#writing her going through that was so much fun...

[sushirrrry]

READ PART ONE - CASA AMOR - HERE

PART TWO | CRASH OUT || a harry styles x you fic. word count: 4,935 content warning: tension & arguments & love island antics

summary: you and harry were the strongest couple in the villa, until the recoupling after casa amor. now, with some time to talk, you learn more things were happening in casa than what you had seen prior.

author's note: y'all loved this so much (which I did not think you would???) so I just had to write a little something today - this will ultimately be a short series because it's pretty easy to write once you get into it! I have another part that I cut from this one because I figured it's more fun to have more stories to post, so keep an eye out for that <3 I'm trying a few different ways to write it to make it feel like you're watching it but also feel a bit more story-like! also - wrote a character list at the top for your info!

hope you guys enjoy <3

Tonight on Love Island: Here is your breakdown after the recoupling...

You are Single | Luca is Single | Megan is Single | Tash and Harry | Ella and Johnny | Megan and Ronan | Tiana and Liam | Jess and Mitch

{In the Villa}

You go to sit with Luca on one of the low couches near the beanbags, your heels click together as you walk across the pavement. Your knees tucked up beneath you when you sat, a half-empty glass of water balanced between your palms. The night is thick with that strange, quiet buzz that happens when everyone’s pretending that they’re okay.

Luca watches you for a second before going to say anything; he pauses and gives you a reassuring smile.

“Y’alright?” he asks you, making conversation light.

You give him a small smile but nothing more, because you don’t really know how to feel but don’t want to show that to him immediately. “Don’t know really, just feel a bit betrayed.”

He nods in understanding. “Didn’t expect that, you know. Him walking back with her—like I was just under the impression that he was going to test it in Casa, but I figured that you would have had that conversation beforehand, y’know what I mean?”

You shrug, not having anything else to say, “Neither did I—and that’s why I’m fuming, Luca, it’s almost like he was waiting for the opportunity to leave.”

Silence hangs for a moment; you wonder if Luca knows something more, but isn’t saying it, so you allow there to be a space held for that conversation.

Harry and Luca are good mates, but you two have always had an open communication – he’s kind, he’s funny, he’s been choosing girls that aren’t choosing him back so you both feel relatively on the same page at the moment.

Tiana and Luca were coupled prior to Casa, but she had chosen Liam instead – it was for the best, seeming that they were getting along quite better than her and Luca had prior. That left you both single in the villa now, and given a certain opportunity, it may be best to try and explore the connection to make sure that you’re safe.

“I just thought…” Luca hesitates for a moment, shrugging as his arm gets placed around the seat where you’re sitting, “Like, if anyone was gonna make it through Casa, it was you two, so it’s a real twist in the villa now.”

You press your lips together, slowly letting your lower lip press further into your mouth as you start to gnaw on it softly. You know that your lip gloss is being smudged, but you’re not sure that you can just listen to Luca tell you all of the good parts about you and Harry.

You just respond with, “Yeah. Me too.”

“He talked about you a lot before he left, said you grounded him. Said it felt different with you—dunno, obviously he kept choosing you and you kept choosing him.”

You look over, surprised at Luca’s comments and allowing them to settle on you for a moment. “I mean it’s all talk though, isn’t it? He still brought her back.”

Luca nods, taking a sip of his drink before he adds, “I mean, but then… I dunno. Something changed. Tash walked into Casa and it was like—”

He stops himself for a minute, realizing he may have over-spoke. His voice got quiet, and he looked back up at you for a moment.

“Like what?” you ask, though you’re not sure you want the answer. You squint at him softly, trying to act like you don’t need the information that may be withheld. “Go on—I need to know if he’s still not being honest.”

Luca exhales, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Like, I heard him make a comment where he wanted to remind himself that he could still pull, ‘cause I guess you two have been a thing since the beginning and it was just a game to him, or something. To pull Tash.”

“Did he say that?” You ask quickly, almost in awe of the fact that Luca would say that so openly, like he had been holding it in. The words slam into your chest at a frequency you weren’t aware of

Harry acted like what you had wasn’t real — just something to trade in for a quick ego boost and a pretty girl in Casa, which is exactly what he had been doing without you around.  Your hands start to tremble around your glass you had been holding, so you moved it between palms to ensure Luca didn’t see your shake.

Luca clocks the shift in your face, noticing immediately that your disappointment may have turned into a bit of anger now.

“Shit,” he says quickly. “I—I mean I don’t think he did it with bad intentions or anything,”

“No, it’s fine,” you cut in, standing up too fast. “You’re right. It makes sense now.”

Luca seems to have a bit of panic that he spoke far too much, “Hey—”

“I’m gonna pull him and clear some things up.”

You don’t wait for Luca to respond. You feel the walls closing in and you need answers — real ones, not just polite excuses and hollow regret that he tried to express. You find Harry near the outdoor kitchen, talking with Tash, who’s pretending not to glance at you every five seconds.

Your heart’s thudding so hard between your rubs that you barely hear your own voice speak out to him.

“Harry,” you say firmly, giving him a look, “can I pull you for a chat quickly?”

He looks up at you with a bit of surprise crossed over his features, maybe even hopeful, and nods without a word before following you.

He follows you toward the fire pit, where the embers are still burning. You take a seat at the benches and tuck your dress under your knees before you cross your legs and let him settle for a minute before you take in a deep breath before you say what you need to say.

“So, I hear that you had told some people in Casa,” you start, voice calm but breaking beneath, “that you felt different with me. That I grounded you. That what we had was real.”

He nods, a hesitant caution over him as he started to nod a bit in agreement. “Yeah, that’s true, I did.”

“But then I’m also told that you needed some reminder,” you say, looking him straight in the eyes, “why did you need to remind yourself that you could still pull?”

The color drains from his face when you keep speaking with a confidence; his eyes glance quickly away from you which is all that you need to know. You don’t even wait for his answer before continuing.

“Because that’s what you told the boys in Casa, isn’t it? That you walked into Casa, and you let yourself forget everything we had. Just so you could prove you still had game, and that pulling Tash was some kind of game to you. So, is it a connection or is it a game?”

Harry opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. He licks over his lips and blinks a few times at the ground before he knits his brows together to try and come to a conclusion, but you can tell… he has nothing else to say.

You shake your head, blinking fast to keep the tears from falling.

“For the record, I was never holding you back, Harry. You didn’t need to pull. You just needed to stay.”

He shakes his head and opens his mouth to speak again, trying to reach for your hand. You pull back almost like his hand was on fire.

“I need to know if this was ever real for you. Or if I was just something steady until someone shinier walked in, because if that’s the case, I’m not even mad—I’m just over it and done.”

Harry’s mouth opens like he wants to argue — like he’s searching for some excuse to protect himself.

“I can understand that what you’re hearing may be hurtful, but that’s not fair,” he says, voice clipped. “You’re twisting it into something different than what it was.”

You blink slowly. “Am I? That’s not what it sounds like from what I’m hearing—unless you’re just lying.”

Harry runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. His jaw is clenched, his chest rising and falling faster and you can tell that he’s trying to make sense of it all.

“I didn’t plan to connect with her, alright? It wasn’t like that. It was just—Casa messes with your head, and I was making a joke about the fact that I hadn’t really pulled girls in the villa since you and I were so strong—it had nothing to do with our connection or the fact that I was bored.”

“Well, you kissed her in the Hideaway,” you say flatly, arms folded across your stomach like you’re trying to hold yourself together. “You don’t just end up there by accident, and I think it sounds a lot more than just pulling for the game.”

He exhales sharply, turning back to you. His voice rises a little.

“I was trying to figure it out! Everyone was telling me to explore, test things. I didn’t want to look like an idiot if you’d cracked on, too, which I know you did.”

You laugh once, short and disbelieving as you squint at him. “So, you did it to protect yourself—called her naughty and trouble.”

He hesitates for a moment; you can tell that he doesn’t want to lie, but doesn’t want to make anything worse, and then, softer: “Yeah. Maybe I did. I don’t think it’s that big of a deal here. I always had the intention of coming back to you here.”

That silence after his words lands like a brick. You look at him, and for a second, just a second, he sees it. The way your lip trembles at his words, and the way that your eyes are glassy with the recognition that he had hurt you. The way you’re so tired of fighting for something he already threw away. You don’t even know if you want to fight for it anymore.

Harry softly closes his eyes as he shakes his head and rests his elbows on his knees. “I didn’t—I’m just sorry. What we had wasn’t made up or fake or whatever—these past weeks weren’t just thrown away.”

You nod once, solidified in his statement with a simple statement of your own. “It might not’ve been fake. But it stopped being real the second you let her kiss you.”

That hits him almost like a bullet, so he breathes in slowly. And something in him starts to fold.

“I didn’t stop thinking about you,” he says, voice is soft to keep it between you both as he shakes his head as if he can’t believe that you’re having this conversation. “Even when I was with her, even when I was doing all that stupid flirting —"

You look at him, and for a moment you’re not angry anymore.

“You knew it would hurt me,” you whisper staring at your hands, “and you did it anyway.”

Harry’s eyes shine. “I know. I know I did. And—and I was selfish.”

“I don’t even know how to be mad anymore,” you murmur, staring at the ground. “I feel stupid. And empty. And I don’t want to cry over someone who didn’t choose me.”

Harry moves towards you on the bench, looking down at you before he lets his shoulders drop.

“I did choose you—I always chose you, but” he says, quietly desperate. “I just… didn’t respect you, and I’m sorry.”

You look at him through blurred eyes, but you can’t let the tears fall because you don’t want to give it more energy than it’s worth anymore. “Then why does it feel like you didn’t?”

He doesn’t have an answer for you, so he looks away with his tail between his legs and wants to speak but decides against it. You press your fingers under your eyes to not ruin your makeup, swallowing a sob as you look away from him.

And neither of you says anything more. Because maybe for the first time since this whole thing began, he understands that he broke something he might not be able to put back together. The silence has stretched too long as you sit there.

Harry is still crouched next to you but keeps a look on his face that he still has more to say, lips parted like he might speak — but he doesn’t. You can feel it by the way that he rubs his palms over his pants and looks away. There’s still something he’s not saying. You blink slowly, jaw tight before you swallow.

“Did you sleep in the same bed as her?”

His eyes flick away for a split second, and that’s all you need. That was the confirmation that you needed.

“Harry,” you say, louder now, standing up. “Did you sleep in bed with her?”

Nothing-- there’s nothing for him to say because he’s not going to lie to you, which makes this feel even worse in the moment.

You let out a sharp breath and shake your head. “Right.”

And then, before he can move or follow or stop you, you stand quickly from your spot on the bench and walk across the patio, heels clicking against the pavement as you make your way back to where a smaller group sits.

The rest of the villa is scattered — Ella and Tiana are on some loungers by the pool, the boys are grouped near the kitchen, and Tash is sitting on the edge of a daybed, twisting her hair around her finger, laughing at something Mitch is saying.

She looks up just in time to see you walking straight for her. The air has a bit of a shift when you realize that the villa is watching you walk to her, angrily away from Harry. Harry starts to follow you when he realizes that you are going towards Tash, he stops in his tracks.

Tash’s smile towards Mitch drops when she sees you approaching.

“Hey,” she says, cautious. You don’t waste time; your time has been wasted enough these past few weeks.

“Did you and Harry sleep in the same bed in Casa?”

The villa goes dead silent, almost like everyone had been waiting for the ball to drop and for you to have some sort of crash out.

Tash blinks, sitting up softly like she’s trying to think about what she needs to say to make her not seem like the bad guy. “What?”

“It’s a simple question, Tash, really—I’m not here to bullshit you or be mad at you because I know you’re just coming into Casa, but I just have to know because while I was making connections in Casa I was being respectful and staying out of other men’s beds because I had already made a connection here, so I just want to know.”

Tash hesitates for a moment, glances past you — toward Harry, who’s now standing with Ella and Johnny near the kitchen. Then she lifts her chin with a confidence that you appreciate.

“Yeah,” she says, a bit meek but you disregard that. “We did—just the last two nights.”

You close your eyes for half a second before you realize that you have nothing to be mad about—he’s not yours anymore, and you don’t want him. The girls react instantly; Mitch looks between the two of you like he was just there to settle if something went down.

“What the fuck,” Ella mutters under her breath. She looks at Harry before he rolls his eyes and exhales like he couldn’t believe that this had become his life.

Mitch whistles, biting on his lip as he runs a hand down his face.

You nod once, like you’ve just confirmed something you already knew, “Cool—I appreciate the honesty.”

Then you turn to walk back to where Harry is standing with Ella and Johnny; Harry’s watching from a few feet away, face pale, jaw set. You meet his eyes with a hurt that you hadn’t really felt before.

“You couldn’t even say it,” you say, voice shaking. “You let her do it for you, you’re such a fucking bullshitter.”

Harry runs a hand through his hair, muttering, “It wasn’t like that.”

You fold your arms, raising your voice at him. “It was exactly like that. You cuddled up with her at night and kissed her in the Hideaway like I wasn’t lying in bed alone thinking about you so you can get your dick up? Fucking prick.”

You can see the guilt and the remorse that crosses his face because he knows exactly what you were referring to; you two had been intimate together, and while it was still Love Island, it still hurt to know that he had decided to lay in another bed with another girl doing who knows what.

But it’s not enough to watch him feel guilty. Instead, you walk back across the villa, past every stunned face, every wide eye, and back to the daybed where Tiana’s already holding a space for you to sit down, where you can keep your shoulders back and your chin high.

You might be heartbroken, but you are not small.

{NARRATOR}

Well, that escalated quickly, didn’t it? One question turned into a full-blown villa bombshell — and it looks like Harry has finally realized what it means to fumble the bag in front of everyone. Looks like the only thing he can pull now is his hair out!

The girls are gathered in the dressing room, the air heavy and quiet with some sort of exhaustion from the sun and complete heartbreak from the fact that this could have happened to any of them. It was just a half-circle of crossed legs, red-rimmed eyes, and half-sipped glasses of water nobody really wanted.

You’re sitting on the edge of a chair, fingers clenched in your lap, hair still half-curled from earlier when you thought tonight might be fun or you might feel better about your connection.

Ella’s next to you; Tiana’s perched on the counter; Jess sits with her back against the vanity; Megan is sat at her vanity space. With another beat, all of you watch as Tash walks in last.

There’s a pause — thick enough to cut. She stands in front of the group, eyes flicking between everyone, but then settling on you.

“Can I sit?” she asks, gently, almost like she was hoping you would just yell at her instead of being nice; it may make her feel less shitty about her experience, but instead you just nod once.

She lowers herself onto the bench across from you, tucking her legs beneath her.

“I just wanna say something, okay? No drama, just… girl to girl,” She looks around at everyone, her voice a bit weary as she starts to speak again.

You don’t respond. You’re staring at the floor, jaw tight, heart pounding at what else she could reveal to you.

“I didn’t come in trying to wreck anything,” Tash continues, “Y’know, I liked Harry. He was flirty, yeah, but he never mentioned you in a way that made it feel closed off—like I knew he was in a connection, but I guess he just flirted with me more than he should have.”

Jess shifts uncomfortably. Tiana shoots a look toward Ella, but no one says anything.

“And I get it now,” Tash says. “I didn’t realize how deep it was with you two. I wouldn’t have gone there if I knew, truly.” She swallows and licks over her lips as she shakes her head. “But I didn’t kiss him thinking I was stealing someone’s boyfriend, you know what I mean?”

Still, you say nothing. The room is quiet as they’re waiting for you to speak.

Tiana shakes her head instead before taking the initiative, “It’s just muggy, innit? Like he knew that was going to humiliate Y/N and did it anyways, you know.”

“I just think the bed thing was mad disrespectful,” Ella says with no disregard, “Like, just knowing the context of it all—I don’t know.”

“I just feel like an idiot,” you say shrugging before you look up at Tash, “It’s fine. It’s not your fault—I get he wanted to test our connection, and he did it.”

You glance around the room, eyes darting like you’re trying to make sense of your own place here.

“I just feel stupid for trusting him so effortlessly. For sleeping alone every night, for saying no to other boys while he was cuddled up with you.”

Ella scoots closer, her hand brushing your back.

“I thought we were solid. I thought we were the couple people looked at and went, ‘Yeah, they’re real.’ And now?” Your voice catches as you start to take your makeup off with a wipe to try and hide the fact that tears are threatening, “I feel like a joke.”

Tash looks genuinely upset by the fact that she could have done something wrong. “You’re not. Honestly, I wouldn’t have—”

“I know,” you cut in, gently but firmly as you look at her. “I know you didn’t do it to hurt me—please don’t take it personally.”

You take a deep breath, but it doesn’t steady you. “It just hurts anyway.”

The girls all stay quiet as they begin to get ready for bed, and they know sometimes silence is safer than platitudes. Jess leans over and grabs a tissue, handing it to you.

“You don’t owe anyone forgiveness tonight,” Ella says softly, almost privately. “Not him. Not her. You just do what you need.” She glances toward Tash who’s started to look through her items to get ready for bed. “And to be fair, she showed up. That means something.”

You nod again, but your voice is barely there now.

“I just need to not feel like I got played.”

Tiana leans over from the counter, “Then don’t – you just need to feel like a girl who gave her heart to someone who didn’t know how to hold it because he’s a lad.”

You press the tissue to your face and smile, just slightly. The first honest thing you’ve felt in hours.

+++

The night’s gone quiet now, most of the girls have disappeared into the dressing room with Y/N when she started to walk off. Tash is nowhere to be seen, either, which gives Harry a bit of anxiety if he’s being honest. The fire pit crackles low in the background.

Harry sits on one of the beanbags, hunched forward, elbows on his knees, palms scrubbing over his face. Luca lounges next to him, arms behind his head, watching him with a slow, almost sympathetic blink.

Mitch and Ronan are there too, passing a bottle of water back and forth. No one says anything at first, the only thing heard is Harry exhaling loudly.

“You alright, bruv?” Luca asks quietly before glancing over at Harry.

Harry doesn’t look up. “No. Not really.”

Ronan whistles low. “Yeah… that was rough.”

Mitch nods, stretching out. “She looked gutted, man. Like properly heartbroken.”

Harry finally sits back, dragging his hands down his face, “I didn’t think it would get that bad—I’m honest to God, I didn’t think that the bed thing would come up.”

Luca shrugs, letting an arm rest behind his head. “I don’t think you were thinking at all.”

That lands to hurt him like a jab, and Harry is silent.

Ronan, trying to soften the blow, leans forward and shakes his head to try and make sense of what Harry did, “Look, Casa was a head-fuck. You get in your own head. Everyone’s buzzing around saying ‘test the connection,’ and you start convincing yourself it’s what you should do—and to be fair, Tash came onto you very strongly.”

Mitch chimes in, “Yeah. Like, I see both sides. You didn’t do anything that loads of lads haven’t done in there. But—”

He glances toward the villa. “It seemed that you had something real with her, like more than that sexual chemistry, you know.”

Harry nods slowly, contemplating what he had in front of him. “I know.”

Luca gestures vaguely. “And Tash? I mean… she’s sound. Not the one you’ve been sleeping next to since day one. Not the one who never cracked on, either.”

Harry’s eyes flick up. “That’s the part that’s killing me, you know? I kept thinking, what if she was moving mad on her end? What if I came back looking like a mug?”

The boys know that there was the potential to have this moment; there had to be communication, and they knew that Harry felt just as guilty, but scared that he was going to come back to Y/N also testing the connection and keeping another guy there.

Ronan spoke up, “Mate, you came back with a girl. You can’t be shocked she’s stepped back at bit.”

Harry slumps back again, rubbing his chest like it physically aches. “I messed it. And now she’s looking at me like she doesn’t even know me.”

Luca shifts, arms crossed. “That’s what happens when you break someone’s trust. You don’t just get to explain it away.”

Harry nods again, slower this time. “I know.”

The boys sit with that for a moment.

Then Ronan, a little softer: “You think you’ll pull her back?”

Harry lets out a shaky breath, “I don’t know. I want to. I’d drop everything with Tash tonight if it meant I could fix it with her. But… I think she’s already gone in her head so I’m like… I don’t want to mess shit up with Tash now if it’s really over for us. Because Tash is mad cool too.”

Mitch leans back, sighing. “Well, if you want to try — you better show her something real. No more flirting, no more excuses. Show her you mean it.”

Harry looks down at his hands, quiet. For once, he doesn’t have a comeback. There’s no jokes or smirks coming from him as he feels the sting in the back of his eyes. He’s just a boy who fumbled the one person who made this villa feel like something more than just a game.

The villa buzz has faded into soft rustling — hairbrushes against tangles, toothbrushes tapping against sinks, and the occasional low whisper between couples slipping under the duvet.

You’re in the dressing room with the girls, wiping off your makeup in silence while Ella hands you a clean face cloth. Tiana squeezes your shoulder on the way to the bedroom, but no one says much.

No one needs to say anything at all to excuse what’s happened and how it continues to move throughout the villa. There’s a dynamic switch that has happened, mostly because the individuals in the villa that saw a light in you both is now gone. The damage has already been done, and there is now a shift in the mood.

Cut to the main bedroom, where the lights are dimmed and the duvets are already turned down when the islanders start to move into the sheets. A few of the couples are climbing into bed, bare legs tangling beneath cool sheets.

Tash walks in quietly after putting on her pajamas and rinsing her face and taking off her makeup, pulling her long hair up into a bun. She pads over to her side of the bed, the bed that her and Harry will ultimately share tonight.

He’s already there, sitting on the edge, shirtless, elbows on knees as he faces away from her. She starts to lift the covers to move into her spot. He gently leans back and gives her a soft look as he rubs his hand down his jaw.

“Don’t take it personally, yeah? I’m gonna sleep alone in the Hideaway tonight.”

Tash blinks, confused at his words before he speaks again.

“Just for tonight. Think it’s better. Out of respect.”

She holds his stare for a second, then nods and doesn’t say anything more. She understand the consequences that sharing a bed tonight could have—also, it starts to affirm that she had come in at the wrong time.

You’re lying on your side, facing the room, back to Ella, eyes half-closed but not sleeping—you feel so exhausted but barely tired at all.

Harry’s sitting at the edge of his bed one minute, hoodie in hand, slides cover his feet as he just stands with a smooth and slow motion. He picks up his water bottle from the floor and walks toward the door. The click of it opening slices through the silence of the main bedroom.

A few heads lift instinctively at the sound, and seeing Harry leave the room without Tash. She covers herself back up in the blankets, but the other islanders watch.

Ella turns slightly in her bed; Luca glances over his shoulder to see the noise; Jess lifts her head halfway, brows furrowed.

Even you look up — just enough to track Harry’s silhouette slipping through the door.

You notice that Tash didn’t follow behind. But once he’s left there’s no awkward whispers or explanations or realizations. But everyone feels it, and no one says a word.

All you know is that he doesn’t want to share a bed with Tash tonight in front of you. The first respectful thing he’s done all night - you could argue.

[kaidoslastbraincell]

Oh my gosh your writing is the sweetest ever! You’re actually a godsend for the kpdh fandom (especially Baby Saja fans) 🙏🙏🙏

If you don’t mind could I request a Baby Saja x reader where she’s attacked by a demon/getting her soul stolen, but Baby saves her because he loves her? I’m a sucker for that “I almost lost you” angst hehehehe. I also feel like Baby would go absolutely insanely feral on anything that tries to hurt someone he loves

You're so sweet! Thank you so much!!! And I absolutely love this concept! May have had a bit too much fun writing it lmao so I hope you enjoy!

He couldn't care less about the other hunters...but he sure as hell cares about you. And if saving you and your soul gets him in trouble? So be it. ~ in which, you're a solo hunter working with HUNTRIX and you get separated from them during a pretty big demon invasion

pairings: Demon!Baby x Solo Hunter!reader

content warnings: blood, violence, kinda almost death? injury and all the angst

KPDH MASTERLIST HERE

There hadn't been a hoard this big in a long time. You began the hunt with HUNTRIX, but somewhere along the way, you got separated. There was no doubt you were strong, but this would be too much for anyone. The Saja Boys had taken a back seat, opting to watch how things play out before deciding whether or not to intervene. What you didn't know, was that Baby had been keeping an eye on you the whole night. His demon form blended into the shadows like a second skin. His jaw clenched every time you got hurt. His eyes flashed each time you were cornered. But you were mostly okay.

You were exhausted...bleeding and bruised and so so exhausted. With luminous twin katanas in hand, you swept the streets without mercy. But you knew you were hitting your limit. Your reactions were getting slower and your mind was lagging. This only became more apparent when you made the oh so smart decision to follow three demons down an alley...alone.

"Shit..." your chest heaved with every breath.

The three hideous creatures turned to you with hungry grins, all sharp teeth and glowing eyes. There was only one pair of glowing eyes you wanted to see right now.

"I'm coming home, Baby," you whispered, attempting to relax your sore shoulders.

"The only one going home tonight, is us," the demon in the middle snarled.

They swarmed you at once, covering every escape, and you sighed. Blows were traded. Claw clashed with blade. Teeth were bared. A slash to your shoulder had you staggering before you forced your blade though hellish flesh. One down...two to go.

Baby watched from the roof, eyes sharp. His fists clenched at his sides.

"Come on come on come one," he muttered.

Claws sunk into your side before the assailant was disposed of, but the time it took you to regain balance was too long. A rough hand around your throat shoved you into the wall, black spots dancing across your vision with the collision to your head. When the monster opened its mouth, a soft blue glow bloomed in your chest.

"No..." you gasped, "no no no! Not like this...anything but this!"

A thunderous growl shook the ground of the alley as a dark figure appeared out of nowhere. Your consciousness was wavering as blood pulsed from the wound in your side.

"Hasn't anyone ever told you not to touch what's not yours?"

A clawed hand wrapped around the front of the demon's throat before it was torn out. The body dropped. You sagged against the wall. And Baby looked far from satisfied. Muffled noise filled the entrance of the alley as a new tear in the Honmoon opened. More demons spilled out. Hungry. Desperate. Baby's head whipped in their direction as a vicious snarl tore through his throat. He moved on instinct. Faster than you could keep up with. His expression was calm as always, but the rage rolling off him in suffocating waves told you everything.

"Ba...Baby..." Your voice was getting weaker and it only made him angrier.

"Hold on for me, love. Just a minute. Hold on."

Ever a man of his word, the minor demons were done with, and he rushed to your side. His hands were cool against the clammy skin of your cheeks.

"Stay awake for me, okay?" Moisture gathered in his eyes, and he blinked frantically to clear it. "Jinu's gonna get Rumi and the others. They'll know what to do."

"Baby...I'm so tired...can we take a nap?" You were wheezing now.

"Not yet, my love. Come on."

Your lashes fluttered as your head fell forward against his shoulder. He shook you gently.

"No. Do not do this. You're not allowed to leave me."

Your blood-stained fingers brushed his cheek.

"I'm alright. Just...need...a little...rest..."

Baby's stomach dropped as you passed out, hands trembling. He carefully laid you down, pressing a hand against the gushing wound in your side.

"Fuck...Jinu where the hell are you!"

The sound of incessant beeping was sharp in your ears. Your sinuses burned with the smell of something strong and chemical. With a groan, you tried to sit up, only to cry out in pain. Baby jolted, sitting up in the chair he'd fallen asleep in. He was by your side in seconds, his hand steady in yours.

"About fucking time," he sighed, "I knew you were tired but jeez."

The teasing in his tone far from matched the worry in his eyes.

"Baby?" You throat was dry as hell.

"Don't you ever fucking do that to me again!" he hissed.

"I thought I lost you..."

[devinescribe]

hi!!! i was wondering if you could write an angsty fic for Snotlout x reader - where reader doesn’t understand that his flirting is genuine and feels like he’s making fun of her so she ends up ignoring him and he’s confused and has to ask around their friends and then he’s like “oh.”

i hope that makes sense!!!! thank you!!! - ❤️‍🔥

Misunderstandings

Snotlout Jorgenson x Reader

So many Snotlout requests/ideas so many characters to spread love to 😔 the best problem to have. I hope this meets what you were trying to say pookie :3

hi!!! i was wondering if you could write an angsty fic for Snotlout x reader - where reader doesn't understand that his flirting is genuine and feels like he's making fun of her so she ends up ignoring him and he's confused and has to ask around their friends and then he's like "oh." i hope that makes sense!!!! thank you!!! - ❤️‍🔥

Of course pookie!!! Mwuah

Warnings: angst, hurt comfort, cussing, he's an idiot,

Being around the group wasn't always easy. Ever since you all got dragons and have become closer, it seemed like everything was perfect!

But there was always something. And that something was Snotlout Jorgenson. He was loud, brash, made idiotic choices, and the worst part was he was mean. Sure he was an asshole to everyone, but it seemed he picked on you more than the others.

Little snips and comments that were just so mean... like when he caught you after you fell off your dragon and said that your dragon probably "couldn't carry your weight" and that his dragon was a warrior so obviously he could. Or maybe when he said, and you quote, "I usually go for flashy girls, y'know, the ones that everyone wants, but you're different."

What did that mean? All it mean to you was that he thought you were less than... plain... boring.

"Careful, people will start to think you're into me or something..."

Your translation of that?  He didn't want people to think you liked him... it would be embarrassing.

"You're.... A lot. In a good way."

Your translation? He literally thought you were too much. Too loud, too big, too... you.

"Looking like that, you're gonna distracts everyone in the village."

Your translation? You thought he was making fun of your looks...

"You are pretty intimidating... like... scary..."

Your translation? He thought you were too much. Too... scary. Unfeminine... too loud.

"What would a girl like you want with a guy like me anyway?"

Your translation? That he was too good for you... and why would a girl like you even try...

So on and so forth. This had gone on for so long... about maybe three months? Since the battle with the Red Death, the village had tried its best to adapt, and so did your group.

But there's only so much you could take. Pretty soon, you started to feel really upset... because for some time, you thought Snotlout might like you. At least as a friend... but his comments made you want to curl up and cry.

"You could like... probably crush a man's skull between your thighs..." He said one day after training when you had just taken one of the dummies down.

Your translation? He thinks I'm too big... my thighs are probably too big he thinks I'm gross...

"She could probably just walk and the sound would make any man think a thunderdrum is coming. It would scare them away before she could," Tuffnut snickered, thinking he's just being silly.

You tried to keep it in, smiling through your utter embarrassment and sadness. From this second forward... you knew that Snotlout Jorgenson didn't like you. Not at all.

——

Snotlout was a lot of things. Loud, obnoxious, idiotic... but secretly he was a huge romantic. Or at least he thought so. He thought, this whole time... he had been flirting with you.

"I usually go for flashy girls, y'know, the ones that everyone wants, but you're different."

His translation? You're different, and you treat me like I exist and I like that.

"Careful, people will start to think you're into me or something..."

His translation? I'm into you... please say you're into me too... please?

"You're.... A lot. In a good way."

His translation? A lot is good. A lot is the best. Cus too little is bad, so being a lot is good! I promise I can handle it…

"Looking like that, you're gonna distracts everyone in the village."

His translation? You're so hot, you're literally going to catch everyone's attention, including mine!

"You are pretty intimidating... like... scary..."

His translation? Intimidating and scary are things that describe like... the really cool dragons, which means they're good adjectives? Maybe? I think you taking charge is hot...

"What would a girl like you want with a guy like me anyway?"

His translation? Seriously... you're too good for someone like me. Why would you want to be with me... not like you do.

"You could like... probably crush a man's skull between your thighs..."

His translation? I volunteer as your experiment! They're so squishy and soft... or they look it anyway... I want-

And that was all good and dandy until Tuffnut butted in. Snotlout had a fear of seeming weak or out of the norm, so he laughed along... even if it wasn't even funny.

——

The next few days, you decided you were going to choose your peace. You ignored his comments, actively choosing to talk to others when he was talking to you... and you felt better.

You want to know who didn't feel better about this? Snotlout. He should have been used to rejection by now, he should, and he knows that. But there's something about you rejecting him that makes him extra sad, it really stings. Maybe because he has genuine feelings for you, and thought maybe you'd be the one he could actually have.

"Hey, Y/N, can-"

"Ruff, can you tell me that thing you do to your hair? It's so long and shiny."

He watched as you literally pretended he didn't exist. Walked past him. Not even sparing him a glance. And that hurt in the worst way possible. Because that was willfully ignoring him. You ignored him on purpose, and he felt a little bit of his soul die.

“Oof… harsh. Imagine getting ignore for Ruff. Not even Hiccup does that,” Tuffnut snickers besides him.

“Sh-shut up!” Snotlout groans, looking as you talk to Ruffnut.

From this moment, he swore he would find out why you were ignoring him. He would. However, the process started with talking to your friends. Which were his friends. So, he had to wait for you to not be around.

Just his luck, your mother had been looking for you, or at least that’s what Astrid said when she came in with Stormfly.

You said goodbye, and ran out with your dragon, flying in the direction of the village.

“Okay that was great timing because I have a question and it’s what the fuck is her deal?!” Snotlout said, almost screaming his question.

“Her deal? The Hel you mean ‘her deal’?” Astrid asked, defensively, ready to protect your honor.

Hiccup sighed, shaking his head, ever the observant man. He hand seen the way your face fell whenever he made a comment or how you would flinch when he laughed.

“Are you dense or just pretending to be?” He muttered, walking closer to the group.

Astrid and Ruff nodded, agreeing with him. They were your best friends and you had told them all about your feelings.

“If I knew why she was ignoring me I wouldn’t be asking would I?” Snotlout scoffed, fidgeting with the strings in his tunic.

“Snotlout, your comments!” Astrid groaned, exasperated by his cluelessness.

“My comments…?”

“Yeah your comments you mutton head! Her dragon couldn’t carry her weight but yours could because he was a warrior?”

“Or when you said that her thighs could crush a man’s skull, then my IDIOT of a brother added his thunderdrum comment,” Ruff piped up.

“What? Those things aren’t… bad? Are they?” He turns to look at Fishlegs and Hiccup, who have the most shocked, dumbfounded expressions on their faces.

“Not that bad? Not that bad?! Are you actually stupid?!” Fishlegs shrieked.

“I-I… I mean I don’t… get it.”

“Looking like that, you're gonna distracts everyone in the village,” Astrid mocked, crossing her arms.

“Guys I genuinely don’t understand why she’d be ignoring me over compliments-“

“YOU THOUGHT THOSE WERE COMPLIMENTS?!?”

He stared at the group around him confused and nodded.

“I like her thighs. And when I said the distraction comment, she looked good as always, and she was distracting me. Too much is a good thing to me… so yeah I don’t get it,” he explained.

Hiccup facepalms, wondering how he can be related to Snotlout. Astrid had seen yaks with more sense than him. Ruffnut has seen her brother fly Barf and Belch with more tact and grace than how he handled this.

“You fucking moron…”

——

After about an hour of them explaining how his comments were bad, and how you interpreted his remarks.

He lied on the floor, staring up at the sky.

“I’m an idiot,” he groaned.

“Yeah… you kind of are,” Tuffnut confirmed, standing with the rest of the group.

“I messed up.”

“Big time.”

“She probably hates me…”

“Probably? You mean she does hate you.”

“I thought I was flirting-“

“You thought THAT was FLIRTING?!”

Astrid groans, rolling her eyes, “Snotlout, get up, go find her, and apologize.”

“How in Odin’s eye am I supposed to do that when she ignores me the second I try to talk to her?” He sighed, sitting up, running a hand through his hair.

“Usually she goes out to the river alone around this time. I’m sure she’ll listen since she can’t exactly ignore you then,” Ruffnut suggested, shrugging her shoulders.

“Cmon… I can’t deal with anymore of this… dramatic moment any longer. Get up,” Tuffnut groaned, dragging him over to Hookfang, who was more than happy to fling his owner onto him and fly away when he heard your name.

——

When they found you, you were sitting against your dragon, humming as you gently took water and cleaned up any muck on their talons.

He flew down, and of course you saw him. You just turned your back to him with a huff, suddenly very interested in the patterns and scales of your dragon.

“Y/N… please don’t ignore me…” he said, quietly, fidgeting with his clothing, going over and sitting far enough that he was out of reach of your punches… but close enough that you could still hear him.

You didn’t turn, didn’t acknowledge him or his words, just kept checking your dragon. He sighed, looking down.

“I-…I’m sorry. I didn’t know… I-i… can you please just look at me for a minute-“

“Why do I owe you the grace of my eyes, if I had not been given the grace of your words?” You interrupt, not looking up, your words icy, shooting through his veins like an arrow.

He stares, shocked, shame filling his head. He already felt bad, but hearing just how much his words had affected you, made him feel even worse. But this wasn’t about how he felt. He should feel like shit because he hurt you, the one person who’s opinion he truly cared about. The one he really really cared about.

“I-I know. I was an asshole, okay? I get it… but please… let me make it right… let be explain… please…” he begged, looking up at you. He saw your shoulders heave in a sigh as you turned around.

“Fine. Go ahead.”

“So… everything I said? I-I meant it in… well I-i was trying to flirt with you…”

“You thought that was flirting, Snotlout?”

“I-I know I know! It’s… it’s bad… I already got an hour long lecture from everyone else… I didn’t know how you took them or how they hurt you… a-and… I’m sorry. I really am. I understand if you never want to talk to me again or something because I hurt you, even if my intention wasn’t to harm… still hurt you… I… I get it if-“

“How did you mean what you said?”

He took a breath; Then he began his long… so very long explanation.

“I’m just going off of what people… brought up I’ve said b-but I know I’ve said more… but when I said the thing about flashy girls versus you I-i didn’t mean you were plain or boring… I mean that you're different, and you treat me like I exist and I like that. When I said you’re a lot… I mean like… a lot is good… I’ve always been too little… I can handle it I promise. I said you’d distract everyone… I didn’t mean it in a way where I was making fun of your looks… I-i just… I thought you looked really pretty that day… a-and… you were going to catch everyone’s attention… you’d already caught mine… I wasn’t really thinking when I said any of these but especially not when calling you intimidating and scary… but those are adjectives we use for things like… dragons… or like people we respect so I-i just said it… The thighs comment… um… I-i like your thighs… I-i think they make you really really hot… I shouldn’t have laughed at Tuff’s comment… when… I said that people might think you’re into me… I meant… like… I-I’m into you… I wanted you to say you were into me too… and when I said… what would a girl like you want with a guy like me… it’s just… you’re too good for me why would you ever like someone like me? So yeah… that’s… all.”

He stared at you, waiting for you to say something, anything. To yell at him, to call him names, to make him leave. There was an awkward silence between you both as you stared with a shocked look.

“You… think… I’m pretty?” You whisper, getting up and walking closer.

He stumbled up, nodding frantically, “Y-yes! Yes, gods yes I think you’re gorgeous I-i… I didn’t… think… really that’s it I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

“Snotlout… you’re… such an idiot,” You whispered, laughing. “I thought you didn’t like me.”

“Are you kidding me?! I’m basically in love with you!” He declares, stepping closer.

You smile, and gently reach for his hand. He grabs your hand, intertwining your fingers.

“I know this doesn’t fix it. But I’ll do everything I can to make it better if you give me the chance to. I promise,” he says, his eyes searching your face nervously.

“I’d like that…”

[takaraphoenix]

I think my favorite game to play when writing Teen Wolf fanfiction is "How far can I bend canon before it breaks?".

The easy divergences are always "Boyd and Erica are still alive", or "Jackson doesn't leave".

Next level is like "Derek stays Alpha", or "Peter kills a member of the Alpha Pack to become Alpha after Derek gives up the Alpha spark".

And then you can run the Hale Pack parallel to the McCall Pack. Or keep it being the Hale Pack and pretend the True Alpha plotline doesn't happen (which is even easier if you bent the Alpha Pack into being good; I have a weakness for that too).

But going even more divergence forces my hand more, of course.

I'm a big fan of "okay so we have four Hales left alive after the fire? And a pack's baseline requirement is an Alpha and three betas? So what if Cora doesn't... run off to South America at the age of 8 fully unsupervised... and what if Laura doesn't abandon Peter? And they just stay together but move away?" - this could be New York like in canon, but I am very partial to London, or to keeping them closer and saying they stayed on the large Hale territory that stretches into the next town but moved to said next town to get distance to the tragedy.

The fun bit is "So how much canon can still feasibly have happened in Beacon Hills if you remove the Hales from the equation?", it's just such a delightful thought experiment.

Personal favorite is having a random rogue Alpha rampage through town and bite Scott, Jackson and Lydia. Maybe even Boyd, Erica and Isaac, depending - sometimes I like to have them live wherever the Hales are and join the Hale Pack as bitten by the Hale Alpha wolves.

The teens worked together to set Peter on fire. They could have also done this to a random rogue Alpha. And the Alpha spark just goes into Scott to pass on to the first bitten beta of the Alpha.

If I also remove Chris and Allison from the equation, I love moving Kira up and letting her take the spot of season 1 Scott's girlfriend.

There's always the option of involving Danny in the pack too.

Just playing What If with my dolls, really.

[starburstsamo]

in the beginning, god created heaven and earth; for what it's worth, i think that he might've created you first.

pairing: andrew cody x f!reader

warnings: blasphemy? set in the church heist season, so yeah. unspecified age gap (reader is in college), hints of fluff, smut - fingering, unprotected sex, use of a vibrator, one slap, reader is a virgin but it's very subtle imo, depending on how you look at it..kinda soft dom!andrew

summary: you finally have some fun at church when a new guy joins bible study.

w/c: 7.2k cca

a/n: nothing, andrew cody just penetrated my brain for a second. this is kind of just a foreplay before i write something really disgusting for this man. also, just for the sake of the story, let's pretend he'd been scouting new canticle for longer than three weeks. i hope you enjoy!!

You weren’t a religious person, but it’s not like you didn’t believe in anything. You believed that there was some kind pull, besides the magnetic one, that brought you closer to your destiny, and it only depended on how much you fought it if you wanted to change or avoid it. You believed it, because despite your religious views, church had turned out to play a pivotal role in your life.

Words couldn’t describe how much you hated church. Well, that’s not entirely true, you just hated the reason behind why you went and the fact that it was basically against your will. You prided yourself in standing your ground, but this time, you tried to swallow that pride and not to be naïve at least once in your life. This way of thinking had been caused by your aunt who had made a deal with your parents: she would pay for your college tuition, and in exchange, you’d start going to New Canticle. It was presented as a fait accompli to you, even though you had never met bigger atheists in your life than your parents.

Fucking hypocrites.

Your aunt thought you were troubled. She had never dared to say it out loud to your face, but you could tell from the way she talked about you with other people, or the way she grimaced at your choice of clothes.

At least she hadn’t taken that away from you. Yet. Not that she hadn’t tried. She had offered you a few pieces of her own clothes, “appropriate” for church, but you had managed to convince her that you were allergic to rayon, which was all her clothes were made of.

So, yeah, she didn’t like the way you were turning heads, but she had made herself believe that patience and consistency would get you to the place that she was at.

That was the part you hated, but some of the people from church were actually pretty cool. Nice. You liked Amy, she never forced anything on you even though she was heavily invested in that lifestyle and work, organizing events, teaching Bible study all while practicing celibacy and staying sober. You thought she should replace your aunt as a head coordinator, but nobody was ready to have that conversation. Amy was also the only person to compliment your outfits, and it made you feel empowered. Not that she was the only one who liked it, some of the men there always had their eyes on you and they were trying to hold themselves back from acting on whatever their disgusting minds were telling them to do. You could just tell. However, poor Amy had earned herself a don’t encourage her speech from your aunt, so she had to limit her compliments eventually, and often settled for throwing you a thumbs up after she’d made sure that nobody was looking.

And then, Andrew joined Bible study. There was a lot of people circulating through the sessions, but you had never really paid attention to who chose to stay longer compared to others like you did to Andrew.

You had never tried to get anyone’s attention with the way you dressed, but the one time you wished it would catch a man’s eye, the man in question didn’t really seem to care. Yes, he stared a lot, but he stared at many people which, to be honest, made you a little petty.

It also seemed that he was close to Amy, and at first, you thought they were dating, but when you asked her about it, she assured you that that was not the case. According to Amy, he just seemed a little lost, broken, like someone who needed guidance which she’d offered simply because of her own agenda. It was always the same spiritual crap over and over again.

“So, go for it if you want.”

Your head snapped to her, arching an eyebrow at her. “Are you serious? Aren’t you supposed to deter me from that?”

“Not that I think there is no hope for you, but you don’t belong here. What we do here isn’t you. And I mean it in the nicest way possible.”

Your lopsided smile grew into a full-on grin as you hugged her arm, squishing your cheek against her shoulder.

“You’re such a cool person, Amy, you know that? I’m sure you’re God’s favorite. And I am serious.”

She started shaking her head bashfully, her cheeks reddening at the compliment, but you didn’t stop convincing her until she stopped moving her head and thanked you. You really loved Amy, and you weren’t sure how long you’d last here if it weren’t for her.

And just when you thought you couldn’t love her more, she arranged a tour of the New Canticle for you to give to Andrew, which he had supposedly asked for.

“But don’t tell your aunt I had something to do with it.”

You would never.

So, that was your first close contact with him after just admiring him from afar during Bible study sessions where you got to listen to his somewhat skeptical views on religion. Honestly, you were still trying to figure out whether he did believe in God, whether he was convincing himself that there was a God or if he was just trolling.

“So, who have you killed?”

You asked him after you’d shown him all the classrooms, the cafeteria and the counseling rooms, leading him to the empty auditorium which he already knew, but you wanted to be somewhere quiet with him, taking a seat in the furthest corner of the room. He didn’t sit at first, towering over you as his nose twisted at your question.

“What?”

“Well, you know. It’s the criminals that often turn to faith. Thinking it will save them or whatever. My aunt, for example, steals decorative rocks from the botanical gardens.”

He chose to stay silent still, sneering at the ground with his nose still twitching and eyes skating all over the place.

“Well, what did you do?” he rasped out, his tone slightly defensive.

You huffed. “Nothing, yet.”

He finally sat down, and you twisted in your seat just enough to face him. You had noticed it before, but God, did he have an amazing posture. You almost envied him.

“You never talk. During Bible study, I mean.”

Oh. So, he did notice you.

“Yeah. I really have nothing to say. Well, I do, but I don’t believe in God, and I don’t want to spoil it for Amy. She works really hard on… everything.”

You were confusing him word after word.

“Why are you here, then?”

“Bad parents and inappropriate clothes,” you said with a lifted corner of your mouth, thudding your skull against the wall behind you and lolling your head to the side, studying his expression.

His face finally relaxed, but you didn’t know if that was good in this case. Up to this point, you could at least tell that he was either confused, disgusted or offended. It had to be one of these emotions. But now, you had no idea what he was thinking, he was just staring at you with empty eyes. Neither one of you broke the eye contact, and you thought you saw him lean in, albeit unintentional. It was more like he lost a balance for a second, but he straightened up quick.

His eyes scanned your body, from the black crop-top to the high-waisted skirt and over your bare thighs, before returning to your hair and taking in the small clips holding your front locks away from your face.

“I think you look nice,” he said with a shrug, and despite the slightly insincere tone, you chose to believe him just for your own sake.

Since then, he’d always come to find you instead of Amy, and now her thumbs up’s gained a whole different meaning. Andrew even began to show signs of smiles from time to time before he’d catch himself and put on the stoic mask of which he was pretty fond. You weren’t exactly sure what he wanted to accomplish with that façade, but it always made you stifle a laugh.

You started to wear shorter skirts too, just for him, from jean skirts to tennis skirts or little black skirts with side slits, combining them with almost see-through, white blouses or small knitted vests, each piece revealing the shiny little cross on your chest. You also bought more dresses that you thought he might like

You did all of that for quite simple words: You look nice.

Andrew didn’t have any other compliments in his vocabulary, and frankly, you didn’t care. You yearned for this one specific line every time you were headed to the church. It was everything you needed to hear to get through, the addiction growing with each day.

Of course, your aunt had eventually noticed. Not only that you had started to reveal more skin, which was the polar opposite of what she had been trying to accomplish, but also how Andrew started to linger around you.

Your aunt didn’t like Andrew to begin with, so whenever she heard you giggle at something he said that wasn’t meant to be funny (which made his lips twitch into a soft smile too, even though he had no idea where your humor stemmed from), it made her fume.

“He’s the spawn of something evil. I can feel it. And you know I don’t use that phrase lightly,” she had said, and it made you roll your eyes. She claimed that she actually hated that phrase, so this must have been serious for her.

You honestly didn’t give a shit. He could be Satan and you’d still want to fuck him. Probably even more so, although you didn’t tell her that, because you were sure that you might as well say goodbye to your degree if you did.

Your aunt’s last straw was during the preparations for a garden party.

“What’s this for?”

You jumped at the sudden voice that was too close to your ear, feeling the hot breath brush against your skin as you threw the numbered sticker into its respectful box, right next to the box of sidewalk chalk and the pile of plastic mini racing flags.

“Jesus Christ. You scared me,” you gasped as your hand flew to your chest, turning to see Andrew peeking over your shoulder.

He hung his head, swallowing as he took a step back with his hands shoved into his pockets. You cursed yourself for making him do that. Andrew was sensitive to the variations of the word scare and you definitely didn’t want him to think that you were scared of him

So, to compensate, you grabbed his wrist and tugged him towards the neighboring desk covered in pamphlets. Your chest puffed out when he didn’t flinch this time, a big difference to when you first started talking.

You showed him a pamphlet with cartoon turtles, explaining to him that the church was holding a turtle race before you ranted about how it bordered with animal cruelty.

“That’s… horrible,” Andrew drawled out, and you gazed at his face.

“I know, right? And they think I’m the devil because I wear skirts.”

Yeah, so you baited him a little bit, but it was worth it, because Andrew’s head snapped to your lower body immediately, bending backwards and craning his neck as his eyes scanned over the back of your bare legs and to your backside. Your eyebrow pinched together for a split second as you smiled at the fact that he probably didn’t even realize how it must have looked.

“You look nice.”

Your smile grew wider, and Andrew smiled too, holding eye contact as you thanked him. His smile didn’t even falter this time.

But you were an obnoxious guest in God’s home, and the spell just had to be broken by none other than your aunt inserting herself between your bodies and plastering a too wide of a smile on her face.

“Andrew! Will you be joining us for the garden party? We’re having a turtle race. It’s so much fun, especially for the kids.”

He glanced at you just in time to see you roll your eyes as you folded the pamphlet and returned it to the stack.

“Are you sure there aren’t any other activities that don’t support animal cruelty?”

Your aunt’s forced smile slowly fell from her face, her head twitching towards you as you pretended to organize the piles before she looked back at Andrew.

“Did she get into your head, too? Honey, they are pet turtles. We make sure they are well fed, have enough water and are protected from the sun.”

“Yeah, but you’re putting unnecessary stress on them, you know, with the screaming and placing them into an unfamiliar environment. They could get injured, too. And what about those stickers, are you sure they are non-toxic? I can ask my friend who works for Welfare Services, and I’ll let you know what he has to say about that.”

It was quiet for a moment before your aunt said she’d talk to other coordinators about it and left, throwing you one last lethal look over her shoulder.

You nearly jumped up and down, but instead, you chose to stand on your tiptoes and kiss Andrew’s cheek.

“You’re fucking amazing. Thank you.”

Apparently, Andrew’s niece loved turtles, so he knew a thing or two about them. He helped you discard all the pamphlets and promised to give the turtle pellets to a local organization that tried to protect turtles and tortoises.

You couldn’t wipe the smile off your face for the rest of the day, even though you knew you should probably prepare for a piece of your aunt’s mind.

Except, it didn’t come. She drove you home and that was it, didn’t even come inside to tell your parents on you. It didn’t feel right, but you chose to ignore the nagging feeling, thinking maybe God, if there was one, chose your side instead of hers this time.

Andrew didn’t come to Thursday’s Bible study. It was weird, because he had never missed a class, and he occasionally visited you on other days too. You gave him the benefit of the doubt, because literally anything could have happened, maybe he was babysitting Lena, or he was sick. Naturally, you tried to text him, but there was no answer. So, you called, and again, nothing.

He didn’t come on Sunday either and you almost wanted to go home and change, because what was the point if he wasn’t there to say you looked nice? It led you to realize just how addicted you had become to his presence. Having Amy there just wasn’t enough anymore, you needed him.

He did show up on Tuesday. But not once did he look at you. He didn’t come to say hi or jab at other people in the group. And when the class ended, he jumped to his feet. You clenched your jaw as you watched him scurry away, your knuckles turning white as you gripped the edge of your chair before you shot up too, but Amy stopped you before you could leave the room.

“I need to talk to you.”

“Can it wait? I’ve gotta–”

“I know. That’s what it’s about.”

You frowned, looking at the now vacant hallway as you let Amy tug you into the corner of the room.

“I overheard your aunt talking to Andrew the other day.”

So, apparently, your fucking aunt had told Andrew that you were too young for him and purposely made it sound like he was some kind of a creep.

Which was fucking ridiculous, because you were the creep, essentially.

“I would’ve told you sooner, but I never thought he’d take it to heart.”

You thanked her and rushed outside, hoping you’d still be able to catch up to him. When you exited the building, you searched the parking lot until you finally saw Andrew speedwalking to his car. You looked like a fucking idiot, running after him and calling out his name, and he didn’t even have the decency to acknowledge you, not even after you called out his name for the second and third time.

You weren’t going to let him get away though, so you sprinted off in his direction, and just as he started the car, you ripped the passenger’s car door open.

“Are you fucking kidding me? You know I look like a crazy person, right?” you said as you plopped yourself onto the leather seat of the Dodge, while he just stared ahead, completely non-verbal. “You could at least acknowledge me, you know. I know you’re a man of few words but come on. You could have at least talked to me.”

Your eyes were jumping all over his face, your chest rising as you tried to steady your breathing. He turned off the car.

“You’re too young.”

“Too young to what?” you asked, demanding some explanation that would make sense. You sure as hell weren’t going to let him get away without a reasonable argument. Which, by the way, there was none. “Andrew. Too young to what?” you pressed.

“I don’t know!”

“See?” you braced yourself against the dashboard and the seat as you leaned forward a bit. “She’s just putting words into your mouth. I fucking told you my family is crazy.”

He closed his eyes as he leaned his head against the headrest, releasing a deep sigh.

“Do you like me, Andrew?”

He didn’t answer and his eyes remained closed. Like a fucking brick wall. So, you decided to be bold, climbing over the console and straddling his lap. His eyes snapped open then, hands landing on your hips as if to push you away, but he didn’t. You cupped his face, locking eyes with him.

“Because I liked you. When you still talked to me. I’m not liking you right now.”

“Your aunt–”  

“Fuck my aunt! She’s scared of you. And she hates me. That’s why she told you all those things.” Your thumb was absently stroking the skin under his eye, and you thought how pretty he was, how those once empty eyes were now filled with… something. Either you were right, or you were becoming fucking delusional. You didn’t care which. “I like you, Andrew. I like dressing up for you. I like it when you tell me I look nice. I miss it.”

Him. You missed him.

His lips twitched, and you swore you could see his cheeks change color. His eyes flicked to your lips, but he still seemed not to have made up his mind and you were done forcing yourself on anyone.

Scoffing, you began to remove yourself from his lap, but he caught your hand and wrapped his arm around your waist, sitting you back onto his thighs and eliciting a gasp from you.

With his fingers tangled in your hair, he yanked you down into a kiss, and as your lips molded together, you finally let all of your weight settle against him, rubbing your soaked panties over the rough material of his jeans, and in response, his hips bucked upwards.

God, you wanted him so bad.

Your hands fell to his belt, clinking sounds echoing through the car as you tried to unbuckle it, accompanied by the smacking of your lips. It was a few moments of no progress, you should have moved on to his zipper by this time, but your hands were shaking and you just took too long to open the fucking pants, so you had to break the kiss.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he watched you struggle, his ears picking up on the shuddering breath you released. You just nodded, swallowing down the embarrassment that was creeping up on you. “Are you sure? You want this? One hundred percent?”

Your eyes flicked between his face and your hands still on the belt before you exhaled, not realizing how irregular your breathing was.

“I do.”

The corner of his mouth twitched as his eyes suddenly softened, and for the first time, you could name the emotion that crossed his face. Pity.

You were still hoping that he would spare you the further embarrassment, that he'd be a jerk who just took what he wanted, ignoring the new piece of information he'd just learned. Not with your luck.

“You’ve never had sex, right?”

“Shit...” Your body slumped. “Did I just ruin this?”

“No!” he said incredulously, while still keeping his voice down. His fingers tugged some loose strands of your hair away from your face and behind your ears. “But maybe we should slow down. Is that okay with you?”

“Like, how much?”

“Well, I need to stretch you out for my cock first. Which could take some time.”

More heat rushed to your cheeks, your stomach twisting as you murmured a soft okay.

So, you didn't fuck him, but you convinced him to make you cum with his fingers, at least, because otherwise you would have probably thought that he’d ghost you or something. You told him that it would be a promise that he really would fuck you eventually.

Actually, Andrew didn’t need much convincing, he was pretty eager to touch you, too. You loved the way he watched you come undone into his palm, with hooded eyes and lower lip caught between his upper teeth.

He had to tell you multiple times to relax first, because you were too focused on the finish line, instead of the feeling of his fingers dragging against your walls.

“Don’t chase it. Let it come to you. I’ll be here as long as it takes.”

He was so patient with you, the entire span of his focus was on your reactions to certain flicks and twitches of his fingers, learning what made you flutter around him. His hot breath teased your skin, ghosting over your neck and chest, but he never once touched his lips to you, not even when you curled your fingers into his hair and tried to guide his face to your breast.

Once your hips started to move on their own, spearing yourself on his fingers as the heel of his palm grinded against your clit, Andrew brought his other hand to your breast, pinching the stiff peek and tugging hard. You couldn’t stop the moan that escaped you, and with the last curl of his fingers against the spongy spot inside of you and a few flicks of his thumb over your clit, you came all over his hand. Your thighs squeezed his hips in an attempt to close your legs, muscles quivering as the orgasm ripped through you.

You brought your mouth to his, licking along the seam before you nipped at his bottom lip. Well, Andrew would later argue that you straight out bit him. And he wasn’t wrong as you broke the skin and drew some blood, which would turn into a small bruise the next day. He growled when he felt the sting, fingers instinctively pushing into you even harder and making you let go of his mouth as you cried out.

When you came down from your high, he slowly withdrew his hand, bringing it to your lips and making you suck your juices off his fingers.

“Do you taste sweet?”

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

“When I taste you, it will be with my face buried between your legs. Not today, though.”

You pouted before you leaned in to kiss him, but he stopped you with his palm cupping your chin and fingers squeezing your cheeks together.

“That would be cheating. Nice try, though.”

“Are you saying you’re not gonna kiss me anymore?”

In response, he kissed you on the tip of your nose and you thought you were going to melt right then and there.

“Do you have a ride home?”

Well, Amy had probably already left, so Andrew took you. The whole ride, you couldn't tear your eyes away from the steering wheel that was shining with your cum and spit, and he only smirked when he caught you. You tried to kiss him goodbye when he dropped you off, but evidently, his mind wasn’t as clouded as yours, so he still didn’t let you until the next day.

You both agreed that Andrew would stop coming to the church unless there was Bible study, in order to protect you from your aunt. He really didn’t want to get you in trouble, however, that didn’t mean that you couldn't see each other outside of church. He often waited for you in his car whenever your ride was provided by anyone else but your aunt, making you cum with his fingers, whether it be in his lap behind the wheel or the backseat, which you personally preferred, because of the way he'd hover over you which made you significantly wetter.

You kind of enjoyed Bible study too, because you made sure he suffered while he tried to act like he didn’t want you.

You’d cross and uncross your legs, offering him quick glimpses of your underwear, or the lack of it, and sometimes, you’d press yourself against him, just long enough to stuff said underwear into the back pocket of his jeans.

Sadly, you never got to see the expression on his face, because you were already risking too much by even being in his proximity.

You also liked to make a show of bending over, and you knew he was aware that with the skirts you wore, you’d be putting yourself on full display. He always rushed over in order to shield your ass and pussy from unauthorized eyes, only for you to reveal that you were wearing undershorts.

You weren't that slutty.

You kept him on his toes and he’d punish you every single time by ruining your orgasms until you begged him to let you cum.

“I swear I will never fuck you if you keep this shit up.”

“Promises, promises.”

Andrew swiped a hand across your cheek after that. Very gently. It felt like a caress, really, before he asked if it was okay, and you nodded. Of course it was okay. You’d let him do unspeakable things to you, but he had boundaries, unfortunately. He had never feared to slap you harder since then, threatening that one of those times, it would land on your cunt. You couldn’t wait for that to happen.

With each passing day, you were getting closer and closer to being able to take him, as he’d put all the work into stretching you out with his fingers. He never used anything else. Not his mouth, not his cock. He had also never let you touch him, always swatting your hands away when you got too grabby, and puppy eyes didn't help you in this case which was a disappointing discovery.

You were getting impatient and frustrated and he must have sensed it, because after he fingered you on a Wednesday night, he gifted you a flamingo vibrator. Remote controlled.

“I want you to wear this. Tomorrow, at Bible study.”

“What do I get in return?”

“Well, that depends on how you behave. Do you want to try it out now?”

You were feeling brave.

“No.”

So, you did as he told you, pushing the vibrator into your already slick pussy and covering it with baby blue panties before heading to the church.

You had never really paid attention during Bible study, but now your focus on other people was completely out the window. Your brain was keeping your body on high alert and all you could think about was Andrew, the vibrator inside of you, and that he might finally fuck you after this.

Andrew was manspreading on the couch right across from you, a complete opposite from your tightly crossed legs. Shit, you’d always managed to keep your dirty thoughts about Andrew at bay during Amy’s classes, but now, you just imagined yourself in his lap with your back against his chest and your legs split open by his thighs while he played with your pussy and fucked you with the vibe in front of everyone. Suddenly, you wanted those men and women to know that your body was a playground dedicated to Andrew, that he was the only one who owned you and got to do whatever he wanted with you.

You tried not to tear your eyes away from his hand which was stuffed in his pocket, probably holding the controller, and you hoped to catch a movement once he was ready to press the power button. You weren't even blinking.

But he was messing with you. He knew what you were trying to do, so he moved his hand as he pleased without even touching the remote, making his next moves unpredictable. You still jumped every time you caught the tiniest movement of his hand or even his knees rocking back and forth occasionally, while Andrew held eye contact with whoever was currently speaking, not having the slightest problem with keeping the conversation going. But he still hadn’t turned the vibrator on. Was it even working?

And then you heard your name.

You lifted your head. “What?”

“I said I’d like to hear about your opinion. You said you didn’t believe in God, right?”

Asshole.

“Yeah, um...” It had been a long time since you spoke at one of these things. “I’m just not a fan of the idea that some higher power is going to ‘save’ us. We bring obstacles onto ourselves and onto each other, and it’s up to us to overcome them, with or without the help of other people. Real people.”

You heard a few murmurs from the people that were new here, otherwise, nobody was really scandalized by your words.

And before you could find the source of those whispers, you yelped, your body jolting from the buzzing sensation that was quickly spreading through you all of a sudden.  

“I mean, I’m not saying you have to believe in God, specifically. But not even a different form of higher power? You don’t consider science a higher power? When you die and someone shocks you back to life? That’s not higher power saving you?”

Andrew emphasized the word with a switch to a higher setting, your pussy clenching around the device torturing your clit as it worked double duty from the inside and outside, the combination growing more and more intense. You really didn’t know what you were expecting, but it definitely wasn’t this.

You didn’t even have the stregth to argue that his logic still included the help of other people, but you knew this wasn’t even the point he was trying to make. Your silence gave Andrew a chance to continue. “You think you have all the power?”

And here we go.

You pressed your thighs together, trying to relieve some of the pain, and luckily, someone who had probably thought you too ignorant, chimed in with some enthusiastic commentary on God’s unconditional love.

At this point, you had lost yourself in your head again, too focused on the pressure blooming in your lower belly as you squirmed in your seat, unable to sit still.

The feeling wasn’t too different from the one Andrew had brought you with his fingers several times before, but this time, it was bordering between pleasure and pain. You couldn’t stop your hand from flying to your stomach, pressing gently against your abdomen and hoping the ache would vanish, but it only intensified, and Andrew took that opportunity to turn the vibe up even more.

It had come to the point where you had to stifle down your whimpers, biting your lip a little too hard in the process, and before you could let your vocal chords generate any sound, you jumped to your feet and excused yourself.

Fuck. You should have checked if you’d left a wet spot on the chair.

You made your way to the spacious restrooms, bracing yourself against the marble counter as you finally released a mewl, pressing your thighs together before you splashed some cold water on your face and the back of your neck.

There was absolutely no way you were coming back to that room. You couldn’t. And before you had a chance to question whether Andrew would be disappointed in you or not, the door opened, and his figure appeared in the mirror reflection.

“Andrew,” you whimpered, brows pinched together as you gripped the counter a little harder.

He was quick as he moved towards you, creating some distance between your body and the sink before he lowered himself to one knee in front of you.

“Let me see,” he said, your hands already working together to pull your dark jean skirt up, bunching it around your hips and revealing your ruined panties, all soaked through. Andrew was a menace, that much you knew, but you still didn't expect him to grip the waistband of your panties and tug upwards, making you cry out as it pressed the vibrator harder against your clit.

He murmured a quiet fuck before he ripped your underwear, his hand disappearing into his pocket. And just like that, the vibrations stopped and you could breathe again.

“I’m gonna pull it out.”

You nodded, biting your lip as you prepared yourself for the pain, but it never came. You were so wet that the vibrator slid right out, slick noises echoing through the bathroom before he shoved the wet device into the pocket of his jacket.

“Fuck, look at yourself.”

You couldn’t help but think that he moved like a ballet dancer, swiftly standing up and twirling around to stand behind you. His hands on your hips moved you a step further from the mirror so you could see the reflection of your lower body.

With your ass pressed against his front, he brought one of his hands to your pussy, gathering some of your juices on his middle finger and lifting it in front of your faces just to see it glisten under the golden lights.

“So sticky.”

He rubbed his thumb against the wet finger before he brought it back right onto your clit and instinctively, your body tried to escape the touch while simulataneously chasing after it as your ass pressed against the bulge in his pants. You were so fucking sensitive, your clit so red and puffy that you thought it was going to explode.

Andrew completely ignored your overstimulated state, only shushing you as you cried out when he touched the throbbing bundle again, not any less softer than before. He couldn’t even keep the pad of his finger on it as it kept sliding off.

“Do you want me to fuck you?” he grunted against your ear, and you nodded frantically, already reaching behind you for his belt, but he caught your wrist. “Nuh-uh.”

Andrew set your hand back on the counter, hinging your hips slightly and then you heard the clinking of his buckle, the leather swiping over the skin of your ass as he undid his pants, and you imagined what it would feel like if he hit you with it.

“I really wanted your first time to be in bed.”

“I don’t care,” you rushed out, afraid that he would change his mind. Jesus Christ, he must have thought you were pathetic. And he would be right. Andrew nodded, mockingly rising his eyebrows and curling the corners of his lips downward with his eyes glued to your drenched cunt.  

“I’m sure you don’t.”

And then you felt him tap the head of his cock against your clit, your hips rocking forward at the unexpected touch before backing into him. He coated his shaft in your wetness, sliding it up and down, spreading your folds and bumping his cock against your nub a few more times before he finally pressed himself against your hole.

You tried to rock back, and Andrew had to stop you from doing that because you were too sloppy and it didn't help either one of you. He slid into you slowly, and you barely felt any pain when he pushed deeper and deeper, because you were just so wet. Honestly, you felt so proud of how well you were taking him, until he spoke.

“Christ, I’ve never fucked anyone so tight.”

After all the work he’d done on you to prepare you for his cock, he still needed to give you time to adjust to his size before he grabbed your shoulder while his other hand stayed on your hip, sliding out slowly. You fluttered around him, and he had to put every bit of strength into not cumming right then and there.

He watched you in the mirror, the chain around your neck dangling in the air as you bit your lip. You were perfect. Looking so sweet and innocent, like something that was worth ruining. And he wanted to ruin you so bad, for others, and for God, too, even though you never offered yourself to Him and weren’t planning to. Andrew wanted you for himself.

When he pushed back in, you mewled, enjoying the beautiful stretch. You felt so snug around him, almost feeling every ridge of his cock as he bottomed out, and you couldn’t help but imagine having your lips around him. You probably weren’t even going to fit half of him into your mouth, but you wished he made you. You wished he made you choke him down as he told you what a good girl you were for swallowing all of him.

“Spread your ass.”

Your mind was fogged, and you spread your legs wider instead.

“I said your ass,” he said more firmly, grabbing your hand and yanking it toward the globe of your butt harshly. Your other hand joined too, spreading your cheeks as he gripped your upper arms and started picking up the pace, trying to find a steady rhythm. You weren’t sure if he did it for the aesthetics of it or if he thought that it would help him glide in and out a little easier. It did not. At least you didn’t think it did, because he still felt too big.

Skin slapped against skin, your pussy was squelching with arousal and breathy gasps escaped both your mouths. Suddenly, Andrew moved forward until you were pressed against the cold marble, your hip bones bumping against the edge with every thrust of his cock. He bent over you, bringing his lips to your shoulder and scraping his teeth against your skin. His hands found their way to your breasts, squeezing and fondling before one traveled higher and squeezed the sides of your neck, propping your chest up as he lifted you, pressing your back against his front.

You focused your eyes on the hand around your throat, feeling your walls clench around him at the sight. He grunted, pressing down on your pulse point and slowing down the delivery of oxygen to your brain which was already malfunctioning anyway, so you didn't really care. Your eyes rolled back in your head and it made him buck his hips harder against you, bringing his fingers down to your center and pinching your clit between his ring finger and middle finger. The orgasm came out of nowhere, crashing down on you and making you feel like your body was imploding.

Your back arched into him, your legs quivered and your hands slammed against the counter as you braced yourself. Andrew fucked you until he came too, lifting one of your knees next to your hand and squeezing the flesh of your inner thigh to sink deeper into you, holding back his moans when he finally filled you up with his cum. Before he could come down from it, you heard footsteps in the hallway.

Andrew quickly walked the both of you backwards, keeping you speared on his cock, until he slammed the door of one of the stalls shut. You heard them cross the threshold to the restroom, and Andrew’s hand shot up to your face, covering your mouth with a firm hold as your released a small gasp when you squirmed against him. You squeezed your eyes shut as you leaned your head against his shoulder, trying to calm yourself down and hold in any other noise that could accidentally come out of you.

When you opened your eyes, Andrew was once staring at you, and suddenly, you felt cheeky again.

You clenched around his softened cock, which, besides a strict look, earned you having your nose covered along with your mouth, significantly limiting your oxygen intake. You were sick enough to gush around him at the thought of him killing you with his cock still inside of you. You closed your eyes again, focusing on slowing down your breathing as you waited for the person to leave.

When they finally did, Andrew spun you around, grabbing you under your throat again and slamming you against the door.

“Just for that, I should bend you over my knee and spank your ass so hard that you won’t be able to sit for weeks.”

“My ass should get in line then. I’m still waiting for you spank my pussy.”

“Well, don’t hold your breath. You’re too fucking greedy for that.”

He kissed you then, sweet and slow, like he hadn’t just almost broken your hip bones or made you lose consciousness.

“Are you okay?”

You nodded, your eyes crinkling as you smiled at him and brought your lips to his again. When you broke the kiss, he chased after you with a soft smile, leaning his forehead against yours as your noses bumped together. Then he pulled away.

“Okay. Now, I want you to walk out of here,” he said, as he tucked his cock into his pants. You nodded, reaching for the toilet paper, but his hand caught your wrist. “No. I want to see my cum trailing down your thighs.”

Fuck.

“Where should I go?”

“My car,” he said as he fished his keys from his jacket, placing them into your palm. “Wait there until the Bible study's over. You do not touch yourself, you do not make yourself cum with anything that you might find in the car. Understand?”

What did he have in his car that you could use to get yourself off?

“Yes. Where will we go?”

“My place. I want to be able to take my time with you. You have a punishment worth five strikes coming your way.”

“Five?!”

“And counting.”

You knew just about the one, but what about the rest? What the hell did you do?

“Well, letting me fuck you in a church is a big one. Leaving in the middle of the class is another. You also wore your panties–“

“You didn’t tell me I wasn’t supposed to–“

“Don’t raise your voice at me.”

You snapped your mouth shut, glancing down at your feet.

“What is the last reason?”

“Thinking you could somehow outsmart me in there.”

You rolled your eyes, because that’s not what you were doing.

“Jesus, did I fuck a brat into you? I’m gonna leave because otherwise I’ll lose count of how many times you actually deserve to be punished.” Although he tried to act like a hard-ass, he couldn't leave without kissing you again, squeezing your hips one more time before he blindly fixed your skirt, petting the sides of your thighs as he did so. You sighed when he removed his tongue from your mouth, staring at you with hooded eyes before he slapped your ass. “Car. Now.”

fin.

[redd-blushing-roses]

Happiest Place on Earth

word count: 5.1k

pairing: (FarmhouseAU) Bucky Barnes x reader

summary: Bucky takes you on a surprise vacation to Disney. Your little family spends the day together exploring and having fun.

notes: this is such a fluffy and totally indulgent fic; I may have gone a little overboard. I grew up going to Disneyland all the time and some of my favorite memories with my family are from those visits. I just visited the park this weekend and was inspired to write a little something (yes, some of these moments are influenced by families I saw. You guys, everyone was so cute!!! how could I not?!)

enjoy reading :) ------------------------------------------------------

You hadn’t known what to expect when Bucky told you he had a surprise for you. That had meant a number of things in the past. Like the time he’d brought home Alpine, just a tiny and scared white cat at the time, her body tucked into his brown leather jacket.

Or the time when you were still pregnant with Rebecca and Bucky had shooed you out of the house so you could go shopping, only to return and find he’d built a crib for you.

And the time he’d taken Rebecca and Grant to the tower to visit the team, all three of them coming back covered in soot, Bucky sitting at the kitchen table after their bath as you chewed him out. 

“What do you mean there was an emergency mission? That’s not a surprise, Bucky!”

You sat cross legged on the quilted bed, your fingers drumming against your thigh as you waited for him to come in. Bucky had insisted he put the kids down tonight and you let him. It gave you time to decompress (not that your kids were overly stressful, they could just be… a handful sometimes), to have a long shower and do your nightly routine.

Plus, it gave your husband an extra hour with them; to hold them close as he reads their small cardboard books, to give them just one more kiss before they conk out. 

What on earth could he have as a surprise?

Bucky finally comes in, giving you a shy yawn, one hand lazily running through his hair. 

“Finally got Rebecca to lay down. She kept asking for more stories.” You smile at him, his body sagging into the mattress, arms resting on his stomach as he lays beside you.

“And you remembered to change Grant?”

“Yes Ma’am. You trained me well.” You laugh, and he smiles up at you. 

“So,” you say, shifting to rest on your side, elbow propped up to support your head. “What’s this surprise you’ve been so mysterious about all day.” 

“Wouldn’t you like to know.” You poke his side hard, his hand catching yours and pulling you closer into his side. 

“Yes, that’s why I’m asking Buck.” You giggle. He kisses your cheek, his metal hand brushing your hair out of your face, his gaze soft and warm.

“You know how I’ve been working more hours lately, and how I’ve been putting in overtime during missions?” You nod. 

“I hope it wasn’t so you could buy Rebecca that pony she’s been asking for.”

Bucky shakes his head, grinning. “She asked for a unicorn, and no. It’s something I think you’ll like.” You scooch in closer, head resting in the crook of his shoulder.

 “I’m listening.”

“Well, I’ve been working so much because Valentina’s finally let me take another vacation.”

Your eyes widen, a grin breaking out on your face. She’d been a stickler lately about any of the team taking off; even Alexei had complained the last time you visited the tower, mentioning how sulky John had become since he’d missed a few weekends with his son (not that you blamed the guy).

“Oh yeah? We could definitely use some more time with you.” Bucky hums in agreement smiling. “And what are we doing for this vacation Mr. Barnes?” 

He looks ten years younger as he grins at you, his eyes alight with anticipation.

“I was thinking Disneyland?” 

You sit up, a little shocked by what he said. 

“Are you serious?” Bucky nods, amused by the excitement, the way your heart accelerated faster than a sports car. “Don’t play with me Bucky, you know how much Disney means to me.” 

Bucky sits up, kneeling next to you, your hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

“I know. That’s why I want to take you and the kids. I remembered how much it meant to you when you were young, the vacations you and your family took. You made them sound so fun.” You bite your lip, letting out a small squeal. 

“James, you have no idea how much fun it is. Oh my goodness,” you laugh, cupping his jaw and planting kisses across face. “I can’t believe it.”

“Well believe it. We leave in a couple weeks.” Bucky laughs, kissing you back. You pull away, biting your lip as a thought pops in your head.

“Wait, are you sure you want to do this? I know you don’t like crowds. And with you being an Avenger, how will we-” He cuts you off with a long kiss, his hands snaking around your waist, dipping your body into the bed. Bucky lays you down, hovering over you, mindful of keeping his heavy body off of you.

“We’ll cross that bridge later. And I don’t mind crowds so much when I have you with me.” 

You pull him into a hug, not caring that you were practically being crushed under him. It was comforting honestly. 

“I love you so much.”

He tells you the same, your name sweet on his mouth. 

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

“Dad. Daddy look! Daddy!” Rebecca calls out, patting her hands against the window of the small hotel room.

“Hold on just a second babe,” Bucky yells from inside the bathroom, dealing with a screaming Grant, quickly sliding the boy into a new diaper and pants. The poor kid had not handled the plane ride well.

“Daddy! You’re going to miss it!” 

You move towards your daughter from where you were digging through your suitcase, reminding her not to smudge the windows.

“The park’s not going anywhere sweetheart. And Dad will see plenty of it tomorrow.”

“And we’ll get to see princesses!” You nod encouragingly, sweeping her into your arms and stealing the chair she had been standing on, setting her on your knees. 

You had been telling her about the park for the last couple of weeks, telling her she’d have to wait one more day every night. It was hard to tell who was more excited between the two of you.

“Yes. Princesses and Mickey, you like Mickey right? And we’ll ride fun rides and eat yummy food…” 

“And I want to wear my dress!” You smile, smoothing out her plaited pigtails. 

“Yes. And you will be the prettiest Snow White at the park.” (Although she was too scared to watch the movie -thank you evil queen- Rebecca had claimed Snow as her favorite princess. You had a feeling it was because it was the rare animated movie Bucky actually sat and watched with her, but who knows. Kids were funny with favorites)

“Hon?” Bucky calls from the bathroom, his head poking out. “I think this is a mom job.” From the sound of Grant’s increasing wails, it probably was. 

“Alright, let me go help your dad” you set Rebecca down, trading places with Bucky, taking your son from him, Bucky placing a grateful kiss on your cheek, and you moving to do your best to soothe Grant. 

Bucky walks over to Rebecca and picks her up, her laughter combating her brother's exhausted cries as he blows a raspberry on her tummy.

He looks out the window at the darkening city. Just across the street lay the theme park, with its towering rollercoasters and large pink castle.

Just looking at it filled him with a strange sense of nostalgia, even though he had never been to the theme park. Maybe it was just because you had told him so many things, he’d sort of adopted your love for Disney as his own.

“Is Grant sad because we can’t go to the park today?” Rebecca asks Bucky, her small fingers clinging to his shirt.

“No, he’s just tired. He didn’t watch a movie like we did on the plane ride.” Rebecca nods. 

“I’m not tired. I can go now.” Bucky just smiles at his daughter as she yawns after, not even aware of how her eyes drooped as she looked out the window. 

“Patience Becca,” he kisses her shoulder, moving towards the hotel bed. But he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want to go now as well. 

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

“Okay, hold still please,” your hands gently still Rebecca as she bounces on the bed, her small hands holding the sunscreen tube. Grant laughs beside her, trying to copy his sister, but only getting so far as standing on his wobbly legs and falling on his bottom as he bends his knees.

You help Rebecca squeeze the sunscreen into your palm, the girl giggling as you place the white cream along her nose and forehead and cheeks, rubbing it into her skin.

“This is so we don’t burn our skin. It’s going to be hot today.”

“Burn by what mommy?”

“The sun. Do you remember last summer, when we went to the Summer festival in town and you burned your nose? You cried all night it hurt so bad,” you tell her, rubbing sunscreen into her arms. Not an easy task for a little girl wiggling around, especially when she had her brother to giggle along with.

“No. I was only three,” She holds up the wrong amount of fingers. It’s so cute; you kindly correct her, pressing down her extra finger so just three remain. Grant points at her, babbling and you squeeze more sunscreen on your fingers, beginning to work on his small face.

“You were only three, that’s right.” 

Rebecca kneels by Grant who's whining as you rub the sunscreen on his face. 

“It’s okay Grant. It’s sunscreen so we don’t burn.” You smile, always amazed at how good of a sister Rebecca was, always ready to kiss any booboos or give a comforting hug.

She does so now, pulling the little boy into a hug, your hands gently supporting the two wiggly kids so they don’t fall off the mattress.

He wraps his small arms around her, the two giggling, communicating in some toddler language you wish you could understand. They were both so big already, with Grant just turning one and Rebecca almost turning four in a couple months. 

The hotel door opens behind you and you turn, watching Bucky shuffle in with a bag full of breakfast sandwiches for the four of you, two coffees balanced in his other palm. He gives you a smile, his hat pulled low over his eyes, sweatshirt hiding his metal arm as best as he can. 

“Good morning ladies. And gentleman. Are we ready?” Rebecca squeals at the sight of food and tries to wiggle out of her brother’s arms, Grant holding onto her with surprising strength for a one year old (although you shouldn’t be too surprised. They both had a super soldier for a father).

You chuckle. It was going to be a long day.

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

“Do people really get popcorn at eight in the morning?” Bucky asks, his hand resting up on Rebecca’s thighs, supporting her as she sits on his shoulders.

“Oh yeah, it’s a thing. Churros too.” Grant wiggles in your arms, pointing towards the Sleeping Beauty castle you were approaching.

“You see the castle buddy? And Mickey?”

“KEY!” He squeals, his raspy little voice loud by your ear. 

Bucky looks up at Rebecca, her hands patting his hat as she looks around, pointing at everything.

“Dad, look, look at the flowers.” “Mommy, it’s a princess castle!”

You just laugh at her enthusiasm. It’s crowded at the park already, barely open for a half hour and already the lines were long. Bucky had looked to you as you approached the gate, your fingers tapping at your phone to pull up the tickets. 

“I knew people liked Disney but this is just…”

“It’ll be alright Buck. No backing out now.” 

You couldn’t help the large smile which plastered itself on your face as you walked down Main Street. It was like stepping into the embodiment of nostalgia, the smells, the lights, the laughter. Disney just had that certain feeling to it. Like magic. 

Even Bucky, always serious and composed, couldn’t help the way his eyes wandered at the buildings, the smile which tugged on his lips as you pointed out different things to him.

Happiness was infectious. 

You stop at one of the small kiosks to get maps for the both of you, people milling about around you.

“But it’s on your phone-”

“It is. But there’s something special about the paper map,” You smile at him, handing one up to Rebecca. She opens it, the paper already crinkling in her small fists. Grant grabs at your map, mumbling ‘mama’ when you tell him no. 

“I’ll be the map leader!”

“You got it Becca,” Bucky looks up at her.

“Where to first baby?” 

Rebecca hums, looking at the map. She’s concentrating so hard, and even though she’s not really reading it, you can see the gears of her little mind trying to work through what she was looking at. 

You place a hand on her foot, over her small pink sketcher shoes peeking out beneath her dress. 

“How about we ride Snow-”

“YESS. SNOW WHITE!” She yells, and that settles it. 

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

Bucky didn’t exactly know what to expect from the park. He’d been to amusement parks before; had spent a lot of time at Coney Island during his younger years.

But this… 

Everything was bright and colorful and loud. The carousel jingled with music, the rides played soundtracks he recognized and had cars which moved with ease along tracks. It was all so innovative and advanced. 

You’d called the first part of the park ‘Fantasyland’, and he’d checked Rebecca’s map to see it was mostly fairy tale rides from movies you sometimes put on for the kids. 

Standing in that first line, switching Rebecca for Grant after she’d said she wanted to ride with you, getting into the small mining car, actually seeing the ride. Bucky didn’t know what he enjoyed more, the animatronics and detailed sets or watching Grant giggle and babble at the ride. 

“Mom, can we ride again?” 

“What about the other rides babe? I just know you’ll love Peter Pan. You get to fly above the world in a pirate ship!” 

“Okay,” Rebecca giggles, your hand gripping hers tight before she can run off. 

Bucky doesn’t mind waiting for things. He’d waited a long time to ask you to marry him, waited patiently before you’d finally gotten pregnant, waited even longer during Avenger press events to get in any word about heroism. 

But he didn’t quite understand why the line for this ride was so long. 

“40 minutes?” He wrinkled his nose as the four of you moved into the que. “This is worth 40 minutes?” You nod, making a funny face at Grant to get him to laugh.

“Trust me, it’s worth it.”

And it was. Bucky had paired up with Rebecca, sliding into the ship, his eyes flickering at the mechanical pulleys and wheels. Boy would he love to learn how it all worked. And then the ride took off. 

It felt like flying. Literally. Bucky stared down wide eyed at the ride, the illusion of flying through stars breath taking. And then he glanced down at Rebecca, her hand holding his tightly, her eyes sparkling with the reflection of the stars. 

Bucky fell a little more in love with her as she smiled at him. 

“Look daddy,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”

“It is, baby,” he squeezed her hand, still watching her, her eyes filled with innocent wonder. So worth it.

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

The large wall of stuffed toys towers over Rebecca and her small mouth gawps up at them, like a tiny fish. Grant toddled beside her, smiling at each toy, his fingers pulling at a fluffy fish.

“Careful honey,” You say, crouching next to him. 

“Mama,” His fingers poke into your cheek, as he holds up the stuffed Nemo. 

“You like that one,” you take it from him, moving the fish as if he was swimming. “He’s cute, huh.” 

Bucky watches you, his arms crossed and a content smile on his face. He perused the wall himself, picking up a stuffed Pluto and checking the price tag. His smile immediately fell.

“Uhhhh… they want how much for these?”

You bit your lip, cringing as he showed you the tag.

“Man, I don’t remember them being that much when I was a kid.” 

Rebecca giggles and you watch her carefully as she moves around, your hand gripping Grant’s tightly as he hopped around with Nemo clutched in his arm.

“Look. It’s a baby,” Rebecca held up two different plushes, a Lady dog wrapped in a soft blue blanket and a Marie cat wrapped in a baby pink blanket. Rebecca had been obsessed with babies lately (if you couldn’t find her in the farmhouse, you could guarantee she was probably in her room playing with her babydoll).

She held one up to Bucky and he took it gently. He adjusted his backpack strap as he watched both kids play with the toys, Rebecca petting the plush dog as she hugged her tightly, and Grant chewing on the Nemo’s fin. 

You stand up with a grunt, a hand against your back, Bucky’s arm automatically finding its way around your waist.

“They are so adorable,” you whisper to him. 

“Expensive, more like it,” he gives you a look. You pull a faux frown, taking the stuffed cat from him, running your fingers over the soft plush fabric. 

“I always wanted one of these every time I came here. Never did get one.” You look up at him, your eyes pleading, as if to tell him your kids deserved the toys, no matter how much it hurt his wallet. 

He opens his mouth to object, ready to tell  you they had plenty of toys when Grant toddles over, holding up a Mickey Mouse. 

“KEY.” he squeals, giving Bucky and you a cheesy grin, an inexperienced baby smile which melted your heart every time it appeared.

Bucky sighs, hands on his hip as you move to pick up your son, the Mickey clutched tightly in his arms. You give him that look, the one which you know softens his heart. Bucky just rolls his eyes, trying not to smile as he pulls out his wallet. 

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

The parade is loud, the hot afternoon sun beating down on the umbrella shading your table. Bucky digs through his backpack, pulling out the lunch sack you’d prepared at the hotel that morning. Pb and J for the kids, cold turkey sandwiches for the two of you.

You bounce Grant on your knee, his Mickey clutched in his fingers. Rebecca stands on her chair, Bucky reminding her to sit at the table. She’s just in her shirt and checkered shorts, her princess dress is tucked in the backpack after she had complained about being too hot. 

“Where’s baby Lady?” Rebecca asks you, her head craning to look into your lap.

“I’m going to hold onto her while you eat Becca. So you don’t get any jelly on her. Mickey too, Grant.” You gently pull the stuffed toy out of his hands, your son huffing in annoyance at the loss of his pal. 

Lunch is a long affair; with you helping Rebecca and Grant eat, alternating between the two to get them to pay attention to their sandwiches and gold fish. Bucky wolfed down his sandwich with alarming speed, pulling his hat lower over his eyes when he caught a little boy staring wide eyed at him. 

While you hold Grant’s sandwich, the little boy supported in your other arm, Bucky holds out your own sandwich. You smile gratefully, letting him feed you. 

You both listen to Rebecca as she rambles about the parade behind you, her small commentary always captivating. Bucky listens, his eyes darting to the side as he sees an older couple pass by, his shoulders tensing as the elderly man stops next to him. 

You look up at the man, a kind smile on his mustached face, Bucky’s face going serious, always alert. 

“My wife and I were admiring your little family earlier. I just wanted to come and say you kids are doing alright with your young ones.” You smile, blushing a little as you look at Bucky.

Bucky nods at the man, thanking him. 

“Enjoy it. You’re only young once.” The man smiles and nods, giving a small wave goodbye to Rebecca. 

Bucky watches the man and his wife as they walk away, the two of them smiling at the parade, pointing at characters. Bucky’s heart beats a little faster as he thinks of just how lucky he is to have this. To have you. Rebecca. Grant. This day.

Barely a decade ago, he had been on the run, hiding from HYDRA, from the government, from himself. He’d been lost, still healing from the long years of torture and killing. And then you showed up in his life, making everything a little sweeter, a little brighter. 

Helping him to heal, to find a part of himself he thought he’d lost when he fell from that train. A hope for the future. For happiness. 

Maybe it was because he was sitting in “the happiest place on earth”, watching as you wiped jelly off of his daughter’s face, smiling at his son as he gave you a big hug, babbling. But the happiness Bucky felt was so overwhelming, he felt like his heart would explode. 

“I’ll be back,” Bucky told you as he suddenly got up, leaving the backpack with you as he marched towards the bathroom. You’re left frowning, watching him leave, confused.

“Where’s dad gone?” Rebecca asks. 

“I don’t know. Maybe he had to go to the bathroom real bad?” She giggles. 

“He didn’t want to pee his pants,” She laughs, Grant giggling, repeating “dada” over and over in his raspy voice. 

When he finally comes back, you’re placing everything in the backpack, eyes glued to both of your kids sitting on their chairs, legs wiggling. Bucky doesn’t say anything, just slides up to you and kisses you on the lips, hard and a little too intense for a public amusement park.

You pull back, a little bewildered. 

“James!”

“I know, sorry. I couldn’t help it.” He gives you a small, embarrassed  smile and you cock your head, looking at him. 

“Are you okay?” 

“More than okay doll.” 

“Did you make it daddy?” Bucky looks down at Rebecca, his brow quirking in confusion. “To the bathroom?” She inquires further. 

“Oh. Yeah, I made it alright.” He picks her up with his metal arm, scooping Grant up in his other arm. You slide the backpack on, adjusting the straps. “Where to next mom?”

You smile at him, heart full at the sight before you. 

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

You don’t think you’ve ever seen Rebecca this happy. You laugh as you take her picture, her cheesy grin wide as she poses with Cinderella. 

“Oh, it was so sweet to meet you, miss Rebecca. Do enjoy your day at Disney,” the princess actor croons sweetly, hands clasped. Rebecca just hugs her and runs to you. 

“Did you see mommy? It was Cinerella! My favorite.” You laugh, holding her hand as you check your phone, texting Bucky to try and find him. Rebecca had wanted to wait in line to see the Princess, but Grant had begun to grow restless. You’d suggested Bucky try and find something to do with your son while you waited with Rebecca in the long line. 

“I thought Snow White was your favorite?"

“No, not now. Cinderella is my favoritest Princess.” 

You laugh. The mind of your daughter was always entertaining. Your phone buzzes and you check it.

In Toon Town. By Goofy’s house <3

Bucky’s text is accompanied by a picture of Grant, his Mickey held high in one hand as his small legs climb up the comically large stairs of the house. You show it to Rebecca who points at it. 

“Can we go there?”

“Of course sweetheart,” you weave through the crowds, your daughter’s small legs working hard beside you. “You know, I’m really proud of you Becca. You’ve been so patient all day today, waiting in lines and listening to Mommy and Daddy.”

Rebecca looks up at you. “Thank you mommy.”

“No thank you baby. You’re such a good girl. I think we need a treat after we meet up with your dad. What do you think?”

“Yeah!” She clings to your hand, swinging her arm. 

Toon Town is crowded with small families like yours, small children running between the oversized houses. 

Rebecca runs up to her father when you finally spot him sitting at a bench. He’s quick to pull her into a hug, setting her on his knee. 

“I met a princess daddy!” Bucky smiles at her, listening.

“Oh yeah? You get your picture taken?” She nods enthusiastically. 

“Mom said I can put it on the fridge at home.” You sit on the bench, eyes roaming the small play yard designed to look like an oversized garden. You immediately lock on Grant, his small body crouched by a hollow log. 

“What’s he doing?” You ask Bucky. He looks up, eyes narrowing. 

“I think he’s playing with the grass.” 

“Ah. Of course.” 

You stand and walk over to your son, scooping him up and peppering his belly with kisses. Grant laughs, curling into you sweetly. 

“Mama see mamakey,” He hands you his stuffed toy. Your heart melts a little at his pronunciation of Mickey.

It melts even more when you take his and Rebecca’s picture as they pose by the Mickey Mouse actor, their eyes sparkling with the magic of meeting a cartoon character they know so well. 

Bucky just smiles at you as you snap their photos, his hands stuffed in his pockets. 

(He’d smile every time he passes your fridge weeks after your trip, the picture of the two of them and Mickey stuck on the outside, along with Rebecca’s princess photo and a picture of the four of you in front of the castle someone had offered to take for you. Happiness packaged in just a few frames.)

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

The concrete is cold beneath your jeans, the sidewalk of Mainstreet crowded as people scooch close together, waiting as the announcement for the fireworks sounds around you. There’s cheering and whooping and laughter, the smell of popcorn and churros flooding your senses. 

Night had fallen faster than you had anticipated, and as you had exited Haunted Mansion, both kids eyes drooping as the sun fell, you knew the day was coming to a close.

You pull the sleeve of your sweatshirt over one hand, checking on Rebecca who’s cheek is squished against your chest, long gone to dream land. Bucky scoots closer to you, Grant passed out in one arm, his other hand clutching the ice cream sandwich you were sharing. He takes a bite and passes it to you. 

“Thanks hon.” Despite the chill of the night, the ice cream is refreshing and delicious on your tongue. You smile at him, as he thumbs the fabric of your sweatshirt, the one he had bought for you just an hour ago after you kept looking at it. (you had insisted it was too expensive, telling him you’d rather spend money on the kids than yourself. Bucky just gave you a look and peeled it out of your fingers, heading towards the cash register, knowing you couldn’t stop him with both of the kids in your arms)

“So…” You look at Bucky, passing the ice cream back to him. “Do you want to share why you ran off to the bathroom during lunch? I know it wasn’t because you had to go.” You gave him a knowing look.

He swallowed the bite of ice cream, looking ahead at the bright lights of the Emporium across the street. 

“I just needed a minute to gather my thoughts… to compose myself.” Your face falls. Had it been too much for him. The rides? The people?

“Bucky, you should have told me. I would have been okay to go back to the hotel if you needed it.”

“Oh, no,” He laughs, looking at your concerned face. Bucky’s hand clutches your shoulder reassuringly as you shift your daughter in your arms. “No, it wasn’t like that. It was what that man had said. About us,” he points between the two of you.

You hum in response, still concerned. Bucky pulls Grant closer, wrapping the crochet blanket you had brought over his body, his stuffed Mickey poking out. You wait for him to continue, looking up as the first fireworks begin to go off, Mainstreet loud with the cheering crowd and the booming music. 

But that didn’t matter right now. It was just the two of you, knees pressed close, arms full with your children, the taste of rich vanilla on your lips.

“I just got caught up in thinking about how lucky I am. To have you, to have Rebecca and Grant. To have had the chance to have them and any other kids the future might bring.” You raise your eyebrow, your heart skipping a beat at the thought. 

“More?” He shrugs, taking another bite of ice cream.

“Why not?” You give him a look, taking the treat from him, finishing it off. “The New Avengers are doing fine right now. Despite how busy Valentina keeps us, it’s mostly press work, not combat. I could cut my hours back and we could just be a family of five… and Alpine of course.” 

You can’t help the large smile on your face as you look at your husband, his pupils large, and despite wearing his cap all day, he had a slight sunburn along his nose. 

“James…”

“I ran to the bathroom because I was afraid I might do something crazy. Throw up, cry, I don’t know. I just love you so much, it’s overwhelming sometimes.” Your hand comes up, thumbing the edge of his jaw, where his long hair curled behind his ear. 

“I love you so so much James Barnes. You have no idea.” Bucky leans in, allowing you to kiss him, the fireworks still booming overhead. It’s a memory you know will stick with you forever, the feeling of love, of happiness washing over you. You pull away, smiling into Bucky’s jacket as he looks up at the sky, the colorful fireworks sparkling in his eyes.

“I’ll think about it,” you whisper into his ear. His eyes dart to you, a grin appearing on his face. You shrug. 

“I think the advertisements were right. This really is the happiest place on earth.” You just roll your eyes playfully. 

But really, wherever your family was, that’s where you were most happy.

[alexanderlightweight]

Some more of in his wake, petals fall would be great cause that's some of the sweetest Malec I've read and it gets better each time I reread it. I hope you enjoy your day!

it's very fun to write, they're very much in love your honor. you see, they don't know any other way to be. last part here

i'm glad that it gets better with rereads, that makes me incandescently happy!!! it's been a very nice evening and that's been honestly just nice. i hope you have a good day whenever you see this and i hope you enjoy!

<3 lumine

in his wake petals fall

It’s a full moon and Alec can think of nothing more that he’d like to do than be able to enjoy it with Magnus.  The night is still young, there might be time if he can get through the next three or four hours without anything too major going on.

There is always a risk when Simon, Jace and Izzy go out together. The three of them together attract only half as much trouble as a single Clary, but it’s trouble all the same.  They’re especially untrustworthy when they go on patrol together. 

Alec has shamelessly both bribed and commissioned Magnus with both sex and Institute treasures to check Simon for curses.

Twice now.

Not because he thought Magnus failed the first time, but he asked Magnus to look for neutral or ‘helpful’ spells the second time.

Despite all evidence to the contrary, Simon remains magic free and it’s just natural.

Thankfully he gets into far less trouble without Clary, but he gets into trouble all the same.  In a way, that part of Clary’s legacy remains.

Unfortunately.

It’s not like Alec’s going to forget her anytime soon.

He really doesn’t need these unhelpful reminders.

He’d finally liked Clary before she lost her memories.  If Alec doesn’t have new good memories to back up the constant resurgence of the old, that might change.  Which feels harsh but Alec can’t help the deep annoyance, irritation and finally, just pure outrage on his own behalf when memories of those first two months resurface.

Now that Alec actually has a well working and well-run Institute, with competent people who listen to, respect and obey his commands, he gets even more furious.

So reminders of Clary, unhelpful.

Not that Alec will mention this to anyone but Magnus — who has similar feelings — because there’s no need to.  If someday Clary returns, Alec will figure out then however he feels then.  There’s no need to stir up emotions that don’t need to be touched and Alec would rather let them grieve in peace. 

But that doesn’t stop him from adding an extra team to patrol an overlapping area, just to ensure he’ll be able to go home at a decent time.

Alec is not letting the Curse of Clary continue.

Alec will not be kept from Magnus by other peoples folly.

Or from showing Magnus the lunar bleeding hearts that were finally blooming in the moonlight.

Magnus will love to immortalize the flowers, still glowing with the light of the moon. They’ll make nice jewelry or hair adornments or even for clothes, if he wants.  Alec doesn’t care what Magnus does with them, as long as Magnus is happy with them.  He could enjoy the sight of them just once, and that would be enough for Alec.

However Alec knows his husband and Magnus will love the flowers, which is why it’s becoming more and more important to ensure Alec makes it home without losing any of the glow from the buds.

Time ticks by and while Alec wouldn’t say he’s any more brusque that he usually is, he does notice when Mirai walks in. A smirk on her face and her brown eyes gleaming with secrets.

“What is it this time?” Alec lowers his voice to a decibel only a shadowhunter with runes or close to him can hear.

“You’re scaring them. They can’t tell if you want something to happen, or if your scowl is because something better not happen.”

“Why would I ever want something to happen?”

“You could be having a fight with Magnus.” Mirai says and the twinkle of secrets makes sense now. Mirai's been listening to the chatter of the hunters and deciphering it for Alec.

“Who is stupid enough to start that kind of gossip?” Alec regrets asking immediately and doesn’t bother trying to soften the grimace on his face. “Never mind. Just please tell me it’s not Simon at least.”  Alec really cannot deal with more idiotic rumors because of him.

“Thankfully not him. It was just chatter during sparing. That you were unusually grumpy today. Hunters throw out ideas to get their mind off things.”

Alec certainly isn’t going to smile without a reason and since Magnus isn’t here, there won’t be one. But he does try blanking out his face, which has Mirai sighing at him.

“Honestly, that sometimes is worse.”

Alec frowns at her, because he’s getting mixed messages and it’s easier.

Mirai laughs, because she’s not spineless and she actually knows how to read Alec enough that he can trust her to have his back. And actually listen to what he says, instead of interpreting it differently or outright ignoring it.

If she changes orders it’s because she’s gained information that Alec doesn’t have, not because she has an idea she’s not sure will even work.

“Something always happens when those three go out together. I don’t trust them to not ruin my night.”

"They're bad but they're doing better. They could just have bad luck, there's no proof they go looking for trouble." Mirai doesn't sound convinced and Alec wonders who she's trying to comfort.

Because he is not comforted.

“You have no idea what it was like.” Alec turns his head slightly and makes sure he’s keeping his voice low enough they can’t be overheard. “Magnus and I couldn’t even have a kiss without interruption. Our dates constantly had to be canceled, I almost got married to a woman because they interrupted every date Magnus tried to get me to go on. A few that I accepted and had to cancel or postpone! I won't blame them fore very stumble in our relationship but they caused most of them.”

Mirai laughs, quiet and low but Alec is serious.

“No, you see. If I had gone on a single date with him, I would never ever have let my parents push a marriage on me. One actual date with him, where we could converse and get to know each other without the pressures of everyone else's crisis being pushed on us. Burdens that were never ours to bear becoming problems we had to solve and unravel while we tried to get closer yet kept getting pulled apart. If I’d had even just a handful of real, meaningful moment with Magnus. Just us, without the world leaning over our shoulder and duty nipping at our heals, there never would have been a wedding for him to crash. And if we'd had a stronger start, been more secure in each other less rushed, we could have been stronger together.”

—

Mirai really hates when Alec says things like this.

It’s like he doesn’t even notice how he’s rewriting the reality of the world.

The reality is that very few people understand the poetry and revelation that is Alec’s love for Magnus.  They see the political choices, the smiles and the laughter, they don’t see the obsession. The adoration.  The devotion that would lead a shadowhunter to consider becoming a vampire and entering a hell dimension on purpose, planning to be there for eternity as an immortal.  Just for another being.

That kind of devotion is the thing of legend and Mirai truly believes that Alec Lightwood will not and cannot love another as he does Magnus Bane.

However that doesn’t mean he needs to turn everything Mirai already knows about him even further on it’s head.

Alec Lightwood is an enigma on paper.

He’s worse in person.

Truly, Mirai isn’t sure exactly how someone as logical and blunt as Alec fell for — and so instantly and irrevocably — Magnus Bane, but she’s not going to shame it.  That’s a sure way to die and Mirai both enjoys life and likes how she is living. Besides, there’s something both inspiring and terrifying about their relationship and also Magnus Bane helps her Commander be the best he can be. She has constant proof of that and so while she hadn’t actually believed it, she’s still relieved that Alec’s mood isn’t from an argument or a sour goodbye.

“I don’t mind taking over early.” She really doesn’t, is the thing.

Alec is inspiring to the entire Institute but he can also be overly intimidating. His reputation is only growing and even some of his original hunters — ones that Mirai knows at one point mocked or disrespected him — look at him with awe now. Alec barely notices, focusing more on results than gossip and thankfully he trusts that to Mirai.  Alec is very good at finding out things in the shadows.  He’s not always the best at putting them together.

So Mirai translates the gossip and reports back and Alec now locks the greenhouse when he’s in there half naked and covered in butterflies.  Nephilim like rare and powerful and enthralling things and Mirai needs every hunter they have.

—

Alec steps through the portal with careful steps and Magnus is there, face already lit by the moon and of course, his love had portaled him to their roof.  The perfect place for the flowers to absorb the moonlight and also a perfect place for Alec to place the vase of blooms down gently so he can take Magnus into his arms.

There are kisses, sweet and simple and blooming on his lips until he laughs and Magnus deepens the kiss.  It’s soothing and comforting and familiar in the way that a steady heartbeat soothes the soul.

Magnus kisses like he never means to stop and never needs to and Alec can’t help but match him, eager to be devoured and consume in turn and insistently getting his fingers under Magnus shirt so he can finally press his palms against warm skin.

“Missed you.” He whispers when Magnus pulls back to kiss his jaw and cheek and the corners of his eyes. “Thought of being here with you the whole night.”

“You’re hours earlier than you should be, Alexander. Not that I’m complaining, but you were only gone four hours.” Magnus laughs and Alec grins at the helpless adoration in Magnus voice. “I missed you as well, darling. As delighted as I am, I truly thought you’d be longer. Is everything alright?"

“Mirai covered for me. Apparently I was a little too obvious in my longing to get home.”

—

Alexander shrugs, innocent as can be and Magnus narrows his eyes.

“And what aren’t you saying.”

Alexander sighs and looks away with a frown.

“Alexander.” Magnus croons, “what aren’t you saying, sweetheart.”

That tone never fails to work and Alexander melts for it, as always.  Along with the way Magnus is cupping his jaw and letting Alexander nuzzling against his palm.

“Mirai informed me that gossip was we had an argument. Apparently I’m very angry looking when I’m worried I may not make it home to my husband in time. I just was worried that whatever caused Clary to constantly be or cause the interruption of our dates maybe infected Simon.”

Magnus laughs, because he can’t help it and also why should he? Alexander is as sweet as always and the thought of Alexander being angry at work because of their relationship is hilarious.  Alexander goes cold when he’s truly upset. He would shut off the pieces and parts of him that were overwhelmed and exist on what is left.

Which considering how much Alexander adores Magnus and how it’s with the entirety of his very being, means that one is left with a very cold, stoic Alexander.  More so than usual and personally, a sight Magnus hates to see and has vowed to never again.

Now that life has settled, they’ve been allowed to grow and flourish and Magnus doubts that they’ll ever have arguments against like they did in those first, fierce, fast months when they had to grab time before it was gone but the world tore at their relationship like it was a personal offense.

“And it’s what, bad for morale?” Magnus kisses Alexander again, because there’s no need to deny himself as many kisses as he’d like, whenever he’d like them.  Alexander loves nothing more than being met with kisses when he comes home and now is no different, with Alexander ignoring the question. His lips are against Magnus, his tongue worshiping and his teeth gentle but nipping sharply whenever Magnus pretends to pull away.

It’s several minutes before Magnus remembers he wants an answer, just as a reference for what will get Alexander home to him more often.

And Alexander scowls at him.

Magnus really cannot imagine how other people look at his adorable, menace of a husband and think he’s dangerous looking.

Yes at times Alexander can exude a somewhat threatening aura but Magnus has always found it enticing and that it added to his allure. Beyond that, how can you look at Alexander’s down turned lips and sad eyes and think anything but darling!

It boggles the mind to a degree that Magnus is certain even Ragnor would agree with him.

AN:

the bribe was the sex. because alec insisted on either paying magnus extra for downgrading (checking a vampire for spells is below his paygrade but ofc he'd do it for alec even for free) and alec was like: no i need to pay extra and then had to convince magnus to let him pay at all and then alec is like, okay at least let me bribe you with sex

magnus... darling we could just have sex?? i'm happy to help you with any kind of problem. no need to bribe.

alec: ... please? so i feel less like i'm taking advantage of my amazingly generous and magical husband who has been taking advantage of way too often

magnus: oh so therapeutic roleplay?

alec: if that means you will agree then yes. we can call it that too

-

magnus laughing to himself in the middle of the night: we're married, we have sex all the time. how is this a bribe? you should have threatened to not have sex with me unless i did it.

alec who is a shadowhunter: it's the only thing i could think of that i knew you'd like and enjoy okay. besides people use sex for transactions all the time. it makes perfect sense. also i would never try that. you'd take it as a challenge and i'd break. we both know any threats i made like that wouldn't last past the moment they were spoken. i've never been able to resist you and marriage has made than less manageable, not more

-

a week later Alec bringing Magnus a really rare flower cutting for the roof.

Magnus: this would have made a good bribe

Alec, appalled: how dare you put monetary value on a priceless treasure that i just want you to have because i love you. who do you think i am?

magnus: but sex is fine? as a bribe

alec who is a shadowhunter: yes?

[lu-community-write-a-thon]

June LU Write-a-Thon Round Up: 335,619 Words in One Day!

Welcome to another roundup! This last June event, held from 12 am to 12 am EST, we had 96 writers join us in our game to write as many productive words as humanly possible. We had just the best time last month — thank you all for coming!

Directly below are the general statistics for this month (so much credit to the lovely Zarvasace) followed by the Winner’s Circle, Clubs, Superlatives, and Bingo sorted in alphabetical order. This month, the statistics and clubs were self-reported through submission sheets — superlatives, as every month, were assigned by other members of the event. Bingo was played on the server itself. Thanks again to Zarvasace for putting together all of our lovely spreadsheets, to the mods for helping us run this event, and to all of you for coming!

Winner’s Circle (Top 5 Most Wordiest)

At 17,235 words, first place and “Writer of all Time” goes to @labyrinthdancer. Amazing job this month!

At 16,702 words, second place goes to @straight-outta-hobbiton. You did great!

At 14,026 words, third place and “Emerged from the Grave” goes to @aeghina, for going for such a high number after months without participating. You did amazing!

At 13,447 words, fourth place and “Horrible Friend (Affectionately)” goes to @tashacee, for taking advantage of the fact that other writers had fallen asleep to beat them this round of the LUWAT. A victory well earned 

At 13,143 words, fifth place and “Proud Village of the Blue Maiden Hater” goes to @glowingmin for professing their hatred quite loudly in chat during the WAT! Amazing job writing so many words!

Clubs

Clubs! In these, participants were allowed to come together and find common ground around a chosen topic or theme. These clubs were completely public, so anyone could join the fun and combine their word counts for some friendly competition. Thank you all for playing, check out your stats below!

The Quiet Ones Club

For people who prefer to keep their eyes on a document instead of chats!

@cheshire-cait-sidhe, @howlingmoonlitwolf, @livywinks, @mallowmart, @mangopuddingroll, @pelicanpig, @poposusz, @silvrash-797, @trix-korok

Shovel hD’s Club

For those that agree that Malon is the best and should use her shovel liberally.

@zarvasace earned “Sheet Technician of All Time” for the June spreadsheet, which was masterfully crafted!

Additionally: @nein-pirate-lords, @bugmorphs-and-butterflies, and satanfish (no tumblr) and Ven (also no tumblr)

Ploo? Club

For people who like Rainworld and the gooby lil scugs

“Jean Lemon” goes to @bittirsweeteer for saying that during June’s WAT during the denim conversation!

Additionally: @little-waterboiler, ravvio (no tumblr), and glowingmin (from the winner’s circle)!

Bees Knees Club

For those that like bees, flowers, honey, and cozy fun.

@bluevaractyl earned “Permanently Exhausted Pidgeon” for working around irl restrictions to get their words in this month

@life-in-winter earned “This Happens Outside of the WAT?” for attending a wedding irl during the WAT, which many didn’t know could happen outside of #chaos-chat-1!

Our “Baker of All Time” was @nancyheart11, for telling us about what she was baking this month!

 @respheal was “Shapeshifting Vio Minish” for partaking in this month’s hidden minish challenge and changing their pfp!

“Typographer” goes to @weavingstarlight for its beautiful Guiding Lights anniversary art.

Additionally: @druidbottles and Rivernight (not on tumblr)

The Cozy Deity Club

For those that just want to get cozy next to the fire with their favourite deity

@musical-chan has been recognized as the “Fierce Deity Lore Master” by numerous submissions. which is entirely true 

“Creator of Fun Charts” and “Commentor of all Time” both goes to @sksninja, who is reportedly “very smart and the most friendshaped.” 

Additionally: @cat-at-a-writing-desk, @imperialkatwala, @lawyernovelist, and Tashacee from the winner’s circle!

The Fourture Chamber Club

For those having a good time making Four have a bad time!

@gurlgallade was, under unanimous consensus, “Four Swords Georg” for knowing more about this boy than perhaps anyone else.

@kilgoreontralfamadore gets “Crack Extraordinaire.” You know why. 

Additionally: @a-sunlighthouse-lamp, @chordatabent, @nopenototdaysatan, @pepperpuppy417

The Creek is Beautiful Club

For those that went down by the creek for some good old fashioned creek time!

@faustus-flouting earned the title of “Serial Killer” for making a Twilight serial killer fic! 

“The Hero of Locking in (1)” goes to @fithesworddweller. 

@i-love-zelda-16 gets the title of “Warriors Enthusiast” for their lovely marriage to Warriors on Tumblr!

@lizzable was nominated as a “Stressed out Parent” for heading this club!

“The Hero of Locking in (2)” goes to @sweeteastart! 

@thejolteonmastertj was forgetful this time around in terms of remembering the Gerudo Legend had met and earned “Forgor two of my blorbo’s main antagonists”!

“Zipping Along” goes to @zips-quips for being a very fast writer during sprints!

Additionally: @awkwardfebruary, @mmelete, @starseekerwrites, and @wellwornworldwalker! 

Ravioli Club

For fans of Ravioli, either the ship or the pasta.

“Actor by Day, Writer by Night” goes to @amayis-bigtower for acting in a play and continuing to write in the WAT right after!

@gia-d was “Yellow” due to unfortunate typos. My condolences.

“Honk Shoo Mimimi” is @not-freyja for falling asleep during a “lock in” VC. 

“First Squared” goes to @whatvioletdoes-blog for being the first person in this event to achieve first. Also “Good Communicator (1).”

The Skykid Crab Council Club

For those that enjoy crabby shenanigans.

@servinny gets “Sue” for a funny typo turned superlative, and also “Destroyer of Worlds!” Wow, what a dichotomy of titles!

@snapplyapples “Forgot the Event was Happening (Again).” We’re so glad you made it anyways!

“Destroying Timelines Together” goes to @maddrumsticks2 for using fic fight prompts to ruin an entire timeline’s day!

@winterfen was taking care of an old dog for friends during the WAT and earned “The Worried Dogsitter” for being cautious! (He’s okay)

“Found Family Black Hole Historian” goes to @somanyfanficssolittletime for somehow documenting the family chaos, and “Expert Crocheter” for their work on a tiny Minish plushie!

@winterbird160 gets “Got someone to download Sky: COTL” for spreading the Sky COTL brainrot!

Additionally: @violetregrets1837

Working in Spirit (Linked Universe) Club

For those that are very normal about Spirit Linked Universe and very good at getting distracted from irl tasks. 

@hyrulescarlet was a “Sneaky Green Minish” for participating in hidden Minish shenanigans!

The title of “Catboy” goes to the lovely @savimatteo2810 who stretched so hard they let out a meow irl and in chats!

Everyone else

Argo (not on tumblr) was deemed “Friendly Stranger” by someone who “Totally had never met this person before in my life (lying), but they were nice.”

@deleetrix was the “Plotbunny Distributer” this month! We thank you for your invaluable service.

@doomed-era gets “Aimed for Funny Numbers” for aiming for and going well over 420 words! Amazing job!

“Mina’s Apprentice” and “Who’s that Pokemon?” goes to @hotcheetohatredwastaken for her creation of the fic fight coordination spreadsheets and her secret name this month (Cheedoe). 

@hytiaa was an “Invisible Red Minish” for also participating in hidden minish shenanigans!

“Yet Another Aurora” was @gayferret420 for joining the leagues of Auroras. We do have quite a few of you running around. 

“Sleep is for the weak” went to @kitchencatposts for their insomnia during the WAT!

“The Ghost of the June Write-a-Thon” was @lunaopus for actually taking a break from chat to study. Also known, as always, as “SavageMcdoinkaboinks.”

@marsnoodlesoup was “Good Communicator (2)” with whatvioletdoes-blog. I am so curious what you two got up to. 

“They Just Can’t Spell My Name Right: The Sequel,” is, unsurprisingly, @needfantasticstories. People get a little too excited to type correctly when saying hi, apparently.

@orcusnoir earns “Hero of Keyboards” for owning a bunch of keyboards and using several of them during the WAT! 

@starwolfie, apparently “Triggers the Hype Reflex” according to many. We love having you!

“Reminder of Hidden Things” was @taddy-cat. This was an anonymous submission, but I’m sure you remember what this means. 

@playingforward is bestowed “Scritchy Scratchy” for handwriting their work! Old fashioned, love it. 

@wonderfish was gifted “Chatty” for being a cool new person and fun to talk to! 

Bingo

In this new game, participants were able to fill out their squares for tasks including sharing a snippet, writing a comment, and “touching grass.” See the full panel, as well as who got bingos, below!

Our first line, two lines and three lines were all achieved by somanyfanficssolittletime! 

Our first full bingo was achieved by kilgoreontralfamadore!

Cheeto’s infamous name was found to be Fawmage by aeghina !

Our hidden minish were found to be hyrulescarlet (Green), @lennsart (Blue), hytiaa (Red) and respheal (Vio) ! The scavenger hunt for all hidden minish was successful!

Additional people who achieved bingo were: a-sunlighthouse-lamp, gurlgallade, howlingmoonlitwolf, hyrulescarlet, lawyernovelist, lennsart, maddrumsticks2, musical-chan, nancyheart11, nopenototdaysatan, pepperpuppy417, Rivernight (not on tumblr), respheal, servinny, silvrash-797, snapplyapples, sweeteastart, thejolteonmartertj, @twilightangel83, whatvioletdoes-blog, winterbird160, winterfen

Ending Notes

Thank you all for coming this month! If you find any typos or mistakes in this post—please feel free to contact me, hotcheetohatredwastaken, with your concerns here on tumblr or on discord!

Huge shoutout to the mod team (not-freyja, hotcheetohatredwastaken, @a-manicured-lawn, tashacee, winterfen, weavingstarlight, gia-d, zarvasace, lunaopus, hytiaa @shadedheart138, whatvioletdoes-blog, druidbottles, @cinis0 and playingforward) for making this event possible! The July event (at midnight GMT+8) was our anniversary, with the theme of “Hyrule Castle” (for real this time)! This (in past tense, since this post is very late) included our anniversary raffle! The July Superlatives will be coming out soon after this post!

[dilly-dahlia]

Heya, I saw your event post and got super excited bc I love it when my fav fic authors do stuff like this! Would you be willing to do Backyard Boy for Laurance? I don't really have anything else specific to request, just go crazy if you so choose :)

Everything is Perfect

pairing: Laurance x Reader

content: during their college years, suggestive, friends with benefits situation, friends to lovers, i did accidentally sprinkle angst in here, sorry, definitely not beta read

summary: Your favorite place in the entire world was your summer beach house, though the fact that a certain brown-haired boy with sparkling eyes may have played a major role in that bias.

word count: 2.9k

a/n: yesss anon this is brilliant the gears were turning I had so much fun writing this

masterlist

300 milestone event | event masterlist

There was nothing you loved more than riding in Laurance's car with the wind against your face. He had a convertible—a nice one—and when the summer season rolled around he very rarely put the cover up. He would turn the radio to a station that played old pop songs and the music would blast through the speakers as he rode through the streets with you.

It was nice. Your favorite car ride was always the first one when the two of you finally reunited after the school year. You attended different campuses, and even though the two of you had every way imaginable to reach out to each other, nothing could beat the time you spent actually in the other's presence.

The beach party your parents threw every year during summer's first week fell second to your favorite thing. And that was really only because Laurance was almost always by your side. That was why you and Laurance often had this first car ride, actually. Ever since he'd gotten his license his own parents sent him on every errand imaginable. You always tagged along.

Cadenza would normally join the two of you, but Laurance's sister had recently found herself enamored. She had opted to spend the first half of summer back in the city with her interest. You weren't entirely upset, seeing as it gave you an excuse to spend time alone with Laurance.

The first couple minutes were always awkward. It was time spent asking dry questions like How are you? How was the school year? Are you excited for summer? Time spent getting used to being together again.

The first car ride to the closest Walmart (which was a whopping hour long drive away) always dissipated the tension, and it never took long for the two of you to fall back into your usual routine. By the time you returned to your families beach houses, neither of you could stop talking to each other.

Of course, talking turned to teasing, and sometimes that teasing would turn to touches that lingered for just a little too long.

"Laurance! The water's cold!"

You really loved the beach side party your parents threw. Your parents made an assortment of pastries and grilled hot dogs and hamburger patties. Laurance's dads made mouth watering brisket and charcuterie boards. You decorated the beach with fairy lights and whatever else you picked up from the store. Every time you did, Laurance would find bothering you to be the most amusing thing in the world.

It was. You were so easy to rile up that you would often drop the decorating altogether just to chase him into the ocean and get him back. Sometimes you would get lucky enough to be able to tackle him to the sand, the waves lapping across both of you and soiling whatever outfit you had chosen to wear.

When the sun painted the sky in hues of orange and violet as it set and the people that wandered into your party mingled around the bonfire, you and Laurance often found yourselves drifting away. It was something you had done since you started high school, and anyone that cared noticed.

They never said anything.

They let the two of you pretend you were stealthy in sneaking away, but they must have been blind to not notice the change in atmosphere when the two of you were seen again the next day.

There was a concealed alcove just a five minute walk away from the beach houses. Everyone knew about it and sometimes you would find another couple that snuck away for a private moment, but tonight it was just you and Laurance.

The sand was finer there. During the day you were sure it would shine golden, too, since that picturesque image was the only thing you could imagine that matched the light and airy feeling you got every time you were there wirh Laurance.

Sometimes, mostly after long conversations about what had been pressing against your hearts since you last saw each other, the two of you would sit in silence. Your feet would be at the ocean’s edge and you would relish in the coolness of the salty water washing against your skin. Laurance would fidget with the bracelet around his wrist (one you'd made him to match your own) and occasionally steal a glance at you.

"Can I kiss you?"

He always asked that. It had started as a joke however many years ago when his friend Garroth had dared him to. He asked at least once every summer after that, always waiting for your cheeky rejection and never expecting a serious answer.

It took him by surprise when, the summer after you'd both graduated high school, you leaned forward and pressed your lips against his. Now he asked any time you found yourselves alone.

In that alcove that only belonged to the two of you, it always started soft. His lips would be gentle against yours, his hands tentative and almost hesitant to touch you. But he would always gain the confidence to pull you closer. He always slid you so close you sat in his lap and then he'd lie back against the velvety sand.

You would thread your fingers through his hair to press his body firmer against yours. His breath would hitch and he would part his lips just enough. The tips of his fingers would brush against your shoulders, ghosting along your spine with a featherlight touch that made you shudder and arch into him until—

Well, you get the idea.

After, the two of you would lazily pull your clothes back on and lie too close in the sand and look up at the stars. The party would be long over by now, but neither of you would be able to bring yourselves away from the moment. It was yours and yours alone. You didn't want it tainted by anything as trivial as the end of a party.

"Just friends?" you would always ask. Your voice would come out as a whisper for fear of shattering the fragile moment. Because back in Phoenix Drop Laurance had a beautiful on-and-off girlfriend he was conveniently never dating when summer rolled around. But sometimes, the faintest light of hope would fall through the cracks. Like you wanted more but couldn't risk destroying what you already had for it.

"Just friends," Laurance would agree. His tone would match yours in softness, hoping to preserve those fleeting seconds in a time capsule. Because back in Phoenix Drop there was a beautiful girl waiting for the text he always sent at the beginning of August like clockwork. But sometimes, the way he said just friends sounded sad. Longing. Like he wanted more but couldn't bear the thought of asking for it.

You always brushed it off and told yourself you were imagining things.

—

You and Laurance were close. Somehow, he was always touching you. Whether it was an arm slung across your shoulders or linking his pinky with yours, Laurance couldn’t stand when you were in the same space as him and his hands weren’t on you in some way.

He was always warm. His fingertips were calloused and he had a bump on his ring finger from where his pencil rested when he wrote, but he was still soft. You still wanted him to constantly touch you and found yourself longing for it when he wasn’t.

You didn’t have feelings for him. That’s what you thought, at least. That was disproven when the two of you went to a nearby flea market and ten separate people asked if you were dating. It was hardly that, it was moreso the fact that you had seen the most gorgeous set of china plates and Laurance promised he’d get them for you when you lived with him.

He was joking about that. He always was. But something about that time made you feel fizzy and bright. For one delusional second, you let yourself believe that he truly intended to live with you.

When you fully realized the extent of your feelings on the ride home, you were appalled with yourself. How could you have developed feelings for someone you considered to be your best friend?

After that revelation had hit you in the face as hard as a rock, you started to notice the little things. Like the way Laurance always went first and made sure you followed close behind when the two of you travelled to new places. Or how he always offered to eat whatever food you hadn’t off your plate when you got full. You never had to ask if he wanted it, he always just took it when you pushed the plate away from yourself.

He also always asked to kiss you. Every time. He never went in without intent or explicit consent. It didn’t matter if the two of you had been making out just a few minutes ago—if he wanted to kiss you again he would always ask.

And, strangely enough, the trips you took into town together started to feel more and more like dates as the days passed. Laurance always paid. He always pointed out things he thought you might like. He held doors open and kept you close to him.

Anyone else would have said you were dating.

Maybe that was why one day you asked him, “What are we?” You were lying in a hammock, gently swinging back and forth every time a gust of wind blew past. Laurance sat on the concrete beside you, book open and looking handsome as ever while he read.

He peered over his shoulder at you, brows furrowed as he took in your question. “What do you mean?”

You shrugged. You knew you should probably look at him, but you didn’t want to. His celestite gaze would pierce through your heart and you weren’t sure you could take that. Not in that moment, anyway. “I mean, we kiss.”

The fact that your only defense was we kiss was pathetic. You didn’t even sound sure of that fact when the words left your mouth. Immediately you regretted even responding and not just brushing the question away like your feelings.

Slowly, Laurance closed his book. You got a peek at the dark cover, but he tucked it against his side before you could read the title. It was probably something for a class he was taking. It was thick and if you knew Laurance, you knew he would never willingly pick something that long up.

“Just friends,” Laurance had replied. He sounded pained to say it, though. Like it physically hurt him to have those words leave his lips.

“And go on dates,” you added, hoping it would make him rethink what he wanted. “Well, they feel like dates at least. And we sneak away every chance we get. It just . . . It doesn’t feel very friendly.”

Laurance blinked at you. For a moment, you wished that you could read minds just so you could know what the brunette was thinking. His pale eyes shimmered like the ocean’s surface in the rays of the sun. They were all you were willing to see, despite your adamance about not wanting to before.

“Um . . .” He faltered. Truthfully, he was trying to come up with something to avoid his feelings. Because he did have an on-and-off girlfriend waiting for him to flick it on again back in Phoenix Drop. For a moment, he considered bringing Michi up. Just to avoid admitting how he felt.

He couldn’t bring himself to. Not when you were looking at him with eyes that looked like they would fill with tears if he gave the wrong answer. He couldn’t lie to you.

“We do,” he agreed, and he gave a brief nod that he hoped would give him a second to collect his thoughts. It didn’t, and the unspoken words remained a scrambled mess that was becoming impossible to organize into sentences.

“So . . .” You trailed off. There was a question in the air, though you weren’t entirely sure what it was. It could still be what are we, but some part of you also meant to ask if he still wanted to be with Michi. If he even wanted you at all or if he just considered you a fling to have every summer. Someone to let loose with.

Laurance cleared his throat. His full attention was on you and you suddenly wished that he wasn’t always so attentive when speaking to others. That sometimes he might glance away nervously, but no. The eye contact he held with you was steadfast and unyielding.

“What do you want us to be?”

Your breath caught and the beating of your heart sped up. It was pounding so hard you could hear the blood rushing in your ears. You should have expected him to ask that, but it surprised you.

“Uhm . . .” You were the flustered one now. Your mouth felt dry and your previously racing mind was now void of any thoughts. “I-I want to be more than friends.”

It was a soft, quiet admission. Your voice was a whisper and Laurance would have had a hard time understanding if his eyes hadn’t flicked down to your lips so he could read them. His mouth fell slightly agape, and when his gaze met yours once more his pupils were dilated.

“Okay,” he said, and that was that. He gave a curt, almost awkward nod before repeating the word. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

He nodded again, though this time he seemed more sure of himself.

“Okay what?” you asked. Sure, it was an answer, but you weren’t sure if it was an okay, let’s date or an okay, it’s cool that you wanna be more than friends but I don’t I hope that’s okay.

Maybe you were overthinking this.

“Let’s try it.”

You couldn’t help it when your lips curled up into the sweetest smile Laurance had ever seen. The amused breath you let out sounded like bells, and as Laurance continued he wanted nothing more than to hear it again.

“We’ll go on a date. A real one, where we both know what it is.” He flashed you a boyish grin of his own. “And we’ll start dating.”

“Just for the summer?” Your voice sounded hopeful and you were scared it would come across as you truly wanting it just for the summer. Just a passing fling that would dissipate when the school year started and be completely forgotten about by the time you saw him again.

Laurance’s grin faltered, and he cleared his throat to gather himself. "Sure. If that's what you want."

It wasn't what you wanted, but Laurance seemed so quick to agree that you didn't want to tell him that and then freak him out. So you only offered a soft nod.

Laurance gently took your hand in his and brought it up to his lips.`He met your gaze with a starstruck smile before standing and pulling you out of your hammock.

"Where are we going?" You let him pull you to your feet without much complaint or resistance.

"Our date," he said. He flashed you another charming smile, and you couldn't help but return it.

—

Laurance ended up taking you to a local cafe that served sweet pastries and smelled like wildflowers. He picked a booth by the window and didn't let a single second of awkward silence come between you two the entire time you sat there.

You never officially got together, but anyone could see the change in air when the two of you were around. It had always been secret feelings and skirting around the bush, but now you were more obvious. You laughed without care and made lingering touches more obvious. When Cadenza finally joined your families for the summer, it was the first thing she commented on.

"You and Laurance seem really close," she'd said. You'd taken her to one of the popular smoothie shops in town. "More than usual."

You didn't say anything, but you couldn't help the grin that spread across your face and that was all the answer Cadenza needed. She squealed and playfully hit your shoulder. "Finally! Irene, the two of you have been in love with each other for years."

Your face warmed. You averted your gaze to hopefully avoid any further questions or comments, but Cadenza kept going. "Goodness, every year before he gets back with Michi he goes on and on about how much you mean to him. I was getting tired of it."

"He does?" Your eyes widened. You knew you talked to your own friends about Laurance, but you had imagined that every time he got back with Michi you were almost completely out of his mind. You never would have thought that he'd talk about you.

But it got your hopes up. If he talked about you while you weren't there (and in a good light, no less), then maybe that meant he wouldn't just want a summer fling. Maybe by the time this warm season ended, the true extent of your feelings for each other would come out.

Until then, though, you would savor the few months you had where you'd be considered his significant other. The two of you would be a couple until August, and then you'd talk about it.

But the feeling of wanting to run and dance for joy was in your heart, and if this thing only ended up being a summer fling, then you would be okay with that.

I feel like this went a very different direction than I intended, but I mean.... it's still good I think? it's shorter than usual and I feel like it isn't my normal kind of writing. but also I suck at writing summaries because wth is this one I just wrote 😭

idk anyways. hopefully you guys enjoyed this event fic cause I had fun writing it <3

TAGGING: @mellozhi @garrothswiferealnotfake @frostnova321 @kixbit38 @fartmonster98 @myluvbucky @jess1ka18 @isaiku @iim5foryou4ever

[wisteria-lodge]

Gonna add a disclaimer so people are aware of my biases before talking about my main point with this Ask, I have mixed-feelings on Hinny — in that I don’t love them canonically and would’ve preferred Harry end up with Luna  if he had to get with a girl, but that I do love the concept of what Hinny could’ve been (i.e. them bonding over experiencing loneliness/afraid of being possessed/Tom Riddle/growing braver together) instead of what canon gave us (Harry suddenly realizing Ginny’s hot & brave + chest monster = Romance). With that said, I know many people wished that JKR wrote/developed Hinny more in the books - but ironically, I think it was for the best that she wrote very little about their actual relationship. Maybe this is a stretch but given how all her other romantic HP relationships are handled (and even in her other books outside of HP) - I feel like if JKR did put a lot of effort into writing Hinny’s romance she would’ve severely butchered it. And what I mean by that is that she would’ve tried extremely hard to sell Hinny as this “Perfect Match” to the point it would’ve negatively affected both Harry and Ginny’s character in the long run.

Y’know the quotes that often make people pause and go “-Huh?? 🤨” with Hinny?:

“—I knew you wouldn’t be happy unless you were hunting Voldemort. Maybe that’s why I like you so much.” (From HBP)

&

“She was not tearful; that was one of the many wonderful things about Ginny, she was rarely weepy.”  (From DH)

I get the feeling we would've gotten way more dialogue like this if JKR’s put a bigger spotlight on Hinny to paint this picture of an epic, heroic romance - to which I say, thank god she didn’t. And this is just two obvious instances of canon!Hinny being written strangely, with there being other moments people have pointed out in more well-written metas.  

My main point being: the more JKR writes about Hinny, the less and less appealing it ironically becomes (from my perspective anyways).

Besides Harry being able to legally become apart of the Weasley family through marrying Ginny (which has more to do with Harry’s desire to have a normal life/be apart of a family than having to do with Ginny herself as a person), the many empty blanks JKR left readers about their relationship ironically “helps” the pairing as it leaves it up to the readers to do the heavy lifting of justifying their relationship post-canon via headcanons that fit their personal likes…. which is just a whole other can-of-worms that begs the question; can a canon pairing be considered good if fans are the ones making it interesting  and not the author? This would fine if Hinny wasn’t canon (since the fun in shipping is all about putting characters together and imagining what could make them work), but considering that Hinny is canon it leaves a lot to be desired writing-wise in the romance aspect. Again, many of the reasons I tend to like Hinny are because of concepts/ideas fans come up with — not because of what JKR wrote. 

All this to say JKR not writing more for Hinny benefited the pairing more than her actually writing for it did, which could be said for a lot of romantic relationships in HP and says a lot about JKR’s writing skills in romance. Wouldn’t be surprised if she gets help from a Romance Author to write Hinny and adds new scenes between Harry and Ginny in the HBO show to 1)fix the writing issues Hinny had in the books, and 2) ensure people know that they’re the superior pairing (which is subjective at the end of the day with any fictional pairing and varies between people’s personal tastes). 

In the grand scheme of things, I think a majority of people are fine/feel whatever 🤷 about Hinny since it gives Harry his ~Happily Ever After~. It’s not revolutionary and the tropes it follows has been done before in literature, so it was a safe bet albeit one people debate whether it was well-executed. Still though, I find it funny (or sad?) that the reason I’m okay with Hinny for the most part is because of how much JKR didn’t do for the relationship in canon which left me to imagine whatever.

I think this is the case with a lot of HP worldbuilding and characterization, not just Hinny. The books generally do a pretty great job of giving you juuuust enough breadcrumbs that you can string them together into something interesting. And then, when JKR tries to fill in the "gaps" in the worldbuilding with Pottermore content, interviews, the Fantastic Beasts Movies, the Cursed Child... the fan response is overwhelmingly 'what?' and 'noooo.' Even the most canon-compliant fic and meta writers out there are now in a position where they have to pick what parts of "canon" they consider "canon" because it really is that contradictory.

I've written about JKR's apparent issues with/aversion to writing romance, and I think Hinny is probably hit the absolute hardest. It is *staggering* how little Hinny content actually exists on the page. It's a lot of “Harry could not help himself talking to Ginny, laughing with her, walking back from practice with her” and “[Harry] was supposedly finishing his Herbology homework but in reality reliving a particularly happy hour he had spent down by the lake with Ginny at lunchtime.” Mostly, their compatibility as a couple is expressed through their compatibility in battle scenarios - they do a lot of non-verbal communication, and generally seem to be in the right spot/have the info the other needs/fight well at each other's backs. The only scenes of Harry and Ginny interacting as a couple outside of that context are:

“You’d think people had better things [than our relationship] to gossip about,” said Ginny, as she sat on the common room floor, leaning against Harry’s legs and reading the Daily Prophet. “Three dementor attacks in a week, and all Romilda Vane does is ask me if it’s true you’ve got a hippogriff tattooed across your chest.” Ron and Hermione both roared with laughter. Harry ignored them. “What did you tell her?” “I told her it’s a Hungarian Horntail,” said Ginny, turning a page of the newspaper idly. “Much more macho.” “Thanks,” said Harry, grinning. “And what did you tell her Ron’s got?” “A Pygmy Puff, but I didn’t say where.”

“I suppose I’m just going to have to accept that he really is going to marry [Fleur],” sighed Ginny later that evening, as she, Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat beside the open window of the Gryffindor common room, looking out over the twilit grounds. “She’s not that bad,” said Harry. “Ugly, though,” he added hastily, as Ginny raised her eyebrows, and she let out a reluctant giggle. “Well, I suppose if Mum can stand it, I can.”

Ginny looked up into Harry’s face, took a deep breath, and said, “Happy seventeenth.” “Yeah . . . thanks.” She was looking at him steadily; he, however, found it difficult to look back at her; it was like gazing into a brilliant light. “Nice view,” he said feebly, pointing toward the window. She ignored this. He could not blame her. “I couldn’t think what to get you,” she said. “You didn’t have to get me anything.” She disregarded this too. “I didn’t know what would be useful. Nothing too big, because you wouldn’t be able to take it with you.” He chanced a glance at her. She was not tearful; that was one of the many wonderful things about Ginny, she was rarely weepy. He had sometimes thought that having six brothers must have toughened her up. She took a step closer to him. “So then I thought, I’d like you to have something to remember me by, you know, if you meet some veela when you’re off doing whatever you’re doing.” “I think dating opportunities are going to be pretty thin on the ground, to be honest.” “There’s the silver lining I’ve been looking for,” she whispered, and then she was kissing him as she had never kissed him before, and Harry was kissing her back, and it was blissful oblivion, better than firewhisky

And like - that's not much. And it's certainly not the extremely compelling fanon Hinny where they're bonding over issues of personal autonomy, and their uniquely complicated relationship with Voldemort.

And, of course I have to end with my own favorite 'huh?' Hinny quote.

“Well, that was a bit stupid of you [to not talk to anyone],” said Ginny angrily, “seeing as you don’t know anyone but me who’s been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels.” Harry remained quite still as the impact of these words hit him. Then he turned on the spot to face her. “I forgot,” he said.

/facepalm/

[candy8448]

My top 10 favorite lu fics!

Ayo since im starting to drift out of the loz/lu fandom, i figured i can make a final list of my top 10 favourite loz fics. These are gonna be ones that i still go crazy for despite finding it hard to read any loz fics since my brain doesnt let me when its not my current hyperfixation. I have read all these fics multiple times and keep revisiting them because of how much i loved them

Here is a collection of all my absolute favourite fics. These are all phenomenal and i love them all, these are just the ones that i have suuch a deep connection with and stand out the most to me:

10. The wondrous sword of legend

Hyrule's sword is legend who, when they join the chain, learns to connect with them as they figure out who he is and how to get his body back. This was such a fun fic. The writing is exelent and i love the way that legend communicates and gets along with the chain. Such an interesting concept and it is just a fun fic to read, had a good time with it. (Longfic, complete)

9. Eventide island

Legend cant help but relate eventide to kohilint, the chain helps him come to terms with his grief by playing the song so personal to him. This fic makes me cry, the writing hits deep in my heart it hurts i acrually shed tears while reading it. The build up to the climax where they play the song, the actual playing the song i can almost hear it and maaaaan its just so good (oneshot)

8. While you still can

Time gets caught in a timeloop, trying to save the chain who got ambushed. I stayed up until the next morning binge reading this fic because it had me at the edge of my seat. While i dont remember the specific details of the plotline, if it can keep me his gripped all night then its so good. Filled with emotion and tension and very well written, striking deeply in my heart. I also just love a good timeloop fic, in that sense @occasionallyprosie 's 'a song on repeat' also ties being such an amazing timeloop fic filled with such good angst and recovery. (Longfic, complete)

7. Violet incidents (series)

Shenanagains as legend needs to keep rescuing various members of the chain by acting as one big happy family to the public, much to his and warrior's dismay. Absolutely hilarious. Whenever i read any of the fics in this series i actually full body stim so hard and laugh out loud, its so good, poor legend =_=, the one saving wars in the bar is probably my favourite im dying (series of oneshots, updating)

5. Souls searching

A sort of character study filled with hurt and comfort. Legend battles with the question wars asked him, what he would do if he wasn't a hero? He goes on through their travelling and figures out what is means to not be a hero with wars to guide him there. This makes my heart ache and the writing is phenomenal, the ways that legend tackles this question in quite scenarios is amazing for his development. (Oneshot)

5. Fitted ever for tender love

Tied 5th, legend's journey to figuring out that she's a girl, with denial and the people closest to him helping him accept who she really is. Such a fun character study, i really find the way that her relationship with marin is explored, i dont think ive ever seen one that is not romantic which while they are definetly a couuple in cannon, its certainly interesting. The scene where legend figures it all out is so vivid in its imagery i honestly feel like im flying, it feels so good. (Oneshot)

3. Act natural

Oh maaaaan this fic, i cannot get enogh of it. The chain shows up to legend's house, legend and ravio desperatly trying (and miserably failing) to hide rhe fact that they are engaged. A whole lot of shenanagains proceed. This fic has me cackling out loud and kicking my feet, its hilarious and i love everything that goes down in it. Despite rereading it many many times it never gets old and it lifts my mood right up. Good ol ravioli crack. (Oneshot)

3. Scales, wings, and mythical things

Tied third, the chain wakes up all in various magical transformations and abilities from their games. They try to rescue those that got kidnapped by magical creature collectors. Its unfinisjed but the first act which i find so so fun and completes on its own is complete and you don't need to continue afterwards. This is just a good fun fic, an action packed adventure with stakes and energy. I loved the way the magical abilities and features are written and magnified to be so so fantastical and fun. So full of whimsy and such a good fic (longfic, unfinished)

2. White walls

OH MY. The chain get captured by climital, a company who takes those with a specific detail in their blood allowing for mutations and experiments far beyond what a normal human can survive. Watch the chain as they grapple with their augmentations and being lab rats in experiments as they try to escape. SUUCH A GOOD FIC!! 'The promised neverland' is my favourite anime and this has major similar vibes, its such good fun in all its angst, comfort, fluff, whump, crack and action. I love the way every character os explored and given abilities that fit their characters. The worldbuilding of the facility they are in is so amazing and the escape feels so earned and powerful. It is mostly a series of oneshots within this setting with the final escape arc being a few chapter long. Every time i got a reply from the author on my comments i knew that meant that the fic had updated that day or the day before and would drop everything to read this fic. It appeals so so much to me and is amazing, i love the depiction of the chain within this very unique and dangerous setting (especially legend, lol). (Longfic, complete)

1. What hyrule hadn't seen

Hyrule and legend get ambushed which results in legend getting blinded. The two grapple with themes of grief and acceptance as legend learns how to adapt to his blindness and hyrule learns that sometimes, support can be the best thing he can do for his brother. This is one of the very first lu fics i have read and since i read it i have had it in first place because of the impact it made on me. I didnt read the tags going in but that honestly made it hit harder. The writing is so immersive, i actually felt blind by the way it was described. It punched you right in the heart and makes you cry, and seeing legend bond and get along with each member of the chain as they learn how to help him and try to communicate with a distant, grief-ridden hyrule fills me so so much with emotion. This fic has a lot of whump, angst, fluff, comfort and also action and writes each chain member with so much dimention. I have probably rambled about this fic before but it really has just had such a lasting impact on me, i have re read it a couple of times and i still think about the messages now. An amazing fic about grief and the journey towards acceptance. (Longfic, complete)

[brekwrites]

So, like. Eclipse x Roxanne (I say, for the 5 millionth time)

After Eclipse admitting that he feels some way for Roxanne, but isn’t sure what exactly it is, I can see things progressing one of two ways:

Eclipse DOES have romantic feelings for Roxy, and their relationship proceeds from there

Eclipse realizes his feelings aren’t romantic. Roxy is special to him in a different way, they end up in a qpr or a nontraditional relationship.

I’m chill with both options. My thing about Eclipse and Roxy is that I just enjoy them, in whatever way. I’ve written a few different interpretations of their relationship to explore the dynamics in different ways. With all the different opinions I’ve been seeing on their relationship, I just wanted to throw mine into the mix and highlight why I like each dynamic.

As Friends

I’ll start by saying that this is canon. They are friends. It’s just whether or not their relationship will change that’s up in the air.

I like Roxy and Eclipse as friends for all the reasons we’ve seen in canon. She’s offered him support in his vulnerable moments, she pushes him out of his comfort zone sometimes, she gets on him when he’s being an asshole, and their dynamic raising the kids together is really interesting. Her explicitly explaining to Charlie that she doesn’t need to be romantically involved with Eclipse or be the kid’s mom to have a relationship with them was great. If they stayed friends, I would gladly look forward to more of this dynamic.

From a writing standpoint, I can see why their relationship might become something else, though. Eclipse has already experienced growth through his friendship with Terra, who is still his bestie and comes to visit him. He also grew with Ballora, even though they’re not as close now after everything with Puppet and the mimic. Puppet was also a close, fem-presenting friend, though their relationship was a bit more up and down than the other two.

So I could see why, from a writing standpoint, it would be interesting to explore a different kind of relationship for Eclipse. He’s had a couple close female friends already.

I’ve also seen some people saying that they like their friendship and don’t want to see it changed. I agree with this. If their relationship develops further, I want them to keep the dynamics of their friendship, to stay best friends first, with other dynamics added on. This would also be a different start from other canon relationships like Monty and Terra, where Monty was attracted to Earth and pursuing her romantically from the start.

Something Else

There’s a few ways this could go. They could be in a QPR, where maybe they feel platonically for each other but still like the idea of being committed to one another, being partners, living together and raising the kids together. And they admit that they are special to one another in a way their other friends are not.

This would be cool because I feel like we have “either friends or lovers with no in between” a lot in the shows. It’d be cool to see a different, nontraditional dynamic explored through these two.

Alternatively, I could see their relationship being kind of a nebulous thing that they don’t really put much thought into. Maybe they do some things romantic couples traditionally do, but not others. Maybe they feel things for each other, but can’t figure out what. Maybe it depends on the mood. I like the thought of them being just as confused by their relationship as everyone looking in from the outside, but not concerned with labeling it. They just sort of carry on in whatever way feels right and don’t bother defining it.

Romantic

I LOVE this interpretation in fanon, and have a lot of fun writing and drawing it myself. As a multishipper, I really like imagining how different characters would fit together, and like the dynamics of these two a lot. Here’s some stuff I like.

Those are Eclipse’s kids first and foremost, but now Roxy also has a sort of parental relationship with them, and it gives the vibe of a blended family. I DO like single dad Eclipse, but if you want to look at things from a writing standpoint, Sun is also currently a single father. Moon is playing the uncle role and also stepping up with Molten. Charlie is (was) biologically related to Henry. Solar and Nebula are together, but Nebula isn’t heavily involved in parenting Jack. I think Eclipse and Roxy being a blended family with their kids would be a fun new canon dynamic.

Additionally, as mentioned above, I like them being friends first and having that solid foundation, then keeping that friendship as their relationship develops. I know 5ish months of knowing each other isn’t a super long time irl, but the shows upload an episode every day. If you look at how many episodes their relationship has spanned and think about how a relationship might develop episode by episode or chapter by chapter in other forms of media, I think the development makes a bit more sense. I think, compared to some other canon relationships, they actually have been friends for a pretty long time.

Finally, with Eclipse having mentioned that he isn’t opposed to the idea of a relationship, he’s just never had time to think about it, I think him actually having the chance to figure this out is a good way to show him growing and changing. He’s finally able to think about whether he likes someone or not. Roxy is enough of a constant in his life that he can consider it, he’s not running for his life or fighting to save anyone, he’s not actively under threat, and he’s forged a close enough relationship with her that it’s something he can think of at all. She also has been actively encouraging him to take breaks and think about himself, and showing she cares about him. Those are all huge for him. Even though him thinking about being in a relationship is new, it’s something I’d like to see explored more if done right, and I think Roxy makes the most sense canonically to do that with.

Honestly, my biggest gripe with Eclipse and Roxy atm is just… Roxy. And that’s not even to say I don’t like her. I enjoy her personality. I like that she’s sassy and outgoing and keeps things cool, but is also down for some mischief every once in a while. I like that she cares about everyone, I like that her manner of speaking is different from Flora’s other EAPS characters, I like her style and her being a bit edgy and alternative. The biggest area for improvement with her, in my opinion, is just DEPTH.

Most considerations for their relationship revolve around Eclipse. I know he’s more of a fan favorite and he’s been around longer, so that makes sense. But also, up until recently, we didn’t know much about Roxy. We knew she was abandoned and reactivated without her eyes, and that was it. And part of that was definitely the situation with Matt leaving and the show needing a new character. But I still didn’t really like Roxy existing mostly for Eclipse’s development and getting none of her own.

Now, though, after the recent episode where she told him about Chica, it seems more like she was purposely withholding some things. I think of the time they went out to eat with Charlie for valentines day and she didn’t mention Chica at all when asked what she used to do. And I think of her saying she’s really happy to be around people that care after being abandoned, and how quickly she attached herself to Eclipse, who rescued and repaired her, and how she tends to be right beside him, always. I think about how even in the beginning, she would ask “What do WE do?” She was down to help in whatever way she could, she included herself in problem solving without question. Honestly, I think about how with Ruin’s Monty, she was like “We gotta kill this guy.” She’s the only female character aside from like Clipsy that I could see taking that stance. That’s interesting to me.

I wanna see more depth from her. I want to learn more about her past, and what she’s afraid of (I HC the dark!), and how she’s been hurt, and see her be vulnerable. And the cool thing is that, just like she brings out that side of Eclipse, he’s starting to bring out that side of her. So, if that trend continues, and if Roxy gets her own character arcs, and they both get to be their own people while also being with each other, and they keep the strong base friendship as their relationship develops? Yeah, I’d be down to see them together romantically.

All in all, it’s just gonna depend on how everything is handled. To sum all that up, I’ll be happy with whatever, because each option is interesting for its own reasons. However things turn out, I’m excited!

[markos-husband]

@sloppychoppedtop

This was actually really fun to write!! Don't kill me but I'm splitting this into two parts so hers part one!

🌡🔥Heatstroke🌡🔥

Being in a war against your own AC isn't fun. Not even a little bit. How does someone get into a war with his AC? You might be wondering, well, by calling him creepy.

Hector was a man of his word, any promise he made to *his* sweet, handsome, amazing, darling human, he kept. Hector's only goal was to make him as happy and comfortable as possible. When he walked into the house and felt that blast of cold air hit him after a long day at work, it made Hector smile, knowing it was he who made the human so comfortable. Sometimes, Hector turned the heat up a bit too much to get a glimpse of skin when he took off his shirt due to the heat but never too hot, well, until now.

Currently, everyone in the house was caught in the middle of Hector and the human's battle. The heat in the house was unbearable, it was probably cooler outside in the summer sun. Every object was sick of both of their stubbornness. It was fine to hate someone, plenty of objects disliked each other and some even the human, but to make everyone else's life miserable and hot wasn't fair. Especially over an argument. Which leads us to how this began, Hector and the human.

The human was talking to Hector and called him creepy. Was it mean? Yes but did he fully mean it? No! Maybe he had been hanging out with Reggie too much. Hector was shocked and taken aback. His lover, his angel, his everything called him creepy? Sure, maybe he was a bit obsessive but he wouldn't say creepy! He stared at the human through the grates, anger rising in him.

"Creepy? You think I'm creepy?"

Hector's voice hardened as he gripped the bar of the grates that he was hidden by. He couldn't hold back, his perfectly articulated words that usually worship the human in front of him now twisted cruelly.

"Here is the truth of you. It is a truth I would have dreaded, if I'd ever even let myself consider that it might be what was underneath that exterior I have warmed and cooled and cared for. God, if I had ever truly believed you could be capable of this... I would have frozen you out. It would have been an arctic blast to rival the coldest winter's chill. The ice would have rimmed the windows to match the coldness of your heart!"

Hector said, growing more intense. He sounded angry, which he wanted, but just beneath the surface, he was hurting. All he wanted was to worship the ground the human walked on and this is what he got in response?

"Oooo I'm so scared"

The human said, crossing his arms. He stared back at Hector with just as much animosity but, similar to Hector, he also didn't mean what he said. He had picked the wrong words but couldn't go back now, he hoped maybe it would resolve itself but it didn't, especially as Hector got angrier.

"No you aren't, not really, not yet."

Hector spoke after a beat, his voice was quieter but much, much scarier.

"If you understood the power I wield over you, the innumerable ways I have protected you, sheltered you... Coddled you! Then the fear would be seeping out of you like coolant. Thick. Fridged. Overwhelming. But I have time. Time is all I have, and one day, you will see."

With that Hector left, and the human was stunned by his words. *The fuck did that mean?* Now, everyone knew what that meant, melt out the entire house to get back at him. He wasn't going down with out a fight though, from blocking low vents with Harper and Cam to boarding up higher vents, anything to keep Hector from being able to be a part of the house without leaving the attic. This made Hector angrier, which made the temp rise even more.

The human spent a lot of time in the gym now with Fantina, desperate for some cool air, which Fantina happily supplied. She was extremely uncomfortable from the heat like everyone else in the house but was so happy he were spending time with her. Hector's jealous grew as he heard Fantina and the human together but he refused to turn down the temperature.

"You know how glad I am that I'm cooling you down, I mean, I just can't get over how much time we're getting to spend together!"

Fantina exclaimed but it was clear she had more to say. She bit her lip as she nervously chuckled. She was the one the other object in the house decided should convince the human to fix things with Hector but she really didn't want him to be mad at her.

"But, uhhh, wouldn't it be nicer if, um... if... well, uh... ifyoustoppedactinglikealittlekidandfixthingswithHectorbeforeeveryoneinthehousemelts!"

Fantina finally said, her words so quick they melted together. Her cheek were red and sweat rolled down her face.

"I'm a fan! I shouldn't be sweating! Please, don't be mad at me but I can't take the heat anymore!"

Despite Fantina's please, he stayed strong on his standing. He crossed his arms before standing up.

"No. Hector's in the wrong, I should have to fix this."

He declared before leaving Fantina in the gym, practically melting into a puddle. He headed downstairs to the kitchen, hoping to get some relief from Freddy. He froze in his tracks as he saw the state of Freddy. Freddy looked like he was going to collapse from the heat, yeti's did not do well in this type of heat.

"Cool kid, you need to fix this right now."

Freddy grumbled as he grabbed a melting popsicle and popped it into his mouth. He grabbed another and tossed it at the human in front of him.

"Fix. It. Now."

Freddy growled as he leaned against the wall, grabbing a frozen bag of peas and placing it on his forehead. Okay, well now he did have to fix it. Fantina's pleading wasn't enough but Freddy's threatening was.

[pomegranate-fawn]

Weekly update: Creativity and unease

Hellllooooo. I feel bad still, I mean I am still doing my best and chugging through each day one at a time but that doesn’t mean I feel great. I’ve worked on myself enough that even at my worst, I can still force myself to eat once a day and brush teeth once a day, all that stuff. Sometime I didn’t do much of this week was write…except I did…I wrote over 17k this week alone and yet…it doesn’t feel like I did anything.

I really love writing and I love Dear Nightingale so much but I always feel bad about my output for some reason. Like obviously I can’t write a book with over 100k words in one afternoon but I think that I can and I find disappointment when I can’t. I’m trying to be more positive and focus more on my craft but it’s embarrassing to feel like an amateur writer after all these years.

Realistically, it’s good that I’m not cocky. As that could easily lead to me becoming stagnant. But I feel that my level of self esteem in regards to my work also isn’t healthy. I need to find balance, a medium. I don’t know if I want to professionally publish Dear Nightingale for a plethora of reasons, but I don’t know if I want it to remain something published online. I’m very conflicted about the plan for my work as well but for the time being, I’ll leave you with chapter one and two…

Now let’s go onto what I did this week aside from writing. Well I’m possibly having issues with my ears again, I scheduled an appointment for Tuesday and the good news is the horrible ear ache I had was gone by the end of the day it started but I still want to get them looked at just to be safe. I also deleted tiktok again cause the amount of hateful people I would see on that app was so devastating, not to say that other platforms are paradise but they’re better at least in my experience.

On the day of my horrible ear ache I took a fat nap which is not something I do unless I’m really not feeling good. I don’t get tired often during the day and whenever I do I usually just brew some tea or it’s a sign I need to eat something! But the ear ache gave me a sickening headache and I needed to rest, but my mom was on the phone with her friend and was talking loud as she always does. I long for the day I can live alone (and with my darling girlfriend!) but until those days come I need to create my own peace. So I turned on some of my lamps and put on one of those Zelda relax/sleep videos and thankfully with the ambient sounds from the video and the songs it had I was able to rest. I legit took this photo before passing out lol.

Another thing I’ve been trying to do more is customize my belongings. I already do fun phone aesthetics so why not take things a step further? Plus it gives me an excuse to be off of my phone for at least a few minutes! I burn a lot of CDs and while some are just albums I wanna listen to others are playlists! I decided to decorate both my frutiger aero playlist and my shoujo playlist! Both just have a lot of good ambient songs and I really love how they turned out! I plan to decorate the rest of my CDs as well in the coming weeks! :D

I also decided to decorate my airpod case. I think personalization is important but I also think it’s good to truly personalize something. There is nothing I hate more than someone who buys things because they’re trendy. It’s why I can’t get behind those labubu’s, so many people don’t actually like them, they just want them for a status symbol. If you actually like them, more power to you. But often times when it comes to quick trends like them, they’re only enjoyed by normies who aren’t collecting for the long run. And that makes me sad.

I’m trying to be more adventurous with food. I don’t think I’ve mentioned it here but on top of having bd I also have autism, I’ve been diagnosed with it since I was a kid and I have gone to a lot of therapy to help me learn coping mechanisms but the bottom line is I still have it. Now believe it or not, poke is one of my favorite foods and something I consider a safe food. Like I could eat it for days on end and not be overwhelmed by it, but my order is very plain. Cucumber, carrots, corn, masago, and salmon on top of rice. Well recently…I got edamame, which is something I typically don’t like. But it was actually really good here. Though I think I’ll ask for one scoop next time cause it was a bit much, I think I’ll also ask for a few green onions next time as well since I like them a bit.

But of course, when it comes to stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s best to also have something you’re familiar with. So I convinced (basically begged and meowed at her till she said yes) my gf to get boba with me today and I got my usual, a ube yam blended smoothie. It’s so good! And spending the day with my lovely wife also helped a lot with getting over my fear of trying something new! I love my gf dearly and I feel sick that I can’t see her yet today. She is truly my everything and I need to live with her soon or else my soul may vanish! I am being overdramatic but…I rlly do love her with my whole heart…

Music time…I actually didn’t listen to a lot of music this week nor did I watch a lot of music videos…well rather…I’ve been listening to a lot of musicals this week instead and I’ve kinda become obsessed with cats I need to see it live again my mom made us leave early cause she doesn’t like it. If she tried something like that now I would’ve just stayed and called a friend to see if they’d let me crash at their place but I was 16 when it happened so I’ll always hold the first act of the play close. But god memory is such a beautiful song and the way Elaine Page sings it is insane!!!

I watched more Wolf’s Rain with my gf today, we plan to finish it the next time we hang out! I love Wolf’s Rain but I watched it at 14 in a daze of drunkness. But for years, I would occasionally dream of a caracal and wolf chasing each other in a big green field. I couldn’t remember the show and sometimes I even assumed it was something I had made up. I even remembered a song that had a gentle melody but I couldn’t remember the words. Then in 2020, at the late of night on tiktok, I saw an edit. With a wolf and caracal chasing each other, I was hit with a flood of memories and joy. I didn’t properly rewatch wolf’s rain, I just watched episode 19 and 20 and that was enough to satisfy me. I’m fairly certain that the song I’m about to share plays for the first time when Kiba and Mew are running together, I nearly cried rewatching it honestly, it was so beautiful…I felt so lucky to rewatch these episodes with my girlfriend by my side…

I really didn’t watch YouTube this week, idk I just find myself watching more shows or reading or writing more. And unless something looks good or is by a creator I already know and like, it’s rare that I click on a video. But I did watch Kurtis Connor’s Time Machine video and…I liked it and I don’t mean to diminish anyone’s feelings towards it. But man, YouTubers can just say one slightly emotional line and people act as if they’re a philosopher. I understand people feeling a strong emotion to Drew Gooden’s over 2 minute speech about human art being better than generative ai, but Kurtis saying “maybe there’s a timeline where none of us were hurt” and that being his only heavy hitting moment just didn’t effect me…Not that I don’t think it’s a sweet sentiment. But his video was pretty light hearted and I felt like people were hyping it up cause it was by Kurtis and nothing more. But I still liked the video so maybe I’m just being negative.

[fru1t4fr0gs]

You and Me - Chapter 14

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Avenger!Reader

Summary: You, Bucky and Sam visit Zemo in prison. Arguments, bickering, and prison breaks ensue.

Warnings: 18+ Minors DNI: Swearing, Implied Sex, Zemo being a dick, Protective!Reader, Protective!Bucky, Mentions of reader's vaguely criminal past (Bucky's kind of super into it), Achievement Unlocked: Mile High Club, Please let me know if I forgot anything!

Author's note: These two are so cute. So feral. So unhinged. I’ve been looking forward to introducing Zemo into the dynamic, so this chapter was super fun to write! As always, thank you so much for loving this fic! Please never hesitate to tell me what you think!

-

“Have I mentioned that I hate this plan?”

“Once or twice.” Sam says, and you make a face at him. Bucky walks beside you, silent, and you can feel the tension in his shoulders. Practically hear the thoughts racing in his head. Despite your adamant disapproval of his idea, you have to fight to hold onto your anger. To keep yourself from reaching out and touching him.

You and Bucky go in alone.

Zemo sits behind inches of bulletproof glass, staring at the two of you as you walk in.

“Hello, Clarice.” You say, unable to help yourself. Bucky raises an eyebrow at you. You wave him off in an ‘I’ll explain later’ gesture.

It takes no time at all for familiar words to ring through the speaker. Trigger words.

Bucky’s expression doesn’t change, but you feel him tense beside you. See the twitch in his jaw. You fight the urge to keep your own expression neutral even as a wave of anxiety washes down your spine.

“Those days are over.” Bucky says, and you can see the most subtle hint of relief behind his eyes.

“I know. I just wanted to see how the new you reacts to the old words.” Zemo replies, in English now. His eyes don’t leave Bucky as he walks towards the glass, speaking to him as close to face-to face as he can get.

“There’s something still in there.” He says, and his voice isn’t taunting. It’s clinical. But you see the shift in Bucky through the reflection of his eyes. You see the vulnerability peeking through. The pain.

And that’s enough for you.

You step up to the glass, in front of Bucky, and offer the imprisoned man a sickly-sweet smile.

“Like he said,” your voice is low. Dangerous. He’s lucky they made you check your guns at the door. “Those days are over. Let’s stop the mind games and get to the fucking point.”

Zemo smiles. Your skin prickles. “I remember you.” He says, unfazed in a way that makes you want to kick your way into that cell. His voice drips with fascination. Curiosity. Interest. You feel Bucky tense even more behind you. “I’m glad you two worked out your…differences. If it makes you feel better, he was merely a means to an end. It was never personal.”

A means to an end. A weapon. Something for him to use for his own personal gain, like HYDRA did to him for decades.

“Keep going.” You growl, “I’m going to enjoy the look on your face when I come in there and rip your-“

An arm wraps around your waist, and you’re spun back from the window in one swift movement.

“Let me go.” You hiss, already trying to move out of his grip. He holds you firm, hand moving up to your face to keep you from turning to glare at the man in the cell.

“Look at me.” His voice is steady. Calm.

“Bucky, that asshole used you like a weapon.” You say, still trying to turn your head. He doesn’t let you, fingers firm against your chin. “He forced my father to watch a video of you killing his parents. I lost my family because of him, for years, and now he’s behind bars and he’s still trying to-“

“Stop.” His tone is commanding. Firm like you’ve never heard it before. He sounds like a Sargent. Despite yourself, you listen.

You look at him. He looks back. Unmoving. Unbreakable.

“We need him.” He says, and he silences your response with a shake of his head. “We need him. Play nice. Just for a minute. Let me talk now, and fight later.”

“I like her.” Zemo says, making you prickle all over again. Bucky prickles too, and your voices sound in near-perfect unison as you tell him to shut up. 

The anger is still boiling inside of you when Zemo explains what he wants. When Bucky pulls you aside once more, he doesn’t need to speak before you’re already glaring at him.

“No. Absolutely not.” You hiss. His eyes look into yours, and a silent conversation - well, a silent argument - is had in the span of two seconds.

Your eyes dart back to the man behind the glass. He smiles at you, like he knows he’s already won.

“Bucky, don’t make me do this.”

“It’s our only shot, doll.”

Your mind whips through potential scenarios, looking for any way out of what you’re about to do, and you bite back a growl of frustration when you can’t think of a single thing. Fuck. Fuck.

“You’re going to make this up to me.” You say, already beginning to establish a plan, already reaching for a hidden gadget in your boot that will unlock his door without alerting security. “And I’m not just talking about flowers. When this is over, you’re going to be in the dog house for a fucking year.”

-

“What did you two do?” Sam asks, already suspicious before you even enter the basement.

“Hi. Nice to see you too. We’re doing great, by the way-“ you start, only to be cut off.

“No, no. Don’t even try that.” Sam raises a hand, stopping you in your tracks. You push past him, already making your way towards the nearest power source, and Bucky resists the urge to grit his teeth as he follows you.

You’re mad at him. Very mad.

He doesn’t blame you. If the roles were reversed, he would be seething too. But he’s right, no matter how badly he wishes he wasn’t. This is the only way.

The two of you broke Zemo out of prison like a well-oiled machine. Sometimes, with your status as a “somewhat avenger” (your words), he forgets about your history. He knows you used to rob larger companies for parts for your machines, that you didn’t grow up with the money you have now, that you dabbled in a few unsavory activities.

He just didn’t realize you were this good at it.

You work out the plan together, and despite all of the covert training etched into his very being, he still has to stop himself from pausing with surprise at your performance.

A perfectly timed stumble. An embarrassed giggle at the guard who catches you. And Bucky is a little too focused on how your hand flirtatiously brushes over the man’s chest to see much else until you’re walking by him again. He checks his pocket after you pass, and there’s a set of keys in them that he didn’t even notice you’d placed.

It’s all so calculated. So smooth and perfectly executed. He drops the note, and two prisoners start fighting. You vanish from his side, and he suddenly sees you next to a nearby guard, clutching him with wide and terrified eyes as you stare in almost exaggerated horror at the scene before you. The guard pulls you out of the room to get you to safety, and if Bucky were paying any less attention he wouldn’t notice the man being immediately yanked into a nearby storage closet. The guard that exits in the uniform is slightly a different height and build than the first, and once Bucky pulls the fire alarm you waste no time catching up to his side, disappearing with him into the crowd.

Despite the fact that you’re still not speaking to him, seething now that the prison break is over and you’re ducking into the basement, he can’t help the pride swelling in his chest.

He explains everything to Sam, who seems just as unhappy with the plan as you, as you mess with an old fuse box in the corner of the darkened room.

“And you’re okay with this?” Sam asks, looking over to where you’re crouching. Bucky doesn’t think he’s ever seen a screwdriver dig into a machine with so much anger behind it.

“No. I’m not.” You say, switching tools as you slam a switch to the side with so much force that he’s glad your serum didn’t give you his super strength. If it had, the building might come down around you.

“Then why didn’t you try to talk him out of this?” Sam asks, nearly yelling now with frustration. “Why did you help him?!”

“Because,” you growl, stepping back and gesturing for Bucky to pull the heavy light switch down. He does without question, and the ancient fluorescent bulb illuminates the dark basement in a way that looks fittingly ominous. “Despite how much I hate this plan, he’s right.”

“And you, of all people, haven’t found another solution.” Sam sounds just as annoyed as you are.

“Don’t need to.” You pocket your tools, rising to your feet. “He’s the smartest man I know. I trust him.”

Bucky has to fight back a smile. You seem to sense it, and your eyes are narrowed as you turn back to him.

“Still angry.” You say, simply, crossing your arms over your chest.

He gives you a look that promises that you won’t be, once this is over and he finally manages to get you alone. He’s rewarded by a flush in your cheeks, and he nearly crosses the room to begin his efforts at earning that forgiveness right then and there before Zemo enters the picture.

-

You sit beside Bucky on the plane, glaring at Zemo as if you’re waiting for him to try something the moment you look away. He stares right back at you, and you don’t like the curiosity in his gaze. The blatant interest. He may know everything about supersoldiers, but you’re different. You may be unfinished, but you’re new. He looks at you like he wants to dissect you, and it makes you want to squirm.

Bucky doesn’t seem to like it very much, either. You don’t have to turn around to know that he’s glaring at the man across from you. The silence stretches on.

You notice the book first, eyes catching on the tiny thing before Zemo’s taunting even begins, but Bucky moves faster than a blink. His hand wraps around Zemo’s throat as he takes it back with a growled threat. The interaction doesn’t exactly improve the energy on the plane.

The tension eventually becomes so thick that you finally open your mouth to say something - anything - to break it. Bucky is tense beside you. More so than you’ve felt in a long time. Your fingers brush over his gloved hand. A subtle reassurance. He doesn’t relax, but he shifts a little closer to you, like your presence is the only thing keeping him from breaking the damn jet in half.

Sam breaks the silence, beginning an argument about music, and you feel something akin to gratitude for it.

“I like Marvin Gaye.” Bucky says, defensively, and you finally butt in.

“You like Marvin Gaye? I feel like I can barely get you to listen to anything other than exclusively forties music.”

He looks at you, his expression so surprised and offended that you can’t help but find it adorable. “You like forties music.”

“I like some of it. And I love you. But it’s so…” you wave your hand in a vague gesture, crinkling your nose.

“So…what? Do you not like it because they’re not saying fuck every two seconds?”

You roll your eyes, looking over to Sam. “The guy hears one Eminem song and suddenly it’s all ‘this generation is so vulgar, back in my day we had manners’.”

“I don’t sound like that.”

“You sound exactly like that.” Sam says, and Bucky glares at him while you sit back with a triumphant smile.

The comfortable teasing doesn’t last much longer before Zemo is speaking up, finally explaining your reasoning for going to Madripoor. Bucky explains what Madripoor is, and you feel the tension climbing in the plane all over again.

“James, you are going to have to become someone you claim is gone.” Zemo says, and your heart drops.

-

There’s not a lot of room to pace on a private jet, and you’re already feeling the twitchiness that comes with being confined somewhere. Maybe it’s the serum, but it’s much more likely that it has something to do with your former imprisonment with HYDRA. Probably a lovely little combination of both.

“I don’t like this.” You say for what must be the millionth time, anxious and fidgeting. Sam and Zemo are asleep, reclined in the other section of the plane and obscured only by a dark curtain, and now it’s just you and Bucky.

You’re going to have to become someone you claim is gone.

“We don’t have a choice, doll.” His voice is calm. Resigned. You want to wring your hands. To find some way out of this. Hell, you wouldn’t mind if you could grab a parachute and jump out of the plane with Bucky in tow. You could live in the woods together. You’re pretty sure you could figure out how to build a cabin if he can cut down some trees or something.

You pause, finally looking up at him in the dim fluorescent light. “I know I’m still supposed to be angry,” You say, and you can feel yourself deflating as the words leave you. “but can we just put that on pause?”

He doesn’t waste a second.

His arms wrap around you in that familiar way he has, one sliding around your waist while his other hand slides into your hair, cradling the back of your head as he pulls you close to him. You can’t help the sigh that escapes you at the feeling, body relaxing against his as you drop your head against his shoulder. He exhales like he’s been waiting for this moment for hours.

“I’ll be okay.” He says, voice low and sure against the side of your head. “We’ll be okay.”

You don’t have to say it. You don’t have to vocalize the fear you both have. You know that the code words don’t work. That the Winter Soldier is no longer a part of Bucky.

But…

But you’ll never really know. You saw him fight back a flinch when Zemo spoke to him in his cell. You saw him prepare himself for what was, for so long, the inevitable. What if something switches, and all of that work done in Wakanda wasn’t enough? What if the Winter Soldier comes back?

That will always be a part of Bucky. Like an unwanted phantom limb. The chance just might always be there, and he’s still afraid of that. He might be for the rest of his life.

You breathe. Slowly. You push back the worry twisting in your gut and lean back just enough to look at him.

“You and me.” You say, and those three words hold so much meaning now. I’ve got you. I’m here for you. We’re gonna be fine. No matter what.

“You and me.” He says, the echo of the same meaning running down your spine and finally allowing you to relax. No matter what happens, you’ll figure it out. You always do.

You kiss him, gently, softly. He kisses you back, still holding you close to him like he might stop breathing altogether if you pull away.

And fuck, it feels so right. So good, to finally be near him again. To feel his body against yours, his lips moving against your own like it’s the most natural thing in the world. You’re still surprised, sometimes, that after so long you can still be so addicted to his touch. His smile. His laugh. Every single aspect of this man is embedded into your heart and you can’t imagine a world where he isn’t near you. Holding you. Touching you.

You don’t know which one of you deepens the kiss, but suddenly his hold on you is a lot tighter. A lot less like comfort and more like need. His hand isnt cradling the back of your head anymore, but holding it in place as he kisses you like you’re the only thing keeping him tethered to this world.

You make a noise against his mouth that has you suddenly pinned to a reclining chair hard enough that you wonder if the plane may have rocked with the movement.

“You,” he says, even as his lips move down your throat like just can’t help himself, “need to sleep.”

“Not tired.” You say, already reaching for the hem of his hoodie. He presses closer, nipping at the juncture between your neck and shoulder as his hands slide under your shirt.

A snore sounds through the cabin, and you both pause in your increasingly frantic movements to realize, unfortunately, that there are two sleeping people not ten feet away.

Bucky looks defeated. You, on the other hand, continue to slide your fingers up beneath his hoodie. He looks at you, pupils still blown wide as your hands move teasingly over the hard planes of his stomach.

You meet his gaze with a smirk, eyes darting to the bathroom at the front of the plane.

“Ever heard of the mile high club, Sarge?” You ask, and though you’re not sure if he has, he seems to understand your meaning as he groans and drops his head to your shoulder.

“You’re gonna kill me.” He says, voice a half-growl against your skin.

“You love it.”

Another snore, but you don’t pause this time. His hands hook beneath your legs, and he lifts you to your feet as he presses another kiss to your neck.

“You’re gonna have to be real quiet.” He murmurs, though there’s already a wicked gleam shining in his eyes, and you grin.

Previous Chapter

-

Taglist: @vicmc624, @saucysasha2035, @iyskgd, @intothesoul, @capswife, @otterlycanadian, @phoenix666stuff, @astridphantom, @miss-chuchu, @frog-fans-unite

[davrinsleftpectoral]

Thursday bangers 7-10

Rules: Free form a blurb or drawing based on the weekly lyrics prompt. It doesn't have to include the prompt just whatever you're inspired to write, write it! Then tag some friends so they can play as well. It doesn't have to be finished on Thursday just post it whenever you can (you have a whole week between Thursdays). 

Thanks @woundedsoul12 for making this fun prompt game and @brennacedria for hosting this week! Thanks for the tags @chaosherald @aetherflowers and sending out no pressure tags to @serensama @seaglassmelody @notyourmamasdeerbat @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai @jukkaricity @himluv @jenn2d2 @mythals-whore @biowaredisasterbisexual @blackwall-my-tiny-husband @himluv @pixiedurango

Baby, you're all that I want | When you're lyin' here in my arms | I'm findin' it hard to believe | We're in heaven. - Heaven, Bryan Adams

It’s… kind of fluff? 1.8k of Turvi under the cut. 

==

The first rays of light were hitting the little tent. Turvi usually was the first up. He liked to get up and start the fire and get water heating before she woke up. But they were sharing one bedroll and sleeping bag because it had been colder the previous night. She’d laughed but given in, letting Turvi sleep wrapped around her. He was always colder than she was.

He laid still, breathing her in and holding her close, grateful that all the craziness with Solas and the gods had given him this; given him her. What could he possibly want more than being here with her? She started stirring, not quite ready to open her eyes.

“Ugh. You’re already awake, aren’t you?” She mumbled, burying her face deeper into him.

He chuckled, running his hand up and down her arm. “You know me, too much energy to stay in bed for long.” He leaned over to kiss the top of her head. 

“Then get out of here and let me sleep for 10 more minutes,” she said, trying to push him out of the bedroll. 

The sun hadn’t climbed high enough to get the chill out of the air, and he immediately regretted leaving the warmth of the tent. He briefly wondered how mad she’d be if he went back inside and found more interesting ways to warm up and wake her up. But then they’d be late getting back on the road, and they had hoped to reach the outskirts of Redcliffe by midday. Reluctantly he pulled on his boots and got to work on the fire. 

==

They shared a simple breakfast of cheese and bread with hot tea before they packed up their camp. Turvi had wanted to make coffee, but strangely, there hadn’t been any in their packs. He’d only found several varieties of tea. They must have run out. Odd that she didn’t make him get more at the last town they’d come through. 

Once all the gear was loaded onto the horse, she climbed up first, and then turned and looked at him expectantly. “What are you waiting for? Get up here so we can go.”.

“I just haven’t ridden a horse before,” he said, suddenly nervous. 

“What are you talking about? Did you somehow get gingerwort truffle tea, instead of the Fereldan black? We have been riding this horse for a good week now,” she said, confused. 

He shook his head, as if that would clear the fog in his head. “Right, sorry. I just can’t get used to riding a horse. At least I get to hug you the whole way,” he grinned up at her. This was also the only time she was up higher than him. 

“Oh get up here, you boob. Ma is waiting for us!”

==

As the sun climbed higher, the warmth helped to dispell Turvi’s brain fog. And the closer they got to Harding’s childhood home, the more excited he got. 

“Can I call your Ma ‘Ma’? She won’t mind, right? I haven’t had someone to call Ma in a long time. Think she’ll let me cook dinner one night? Something Rivaini maybe. Is your Ma a hugger? If she’s as cute and little as you, I won’t be able to resist.” 

Harding gently elbowed him in the stomach. “Stop it, you aren’t allowed to be embarrassing. And you’re spiraling. She will love you as much as I do, relax.”

“I’m not worried. Just happy to finally meet the second most important person in your life,” he joked. 

“She’s about to be the only person in my life if you don’t relax a little,” she said, trying to sound threatening, but she couldn’t totally hide the smile in her voice. “I might accidentallymake the horse speed up and if you fall off, I might not notice until I’m pretty far away…”

Turvi leaned closer, squeezing her tight and resting his chin on the top of her head. “You might have more personal space that way, but you’d miss me.”

“Yeah you’re right. I need someone to reach the things in the high cabinets.”

“And no one else massages your sore leg like me,” he said, kneading her right thigh. 

Harding squealed and jumped. Twisting to swat at his hand she yelped, “Stop that! It tickles! You really will make this horse throw both of us. And my leg is perfectly fine. Why would I need you to massage just the one?”

Turvi didn’t have an answer for her. Why would he feel the need to massage her leg? 

Harding twisted in the saddle to look at him. She put a hand on his forehead, furrowing her brow. “Is the sun getting to you? Do you need more water?” Instead of waiting for an answer, she handed him a canteen. He took it wordlessly, drinking to try to ease both of their minds. 

“It’s not the sun,” he mumbled. “I don’t know what it is. My head feels a little muddy. But I slept fine, didn’t hit my head. I feel like myself but… off.”

“You didn’t eat those little pink berries we passed a while ago, did you? I told you not to eat them, they’ll make you hallucinate.”

“No Lace. I didn’t eat any berries. Maybe it’s too much excitement. I’ll probably feel better once we get to your house,” he said, not sounding very convincing. Harding glanced over her shoulder again but Turvi didn’t miss how she spurred the horse on to trot faster.

==

They came around a bend in the lane, and a little cottage came into view. Harding perked up, practically bouncing in the saddle. 

“Harding! This house is as cute as you are!” Turvi exclaimed. He gasped, “Am I going to have to duck to walk around inside?”

She fondly rolled her eyes at him, even though he couldn’t see it. “You aren’t that tall, Rook,” she laughed. 

When they got to the house they tied the horse to a post out front for the time being. Harding didn’t bother knocking, just flung the door open, yelling for her Ma.

Her Ma was in the kitchen, wearing an apron and kneading dough. Harding didn’t wait for her Ma to stop and clean her hands, instead flinging herself directly into her mother’s arms. Her Ma immediately started crying and hugging her daughter. Turvi gave them a minute before he joined in, wrapping his arms around them both. 

“Hi, I’m Turvi,” he said, smiling at the pair of dwarves in his arms.

“Oh,” she said, wiping her eyes. “You must be the pirate boyfriend,” she said with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

“Ma! That’s not what I said!”

Turvi laughed, feeling his nervous tension ebbing away. Whatever brain fog he’d been fighting all morning seemed distant. Here in this small cottage with his love and her mother in his arms, felt right. He picked up Harding and her Ma and gave them a spin, Harding squealing and Ma laughing. 

“Put us down before you make me and Ma sick!” Harding demanded.

Still laughing, Turvi set them down, careful to be sure they were both steady on their feet before he let go. “You know me, Harding. I’m trouble,” he grinned. He shook his head. Harding didn’t call him that, someone else did. But who? 

==

Ma made them enough dinner to feed a small army, but it was the best food he’d had in a long time. He didn’t miss constantly fighting to save the world, but he did miss Lucanis’ cooking. 

After dinner, Harding and her Ma were catching up, curled up in front of the fireplace. Turvi excused himself to take a walk outside. He needed to burn off some energy and move a little after so much rich food.

Harding came outside looking for him a few hours later. She found him lying in the grass behind the cottage, admiring the stars. 

“Hey,” she said. 

“Hey,” he replied, continuing to look at the sky. 

“Aren’t you cold out here? You hate being cold.”

“I was warm. I walked and did some stretches and push ups. But now that I’m sitting still, I’m a little chilly.” He turned to look at her and opened his arms. “Come warm me up?”

Harding smiled down at him and held up the blanket she’d brought with her. She joined him on the ground, tucking herself into his side. Turvi pulled the blanket over them and sighed in contentment. 

“The stars are amazing here. I can’t see nearly this many back home,” he said in a hushed voice. 

“Back home? In Rivain? I’m sure you can a lot of stars when you’re on the coast,” she said, turning to look at him quizzically. 

“No, back home in Dock Town. From the top of the apartment building I’m lucky to see any, since it’s cloudy so often.”

“Rook. What do you mean at home in Dock Town? We haven’t been there in months.”

It was his turn to give her the quizzical look. “Yes home. The apartment I bought for us, above the business space. Remember when  I surprised you with it? And how much you hated the color?” He continued. 

Harding furrowed her brow, real concern showing on her face. “Love, we don’t live in Dock Town. We’ve mostly been on the road for the past year. We even talked about having a little house out here, near Ma,” she reminded him, voice starting to waver. 

Turvi sat up and rubbed his temples. “No, Lace, that’s not right. Something isn’t right.”

She sat up and put her hand on his forehead again. “Are you sick? Maybe tomorrow we should see a healer. I’m worried about you.”

“I don’t feel sick,” he mumbled, feeling lost. 

“We’ll figure it out, okay? Together,” she promised. Harding put a hand on each side of his face and pulled him in for a kiss. Turvi leaned down, glad for the distraction. Only, why did he have to lean down so far? Wasn’t she normally the perfect height for him? No. No that was… someone else. Lace pulled back, feeling his hesitation and ending the kiss. 

“You know I love you, Lace. But I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. That this,” he said, gesturing between them, “is wrong. That maybe… you aren’t supposed to be here at all,” he finished in a soft voice. 

Tears filled Lace’s eyes and he felt like a monster. She sniffled once and took a deep breath. “I trust you, Turvi. Tomorrow we can go into Redcliffe and find a healer or mage, and see if they can help us,” she said resolutely. 

“Thank you,” he whispered, full of gratitude. He reached out and pulled her into a hug, and she buried her face in his chest. What was wrong with him? He was with his best friend that loved him. He had a family, a mother, again. He should be happy. He was happy. But the nagging feeling in his heart that he didn’t belong here continued to grow. 

==

To be continued!

I wonder if Zalan is feeling okay?