#yes something is getting a lil surprise epilogue soon

[cha-melodius]

It is, in fact, the 9th of August in Australia, ao3

[prettywordsyouleft]

To Be Continued - Part 10

Summary: As an author, you had created Brian Kang for your current trilogy series to represent the ultimate man that everyone would love, along with Charli Evers - your female protagonist. What you hadn’t expected was for him to find a way out of the story and begin shaping up your world instead

Pairing: Brian Kang x female writer (ft. Park Sungjin)

Genre: writer au / romance / fantasy

Warnings: fictional characters coming to life / a bit of angst here and there / Sungjin as a cop (or does that only affect me?) >_>

Word count: 2487

Preview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Epilogue

The broken laptop was taken by Sungjin that night, and he returned it to you a fortnight later with a new screen on it. Despite being grateful, you were still hopeless. “Brian’s gone for good, isn’t he?”

“Maybe it’s time for you to move on from him, Y/N. I hate seeing you this stuck. Don’t you want to write other stories and start living again?”

Staring up at the man, you nodded numbly. “I hoped I’d be living with him. I guess dreaming up the perfect guy isn’t a healthy thing to do.”

“It did happen, and your grief is validated,” he told you, giving your upper arm a gentle squeeze. “Everyone faces a loss of someone in their life at one point or another. And we have to learn how to continue on after they’re gone.”

“You’re right,” you murmured, smiling gently at Sungjin. “Thank you for being a good friend to me.”

“Officially friend-zoned,” Sungjin teased, dramatically grappling at his heart. You giggled, and this made him stop and smile. “And officially hearing a good sound come from you. I hope you can feel comfortable to laugh more often, Y/N.”

“Thank you for everything you’ve done.”

“Now that you have your device back, how about you go and write something? I’m sure it’s been a long two weeks.”

You grinned at his statement, nodding along. “My desktop is so ancient. I was close to spending a lot of money on a new one.”

“Well, now you don’t have to. Off you go and write, Miss Writer.”

Your smile fell as soon as you shut the door, the friendly term Sungjin just called you only bringing up the moments where Brian had called you that time and time again. Counting to ten, you avoided crying for the first time over your loss and smiled.

“All I have to do is keep counting and writing,” you instructed, marching down to your office and plugged in the laptop. It fired up immediately, and the new screen was pristine. Thankfully, all of your work was backed up to an external so you didn’t have to worry about losing your work. It surprised you, however, that the computer remembered where it last was in your session, the end of the Eternity document appearing in front of you.

Reading over the paragraph you had sent Brian, you wrapped your arms around yourself for comfort. “You did well, Y/N. You waited for love, and you loved him like no other. This story’s over now, though. Let’s move on.”

Slowly, you deleted your message, making sure the document said The End and closed out of it, moving it to another storage space on your external hard-drive before opening a new document.

It was time to step out of the limbo you had endured for too long.

“Lily, did you get my first submission?” you asked as you continued to tap furiously at your keyboard, not bothering to check the expression of your editor on the small window in the corner of your screen.

“I did, and it’s fabulous.”

“Just fabulous?” you asked, scrunching your up face in annoyance. “I don’t think fabulous is enough.”

“Ooh, someone is feeling good about her work lately,” Lily crooned, and you grinned. “It’s good to see you working this happily again, Y/N.

“Well, the Encounter series is done now, and I need to have a follow-up story.”

“Does your favourite constable know about this?” she wondered dreamily, and you stopped typing to shoot Lily a look. “What? I distinctively remember you swooning over your protector. There’s no hope for you two to have a romance behind the scenes too?”

“Lily, I might be a writer who enjoys a good love story, but that’s all it remains as for me, a story. Sungjin is my friend, and I’ll surprise him with the final manuscript when this is done.”

“Yes boss!” she cheered and then gasped. “Oh, by the way! I heard that pre-order sales for Eternity have surpassed Captivated! When it launches in two week’s time, I’m certain you’re going to rank well!”

“And then that world will finally be at a close,” you murmured to yourself, Lily straining to hear what your lips had expressed. When you noticed her confusion, you smiled brightly. “Thanks for all your hard work over the past three years on this project, Lil.”

“You wrote them, Y/N. That world, especially Eternity, is a masterpiece.”

“Well, I hope the next story will be even better. More than fabulous, even.”

“You never let a single thing slide. I’ll sing your praises further when you send me the chapter you’re working on right now!”

“Onto it!” you said with a wave of goodbye, and the video call ended.

Slumping in your chair, your eyes shifted towards the wall calendar where the date had been circled for Eternity’s release.

You had taken Sungjin’s advice and picked yourself up out of the dumps. Of course, it hadn’t been easy, and still to this day you had moments where you yearned for Brian. However, you had remained strong since your initial resolve and left Eternity where it belonged – in your completed archive. You hadn’t sent messages, you didn’t open the document, and aside from when obligated to, you didn’t speak of that world to anyone. It still hurt too much, and you were looking forward to a time where this was all just a fond memory in your writing career.

Right now, with the impending sales and then signing tour that was booked, however, you were doing your best to distract yourself from anything that might make you cave.

Writing your police officer au was definitely helping with that, and you launched into typing again about Sungjin and Ella, you two protagonists.

You knew you probably should change his name, but the story made the most sense to you when you imagined your friend. Although you did wonder how you could separate the two when it came to the more romantic parts in the novel, you were having a lot of fun, remembering those juvenile feelings you once had for Sungjin before Brian stepped out of the laptop and changed your life entirely.

Sigh. You had thought of Brian again.

“When will I stop doing that?” you wondered in a sing-song voice, trying to keep upbeat. It was then that a new document popped up on the screen, and you groaned loudly. “And when will you stop glitching?”

It wasn’t the first time the new document tab would appear, now and then when you were in the midst of typing. You assumed you kept hitting the keyboard shortcut for opening it somehow and mentally wrote yourself a note to check if it could be disabled when you were done with this chapter.

Paying it no mind, you continued writing your story, not thinking once about all the mysterious happenings that preluded Brian’s appearance in the first place.

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m meeting you today!” a young voice announced, and you smiled brightly at the teen before you. “I’m a big fan of Brian and Charli!”

“Aren’t we all?” you mentioned happily back, reaching for the copy of Eternity she had placed down to sign. “What’s your name?”

“It’s Jennie! With an i-e.”

“Well, Jennie, with an i-e, I’m so glad you came today. I hope to see you at my next book signing in a couple of year’s time.”

“You can count on it, Y/N!”

The day continued much in the same, and whilst you were overwhelmed by the support of your fans, when you entered your hotel for the evening, you were more than emotionally exhausted.

“Stupid Charli. She’s living the dream,” you muttered and then caught yourself, sighing heavily with your unexpected negativity.

It was foolish to be jealous, and yet after listening to everyone say how perfect Brian and Charli were for each other all day long, you understood your reaction. Even if you were moving on, you wanted to be the one who was perfect for Brian Kang.

“Let’s count to ten, shall we?” you told yourself, breathing deeply and following through with your mantra. After ordering room service for dinner, you settled into the plush bed with your laptop, ready to stream a crime show you had been watching for research.

When the screen appeared though, it was opened on Microsoft Word with a new document waiting for you. You groaned and looked into the settings to make sure you had in fact disabled the keyboard shortcut. It was as you had left it and you let out a small huff at the program before hovering your cursor over the exit button.

Something in you made you pause, however, and you peered at the empty document with some interest. “Why are you following me around?”

Thinking of how Brian would always open a new document to converse with you, a glimmer of hope surged through, and you hit the keys with a rapid pace.

Are you there, Brian Kang?

Nothing came, and your words didn’t dissolve either. Rolling your eyes at your rash reaction, you closed the document and opened Netflix.

You were well into the throes of the show when your room service knocked on the door, casting you out of bed and over to the door. Once you returned with the tray of food you had been given, you noticed the document was back on the screen again.

“What is going on?” you wondered, staring at it for some time. Placing a hand on the screen, you closed your eyes and willed Brian to come out. It had been so long since you had done this, and yet your fervour was stronger than ever. You prayed so hard that when you opened your eyes and saw nothing there, your tears were immediately at the surface, cascading down your cheeks.

“I’m so over pining for you. Either come back or leave me alone!” you wailed, pushing the laptop aside and curling up into a ball.

You didn’t see it then, but the cursor started to move as if someone was holding down the space button, creating ten pages before it stopped.

The tour ended, and you were all too grateful to wake up back home with Binks curled up beside you. Kissing your furbaby until he made it apparent that your affection was unwanted, you climbed out of bed to brew yourself some coffee.

Today, you felt free. The saga of Eternity was over and whilst you knew you would still have to do a couple more interviews here and there in the future where you would be asked about the series, and your Discord would still be hit up regularly about reviews over the final story in the trilogy, today you were at least free from the contractual sides of the story. You wouldn’t have to actively talk about Charli Evers and Brian Kang ever again.

You also hoped that one day, once your pain resolved enough, that you could reread the series and remember why you had loved it all along, instead of the jealousy and burden you felt towards it right now.

With coffee and toast held in either hand, you bounced off to your office and sat down at your desk, blinking when you found your laptop on your desk already.

Had you pulled it out of its bag last night when you got home?

Shrugging, you hit the power button and were surprised when it immediately loaded up your home screen. “I did turn you off, you finicky device.”

Lots of little things had happened since getting the screen fixed, and you had left it down to that incident messing with it. You didn’t have it in you to believe otherwise.

Opening your emails, you went through the important correspondence, threw out the spam, and moved the replied ones to their relevant folders. Once your inbox was empty, you moved onto your other admin tasks for the day, ensuring you were all caught up before you stepped back into your police officer au.

When ready, you clicked on the file, and instead of it appearing, it was a blank document. “Oh no, you don’t! There were words in this file!”

Looking at the title of the word document, you were relieved to see it untitled and not that of your current story. Clicking again on the file from your writing folder, another blank document appeared instead.

“Open it! I have to write about Sungjin and Ella!” you exclaimed, hitting the file repeatedly. Tens of blank documents appeared with your efforts until you were panting with the annoyance. Sitting back, you shook your head. “That’s it! I’m buying a new laptop! I’m done with you!”

Before you could close the screen down, however, you noticed that one document appeared and had words in it. But it wasn’t your current one. Instead, Encounter appeared on the screen, scrolling at a rapid rate to the bottom. Then it changed tabs, moving through Captivated just as fast. Finally, Eternity finished it off, the words The End simply staring back at you.

“…Brian?”

Leaning forward towards the screen, you waited to see what would happen next. Annoyed that your hopes were raised yet again, you started to close the empty tabs, leaving the three stories up. A final tab appeared, and you burst into tears as words started to appear on the screen.

It’s time to start writing our story now.

Standing up shakily, you pointed at the screen. “Hurry up then, I’ve waited far too long to write this story with you.”

The screen went blank as your heart began to thud erratically in your chest, your eyes widened whilst waiting for what would happen next. Reaching for the power button, you watched as the screen lit up.

And then you felt arms embrace you immediately. “I’m sorry I’m so late.”

“I don’t care right now,” you managed to say despite your emotions running down your face. Pulling back just enough so you could see Brian’s handsome face, you shook your head in disbelief. “As long as you’re here.”

“For good,” he assured, leaning in for a passionate kiss. “That world is closed and done with. Whilst ours is only beginning.”

You knew with time, you would want to know why it took so long for Brian to return and to scold him for hurting you so much. You also knew Brian would placate you in every way, and you would hear all about his equal longing and struggle without you at his side.

But for now, this was all you needed. Dream men were hard to find existing in real life. You had found yours again, and this time you wouldn’t write him in one way or another. You’d let your life together pen the journey you had at each other’s side.

Your story was about to be continued.

_________________

Epilogue

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[xingplytwelve]

Author’s Note: This is a continuation of That Morning Love, just some slight references to the first part so for better understanding do check out That Morning Love otherwise it can act as an independent one too!  Title: That Morning Love: Epilogue Pairing: Yixing x Abigail (OC) Genre: Lil bit of fluff, Smut Rating: NC-17 Word Count: 2.7k

Abigail was so immersed in her work that not only did she not realised the time, she also didn’t realised that a figure was standing by the desk opposite hers. ‘Ahem,’ the figure called, attempting to catch her attention. Abigail looked up, and a smile soon formed on her face as she stood up and walked towards him. She placed her hands on his waist, pressing her body on his as she apologised, ‘Sorry, I didn’t realised it was so late already.’ ‘Do you know how daring you are nowadays, Ms Abigail Liu,’ he replied, pinching her nose lightly as a tiny punishment. She closed her eyes at his touch, and guessing that he won’t let it go so soon, she gave him a light peck on his lips quickly, shutting him off before heading back to her seat to pack up. He can’t help but to smile, as dimples deepened on his face, interlocking his fingers with hers as they left the office. 

It had been a month since Abigail started seeing yixing, the guy whom she had an amazing one night stand with, who was also coincidentally the CEO of her company. She had her doubts at first, but touched by what he did for her after their night together, and her friends’ convincing skills, she decided to give it a shot. And besides, she simply couldn’t believe that even though she attempted to keep him out of her life, he still managed to find his way to her. Yixing was never one who’ll drop by the office, since he preferred to work comfortably from home without much disturbance. But ever since they’ve got together, she noticed that yixing started dropping by the office more frequently. And knowing that he simply wanted to take the chance to steal some glimpses of her at work gave her butterflies in her stomach. It had been a long time since she felt like this, and even though she wasn’t sure how this was going to end up, she knew she was enjoying it. 

The moment the waiter served Abigail her food, yixing took it away from her, while a perplexed expression hang on her face. It was soon replaced by an inevitable grin, the moment she saw his sweet gesture. Yixing was cutting up her steak for her. ‘What?’ Yixing asked, puzzled, when he found her giggling as he passed her plate back to her. ‘Nothing,’ she answered, a gleeful smile still on her face. ‘Just wondering if you were this sweet to other girls too,’ she added, seeing that his brows were knitting into a small frown. ‘Well, if you must know, the last time I’ve ever cut a steak for a girl was 5 years ago. In the past 5 years, I’ve only slept with women, nothing more,’ yixing replied frankly, as he playfully stole a piece of meat from her plate. ‘I must be really special then,’ Abigail teased, as she took a sip of her white wine, her eyes not leaving him even for a bit. ‘I’m glad you know that,’ yixing said, that tiny frown leaving his face as his dimples soon appeared. 

Yixing soon sent Abigail home, and gave her a goodbye kiss the moment she was at her door. In the past month, the most they ever did was to exchange intoxicating kisses, and nothing more, since yixing promised that they’ll only do it when she’s comfortable. But just for tonight, Abigail kinda wanted him to stay with her. She had her hands on the hem of his vest, reluctant for him to leave. ‘Wanna come in for another glass of wine?’ She blurted out, still playing with his vest as she looked into his eyes. ‘Oh? Of course,’ yixing agreed, pleasantly surprised, as memories of the night they’ve shared started coming back to his mind. Yixing sat on her couch, and as he waited for her to come back with the glasses of wine, he can’t help but to let a smirk escaped his lips. Before he met her, he never had to wait for it. And in the past 5 years, his hormones were always well taken care at all times. Whenever, wherever he felt like it, he gets it. Filthy rich, want zero responsibilities, yup that’s zhang yixing. Of course, he had someone that he waited for as well, someone that he thought he’ll marry eventually. But in the end, he was the one who got hurt, causing him to lose faith in love. Until he met Abigail. Abigail was just, different. As she handed him his glass and sat down beside him, planning to take a sip of her glass as well, he took it, placing hers on the lounge table as he gulped his down, locking his eyes with hers. Before Abigail realised it, his lips were already on hers, and she was soon tasting what she wanted to, his lips, and that sweet white wine. Her eyes widened, surprised at his fast reflexes, and also how fucking ecstatic that felt, leaving her craving for so much more. ‘You like that?’ Yixing asked as their lips parted, his tone full of smugness knowing how good that made her felt. ‘Oh shut up,’ Abigail said as she simply stared back at him, before landing a daring and heated kiss back on his lips. Yixing loved this side of her, and as he returned her tacky kisses, he put his glass away quickly, in order to free his hand so that he could caress her beautiful face. His lips soon left hers, as he leaned in closer, laying her down gently on the couch. Abigail tugged the collars of his shirt towards herself, and tasted those lips again as she wrapped her legs around his waist. His hands were trailing down her body, almost finding it’s way down to her clit when his phone rang. 

Yixing groaned in annoyance, whereas Abigail just giggled as he stopped whatever he was doing to reach for his phone in the back pocket of his pants, her hands still grabbing onto his collars lightly. ‘You’re calling me at a fucking bad timing, it better be something important,’ he answered. His tone, though not loud, was extremely stern. He sighed as he ended the call, saying, ‘I have to go back to the office, there’s some urgent issues. Sorry, baby girl.’ He wanted to just disregard the call so damn much, even more so when he saw disappointment behind her eyes. Abigail pouted, as she released him from her grip as she said, ‘Go run along, work is more important. Will I see you tomorrow?’ Yixing softened at the sight of her, but soon got up and answered, ‘I’ll let you know ok? Think I’ll have to burn the midnight oil later.’ He then caressed her hair, landing a soft peck on her forehead before he left. Abigail sighed, as she cleared the glasses and went to bed after. Her attempt to sleep after what just happened wasn’t successful, as she tossed and turned in bed. She reached for her phone and took a glance, it was already midnight. She started thinking about him, and soon got out of bed. 

 It was wee hours in the morning, and dim lights were still lit in yixing’s office. He was finally done settling his urgent matters at work, as he took a glance of the documents that he had worked on, before piling them up and putting them away neatly. He then threw himself back into his chair, hands running over his face, followed by his hair, trying to freshen up a little. His mind wandered off to earlier on, right before he was about to have another amazing night with Abigail, and he started to wonder if she’s already asleep. He took a look at his watch, 3.31am. Of course she’ll be asleep, why won’t she be. Just as he was about to shut his eyes to take a quick nap, he heard noises, as though someone had arrived at the level. There were only that few people who had access to his floor, and he couldn’t think of anyone that’ll step in here at such ungodly hours. He soon found his answer the moment she stepped in, dressed in an oversized hoodie and hair up in a messy bun, extremely casual. Surprised and delighted, he stood up, walking towards her while she placed her things down on the coffee table. Slipping his hands around her waist the moment she turned over to face him, which got her to chuckle, as he then asked, ‘What are you doing here? And why aren’t you asleep?’ ‘I thought you might get hungry, so I prepared some snacks for you,’ Abigail answered, as she stroked his face gently. In actual fact, how could I sleep after you left me wanting you so much zhang yixing, was what was going through her mind. ‘Actually yes, I am hungry, hungry for you,’ yixing said, as he started planting kisses playfully on her nape. She laughed, stopping him after awhile as she said, ‘Aren't you going to at least eat a little to not let my efforts go to waste?’ She then pulled him lightly over and sat him down, as she took out what she brought. ‘Besides, good things comes to those who wait,’ she mumbled. She simply cannot wait to see what kind of expression will hang on his face later on. 

As soon as yixing was done wolfing down whatever Abigail had prepared, she stood up, as she walked past the table, his eyes staying with her as she moved. She then stood directly in front of him, as she undid her bun, her hair falling over her shoulders as she ran her hand through it. She then removed her hoodie, revealing her eyelash laced teddy, in a dreamy shade of purple, as she looked at him, biting her lips seductively at the same time. Yixing’s eyes grew bigger at what was being presented in front of him. No words were needed, Abigail could tell that she managed to wow him from his reactions. He couldn’t wait a moment longer to devour her, as he stood up, joining her, which she then proudly asked, ‘You like it?’ His hands were on her shoulders, moving downwards as they passed her breasts, groping them which made her released a soft moan, then down to her waist, as he whispered in her ears, ‘Yes, I fucking love it.’ Fluttered, a tint of pink appeared on Abigail’s cheeks, as she took his hand, leading him towards where he was working just now. She then pushed his chair slightly, making more space for the both of them, as she laid herself down on his desk gently, spreading her legs apart, as she said suggestively, ‘I’m all yours, CEO Zhang.’ ‘FUCK,’ yixing sweared, and lust was taking over his mind. He gave her a possessive kiss, his tongue finding his way into her fiercely, and was soon taking over her mouth. His hands, caressing her cheeks with one and kneading her mound with the other. She was enjoying how dominant he was, and knowing that her words were the trigger made her pleased. She was engulfed in his kisses, and how he was playing with her tits, as she unbuttoned his vest, followed by the shirt underneath, revealing his toned body. She might deny, but it was definitely a sight that she’ve missed since that night. He started leaving wet kisses on her, from her shoulder and downwards. He tugged the piece of cloth to the side, exposing her tits, and started nibbling, playing the other with his fingers. Cries of pleasure were leaving her mouth, as he continued to run his tongue over her nipple, while she raked her fingers through his hair. Yixing gave it a final lick, then pausing to catch his breath before he pulled down her one piece completely, exposing her bare skin. Knowing that her other breast was craving the same amount of attention, he soon begin to pleasure it the exact way as he did with the other as his fingers started trailing down her belly, before reaching her pussy, and started stroking her. ‘AH,’ she moaned, from the mind numbing sensation that he was giving her. As he continued feeling her, she can’t help but to squirm, her body, tensed and unable to stay still. 

Satisfied with his little whore, yixing then removed his pants, his length springing into action the moment it was released. Abigail sat up, preparing for his entrance, as she flirted, ‘Fuck me yixing, fuck me hard.’ The corners of yixing’s mouth were raised, turning into a full on smirk as he answered, ‘You got it, baby girl. I’ll fuck you, so hard, you won’t be able to walk later.’ He entered her immediately the moment he ended his sentence, while a loud moan escaped her lips. He thrusted inside her hard, so hard that she had to place one of her hands on his desk, while the other one holding onto the hems of his shirt for her dear life. He continued thrusting into her, skin slapping against each other, while caressing her thighs, which was hanging on his waist. Abigail begged him to quicken his pace, knowing that she was close, in which yixing gladly compiled. ‘AHH,’ she released, as she clenched onto the hems of his shirt tightly, after feeling a remarkably good load of hormones running through her body. She looked at him breathlessly, and decided to spice things up a little more, knowing that he was close as well. She pushed him down onto his chair, taking him by surprise yet again, as she got down from his desk swiftly, and kneeled between his legs. She stared into his eyes, hands on his knees, as she took him in with her mouth. ‘AH FUCK,’ he groaned in much pleasure, as he shoved her hair back away from her face. She ran her tongue around his sweet spots, and took his dick deeper and deeper each time she goes, at times almost gagging, but continued as she saw how much he was enjoying it. ‘Fuck, I’m gonna cum baby girl,’ he warned, and soon released his loads in her mouth a few throbs later, sending it straight down her throat. He let out a deep, and loud moan while catching his breath, as she shifted herself, before standing up and adjusting her teddy, with his vision still on her. She then moved closer, and sat on his lap as she gave him a soft peck on his cheeks. 

Yixing stroked her hair fondly, before removing his shirt entirely, and putting it over Abigail’s body, hands snaking around her waist and held her in his arms, like she was a baby. His thoughtful and sweet actions made Abigail blushed, which she then buried her face in his neck. He grinned at how adorable she was, to think that she was the one seducing him earlier on, and was now shy. ‘Rest for a bit first, ok?’ He whispered, before returning a kiss on her cheeks. She nodded, as she mumbled, ‘wake me up in 30 mins,’ before falling asleep in his arms. 

It was 10am in the morning, and Abigail woke up to find herself in a seemingly familiar surroundings. She recognised it the next moment, she was at yixing’s place. She jumped out of bed when she realised the time, but a sleepy yixing held onto her wrists, stopping her from getting out of bed. ‘Are you going to sneak away this time too?’ He questioned, in his morning voice. ‘Of course not, but I’m so late for work!’ Abigail answered, as she turned around to look at him. For some strange reasons, he looked even hotter when he’s still half-asleep, as she unknowingly gazed at him. Still reluctant to open his eyes, he showed a faint smile as he answered, ‘I already took the day off for you, so you can sleep in as long as you want.’ She heaved a sigh of relief, before laying down beside him again and resting her head on his bare chest. ‘Thank you, CEO Zhang,’ she whispered with a smile, as he gave her a peck on the forehead, eyes half opened. ‘You’re very welcome, Ms Abigail Liu. Let’s get a little more sleep alright,’ he answered, as he turned slightly and wrapped his arms around her. 

[jokertrap-ran]

[Yume100] Event! 終焉く冥府の祭り・ 第4話 Hell’s Festival that leads to the End [Chapter 4] Translations

*Yume100 Masterlist *Spoiler free: Translations will remain under cut *Name will be retained as my usual. *As requested by Anon!

Pre-Event talk Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5 / Chapter 6 / Chapter 7 / Chapter 8 / Chapter 9 / Chapter 10 / Last Chapter / Epilogue(Finale)

??: …I see. So you were travelling, if only to find a way to save your Country.

A voice sounded from behind us. Turning around to face the source, I saw Rubel who had an astonished look on his face.

(Rubel…!?)

Rubel: Nox, this is the first time I’m even hearing about your country being in such mortal peril. Why didn’t you tell me?

He took a couple of big strides, walking past me, as I stayed rooted there in surprise, to face Nox himself.

Nox: What are you doing here? I don’t recall ever inviting you.

Nox furrowed his eyebrow, not liking how it felt like to be stared down by Rubel, who was significantly taller than him.

Seras: Oh…Rubel’s here because I brought him with me.

Seras awkwardly raised his hand, making both heads turn in his direction.

Nox: …You’re responsible for this?

Seras: I think it was the day after I received the invitation? He forced his way into Seitos all so suddenly, like, no one asked him to, ya’ know?

Rubel: What do you mean I forced my way in?

Seras: But it’s true, ain’t it? I mean, you probably heard about what’s happenin’ here somewhere else but you insisted on comin’ along with me.

Seras: And then, you went off and disappeared somewhere the moment we reached Necropolia. I was a tad worried, ya’ know…?

Rubel: You seem to be enjoying the trip outside instead of being sick with worry to me though.

Seras: Well, that, I can’t deny.

(They know each other?)

I was surprised at their relationship with each other as I watched their exchange.

Nox: Rubel. You’re still an un-invited guest, in any case.

Nox: I don’t suppose I can get you to politely leave this premises?

Rubel: Not gonna happen. Not until the Moon Road appears again, anyway.

He gave a cold smile, but that didn’t seem to hamper Nox’s stubbornness about the matter.

Lied: I don’t know what the issues between you two are, but…

Lied sighed deeply, as if trying to clear up the tension in the air.

Lied: This still doesn’t change the fact that the Hell’s Festival is still going to be held tonight, right?

Lied: I’m still not satisfied with the piece I’ve written for the upcoming performance. So, would you kindly take your lovers quarrel elsewhere?

Nox / Rubel: ……

All the fight that had previously been present in them seemingly dissipated upon Lied’s words. He, who clearly does things at his own pace.

Lucien: Your relationship with each other seems pretty complicated.

Lucien: But this is a special place, is it not? Wouldn’t it be better if you took this elsewhere?

Lucien smiled at Nox, attempting to placate him.

Lucien: Prince Nox. You have my thanks, for diverging such information about your Country.

Lucien: I’d love to borrow a little of your time afterwards, if possible. There’s something I want to tell you.

Nox: You have something you wish to tell me? Of course, I don’t mind.

Nox: There’s still time before the Festival’s slated to begin…How about we all return to the Castle for the time being?

Rubel: You don’t mind me coming, do you?

Nox: …Yes, yes. You’re free to pass.

A kind smile graced his features once more as we headed back to the castle…

━━━━━━━∘◦ ✰ ◦∘━━━━━━━

The light of the setting sun filtered into the Drawing Room… The only people within the room were me, Lied, Seras and Rubel, who looked as peeved as ever.

Lied: ……

Lied didn’t make a move to touch the tea that had been set out for him, choosing instead to focus on his musical concoction in a corner of the room.

(He seems to be really absorbed in his work.)

Meanwhile, Seras and Ruber were each seated on a sofa, adamantly refusing to look at the other…

Ran: So the two of you knew each other since the very beginning…?

Rubel: I saw him countless of times during my journey. That’s all there is to it.

Seras: You’re as cold as ever, ain’t cha’, Rubel?

Seras shrugged at Rubel’s blunt answer before turning his gaze onto me.

Seras: Ya’ know how I leave my Country for periods at a time to do various things all ‘round, yeah? That’s when I got to know the guy.

Ran: I see. Why were you travelling, Rubel-san?

Rubel: It’s none of your business.

(That’s true…)

His attitude and the way he shut me off didn’t really give me much space to work with; it stung a little.

Seras: Forgive him, Princessa. He’s got a lil’ bit of a foul temperament, this guy. Probably, anyway.

Rubel: ……

Seras: You too, Ruber. Wipe that scowl off your face; you’re scarin’ her.

Seras sighed dismissively. At the very same moment, the door opened with a small noise.

Lucien: ……

Peering through the gap in the door was none other than Lucien himself.

Ran: Lucien-san…Where’s Nox?

I approached him as I voiced my question, but he only shook his head to and fro.

Lucien: He went off to prepare for the Festival after I finished talking to him.

Lucien: I felt bad for taking up his time when he’s so busy so I just wanted to thank him.

Ran: Thank him…?

━━━━━━━∘◦ ✰ ◦∘━━━━━━━

Lucien: Yeah. Arbito used to have relations with Necropolia in the past.

Lucien: And…I thought that I should be the one to answer their invitation since I’m the one with black wings.

━━━━━━━∘◦ ✰ ◦∘━━━━━━━

(Come to think of it, I wonder what he meant back then?)

I stared a Lucien and he seemed to have caught onto my train of thought, for a complicated look crossed his face before he spoke again.

Lucien: We have a debt to this Country.

Lucien: It was a long, long time ago…Where the discrimination back in Arbito was worse and much more violent than it is now.

Ran: You mean…

Lucien’s Country, Arbito, had a strongly abhorred those who had black wings. Even Lucien himself, had gone through that pain for a long time counting now, despite his status as a Prince.

Lucien: There were people with those hated black wings who gave up trying to live in Arbito in the state it had been back then.

Lucien: They sought to live their lives elsewhere; away from Arbito. Hence, they now sleep in Necropolia.

Ran: Here?

Lucien: Yeah. This place is often where one comes to mourn lost ones.

━━━━━━━∘◦ ✰ ◦∘━━━━━━━

Lucien: ……

━━━━━━━∘◦ ✰ ◦∘━━━━━━━

Ran: Could it be that, that grave you had been staring at outside the City was…?

My voice softened as I asked him so. Lucien gave an affirmative nod.

Lucien: I’ve always wanted to visit this place.

Lucien: I wanted to come here, to the place where my people sleep, to thank them. As a noble with the exact same black wings as them.

He breathed, turning towards the windows with a sorrowful look.

Lucien: Hearing about Necropolia’s soon-to-be demise was a bolt out of the blue, but…

Lucien: Prince Nox promised me, that he’ll continue watching over their graves until the very end.

(Until the very end…?)

The ring of that word made my heart ache a terrible thing.

(Nox did say that he had already made the necessary arrangements to secure the safety of the citizens, but…) (But what about him? What will he do after it all ends?)

My heart only felt heavier and heavier as my thoughts slowly broiled towards the worst-case scenario.

Rubel: …He’s always been like this.

Rubel: He’d always decide something on his own and then stay, to see it all through till the very end.

It appears that Rubel had been listening in to our conversation…

The words he had spoken reverberated through the room, dyed russet-orange from the light of the setting sun…

To be continued…

[sebseyesandbuckysthighs]

Three Soldiers and a Baby | Epilogue

summary: Three handsome bachelors find their day to day operations disrupted when an unexpected new roommate (who comes complete with a diaper and a pacifier) shows up at their doorstep. How will they deal with this new and baffling responsibility without losing their minds or killing each other in the process?

pairings: Bucky x Reader featuring Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson

warnings: all the fluff!

a/n: Here we have it! The epilogue to the series so it’s the official final post! I hope you’ve all enjoyed the journey of this series and like the way I wrapped things up. I love this series and it will always have a special place in my heart, but it is time for it to come to an end. Trust me, if I could, I would continue writing this forever, but its just not possible right now. I do have something up my sleeves, though, so read till the end to find out!

*warning to mobile users, the “keep reading” tab may not work so apologies in advance*

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Epilogue |

| previously |

“I can retire.” Bucky said as if it was the easiest choice in the world. “The world has enough superheroes now. What’s one less?”

“Bucky, I can’t ask you to do that.” You tried reasoning with him. Even looking over to Steve and Sam, but they both just smiled.

“You’re not asking me, babe. I’m saying it.” Bucky cradled your face in his hands, pulling your lips to his and finally kissing you with all the passion he could find. You felt your knees give way and Bucky wrapped his arm behind your back to keep you from falling. He pulled you up, breaking away for air and resting his forehead against yours. Your heaving breaths mingled together and you finally felt that bliss you had once known come back into your heart. “The most important thing in my life is making sure that little girl is safe and taken care of. And you. I need you both in my life more than anything. Please. Please stay.”

You smiled as more irritating, yet happy, tears scrolled down your cheeks. Relishing in the feel of Bucky’s soft lips kissing the trails away. “Of course, we’ll stay.”

Over the next few months, you and Bucky had made the move from his apartment with the boys to somewhere out in the country. Just like Pepper and Tony had done for their family. The cabin was small, but spacious enough for the three of you to grow and build upon. Bucky enjoyed being able to go out into the woods and cut lumber for warmth and you enjoyed watching him do it. Meanwhile, Ellie enjoyed taking her first swim in a nearby clean water lake.

The Avengers had announced to the world that the Winter Soldier would be retiring from his role on the team, but nothing more was mentioned. Like Bucky had promised, he was there for you and your daughter every step of the way. Ellie’s teeth were still sprouting and she was getting more talkative with each passing day. When she finally said her first word, he was even there to record it and send it to everyone he knew. It was Bear. At first neither of you knew from where it came from, but when Ellie cuddled into her favorite Bucky Bear, you both smiled proudly. The next logical thing to do, as far as you were concerned, was to adopt a dog and name him Bear, so you did. He was a retriever mix puppy Steve had found for them with a dark long coat that had instantly became Ellie’s new best friend. Second to Morgan, of course, who loved that she wasn’t the only little girl in the family anymore. She finally had someone to play with. 

Ellie’s second word was Daddy. It wasn’t exactly surprising since Bucky had been drilling it into her head for months while he was trying to teach her how to speak. You didn’t mind that “Mommy” was her third word since it gave Bucky so much joy and awe watching her grow and learn. Bucky was there for her when she started walking. Amazed to witness her first tiny steps without falling on her bum and giggling wildly when her father picked her up and swung her in the air. After that life got a little more chaotic just trying to keep up with the boisterous little girl who took much after her father. 

It was Ellie’s first birthday and Bucky was the one who suggested having a large party for her. After all, it was only her first birthday once and that’s a big milestone. You had a feeling Bucky would be saying that for her birthday every year. He doted on her more than ever, not in the materialistic ‘buying her everything’ sense, but in the ‘I need to spend every waking moment making sure my baby girl is happy’ kind of sense. She was, of course.

The guests would be arriving soon so while Steve and Sam helped to set up the decorations, you and Bucky tasked yourselves with making Ellie’s birthday cake. You baked it while Bucky spent most of his time grabbing your ass and frisking you any chance he got. When you were done, Bucky was the one who volunteered to decorate it and once he told you his plan for the cake, it was all you could do from jumping the man’s bones and having your way with him right there in the kitchen. 

When everyone was finally there, the festivities began in full force. 

“Hey Barnes, you forget how to spell or were you just being lazy?” Sam had his arm wrapped around his girlfriend’s shoulder. He had introduced her to everyone a few weeks ago and even Bucky was happy for his crazy friend. 

“Why would you say that?” Bucky inspected his cake decorating skills which he thought helped create a masterpiece.

“Why does it just say, “Happy Birthday L.E.” Even Steve was curious about Bucky’s reasoning behind that one.

“Well, the way I figure, her name is Ellie which sounds like the two letters L and E so I figured it was perfect.” Bucky looked to you smiling in his arms as you rested Ellie on your other hip. Then he reached for his daughter and gave her a kiss on the forehead before saying proudly, “She’s my L.E. My Limited Edition.”

He had told you that earlier and you couldn’t help but swoon at the man’s dorkiness. It was absolutely too cute. 

“Did you just make your first dad joke, Buck?” Steve felt his heart warm at the picture perfect scene the three of you created. “I love it, man.”

Sam chortled, shaking his head from side to side. “I am both disgusted and somewhat amused.”

Ellie giggled for no apparent reason other than being happy that she was between her mother and father who loved her so much. Bucked beamed at her. “At least she thinks I’m funny.”

“Don’t flatter yourself. She probably just messed her diaper.” 

“Nope. She’s perfect.” Bucky Barnes had finally found peace.

Months later, Ellie was still growing like a sprout and yours and Bucky’s relationship continue did the same. One night, the three of you decided to have a nice relaxing moment outside on your porch swing as the sun set. Wanting nothing more than to enjoy these moments together and be grateful for the family you two had created. Bucky often professed his love to you during these times and it always made your stomach fill with butterflies when he would look at you after saying those words. It was the words he said next that made your heart drop into your stomach.

“Will you marry me?”

Tears of overwhelming joy poured down your cheeks, but Bucky was there to catch them with the pad of his thumb and kiss them away. Ellie was asleep in your arms so you couldn’t jump and scream like you wanted to so you just muttered a sobbing yes against his lips. It was the perfect moment and you didn’t want to ruin it, but instead, make it that much more memorable. Now was the time to tell him.

“Bucky, I’m pregnant. With twins.”

Stay tuned for my next series...Three Babies and a Soldier! ❤

Feedback is always appreciated, leave it here!

part fourteen << epilogue ||

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[theorynexus]

Fifty and Four sends us cresting over the hill, if we weren’t already. How long until we hit the bottom?

Oh ho? Jane’s perspective again, huh?  ‘t’s been a while.

EEEHHHH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!   Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh, that is not good!

Rrrrgh, she does not need to be building up a habit like that!    The consequences of such use are far too severe and unpredictable, even if you don’t consider the potential negatives to one’s psychological health. >.< Gosh... even with her Life aspect probably protecting her a little bit from its sugary after-effects, reading that makes me feel sick.  > ~~~ <

Figures that a Cherub would be biased in favor of it. At least Alt!Calliope is willing distance herself and try to be objective, though.

***giggles uncontrollably, even though this honestly shouldn’t be funny***

Very politically-minded, but it also sortof sounds like the excuse-making that an addict would engage in, so I am not convinced that this is a legitimate argument.  Yeah, shoring up your base is important, but doing something that could strongly alienate swing voters is not necessarily wise, either.  I suspect she knows this too, but is in denial about the fact of the matter, because she enjoys the benefits of Trickster Mode too much. It is quite interesting that the human kingdom’s subjects appreciate it so much~

HAAAAA. Oh my fricking gosh, Alt!Calliope is a Cherub Supremacist! XD  

(Sortof makes sense, based on the mindsets that were described in Aranea’s [?] talk about the Cherubs’ origins, though. Might be biologically-driven, honestly.) Also, it’s quite interesting to see Jane interacting with Alt!Calliope like that, but it is hardly unique or overly-noteworthy, all things considered... at least, most likely. Quite a few other characters have responded to narration in a similar manner.

... Honestly, I was about to freak out about the Juju getting covered in dirt and grime, but the way she tossed away probably significant keepsakes, trophies, or the like for the sake of honoring it is... quite disturbing, and speaks to a danger in her presumably worsening compulsion/habit.  Though they might just be cookies.

Dirk displays surprising wisdom/good judgment, here, and amusingly alludes to the fact that his voice is being otherwise suppressed.   His actually talking in a scene represents a nice sort of loophole, but not one by which he can utilize such control as he would otherwise be capable.    ... And yes, her burning out is a very legitimate concern, which speaks to the fact that Dirk definitely+legitimately cares about the things that serve his purposes and/or agendas. They, he is willing to more gently guard, comparatively, it would seem.

It feels like this is a reference to something, probably from the 1980s or early 90s, but I can’t place my finger on it. Oh well.

This is very amusing, honestly.

Deeeeeerp.      (Yet another example of why it is difficult to take his attempt at super-godhood seriously... or at least find it anything better than dreadful.  Dirk is great at juggling many things at once, but not as great as he’d need to be. )

Oh, and I appreciate Jane’s concern for Dirk.  She is indeed correct in saying that he is usually much better at it than my previous comment might have suggested. But I am not entirely being unfair, insofar as this is true: the greater the responsibility one wields, the greater the level of competence one must have in order to pass proper muster.  He was failing in his attempt. I didn’t really give him all that much of a chance to sway me, honestly, but my own demeanor in dealing with him had nothing to do with the actual quality of his work.

This must be really concerning to Jane.  And... honestly, yes he is. They are very, very similar. Dirk is just more obvious with his intelligence, more controlled, and more mature. They are both highly ambitious, crave challenges, enjoy art, have quite a bit of masculine pride, and have a shared appreciation for irony, riddles, and absurdist humor.     Caliborn was likely very, very influenced by Dirk in particular, both of them received Yaldabaoth as their Denizen due to their personality and prowess, and both of them are highly manipulative men of questionable morality.   Also, their sexual interests seem to be somewhat similar, but that is a debatable matter. Lord English has Lil’ Hal integrated as part of his soul, Lil’ Cal has played a profound part in both of their (multiple) life cycles.  Finally:  as of the Epilogue and his attempted control of the narrative seen therein, Dirk essentially has pursued the same goal that LE did: domination of Paradox Space through his will controlling the natural flow of events. Dirk and Caliborn are in truth extremely alike.

I do so very much like where this is going. It would seem that we will soon find out precisely what Dirk is planning. “Diminishes and ascends” has an interesting ring to it, as well.  That red rifle:  Is it the one that launches portals? Honestly, Dirk is indeed quite clever, by the way. He has the seeds of great potential.  It’s simply that it has not fully bloomed, yet, and he is a little bit overly full of himself, and arrogant in what he believes he can do.  And yes, he is indeed temperamental when people interfere with his plans, it seems.

There’s the scheming politician we’ve all been waiting for. Way to go, thinking in such calculated manners and considering backstabbing ones you care about, Jane. Somewhat petty, and certainly rather dangerous, all things considered (things are a bit more explosive, where gods are involved), but closer to the political ideal which I would hope for if she were to be portrayed as competent. (Of course, I am actually disgusted with that sort of behavior. It’s one of the things I dislike about politics. I’ll recognize that it at least paints her in a slightly better light than the previous samplings of her thought process and tactical capacity has; thus, I generally like and dislike where this is going.)

Yep. Angelic purity with sexual potency/desire. There has always been this sort of tension in Hope’s nature. Just like the fact that angels are, in Biblical texts, both symbols of terror and destruction as well as hope and salvation. All (almost all?) the important positive interactions with heavenly beings start with fear on the part of mortals, followed by a “Fear not!” to suggest they come in peace. Otherwise, they come bringing judgment and wrath, and thus don’t tend to bother much with formalities.

Is that sarcasm, Jane?  If not, there’s certainly a heavy layer of irony. Do remember what just happened with Jane when she invited Jape Jake over for a friendly visit, not too long ago, my good audience members.

...   ***twitches, and tries very hard to hold in the inappropriate laughter***

If only I had someone so dependable to tell me when I was not dwelling far enough into the land of Always Woke.   Perhaps then I would be able to avoid the inevitable scandals that would result from Foot-in-the-Mouth-itis. Oh, wait, no politician can avoid being attacked for various probably minor accidents on their part as the populace naturally over-reacts to what honestly may not actually reflect their character so much as them being accident prone or ignorant?  What’s that about manipulation of audio/video recordings for the sake of generating useful sound bites that might be used in an attempt to impugn the honor of any prospective candidate?  Oh. I see. Thank you for that important bit of knowledge that I otherwise might not have had access to, imaginary adviser.  (Note:  I do not actually believe that one should try to be as careful as possible with regards to what one says; nor that one should ignore or scorn important social issues. I am utilizing exaggeration and mockery for the sake of comedy.) ... Alt!Calliope’s description of Dirk holding the rifle is quite elegant and beautiful.

This is indeed a beautiful irony, seeing the situation with regards to Dirk and Alt!Calliope’s tendencies toward bias being reversed.  

***snickers***   Magnifique. 

It is strange to see Alt!Calliope teasing and egging him on. It may be unintentional. Hard to say.

[lespetitesmortsde]

Magnolias and Speyburn: An Epilogue

Two years later

“Didn’t think I’d see you back so soon,” Mary comments as she comes up to the corner booth where Beca and Chloe are sitting. Chloe is tucked right up against Beca’s side, arm dangling into Beca’s lap.

Beca fights a blush as she looks up. “Yeah, what can I say, she’s persuasive.” She leans her head down to gently bonk against Chloe’s.

“I was being sarcastic, it’s been what, two years?”

“Oh, sorry, I mean, this is one of the smallest gaps between visits, at least for me,” Beca answers.

“Maybe so, but I usually see Chloe once or twice a year and ever since you two ran off together after her wedding, you’ve been keeping her away.”

“Sorry, I’m not sorry,” Beca says, smiling and turning to look at Chloe, the epitome of heart eyes.

Chloe looks up at Mary beaming, “Can we get–”

“–Strawberry milkshake and fries?” Mary asks, already turning back for the kitchen.

“Can you make it a zebra milkshake instead?” Chloe pipes up, looking at Beca with a knowing smile.

Mary looks back at them, “I can do that.” She takes two steps toward the kitchen, then abruptly turns back to them again. “I like this view a lot better than the last time,” she comments, mostly towards Beca, and then she finally does head back behind the counter, calling to her cook.

Chloe immediately turns to Beca, “What’s she mean?”

Awkwardly, Beca fidgets with one hand in her hoodie pocket until Chloe lays a hand overtop the wiggling lump. “Becs.”

“Well, you know, last time I was in this town, you were, you know, getting married, and, um, I came here before the wedding, you know, to have, like, a final goodbye to the Beca and Chloe we used to be or whatever.”

Chloe raises her eyebrow. “Did Mary catch you slipping Speyburn into her milkshake?”

“Pfft, no!” Beca says defensively. Then she meets Chloe’s eyes a little bit embarrassedly, “I didn’t actually do it, I just really, really thought about it.”

“You’re such a dork,” Chloe says, and she kisses Beca on the cheek.

“You didn’t get strawberry,” Beca comments, pulling her hand out of her hoodie to hold Chloe’s under the table.

“Astute observation, Becs,” Chloe replies, closing her fingers around Beca’s. It’s gentle and comfortable, like their entire relationship after their rocky start.

Beca rolls her eyes. “You know what I’m getting at.”

“Oscar told me one night at the bar that you don’t actually like strawberry milkshakes that much, but that you’d always get them because I wanted them.”

“Traitor.”

Chloe gently slaps Beca’s hand. “Hey, be nice, he’s just looking out for you.”

Beca doesn’t head back to L.A. until two weeks after Chloe’s wedding. And when she does, she’s not alone. Chloe’s not moving to L.A., at least, not immediately, but the two aren’t quite ready to be apart, she has time off for her honeymoon that didn’t happen, and Beca’s due back in the studio tomorrow.

“What’s there to do for fun around your place?” Chloe’d asked in the cab from the airport.

“I don’t really go out that much, unless a Bella’s visiting,” Beca admitted. “I mean, there’s a bar I like to go to, but it’s not super popular or anything. It’s kind of under the radar, I guess.”

“Let’s go! I want to see where you’ve been spending your time,” Chloe said, and Beca didn’t even think about saying no.

When Beca knocked on the door to the nondescript bar, Chloe looked a little awed when the door slid open mere seconds later.

Oscar’s face dropped to an almost sadness when he saw Beca, but it almost immediately went back to a passive inspection once he took in Chloe beside her.

“Hey Oscar,” Beca said as he continued scrutinizing the redhead. He pretty openly looked at her left hand.

“Hey Lil Bit, I take it things went better than expected?” Oscar settled back into his regular bouncer posture. Beca saw his lips and the corners of his eyes turn up in amusement.

“Yeah, um, so this is Chloe,” Beca gestured between them. “Chloe, this is Oscar.”

“Nice to meet you!” Chloe smiled widely and stuck her hand out. “I’m glad I got to meet one of Beca’s L.A. friends!”

Oscar shook Chloe’s hand and then stepped aside to let them in.

“You still going to stop by once your shift is over?” Beca asked, fidgeting with the hem of her jacket. It was a bit more awkward an encounter than she’d expected.

Oscar nodded once. “You’ve got a lot of storytelling to do; I wouldn’t miss it.”

Beca smiled. “Alright, see you in a bit, Oz.”

“You too, Lil Bit.”

As soon as Chloe thought they’re out of earshot, she said, “Why don’t I get to call you Lil Bit?”

Beca pulled her along into the bar, heading for a four-top in a back corner that someone clearly just vacated. “Because you’re not a mountain of a man who guards the entrance to my bar of choice.”

Chloe dropped into the seat beside Beca. A server stopped by their table, introduced himself as Jack, and asked if he can get them anything.

“Speyburn, double, on an iceberg please,” Beca said, only a little stiffly. Behind him, she could make out Maura behind the bar.

“What do you guys have here? Anything signature or special or just really yummy?” Chloe asked, patting Beca on the knee as she turned a little to better face Jack.

“We make a mean Old Fashioned, if you’re into whiskey. Our pisco sour is made with Macchu Pisco, straight from Peru and distilled only by women. Other than that, we can make you pretty much anything that suits your fancy,” Jack said, grinning and tucking his serving tray under one arm. He nodded behind him at the backlit bar holding a variety of bottles. Maura seems to have noticed Beca’s there by now and gives a little wave.

Chloe thought about it for a moment, glancing over at Beca who half-heartedly put her hand in the air to return Maura’s greeting.

“You know what,” Chloe said, “I think I’m going to follow the regular’s lead.” She smiled up at Jack and gestured toward Beca. “I”ll have what she’s having please.”

“Okay,” Jack nodded. “Two double Speyburns, Titanic-style. They’ll be right up.” And he headed back toward the bar.

“Who’s that?” Chloe asked, following Beca’s gaze to the bar.

“Oh, that’s Maura.” Beca turned to face Chloe. “She was new here the last time I was in. She was pretty nice, made my drink the right way without me having to explain it,” Beca chuckles. “I blame Oscar for that, though, he warned her about my habits.”

“Well hey there, stranger,” Maura greeted as she approached the table. She mockingly inspected Beca. “Now, I would assume you’re Beca, but you’re not sitting at the end of my bar and drinking Speyburn like you’re trying to practice being an oak cask.”

Beca kind of shrugged towards Chloe.

“Oh, I see!” Maura said, eyes alight in amusement. “Well you must be the one who got away, or almost, I should say, considering you’re here now,” Maura had turned to Chloe, but now she turned back to Beca, “How’d you manage that?”

Just thinking about it made Beca blush. “Um, you know, nothing big.”

Chloe rolled her eyes, and gestured Maura to one of the chairs. “This one,” Choe jabbed a finger in Beca’s direction, “decided that she’d take her Speyburn-drinking show on the road. Left in the middle of my ceremony, so of course I had to go after her.”

Maura raised an eyebrow, but Chloe just waved her off. “I’d been in love with her since forever and she was always supposed to be at my wedding — one way or another. She basically confessed her love across town in a park we used to play in as kids.”

“That seems uncharacteristically romantic of you, Beca,” Maura said. Beca flipped her off.

“Oh no, she’s totes mushy, just, only around me,” Chloe beamed.

“Can we stop talking about me now?” Beca asked, grumpily.

Maura stood up as Oscar approached the table, “Yes, but only because your partner in crime is here.”

They switched places, Oscar sitting where Maura had been, “Bring me whatever they’re having, will you?” Oscar asked as he shifted and got comfortable.

She flipped him off as she walked back to the bar.

Oscar honed right in on Beca. “Alright, Lil Bit, spill the beans. Last I saw you, I was dragging your punk ass back to your place you were so lit.”

If Chloe could tell Beca blushed in the rather dim lighting of the bar, she didn’t let on.

“Yeah, so, you know, I went to the wedding and then I dunno man, had to split,” she shrugged and Oscar nodded sagely, like he knew exactly what she meant. And maybe he did, Chloe wasn’t sure. “Chloe followed or chased me or something and I thought that, you know, Stacie had spilled the beans because she’s been bugging me to do it forever, so I guess I kind of confessed, and then yeah, Chloe got a little mad–”

“I did not!” Chloe defended. Beca raised an eyebrow in her direction. “Okay, so I was a little surprised and frustrated, but I was not mad.”

Beca rolled her eyes. “Anyway, so she was mad, but then she said that she loved me too, blah blah blah, and now we’re here and together. So it all worked out.”

Oscar turned to Beca. “Maura’s definitely told Jack not to bring our drinks, so why don’t you go get them? For you girl, of course.” He smiled widely, too innocently.

“Ugh, I don’t even work here!” Beca said as she got up with a huff and headed toward the bar.

“Okay, love of Beca’s life, a few things you should know. First and foremost, I don’t know if you’ve been around her when she’s in the middle of a record, but she forgets how to be a basic functioning human being, so make sure she eats and drinks water, and doesn’t survive on Red Bull alone…”

Chloe listened with rapt attention as Oscar told her all the things Beca never would.

“And finally, I know it’s a thing or whatever between the two of you, but for the love of all that is holy, please don’t make her drink strawberry milkshakes anymore. We went to a diner once and that was somehow the only flavour they had left, and she was basically drowning it in tears the entire night, so please.”

“Looking out for me or not, if it was a big deal, I would’ve told you.” Beca says, convincing exactly nobody.

“It never really mattered to me which flavour of shake we got, Becs, I just wanted to share it with you.”

Beca blushes as the distant  sound of the blender trails off. Mary lumbers back over, a beautifully striped milkshake in one hand, a basket of fries in the other.

“Here you two go,” Mary says, placing the items in front of them. “So, what brings you two back to town?”

Chloe grins, “I’m trying again.”

“Trying what again?”

Beca turns to Chloe, “Why do you keep saying it like that, Chlo?” Then she turns back to Mary. “We’re engaged,” she says as Chloe pulls her hand out of Beca’s lap to show Mary her new engagement ring.

“Well, congratulations,” Mary says, smiling and taking a few seconds to inspect the ring. “Nice work with that one, I thought the other was a bit too flashy for Chloe’s style.”

“We picked it out together, and because everyone now knows that I want to get married in this town, we’re here making plans and booking things,” Chloe explains, happily driving two fries through the top of the shake.

“Speaking of,” Beca says, adjusting herself on the booth bench. “We were wondering if you’d kind of cater part of it?”

Mary seems a little taken aback. “While that’s a lovely thought,” she says and hesitates, possibly for the first time in either Beca’s or Chloe’s recollection, “don’t you think your wedding should have something a bit, I don’t know, fancier than diner food?”

Chloe smiles up at Mary as she finishes her mouthful of fries and shake. “We’re not having this wedding to be fancy, Mary, we’re having this wedding to celebrate how much we love each other and, you know, how well we know each other, how long we’ve circled around each other. We will have some other food, but we both agreed that having you and having your shakes and fries there would be a really great way to celebrate.

“After all,” Chloe continues, “there was no other food, no other spot around town, really, where Beca and I spent most of our time together. We want to commemorate that, because this place, the food,” Chloe gestures to the food in front of them, “they helped shape who we are and who we are are two dumbasses who finally got their shit together.”

Beca can see an extra watery layer in Mary’s eyes, and it makes her happy that Mary seems to be touched by Chloe’s speech. They did have a wavelength moment when discussing food for the wedding, Beca saying, “So I know it might be untraditional, but I was thinking that Mary and the diner have made such an impact on our lives…”

Chloe had said, “I couldn’t agree more Becs.”

But now, Mary looks away for a moment, off and up towards the ceiling, and when she turns back, Beca can no longer see the beginnings of tears. “Well we’ll have to settle some details, but the diner and I would like nothing more than to help y’all celebrate.”

Choe reaches down to squeeze Beca’s hand. “Aca-awesome.” Beca looks around the diner to make sure no one’s watching them before giving Chloe a kiss.

“So romantic, making sure no one can see how in love we are,” Chloe rolls her eyes and digs back into the fries.

Beca squirms a little in her seat. “Reflex, you know I feel weird about PDA what with all the paparazzi around L.A.”

“Yeah,” Chloe shrugs, “but they’re not here.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they followed us,” Beca grumbles, but kisses Chloe again without looking around first. Then she jumps into the fries and milkshake with vigour, trying to catch up to Chloe.

She’s always been trying to catch up with that woman, always loved it, and now, she thinks while looking down at her own engagement ring, now she gets to spend the rest of her life doing the thing she loves. She smiles at how well the fries go with the layered shake.

[frustratedpoetwrites]

Dancing in the dark

Epilogue

A/N This is a very short little bit extra I had as an idea and had to add it to the end.

Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions you have about this story. I love to know you are out there and reading my stuff. 

I plan to be back soon with something new. If you want to read this on Ao3 the link is here

Thanks for reading TJ

EPILOGUE

           Lily looked at herself in the mirror as she smoothed the rich fabric over her hips and sighed. Even though she still considered herself in good shape, the lithe figure of her twenties was a distant memory.

           “Why can’t I come too, Mama, please?” Harry asked her from his position on the large double bed that dominated the room.

           “Because it’s on ‘til late darling, way past your bedtime. Daddy and I are treating your Uncles Sirius and Remus to a grown up night out.”

           “Sounds boring.”

           “That’s why you’re not coming, sweetheart. You will have much more fun here with Elsa. You always love it when she stays over. We can tell the babysitter to let you stay up a bit longer, yeah?” She watched his reflection in the mirror as she put in her earrings.

He was already in his Avengers pyjamas. His black hair had been brushed, but it still stood up on every angle. The dark rims of his glasses made his green eyes look even brighter. He plucked at the coverlet, torn between the knowledge that the babysitter would probably let him stay up late, eat junk food, and watch cartoons, and the thought of missing out on a special night for his parents.

           “Babysitter’s here!” called out James as he strode into the room, putting in his cufflinks before walking over and zipping up her dress. “You’re looking hot, love,” he murmured before planting a kiss on her bare shoulder.

“Bleurgh,” came Harry’s disgusted voice from the bed. “You two are disgusting.”

“One day, my boy, I hope you understand.” James told his son with a wink.

“No, I won’t. Girls are horrible and mean.”

“Elsa’s not mean. You always get along with her,” Lily reasoned with him.

He gave a little shrug. “Suppose.” he mumbled.

Sirius and Remus were already waiting downstairs with their daughter Elsa when they all came downstairs. All three of them beamed warmly at her.

“Don’t you look a vision.” Sirius said, warmth filling his voice as she hugged him in greeting. She opened her arms to Elsa who looked uncertain.

“My Daddy and Papa told me not to get you dirty.” She murmured.

“I think you can risk a hug.” She told her assuredly grateful that she had chosen the ball gown with a slit allowing her to crouch down low enough to give this little girl a proper aunt Lily squeeze.

“Elsa come on, I’ll let you have first pick of what we watch.” Harry called to her from the living room already sprawled on the couch.

Elsa turned to check with her parents who nodded before each gave her a kiss. She ran past James and jumped to take her space beside Harry.

“What no hug for uncle Jamie?” He called out after her before following into the living room and tackling the children tickling them mercilessly.

“Come on now uncle Jamie, the Tony’s won’t wait for you.” Remus reminded him before Lily could. With a final round of kisses for the children James joined them and they all went in the limo.

“Thanks for letting Elsa stay over.” Sirius said once they were on their way.

“It’s no problem Harry loves having her company and the sitter is cool with it too.” Lily replied trying to find a comfortable seating position.

“It’s a shame we have to go to these awards. It’s been ages since we all were out together.” James commented pulling Lily in close to him. She returned his gaze with a little smirk knowing exactlywhat he was thinking about.

“Oh no we are going. How often do you think it will happen that both of you are nominated? James it’s crazy and I’m so proud,” Remus told them beaming. “What if you win and you weren’t there, don’t you want to be able to show Harry?” Mentioning their son did the trick and James nodded. He was very proud of what he had managed.

“We can still have fun while we’re there.” Sirius was more excited about going than any of them, and true that the production was as much his baby as Lily’s as they had spent hours going over all the details together.

“On that note Sirius if I win you are coming up on stage too because it’s as much your win as mine.”

“No Lil I couldn’t.” He began but she overrode him.

“Yes you can and you will, I insist.” He tried to look like he wasn’t happy about this but she knew him so well and spotted the happy smile he shared with Remus.

“Perhaps this can be fun after all.” James said thoughtfully.

“Oh I guarantee we'll have fun.” Lily said softly into James’ ear making him smirk.

ထ

E! Announcer: “And here we have arriving on the red carpet now, one of the power couples of Broadway - James and Lily Potter. The stage adaptation of James’ best selling book, The Dancer is up for no less than ten Tony’s tonight, along with his wife, the renowned choreographer, who is also nominated for her work in her husband’s show, as well as her work in Derek Wells newest production fight like a girl. Which has been the surprise nominee of this years Tony’s. Arriving with them is music producer Remus Lupin and his husband the retired dancer Sirius Black.

ထ

           “Shit, fuck, shit, they’re gonna miss it. Lily’s category is next up. Where have they got to?” Sirius looked about the music hall trying to see if they were coming back to their seats. Remus stayed resolutely in his seat not looking around, with a sigh he put his hand on his husband’s shoulder making him sit back down.

           “You know exactly where they have got to. What do they always end up doing every single time they get the chance?”

“Yes, but surely not here?”

“You’re joking aren’t you?”

“Fuck you are right.” Sirius said sliding his hair back into place.

“I always am.”

           A man in black wearing a headset and carrying a clipboard approached them crouching low.

           “We need Mrs Potter for the shot of the nominees, where is she?” Sirius looked back at the man with a shrug.

           “I think the nerves have gotten to her and she has just nipped out for a moment. I have her permission to represent her.” The runner pinched his face and started talking quickly into his headset as he rushed away.

           Sirius was suddenly not so confident when the cameraman came to stand in the isle beside him. Remus leaned in to him and held his hand.

“Breath darling it’s fine, it’s not like you are going up on stage.”

“And the winner is…”

“Oh, fuck!”

ထ

Lily heard her name called over the PA system but in that moment she did not care, she was far too interested in thoroughly kissing her husband and removing him of his pants as quickly as possible. Once again she was grateful for picking the dress with the high split so she was able to sit herself up on the powder room counter and lock her legs around his.

“Lily.” James murmured

“Shhh” she replied grabbing the back of his head.

“Lily, they are calling for you.”

“James, I think this once I can miss my curtain call, now shut up and kiss me.”

[tropicalgoon]

Spoilers for the Homestuck Epilogue below.

First things first, i had caught up reading Homestuck on the exact day the Gigapause started (10/16/13). So long pauses and people arguing about canon was pretty common. Then the comic ended but later we got snapchats. Once the snapchats started coming people were unsure how ‘canon’ the snapchats were. Also    

i was surprised with how fast the rest of the Epilogue came out. I figured it would have been drip fed like the comic was but reading it now i can see why that was not the case. If you haven't read the Epilogue i have one thing to say.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE CONTENT WARNINGS THEY ARE NOT JOKES.

With that out the way, i think the biggest shift in the Epilogue vs the actual comic is that everything is way more mature. While Homestuck was full of angsty, snarky teens and a lot of jokes, ironic and not, the Epilogue overall has a more somber, powerless mood to it.

Also one more thing, i do not have a fav character or ship. So that might be why im upset about how it is.

Now i read the Candy choice first so ill talk about that. Now as soon as i saw the juju i knew it was going to have an effect. And i was right, the juju makes people feel okay with their surroundings and so when John ate it he felt at ease with the chaos his life and friends were becoming. But hoo boy did everyone suck all around. 

i knew Gamzee was gonna be back and i was not wrong. i think the whole iVe bEeN GeTtIn mY MoThErFuCkIn rEdEmPtIoN On sO EvErYtHiN I Do iS GoOd was a funny bit but maaaaaan did it get a lil crazy. Jake has always been a doormat and easily manipulated. So nothing too new there but it was nice when he ran off with lil tavros. Also i guess hes the earth c equivalent to a kardashian.

 It really surprised me how fast Roxy got together with John. In fact the Candy Roxy is way different than the meat Roxy. i guess thats the juju at work. Rose was sick with an “illness” but soon after the candy was ate she got “better”. What actually happened was she stopped trying to open her mind to the infinite degree and just let herself live in the moment and be truly happy. It was nice to see her and Kanaya have a happy life, at least until everything went bad. As for Dirk i felt bad for him because he always had that whole meta textual self importance thing going on so when he offed himself i was like oh no. Its nice that him and Dave had bro-sesions.

And now time to talk about Jade, Dave, and Karkat. It feels like Dave and Karkat have mostly stayed the same with a few big differences.1) they both are a little less insufferable, 2) Karkat has accepted he is a leader and 3) their tip toeing around relationships was kinda annoying. Which brings me to Jade. She was butting into all three of their relationships trying to force them to admit feelings. While ive seen some people say Hussie killed Jade i personally dont think so. Jade was always a headstrong, stubborn person who would go after what she wanted and i mean she was on an island by herself for most of her life if she wants to have fun let her. 

Jane really went off the deep end. Which i dont think was so far off her canon personality in the comic. Her denying being xenophobic while being incredibly xenophobic was funny but also pretty real. While i didnt like they way she interacted with Jake it honestly fits in with what happens in the comic. (the trickster stuff, the crockercorp kidnapping). Her whole shadowy rise to hidden power was inevitable also i feel like she was really echoing the Condense on earth. Allowing Gamzee to spread his faith while funneling her wealth and fame into passing the policies and laws she wants. I do not think its out of character for her and Dirk to hate trolls since their lives were so affected by them. 

Johns depression clouding his judgement and making him not want to react was sad to read. It really felt like he was just drifting around, letting all of the situations and chaos just wash over him. So when he was talking to Terezi and she helped him make sense of things it was a nice turn of pace.

Speaking of Terezi, its sad how long she went chasing after (Vriska). As of this moment i dont really think the quadrant system is really in place anymore (at least relationships with humans in it). With John and Terezi talking to each other it really felt like blackrom.  “1F 1 W3R3 3V3R TO DO BL4CKROM 4G41N, 1T WOULD H4V3 TO B3 LOW K3Y”. It is sad her obsession with finding (Vriska) led to her dying in the void.

Seeing Aradia and Sollux was a surprise but they really didnt add much to anything (esp. Sollux). It was kinda funny how much of a dickhead Cade (Calliope Jade) was towards her. Cade was interesting. i really feel like she acts like she did in the comic. 

(Vriska) returning was also not a surprise. She THE most known character. Of course she would be back, but not by her own accord. She wants the spotlight, she HAS to have it. Now that she is trapped on earth c she is now out of canon and so she is out of the spotlight. Thats why she was wailing about needing to SEE it. I think its kinda funny she ends up having a quick fling with Gamzee, and he tries to sell her on his redemption arc bullshit. It really shows how far her obsession has let her fall.

And now its time for meat. Honestly im glad i read candy first because meat was really nice to read after candy. As i said with candy, i figured meat would be the more active of the two (duality like the cherubs). 

First off it was really nice to see how much Dave believes in Karkat and how he thinks Karkat would be leader earth c NEEDS. In Meat they still have their relationship drama with themselves and Jade. I really feel like shes slightly more direct in this one. After the blowup 

John dealing with Roses instructions, finding and bringing together the younger versions of themselves so they could go fight a younger Caliborn and getting sucked into the the house juju was not a surprise since its been theorized thats what would happen. Of course Rose did not warn him, or even tell him what to do. Even when the younger versions of Johns friends die and get hurt he still tries to save them. 

Jake is a very powerful figure in the new earth, he doesnt even realize it. Which leads to everyone trying to get him on their sides. I honestly feel like this is partly his page powers (but then again the classes and aspects dont mean all that much) but he has always been unconfrontational and a doormat. Dirk, Jane, Dave, and Karkat only want to use him for his ass and fame so they can further their agendas. 

i think its rather fitting that (Vriska) doesnt get to see how the battle against Lord English ended. It was GREAT to see Davepetasprite^2 make a comeback and fight Lord English. She KNOWS the final battle isnt her battle but she is still THE ONE who turns the tide. She’s the one who has brought the winning piece so its still a victory of hers by proxy. Also she does not have the talk with Vriska (rose and kanayas kid) on a clown throw pillow so she does not get to do the self reflection she needs. Instead she gets sucked into a black hole.

The Jane and Dirk combo was not surprising, they both had the hangups about Jake and i feel like it ended the same way. Once they got what they wanted it was no longer exciting, or mysterious. But reading the political sabotage and Dirks plans coming together made me realize he was using her for his own gains too. 

Now the whole Rose dying because her physical body couldn't contain the infiniteness of infinity was truly heartbreaking. Especially when Dirk was fucking with Kanaya. i do not know how much of Rose was being manipulated by Dirk and how much was her wanting to end her chronic suffering(2real4me). Addressing all of the....implications around those two. i really do not think they ran off to be together. i believe Rose is the first person Dirk has really connected with on a actual personal level. From what ive seen he does not really treat people as well... people. I think him and Rose are feeling the, “i am the only real person here and everyone else is a puppet” feeling John and Terezi was talking about. But unlike John, Dirk was never one to sit idly by, hes a mechanic after all. All the pieces have to be in place.

The whole bit with Cade and dirk taking control of the narrative was something i feel like has been building up for a long while. The unreliable narrator has been established a few times in the comic, in friendsim, and now in the epilogue. But it does raise a good question about who has been narrating the story and can they be trusted to give us the truth. We saw Dirk acknowledge that he is not unbiased and says things as he sees it. Cade says shes unbiased and just gives the whole truth but all i can think about is how she made Jane carefully cradle the juju and put it on the mantle. Watching Dirk outsmart Cade was defiently exciting to read. I cannot wait to see where all of this is leading to. 

Do i think thats the end of both of Davepetasprite^2 and Lord English? No, as the comic has always said,” Don’t turn your back on the body.” We dont know where they ended up but we’ll just have to wait for more to come out and i cant wait. Does Rose, Dirk, and Terezi (i guess) have an agenda, yes. Do i have any goddamn idea what that is? Nope, and im fine with that. Overall i enjoyed both of them.

[chessireneko]

Late Night Call

Ok so this was a sort of challenge from this lil shit @theivonking f you very much ❤ and also my first attempt at writing smut ..kinda.. (ﾟ∀ﾟ ) and since I liked the idea I may or may not continue it with just a small part, kinda like an epilogue I guess? Enjoy!（〜^∇^)〜

Pairing: Wonho (Monsta X) x Reader

Genre: Smut

Type: Drabble

Word Count:  1501

*pictues for the moodboard found on pinterest credits to the original owners

|| M A S T E R L I S T ||

You just got back from work, feeling tired and desperately wanting a long hot bath to get the subway smell off of your clothes. While waiting for the water to get ready you pour yourself a glass of wine and put on some relaxing music. A few minutes later you check the temperature and discard your clothes soon after and get in the tub. Once your body comes to contact with the warm water you can actually feel all the tension leaving you. You applaud yourself for remembering to take with you both the wine and your phone to have that much-needed bath. After a while, you feel unable to keep your eyes open. You remember the guy you run into earlier at noon while on your coffee break. It was only for a brief moment but that was more than enough to leave you speechless. He was tall and muscular and his ashy blond hair really brought up his eyes. You closed your eyes again and brought the image of his shirt struggling to stay buttoned on his broad chest. You could feel your mouth water. You could even remember his voice especially when he spoke your name apologetically for almost spilling his coffee on you. And even with that, the whole encounter made it up for the fact that you somehow managed to lose your work id. Either he was too hot or it had been too long since you were intimate with someone. Probably the latter.

Just when you were about to fall asleep you heard your phone ringing. Unknown number? Please just be a wrong number…

You picked up the phone “hello?”

“Hey… Is this Y/N? Am I calling in a bad time?” you hear a rather raspy voice from the other side that almost sent you shivers.

“At 11 pm.? I could never see why this would be a bad time for a stranger to call. Who is this?” you return sarcastically with another question and your voice sounding just as raspy from your previous thoughts.

“Fuck.. you sound hot…guess I should’ve seen it coming huh..” he exclaims with audible excitement in his voice.

“..Seen it coming? What do you mean?” you asked him trying to sound normal but something about his voice and a slight hint in his tone made you just as excited.

“Well to answer your previous question I happen to be the guy who picked up your id at Starbucks around noon if my memory serves me right. I assume you must be looking for it?” he replied nonchalantly as if he didn’t just call you hot out of nowhere.

“Oh..?” you respond not sure exactly what to say to all of this.

“I almost spilled my coffee on you. Does that ring a bell by any chance?”

“Oh! Yeah, now I remember!” you exclaim as soon as your mind clicks, you’re left speechless that the guy you’ve been thinking of the whole day, is actually the same stranger that picked up your id. If you didn’t believe in fate before you sure do now.

“So uhm.. I was thinking I should make it up to you for almost ruining your clothes. How about I help you have some good time after a long tiring day?” he asks you with an obvious suggestion at his tone that makes you gulp.

“..good time?” you question him trying to mimic his tone.

“Do you want to tell me what you’re doing right now?” he answered with a question rendering you speechless for almost a whole minute.

“I’m actually taking a bath right now” you answer him with just as a suggestive tone. “Drinking a glass of wine and some music. And what are you doing ?” you continue in an attempt to gain control of the situation.

“Shit.. “ you hear him say sharply, “ I uhm.. I’m in my bedroom..picturing you all wet..” he said, his voice sounding all raspy again making yours hitch at your throat.

“Sounds like you’re having a good time. So you’re just… Lying there?” you asked him, surprised at your boost of confidence.

“Would you want me to do something else sugar?” he said never losing his composure. You started feeling your arousal growing at the sound of just his voice that you didn’t care he was a complete stranger.

‘Well, I assume you didn’t call a random stranger just to tell them you’re lying on your bed.”

You retorted not quite sure if you wanted to be the one to make a start.

“You’re right I didn’t call just for that. How would you feel about touching yourself for me ?”

“Bold aren’t we? I expect you’ll be doing the same then?” you didn’t really have to ask that, you could almost hear his arousal.

“Oh yeah..and to be honest with your sweet little voice I can barely hold myself right now.” his answer came in a bit too fast. You recognized the familiar feeling in the pit of your stomach.

“You don’t have to anymore… I already started… unless you want me to stop..” you said not able to finish your words in one go, from the stimulation you were giving yourself.

“Fuck! No.. don’t stop…. I wanna hear exactly what you’re doing!” he exclaimed with a sudden rush.

“I’m playing with myself… I got one finger in.. and hearing you get excited is really turning me on.” you said between small moans.

“God… don’t hold back babe you sound so hot… I wanna hear all your moans..” damn.. his own groans sent you into overdrive you actually wished he was right here right now.

“I won’t then. Tell me what you’re doing” you said losing all common sense left in you.

“I’m feeling myself babe…your voice is really working wonders…especially knowing you’re all naked right now… I wish I could actually fuck you right now..” he breathed out between moans.

“Tell me… how you’d fuck me… make me cum…” you could barely speak out by now. You were surprised at how quickly he was getting you there without even being actually there.

“First, my name’s Hoseok… I wanna hear you saying it when you cum for me..” he said letting out a low growl. “I’d hold you up, lead you to my bedroom and then pin you down..take your clothes off.. make sure you’re nice and wet for me…and then I’d spread your legs and I’d go in as slow as possible… make sure you never forget this… I’d play with your chest, bite your neck… and the closer you’d get the faster and harder I’d pound into you…  fuck… I-”

“Shit I’m close..” you breathed out your voice getting higher and higher. “Fuck .. Hoseok..I’m..”

“Cum for me babe!” you heard him just about to reach his high as well and that was the final draw for you. You cried out his name once more coming undone and heard him yelling your name right after you. Once you realized what just happened you didn’t wait for him to calm down to start asking questions.

“So uhm.. Is this something you do often?” you asked him getting nervous.

“Before you start getting suspicious let me assure you I’m not some kind of psycho. I just wanted to inform that I have your id and I just figured it would be better to retrieve it than going through the process of getting a whole new one.”

“Oh” is all you managed to say. You didn’t exactly know what to say.

“I know this is kind of weird but I couldn’t get your face out of my mind all day and I did have your number. I didn’t really plan on this. Not that I regret it though” he said with a small chuckle. “I didn’t expect you’d sound so hot. Would it be ok if I asked you on a date? A proper date. And if you don’t want to I can just leave it at your and we can forget this ever happened… Please say yes?” you thought he sounded pretty sincere. At least his plea did. You gave it a thought and decided a simple date wouldn’t hurt. Besides, you couldn’t deny the fact you found him just as hot.

“Uhm .. well… I guess a date is not the worst thing in the world. And yes I would prefer just getting back my id. But somewhere with lots of people! I’m still a bit suspicious about the whole thing.’’ you let out a small laugh hoping you didn’t sound too harsh.

“Any conditions are fine as long as I get a date!” he chimed brightly. “Uh, I’ve kept you up! Can I call you sometime tomorrow to set the time then?” you thought he sounded really cute now somehow. You couldn’t resist the smile creeping on your lips.

“Sure we’ll talk tomorrow,” you said just as cheerfully.

“Great! I’m glad I got to talk to you!”

“Mm.. me too. Goodnight! “

|| M A S T E R L I S T ||

[jeremichal-archive]

we’re live in three… two… one! (part 6/epilogue)

well my friends, this is it. the final part of this lovely little series. it’s been a wild ride and i’m thankful to all of you that stuck it out and made it to the end with me. thank you to everyone who’s ever left a nice comment, put something nice in the tags or shot me a message about 321, you guys are amazing and i love you all. so, without further ado, i hope you all enjoy and please let me know what you think!!!

PAIRING: Jeremichael WARNINGS: Swearing PART: 6/6

Part one! | Part two! | Part three! | Part four! | Part five!

The first thing Michael does on Monday morning is kiss him.

It’s a whole process, and it’s one that Jeremy only goes along with mainly because when Michael grabs his hand, he kinda forgets for a moment. He forgets about Saturday. He forgets about Friday. Suddenly he’s a few years younger, sitting cross-legged on his bed as he listens to Michael laugh in the newest Minecraft video with his heart jumping in his chest.

God, he never thought he’d get here. Never thought he’d get this.

So yeah, he lets Michael lead him out of the main room, through the side office and into the streaming room without complaint. He humours the other man, too caught up in his own mind to really care where Michael’s taking him up until the moment the door swings shut behind him. In an instant, Michael’s mouth is on his, kissing him softly as Jeremy finds himself being pressed back against the door.

Michael’s hand cups his jaw, thumb stroking little circles into his skin.

One.

When Michael pulls back, Jeremy lets his head flop back against the wooden door. “I’ve been waiting all weekend to do that again,” Michael mumbles and his hands gravitate towards Jeremy’s hips. Hips that are covered in fading purple bruises; bruises that fit the size of Michael’s fingers perfectly. He squeezes. Jeremy’s breath hitches. “You excited for tonight?” he asks and Jeremy nods.

It’s a nervous excitement, but by this point, Jeremy doesn’t really expect anything else, nor does he really care. Michael’s taking him out. “Dinner first, Lil J, and then we can go back to my place and make out like a couple of horny teenagers afterwards,” is how he’d described it on Saturday night, leaning up against his car as they both tried to stave off the impending goodbye.

At the time, he’d laughed, but now, Jeremy can’t wait to curl up on Michael’s couch, pressed up against the other man’s side.

And to be honest, he definitely feels like a teenager right now. With his heart pounding in his chest- having Michael so close, having his full undivided attention on him- Jeremy feels light-headed. Technically, they haven’t actually labelled what they are yet- Jeremy’s too afraid to ask and Michael hasn’t mentioned anything- but in his head, Michael is his boyfriend.

And while he’s sure that if he built up the courage to ask, Michael would happily adopt the label, but then again, it’s only been two? one and a half? a few days since they happened, so Jeremy doesn’t want to push.

The second thing Michael does is ask him about them, almost like he can read Jeremy’s mind, which is a terrifying thought.

Michael watches him for a few moments, letting the air around them settle into a comfortable silence. Jeremy counts down the seconds that they spend just staring each other in his head. He can’t help but wonder if Michael is doing the same thing as him, can’t help but wonder if Michael is cataloguing every little thing about him so that he can remember it later.

Jeremy’s definitely doing it; he’s making a list in his head.

One, Michael smells like oranges. He can’t tell if it’s body wash or aftershave, but every time Michael shifts, he catches the scent and it’s really fucking nice.

Two, Michael’s eyes are a gorgeous shade of brown. He’s never really thought brown eyes to be all that beautiful before- his own aren’t really that spectacular, if he’s honest- but Michael’s are captivating.

Three, all of Michael’s touches are desperate. Possessive, even. There’s a certain edge to them, almost as if he’s afraid that every touch will be his last like Jeremy’s going to deny him the right. He wonders if Michael was this desperate even before Jeremy confessed. The idea seems alien to him.

He makes it to sixty-seven seconds before Michael ducks his head, effectively breaking eye contact. “Hey, about us-” he mumbles and Jeremy goes through the five stages of grief in a matter of seconds. “Are we- are we keeping this a secret?” he asks, and Jeremy frowns.

“What?” he half mumbles, half whispers and so Michael tries again.

Michael grabs his hand, squeezing it gently.

Two.

“Jeremy, are we telling people- the guys, the fans- about us?” he asks and Jeremy’s heart skips a beat. Yes, I want everyone to know that I’m yours and that you’re mine is what he wants to say, but the words get stuck in his throat.

He ends up stuttering out, “D-do you want to?” and Michael gnaws at his bottom lip.

“Yeah… I do. I really, really do,” he mutters, voice low. “I won’t if you’d rather keep it a secret, but I would really like to let everyone know that you’re mine,” he replies and Jeremy hesitates.

“A-are you sure?” he asks and Michael is quick to answer.

“Of course I’m sure, Lil J. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Jeremy deliberately drops his gaze. “What if- what if things don’t work out? What if you change your mind? What if the fans hate that we're together? What if we're rushing into this too soon. Once we tell people, that’s it, Michael. There's no going back, and if you wake up tomorrow and realise that I’m not the one you want, well, then it’s going to be tough to… to clean up the mess we’ve made,” he replies, voice trailing off.

Michael opens his mouth, and it takes him a few moments to string together the right words. “I’m… I’m not going to change my mind, Jeremy. Jesus Christ, I’ve been pining after you for months, so I’m not- I’m not that stupid,” he says and Jeremy glances at him, “look, maybe we don’t tell the fans just yet, maybe we keep our private life out of the public eye for a little while, but I would really like to tell the guys.”

“Are you sure?” he repeats and Michael nods.

“Yeah, I definitely am.”

The third, and final thing Michael does is kiss Jeremy again, this time in front of everyone else.

They walk back into the office holding hands, and when Gavin glances at them, part of Jeremy instantly wants to break the contact.

There’s the urge to pull his hand away from Michael- to stuff his hand back into his pocket and hope that Gavin hasn’t noticed just yet- but he manages to ignore it. Maybe it’s the fear of being teased, maybe it’s the fear that there’ll be disapproval in Gavin’s gaze when he puts two and two together, or maybe it’s just because Jeremy is just scared, because he is scared.

This is a big deal. This is a really fucking big deal and he feels like he’s completely out of his depth.

Yet, when he glances at Michael, all of his panic dissipates in an instant, because Michael is staring at Gavin and Gavin is staring at Michael. And Michael is blushing. And Gavin is smug. There’s an unspoken conversation happening between his boyfriend and Gavin, and Jeremy realises it’s about him.

“Bloody- finally!” Gavin exclaims and all eyes in the room shoot to them. Jeremy would normally feel self-conscious, but he can’t get over the fact that a) Michael is blushing (Jeremy honestly can’t remember the last time he saw Michael blush) and b) Michael has talked to Gavin about him, about how much he likes him. That’s- that doesn’t seem real.

Geoff takes one look at them and shrugs, feigning disinterest, but Jeremy catches the small thumbs up that he tosses their way and he can’t help but smile. Jack and Ryan offer their congratulations and Jeremy realises that none of them are really that surprised.

Were they really that obvious?

“You shut the fuck up! You don’t get the right to talk, you’re just as bad as me when it comes to Meg,” Michael hisses and Gavin laughs, loud and boisterous and completely unfazed by Michael’s faux anger. He lets his gaze slide over to Jeremy, who's pretty sure his complexion is just as pink as Michael’s.

“Who confessed first? Was it you or Michael? Why were you pissy on Friday afternoon? C’mon Lil J, give me something!” he pesters and Jeremy huffs a laugh.

“Uh, I did, Gav, and it’s… it’s complicated,” he mutters and Michael ducks his head, leaning in close enough to whisper in Jeremy’s ear.

“Don’t tell him, that fucker will never let me live my stupidity down.” His hot breath makes Jeremy shiver.

Geoff peers at them over the top of his computer screen. “Hey! Keep your hands to yourself, you fuckers. No fucking in the office or you’re fired,” he yells and Michael looks up at him with a shit-eating grin on his face.

“I make no promises Geoff. I mean c’mon, look at him! He’s fucking gorgeous!” he exclaims, before lowering his voice, just enough so that only Jeremy can hear him, “couldn’t keep my hands off of him even if I wanted too.”

Michael kisses him. It steals all of the air from his lungs and makes his head spin.

Three.

⊂ ⊃

The first thing Jeremy does on their date is make an absolute fool of himself.

They only make it seven steps into Fogo de Chão before Jeremy manages to stick his foot in his mouth. It’s probably a world record and there’s probably enough people around him to act as his witnesses, so all in all, Jeremy is mortified.

The reservation is under his name, so he leads Michael to the hostess and mutters, “Uh, reservation for Jeremy Dooley.” The hostess, whose name tag reads Abigail, smiles back at him. She’s only doing her job when she replies, but then again Jeremy is utterly hopeless. “Table for two? Perfect! You and your husband can follow me,” she says and Jeremy feels himself flush.

“He’s, uh, he’s… Boyfriend? I-I mean, I’m his b-boyfriend? I- Oh God,” is what comes out of his mouth and there are a few seconds of awkward silence before Abigail responds.

“Oh- oh sorry! I didn’t mean to assume,” she replies and Jeremy decidedly keeps his mouth shut.

Michael covers for him. “It’s fine, no harm done,” he replies and she nods, bringing them to a stop in front of a table. She leaves them with a menu each and the reassurance that someone will be back to take their order, and the second she’s far enough away Jeremy lets his head thump against the table. He doesn’t need to look at Michael to know he’s grinning.

“I’m boyfriend, am I?” he asks and Jeremy tries to kick him underneath the table. When he fails, he can’t help but let out a sigh.

“I want to die,” he mumbles back and Michael’s laugh would normally be charming if it weren’t for the fact that Jeremy just wants to wallow in his own self-pity right now. He purposely keeps his head down and just lets it rest against the table instead and after a few moments, once Michael's laughter had faded away, he feels a hand grab ahold of his.

Michael’s fingers gently tap against the back of his hand.

Three.

“You know, you’re pretty damn adorable when you get flustered,”

“Michael…”

“It’s true. You went bright red and I had the sudden urge to just kiss you right there and then. And it’s not that big of a deal Jeremy. Hell, Ryan flubs all the fucking time!” He reassures him and Jeremy lifts his head, just enough to meet Michael’s gaze.

“It’s just… I can't fucking believe that the first time I get to call you my boyfriend, I go and- and fuck it up!” He huffs and Michael frowns, letting out a low hum.

“You know, if it makes you feel any better, technically this was the second time,” he replies, “Gavin and the other guys were the first, and you didn't mess that one up. ”

“No, I don’t- I mean, it was the first time I said you were my boyfriend, you know, out loud. To someone. Makes it real.” Jeremy mutters, straightening himself out and leaning back against the chair. His fingers absentmindedly fidget with the edge of the menu that sits in front of him.

Michael tilts his head slightly. “Well, how about we try it again. Let's pretend this is the first time, yeah?” he says and Jeremy stares at him. “Who am I?” he asks.

Jeremy swallows. “You’re my boyfriend.”

Michael grins. “Yeah, I am.”

The second thing Jeremy does is make Michael blush again, and he tries not to let the power go to his head.

The question is stuck on the tip of his tongue and he just doesn’t know how to ask it.

It doesn't help that Michael keeps distracting him, mouth settling into a cheeky grin every time he leans across the table to steal a bite of Jeremy’s dessert. He’s sure that Michael doesn’t even care about the food, he just likes the exasperated sigh that slips past Jeremy’s lips in response and the way he has to retaliate every time. By this point in the night, Jeremy’s eaten more of Michael’s molten chocolate cake than he has of his own cheesecake, and it’s all Michael’s damn fault.

“So…” he begins and Michael glances up at him. Jeremy watches Michael lick his lips, and he can’t help but wonder if he’d taste just as sweet as their dessert if he were to kiss him. He’s pretty sure he’ll get to find out later.

“What is it?” he replies and Jeremy somehow manages to swat his hand away when he tries to steal another spoonful.

“Get away, you fucker,” he mumbles and Michael lets out a loud unabashed laugh. He has to mentally shake himself, trying not to let himself get distracted as Michael knocks his foot against his. “Uh, so you and Gavin. You two talked about me, huh?” he asks, “what- what did you say?”

Michael quirks an eyebrow. “All good things,” he shoots back and Jeremy rolls his eyes.

“Asshole.” He leans over and steals a spoonful of Michael’s dessert, which earns him a snort in return.

“Look… I didn’t even really tell him anything to begin with,” he states, tilting his head slightly and Jeremy meets his gaze, “the asshole just guessed and I think… I think I just liked having someone I could be honest with when it came to you.”

“You know, that person could have been me,” he replies and Michael shoots him a wry smile.

“I… to be honest, I thought… I was convinced that you liked Ryan.”

There’s genuine confusion laced in his tone when he replies, “Why would you think that?”

Michael shrugs. “I don’t know. I guess I was just convinced that all of your smiles and laughs had to be for him because if they weren’t, then they were meant for me and I didn’t want to get my hopes up.” He tries to lean in again, arm extended to steal another bite off of Jeremy’s plate but Jeremy catches his hand.

Jeremy lets his thumb rub small circles into Michael’s skin.

Two.

“Uh… yeah, they were for you,” he mumbles and he hears Michael suck in a breath, “you know, Michael, I was crushing on you before I even started working at Rooster Teeth. Had it fucking bad, man. Used to- I’d used to get so excited when a new video would come out and you were in it.”

He bites his bottom lip. “Every time you’d laugh my heart would just fucking skip a beat and the first time I met you I was sure I was going to pass out. Every look, every touch, every smile and every laugh; I’m so fucking smitten that it’s embarrassing, Michael. So yeah, of course they were meant for you. They’re always going to be meant for you.”

When he lets go of Michael’s hand, he can’t help but notice the way Michael’s cheeks are stained pink and he’s sure he’s just as flushed. Michael stares back at him, and there’s so much warmth in his eyes that all Jeremy can really do is offer him a shy smile.

“How did I get so fucking lucky,” he mumbles and yeah, Jeremy wonders the same thing.

The third, and final thing Jeremy does is make a fool of himself again, but this time Michael’s right there beside him and it’s okay.

Michael’s hand is warm on his hip as they push their way into his house, both of them grinning like idiots as they cross the threshold. The atmosphere has levelled out; his heart is no longer pounding in his chest and his nervous excitement has turned into a quiet happiness. It’s honestly really nice.

He lets out a soft sigh. “I had fun tonight,” he mumbles as Michael’s arm moves to snake around his stomach. When he’s tugged backwards, he goes without hesitation and he finds himself being pressed back against a warm chest.

“You know, the night's not over yet,” Michael whispers and Jeremy nods slowly. He explicitly remembers that Michael promised him a makeout session, so there’s no way he’s leaving just yet. But, he also knows that if he asked, Michael wouldn’t hesitate to let him stay the night. Jeremy can feel it, both of them already dreading having to say goodbye, but they’ve got work tomorrow morning and Jeremy knows that it would be impossible to leave Michael’s bed come morning time. As much as he hates it, the night is going to have to come to an end sooner or later.

He’s pretty sure that Michael realises the same thing, at the exact same time.

His boyfriend sighs, pressing his face into the crook of Jeremy’s neck. He lets his hot breath fan over the bare skin, and Jeremy can’t help but shiver in response. They’re still just standing in the entryway to Michael’s home, so Jeremy makes the decision to move them. He shuffles forward slowly and when Michael follows, lest he gets left behind, Jeremy leads them to the living room.

His intention is to spin around in Michael's arms. His intention is to slowly manoeuvre them until they’re both sitting on the couch, curled up against each other; his head on Michael’s shoulder or Michael’s head on his, either way, Jeremy doesn’t care. But his eyes are glued to Michael’s and his reaction time is a bit iffy, so when his foot gets caught on the corner of the rug, they both go down like a sack of spuds.

“Fuck! Ah, shit, sorry Michael!” he hisses, sucking in a breath. There’s a dull pain at the back of his head and his tailbone is throbbing, but the worst thing is the heavy feeling of stupidity and guilt that slowly settles in his stomach. Michael pulls back slightly, holding himself up by his hands as he leans over the younger lad and Jeremy waits for him to climb off of him completely.

He doesn’t.

Rather, he shoots Jeremy a lopsided grin that quickly dissolves into giggles and lets his head rest against his shoulder. “We’re quite the pair, aren’t we?” he mumbles, words muffled by Jeremy’s chest and the knot in Jeremy’s stomach loosens exponentially.

“I was aiming for the couch,” he confesses and Michael snorts.

“The floor is just as good, I guess.”

“You’re not going to get off of me, are you?” he asks and the look Michael gives him is answer enough. He watches Michael shift slowly until he’s half lying on top of Jeremy and half on the floor and his face is inches away from his.

“You hurt?” he asks and Jeremy shakes his head.

Michael pauses for a moment. “Do you- do you want to stay the night?” he asks and Jeremy sighs.

“I shouldn’t,” he whispers back and Michael hums.

“But you will.”

“But I will.” And the grin he gets in response is breathtaking.

Jeremy closes the distance between them. He kisses Michael and Michael doesn’t hesitate to kiss him back.

One.

[avengerofyourheart]

You are My Heaven Pt 2 [End] (Steve Rogers fic)

Characters: reader, Steve, Sam, Natasha (mentioned), Maria Hill

Summary: Falling for a good man, who happened to be her training partner, was unavoidable. What if you can’t stay away, even after heartbreak? Is it possible to be friends with some one you’ve fallen for? Life rarely unfolds the way we hope it would. (Events take place after CATWS)

Warnings: lil fluff, lotta angst. Heartbreak. I’m sorry.

Word Count: 2.8k

Song Inspiration: Litost by X Ambassadors

Tags are at the bottom

A/N: This one hurt. Once again, I drew from my own personal experiences, so it took a lot out of me to write. I hope you enjoy it? I’m considering an epilogue, so let me know if that is of interest! Please let me know your thoughts! Special thanks to @buckyywiththegoodhair for helping edit. Bless you!  

<<<Part One   Part Two   Epilogue>>>

Masterlist

____________________________________________________

The next morning after a maximum of 3 hours sleep, you dabbed on some concealer to hide bags under your eyes and got dressed. Hopefully you could blame your ‘illness’ on not looking your best. Once you arrived, it seemed you didn’t have to worry. Apparently Nat was a little too good at telling the story that you’d been sick. When you walked into work, everyone was shocked that you were “up and around” so soon. It was like you had the plague or something.

Assuring everyone you were fine, the office was back to business as usual. However, partway through your first day back, a mission report update arrived from Steve. Upon seeing the email, your breath quickened with a twist of your still-tender heart. You sought refuge in the bathroom until the pain in your chest subsided and tears dried. 

The rest of your week passed without incident, the only unusual being your lack of visiting the gym. Even without Steve there, too many memories lingered. You kept yourself distracted by catching up on work and spending time with the other Avengers. That weekend, you actually made an effort to go out with friends and socialize. The pain in your chest still lingered, but less sharply than before.

As Monday rolled around, though, there was a different sore of ache within you that couldn’t be placed. Midday approached, and you realized it: you missed being in the gym. So much time spent pushing your body to its limits, finding your strengths and weaknesses and then collapsing in bed that night sore but feeling accomplished. Thinking back all those months ago, you remembered that Steve Rogers was not the reason you started training. He was there from the beginning but you came for your own reasons. You just needed to find those again. Checking in with Maria first, you then grabbed your gym bag you kept in the office and headed out.

Squaring your shoulders to face the punching bag, you felt your gloved hands pound the heavy leather, a satisfying smack reverberating through the gym each time. A bead of sweat trickled down your back and you could feel the soreness in your muscles build after being away the past week. Finding yourself in the zone, it took a few moments before the gym’s raised noise levels registered in your mind. Looking around, you saw the three Avengers had returned from their mission victorious, tired smiles on their dirt and soot covered faces while others congratulated them. Sometimes they preferred to clean up in the locker room rather than traipse their muck-covered boots and otherwise soiled gear into their own rooms.

You saw Steve’s adorable helmet hair almost immediately and his bright blue eyes caught your gaze. Your heart did a strange flop in your chest, as if it had forgotten how to behave. He gave you a smile and raised a hand in greeting, which you returned. You didn’t have a smile for him just then, though, still conflicted in your feelings. Turning back toward the punching bag, you paused a moment before resuming your punches. Next came a light run on the treadmill followed by some stretching and you called it a day.

That evening, your phone chimed as you got ready for bed.

Hey, Y/N! Glad to see you’re recovered. Up for a training session tomorrow?

The flutter in your stomach had returned, heart still uncertain. Thumbs poised over the screen, you finally pecked out a reply.

The question is, are you? I think you’ve earned a day off.

Those three dots appeared as he typed, reply popping up quickly.

Nah, I’m good. Plus I hear you’ve been slacking off. ;)

A small chuckle escaped you at the Captain’s use of an emoji, even surprising yourself. Lowering your phone, you considered it. Steve was still offering to train you, probably because he had no idea you had fallen for him, and just because he really was an amazing guy. You couldn’t fault him for unknowingly breaking your heart. You alone had fallen with no one to catch you, but he wasn’t to blame for that. And when it really came down to it, even after all you had been through…you missed him. Seeing him today even for those few seconds, you felt better than you had for over a week.

Was it possible? Could the cause of your pain also be the unexpected healing of it? Steve still carried that light within him, a warmth that had been lacking since you’d last seen his handsome face. A sunless, grey sky was what your life had become until he glanced your way once again. The question was…could you handle being around him again? Was your heart strong enough? How much worse could it be? You’d rather not have that last question answered, but feeling brave, you typed a quick answer and hit send.

I’ll be there.

__________

What have I done With my heart on the floor I must be out of my mind To come back begging for more

The following afternoon, you took a deep breath before passing through the gym doors. Steve caught your eye and waved you over toward the free weights, smile upon his gorgeous face. If you were going to do this, then he’d have to stop it with the dimples because damn, he was adorable. As you got closer though, you saw a small cut to his right cheekbone, concern furrowing your brow.

“Hey, Y/N.”

“Steve, what happened?” you asked, raising a hand to touch him, but then pulling back self-consciously.

His fingers brushed the nearly healed scrape, “This? It was nothing. Ready to get back to work? You were looking good, coming up against the punching bag yesterday. Your form has come a long way.”

Silent a moment, you considered his response. While your concern for his wellbeing was genuine, you needed to realize that you weren’t the person that he would talk about the details of his missions with. You had hoped to be that person once upon a time, the one he talked to about everything, but you now knew it wasn’t meant to be. Seeing him again and knowing that he would never be anything more than a friend to you…it hurt. Not as the initial rejection had, but more like someone was firmly pressing against a bruise. It was a reminder of what you already knew but it would still take time for you to move on. Hopefully.

As Steve had said, you were his friend. Couldn’t you just let him be YOUR friend? Nothing more? Maybe.

Clearing your thoughts, you nodded, setting your bag to the side. You followed him onto the mat and then mirrored his movements as you both began stretching.

______

And how long must I stay Will I lay by your side Just to say that I'm yours Oh, and you'll never be mine

Another two months passed by and life resumed its natural rhythm. Work kept you busy and so did training, which you were enjoying more and more each day. You spent your time in the gym mostly with Steve, but you also tried to train with other Avengers as well. Telling yourself repeatedly that he could not be the center of your universe, you made a point not to say yes every time he was free. Becoming too available and avoiding other aspects of your life once again was just asking for trouble.

Everything changed one day though when Maria asked you to step into her office just as you were heading to training. You entered the gym 20 minutes later, mind on overload. Automatically, you set down your bag and taped up your hands, eyes unfocused as thoughts raced.

“Y/N…” Steve tried to grab your attention, snapping his fingers before your face. “Earth to Y/N…everything okay?”

Mind returning to the present, you met Cap’s brilliant blue eyes. “Hm? Yeah…sorry. I’m okay. I think.”

“You sure? You seem distracted…”

“I, um…I have a job interview in a few days,” you answered, still waiting for the news to sink in for yourself.

“Job interview? You’re leaving us? Where to?” Steve inquired with a furrow in his brow.

“London.”

Shocked, Steve sputtered, “England? You’re leaving the country? Wow. When?”

“I don’t know…I mean, I leave tomorrow for the interview and I’ll be gone only three days, but if I get the offer, then maybe…” you trailed off, still unsure if this was all real.

Maria had asked you to come into her office, informing you that a new position was opening up. She knew you had outgrown your current position and wanted the best for you, so she offered your name. SHIELD had a London branch before the revelation that HYDRA was actually pulling all the strings. It all came crashing down on both sides of the ocean, although less literally in England. No high-tech Helicarriers fell into the Thames that day, only the loss of trust between coworkers and the fleeing of cowardly HYDRA agents before they could be discovered.

London SHIELD had lie dormant since then, but there was a need for reliable eyes and ears overseas, so the higher-ups decided to build it back up. The position you were applying for was basically Maria’s job, but on a smaller scale. It was a great opportunity. You just had to decide if it was right for you, should you get the job.

“That’s um…wow. That’s great,” Steve replied, still looking almost as shocked about the situation as you did. He snapped out of it though, then clapping his hands. “Well. Let’s break a sweat before you enjoy all those fish & chips, huh?”

Letting out a chuckle, you nodded, preparing to stretch.

_________

Those three days in London had been an incredible whirlwind. After the interview, a thorough background screening, and some time spent in the city, you were headed home with a lot to think about.

London was a gorgeous city, old and historic blending seamlessly into sleek and modern across the skyline. Getting around was quite easy, actually, reminding you a lot of New York City. The Tube Subway system was convenient and almost idiot proof once you got the hang of it. It was literally color-coded, for heaven’s sake; each line a certain color on the map and even the trains themselves had colored railings. It was also clean and generally on time, which you could not say the same about New York’s Subway.

The trip to your interview went smoothly, arriving at 30 St Mary Axe with 10 minutes to spare. The building was all curves with gleaming windows, the top tapering into a dome. Most refer to it by its nickname: the Gherkin, for the pickle-like shape it resembled. SHIELD inhabited multiple floors in the office building rather than a large structure of its own. The British were much less ostentatious than their American counterparts.

The interview went swimmingly as the conversation flowed and the responsibilities required were discussed. Your references and experience nearly spoke for themselves. You were offered the position on the spot but were given a few days to let them know.

Walking into the office the next day, slightly jet lagged, you were surprised to find Steve leaving Maria’s office as you entered.

“Y/N, hey! How was London?” he asked you, all smiles

“Hi, Steve. London was…amazing,” you responded with a grin.

“Really? So you got it?”

“I did.”

“Wow, congratulations!” Steve offered with enthusiasm, unexpectedly wrapping you in a hug. You melted into his warm, strong arms as his musk of vanilla and spice overwhelmed you.

He just as quickly released you, leaving you stunned a moment. “Um…thanks, Steve. I haven’t quite decided if I’ll accept, but it’s a great opportunity.”

“Oh. Well, if you do, we’ll sure miss you around here,” he said sincerely, half-smile upon his face.

You nodded, suddenly overwhelmed by the thought of saying goodbye to…everyone. Struck with bravery and caught up in the moment, you called out as he turned to go.

“Steve! Um..”

He turned back toward you, curious.

“Will you go to dinner with me?” you blurted. Surprise dawned on his features so you quickly went on, “I…I mean, we never did go out for Indian food. Seems like now is the time.” A pang of instant regret hit you as he paused in the doorway, wishing to retrieve the words. Feeling embarrassed, you awaited his response while biting your lip nervously.

“Uh…sure. Yeah, that’d be great,” he said with a smile.

Exhaling in relief, you returned his smile. “Okay. Awesome. I’ll send you the details.” And he left with a nod.

____________

The following night, you found yourself sitting across from Steve at your favorite Indian restaurant, the table piled high with all sorts of tasty dishes. He wanted to try a little bit of everything and you had no objection, helping yourself to rice and curry paired with garlic naan, your favorite. Steve even tried the hottest curry on the menu, resulting in coughing and sweating on his part and uncontrollable laugher on yours. He was a good sport though and felt much better after a large amount of ice water.

Conversation flowed easily, him asking about your new position and how you felt about moving overseas. You had made the call a few hours ago to accept. It was all big and scary and new, but it was too good of an opportunity. If you were going to move forward in your career and see the world, this was the best way to do it. Not that you were without reservations, though. A small part of you still wanted to stay for reasons you hadn’t been willing to admit until now.

Other than leaving behind all that was familiar: friends, co-workers, the hustle and bustle of a city you loved, you were also leaving a part of your heart behind. Try as you might to not let yourself have feelings for Steve, once again you found that you had no choice in the matter. There was no use denying it: you were in love with Steve Rogers. Not Captain America, the iconic superhero the rest of the world loved. No, you fell for the funny, sweet man from Brooklyn who helped a friend without a thought and never failed to put a smile on your face.

Once again, you had fallen all on your own and the impact wasn’t going to be easy, but this big change was probably for the best. Time away from him might actually allow you to let go. You did feel like you were losing your best friend, too, which hurt just as much.

At the end of the night, he walked you to your door like the gentleman he is while your mind raced with what to say. Coming to a stop, he turned toward you, hands in his jacket pockets.

“Steve, I um…I just wanted to say thank you. For everything. For being willing to train with me, keeping my spirits up, for pushing me to always be better and just…being my friend. And thank you for coming out to dinner. It meant a lot to me,” you said, hoping you wouldn’t get too emotional. This wasn’t even an official goodbye, just goodnight, but this might be the last time you were alone with Steve. There was a fine line between saying too much and not enough.

Steve grinned at you, those adorable dimples on display. “You are more than welcome, Y/N. You’ve been a great friend and I’ve really enjoyed our time together. I hope you’ll continue your training over there because you have potential. And thank you for dinner. I had a great time. I’ll miss having you around.”

A beat of silence lingered before you leaned in for a hug, burning the memory in your mind of being in his arms, if only for a short moment. You said your goodbyes and stepped inside, leaning against the door as you heard his footsteps fade.

After a week of chaos and tying up every loose end in your life, you found yourself on the plane headed for London. You hadn’t allowed yourself much time to think the past few days but as the plane rose and you caught one last glance of the city from above, you felt your heart ache while a few tears fell. For all that you were leaving behind. For all the new experiences to come. And for Steve.

When this love like a hole Swallowed my soul Dragging me down… And I'll never be whole again

Epilogue >>> 

The Truth Behind “You Are My Heaven” (personal story)

_________________________________________________________

There it is. I know, I’m sorry!! But trust me, I lived it. Slightly different circumstances, but there was definitely Indian food. If anyone’s curious what the real story is, let me know. I could possibly be persuaded. I’m thinking of doing an epilogue! Thoughts?? Let me know! I love to hear from you lovely people! Also I really have been to London and yes, you should be jealous. I’d go back in a heartbeat. 

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