?” 

Turning, a jolt of excitement spiked through her fatigue when she saw Matt standing a few feet from her wrapping his scarf around his neck. “Not to sound creepy or anything, I just thought It would be decent of me to offer you a lift seen as it’s pitch black outside and you said earlier that you live on the other side of London.” 

She smiled not only at how genuinely adorable this man was with his slight pout, but also at the fact he remembered when she’d idly said where she lived. Then she quickly reminded herself not to overthink his basic capacity to listen to information. She couldn’t let her head run amok. “Thank you Matt, that’s really nice that you thought of me. But I have my bike.” 

“Bike? As in a peddle bike? I mean I could probably fit it in the back of my car. London traffic in the dark isn’t the nicest to people on bikes.” 

“Erm, no, my motorbike.” Matt looked taken aback at this. Saylor simply laughed at his surprised expression.

They both started for the door. “Okay this I have to see!” She looked at him confused but she couldn’t hide the amusement on her face. “Oh no I didn’t mean you riding a motorbike I meant the actual bike.”  

 “Sure! You can come meet Alvin.” 

Matt stopped in his tracks in the middle of the foyer, Saylor stopping a step in front of him, eyebrows raised. “What?”

“You named your bike after a chipmunk?”

She burst out laughing at the remark, envisioning the small rodent in question. “No.” she shook her head. “I named my bike after the Glam Rock star Alvin Stardust, a childhood favourite.” Sniggering to herself as she walked out of the revolving doors. 

Matt was close on her heels as she walked to where her bike was parked on the side of the street. Stopping in front of it, she reached inside of her jacket to grab the key for the little storage box on the back of the bike.

“Matt meet Alvin, Alvin meet Matt.” 

“Wow, such a beautiful bike.” Matt slowly walked around observing every detail of the vehicle. 

“Thanks. I try to keep him in tip top shape.” Matt paused again looking over the bike to Saylor who had finally freed her helmet from the box. 

“You do maintenance on the bike yourself?” 

She looked up to find Matt staring at her in something akin to awe. “Yeah, I won't let anyone else touch him.” 

She got up on the bike and started up the engine. Itroared to life.

Putting on the helmet, she turned to Matt one last time. “If you’re lucky one day I might let you ride him, I’ll see you tomorrow.” She winked at him, closed the visor and as Matt walked back to the pavement, he watched as she safely pulled out and sped off. 

The last look on his face said it all; maybe she wasn’t the only one that was going to struggle toeing the line between friendship and something more. 

...............

The next morning was uneventful, but Saylor didn’t mind too much. It gave her additional time to settle in and socialise some more. Which included Matt.

When she got home the previous night she couldn’t shake the smile from her face. Her interactions with him the previous day had left her feeling like a campfire had ignited in her stomach and set a flock of butterflies into a frenzy above. 

“Hey, a few of us are heading out for something to eat tonight if you would care to join us?” She turned in her chair to find Matt and Ronnie stood behind her with hopeful smiles on their faces. 

“Sure, why not.” She leaned back in her chair and grinned at them both.

“I hope I’m invited too.” 

As if out of nowhere, Mike appeared beside Saylor, that uneasy feeling came back to her. She shifted in her chair then glanced at Matt who seemed to sense her unease. He moved to perch himself on the corner of Saylor’s desk, putting himself between them. She looked up at him and gave him a silent ‘Thank you!’

“Sure. Everyone's invited.” Ronnie chimed in. 

Saylor and Matt both snapped their heads to Ronnie. Obviously, he hadn’t read the room, but it was too late. Mike said he would meet them at the pizza place later and had walked off.  

Unable to pinpoint exactly what it was about Mike that gave her the creeps, she felt a little bad, but every time he was near her, the hair on the back of her neck would stand up and she had the greatest desire to be as far away from him as possible. 

“Jeez, Ronnie, why’d you invite him? Can’t you see that he makes Saylor uncomfortable?” 

Ronnie looked at Saylor, confused. 

“Does he make you uncomfortable? I can go over and uninvite him?” Ronnie started walking to Mike's desk but Saylor reached out an arm and stopped him. 

“No, no. It’s okay. I’m probably just overreacting, he’s probably a really nice person, I have to give him a chance. Besides this is only my second day, he barely said two words to me. Can’t be making enemies straightaway, can I?” She smiled at them both, trying to be as lighthearted as she could. Ronnie said a simple okay as he walked back to his desk.

“Did you bring the bike today?” Matt said still perched on her desk, she swung back round to face her computer. 

“I got a cab today actually, I never ride when it’s raining.” She chuckled to herself. “One of my mum's rules, actually. I understand though. Plus, I’d rather not turn up to work drenched.” 

“So, you’ll be getting a cab home?” 

She just nodded as she typed away on the keypad. If someone would have asked her what she was working on she wouldn’t have been able to answer. It was hard to concentrate when she had such a handsome man distracting her. 

“Or I could give you a lift after the pizza place, I mean I’m the designated driver so....” 

She stopped typing and looked up, catching his eye. “Sure, I guess it saves me some money. Unless you want gas money which I will happily provide.” 

“Don’t worry about it. Just buy me a coke at the pub.” He snapped his finger and pointed at her with a wide grin.

“You got it.” She tilted her head as she looked at him, matching his grin. 

“Great, I guess I’ll meet you back here when it’s time to leave.” Nodding again, she watched as he got up from the desk and walked away with the biggest smile on his lips.

Sighing, she knew she’d spend the rest of the day trying not to overanalyse said smile and tame the butterflies wreaking havoc inside her.

By the end of her second morning she’d already made some amazing friends. She just hoped that it would stay like that, that she wouldn’t ruin this job for herself like she did the last one.

No way would she let that happen again.

Time ticked by ever so slowly. Every time she looked at the clock, only mere minutes had passed. Now and then, she’d peer over to Matt’s desk. Most of the time he’d have his back to her, but sometimes he’d be talking to Ronnie and would catch her eye, a dazzling smile appearing on his face.

She didn’t have the adequate vocabulary to describe how adorable Matt Devlin truly was.

After her lunch, she’d been given some work to do which she became immersed in, completely forgetting about the time and what was happening around her. She only became aware of her surroundings again when Ronnie placed a warm hand on her shoulder. 

“You ready?” 

She looked up to him smiling down at her, she saved her work and switched off the computer. “More than ready.” Grabbing her bag and jacket, she met Ronnie by the door. 

“Matt just had to go drop off some paperwork, he said he’d meet us by the car.” Nodding, she followed Ronnie out to the back parking lot. 

Less than a minute later, Matt came strolling over to them smiling, swinging his keys around his finger.

Ronnie let Saylor ride shotgun, even though she insisted she would be fine in the back seat.  “It’s the most gentlemanly thing to do.”  He smiled as he got into the back. She looked at Matt over the roof of the car rolling her eyes but got in the font anyway. 

When they reached the little pizza place, they found a booth near the back and settled in. Once Matt had taken his coat and scarf off, he got the drink orders and went to the bar. 

Ronnie and Saylor were having a full blown conversation when the bell above the door chimed, indicating that someone had entered the restaurant. 

Both looking up at the noise, they could see four people entering and looking around. Saylor only recognised one of the people. Mike.

“Oh god.” 

She shook her head and looked to Ronnie.

“What is it?” She enquired. 

“That women behind Mike, she’s from the evidence team. Completely obsessed with Matt, finds any excuse to come up to the office to see him.” He sniggered, evidently amused.

“Honestly, can’t say I blame her.” Saylor laughed at the surprise on Ronnie’s face. 

“I’ll remember that remark!” He jokingly threatened her, but before Saylor could reply, the group had reached their table, and the women who Ronnie had pointed out sat down next to Saylor. 

“I’ll go help Matt with the drinks now we have more people.” Ronnie got up and headed to where Matt still stood at the bar. 

Saylor just stared after him in complete disbelief that he had left her with a bunch of strangers. 

Not even a second after Ronnie had left his seat, Mike slid in the booth next to her. She tried her damn hardest not to shift away from him when he shuffled in closer to her. 

Finally, the two men came back from the bar, hands full of drinks and distributed them out to everyone. She caught Matt's eye when he handed her, her drink then his eyes shifted to both sides of her. His eyes showed concern but he mouthed a ‘sorry’ to her. Replying with a gentle smile, she let him know she was okay. For now. 

“Hey, I don’t think I’ve seen you around before. My name is Alice! and this is Chase, we work in the evidence lab.” Alice held out her hand which Saylor shook, then proceeded to shake Chase’s hand as well, of which he held onto her hand a second longer but then just smiled at her and sat back into the booth. 

“Saylor, I’m the new tech wiz in the office.” She changed her attention back to Alice who was now sizing her up. 

“Oh, lucky you. You get to be in the office all the time and be around Matt.” Saylor looked to Matt who was conversing with Ronnie and tried to think innocent and professional thoughts. 

“He’s an amazing person. I mean I’ve only known him for two days and he’s been nothing but kind to me.” 

“He’s more than amazing. Have you seen him? He’s so yummy. If only he could see how amazing I am, I’d take him straight home and do nasty things with him.” Saylor was taken aback by the way Alice was talking about one of her coworkers. 

All she could do was laugh uncomfortably and turn away hoping to end the conversation but she forgot that the person on the other side of her was Mike. She was trapped. 

“Don’t take no notice of her, she has no filter and has been completely obsessed over Matt for years.” Chase reached over and moved Alice out of his way so he could sit next to Saylor. “I’ve heard way worse come from her mouth about that man.” Saylor gave the man a ‘oh god’ look but smiled at him anyway, glad that finally she was sitting next to someone she could converse with normally. 

The rest of the meal was relatively normal. Although she missed the time with Ronnie and Matt, she found that Chase was also someone she could see herself calling a friend in the future. He’d also saved her when Mike shifted unbearably close to her so again, but then Chase switched seats meaning she was back next to Alice, and she’d take that over sitting next to Mike any day.

When they were getting ready to leave, Chase also offered her a lift home but she had to decline, looking up to see Matt waiting for her by the door, his sparkling eyes dancing in the candlelight. “Thank you, that’s really kind, but Matt already promised me a lift home. Thank you for saving me tonight, twice!” She laughed. 

“No problem. Anytime.” Then he did something unexpected. He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. She didn’t know how to react so she just smiled and waved her goodbyes. 

“You ready?” Matt smiled at her, opening the door. 

“Yes.” She walked out into the rain, Ronnie trailing behind her and the three made their way to the car parked just outside. 

They dropped Ronnie off first and bid their goodnights to him, and then for the first time that night, it was just the two of them. 

Saylor gave him the directions to her flat before any conversations started. 

“Seems you have many admirers already!” 

Saylor chuckled and turned to look at Matt, the streetlights highlighting his sharp features as they drove. “That's funny because I hear you have admirers too!” 

“Urg, if you’re talking about Alice, I don’t want to hear about it. She’s a nice person and I respect her but agreeing to go on a date with her was one of the worst decisions I've ever made.” He glanced at Saylor in the passenger seat to see her beaming at him.

“You went on a date with her? I bet that was eventful!.” 

“Oh! it was, but I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of hearing about it.” Saylor huffed out a ‘spoil sport’ and went back to facing the front of the car.

“Did you enjoy tonight?” 

“I did, everyone’s so nice. Shame I didn’t get to speak to you and Ronnie much. I was kind of trapped between Alice and Mike, who, for some reason I can’t put my finger on why, but he gives me the creeps.” She shivered in her seat. 

“Yeah, I could see how uncomfortable you were with him earlier.” 

“Luckily Chase was there to put a barrier between us.” She didn’t look but she could tell he was glancing at her. 

“Ah Chase! think he has a thing for you.” They both looked at each other when Saylor laughed out loud. 

“Yeah well nothing will come of it. For one, he’s a nice guy, but I don’t feel any attraction towards him. And secondly, I promised myself long ago not to date coworkers.” Matt's face fell, and for a moment she thought she saw disappointment in his eyes, but it was only a flash. 

She couldn’t say anymore though as he pulled up to her apartment. 

Looking up at her door, she sighed. She’d told Matt that about coworker relationships, but every time they were close, all she wanted to do was be in his arms and just feel his arms wrapped around her.  

She opened the door but turned back to Matt. “Thank you for being so kind to me in my first few days and for dropping me off home.” 

He smiled in reply and she wondered if she’d ever get tired of that smile. She doubted it.

Without time to think it through, she reached over the centre console and kissed him on the cheek. Once she realised what she had done, she moved back a bit to read his reaction, but all she saw was shock and happiness all mixed together,  and gods, she really wanted to kiss him. She could see he wanted the same as his eyes travelled down to her lips. 

But she couldn’t let it happen. 

So, she pulled back further and finally got out of the car. 

“Goodnight Matt.”

[palmett-hoes]

Hi, I really loved your post with the monsters as Birds of Prey! Was wondering if you had any thoughts on the Foxes as Marvel or Mcu characters? I feel like I could see Dan as Carol Danvers and Andrew for sure is Jessica Jones, idk about the rest.

oh wow old post!!

haha unfortunately i’m not really a comics person so i don’t feel like i can really give the best analysis possible, but i have seen most of the mcu movies and bits and pieces of the netflix show so i’ll try my best. also im using dc characters too bc i want to

1. Dan: I think your instinct with Dan as Captain Marvel is spot-on (at least uhhh,, based on the movie lol sorry comics ppl). Her direct, forceful powers and fighting style are definitely reminiscent of dan’s no-nonsense leadership approach. similarly the themes of overcoming sexism and acceling in a male-dominated industry in the captain marvel movie is pretty much the same as dan’s story establishing herself as the first female exy captain (tho sports is way more valid than the military). plus there’s a lot of emphasis on love and friendship between women that dan is ALL about. also lashana lynch would be a god tier dan wilds fc. Dan could also def have that lawful good Okoye from Black Panther energy. Loyal, disciplined, no-nonsense leader. no powers except discipline. no hair. also danai gurira in 2012 with the dreads and the sword and the cape on TWD was definitely part of my middle school sexual awakening

2. Kevin: Aquaman. this is based pretty much exclusively on the fact that jason momoa is my #1 kevin fc and also that Pasifika kevin is phenomenal and mandatory, actually. otherwise i think he has a decent amount of stick-up-the-ass cyclops energy. or dick grayson nightwing energy but i don’t have any evidence for why. kinda looks like him tho

3. Andrew: andrew gets the most characters bc he’s my favorite. i think ur jessica jones instincts are absolutely correct, both in her storyline (i only watched the first season) and her powers. i’ve seen some powers au and the tendency seems to be giving andrew like,, psychic powers or the like, and i don’t really agree. andrew is a very direct character. he’s pragmatic, he confronts problems head on, and he doesn’t muck about in details. to me this really translates best into physical powers like super strength that help u big punch straight thru all ur problems. also i def think andrew would be not just a solo hero but a mercenary (or a detective) because he’s not altruistic enough to be a standard vigilante. he doesn’t care enough about other people to hang out on rooftops all night waiting for Crime to occur. there’s a price for that.  which brings us to the NEXT andrew hero: deadpool. maybe in personality more of a drugged andrew but the superpowered mercenary is really a perfect fit for andrew. also, healing powers have a decidedly tragic poetry to them on andrew. already he’s self-destructive, if he had a healing factor his concern for his own well-being would be so beyond rock bottom it’d be in the earth’s core. even worse when you remember that with a healing factor, as opposed to indestructibility, you still feel all the pain. which brings us to Wolverine and X-23, who have the same thematic points as deadpool but are much more of a personality match and they have knife hands, which i really think andrew would appreciate. ending that sadness train and onto another tho, andrew’s aesthetic and Vibes fit the Winter Soldier just SO well (just that movie tho, not really civil war or anything past that) and a reinterpretation of the captain america story using the twinyards would be incredibly interesting. and finally, one last hero that would work really well for andrew: rogue, only remove the angst around not being able to touch people, andrew would love that. one touch and their comatose? baller. don't fucking touch him.

4. Matt: Shazam. I didn’t see the shazam movie but my dad and brother did and they said it was very funny and all the trailors looked like it had a lot of fun himbo energy and i really think that fits. in terms of matching himbo disaster energy i think i’ve heard good things about comics hawkeye (not mcu). thor?

5. Aaron: Mr. Fantastic. now this might be a stretch but aaron is a character who uses a skin-deep veneer of anger to cover the fact that he’s actually quite pliant and bends to other people’s wills. and he’s a doctor or w/e. he could alse be like,, antman. he’s smart right? hank pym not paul rudd. katelyn can be wasp

6. Seth: Arm Fall Off Boy. no i will not elaborate.             ..... ugh fine, but i'm using my favorite piece of superhero media of all time: x-men evolution, the one where they're all teenagers in public high school. seth can be lance alvers/avalanche who’s a bit of a jerk and has a lot of issues with authority and has a rivalry with cyclops very reminiscent of seth with kevin, but still there’s the recurring theme that he’s lashing out because of low self-esteem and a bad situation and he’s a surprisingly sympathetic character who i’m very fond of. his power is earthquakes but i think the name makes that pretty self-explanatory

7. Allison: Iron Man. cocky, bitchy, and rich rich rich. sounds like allison to me. then to elevate it a level higher: emma frost, rich bitch extraordinaire. also if allison had telepathic powers she would be unstoppable. plus one more bitchy, morally-gray blonde (but chaotic this time): Harley Quinn

8. Nicky: Okay so I do wanna give a quick shout-out to Northstar, the first openly gay comicbook superhero, who’s a speedster which I’d actually say fits Nicky pretty well. However, if i had to choose a superhero to represent nicky in presence and powers it would have to be Jubilee from x-men (... from what i’ve heard lol. i’ve never actually consumed any of her Media hahaha anyway) she’s a joyful, energetic presence and her powers are setting off fireworks which i think is a good balance of nicky being a supportive cousin-parent AND a chaotic train wreck garbage trash man. also gonna throw in johnny storm for a cheap 'flaming' joke

9. Renee: Thunder/Blackbird from Black Lightning bc she’s a fufkin lesbian lol. (i don’t watch the show but i do follow nafessa williams’s tag). now the fr ones i’m gonna do together because to me they have the same Vibes so i chose them for the same reasons. Wonder Woman and Storm who to me have the same  reserved, impartial, regal energy. honestly ethereal and somewhat otherwordly, and quite literally goddesses. also op as hell.  black widow and her “red in my leger” looking for redemption story also fits thematically.

10. Neil: okay lazy answer first: the flash or quicksilver. get it? because they run fast? and neil run too? yea i like to think i've proven myself to be better than such a surface level interpretation but worth the mention ig. so for srs now, mystique and her shape changing powers would be an interesting interpretation of neil's identity issues, but i wanna push it a step further. nightcrawler would actually be possibly the MOST interesting hero to apply to neil 1. because powers still very movement go fast place to place 2. because of the thematic focus on neil's unusual looks and the lengths he goes to hide them, very much in line with the way nightcrawler will use a hologram-projector in order to look human, yet in both cases it's only a surface-level illusion, and 3. his parentage. here, mary would be mystique, which i also think works very well considering mary seemed to be the far more effective chameleon on the run than neil, and also fits with her place as a morally grey character, as mystique herself is often a villain or an antagonist, with her own agenda and shadowy motives. then nathan matches well with nightcrawler's father: azazel, a literal demon, and also where kurt gets his appearance. it's a shockingly coherent narrative between the three of them. then, to also give neil some powers that aren't contingent on his fucked up geneology and rather on his own merit and abilities, Black Canary and her sonic voice parallel the way that neil began to anchor his identity and take ownership over himself through his voice and his sick roasts

and 1 extra, wymack: batman, on account of his altruism, his dedication to second chances, and his many, many adopted children

---

anon, ik it's been a sec since you sent this, so i hope it gets back to you. i had a fun time with it and it prompted like,,, 7 different au s that i'll never write

[bitchin-beskar]

Folklore

Rating: T (mentions of a funeral, and (1) undeserved b*tch slap)

Word Count: 1.2k

A/N: Wow, chapter three already! I’m not sure I’ve ever posted three chapters before three days in a row, maybe it’ll be a new trend. Anyways, this chapter is based on the last great american dynasty, which I looooove! It’s such a catchy song, and I loved writing this chapter! I hope you guys like it, and be prepared, cause the next chapter is based on exile, and I think we all know what that means! (angst. it means angst. I’m gonna cry so much.)

Tags: @mxndoscyarika, @theocatkov, @perropascal

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged in future chapters!

the last great american dynasty

His mother tried to ban you from the funeral. She failed, but gossip travels fast in your little town, and soon, everyone was whispering about how your fiancé’s family must hate you to try and ban you from his funeral. 

If you were being honest, they weren’t wrong. Your future mother-in-law had never liked you, calling you names–gold-digging bitch was her favorite–behind your back, and your future father-in-law was a smarmy old man who you’d caught staring at your chest once too many times. Despite them, you’d loved your fiancé. Really, you had. 

It had stunned you when you’d gotten the call. You were home, working on dinner, and when your cell rang, and Charlie’s name and face had popped up, you’d answered without a second thought, only to drop the phone in shock when the voice on the other end told you that he’d collapsed at work, and was en route to the hospital. You’d rushed there straight away, but by the time you’d arrived, more bad news awaited you.

“Please, my fiancé, Charles Pennington, he was just brought in, I got a call, how is he?”

Before the nurse at the reception desk can tell you anything, you hear your name being called. You turn, and there stands a man in scrubs, and you can immediately tell from the look on his face that it’s not good news. 

“Ma’am, I’m so sorry, but your fiancé didn’t make it.”

You hear the words, but don’t quite process what he’s saying. “B–But, but Charlie wasn’t sick, I–I, I don’t understand–” 

The doctor cuts you off, a sympathetic look on his face. “It was a brain aneurysm. There was nothing we could do, he passed away almost immediately. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

You don’t really remember much of what happened after that. You know that you must have called Charlie’s parents to inform them, but you don’t remember most of the conversation. You were in a daze, moving sluggishly, as though the air had the consistency of syrup. None of it felt real. You had the unsettling feeling as though you weren’t in control of your body, as though you were watching someone else pull the strings. The one event that does stand out with startling clarity is when Mrs. Pennington slapped you across the face in the middle of the hospital waiting room. It was as if her slap had jolted you back into awareness, albeit a bit painfully. 

You watched, a little dazed, as two orderlies rushed forward to physically hold her back, but nothing could hold back the vitriol spewing from her lips. She was cursing your name, calling you a murderer and a killer, blaming you for her precious baby’s death. You knew that some of the hospital staff would just see it as a grief-stricken mother, striking out at the world for her pain, but you also knew that some wouldn’t. 

So, you weren’t exactly surprised when the police got involved. Neither of the officers who questioned you seemed to believe the rumors, but the Pennington family was exceedingly wealthy, so when the heir to the family fortune died unexpectedly, and rather young too, people began to wonder. Your family had been upper middle class, at best, despite your mother’s best efforts. Many people wondered why the Pennington heir would want to marry someone… beneath him. 

You’d heard practically every rumor under the sun, ranging from reasonable to downright insane. Seriously, one woman thought you’d hypnotized Charlie to get him to marry you. You hadn’t done anything underhanded at all, though. You weren’t even trying to get his attention, but when Charlie had asked you out, you hadn’t said no. You’d been so desperate to forget–

No.

You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to block out the memories. But in spite of your efforts, they came flooding in, flashing behind your eyes like an old film reel. 

You’d been so in love with Frankie, it had physically made you sick to leave him. You hated yourself for it, but you’d been unable to watch his downward spiral.  You’d moved, trying to start a new life, and when you’d met Charlie–a man who was the complete and utter opposite of Frankie, coincidentally of course–you’d practically jumped at the chance for a new life. And you’d been happy.

Or maybe you’d become so good at lying you’d convinced yourself that you were happy. Why else would you be here, standing in the bathroom of the church, trying to figure out why you weren’t crying at your fiancé’s funeral. 

It wasn’t like you weren’t sad, because you were. You’d been engaged to marry Charlie, and you wouldn’t have accepted his proposal if you didn’t love him. But now that he was gone, it was as though your feelings had died with him. You weren’t relieved, but you couldn’t deny that you felt lighter now that you wouldn’t become Mrs. Charles Pennington in a few weeks. 

You could lie to yourself, and say that it was because of his–quite frankly horrid–parents. Or you could say that it was because you just weren’t ready to get married yet. But you knew that neither of those reasons were the truth.

The truth was, you were still in love with Frankie. No matter how much you tried to deny it, you knew it was true. You’d tried to forget him with everything you had, but it hadn’t worked. Little things reminded you of Francisco Morales everywhere you went. 

Sitting in a bar, you could feel the gentle pressure of his hand on your thigh. Driving down the highway, you found yourself reaching out as though to hold his hand over the console in your car. You never ate frozen yogurt anymore, and you had to shove your favorite sweatshirt into the back of your closet because it was Frankie’s sweatshirt and you couldn’t look at it without crying. 

You stared at your reflection in the mirror, and you were disgusted. You’d become everything your mother and father ever wanted, and you hated it. You’d been ready to settle down and become a housewife, which you’d sworn you’d never do. You’d been trying so hard to cut Frankie out of your life that you’d lost yourself in the process. 

Plastering a neutral expression on your face, and left the bathroom to mingle and accept condolences when offered, for as long as was polite. You pointedly ignored Mr. and Mrs. Pennington, keeping your head high, even as thinly-veiled insults and barbs were thrown your way. 

But, as soon as you were able, you left. You left the funeral home, the house, everything. You took only what was yours, and hopped on the road, hoping that maybe, you’d find a chance to find yourself again.

***

“Who knows, if I never showed up, what could’ve been.

There goes the loudest woman this town has ever seen.

I had a marvelous time ruining everything.”

[suffering-and-happy-about-it]

The Bottle Bottoms Glasses (White Demon’s Love Song, Part 2.)

Series description: A new job was what the reason you found yourself on a lonely roadtrip on the western coast, ending up in the woods of Olympian Peninsula. Yet a sudden car malfuction was what cause your unplanned stay in Forks. To your surprise, there was a lot of sinister things going on under the veil of fog.

Part summary: The man who you were still suspecting to kill you when given an opportunity did exactly what you wanted - he took you to meet Charlie Swan. And then, you spent some time with him at an errand.

A/N: So, we can see Jacob having his moments here and there, but don’t worry. Eclipse Jacob will be back again. But so far, I am enjoying where the story is going. It’s also kinda funny.

Tagging: @missdictatorme​

Word count: 4.6 K

Twilight playlist: ✨ Twilight Crackheads ✨

Series masterlist: H E R E

Since you seemed to be serious about the whole talking to the police chief thing, you were now sitting in the black Chevy after Black called someone quickly. Jacob was starting the machine without a word, but this time, the silence wasn't as weird as the first time around. After a very nice offer Jake gave you, you weren't worried that he might just... Bury you six feet somewhere around in the Forks woods. The respect out of his body proportions was still there, but it was slowly disappearing.

The cabin was once more nicely warm. There was one moment when you thought about taking your jacket off - yet then you remembered where you were. Forks certainly wasn't a place where would you just wanted to walk around with the extra coverage. Jacob's radio was now on and just like you before, he was tuned into Radio Forks.

It was a short ride to the police station, but the short ride told you just everything you needed to know about the town - it was a small town, one of the ones where a serial killer could be raging, and the people wouldn't probably notice. It was a sleepy town, and from what you've gathered, the people knew each other very well. Jacob was nodding at people throughout the whole ride with a small smile - showing you a whole another side of the annoyed, fed-up mechanic you've introduced yourself to not even ten minutes ago. When you sometimes looked at the man, he had a big smile full of white teeth, which were beautifully balanced with his russet skin. And the hair, boy, a lot of women would kill for this kind of long, strong, black hair. Maybe, just maybe, he was just big, but not dangerous.

Well, this wasn't your experience with big men, so naturally, you still weren't convinced to just feel good around such a huge man. No. It was giving you creeps - and honestly, you knew that the man will be giving you subtle creeps until the last day you'll be in Forks. As you were lost in your thoughts about big, tall men creeping you out, the car suddenly stopped. Jacob turned the engine off, then he leaned his elbow to the seat and turned his face to you. In front of the Chevy, there was a big sing telling that the mechanic drove where you wanted him to - it was the police department of Forks you were looking at.

In your opinion, the building looked like a cabin where you'd be glad to spend your holiday in. If there wasn't the damn huge sing, you would never stop in front of this and said to yourself - 'Yep, this is the police station. Policemen work here.'. - "Charlie already knows we're here, so, go ahead and suit yourself." - "Charlie?" - You wondered and looked out of the Chevy window. The cold drizzling had changed into heavy rain, but you kind of... Didn't want to get out of the car just now. - "The police chief. Charlie Swan, he's a great man." - Jacob explained to you simply as if you were supposed to hear about the Forks police chief before. Yeah, sure, good ol' Charlie, how come you didn't realize as soon as Jacob told you - you were eating steaks and drank beer with Charlie every damn Sunday. Of course, the Charlie you knew for so damn long. - "I'm kind of scared that the chief of police knows you personally. Now, you can just kill me, dismember me and dig me somewhere under the ground and getting away with it."

With this, Black's expression got worried once again. Why were you sure that he was about to kill you? He was looking dangerous, that was a known fact especially when you got to know he's 6'7 feet tall - but he never hurt anyone. And now, there you were sitting next to him, positive that he's about to murder you in some gruesome way. - "Trust me, this man loves the law. Charlie's a great cop. The only man he'd knock dead without thinking about it too much is his son-in-law." - At that, he jumped out of the cabin into the cold rain, walking around to open the door for you. - "Well, come on. I already called him and I need a secretary." - At this, you grinned and moved closer to the edge of the seat. Then, with a small splash, you've fallen into a small puddle.

You were only half serious about telling the police. But, since you were already there and the station was warm and dry, it was a better idea than just telling your friends. How would your friends help you from their homes while you were in Forks? No. They wouldn't be able to help you. Mr. Charlie Swan, on the other hand...

Most of the employees nodded at Jacob with an honest smile, just like when you were riding through the town. He was known at the station - which you didn't know how to feel about it. It wasn't making you exactly happy. Why was it so? The answer came through a simple question. - "Hey, Luke! Is the car okay now? How about the engine?" - Jacob called onto the whole interior as if the said Luke was deaf - soon after, he was getting to said man through the people standing in his way. The familiar voice made a man stand up. You watched him coming out of his glazed office - his expression was one of the 'I furrow all the damn time' ones, and it was exaggerated by a perfect mustache under his upper lip.

He wasn't the youngest, no, but he wasn't that old either - in your estimation, he wasn't older than fifty. The man was walking to Jacob, who was still yelling all over the office, with a furrow and deep wrinkles. One of his hands ruffled his dark brown hair, the dark eyes were watching Jacob as he started talking to him - the man was much quieter than Jacob, so you didn't know what they were talking about. Oh. So this must'be been the chief of local police, Charlie Swan. The man Jake told you about. He seemed... Nice. Charlie seemed to be a normal guy. And on his way to you. Well, you've asked for a talk with the police, didn't you? Why were you so stressed all of a sudden? Jacob Black, the mechanic guy, was just doing what you asked him to do. No big deal. Maybe you were stressing out because it seemed absurd, but whatever. It was for your feeling of safety. - "Hello there, miss." - The Charlie police guy offered you his palm and you shook it with a timid smile. - "My name's Charlie Swan and I am the local chief of police. What can I do for you?" - He wondered. At the end of his introduction, he gave you a rather uncomfortable smile - this let you know that both of you felt very dumb at that moment. - "My name's Y/N Y/L/N, pleasure to meet you." - "Pleasure's on my side." - Charlie mumbled back as politeness ordered him.

Now, it was your time to get to the point of your visit. - "I just wanted to report you that I'll be staying at Jacob's for two weeks or so until my car gets repaired. I'm heading to Tacoma, so once my Beetle will be able to ride again, I'll outta here in no time." - Wow. You were flustered. You were speaking so fast that both men had trouble understanding you. In the end, you smiled awkwardly and swung on your heels as you waited for Charlie's response. Quickly, he put his palms on his sides to make you sure he's taking it seriously, but his smile was giving it away. - "I mean... It feels good that someone from the authorities would know in case... Anything happened." - You nodded, calling out Jacob without even using his name. Charlie's eyebrows sprung up when you finished once more, and he was trying to make out what you were saying.

The fear wasn't as irrational as one would say - this was a strange town for you, you were a stranger as well, so it could be understood why you wanted the police to know about your stay at Black's mechanics. But... Jacob was one of the nicest and best brought-up boys Charlie had ever get to know. He liked the boy, he knew him ever since Jacob was born. He was there when Sara had died and when Billy was put on his wheeling chair, he was there to look at Jacob's older sisters rising the boy up on their own, instead of his mother. - "I can assure you, miss, that this man is one of the nicest in town. He wouldn't hurt a fly." - Charlie answered when he finally suppressed his need to laugh out loud. - "Jacob's a fine boy. But if you'd need help with anything, try calling this number." -With this, the chief of police slipped you a small, white card with his name on it and his number right after it. Black, while you were talking about everything, was leaning his bottom into a small table, and with his arms over his chest, he watched and listened to you. - "Okay?" - Charlie smiled, and it was an honest smile this time, before patting your shoulder. - "Okay. Thanks, Mr. Swan." - Quickly, you slipped the small card into your wallet just so you wouldn't lose it.

Well, it was easier than you thought. A lot easier. You had a good feeling inside you as Jacob was walking out of the building next to you. One of his palms was slipped into the back pocket of his jeans and... There was a grin on his face. Sure, he seemed it as redundant, but you were seemingly feeling better at that moment. Charlie knew Jacob's cool, but he told him that sure, he didn't have a problem with talking to you. - "Trust me, Charlie will be stalking me everywhere now. Just to make sure you're fine." - Black mumbled and to your surprise, opening you the door to the cabin of his Chevy. You appreciated it. The seat was kind of high up and the door was kind of heavy. The Chevy was a truck that couldn't be destroyed - in your opinion if this animal would get into a car crash, it would ruin all the cars it would meet on the way.

This wasn't a car - it was a tank. - "It feels good. Mr. Swan is kind of nice." - You agreed with what Jacob told you before. Charlie was the typical cop from a small town. - "He knows me for a long time. Since I was a little kid, probably." - "Well, that must've been ages ago." - A mutter left you before you settled down onto the seat. This time, you gladly took off your jacket, since it was pretty soaked by the rain, and jolted around to find just the right place on the seat. Jacob didn't answer your remark, knowing very well that you were talking about his proportions again. He just sighed, turning the engine on.

Fuck, how come you hadn't noticed how loud it was previously? You'd swear that you had almost had a heart attack. - "What about if you'd come with me on one quick errand and some grocery shopping? That might make you sure that I'm not a damn serial killer." - The man said with a straight face, at first, but soon, the smile found its way through. - "An errand?" - You wondered while Jacob was already focused on driving the Chevy truck. - "Old Mrs. Peterson down the road wants me to take a look at her old car. I told her that even for me, the car's a total wreck, but she keeps on paying me to repair it." - "Maybe, she has an emotional connection to the car? Just like I do." - At that, Jacob grinned and turned the car to a part of the town you hadn't seen yet. You'd driven around a school and a big, white church. Forks seemed to expand every time you ventured into a new part; suddenly, the town didn't seem to be as small as you were so sure of.

"Listen. I am a big appreciator of classic cars. Like this Chevy for example. I'm keeping this car in check for God knows how long, because it was in good shape when I got my hands on it, I've been taking care of my friend's veteran Chevy and it was okay for almost sixty years. But you need to realize that there's a difference between classic cars and real wrecks." - Wow. He was into old cars a big-time, huh? Yet the horrified expression upon seeing the inside of your Beetle was speaking for itself. - "You think that my Beetle is a wreck." - At the accusation, Jacob pointed his finger at you, but didn't say a word. His grin was all you needed to make out precisely what Jacob thought about your car. - "You're the one who said it out loud, but... Basically. I do think that. How's the time?" - Black asked, his tone was still joking. - "It's... It's two p.m. Wow, the time flies by here." - You muttered upon watching the clock on your display. You've been in Forks for almost three hours, counting from the time when Jacob drove you to the workshop, but it didn't feel like it.

"Great time. We'll be driving for at least ten minutes, so..." - Oh no, it was quiz time. You could tell from the way the man straightened up behind the steering wheel. - "How comes that someone, just hypothetically, who isn't familiar with local weather, ends up in a car that broke down in the middle of local nowhere and waits until a certain, super nice and handsome mechanic comes to help them out of trouble?" - Was it the same man you had on the phone three hours ago? No. This couldn't be Jacob Black. After a moment of staring at the profile of his face, you snickered quietly before thinking about the answer. - "Just hypothetically, yea? That someone is about to start as a teacher in Tacoma and their friends had told them, that the western coast is simply beautiful at this time of the year. Well, they would almost believe said friends if they weren't stuck with said mechanic. He's nice, they aren't so sure for now, but the handsome part is highly debatable." - Well, Jacob asked for it. The only thing you were hoping about was that his ego wasn't that fragile. But he took it better than you thought, asking you about your stops on the road trip and if you had a fun time on the road. - "I should warn you before we stop at the house." - Jacob said after a moment of having some kind of a strange grin on his face.

"This woman is a typical granny-type. Prepare for tons of cookies, some cake, a tea if she'll like you." - "So, you've taken me because you don't want to get rounded, okay." - "No, I took you with me to do the paperwork? Congratulations on getting the job, by the way."  - To be honest, you were looking forward to some candid, granny-like love. For the last week and a half, you had all your family members and friends on the phone only, this was ending up in you seeking out some genuine human emotions. And grannies were simply best for this kind of stuff. - "She also has a bad memory, so she might be calling you names and thinking you're my girlfriend, so just... Don't freak out and keep it down, huh?" - With this, Jacob became serious again. There was no trace of the jolly, joking-around man you've been in the car with for the last ten minutes.

Naturally, your mind jumped to conclusions - this must've been about a break-up. There was no other option that would make sense to you. Maybe, he was with a girl and they were super happy together. Then, something happened, he might have killed her or not, and the girl left. This seemed like a plausible answer. Without a problem, you nodded. This was something you could vibe with. Being this strange man's girlfriend in old, possibly senile granny's eyes? No problem.

The woman, Mrs. Peterson, was already standing in front of the house - and Lord, she was so cute dressed in the raincoat. She had wrinkly skin, a big toothless smile, and completely white hair. And of course, the traditional glasses resembling the bottoms of beer bottles. She might have some memory issues, but she sure as hell wasn't deaf. But Jacob's truck was unmissable. You loved the lady nonetheless. - "Hi, Mrs. Peterson! I'm here because of the engine. It started acting up, didn't it?" - Jacob cried to her, leading her under the roof of her old house so she wouldn't get sick. Quickly, you put your jacket on as well, then you grasped the papers you were supposed to fill instead of Black and ran after them. - "This is my new secretary, Y/N. She'll be doing the paperwork, okay?" - Jacob explained her simply, making sure he said your name loud and clear. - "I was wondering why Bella hasn't come there with you for such a long time! I'm glad to see her again!" - Mrs. Peterson answered with a happy smile, ignoring your name completely. The old lady grabbed your hand, just before Jacob gave you an apologetic stare, and led you to her kitchen.

It was a small one, with a tiny table. The kitchen was just magical, filled with her family photos, old photos of her, super old pottery pieces (like kettles, small cups, and plates), and mainly filled with embroideries hanging on the wall. An old dog came to check you out as well. It was a pug who was missing one eye and immediately, it went to nuzzle your legs. Oh Lord, now, you weren't so sure about being too excited about the good ol' Mrs. Peterson. Well, you've been sitting in her kitchen already, weren't you? There weren't any excuses now. With a gulp, you smiled at the old lady and sat on the chair quite uncomfortably.

Now, you understood why Jacob hoped you won't be fracking out. - "How are you doing, darling? How's Charlie?" - She started asking, already brewing you a cup of tea. How many women had Jake come here with? How many Bellas were there before you? This was giving you the creeps. If you were creeped out by Jake being as huge as he was, this granny was a whole new level for you. Jacob was standing in the doorframe leading to the kitchen, giving you another apologetic smile. But you decided to play along - which honestly surprised the man. Dear Lord, you hoped that Charlie is Charlie Swan you met earlier... If he wasn't, there was a possibility for the evening going completely wild. - "I'm great, Mrs. Peterson, kinda busy these days, but somehow still managing. And Charlie... It's Charlie. Always busy with his... Police work?" - You glanced at Jacob quickly, who was showing you a thumb up.

This road trip will be the one which will soon go legendary, you were sure of it - the first day itself was damn wild. You couldn't wait to tell your friends about it. - "I should go with Jacob, I'll be helping him writing things down." - Slowly, you tried to stand up, but the woman's palm pushed you back to the chair. With this, she simultaneously tossed a whole plate of home-made cookies. - "Don't worry about it, we'll do the paperwork later." - Jake winked. Oh, that damn bastard. He tossed you to the lion's mouth - the lion being the old lady. He just didn't want her to talk at him while he'll be working. It was an evil master plan. - "Enjoy yourselves!" - Jake jolted cheerfully and let you chat with the lady.

She was very lonely and very talkative. While her old pug, name Bobbo, was running around in the kitchen and bumped into everything he could, she told you everything about how her husband died, how her sister lives in California and she even talked about her health problems. Sometimes, she threw in some random questions - which were aimed at Bella specifically. Whoever the mysterious Bella woman (also possibly Jacob's girlfriend), you were hoping to do her justice. Also, you hoped that Bella won't meet Mrs. Peterson after this, because whoever she was, she could get to know various wild things she had no idea about. Also, her food was delicious and though she was thinking you were a different person, she did give you a ton of that grandma love you hoped for. It was as lovely as it was weird. Jacob didn't tarry around - going through the engine didn't take him more than 45 minutes. When he was done, he appeared in the kitchen with a big smile full fo teets with being messy from his head to his toes.

"Okay, Mrs. Peterson. I know you've been trying to cross the fifty miles per hour mark again and I specifically asked you not to." - Jacob smiled at the woman and took one of the cookies, biting on it. Then he took another... And another... Soon, he ate ten of them. He ate ten of the damn huge chocolate cookies like a savory. Dear Lord. - "You found out. You always do, Jacob." - Mrs. Peterson got up and searched her purse. - "Let it be, come on. It was nothing, Mrs. Peterson." - The man smiled at the old lady.

This tenderness reminded you that at moments, Jacob can be a genuinely selfless person. How much money was he loosing on orders like these? Hundreds? Possibly thousands? He mentioned he was struggling with money when he told you 'I have to make something outta this, you know?', but he still didn't accept money from his customer. This, no matter how dumb it was, made you smile a bit. He seemed to be too nice for his good. Shortly after, you were leaving Mrs. Peterson's house. She gave you a full bowl of cookies and a whole apple pie as a sign of gratitude. Well, maybe you didn't have to cook that evening? But you were sure you'll share the paying of groceries with Jacob. - "Bella, darling, can I talk to you for a second?" - The woman cried out while standing in the main door. Bobbo was dumbly smiling at you, with one of his eyes missing, looking utterly cute. Jacob looked at you leaving the truck to walk to the door - you appreciated that now, it was only cold in Forks. - "What?" - You smiled at Mrs. Peterson sweetly, making sure you listened to what she had to say.

"It's a nice boy, ain't he?" - She asked, giggling while looking at Jacob waiting for you in the Chevy, already listening to Radio Forks. Knowing she still perceives you as Bella, you nodded. There wasn't much to say. - "Be nice to him. And come to visit me soon, okay?" - At that moment, she smoothed your cheek. This was so pure and lovely. - "Sure thing, Mrs. Peterson." - You smiled with an uneasy feeling - because you were lying to the old woman directly to her face. - "Sure thing." - You mumbled even more quietly. And with that, you left Bobbo and Mrs. Peterson standing in the front door and waved at her from the cabin of the Chevy as Jacob turned the small towtruck back on the road to Forks.

"Okay." - Jacob got out of himself after a few minutes on the road, while you were listening to some indie music Radio Forks was playing. - "I need to say that I'm really surprised you hadn't run away after ten minutes alone with her." - "She was kind of nice." - You mumbled back, lost in your thoughts. Who was Bella? What happened to her? Was it even Jacob's girlfriend? Or was there something else going on? Without realizing, you started furrowing in front of yourself. - "I'm sorry." - Jacob muttered after another long moment of silence. When you sounded so weird, he just figured out that you want him to apologize. Honestly, it was pretty understandable. He quite literally threw you under the bus named Mrs. Peterson. But you still sat there in complete silence.

Damn, now, you were curious about that mysterious Bella gal. And you almost asked Jacob, forgetting you've met him just earlier that very day. A lot happened - a lot of things that made your brain a mess. For a moment, you genuinely thought you knew Jacob for a long time, the Bella questions almost slipped out of your mouth - but then you realized that he's a stranger. Now, you were sure he won't be killing you any time soon. So you tried to snap out of it. - "Don't be. I kinda enjoyed myself. Mrs. Peterson made me a cup of the best tea I've drunk in the last two weeks - and the cookies, ugh. So good." - You groaned happily at the fresh memory inside your brain. A grin appeared on your face as you said so.

"You're tougher than I thought." - Jacob said honestly, making you look at the profile of his face. - "I would've run away from the house after ten minutes of her talking about her trips to the hospital." - Well, this was a compliment. For the rest of the drive to the grocery store, you've both sat there in silence. And the grocery store... Well, it was small. Small. Tiny almost. At first, you were worried that you might not get all of the food you wanted - but it was like walking into the magical tent in Harry Potter. The grocery store appeared ten times bigger all of a sudden. It was nice that you and Jacob were able to figure out what you'll be cooking, now that there was two people for some time in the workshop, and that you also shared the groceries fifty-fifty.

Then, there was the part when Jacob showed you the room you've been about to sleep at. And dear Lord, there was a genuine mess there. Jacob surely was suffering one of those 'genius but messy person' inflictions. There were clothes everywhere, some of them were just shreds of former t-shirts or sweatpants, which made you conclude again - was this man having a lot of lady visitors? Was he dating some wild chick? You didn't care from any point than not wanting to listen to... Various sounds at night. Ashamedly, he quickly picked up the clothes and threw them on a small pile in his room. The visitor's room was small but nice. It had a large window facing the woods, a heating, bed, and a small wardrobe; the walls were painted with calm, deep green color - resembling the woods outside. Before he gave you a small pile of bedsheets, he checked if the heating working. - "Take a shower, you're not looking good. Forks' weather could a lot for someone who isn't used to it. Use the bathroom at your will. Just... Don't let hair laying there somewhere, okay? I'll be working on another car I have to repair, so, I would appreciate it if you'd come down then and help me with the papers? Please?" - Jacob was speaking so quickly you barely grasped the topic. You just answered. - "Sure."

So far, Forks was surpassing all of your expectations. It was much more than a boring town in the middle of somewhere.

At that moment, you hadn't a single idea about what else you're going to uncover unintentionally.

[justformyself2]

Notting Hill.

A/N: Wow, who also need a good story to be pumped for the apocalypse? raise your hand please!

Not really sure if you guys know about this story, but June 27,2020 is the date, look it up lol. You know what else we could be doing before going to hell once for all for lusting so much over John Krasinski? 

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BLACK LIVES MATTER NOW AND ALWAYS.

Well, now that i said what i said, let me finish by telling you, this is an important story for me. The past months have been extremely rough and i struggled like never before to fight for something i love to do not be consumed by dark thoughts, regardless of the past, i’m proud to be posting this right now, no matter how long it took for me and how minimal it may seem, goddamn i feel happy to create and write, and for you guys, in whatever you need to do, dream of doing, don’t let dark thoughts guide you into staying stuck, shine, do what you love, we all have the capacity.

This is my participation on my friend’s @lullabieswrappedinlies​​ rom-com writing challenge (go check her out, she is so damn creative and amazing)

This story is based on the movie Notting Hill and will be added on my masterlist. or tell me you want to be tagged if you want to keep up.

BEFORE YOU JUMP IN BE ADVISED

. Pairing: Reader x John Krasinski.

. It contains strong language.

. Click here for soundtrack of movie if you are in your feelings today

                                                   JOHN’S POV

“John, we will be ready in five.”

“Ok.”

I press the phone once again against my ear, listening to her heavy sigh. It is easy to mold her face into my brain with dexterity. The bushy eyebrows, casting a shadow under piercing blue eyes, seeking to grab my soul, she succeeding to combine it all with a condescending smile on her lips. Condescension which I have to kiss it off.

“Well, if you want to go, then go.”

Deep down, she was still trying, and I can’t take that for granted.

“I don’t want to go. I need to go, an enormous difference. It’s work.”

I aim to be the diplomatic debater, the mediator, and the opponent. She is better than me at being the third party, perfecting the act of passive-aggressiveness in chosen phrases, fuming through her nose on the other side of the line. An act I wish to interpret as a genuine breathed laugh with no second intentions; my five minutes seemed to multiply.

“Call you later?”

I say.

“Yes.”

She answers

“Love you.”

She hanged up.

                                                            --------

                                                      Y/N POV

“This book is so weird and sexist, holy shit.”

You put the phone down, and Nova throws another eighties romance book into the cardboard box with its copies.

“Language.” You sing at her in a scolding tone. 

“Sorry.” She sings back. “But you know I’m right. They are always pairing a young girl with some fifty years old, control freak who prey on them with their big, strong, tan hands.”

You giggle, and she looks satisfied.

Regardless of the narrative that anyone could quickly review, it was ‘in’ right now, as Agnes said, and what her bookclub wanted. “Un plaisir coupable.” she completed; the thin red lines that were her lips stretched in a laugh, causing her blue contacts to squint. 

Soon enough, the scavenging for the material began, and you found the yellow pages, delivered with weird smells, phone numbers, and addresses written on the inside of the covers, but still readable.

“They paid and are coming to pick them up tomorrow. It’s the only thing I care about right now. Also, don’t let her catch you saying that you hear me? I will help finish this then we can close before your mom shows up and kill me when she finds out you are here.”

You move from behind the counter, seeing the digital hour hit past ten pm on the laptop.

“Oh, don’t worry about that, she already knows.”

The unconcerned Nova grabs a box, and you grab another following her quick steps, twisting to the right almost at the end of the hall, entering a room that was once a decent private office before it became nonfunctional. 

The reserved bookshelf for Agnes club waited empty, a last-minute metal book rack next to the bay window. To create an illusion of a comfortable place for a book club, orange curvy chairs, which Alexis begged to be thrown out, along with the red Arabic carpet left behind with the chairs by the old owner. Every time you enter the space taking a deep, immediate, frustrated breath, Alexis wins a point.

You place the box down, looking at your niece.

“Kyle?”

You ask, and Nova hums softly, doing the stocking job.

 Kyle, more than a name it was first a banned topic usually discussed between a limited couple of sentences. His name was a warning, along with his unrequested presence at random, unannounced times. It became harder since Nova wasn’t at a manageable age anymore. It was tough at fifteen, and as the time passes by, sweetness gains the bitterness, and innocence, gone.

“Well, you know you will always have a second bed, Donkey misses you.”

You gain a laugh while she finishes her box.

“Oh God, can’t believe you still keep him there.”

You shrug impulsively, paying attention to your own hands, arranging the books and their horizontal titles on a pile.

“It was your favorite toy, why would I throw it away?”

“You know why.”

 A pause and a deep breath came from her, triggering the thought, long forgotten about, that people still expected you to be mourning over material remains.

“It’s okay to throw away with the rest of the others, it’s been a long time.”

Her auburn hair was now being tied in a bun. Your fifteen-year-old niece, holding a peaceful outside appearance, didn’t mind sounding more mature than you wanted to admit.

 “Good... then we can donate, not throw it away.”

“Even better.”

She agrees quickly, stomping on the empty cardboard box.

Nova turns out the lights as you awaited for her, leaning against the glass door on the entrance, blowing hot humid air into your cold fingers and watching over nothing other than a middle-aged man with a red beanie walking a Greyhound on the other side of the empty street. 

Notting Hill wasn’t known for its nightlife. It was almost a deserted city by eight and in the light of day, Portobelo Rode fruit market brings it to life. On weekdays, stalls and its hay baskets, packed with succulent fruits and greens, filled the streets along with shouted invites, half prices and sweet-soured smells invading each corner; on weekends the baskets shape-shifted to antiques of all kinds, genuine or handmaid, the crowd and the stalls multiplied in the small village. 

In-between buyers and sellers of what you could harvest or find in your gramma’s basement there was your store, a bookstore, one corner away from your home, squeezed in the middle of Linda’s cafe and a self-employed yoga instructor that recently rented Mr. Walsh’s house, a retired Navy who moved to Greenwich with his daughter-in-law three weeks ago; his red door house now held a big white plaque with ‘Sivananda Yoga’ written in cursive gold letters, phone number and social media included under the picture of a woman in the lotus posture.

“A yoga studio, nice!” Says Nova, coming closer to the four steps leading up to the red door.

You close the store and covers her shoulders with your arm when the icy wind started building up.

“We could try it someday, your mom-.”

“Hates trying new things.” She completed. “Don’t even bother.”

 “That is where you are the wrong baby. It may seem like this now, but I wish you could have seen your mom in her prior days. Wow... She was glorious.”

The feeling of wandering eyes aiming at your face became stronger as you carried her along the street under your embrace.

“Before my dad, I guess.”

A tiny part of your soul lighten up, recognizing itself in your niece’s words, but there was no place to fuel her fiery tone.                                                                                           

“To be honest, I don’t know, but people change Nova, everyone eventually, even the ones we thought we had figured out, including ourselves.”

“Whatever, I don’t want him back in the house again if she puts him back, I’m moving with you.”

The decisiveness in her voice sent bad vibrations along your back. 

Unusual memory mechanism. Alexis visited your mind, vivid as if you could see her across the street you were crossing, she waiting and shivering at your front door because you forgot the spare key in the store again. 

After the scolding she would show a rose-colored box from Fincher’s cafe under her arm, comporting the most amazing banoffee pie, your favorite pie from your favorite place. 

Fincher’s cafe, that was once located two blocks away from where you two lived was closed when the old owner went bankrupt and reopened in Queensway street, she would drive there every weekend to bring that rose-colored box under her arm and wait for you on the couch, once the spare key was in the fake birdhouse, with the TV turned on and the plates placed on the center table next to the wine.

“See, I don’t think that will happen.”

“How could you know? Didn’t you just said people change?”

“And love changes people, your mother has more for you than you could ever imagine and without measuring efforts. She wouldn’t make any decision that would hurt you, trust me.”

Nova quickly disengage from the conversation, staying on mute abruptly, leaving a temporary gap for thoughts of doubt to occupy. Your heart is worried, but a grown-up, worried heart shouldn’t be shown while trying to pass a sense of security. That included waiting for Nova to fall sleep before calling Alexis.

You climb the four steps and opens the blue door, face to face with smiling Rudolph from last Christmas, hanging by a thread along with Santa, waiting to be taken down as the feeling in the pit of your stomach.

“I ate at home so if you don’t mind I will go to bed now.”

Unreeling the red knitted scarf, the tenth big piece Alexis attempted to make at her knitting fase, Nova doesn’t look behind once. You watch her back as she went upstairs to the guest room, her special fort at five, and now her hideaway at fifteen, with fewer toys and Donkey, an old stuffed toy still sitting in the shelf waiting for no one in a room cleaned every week.

You dismiss the purple scarf from around your shoulders, the third big piece on your sister’s collection, not as good as the tenth, but it warmed you inside to observe her trying to hide a proud smile in seeing what she made wrapped around Nova and you.

A stupidly cold breeze hits the back of your neck before you turned around to close the door, the phone rings along with squealing tires of a black car on the other side of the street.

                                                           1

[msjr0119]

Cordonian Wags

Part 23

In a world full of Professional footballers and their demanding wives- can their football team nicknamed the ‘Cordonian Apples’ succeed? An American female physiotherapist joins the club. Will this cause issues with the footballers wives?

*This series is based on The Royal Romance characters who belong to Pixelberry - AU Plot switch*

Warnings: Swearing, heartache, smut.

A/N: Wow nearly three months on hiatus- sorrrryyy! But it’s back🙌🏼. To refresh your memories click here. Thanks Paigey for reading snippets as always 😘

Tags: @pedudley @kacie-0156 @annekebbphotography @burnsoslow @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @bbrandy2002 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @drxkewalker @kozabaji @texaskitten30 @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @gnatbrain @walker7519 @lodberg @cmestrella @hopefulmoonobject @addictedtodrakefanfic @angi15h @liamxs-world @rafasgirl23415 @notoriouscs @whenyourheartskipsabeat @jovialyouthmusic @nz1091 @yukinagato2012 @indiacater @seriouslybadchoices @rainbowsinthestorm @cordonianroyalty @desireepow-1986

*****

Constantine Rhys the chairman of the Apples has been murdered in his own home. Reports initially suggested a knife had been involved in the attack. A neighbour said they had heard someone yell “I’m going to kill you” during an argument prior to the death of Mr Rhys. More news to follow.

Everyone gathered at Liam’s house the morning after the breaking news- neither brother showed any shock, both just nodded their heads whenever Xavier or Constantine’s names were mentioned. Neither giving two shits about the deaths. Feeling guilty that they hadn’t spoken to their step mother, they still felt anger towards the secret that she had kept along with their father. As far as they were both concerned; their friends were their family.

Drake had been over affectionate with Riley ever since his nightmare from the previous night- asking her if she was okay every so often. Too often for her liking. “I’m fine, Drake. At this moment in time I’m still, Riley. I want to keep it that way- Riley the teams physio, your girlfriend, nothings wrong with me as far as every one else is concerned okay?” Her eyes pleaded with him to keep her secret for now, at least until she knew what the future held for her.

“I just... I need to know that you’re okay. I’m sorry. Do you want to go out for dinner later? My treat. Or we could just have a takeaway at the cabin? Watch a movie?”

“Let’s go back. Every second spent with you is going to be precious.” Holding her in his embrace, he couldn’t believe how strong she had been since her ordeal. Knowing that deep down, under the facade she was possibly breaking down in secret- masking her true feelings.

“Hey, Riley. Are you okay?” Liam and Leo interrupted the two of them, each providing her with a soft smile.

“Yes, I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be fine?” She asked in a paranoid, defensive manner.

“To put it bluntly, you got beaten up- Olivia killed your husband infront of you. Now our father, your ex father in law has been murdered.” Liam stated the facts, not wanting to remind her of the horror that she had gone through- but rather to remind her that she had support from everyone.

“And you’re asking me if I’m okay? As you said Liam, your father was murdered as well as your half brother.”

“He deserved it. He was never a father to us. It’s people like him who give the word ‘father’ a bad name. Then there’s men that can’t conceive a child with their partner, who would make fantastic father’s...” Riley’s face faulted as Leo said this on behalf of him and Liam. Knowing that he was just referring to men in general- in the back of her mind that would be Drake. The guilt that she carried, knowing potentially that she wouldn’t be able to give him the family that he had dreamt about.

“You know what, after you mentioned all about it again- I have become slightly upset about it. I’m just going to get some fresh air.” Drake was about to follow her, but she insisted that he stayed. Watching her walk out- he knew why she had suddenly become emotional. He did too. But he was able to hide it better, needing to so no one knew about her condition.

Taking some deep breaths outside, the tranquility outside was more peaceful than the morbid atmosphere inside the mansion.

“Hey!”

“What do you want Rhys?”

“Listen, my father and my half brother treat you like absolute shit. You didn’t deserve it. You are one of the most incredible women that I know. You deserve everything. I know Drake will give you that, he’s lucky to have you. As you are him. I know at the beginning he cheated on Kiara with you. He’s not that type, but he knew that you was worth it.”

“I still feel awful about that. I didn’t want to be referred to as a home wrecker.”

“Darling, that so called relationship was a train wreck. You helped Drake realise that he was worth more. I have a confession, and I don’t want anyone knowing- not even Drake. I feel like I can only confide in you....” Riley looked at him with a perplexed expression, not knowing what this confession included. Having to keep something from Drake would be hard, as they had promised to be open with each other.

“I killed my father.”

*****

Drake and Riley arrived back the cabin, Riley was still thinking about those words ‘I killed my father’. There was now two funerals that she was going to have to attend, two funerals in which the deceased was murdered by one of her friends. Feeling that she was to blame for their deaths, it added guilt that would carry on through her mind until she too passed away. Ever since that conversation outside, she had managed to keep a stoic expression in front of Drake, of course she wanted to tell him. It killed her. But she had hoped that once the funeral was out of the way and the press had something else to write about, that the person would inform everyone.

“It’s good to be home.” She said to Drake as they walked through the door.

“I’m glad that you’re referring my home as your home...”

“Wherever you are, that is my home. For however long that may be.”

“Why don’t you go and have a soak in the bath, I’ll order a takeaway and find a movie to watch.”

“Sounds good, don’t choose a horror though...”

“Why not? That’s the only type of film where you snuggle into me.” He winked at her, knowing her preferences he knew what type of film to look for. Watching her walk to the bathroom, he ran to his room- remembering Bastien’s words as well as the outcome of his nightmare, he knew the sooner he asked the longer they would have together if the worse scenario occurred at her hospital appointment.

“Look after your girl, my niece. Have you still got your grandmothers ring?”

“Of course I have. Why?”

“When the times right, make sure you have it on you son.”

Hearing a knock at the door, it was as if the takeaway had a telepathic thought- he had just placed the order and they was there.

“Leo? Linz? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I text Riley five minutes ago- wondering what you guys were up to and she said that you was just watching a film and ordering food. We brought wineee.” Lindsey waved the bottle of wine in front of his face, whilst wearing a big grin. Are you fucking kidding me?

“Erm. I actually wanted some alone time with my girlfriend... no offence.”

“Yeah and you can do once we leave.” Leo said with a smirk as he barged his way through the door. Riley had finished her bath and was shocked that her sister and Leo was there making themselves at home.

“Drake, I didn’t think they’d actually come. I was just being polite. Shit. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry. It was just a takeaway and a movie...” Sighing, he knew that he would have another opportunity to propose- it wasn’t the end of the world.

*****

The day after, Drake woke up before Riley- mainly due to his mind working overtime about how to propose to her. The next match was in two days, tomorrow was her hospital appointment with the results of the tests that were done in New York.

“Hey, what’s up?” Fluttering her eyes open, her vision was blurred but she could tell he was tense.

“Nothing...” laying next to her, he kissed her bare skin delicately- savouring each touch.

“I love you.”

“I love you too...” Just having him lay at the side of her made her feel turned on by every touch that he made. She knew he was too, as she could feel his rising erection grazing against her arse cheeks. Trying to act stubborn, as she always did- she didn’t want to give into temptation. Even though this was extremely hard for her to resist. “You know... it’s rude to point little Walker?”

“He can’t help it. This is what you do to him...”

Moving his hands lower he caressed the outer walls of her already wet folds. “How does it feel baby?”

“So, good.” She barely whimpered. She was desperate to make love to him, even though the hospital had advised that she waited a while. But she knew her body, and would risk it all. “Please, don’t stop Drake.” Turning around to face him, she lift one leg over his- giving him that extra access. He was intoxicating, she craved him at all costs.

“Are you sure?” Nodding, he placed his fingers onto her clit- beginning to move in slow circular motions. With his spare hand he reached up to her breast. Rolling her nipple back and forth between his fingers and tugging on her breast, he thrust up up against her repeatedly as Riley threw her head back- little moans escaping from her lips. Laying her on to her back, he separated her legs as he kissed her inner thighs- before plunging his tongue deep inside of her, the long slow licks made her body tremble instantly. Unable to hold in the orgasms that she was screaming, he made it impossible as he began to use his fingers to help increase her pleasure. One finger was inserted and was soon immediately followed by a second, then a third. His fingers actions begin slow but delved deep- as they curved they knew how to hit that special sensitive spot.

“Dr-Drake... please.... I need you...”

Holding her tightly, he slowly entered her- feeling her walls responding to him with pulsing motions tightening around his shaft. He brought his face down and kissed her deeply, as he looked at her in awe. His lips were soft- his tongue became demanding as he increased his speed gradually. Feeling that familiar rush of happiness building up inside of her every time that they had sex, she was grateful that they took that risk in becoming official- despite her being doubtful to begin with. Their bodies continued to rock in sync, as if they were made for one another. “Drake?”

“Am I hurting you?” Slowing his movements down but keeping at a steady pace, no matter how much he was enjoying it- he didn’t want to hurt her. “No. God. No. I just... you’ve been my rock. Yeah, you was a jerk when I first came here. If I can’t give you what you want in life, I want you to find it somewhere else.” Fuck Riley, just think positive. Slamming into her hard, he didn’t mean to- kissing her gently, he would be lost without her in his life. He didn’t know how he would cope. “I’ve already got what I want in life. A beautiful, gorgeous strong woman- who loves me for being me.” Continuing his movements, he wanted to blurt out those four words- but it was an inappropriate time. “You are my world, I am grateful to have found you. Until you, I didn’t understand the meaning of love. This here, is OUR home. Just the two of us. You’re my family. Any last words to say? Because this man is dying to cum, and you’re distracting me...”

“You and I. Sorry, I love you... thank you again for being my rock...” Drake kissed her softly on the lips, believing that he shouldn’t take all the glory- she too had been his rock. Saving him from a loveless relationship. In the back of his mind, he had wished that Bastien had of made more of an effort with introducing them to the Brooks throughout the past, rather than the odd occasion. Maybe he would have been the one to propose to her back then, it would have saved them both from this heartache. Closing her eyes, her final orgasm shuddered throughout her body- sending waves of pleasure. Feeling his body tense, she felt his cock slam deep into her one last time as he spilled his warm load inside. Both their breathing was hard- in unison, pulling out of her he fell onto the soft mattress next to her. Laying her head onto his chest, his breaths were coming in slight gasps as sweat ran off his forehead. Looking at her, he smiled. Happy that she was in his arms.

“Are you okay?” He asked as he played with her newly formed disheveled hair.

“Yes, thank you for being you.” Will you marry me... marry me... I love you please marry me.. I can’t do it without the ring. Damn she’s like superglued to me. I could ask her, then get out of bed for the ring. No, she deserves a decent proposal- she’s worth so much more than a shit one. Fuck, I just want to marry this girl- make her officially mine.

“Ri.... I want to ask you something...Will you....”

“Will I?”

“Will you love me forever? Do you need me? Will you never leave me? Will you make me so happy for the rest of my life?” Phew, thank god for Meatloaf.

“You’re a good singer, but you’ve definitely killed that song... yes I’ll love you forever; I need you all the time, I’m never leaving you, I hope to make you happy for the rest of your life.”

“It’s been stuck in my head for a few days...you can’t beat a bit of Meatloaf. I love you, baby. Fancy a walk?”

“I prefer riding...”

“I don’t think you should be riding a horse, it was risky having sex...”

“I meant riding your cock.” Rolling on to him, she smirked seductively at him as he shook his head. Biting her lip, she knew it turned him on immediately- and she soon felt him confirming this fact, feeling his cock rise once again in such a short time. “Any pain or injury inflicted is totally my fault, Mr Walker. I’ll take all the blame....”

*****

Arriving at the hospital, it was the day for the results. They had both decided to get a taxi, and wear disguises to hide from the press. Waiting nervously in the waiting room, she had an inkling about the results- she knew that due to her discussion with the nurse in New York.

“Miss Brooks?” Drake held her hand tightly, promising to never let go and to be with her through ever step. The consultant gestured for the two of them to sit down- her heart began to beat incredibly fast, almost feeling like it was about to jump out of her chest. Drake rubbed her leg as he noticed it shaking, placing his other arm around her waist.

“Miss Brooks, we have your results back from the tests that were completed in New York... I am so sorry.....”

Riley closed her eyes, feeling like her world had come crashing down in an instant. Feeling Drake hold on to her tightly, her mind wasn’t functioning as she overheard Drake and the consultants conversation echo.

It is indeed, cervical cancer...

Did you catch it early enough?

Cervical, I can’t have children. I can’t give Drake what he wants. It doesn’t matter if it was caught early or not.

Yes, it’s in the early stages. There are many routes to go from here...

Can we keep this information quiet from the press. We haven’t told our families about it yet. Can I pay for her to go private with the best specialist- wherever that may be?

Riley slowly opened her eyes, there was only one thing on her mind.

“I can’t have children...” The words just slipped out of her mouth, she wasn’t wanting to elaborate on the treatment options- that didn’t matter to her.

“Miss Brooks, it is unlikely that you will be able to conceive... however...”

“However?” Drake asked, having that bit slight of hope that there could be a possibility of them having a family in the future.

“There are many different routes. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy will affect the womb- meaning that it would be impossible to be become pregnant, and it could cause early menopause. If you chose this route, there is an option to freeze your eggs to provide for a surrogate. Or you could use a surrogate, or adopt?”

“That wouldn’t be my baby. I wouldn’t be able carry it- to have moments such as feeling it kick for the first time. Drake wouldn’t feel his baby kick in me. It’s not the same...” Seeing Riley’s bottom lip tremble, the consultant stood up and knelt down by Riley’s side providing her with a box of tissues.

“Those aren’t the only routes. There are other treatment plans in which you will be able to conceive naturally. A biopsy known as LLETZ, is where we remove the tissue. Depending on how much of a sample is removed could cause the pregnancy to have risks such as a premature birth. There is also another treatment known as radical trachelectomy. Again, there are risks such as premature birth or possible miscarriage- the baby would usually have to be born via a c-section.”

“See baby, there are options.” Riley looked at Drake who smiled at her, with hope in his eyes.

“The last option... what does that include?” The consultant informed them that she would need to have a procedure under general anaesthetic and stay in hospital for a few days. The press are going to have a field day, great.

“I’ll provide you with all the leaflets with advise on every treatment. Take it home, read through it together- once you have made a decision ring my secretary and we can start the ball rolling.”

*****

It was match day, Drake couldn’t concentrate. Over the last few days, he had plenty of opportunities to propose, but they had been disturbed or he had chickened out. Shaking, he really didn’t want to play- he knew his mind would be on Riley’s results that she had received the previous day. Noticing Drake not being his usual self, Riley sat next to him, in the dressing room- he had kept her secret from everyone because he respected her wishes. But it was killing him. He knew they both needed support from their family and friends to get through it.

“Come on Walker, where’s that infamous cocky smirk? Make me proud baby. Before I potentially die I want to see you outshine the Rhys’s.” Winking at him, he gave her a stern look. “What?” She asked innocently, not knowing what the issue was.

“Don’t talk like that Ri, we’ve already agreed that you aren’t going anywhere.”

“Not yet....We need to make lots of memories together. Go on, get on the pitch. Score a goal- I’ll give you a kiss. Score a brace- I’ll give you handjob. Score a hat-trick - I’ll give you a blowjob.”

“What if I don’t score Miss Brooks?”

“Then.... you’ll get nothing at all. I’m joking. I’ll give you all three, because I’m a number one girlfriend. Break a leg, not literally though! I love you, Drake.”

“I love you too Riley, more than you’ll ever know.” Carry on making me proud, she whispered in his ear- this positivity from her made him want to work hard on the pitch. Knowing that she was acting strong, she needed him to do the same.

*****

Welcome to the first match of the month on this bright sunny day in Cordonia. With the sad news regarding the chairman Mr Rhys as well as the teams manager Mr Lopez, prior to the match there will be a two minute silence.

I am positive that the Rhys brothers will be determined to win on behalf of their brother and father that they have lost recently.

I’m not even sure that they are too bothered regarding the sudden deaths. Neither Liam nor Leo have made a statement regarding them, and have kept themselves out of the spotlight. We're ten minutes away from kick-off and the stadium is filling up nicely.

“What’s up with you, Walker?” Leo noticed that Drake was in a trance. “Don’t tell me that you’re nervous?”

“Like fuck I am. I’ll run circles around you captain.”

“You can talk to me you know. If something’s on your mind. We all have secrets.”

“It’s fine, Leo. I just want to get this match done- then celebrate the win with my beautiful girl.” Patting him on the shoulder, he was pleased that Drake had finally found happiness.

And we’re off. Leo Rhys is always usually on everybody's radar. I know that other top clubs are interested in stealing him. He moves the ball around well, he's got a little bit of aggression as well as he passes his opponents.

Leo Rhys passes the ball to Liam Rhys- he shoots. Ahh. It's a wonderful save but also a wonderful play from the Apples.

There's nothing that the keeper can do about this one as Walker spins around on the edge of the penalty area before dispatching a powerful, low finish into the net. It came after another flowing move with Leo Rhys providing the assist. The Apples take a well deserved lead.

Leo ran up to Drake congratulating him as the rest of the players did. Riley and Bastien stood up cheering.

Isn’t that sweet, Riley Brooks blowing her boyfriend a kiss. It is unknown as to why she isn’t working today, maybe she is poorly?

I didn’t notice- if he carries on playing the way he has done in this short amount of time, he will deserve more than that. If there is anything up with the physio- I hope she makes a speedy recovery.

This is already turning into a nightmare for the away side, the Rhys’ and Walker are all over the opposition. Is Walker about to score a brace? Yes he is! Doubling his side's lead- he’s on fire today! This time it was Liam Rhys who assisted the goal. Apples 2-0.

We are nearly at half time, the away side have been poor. They’ve had one shot- their defending is terrible today. One minute left, before the half time whistle. Can they increase their lead.... oh... yes. I think they are... Leo and Liam Rhys are passing the ball, they see Walker. Is it a ... HE SCORES! Hat-trick for Walker. What a first half, the crowds cheers are echoing throughout the stadium. Maybe the away side should give up now? And that’s it. Half time.

The team headed towards the tunnels, Riley ran up to Drake before he entered- catching her, their lips crashed onto each other’s in a deep passionate kiss.

“I’m so fucking proud of you, right now.”

“Well I did get bribed... it’s team work. I can’t wait to get you home and celebrate with you. I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Mr ‘hat-trick’ Walker.”

*****

Second half is about to start, I believe that this has been an easy three points- I can’t see the away team coming back from this.

No, neither can I. We are two minutes in, and the Rhys’ have had a few opportunities already.

The losing team have just won their first corner. The game is 75 minutes in.

Not knowing why, Drake glanced towards the dugout- hoping to see Riley continue smiling at him, knowing that he was making her proud. Instead, he saw her run through the tunnel, holding onto her stomach. Fuck.

As if the Apples need anymore drama within the club- it looks as though Walker is arguing with his manager.

It’s such a shame that such a good match has come to this- I wonder what the argument is about? Walker has played well, but I’ve seen that he hasn’t been on the ball this half- get it?

Good pun- yes, even though he’s scored a hat trick his eyes have been scrutinising elsewhere around the stadium.

“Get back on the pitch, Walker!” Bertrand snapped towards Drake, he hated being stern towards him as he was his brother in law- but for some reason he was jeopardising the game.

“No!”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me Bertrand. Riley’s not well.... I saw her run off...she needs me.”

“She’s probably just being sick. This match is important... is she pregnant?”

“No! And Riley is more important to me than a stupid match....”

“Tell me what’s up with her, then we can determine what is more important!” She’s got cancer you fucking moron.

“Just take me off, I’ve done enough in this match....” Bertrand grabbed Drake by the collar- his grip was tight, not knowing what had got into him- he witnessed the team walk over attempting to calm the situation down.

“Get the fuck off of me Bertrand! I quit!”

“Walker! Back on the pitch now!”

“Fuck you!” Bertrand panicked, not knowing what to do or say. They had just signed an eighteen year old from Madrid, giving the kid an opportunity to play and replace Drake was his only option.

*****

“Ri?” Hearing his voice, and studs storm through the toilet door- she wondered why and how he was there. “Are you okay? I saw you run off.”

“Yeah, I just had a bit of stomach ache. Shouldn’t you be on the pitch?” Rubbing her stomach, he hoped that this slight gesture would take away a bit of pain.

“I’ve quit.”

“What?”

“Bertrand told me to get back on the pitch, but you mean so much more to me. I can quit now and live happily ever after. With you. Wherever you want to go.”

“You’ve quit?” Not quite believing what he had said, she needed to confirm that she had heard him correctly.

“I said it in anger, but honestly- I’m getting old anyway..”

“You’re in your twenties. You’re fit..” Removing his top, he smirked at her as flexed his pecs in a confident manner.

“I know I am, that’s why you love me.”

“I meant ‘fit’ as in healthy.. Drake you can’t quit, because of me...what are you going to do if this treatment doesn’t work- and I become ill. You’ll have nothing.”

“As long as I have you, I don’t care what I do with my life. Let’s get out of here, go home. You have cancer and you are going to fight it....” Kissing her on her forehead, he held her tightly- knowing that the two of them were going to get through this together.

“You have cancer?” Breaking away from Drake’s embrace, she turned to the direction of the voice- seeing the door shut she believed that they were alone as did Drake. Fuck.

[bolbianddolanhouse]

Book 3 FAQ!

Need to catch up? Heres all the previous FAQs 1 * 2 Heres the master post of all three books 1 * 2 * 3

Wow...you would think that with the whole pandemic that I’d get these chapters out faster. But alas this year got the best of me too. I’ve been a lil vulnerable in the tags with y’all and the check-in messages really touched me. So thank you very much to everyone that has checked up on me and enjoyed the chapters! I appreciate all of you :3 So lets roll out the questions!

Q: Who is Iwata based off? A: Iwata is based off my self-insert, which is also me. I know that sounds a lil narcissistic but it’s that real life reference that you’re a spitting image of your parent. Iwata was designed to look and act very similar to his mother based off that. What made him a little more original and not a copy of my self-insert is the tropes I added. I mirrored the trope of that of the relationship between Steven and his mom in Steven Universe; where he adored, then hated but then came to terms that he is not his mom but someone better. A whole journey of self-discovery and self-worth.

Q: The representation is amazing! How did you come up with these queer characters? A: Glad you liked them! Like I’ve said in previous FAQs and in the tags, all these characters were dreamt and I just build upon them in writing. So yes, most of my characters were created queer in my dreams but I make them more in depth by setting up how they discovered they’re queer. I did a bit of research on coming out stories and self-discovery epiphanies to have these characters more relatable so a fellow queer reader feels seen in a way. There’s already too much hetero works out there, I just want to gay it up in a respectful way. 

Q: The culture mixing is really good and consistent, how do you do it? A: For starters, I am latina. But the culture mixing stems from my knowledge about other cultures through language. I’ve been studying Japanese for almost a decade now and Chinese for about 4 years, so it’s no surprise that I’m referencing them in my work. Maybe what I depict isn’t what other half-Japanese half-Latinx families do, but it’s what I’d do if I started such a family. Plus there’s some overlap within those cultures and it makes it easy to put into writing.

Q: So. much. drama! Why is this book more dramatic than the previous two? A: Book 3 is were main on-going plot gets picked up more and shows signs of resolution. In book 2, it was to focus on not only Lili and the family dynamic but to remind the reader that life moved on with little resolve for the self-insert character. Iwata has a HUGE role in the resolution but in his own special way. And I’m not saying the answer is love...but it’s leaning there. 

Q: You reference specific food and snacks in this AU/ what are your favorite Cheetos? A: Like I said, I’m latina! Of course I write in the food of my home culture. Mainly the home cooked meals my mom would make for me and my siblings. It might not seem like much to the reader, but those simple meals add to the narrative of being home and traditions that help them embrace their mixed heritage. The reference of Cheetos are all over this AU because they’re my favorite hot chip. Naturally, my favorite Cheetos are the Hot con Límon with chamoy. 

Q: Love that there’s no canon character deaths in this book so far, but are there any major deaths planned? A: Just one but it’s not a tragic, hero fallen type death. It’s a natural death but it’s gonna be a tear jerker. That death won’t come until the WAY end of this AU, so I’m not gonna spoil anything yet.

Q: Can’t believe you predicted Dabi’s true identity. A: It was obvious tho. I didn’t really predict anything canon if you’re an anime only for BNHA. In this AU (without spoiling too much) there’s no Endeavor redemption and Dabi doesn’t cause that big drama on live TV. So if you’re an Endeavor hater like me, you’re gonna love what I have in store for them in the next book!

Q: I love Tenya being a dad and loving husband in this AU! Will we see more dad moments? A: Glad you like those snippets of dad Tenya! I love writing them for my own indulgence since there isn’t enough love for this character in the fandom. Plus I see a whole lot of consistent readers are Iida-stans and that makes me want to write more married fluff whenever I can.

Q: Beizu is best boi/Who is Beizu based off of? A: Beizu is the genius trope in this book. I made his character a more chill version of his mom but with that ‘who is my dad’ trope. Beizu is part of a trio that’s to mirror the agent trio of Ita, Jin and Mimi. The third member is yet to be revealed but they’re a BIG plot device in the coming book. But Beizu is one of my favorite OCs, maybe I’ll do a ranking of my OCs when everyone is introduced. 

Q: The villains and Hawks plot has me SHOOK! What’s going to happen to hero society when this case gets solved? A: Without spoiling it, the truth is going to expose the corrupt higher ups in hero society. The kids in the household has a part in taking down hero society as well but in their own, special way. Iwata has the biggest part in closing the case (but it’s spoiler if I say how), Lili and twins help tearing down minor things like education systems and laws. I will say though, the case gets resolved after the trio retires because Ita gets to return to America and found an heir to the company before they could draw to a conclusion. Which is a happy ending at the end of the storyline, no major deaths!

Q: Confirmed weddings? A: Yes :) because Lili and Iwata deserve good things and love. The twins have it easy in the coming book. Lili’s comes first and Iwata’s comes later than expected (can’t say why yet, gotta keep reading :3). I guess I can say that all of them get married but Lili’s and Iwata’s are the only queer ones. All the spouses that marry into the family take the Iida name, so Lili and Hanaka don’t change family names when they get married! Y’all already know those wedding chapters are gonna be lavish and take up most of the chapter, you’ll love them.

Q: But are the kids Joji stans? A: Oh jeez...they are the same way we like 80′s music. It’s pleasant to listen to but kinda cringe when you see your parents dance to it. I don’t really portray it, but the family digital library has all of Joji’s music in a playlist called ‘Sad hours Soundtrack’. If you ask Mr Muffins 2.0 who last listened to the playlist, they’ll snitch who and how many times it has been looped. That’s how Tenya knows who needs cheering up.

Q: I love the little references to their childhood, what else can you tell us about their pre-book childhood? A: As I said a few times in the tags, I cut a ton of stuff that isn’t relevant to the plot. Most of it was their childhood and how they manifested their quirks. Lili really liked to scream before she learned to talk, a very fast learner and at 3 years old got her engine quirk and later that year showed signs of a second quirk. Iwata was very quiet child, hardly cried or gets upset but latched on to mom a lot. His first words were in Spanish but struggled a bit with Japanese before entering kinder. Tensei was born first, then Hanaka followed 10 minutes later. Hanaka’s fire quirk manifested after the first breast feeding when she was getting burped by mom in the hospital. Mom likes to believe Tensei came out first to warn everybody that Hanaka can breathe fire. Tensei didn’t manifest his metal quirk until the age of 7, making him a very late bloomer. Though very different in personalities, Hanaka and Tensei get along and get very creative when it’s playtime. Up until the age of 5, mom would place Hanaka in kindling to get the BBQ grill or bonfire started. Hanaka has been known to randomly burst into flames as a baby, so Tensei had to sleep in a different crib for his safety. Tensei spent more time reading as a child because everyone was focused on managing Hanaka’s flames, thus making him a very studious boy.

Q: Not an AU question, but how are you doing?/ We don’t mind waiting for the chapters! Please take your time. A: I’ve been getting check ins and validation in my asks for the inconsistent schedule. Too many things came at me this year, both good and bad. I was doing well in speech and debate that I went to nationals and prepared myself for some serious competition, leaving no time to do chapters. Then I fell in and out of depressive episodes during lockdown where I’m from. In the summer my grandmother passed away from the virus in Mexico, then my beloved dog Mr Muffins passed away of old age. Those deaths hurt me and my family the most that I was having a hard time trying to cope plus trying to be responsible by adhering to CDC guidelines (I’m in the immune-comprised group). In my want to get over my grief, I trained and received my certificate in ordained ministry (yea I know that’s not the best first step, but I just needed to feel like I’ve achieved something being cooped up at home). I’ve very grateful that theres some readers that see the tags and check up on me. All your kind words gives me a little strength to write and finish every chapter at my pace.

Q: More art please? A: Yes :3 I have one coming up real soon! After the end of this book is where I’ll be releasing some art as a sort of place holder.

Q: Is the the estate drama eluding to the ending? A: Yup! And it will show up every now and then in the next book.

Q: This is a really good self insert AU! There’s complexity to your character and others...how do you write these interactions/relationships really close to actual ones? A: Thanks for the complement :3 When I first started this AU, I was in the middle of my semester of a creative writing course. Near the end of book 2 was when I finished the course work for it and by then you could see the progression in writing. ALSO, I’m a communications major as well! Writing these relationships and other social things were things that I remembered learning in my interpersonal communications class. I was a bit on fence on whether or not to start this AU because I didn’t think my writing skill was at all that good. With some encouragement from my classmates and friends, I pushed myself to write this whole AU out. I don’t plan on stopping until I finish the storyline, plus I hate leaving things unfinished.

And that wraps up this FAQ! Hopefully I got everyone’s questions since most were check-ins for me. But expect the last chapter for book 3 in the next few days. After Book 3, I’m going on a lil hiatus until the end of February. I have so many life events happening in the upcoming weeks that I’m gonna need time to recharge before resuming this AU. Y’all know I bounce back as promised, in the meantime, I have some art things queued to remind y’all that Book 4 is in the works. Only 2 more books to go! Thanks again for reading and I’ll talk you y’all again later in the tags~

-Love, Palma-sama

P.S. Heres the end of Book 3 for your connivence :3 other links are at the top of this post! 

[dammn-dean]

Ready or Not

I wrote this as a part of @propertyofpoeandbucky‘s Mystery Writing Challenge, I hope you like it! 

My Prompt: Single Parent AU, You’re one of the daycare helpers and I absolutely adore how well you work with my child.

(I also got an anon request for something similar.. Anonymous said: Bucky x reader. Bucky is the single father of a 4 year old. Reader is the kid's preschool teacher? Bucky is smitten from day 1)

As usual it’s unbeta’d, so all mistakes are on me. My tags are open, let me know if you want to be tagged in upcoming fics. I love feedback, so be sure to let me know what you think! 

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Words: 2.6k+

Warnings: fluff, Daddy!Bucky, Single Parent AU

“Good morning ladies, sorry we’re late.”

You and your co-worker Wanda stopped talking with the children already in the classroom, looking into the doorway to see Paige and her dad, James Barnes, standing in the doorway. He held a sheepish look on his face, like he was embarrassed about the tardiness, even though it happened more than often than not lately.

“That’s alright Mr. Barnes. Good morning Miss Paige.” You smiled at the little girl as you made your way over to the pair and dropped to your knees to be on her level.

“Mornin’ Miss Y/N!” She just about shouted your name as she gave you a big hug, like she did every morning. You returned the hug, smiling up at her dad. You took in his appearance, long hair pulled back into what probably used to be a tidy bun at the nape of his neck, but now a few strands fell down around his face. Wearing his usual suit only his tie was a bit crooked, clearly he didn’t have the best morning.

He held a soft smile looking down at the two of you, he loved how you were with Paige. You’d been her preschool teacher the past year, he honestly didn’t know what he’d do with out you most of the time. It was the most stressful year of his life, becoming a single father, running a law firm, it was a lot for him and you were always there going above and beyond for the both of them. He shook himself out of his thoughts, remembering he was already running late, he had a meeting in 15 minutes.

“I’m sorry Miss Y/L/N, I gotta go,’ he muttered. Dropping to his knees as you stood to hug his daughter goodbye. “Bye peanut, I love you. See you soon.” He pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Bye daddy, love you too!” She responded running off to join the other kids with a laugh.

You laughed as your eyes followed the little girl, turning back to meet her father’s steel blue eyes. He stood there a moment, smile on his lips and you matched the look.

”Shouldn’t you be going?” You teased him.

“Of course! I’m sorry, I am running late. As usual,” he laughed. “I’ll be back around 5, see you then?”

He wanted to wait for your response but he couldn’t and of course he’d see you then like he did every day. He shuffled out of the doorway, down the hall and started a brisk walk to his car.

“Mr. Barnes!” You called out to the long haired man.

He quickly stopped and turned to you, eyebrows drew together in question. “Is Paige okay?” He advanced to you, eyes looking behind you for his daughter.

“Oh! Of course, she’s inside with Miss Maximoff. This is actually about something else.” You sent him a warm smile, hoping to convey that everything was indeed okay.

“What is it?” He ran his hair through his hair before remembering it was in a bun, messing his hair up even further than the stressful morning had. With a sight he tugged the hair tie from his hair and started to redo the bun.

“Uh- you know what? We can talk about it later when you pick up Paige.” You chickened out to say the least. You’d been telling yourself you would invite him and Paige to dinner this Friday all week. Well it was now Friday and you still hadn’t gathered up the courage to ask him. “I know you’re running late Mr. Barnes, sorry about that.”

“It’s Bucky,” he corrected you for what seemed like the hundredth time. “You can call me Bucky.”

You sent him a big smile, “Okay Bucky, I’ll see you this afternoon.”

Bucky sent you a grin back and then he was off, a light jog until he made it to his car. You shook your head with a laugh as you made your way back into the building. Wanda had all of the kids at their desks coloring, you walked around the room making sure everyone was doing alright before sitting behind your desk with a soft sigh.

“Did you do it?” Wanda asked as she leaned against the desk, smile on her lips.

“Of course,” you started and she sent you a look. “I didn’t. He’s too handsome Wanda! I don’t think I will ever be able to. Besides, what if he said no? I would be mortified, I want what’s best for Paige and I don’t want him to feel uncomfortable dropping her off here with me every day.”

“He wouldn’t say no, he’s over the moon for you! You should just see the way he looks at you, especially when you’re with Paige.” Wanda tried to reassure you, but you just shook your head as it fell with a small thud to the desk.

“What’s matter Miss Y/N?” It was Paige, she was after all the sweetest and most understand kid you’d ever met.

You lifted your head quickly and gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s nothing Paige, what did you color?” You changed the subject and grabbed her drawing from her.

“I drew somethin’,” she said shyly, holding the picture for you to see.

You took the paper from her tiny little hands to look over the drawing, and considering she had recently turned 5 you were impressed. There was a big house and beside it a litle stick figure with crazy hair, Paige, next to her was a tall stick figure, tie around the neck and long straight hair, clearly Bucky.

“Wow Miss Paige, this is great! It’s you and your daddy, and is this your house?” You asked, your smile matching the little girls.

“Yep!” She responded loudly, obviously very proud.

“You did such a good job! Why don’t you go draw something else? Maybe something special for me.” You handed her back the paper and patted her head as she ran off with a giggle.

“You really adore her, huh?” Wanda pushed off the desk to make her way around the room. “I think it’s time you suck it up, you deserve to be happy Y/N. Just ask him if he’d like a home cooked meal, I’m sure Paige would love it as much as him.”

“Stop always using your reason to make sense of everything!” You joked and stood from behind the desk, ready to get through this work day.

The day breezed by and parents were showing up, kids slowly drifting out into the hallway and you bid them farewell, although it was an easy day you were grateful that the weekend was here.

“Bye Miss Y/N!” A little boy named Johnny called out, and you waved a goodbye to him and his mother.

Leaving only one kid, Paige. She was standing by your side, backpack on and waiting patiently.

“I’m all done in here Y/N, mind if we go ahead and lock up so I can head out?” Wanda asked, from the doorway.

“Of course, let me grab my stuff. We can wait for your daddy outside, sound good Miss Paige?” You smiled at the little brown haired girl.

“’Kay!” She tugged her backpack straps, reading herself to go.

You let out a small laugh at her, making your way behind your desk you grabbed your bag and shoved a few things into it. You felt for the lanyard around your neck of keys, phone in pocket, checking to make sure you hadn’t forgotten anything then made your way into the hallway, pausing as Wanda locked up the room and you three headed out towards the parking lot. Paige and you took a seat at the steps, waving to Wanda as she gets into her car.

“You have any plans for the weekend Paige?” You asked, adjusting yourself to maybe be a little more comfortable on the hard concrete.

“Dunno. Daddy probably has work.” She shrugged with a small frown.

“Well you never know, could end up doing something fun.” You tried to cheer her up, but in reality you were talking to calm your own nerves.

You told yourself all day, that you would come out and say it whenever James, er Bucky, shows up. If he turns you down then so be it, at least you would shoot your shot.

“I wanna go to the ‘quarium,” she smiled as she spoke, clearly something she’d been thinking about.

“The aquarium? I love the aquarium!”

“You do?” Surprise and excitement took over her features and you couldn’t help but giggle at her giddiness.

“Of course! All of the different fish, sharks, jellyfish,” she was nodding at every word. “But do you know what’s my favorite?”

“What?” Paige practically squealed.

“The turtles,” you whispered.

“Me too!” Her hands clapped together. “I love tutles!”

“You sure do peanut!” Bucky suddenly appeared in front of both of you.

You’d been so wrapped up in talking to Paige you hadn’t noticed Bucky’s car pull up.

“Sorry I’m late Miss Y/L/N,” he said with a apologetic smile.

“Miss Y/N loves the ‘qarium too daddy! You have to take us, pwease.. I want to see the tutles soo bad,” she begged tugging on his hand.

“I’m sure Miss Y/L/N has other plans this weekend peanut,” he assumed.

“I don’t actually,” you interjected, biting your lip nervously.

Bucky was taken back by that, he wasn’t sure what to say. He had thought about asking you out for dinner or something many times, but going to the aquarium with him and his daughter, that didn’t seem like a date. Surely people don’t go on dates with their children there? All that he knew is that you looked like you were wanting him to invite you with them, but would it be a date? Bucky had no clue how to date, especially as a parent.

You could sense his panic about being put on the spot kind of and before you started to panic as well you decided to spit it out.

“I was actually wondering if maybe,” you cleared your throat some. “Do you two have any plans tonight? I was thinking of making my mothers recipe for spaghetti with bolognese sauce, always makes too much food and well,” you nervously bit your lip again. “I was wondering if you’d like to come over and have dinner.” You ran your fingers through your hair nervously, tucking the strands behind your ear.

“I love sketti daddy, we haave to go!” Paige’s enthusiasm soothed you some, but your hopeful eyes never fell from Bucky’s.

“Miss Y/L/N,” he started.

You interjected, “Please, call me Y/N, school’s out after all.”

“Y/N,” Bucky softened. “I have more work to do tonight,” he watched the smile falter from your face and he felt a a pang of regret in his chest, making him change his next words moments before they came. “What if you come over to our place instead?”

“Yes! I have to show you my room!” Paige let out a sudden gasp like she had a terrific idea. “We can play hide and seek!” Her hands where tugging your skirt excitedly.

You eagerly nodded at her, smile both on yours and Bucky’s face. She was just about thrumming from the prospect of it all and her joy was spilling out and effecting the both of you as well. She finally calmed after a moment, a quick yawn taking over her face. Bucky patted her head gently and pulled her to lean against his leg.

“You’d have to bring whatever ingredients you need for the meal,” he noted. “But I have pots and pans, a pretty great kitchen to be honest, it’s just never used. You could cook as I finish up work, I haven’t had a home cooked meal in quite some time. And who knows maybe we could talk about making plan to go to the aquarium as well.”

It was Bucky’s turn to seem nervous, he hadn’t let another woman into his home since Paige’s mother. He shook the thought from his head, no sense in doing this to himself right now. If there was anyone worth trying this with, it would be you.

“Oh- uh, okay. I’d love that,” you smiled at him. “I’ll have to run to the store but I can come by after to everything ready?” You couldn’t believe this was actually happening.

“I’ll text you my address.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, unlocking it and holding it out for you to type your number in.

You took it with a shaky hand, slowly typing your number in and saving it under your name before handing the phone back to him. You two stood there a moment, with matching silly smiles, until an impatient Paige tugged his hand, pulling him back to reality.

“We better head home, but I’ll text you the address when I get in the car. Text me when you’re heading our way?” Bucky slowly picked Paige up her tired head falling onto his shoulder, still he paused for your answer.

“Yeah okay, see you soon,” you answered quietly.

With that Bucky turned towards the car, sleepy little girl in tow. You couldn’t help but smile as he softly put her into her car seat, making sure she was buckled up well. He had told the truth, the moment he was in the car your phone buzzed with a text. You tugged your phone from your pocket and saw a text from a foreign number, Bucky’s, with the address followed by a simple question. ‘Do you prefer red or white wine? Can’t have Italian food without a little wine right?’ You felt your cheeks heat up, you saved his number to your phone as you turned to make your way towards your car.

You typed a simple, ‘White’ followed by ‘You are right about that.’ You couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over your face as you clutched your phone to your chest. You took a moment or two to soak in the feeling that this was actually happening. You made your way towards your home so you could change and grab a couple things before you went to the grocery store. You had a dinner to make after all, no time to waste.

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[heartfeltheart]

Alchemy: Magic Vs. Science

Chapters: 21/25 Fandom: Fullmetal Alchemist/Harry Potter Rating: T Relationships: Edward/Winry, Lan Fan/Ling, and May/Alphonse. Primary Characters: Edward Elric, Severus Snape Additional Tags: Crossover, Teacher!Edward, BrOtp Edward/Severus. Sassy beyond measure. Series: Part 1 of 9. Summary: Magic and Science, are they the same or are they completely different? It just takes one person to point out all up and downs. Along with breaking the stereotypes that come up with being a wizard, alchemist and most of all being human. Thank you, @amynchan! D/C: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist. Discord: La Red(Mesh Mash of… stuff.): https://discord.gg/KYjmVAb Alchemy Series: https://discord.gg/DejEYNJ

“English and Edward’s accented voice.” “Amestrian or another foreign language.” “Written notes.” ‘Thoughts.’ First Name: Informal Last Name: Formal (Or used to annoy others)

Edward grumbled under his breath as he scanned through his roster. Thirteen. He now has thirteen students that are eager to learn Alchemy. There must be a different schedule for his students and different set of goals. Now how would he do it?

Everyone that is left shown great strides in becoming possible alchemists. Well, they all are still complete newbies and nowhere near of doing alchemy of any sort. Yes, they show potential but nowhere near the Amestrian potential for someone that is studying to become an alchemist. That was the reality. He must ensure they understand what is needed to understand before they even start learning the harder elements of alchemy.

For now, all of them still need to learn Latin, elements, elements when it comes with Alchemy, and so many other things... So much work to do before the breakfast the following da... breakfast. Until breakfast in a couple of short hours.

"Why did I leave this for the last minute...?"

-.-

"Mr. Elric lives in a modest home with his brother."

"He is engaged to someone that lives down the road."

"Engaged? He doesn't look that old?"

"They've known each other since they were infants."

"I would have thought he was extremely rich and lived in a mansion or something."

"Naw, he lives out in the country. Apparently hates the city..."

"Something about getting in trouble with the local law enforcement."

"That only happens if he is in the same city as his Superior."

"Superior?"

"Mr. Elric is... his former boss he's still in contact with. They have an intense rivalry."

"Like what the Slytherin's and Gryffindor's have against each other?"

"They don't have a rivalry in terms of who's better than the other. It's more...how was it?"

"They just like to annoy each other, if anything, they acted like father and son. Just more...antagonistic towards each other."

"Did you get to meet Mr. Elric's parents?"

The eight students that had gone to Amestris and rest of the Alchemy students sat around the Slytherin table, not once caring about the House Rivalries. All their friends from their respective houses came along to hear the tales of the magicless country. All thirteen Alchemy Students knew that their teacher never talked about his father, a very, very sore subject. His mother... always a soft smile but his eyes a slowly healing pain.

"...Next question."

"..."

"Did you get to see actual Alchemy done?"

"Alchemy."

"Is."

"Bloody."

"Amazing!"

"Well don't just sit there, tell us!"

"It is something you have to see it to believe it."

"You have to understand Alchemy in order to comprehend what we saw in Amestris."

"So... you aren't going to tell us then?"

"Nope."

"Back to your seats, the Heads are passing out the new timetables!"

-.-

Terrance Higgs, Fred Weasley, and George Weasley entered the Alchemy Classroom, whispering to themselves on the change of schedule. The three of them were already in the same class, but took the class on Tuesdays. Now they are taking it on Mondays and Fridays with the rest of the Alchemy students. Twice a week now. They wonder what their teacher has in plan for them.

"Hey Terrance, how exactly is Mr. Elric's fiancé like?"

"She's... beautiful, smart and she has Mr. Elric extremely whipped."

"I am not whipped!"

The three student's heads whip over to see their teacher glaring at the eldest of the three with a critical eye. "I am not whipped."

"I have a very long list of reasons onto why you are whipped." Terrance deadpanned, reaching into his person to pull something out.

"... Take a seat." Edward cleared his throat in an attempt to regain his composure. He went back to fixing the papers on his desk. "I am still fixing everything for class."

The Slytherin and two Gryffindor's took their seats in the front of the classroom. They took out the homework that was assigned to them during the break. The only difference for them is that the Weasley twin's packets had more work compared to the lone Slytherin. Their packets had longer explanations of what was learned by the other students that went to Amestris. The extra details for them to do their work.

"What did you guys learn over there?"

"Any type of alchemy should we know about?"

Terrance scratched his cheek, thinking on what he should and should not tell them. Then again... they are not going to act anything but amazed, wowed and envious. Well almost envious. Being chased around a forest by a bear was not something he would like to relive anytime soon.

"It was mostly compromised of survival skills. How to live without magic in cases of emergency and other stuff as such." Terrence explained. "That was when we arrived at his fiancé, Miss. Rockbell's home. Before we got there, we first arrived in Central City. We saw... a fight between two Alchemist. One using fire alchemy while the other is used his physical prowess with his alchemy. It was bloody amazing!"

"Damn..."

"We should have been there..."

"Hope there's a next time though."

"...Will there be a next time?"

"Depends if I continue teaching and if your lunacy of a government will allow it." Edward answered, not bothering to look over and continuing on with whatever he was doing.

"That if no one talks about the Bear accident."

"Bear accident?"

"Do tell."

"For me to tell you that, I have to tell you all about Mrs. Izumi Curtis... Mr. Elric's Alchemy Teacher. A woman that could strike fear into anyone with just a look." Terrence attempted to repress a shiver to no avail. "That woman is a complete and utter monster..."

"Scary..." Edward whispered out, his students not bothering to glance his way.

"Hehe...It's like this..."

"This is going to be a very long semester...again." Edward muttered under his breath as Terrence recounted the Bear Story. Oh, how much he hates that story...

-.-

End of the week, last class of the week and the first class of the semester. Edward leaned against his desk and stared at his last class of the week. It is comprised of all his thirteen students, all in one class. Unlike last semester, this time around he decided to have one class that had all his students. It was to ensure they all knew who is taking the class and to help one another. Plus, it would be easier to teach them certain subjects in one class than having to teach it four separate times.

"All of you had shown great strides in your goals of learning Alchemy." Edward announced to his class. He watched said class eyes glowed, pride evident in all their expressions. "I dare say... All of you surpass all my expectations for this school and beyond..."

"I sense a but in there..."

"The level of expectations I had originally for everyone who would have taken this class. That level of said expectations is low. Very low. I had to consider none of you knew what Alchemy is, in my county's terms, both magical and non-magical upbringings, so on and so forth. I had to take that into account and base onto what is considered average back in Amestris... Taking that into consideration... the level of expectations was low. Extremely low." Edward was not going to sugarcoat his words, this is his truth. This is the reality of things and it is remarkable at the fact there are as many students at that point of the year. They survived, but just barely. "Do not feel high and mighty. All of you exceed expectations when it comes to those terms. Compare where you are at, to a typical student that is learning Alchemy in Amestris... it is below par. Severely. I had to drill into all of you the differences and similarities between Magic and Alchemy, laws and other needed factors needed for Alchemy..."

Edward pushed himself against his desk and headed over to one of the chalkboards. "There are many other things all of you need to learn to proceed with all your learning of Alchemy. I am not going to sugar coat it... As you all know, Magic has a dark side to it. Alchemy just has a darker side to it. Proceeding forward with this class, I will be harsher and expect far more than any of you could expect from your own selves. In the world of Alchemy... one mistake could cause major injury or death. Sometimes the latter is better than the former... Yes, Edmond?"

"...Do we have to wrestle a bear? Like Mrs. Curtis? For us to further our alchemy?"

"Oh, Truth no! That is just her... She did once try to get me to kill one... Teacher had to kill it after it took my ar... Anyway...No. That is not required."

"Staying on an island without anything but a knife or the clothes on our back?"

"No."

"Fighting?"

"Depends on your form of Alchemy and how you fit it in your style."

"I meant on a surprise attack..."

"No. Anything else?"

"Could we continue on with the class?"

Edward couldn't help but grin, he reached over and flipped all the chalkboards over to reveal the other sides to reveal the sequences of Transmutation, Laws of Equivalent Exchange, and Rebound. "Seeing as none of you ran off... Let us continue on then."

-.-

Edward, Filius, and Severus sat around in a booth in the Three Broomsticks, tucked away in a corner from curious eyes. All of them had just ordered their drinks and food, now they are chatting away until their orders arrive. It was the first time since the spring semester had started the three had gotten together for a drink. It almost feels like a lifetime ago.

"A break...an honest to Truthful break..." Edward sighed, he slid deeply into his cushioned seat. He rolled his head around to work out a kink in his neck. "When is the next break again?"

"Little over a month, spring break." Filius responded he shifted in his seat which is covered in a tower of pillows to compensate for the height difference. "Are you considering another school trip to Amestris?"

"I do not know..."

"Considering how your students speak highly of your home country... would you consider it a possibility?" Severus asked with a slight raise of an eyebrow. After his students returned from Amestris, all they ever spoke about was how different it was from their own world. Not only the fact magic is completely void in said country, but how Alchemy is run in the country. Public knowledge of everything, everyone has an equal opportunity of learning the art. Well, if you could find a teacher to help with the said subject or go about it on your own. The only time they saw any sort of prejudice is when Edward has spoken about his teacher... and her hate for the State Alchemists. From what Edward, had told the Potion's Professor, that doesn't really surprise him. That and the fact the place is run by a Military, with corresponding ranks and so on, that was a given. When asked about people with power or money, all they got is a vague response of a woman dubbed the 'Ice Queen' or 'Northern Wall of Briggs'. Said women born into a family with money and Military background, made her own way into the Military and is one of the highest-ranking members of the Military and is a candidate for Führer. Whatever was said after about said woman caused both Elric brothers, by his students account, huddled together and whimpered at the memories of said 'Ice Queen'.

"Naw, the majority of the time in that week will mostly be spent on getting from point A to point B, then the actual teaching experience. Plus, it would be better if my students want to go home and speak to their parents about the trip face to face if they want to."

Filius was going to say something but the owner of the establishment came over with their foods and drinks. After asserting who ordered what and started to eat their lunch, the previous conversation all but was forgotten.

"Have you thought of continuing teaching next year?" Filius asking midway through their meal.

"More than likely depends on what my superiors say about it. Which is mostly they will have my work with the Ministry of Magic... then again..." Edward trailed off, staring into his glass of Firewhiskey. "Depends on what that idiotic Emperor and General Mustang agreed to do with me and my brother."

"What does the Emperor of Xing has to do with your brother? You never got into that." Filius asked, Edward, has once more opened about himself to him and Severus. Meaning some more of Golden Blonde's past going to be revealed without the need of forcing him to talk.

"Oh right... My brother is learning Alkahestry from the Emperor's younger sister." Edward responded he pocked at his food wondering just what he was eating. "She's a prodigy of the art and well... I think they both have crushes on each other and the idiot brother of hers is using his power to ensure he becomes related to me one way or another."

"Meaning...?"

"I bet a years' worth salary the guy is coming up away for Alphonse and Mei to marry behind the councils and elders back as we speak."

-.-

"You could take her to Amestris for a shotgun wedding?"

"...Ling...she's 14."

"In Xing, once you turn 13 you become eligible for marriage... in some areas, it's younger and a lot of people ignore the rule..."

"I know..."

Ling grin turned into a grimace, shutting his fan shut. "The moment that Mei was deemed marriageable, a flood of marriage proposals left and right. I managed to ward off the most persistent of suitors but it has been getting rather tiresome."

Alphonse crossed his arms and slid deeper into his cushion seat, a frown etched deeply into his expression. Everything that Ling had just told him wasn't new to him. Having his own share of seeing first hand of Mei's suitors. The vast majority of them are twice his own age to someone that was the same age as Pinako. Then comes in his own emotions. The Alchemist truly cares for the princess, not for what she is but for who she is as a person. After everything, they have been through, dare he say his feelings run deeper than he cares to admit. However, there are several factors that are preventing him from moving forward with said feelings. "I don't have any titles or born into any sort of royalty. The elders of the Chang Clan will have a field day if I was even considered a potential suitor."

"So... you're open to marrying my sister?"

"When she's older and if she agrees to marry me in the future."

"We both know she will say yes to you and a long-term engagement will get rid of the pressure of the council and elders."

"...You can come out now, Mei."

Squeak!

-.-

"Bringing my friends here? To Hogwarts? Bringing the Alchemists to the students than the other way around? Hm..."

"It would help with more students taking an interest in learning alchemy. Seeing alchemy firsthand will entice more of them to take the exam next year." Filius explain to Edward as he, Severus and Edward walked up the path leading to Hogwarts. "I already am recommending several students to take the exam next semester. Severus has a couple of his own studying already for it."

"...I am preparing them..."

"I have to talk to my superiors, the old man, and my students... This will be good for the students that did not go to Amestris..." Edward mused aloud, he shook his head at the thought though. Too much paperwork, politics, and other random things needed to be done before it could even become a reality. A very sad reality which will end with himself owing Mustang many favors. "I think it should work? I think?"

"Do you believe it would be a possibility?" Severus asked, raising an eyebrow at Edward's direction.

"Why do you guys want my friends to come here?"

"To see you suffer/To further the education of our students."

Filius and Severus glanced at each other after they finished their respected sentences. Considering the fact Filius is the one that stated he wanted to see Edward suffer, that was the Potion Master's thing. It seems Edward and Severus have finally corrupted the Charm's Professor. It was about Bloody time.

"Why does everyone like seeing me suffer...?"

-.-

"You do realize if we do this, Edward will never forgive you."

Roy hid behind a pile of paperwork, eyeing Riza inconspicuously. He grinned at the look of defeat the woman was giving him. "Naw, he's just going to hate me more is all. All I have to do is argue with him, banter here and there, everything between us is back to normal."

"Going to the actual school?" Riza asked in complete defeat. "For what?"

"Other than to see Fullmetal squirm? It actually has to do with us heading back to Magical Great Britain and continue on with our negotiations. This time though, Xing has to be part of said negotiations as they are going to be our go-between."

"Then tell me... How does this have to do with going to Hogwarts?"

"Ling wants to see how a magical work and made it a point he wants us to come along for the ride."

"You did not answer my question."

"I just want to see him suffer, is that an okay answer? Now help me write a letter to Marcoh and Scar... Please?"

"...The things I do for you..."

-.-

Teacher. No.

Mustang. Eh... maybe.

Armstrong. No. No. No.

Scar. Maybe.

Alphonse. Yes.

Mei. Yes.

Dr. Marcoh. Yes, students like him.

Edward scanned through his list, time after time again. He would his pencil to scratch his head deep in thought. The list contained a list of Alchemist that could possibly come to Hogwarts. The Golden Blonde is taking into consideration what Filius had told him. If he is going to continue teaching here at this backward school, which is a huge possibility, then he is going to need students to teach. He needed to pique their interest in learning alchemy, in turn ensuring they are not going to end up like complete idiots in their society. There has to be change and the only way for a change it has to start from the very beginning. Now all Edward has to do now it talk to Dumbledore about the idea. Once they get into some sort of agreement, then they will proceed to contact the proper paper for it to possibly happen.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Edward glanced up from his notes to stare at the main entrance of his classroom. It was a Thursday afternoon, no one had set up to meet with him or vice-versa and none of his students were given homework that required his help. (It involved coloring, drawing shapes and other seemingly random things. Random to them.) "Come in."

Let it be said... what happened next had our main character had him bang his head against his desk repeatedly. If he could meet with Truth once more, the former Alchemist will punt him across that ever-endless blank world. Then again, Truth will see that action as it is right and will never stop teasing him about it. Apparently, someone had already thought up of the same idea... Just...

'CUUUUUUURRRRRRSSSSSSSEEEEEE YYYYYOOOOOOOUUUUUUUU, TRRRRUUUUUUUTTTTTTTHHHHHHH!'

-.-

Out in that ever-endless blank world, a toothy smile appeared seemingly out of nowhere. It began to laugh at how everything is falling out of place. What is the point of having an order without some sort of chaos? There must be chaos before anything could fall into a perfectly fitted puzzle.

Truth grin widened when it saw a something shift in his domain. That shift only lasted less than a second and it appeared that a single shift appeared to be frazzled and full of pain. Hah... it should learn it's lesson. They are not to enter Truth's domain until they are deemed worthy. Until then... Truth will continue to laugh at how much they are distorting everything that old goat is building up.

-.-

"You want us both to go to Hogwarts with you? I understand you would want to bring along Mei, as she is your sister... but I?" Alphonse scanned several scrolls, keeping an eye on the Emperor of Xing. Said male is currently perched on a wooden chair, staring down at Alphonse with his typical smile. It did not bode well with the younger of the two, Ling was planning something and it appeared it was not going to be good.

"You are engaged to my sister, you are now part of the Royal family. That includes your brother and once he marries Winry, she and Pinako are included said family."

Alphonse's ears turned red at the reminder, he ran a hand through his short hair. "I am still wrapping my mind around that... heh. How did you manage to get that around the elders of the Chang Clan?"

"Eh, you underestimating yourself there. They like you and it helps that you have a very close connection to the Emperor. Come on, you help with everything around here. I respect your opinion and decisions, plus you have this way of freaking everyone with a smile. Once you marry Mei, I am going to officially make you my advisor."

"Aren't I already your advisor?"

"I want to make it official."

"...Then tell me about this then...?" Alphonse took out a scroll from a pole of other scrolls and handed it to Ling. "What's this about me becoming a teacher? At a magical school?"

"Details, details."

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[staytheb]

He Is

Pairing: INFINITE’s Sunggyu x OC [Aerin] Genre: flowershop!au, slice of life, slight fluff Word Count: 2,052 Summary: Flowers are love's truest language. Sunggyu stops by a flower shop to run an errand for his brother-in-law. Over time he frequents the shop to purchase flowers, but to also get to know the worker as well. One day, Aerin doesn’t show up and the shop closes for the time being.

Warning: none, but this hasn’t been again proof-read as i’m sharing this from a year ago where it was last proof-read. lol

first off i’m sharing this just so that i can have another place to put this story here on tumblr. second of all, i’m not sure if i’ll take request for INFINITE stories, so they’ll be on the list, but not for any request atm. and this was for a contest of sort, but that went on hiatus and so yeah. this was my first ever INFINITE story with Leader Gyu and i quite like how it turned out as i was inspired by the song She Is by Clazziquai Project and hence the title for this fic. anyways, i think that’s about it so happy reading and kthxbai, Admin Lia~

Aerin was casually working the counter as she was arranging a bouquet of white carnations for a client that would be picking it up in less than an hour. She heard the door's bells chimed and looked up to greet the customer with a cheerful expression.

"Hello. Welcome to Inspirit Petals. Is there anything I can help you with?"

The female customer smiled, but shook her head before browsing around. Aerin went back to what she was doing and had just put the finishing touch to the bouquet with a bright smile when the door chimed once more. She repeated her greeting as the male walked up to the counter.

"Hi. I'm the one that's supposed to pick up a flower arrangement for Lee Taehyun."

"Oh, so you're not Lee Taehyun?"

"No. I'm his brother-in-law, Kim Sunggyu. Is that fine?"

"Yeah, I just need you to sign that you've picked them up for confirmation purposes."

"Okay."

Aerin went to the computer to pull up the file before turning it around for Sunggyu to sign.

"Just need your signature right here and you'll be on your way."

Sunggyu viewed the contents before using his index finger to sign his name. Aerin took the computer back and finished the rest up to print out a receipt. While it did that, she bundled up the bouquet and handed both items to Sunggyu.

"There you go. Have a wonderful day."

"Thanks." Sunggyu paused before leaving and looked at the bouquet. "These are white carnations, right?"

"Yes they are." Aerin smiled with a nod.

"Are you sure?" Sunggyu questioned as he looked from the female and the flowers.

"Yes, I'm sure."

"No, but seriously. These are white carnations, right?"

"Yes. Mr. Lee wanted something that was pure also for good luck. They mean Woman's Good Luck Gift and Pure Love."

"Well, it's for my sister and I don't want to give her the wrong flowers. Can you double check?"

"Seriously? No, I'm not sure and am totally wrong. That's why I'm working at a flower shop owned by my father for the past twenty-something years." Aerin replied in a sarcastic tone, but her face remained aloof.

Sunggyu eyed her, but realized he was making a fool of himself. He gave her a nod and left shortly afterwards.

"Wow, what a prick. Hate when people do that." Aerin muttered as she sat on the high stool and played on the computer since the previous customer from before had left when Sunggyu had entered.

The next time Aerin saw Sunggyu again was a few weeks later at the flower shop again, but she had no recollection of their encounter as it wasn't important for her to remember someone that gave her a bad impression.

"Hello. Welcome to Inspirit Petals. How may I help you?"

She greeted seeing the male customer looking a bit flustered as he ran a hand through his hair. She watched him a moment longer, but Aerin assumed he didn't hear her and so she just went back to trimming the white stargazer lilies for another client to pick up later today.

"I'll take an order of those." Sunggyu said as he pointed to the vase of the white stargazer lilies.

Aerin shot him a look with a raised eyebrow. "Do you even know what these symbolizes?"

"Does it matter? It looks nice. I'll take it."

"They represent sympathy. Are you sorry for something?"

"No. Why would I be? My friend is about to propose to his long-term girlfriend and I'm in charge of picking up the flowers."

Aerin mentally rolled her eyes as she moved the stargazer off to the side and headed towards the back. Sunggyu frowned as he watched the female go to the back and later returned with another white flower.

"Here we go. These are orange blossoms and would work better for your friend's occasion than those." Aerin said while motioning her head to the stargazers. "They represent Eternal Love as well as Marriage and Fruitfulness."

"Are you sure I can't use the other one?" Sunggyu asked pointing at the white stargazer lilies. "I think they look prettier."

"I'm positive that you don't want to use the other one."

"Are you sure?"

"No. I don't know anything. I would love to send you off giving those stargazers to your friend to give to his future fiancee and for the wedding to never happen in the end." Aerin replied sarcastically with a bored expression.

Sunggyu regarded her a bit before slowly speaking again. "Is that supposed to be funny?"

Aerin actually rolled her eyes this time. "No. So do you want the orange blossoms or not?"

"Well, since the other bouquet for my brother-in-law was perfect and correct, I'll trust your judgement." He smiled at her and Aerin was caught off guard by his attractive smile. "Um, yeah, you're welcome. I'll, be back."

Aerin swiftly turned around and went to the back to make Sunggyu a bouquet and returned with the finished product.

After Sunggyu had paid for the bouquet he lingered a little longer. "Thanks. Name?"

"They're called orange blossom."

"I meant yours."

"Why?"

"So I could thank you."

"It's not important." She shot him a quick smile before resuming back to tending the white stargazer lilies.

Sunggyu sheepishly smile before his eyes caught sight of something and he grinned. "Well, thank you, Aerin. Have a wonderful day."

"You're welcome and you, too." She replied absent-mindlessly before shooting her head up with widened eyes to only see that the male has exited the shop already. "How did he know my name?"

Aerin shrugged and looked back down to the stargazers and noticed her name-tag. "Right. Wow, Aerin."

From then on, Sunggyu would visit Inspirit Petals often enough to purchase flowers for any kind of occasion he could think of that wouldn't seem like he had nothing to do with his life. Aerin at first thought it was a nuisance, but eventually she looked forward to his visits. She wondered what he would buy this time around.

Last time Sunggyu came was for a colleague's birthday. A female and he wanted to do something nice, but not to the point where it was like he was confessing his love or anything along the lines towards her. Aerin found him a bumbling mess when he was telling her that he was interested in someone, but not his colleague. Then he caught himself and tried to talk about something else. Aerin thought he was cute.

A sort of relationship beyond worker and customer occurred between the two although Aerin never saw him outside of the flower shop although Sunggyu would not so discreetly invite her out as he would mentioned certain events here and there. Aerin would casually declined since she didn't really know the guy, and she was still busy running the shop since her father wasn't feeling well lately.

Anyways, one day Sunggyu came by the shop, but found that it was already closed for the day. He frowned at the hand-written sign detailing that the shop would be closed for a while and that it would re-open soon. It didn't give a specific date and Sunggyu wondered if everything was fine with Aerin.

A week later, Sunggyu returned, but the shop was still closed. He tried calling, but was always met with the answering machine. He would come by during different times of the day to see if he would run into anyone, but nothing. His heart ached from not being able to see Aerin as well as not know of her situation. He resumed his life as to distract himself from Inspirit Petals sudden hiatus.

Several days later, Sunggyu happened to walk by Inspirit Petals and was surprised that it was suddenly opened for business. With a smile he entered the store, but Aerin was no where in sight. His smile quickly dropped upon that notion.

"Hello. Welcome to Inspir-Sunggyu?" His friend, Woohyun, said his name in a questioning tone. "What are you doing here?"

"Woohyun? When did you start working here?" Sunggyu asked the younger male instead.

"Oh, I'm just helping out a friend. She's been unable to work so me and Sijin have been trying to run this place as to not let the flowers wilt."

"I see. Sijin knows Aerin?"

"Oh, you know Aerin? Funny, she never mentioned you. Anyways, yeah Sijin and Aerin have been childhood friends since forever."

"Could I ask what happened with Aerin?"

"Well, I don't know if I'm someone that can just say it. But-"

"Woohyun." Came a soft voice as Sunggyu recognized Sijin who was coming out from the back while carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers he didn't know of.

"Hi, Sijin." Sunggyu greeted her with a smile as the female returned the gesture. "Hello, Sunggyu. What brings you here?"

"He's asking about Aerin." Woohyun whispered, but it wasn't discreet enough as Sunggyu rolled his eyes at his friend's behavior.

"Oh? How do you know Aerin?"

"I got to know her since I would come to Inspirit Petals for flowers." Sunggyu explained. "The first time was for my brother-in-law and then just recently another time for a colleague at work."

"I see, well, Aerin won't be returning until she's ready." Sijin informed Sunggyu as the male slightly frowned.

"Did something happen?"

"Her father passed away."

Sunggyu's expression turned to one of sadness as he wasn't sure what to say or do. He stood there awkwardly wondering what he should do next. Then his eyes lingered onto the bouquet in Sijin's hands and he thought of something.

"You wouldn't happen to know the meaning of those flowers in your hands, do you?" He asked with a shy demeanor.

"These?" Sijin questioned while lifting up the yellow flowers in her hands. "They're called Zinnia and they mean Daily Remembrance."

"Oh, um, then do you know the kind of flowers to comfort someone with?"

Aerin opened her door to see Sunggyu standing on the other side. The duo just stared at one another in silence with none of them wanting to say anything as it's been weeks since they've seen each other, but also Aerin never thought she would meet Sunggyu outside Inspirit Petals.

"Hi." They both said at the same time with Sunggyu chuckling nervously.

He then held the white poppies in front of him as Aerin looked at the bouquet and knew the meaning, but wasn't sure what Sunggyu was trying to convey on his part.

"These are for you." Sunggyu offered the bouquet to Aerin. "I heard about your dad from Sijin at the shop. My condolences."

"Oh, um, thank you." Aerin let out awkwardly as she wasn't expecting something like this from him and took the white poppies. "That's very kind of you."

Sunggyu smiled. "Well, you've always gave me the right kind of flowers for my occasions, and so I thought that you should received them, too."

Aerin cracked a smile. "At least you always went with the right meaning with help."

They both chuckled and then silence fell upon them again.

Sunggyu let out a cough as he tried to formulate the right words to ask Aerin out despite her current situation with a passed loved one. "So um, you can say no if you want, but my band is playing tonight at this college for some fundraiser." Sunggyu began before rushing the last bits. "But it would be cool if you came out to cheer for us. If you want that is."

Aerin chuckled at the male's behavior as she contemplated his words. "Sure. It'll be nice to do something and get out of the house."

"Great. It starts at eight. I'll let you know the name of the college."

Before Sunggyu could walk off, Aerin called his name.

"Hmm?"

"I'm pretty sure you'll need my actual phone number to message me the details, right?" Aerin said with a playful look.

"Right, right." Sunggyu laughed a bit embarrassed as he brought out his phone and he and Aerin exchanged numbers. "I'll text you soon."

"Can't wait and thanks for the flowers, Sunggyu. I greatly appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Aerin. Glad you like them."

"See you at eight."

"Oh, yeah. See you."

Aerin watched Sunggyu with a smile as she held the bouquet closed to her chest.

[anihan-spills]

Girl in the Mirror (Part V)

V. Catherine and Sienna

Catherine and her family sit facing the television as they eat breakfast. The black and white monitor showed a big man in a barong behind a podium. The television voiced, “As of the 21st of the 6th month, I sign Proclamation No. 1081, placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law—”, before the statement was cut off short. She sat glumly before the television was turned off by her father.

   “Marcos is getting all the news lately.” Mr. Lamanya said, shaking his head, as he stood from the couch to walk to the dining room.

   He was greeted by Mrs. Lamanya, who placed the plate of scrambled eggs on the table. “And soon, there will be no news.”, she says glumly.

   “Political drama…” Catherine sighed.

   The mother placed three empty plates for her family. Mr. Lamanya was the first to sit and to get a spoonful of scrambled eggs and rice on his plate. Catherine entered the room and grabbed the brown leather jacket on the chair that stood in front of an empty plate. As she left, Mrs. Lamanya stared at her daughter with concern.

   “Honey!” Mrs. Lamanya exclaimed, “Don’t sleep on your breakfast!”

   “I need to work,” Catherine replied, going back to kiss her parents before bidding goodbye.

   Mrs. Lamanya frowned and held Catherine’s shirt. This made Catherine groan. “And where is your so-called work?”

   “At Mulat Theatre,” Catherine replied glumly.

   “Oh!” Mr. Lamanya chimed in, “That’s where Sienna’s play is!”

   “Y-Yes…” Catherine sighed.

   “Oh! So no wonder!” Mrs. Lamanya chuckled, “You’re going to interview her! That’s so sweet! No wonder you got the assignment. Both of you have been best friends for such a long time—”

   Mrs. Lamanya was cut off by the sound of the loud knocking on the door. The mother frowned as Catherine went to the door. The tension grew as she jittered, turning the doorknob, only to see Titoy. The blockmate waved his hand in enthusiasm.

Catherine, with a walkman in her hand, trots on the street with her friend.

   “How are you, man?” Titoy asked his friend to initiate the conversation.

   “I’m fine! I’m fine!” Catherine replied back. “We’re off to Mulat today?”    “Yeah,” Titoy answered. He turned to face Catherine, looking tense. “You good?”

   “I-I’m fine,” Catherine answered, taking a deep breath.

   “Oh, okay!” Titoy smiled, “I was hoping I could interview the three main actors while you could interview... Sienna?”

   “Sienna?” Catherine chuckled uneasily, “You know her and I kind of hate each other now, right?”

   “Yeah, but why?” Titoy shrugged. “Wasn’t she—”

   “She’s reckless! And she doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut!”

   “Like you so do?”

   Catherine sighed and looked away.

   Titoy laughed and punched Catherine on the arm. “Come on! I’m just joking! Anyways, there’s a party later tonight. You wanna go? Y’know maybe meet boys? Men, maybe?”

   “I’m not kissing anyone tonight.” she laughed.

   The two continued on.

Catherine and Titoy walked into the theatre. They saw the whole cast entangled in a catastrophe — Sienna was angry.

   “No! That's not how you do it!” Sienna shouted in rage. “That's not how the scene goes! Look! It says: "Is this a dagger I see before me?", not: "Is this a small sword I bought in they goddamn toy store two weeks ago!" You are him! The treacherous ruler! And if only I could say his name right now, I would! What would the people who are gonna interview us gonna say when they're going to come over here later and they see us like this, huh!?”

   “Sienna, we’re here,” Catherine said.

   Sienna turned around to see Catherine and Titoy staring blankly at her, obviously appalled by her behavior. Sienna stomped away after saying: “Take five!”

   The whole cast would look at each other, making murmurs that would only talk about Sienna's outburst. Catherine tried to run after her before ending up in the middle of nowhere — specifically some dark place backstage. She continued to walk slowly before chancing upon the mirror. She admired it slowly before chuckling. “Wow, don’t you look pretty.”

   And of course, hearing pretty, I’d appear before Catherine, smiling. I appeared… too sudden. “Hey! you do too!”

   She stared at me. She just stared. Then a single moment passed. She closed her eyes and fell down on the floor.

Let’s say about five, maybe ten, minutes later, she groaned, waking up. She looked around at her surroundings before sighing. She sat up straight and looked at the mirror once more. “Gosh…” she muttered, “Am I dead?”

   “I heard all college students are,” I said, making her turn and stare. I noticed her becoming light-headed again, so I interjected. “Allow me to introduce myself. Hi! I’m Lucy. I’m the girl in the mirror.”    She continued staring before voicing, “So I’m not dead?”

   “Uh, I hope so?”

   She fixed herself in a more comfortable position. She asked, “What are you? Who are you? Why are you there?”

   “That’s a long story.” I chuckle, “Maybe another time?”

   “No, it’s okay.” Catherine smiled, “I can handle it.”

   This made me blush. “A-Are you sure?”

   “Yeah! Go on. I’m telling you, I can handle it.”

   I breathed in and released. “Well, my first owner was Alberta — snarky and very, very smart. She loved the stars and the planets and all that, but she wasn't really allowed by her parents to do so. She wasn’t really allowed by society to do so. One day she helped this guy on his scientific paper and I… never knew what happened after that. Maybe she successfully snuck out? Maybe she went to the convent? Maybe she was burned at a stake? One thing's for sure, I will never see her again.”

   “Woah…”

   “Then there was Eugenie — confident and very, very beautiful. Her mother died very young. After that, she went looking for her father. One night, she met an American soldier to sneak her in the base camp. She met a man who she knew was her father, but the man denied everything. I never knew what happened to her next. Maybe her father took her in and accepted her? Maybe she was imprisoned? Maybe she was caught and killed? Another thing's sure, I will never see her again.”

   “Gee…”

   “Last, there came Maria. She was reserved and very, very, very simple. Sadly, this simplicity of her hid the abundance of her problems. She only told me she was raped by her father’s Japanese comrade. She continued to be advanced on multiple times. The man even proposed to her in front of her father, so she had no choice but to say yes. One day, she met a slave and helped her escape that night. I never knew what happened to her next. Maybe they ran off to a far-off place? Maybe they were seized, throwing the slave but saving Maria? Maybe they were both killed? Then I know, I will never see her again.”

   “Wow, you’ve been here for a long time, haven’t you? Maybe even before the Spanish period, you’ve lived.”

   “A long time doesn't mean I've learned a lot. Sometimes, you'd wish you'd have more.”

   “Well, what else would you do?”

   “Get to know where the people I knew ended up, I guess.”

   “Gee, I never knew something would happen such as that. Ironic for me. I'm a writer. I'm supposed to be looking at different perspectives and different stories. But at that one time I failed to do so, I lost my best friend. At that one time, I chose to be silent. At that one time, I chose to be a coward. Then I told myself I'm so sick and tired of politics. Maybe I was just so sick and tired of not taking a stand.”

   That moment, Titoy entered, jumping around giddily. “Uy, Cathy! There’s a party later?”

   “Tonight?” Catherine frowned, “Isn’t there curfew?”

   “Sleepover party!” Titoy smiled, “Sige na! Sienna will be there!”    Catherine exhaled and turned to the mirror, only to frown when she saw me gone. She sighed and turned to Titoy, nodding. “I’ll go.”

The walls of the room were draped in neon, and almost psychedelic, colored embroidery. Catherine held a red cup of juice in the corner, staring at everyone with disbelief. She was the only one immune to Rey Valera’s “Kamusta Ka” And in the corner of her eye, she sees a girl with flowing brown hair. She knew her well. It was Sienna. After a single moment, their eyes meet. They stared from the opposite sides of the room. A tear exited Sienna’s eye. Catherine took one step toward her friend, but Titoy stood in front of Catherine. “Hey!”, he smiled. Being the mettle she was, Catherine pushed Titoy away and continued walking slowly towards Sienna, eventually leading herself outside.

   She saw Sienna walking under the dim streetlights whose circles touched each other at one point of their circumferences. Sienna’s head was bowed low, hands were in her jean pockets. Catherine breathed in, summing up the confidence to run up to her friend. Eventually, they did. Each step made Catherine’s heart beat faster. Sienna looks behind her, and as she saw Catherine run up to her, she decided to spare herself for fun. Sienna ran faster. They were like two children playing tag late at night. Catherine eventually caught up to Sienna, making her friend fall. They gave off one last laugh before the two looked up and saw two soldiers holding rifles. Their hearts skipped beats.

   “What are the two of you doing here late at night?”, a soldier asked from behind. Catherine and Sienna jumped, startled by this. The soldier grabbed Catherine’s arms and held her back as Sienna was done the same.

   “Teka…” one of the soldiers smirked at Sienna, “Ikaw ba si Sienna Magdangal? Yung komunistang mandudula?”

   “Hindi pagiging komunista ang paglalaban ng demokrasyang tinanggal ng pangulo niyo!—” Sienna shouted back. She was interjected, however, when she was slapped by one of the soldiers.

   Catherine looked around, hoping she could figure out an escape on time. Then, she thought of something — something she thought she would never do.

   “I know what we could do before we throw them out to jail.” Another soldier chimed in.

   “Really?” Catherine voiced out, grinning. “Come closer. I’m going to tell you something.”

   The soldier smiled and went up to Catherine. Catherine went up closer to him and kissed him. This made Sienna and the other soldiers drop their jaws. A second later, the soldier flinched, pulled away from Catherine, and screamed.

   The soldier that held Catherine lose his grip. She punched the two soldiers, taking their guns from them. Catherine pointed those two guns at the soldier holding Sienna. The soldier apologetically let go of Sienna. Catherine smirked. And the two ran away — off to a dark alley to catch their breath.

Catherine and Sienna looked at each other before smiling. Those smiles eventually turned into laughter.

   “I never knew you had the power to do that!” Sienna punched Catherine’s arms, laughing once more.

   “I never knew I had it either!” Catherine admitted back.

   Sienna placed her head on Catherine’s shoulder. Sienna sighed. She reached for Catherine’s fingers and played with them for a bit before smiling. “You know, I’ve been taking unprofessional therapy from someone. She helps me with a lot of things. My family who doesn’t believe my ideals would add up to shit, worries about my job, and like... saying I'm sorry to you. Especially if I wasn't able to understand why you wanted to—”

   “No! I'm sorry! I wasn't able to adjust for you. Politics, business, and the economy can get pretty stressful — especially now. I guess I have to learn to accept that — especially if I want things to change.” Catherine sighed. She looked away and continued, “Life is a party. Sometimes, we get to be decoration. But by the time we somehow, miraculously get out and become the moving sculptures we are, we'll make sure to watch each other so that none of us will break. I’ll watch over you. I’ll protect you.”

   “You will?”

   “Yeah! Duh!” Catherine exclaimed before smiling softly at Sienna, “I love you.”

   Sienna smiled. “I love you too.”

   Catherine stared at her in disbelief — the good kind. Then, a thought passed her mind. “Where do we stay for the night?”

   “I think I know.” Sienna grinned. She looked at the open side of the alley that revealed the Mulat theatre standing as a savior.

The two held hands as they walked to the backstage. Sienna stopped in front of the mirror. Catherine raised a brow before Lucy revealed herself.

   “Finally!” Lucy smiled, “Operation Get-Sienna-Back-With-Catherine is successful!”

   Sienna chuckled. Her amazement contrasted with Catherine’s shock.

   “H-How did you?—” Catherine asked before being interjected.

   “She’s my unprofessional therapist.”

All that’s well ends well.

[thequeenofpixels]

If things were different...(Epilogue)

Book/Who: TRR / Drake X MC (Riley Brooks) 

Summary: Few years later after Drake and Riley’s wedding and Hana being in the hospital, how is everyone going?

Author’s note: Some characters belong to PB I’m just borrowing them, but the new ones (Shophie, Leon, Lana, Rose) are mine. Be aware English is not my mother language, so if you find a mistake feel free to show me.

Word count: 3169

P.S 1= In this chapter a special thanks to: all my friends who encouraged me to continue this fic, to @a-teardrop-blog for helping me with the grammar and review, and much more for your patience with me. Thank you so much girl. ❤ And to @rileybeaumont a fervent MaxStan and @alanakusumastan a LiamStan but nevertheless continued reading until here supporting me ♥ ! 

P.S 2=  You can find the previous parts here .

Tag List: @butindeed @simplyaiden-blog @topsyturvy-dream @andy-loves-corgis @bobasheebaby @nanieuniverse @teamdraketrr @zazigah @smartlillian @camzsweetheart @kamybelen-blog @writtenbycandy @decisso @drakelover78 @cocomaxley @katherinelangfordz @kaitycole

_____X_____

Seven years have passed and now Drake and Riley were about to celebrate their wool wedding anniversary, but before heading to their trip they made a stop at the Beaumont State for their nephew's birthday party.

The couple was at their hotel room, getting ready for the party when Drake approached Riley from behind to help her close the zipper of her dress. She tossed her hair aside, giving him space, and he looked at her through the mirror.

“So… are you ready, Riley?”

She looked back at him and smiled. “I think so… So many things have changed since we’ve been here.”

He smiled and rubbed her arms. “Don’t tell me…”

She looked one more time on the mirror, giving the final touches on her hair and to the dress on her body before turning to Drake.

“So?”

He was leaning on the sofa, admiring her. “Beautiful as always!”

She approached him, wrapped an arm in his neck and gave him a quick kiss.

“Drake Walker, have I ever told you how flattering you’ve become?”

He tightened his fingers around her waist.

“I’m just telling you the truth.”

She looked him up and down and bit her bottom lip. “You don’t look bad yourself.” Her hands traveled on his chest. “But, we’re going to be late. Let’s go!” She quickly grabbed his hands and pulled him to the door.

A little while later they arrived at the Beaumont State but were caught by surprise when they saw a different and smaller house. When Savannah showed up to greet them, she hugged them both. “Oh, God, I’m so happy you guys came!”

Drake hugged his sister back but couldn’t hide the shock.

“Drake-”

He interrupted her. “Oh, God, what happened, sis? I didn’t notice the different address on the invitation.”

Before Savannah could answer, Bertrand showed up with little Sophie in his arms.

“Oh my God! How big you are!” Riley exclaimed and Sophie blushed.

“They grow so fast! It’s almost crazy!”

They laughed.

“How about walking, little one?” Bertrand put a hand on his back. “Papa is not young anymore.”

He put his daughter on her feet and grabbed her hand while shaking Riley and Drake's hands.

“Please, come in, the party is just starting.”

They all went to the back of the house, where other children were playing, and next to two of them were Liam and Hana. When Liam saw Drake, he opened a large smile and came to greet his friend with a hug. “Oh, brother, I didn’t know you would really come!”

Drake hugged his friend back. “How could I miss my nephew's birthday? Besides, it’s on the way to our trip.”

Liam looked at Riley. “Oh, I see.” He shook her hand. “How are you?”

Riley smiled, shaking his hand back. “I’m great.”

“That’s wonderful to hear.”

“Yeah… I can see you’re doing good too after all.”

“Oh, don’t remind me about any of that, I can no longer be king, but I can say I was never so happy before. I can almost say that now I have all I've ever wanted.”

His eyes lingered on Hana and their two kids playing and eating.

Suddenly, Savannah showed up and lead Riley to another room. “Excuse us guys.”

Riley, unable to understand why she did that, asked: “Oh, what happened, Vannah?”

“Nothing big, I just wanted to save you.”

“Save me? From what? I’m not following.” She frowned.

“From the awkwardness there.”

Riley laughed. “That? Don’t worry, Vannah! It’s ok, we may not be friends, but Drake and Liam are and, after all these years, there’s no point in holding grudges.”

“Are you serious?”

“Come on, Vannah, look at me and your brother. Do you really think I’m not the happiest woman in this world?”

Savannah nodded and looked at her happy brother.

“Seriously, Vannah, you don’t have to worry about me, or even about them. Maybe just with your kids and the party.”

The two women shared a laugh and Savannah left to open the door for the newly arrived guests.

Meanwhile, Drake and Liam were chatting in the backyard.

“You know, I still don’t believe your father didn’t give up, even in the end.”

“Really. It is still unbelievable, he died from lung cancer, he saw how fragile and short life is and even that way he wouldn't stop trying to separate Hana and I, only because she wasn’t able to keep a baby in her uterus for nine months. He drove everyone crazy when he heard we hired a surrogate mother, but damn it! It was still our child, just growing on someone else's belly!”

“Right? I hope he can see his mistake, wherever he is.”

“So do I.”

“But… Don’t you miss being king at all?”

“Sometimes… you know? I was raised for that life, I learned almost everything I could since I was a child to rule Cordonia and fight for it, and have this being taken away from my hands wasn’t easy. I couldn’t sleep for months, worried about Cordonia and it’s future and the possibility of Hana’s father no longer accepting us together.”

“Rough times, I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.”

“Yeah, and not to mention I wanted to make Hana a queen. My queen. And I couldn’t.” Liam had a somber face.

“Liam, I’m sure Hana doesn’t care about that.”

“I know, but I wished I could do that. But let’s forget about this because now I think all things are going well, I have Mr. Lee's support and Hana and I have two amazing children today. Look at their faces!”

They looked at Hana and the kids.

“You know, Liam, looking again she even seems younger.”

Liam smiled, admiring his family.

“I think I can say you even seem lighter…” Drake said, wondering.

“Maybe is the weight of the crown that’s no longer on my shoulders.”

They both laughed.

“But you are different too Drake, you seem less grumpy now if you know what I mean.”

Drake smiled blissfully. “Happiness does that to us.”

“Totally agree!”

They toasted and drank their soda.

After all the guests have arrived, Savannah and Bertrand called everybody to sing happy birthday and cut the cake. After all the best wishes to the kids and cake eating, Riley was chatting with Maxwell.

“So, you guys are doing so great in NY, huh?”

“Yeah, now Drake has his own law firm, I have my own publishing company and we have two dogs. You know… I can’t imagine my life different now. However, let's stop talking about me, I heard you are a dancer now, huh?”

Max opens his mouth in shock. “How do you know that?”

“Max, I have internet, we are on the twenty-first century!”

He laughed.

“Yeah, you’re right. But I can’t waste my dance skills. I’m not Agent Breakdancing for no reason, right?”

Riley laughed and hugged him tightly.

“I missed you so much, Max!”

He hugged her back.

She released him and asked: “Max… Didn't Bertrand try to stop you not even once?”

“Well… you know him. He said: 'You can’t do that, you are going to throw the Beaumont name in the mud' more times than I can count, but in the end, we needed the money.” He looked down.

“Max, if you don’t want to talk about that, it’s ok.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just… It was a rough time for him and if we were broke before… after Liam lost his throne and when the new king made changes on the court, our house was unsustainable. We had to move, we sold the house and with the money, we paid our dues and bought this new home, smaller as you can see.”

Riley put a hand on her mouth, in shock. “Oh, God! But the new king kicked all of you from the court?”

“No, but we no longer had the same influence as we had before.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that Max, I can’t even imagine how hard all this was for all of you.”

“Nah, you know this is harder on him than on me.”

Riley tried to smile in comfort. “I know.”

Max touched Riley’s arm. “But everything is going to be better, I’m planning on opening my own school dance!”

“Wow! Look at you!”

Maxwell opened his mouth.

“Oh! I realized there's someone I wanna introduce to you!”

“Who?”

“Come here.”

Max pulled Riley with him and approached a young lady in the other room.

“Lady Rose.”

The woman turned and looked at Max, grinning widely, and when she saw Riley she blushed.

“Lady Rose, this is Riley, my best friend in this world.”

“Oh! It's you, the famous Riley!”

“I don’t know about famous, but… that’s me.”

Rose extended her hand and Riley shook it.

“Nice to meet you, Rose.”

“I’m glad to finally meet you, Max always talks about his American friend that once lived in Cordonia.”

“Always? How long would that be?”

Max laughed.

“Riley, actually Rose and I are engaged.”

“What? And you didn’t tell me about this sooner?” Riley punched Max’s arm.

“Ouch! I’m sorry, but I didn’t want to tell you this on the phone!”

Rose laughed.

“So, tell me, how did you meet?”

“Well… the new king called for a meeting and I was there with Bertrand when Lady Rose Victoria came with her family.”

“I’m from a minor house in Cordonia, and in that meeting, Max looked at me…”

“I couldn’t take my eyes off of her! I swear!”

“I was very intimidated at first, but when he came to talk to me, he introduced himself and apologized for staring so much.”

“Look at this! Maxwell was caught by love at first sight.” Riley teased him.

Rose blushed again, but Max wrapped one hand around her waist and kissed her forehead.

“Indeed.”

"Bertrand was demanding for me to stop courting her... He thought her parents would not accept me because we're broken and I'm a dancer."

“But my father always said if I were to marry one day, it would be for love and not for money or position, like people used to do at court.”

“Wow, I don’t even know your father but I like him already.”

“Don’t tell me! Now I’m saving money to buy our own house, her dad already gave us the wedding party.”

Riley looked at Max with a questioning face.

“Don't worry! We'll make sure you’re invited when we choose the date!”

“Good, and if you don’t, you know…”

Someone bumped into Riley’s back before she could finish the sentence.

“God, I’m so sorry!”

When Riley and the other person turned and looked at each other, there was Hana trying to clean her dress, and when she realized she had bumped into Riley, she was paralyzed.

“It’s ok.” Riley tried to calm Hana down.

“I’m sorry, one of the kids was running and pushed me over you. Please…”

“Hana, It’s really ok. Don’t worry.”

“Hey, I have to go… over there…” Maxwell took Rose’s hand in his and left, leaving Hana and Riley alone.

The two women shared a look.

“I… I’m going… I don’t want to bother you…”

“Hana…”

“Y… Yes…?”

“Look, since I’m here, let me say something. Years ago, I did read your letter, ok? And I’m glad you are still alive.”

Hana opened her mouth in shock.

“Are… are you serious?”

“Yes, I am. Look we aren’t friends anymore, but I never wished your death, I heard about the times you were in the hospital because of some pregnancy that almost killed you, and today I saw you so happy with your kids…”

Hana looked down and smiled.

“Yes... I was miserable when the doctor said I was sterile, and when I got pregnant it was like a miracle, but no longer after I discovered my uterus would not support a pregnancy, and that’s why I always lost the babies…”

Hana told Riley how she had her children and Constantine dethroned Liam.

“This does not surprise me at all… But who is the king now?”

“A Liam's distant cousin. You know… royal blood and blah blah blah…”

“Yeah, I get it. Maybe it was for the best, who knows, huh?”

“Right? It’s what I try to tell Liam. Anyway, I’m sorry for taking your time.”

“It’s ok, I was the one who started the talking.”

“Before I leave… Riley, can I ask you something…?”

“Go ahead.”

“You and Drake… how are things going?”

Riley looked at Drake talking to his sister on the other side of the house and smiled, sparkles in her eyes.

“I… I couldn’t be happier.”

Hana grinned.

“I’m so glad to hear that!”

“So…”

“I… wish you the best, Riley. I meant that back then and I still do.”

“Thank you, Hana. I wish you the same.”

They nodded in agreement and parted in separate ways. Riley approached Drake and kissed him on the cheek from behind. He recognized her sweet and floral scent and responded by wrapping her shoulder and pulling her against his body.

“Hey, babe.”

She leaned her head on his chest and smiled.

“I’ll give you some space.” Savannah left them together.

“Something happened?”

“Oh, no. Nothing. I just wanted to feel you.”

“Oh!” He smiled fondly. “Anytime you want, you know I’m always here for you, right?”

He gave her a peck on the tip of her nose.

“I know.” She tilts her head and looks at him. “Me too. Ok?”

He tightened his grip on her. “I know.”

After staying like this for a while, Drake whispered.

“Babe, I… It’s better we get going, we have to wake up early tomorrow.”

“Well, let’s say goodbye then.”

He intertwined his fingers with Riley's and they walked to greet Max.

“Max, we’re leaving.”

“Oh! So soon?” He made a sad face.

“Yeah… But you already know what you owe me, right?

They laughed.

“Don’t worry, Riley, I’ll make sure you both are invited!” Rose shook Riley and Drake’s hands.

“It was a pleasure, Lady Rose, I wish you two the best.” Drake smiled.

“Just make my older brother happy, and don’t forget to be happy too, ok?”

Riley hugged both of them and they left to talk to Liam.

“Liam, we’re leaving.”

“So soon?”

Riley laughed.

“Oh, sorry.” Liam said, embarrassed.

“It’s ok, Liam, it’s just that Max said the same thing to us.”

He laughs.

“So he agrees with me” He extended a hand to Riley. “You look great by the way.”

She responded to his greeting. “Thank you. You guys too, Liam.”

Hana approached, holding Liam’s arm, and he said. “Hon, they’re leaving.”

“Oh, It was good to see you today!”

Riley smiled and waved while Drake hugged Liam.

Hana shouted to her son. “Hey, don’t do that to your sister!” She looked at the couple. “Excuse me, guys.”

“Go, go. We get it.”

Liam smiled. “If you guys excuse me too, I’ll go help her, Leon is impossible these days and Lana is not getting behind.”

Drake and Riley smiled back and when they were going to look for Savannah, she surprised them.

“Are you planning on leaving without saying goodbye?”

“Of course not, sis! We’re just saving the best for last.”

“Are you learning to be funny now, Drake?”

“Just come here.” Drake hugged his sister tightly.

Savannah hugged him back and when she released him, she looked at the couple and held their hands.

“Before you two go, let me ask you something.”

“Bring it on.”

“I saw you two leaned over there looking at the kids running… But when do you plan to have one?”

Drake and Riley looked at each other and tried to give a straight answer, without being rude.

“Look, sis, I know you are going to insist on this and just so you know, we decided to not have kids.”

“What do you mean by that? I want my own nephews too!” Savannah said with a dour face.

“Look, sis… really, Riley and I talked about this years ago, and this is a taken decision. We won’t change our minds.”

“I can’t believe that!”

“Uncle Drake!” Bartie and Sophie ran into Drake’s legs.

He taps the kids' hairs.

“Just don’t get your uncle naked on your party, ok?”

They all laughed and Riley bent down to hug the children and say goodbye, so they ran away letting the adults talk.

Bertrand approached. “So is it time, huh?”

“Yeah, we’ll get our plane tomorrow morning.”

They said their proper goodbyes and returned to their hotel room.

On the way, Riley was leaned on Drake’s shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her. “You know, it was good to see all of them after all this time, Liam seemed so happy, like I never saw him before.”

“Hana told me what happened, at least they found a way to be happy in the end. Too bad Constantine couldn’t enjoy and be a part of that.”

Drake nodded in agreement.

Not long after they arrived at their hotel room, Drake closed the door behind them and Riley started to undress, but he quickly held her hand.

“Don’t…”

Riley turned and looked at him. “What? I’m going to take a shower.”

“It’s not that. Just let… let me help you out of this dress.”

She smiled playfully, aware of his intentions.

_____X_____

A while later, after a lovely time together in the shower, they were cuddling on the bed and he kissed her forehead.

“So, are you excited to start our trip tomorrow?”

“As ready as ever. With you by my side, every year I have a reason to celebrate.”

Drake smiled and looked thoughtfully at the lights of the city through the balcony’s door.

Riley put her finger on his chin, turning his head in her direction, making him look at her.

“What are you thinking, Drake Walker?”

“I don’t know… But seeing Liam sad about his throne made me think that if he had married you he would still be king.”

“What is that now?”

“Think about it.”

“No, I can’t think about it, simply because I see all of this in another way.”

“How?”

“Seeing Hana and Liam together and with their kids today, I realized something I couldn’t see before. That this isn’t the kind of life I ever wanted, and if things were different then they are now, I would be miserable… and I think it would not be just me.”

Drake smiled and kissed her passionately and adoring.

“You know, Brooks? You’re completely right.”

She kissed him back and smiled.

“I know I am. Never forget how much I love you.”

She kissed him one more time and lied on his chest.

He pulled her fiercely against his body and kissed her.

“Happy wool wedding anniversary.”

They fell asleep, resting to catch their plane and head to their trip where they would celebrate their love, as they’ve been doing every year since they got married.

The end.

[awkward-radar-tech]

An Awkward Tech: Part 5

Summary: It has been 3 months since Matt stayed over at your apartment for the first time, and your relationship is going stronger than ever. His family is having a group dinner, and he invites you to come along and meet the rest of his family. 

A/N: Surprise! I finished this finally! I hope you all enjoy, I have like two or three more parts planned, and anything else I think of for these love birds. Larger time jumps to come. 

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 – Part 6 – Part 7 – Part 8 – Part 9 – Part 10

It was the perfect afternoon, you and Matt finally went to the diner in dapper attire for lunch and now the two of you were sitting in his garden enjoying a picnic while watching the sunset. Life was good with Matt, you loved each other dearly and you couldn’t imagine life with anybody else. His brothers have become less of a nuisance to you, mainly they just say hi if they happen to be around and continue doing whatever they need. One time you, Ally, and the triplets went out for lunch because Ally wanted to approve of this triplet dynamic, and both you and Matt ultimately regretted it because Ally, Ben, and Kylo got along swimmingly and began to trade embarrassing stories about the two of you. And now apparently they have hung out together many times, trading more stories, talking about how grossly in love the two of you are, and bonding so when they become “in-laws” it won’t be awkward as Ally put it to you. You and Matt haven’t even been dating a year yet, just over 7 months, and Ally, Ben, and Kylo believe you’re going to get married. Neither of you have met the others parents yet. You did your best to ignore Ally’s comments, you couldn’t bring yourself to think too far ahead in your relationship.

Matt tapped you on the shoulder, “Hey Angel, you have been offly quiet, is something wrong?”

“Oh no. I’m just thinking about how much I love you Matty.”

“I love you too, princess. I have a question for you.”

“What is it?”

“My family is having a dinner next week, and I was wondering if you would like to come with me. They all are eager to meet you, so you wouldn’t be intruding, but it will be everyone.”

“What exactly does everyone mean?”

“My brothers, my parents, my maternal uncle, his daughter, my non-biological uncle, my maternal grandma and grandpa, and my mom and uncle’s godfather who is basically my great uncle.”

“Oh wow, that is a large family. I think I’ll come with you, get meeting them all out of the way in one event. And do I get names, or do I have to wait until later?”

“You can have names now. In the order I told you there is Ben, Kylo, Leia, Han, Luke, Rey, Lando Calrissian, Padmé, Anakin, and Obi-Wan ‘Ben’ Kenobi. And yes, Ben is named after him, he helped take care of Luke and mom when grandma Padmé got sick after they were born, and he continued to be a large part of their lives, and now their kids’ lives.”

“That is amazing. What is the story about Lando?”

“Oh, he is a long time friend of my dad’s. My dad has known him just about as long as Uncle Chewie, who I’m not sure yet if he is able to make it. I hope he is, Chewie is the best.”

“Is Chewie his real name?”

“Naw, it is just a nickname he got as a teen. He is very tall and hairy, and where he is from there is this legend about a Sasquatch type thing called Chewbacca, hence Chewie. I don’t even know his real name. I think he legally changed it to Chewie, too.”

“Your family seems very interesting.”

“It most definitely is. I’m excited for you to meet them.”

“I’m excited to meet them.”

The next week, you incessantly text Matt about what to wear for the 8 hours leading to the time he was going to be picking you up. You sent him questions, pictures of the clothes laid on your bed, mirror selfies, pictures you made Ally take of you, links to clothes you could run to the mall and buy, and just general comments of nervousness. He eventually just called you to help calm you down. He told you an outfit to wear, and reassured you that it was perfect. Matt knew this whole mess was due to your nerves about meeting his family, mostly his parents, and he did his best to comfort you.

To help calm you, he arrived early so the two of you could just sit together without anybody around. Ally was spending more and more time at her boyfriend’s, and she left to his place around noon. You felt she was going to move out soon, but that was something you would think about when the time came. You always knew Matt had your best interest in heart, and it definitely showed when he was at your door an hour early holding a brand new fuzzy blanket.

Before you could get a word out he spoke, “I know I’m early, but I figured you would like some time with just me, here alone, before heading over. And I got you this because I know you like fuzzy things.”

You hugged him tight, “Oh Matty, I love you. You’re always so thoughtful and caring. And you’re the best boyfriend ever!”

“I love you too, (y/n). You’re the best girlfriend ever. Are you gonna finish getting ready now, or later?”

While you had your hair fixed the way you liked, and had put on your blouse, you still had on your comfy lounge pants and slippers. “I think I’ll change later, I want to use that blanket now.”

You took the blanket out of his hands and took off the tag and ribbon that kept it folded for display, then ran and launched yourself on to your bed, throwing the blanket over yourself. Matt just laughed at your adorably childish ways, and walked in to join you. He took off his shoes and glasses before climbing in behind you, pulling the blanket over himself and then you closer to his body. He held you close, kissing your neck, whispering sweet nothings, and you hummed in content. You loved being held by Matt, he made you feel small and protected, and you could never get enough, especially with the kisses and whispers.

Matt kept an eye on the time, rousing you from the nap you fell into 15 minutes before the time he had said he would pick you up at. He sat on the couch while you finished getting ready, and once you finished, the two of you left for his family’s dinner.

On the ride to his parents’ house you were bouncing your leg in both excitement and nervousness. You hoped that they liked you, that you wouldn’t embarrass yourself, and that Uncle Chewie was able to attend. While everybody seemed interesting to you, Chewie fascinated you the most and you couldn’t wait to meet him. The drive wasn’t too long, only half an hour away from your apartment, enough distance between the triplets and their parents for each set to feel comfortable. You knew there was a strong family bond, one you wished you had, and that while the boys needed their freedom, they could never live more than a reasonable drive away from family.

Matt pulled up to a beautiful two-story house with a nice lawn, exactly what you would expect of the home of a semi-famous senator. As always, Matt opened up your car door before offering his arm to you, walking to the front door. He opened the door and walked the two of you in, explaining that it was easier to keep the door unlocked when expecting guests or family than to have somebody answer it every time.

From down the main corridor, a somewhat familiar woman’s voice called out, “Is that you Matt? And is (y/n) with you?”

While leading you to where the voice was coming from Matt responded, “Yes, Mamma, to both questions. And before you ask, we are walking to you now.”

Entering the kitchen, you found a small woman, one you saw every-so-often on the news, but in far different attire. Instead of the suit she adorned for work, Leia was in a nice t-shirt and jeans with an apron on top. She set down the spoon she was using and took off the apron before coming to greet the two of you.

Smiling a warm smile rarely seen on TV, she came and hugged her son, “Hello my darling at-at, how are you?”

“I’m doing fine, Mamma. I would like to formally introduce you to my girlfriend, (y/n).”

Leia turned to you, “It is a delight to finally meet you, (y/n). You are so much prettier in person, pictures can never capture a person’s aura.”

You held out your hand, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Organa. I’ve been a fan of your senatorial work since I became old enough to vote.”

Leia softly pushed your hand aside, “Oh, darling, just call me Leia. And I’m more of a hugger in a non professional setting, especially with my boys’ girlfriends, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all, Leia, I’m more of a hugger too.”

Another voice chimed in while you were hugging Leia, “You’re gonna fit in just fine, kid.”

When you looked at the man who spoke, you could tell just from the hair and the way he held himself that this had to be Han Solo, “I am going to assume you are Han.”

He laughed, “You assume correctly. Nice to meet you, (y/n). Matt, along with his brothers, have told us a lot about you.”

“It is nice to meet you. I see where Kylo and Ben get their hair from. But where does Matt get his hair from?”

Leia rejoined the conversation, “That would be from my side. My father and brother both have blond hair, you’ll see when they get here. Although the curls are from Han.”

Matt groaned, “Okay, that is enough history for now. (Y/n), let me show you around the house.”

You took Matt’s hand and waved to his parents, “It is nice to meet you, see you in a little while.”

Matt lead you through the house, passing by his brothers watching TV, and to the backyard. There was a deck and a nice sized grass area, but what caught your eye immediately was the garden taking up the back portion of the property.

You gasped, “Is that your mom’s garden? It is amazing!”

Matt chuckled, “Of course it is my mom’s garden. Most of my succulents are clippings from her’s. Do you want to go walk through it?”

“Oh yes please Matt,” you squeaked out while squeezing his hand hard and jumping up and down.

Matt just shook his head and lead you to the garden, the two of you walking around looking at all the plants for awhile.

Then you heard Ben’s voice call out, “Hey, you two lovebirds! The Skywalkers are here and Old Ben just pulled up with Grandma and Grandpa. And Dad said Lando is a few minutes away with Chewie.”

Matt called back, “We’ll be in in a moment. Thanks Ben!”

“Yes! I get to meet Uncle Chewie!”

Matt just laughed and pecked your cheek before leading you back in. Entering the room where Ben and Kylo had been watching TV, more people were sitting around talking. There was a man that looked about Leia’s age with a beard, next to him was a girl, then there was a white-haired old man with a beard, another old man, and a very fashionable old lady, and you were pretty sure you could figure out who was who. When they noticed you two had entered the room, all conversation stopped, and they looked at Matt expectantly.

Matt cleared his throat before speaking, “Everybody, this is my girlfriend, (y/n). (Y/n) this my Uncle Luke, mom’s twin, his daughter Rey, my cousin, Obi-wan or Old Ben, my mom and uncle’s godfather, and finally Grandpa Anakin and Grandma Padmé.” Matt pointed at each as he said their name and they waved to you.

Padmé spoke out first, “Oh, aren’t the two of you so precious. You compliment each other perfectly. Ani, aren’t their expressions towards each other familiar? I’m so happy my little Matty found somebody so perfect, and I haven’t even talked with you yet, but we will soon enough.”

Little Rey spoke next, “(y/n), do you like sciencey stuff like cousin Matt?”

You went and knelt down in front of where she was sitting, “Why yes I do, I’m going to become a scientist one day, although in a different area than Matt.”

“Oohh! Matty is gonna be coming to my school soon to talk to the science club at lunch, do ya wanna come with him? I’ll make sure to tell Mr. Windu if you do.”

“I’d love to Rey.”

“Yay! Thank you (y/n), you’re the bestest, just like Matt!”

Kylo and Ben chimed in at the same time, “What about me?”

Rey laughed, “You two don’t like science and building stuff as much as Matty, so you guys are lame.”

The two brothers both acted hurt, and Rey just stuck her tongue out at them, prompting everybody to laugh. Matt joined you on the floor, and the conversation continued on, either about stories of past family gatherings or asking more about you. After some time you leaned over to Matt to ask where the restroom was, and he insisted on escorting you.

Once out of sight of the family he kissed you, “I love you so much. And my family does too. Even little preteen Rey likes you, and normally she just sits bored and quiet at things like this. I think you became her idol when you said you were going to be a scientist and would come talk to her club with me. She never believed me when I told her girls could love science, too, but seeing you proved it to her.”

“Aww, you really think so? I’ll talk science with her as much as she wants.”

“You’re amazing, Angel.”

He continued to guide you to the restroom and waited to escort you back, detouring through the kitchen to get some drinks. While in the kitchen, the front door opened, and Han booked it over to the entryway. There were only two people missing from the group, so you knew it had to be Lando and Chewie. Matt walked over to you with the opened drinks and asked if you wanted to go say hi. Telling him yes, you followed him to the entryway, finding the three friends in a big hug. Chewie was taller than you imagined, you pictured a man only a few inches taller than the triplets, but this man was probably pushing 7 feet, not the 6 and a half you were picturing. You couldn’t see much of Lando, but you could see parts of his clothes and knew he had a sense of style. No wonder the triplets dressed so well, having the influence of both Padmé and Lando they couldn’t possibly dress horribly. You began questioning yourself, but you knew that Matt helped pick out your outfit so you were able to stop the growing anxiety. The three friends broke their hug and noticed the two of you standing there.

Han introduced you, “(y/n), this is Lando and Chewie, my long time friends. Guys, this is (y/n), Matt’s future wife, currently his girlfriend.”

Lando stepped forward and held out his hand to you, “It is a pleasure to meet you, (y/n).”

You shook his hand, “It is nice to meet you, too, Lando.”

Chewie placed his hand on your shoulder and spoke with a voice deeper than the triplets, “You and Matt look like a great match, and from what I’ve been told, you are. Nice to meet you kid.”

The two greeted Matt before speaking with Han again, and you and Matt returned to the living room.

Almost to the living room Matt suddenly hollered out, “Hey Ky! Unca Wanwo is here!”

Over the laughter from the room, you could here Kylo yell out, “Hey Rey, cover your ears. Can you hear me? Okay, good. Fuck you Matty-kins! Alright Rey, you can uncover your ears.”

“I think I’m gonna need that story later, Matty.”

“It would bring me great pleasure to tell you.”

Returning to the living room, Kylo glared at Matt. You both sat down and conversation flowed, the three friends joined, and Leia popped in and out, getting help from Ben, Kylo, or Han when needed. You leaned the history behind the many last names, Padmé legally kept her maiden name, but socially went by Skywalker; Leia had the last name Skywalker until she was old enough to legally change it to her middle name, Organa, which was the last name of another family that was close to theirs and helped take care of the twins when Padmé got sick; and then most obvious, Han and Leia hyphenated their last name for the triplets, each keeping their name, but never correcting anybody if called Organa-Solo socially.

Eventually Leia came out and announced that dinner was ready and to help yourself to everything set out in the kitchen, then find a seat at the dining room table.

As everybody was migrating towards the kitchen, Rey ran up to you and tapped your arm, “Hey, (y/n), can I sit next to you at dinner? Matt can sit on your other side!”

“Oh of course Rey, I would love it if you sat next to me!”

She beamed up at you, and you smiled back. What you didn’t notice was everybody else giving Matt a knowing look, you were a perfect fit to the family and he better not lose you.

As you were serving up you food, and helping Rey reach the things set further back, Padmé pulled Matt aside.

“My darling Matty, I know this is really early, but I want to give you this. Your love is so pure, and she is such a beautiful sunflower, radiating light and happiness all around her, I want you to use my engagement ring to propose. Your parents eloped before I even knew they were in a serious relationship so I couldn’t give it to Han. I know you two are taking it slow, and it might be a couple years before it is used, but I wanted to give it to you now so you have it when the moment is right. I love you Matty, and you couldn’t have found the more perfect young lady.”

Matt teared up, “Thank you Grandma, this means so much to me. I’ll take good care of it until I use it, I promise. I love you too Grandma.”

“Now let’s get back and get some food before they notice we’ve disappeared.”

Once served, Matt took the seat on your left, since Rey chose the seat on your right. Everybody ate and carried on light conversation, but once everyone had their fill, you and Matt got put on the hot seat.

Lando began, “So I know the two of you met through school, but what’s the whole story?”

Matt nudged you with his foot to let you know you could tell the story, and so you began, “I was working on one of my final papers when my laptop got a virus. My best friend and roommate knew Matt worked with computers since they were in the same psych class and asked him the next class if he could help. He insisted that he could come over after class, and Ally decided to not give me advance warning and burst into our apartment screaming, waking me from a nap, and then she left a few minutes later for a date. He fixed my laptop, I took him to a small cafe by my building for dinner, and then paid for his meal as a thank you, much to his disliking. The only way he accepted was that I told him he could pay for our next dinner, which became our first date. After the date, Ally celebrated because apparently since the moment she saw Matt she knew we would work and had been trying to find an excuse to introduce us. And I’m glad she found it.”

“Ally what?! And now she thinks we’re sickeningly sweet.”

“Yeah, but that’s the way she is.”

“Alright. So anyways, yeah that is pretty much it. Mom helped me arrange the reservation for that dinner, and (y/n) was definitely surprised and awed by the restaurant.”

Rey gasped, “Are you guys like a fairy tale?”

You smiled, “I think we are. It sure feels like it.”

“That’s amazing. You’re a science princess and Matt is a science prince!”

Chewie joined in next, “Wait, nobody told me you were a science person, too. What are you going into?”

“I’m going to go into bio-chem and help research a cure for cancer in a lab.”

There was a bunch of positive murmurs around the table, and looking over at Rey, she was already looking at you in complete admiration. In that moment you knew this was the family for you, they all were taken away by your career path unlike your own family who, while supporting your decision, didn’t seem to believe it was a good choice or that you would actually help find a cure. You would hold on to them for as long as possible.

“That is truly amazing, (y/n). I can’t even fathom how smart you must be wanting to do that,” Chewie admired.

Before you could deny it, Matt jumped in, “She is the smartest person I have ever met. The way her mind works is amazing. She has such an analytical mind she could find connections between things you couldn’t possibly think could be connected. She can break any concept down into easy to understand language. She will deny it, but she is so smart.”

You just looked at him, his eyes and smile were filled with love and admiration, and you licked your thumb and smudged his glasses.

Matt gasped and pulled off his glasses to clean them, “What was that for?”

You giggled, “That was too sickeningly sweet for even me to handle.”

Everybody laughed at your exchange, and Ben reached across the table to give you a high five.

The rest of the evening was filled with delicious desserts and plenty of family stories you thoroughly enjoyed. You even got a few stories from Han, Chewie, and Lando’s adventures before meeting the Skywalkers.

You and Matt left the same time Luke and Rey did. The four of you said goodbye to everybody else, and walked to the front yard.

Rey tapped her dad, “Hey dad, can Matt drive me around the block in his car before we go?”

Luke looked at you and Matt and you both nodded, “Of course he can, sweetheart. I’ll stay here with (y/n), see you in a bit.”

Rey grabbed Matt’s hand and ran to his car, Matt barely keeping up with her.

As they drove off, Luke spoke, “I don’t know what it is about you, but Rey has never asked any of the boys’ girlfriends anything, she always just kind of glares at them, even when she was a toddler and asked everybody questions. I have a feeling you’re going to be somebody she looks up to, just like Matt, so hopefully you’ll be around for awhile.”

“I sure plan on being around for awhile. I don’t know how I got so lucky, an amazing boyfriend with an equally amazing family.”

“Well, we are all lucky to have you, too. Especially Matt. You’re both sweet kids, with amazing futures ahead of you. I wish you the best.”

Matt’s car pulled up while Luke was speaking so you both walked over, Rey jumping out with a huge smile on her face. She gave you a hug when everybody exchanged their final good nights.

As Matt drove off, he placed his hand on your leg, “My family really likes you, (y/n). They were all bugging me about when I was going to propose to you.”

You laughed, “I really like them too. And boy aren’t they eager, we are still undergrads.”

“That is just the way they are. They know it would be a while if it were to happen, but that doesn’t stop them from asking.”

“They definitely aren’t the most subtle.”

“Never.”

“I love you Matty. Thanks for inviting me.”

“I love you too, (y/n).”

The rest of the drive Matt took the time to tell you the story behind Unca Wanwo and at-at. Kylo was slower than the others getting pronunciations down as toddlers and so Unca Wanwo was all he could say, not Uncle Lando, and then both Ky and at-at were nicknames Leia came up with when they were newborns.

As always, Matt walked you to your apartment and kissed you goodnight, but this time was different knowing his family adored you and with the ring burning a hole in his pocket waiting to be used. He would use it eventually, he felt it in his soul, but it would be a while until it happened. Once back in his car he pulled out the ring and smiled thinking about you, and your possible reactions when he proposes, he was the luckiest man in the galaxy.

Tags: (since I’m cool enough to have one now) @bellaren18 

A/N pt. 2: I have read a few fics recently with human Chewie in modern aus, and I felt like that would be a good fit for this story.