#you ever meet someone you haven't seen in three years and have them ask 'oh how'd your basement turn out?'

[captainjonnitkessler]

I would be so powerful if I had the ability to finish literally anything I started

[rinawantstosleep]

𖹭༉‧°𓂃 𓈒𓏸‪‪

bf satoru x fem single mom reader

wc: 1.1k

— a pair of troublemakers residing in your house; both of whom are (unintentionally!) dead-set on making themselves the death of you.

"I don't like your stupid, white hair." 

"And I don't like your boring, brown hair, buddy."

"W-well... well, I don't like your ugly, doo-doo face!"

"Your mama does." 

The two could go bickering like this for hours on end if you let them. What may seem to be a mutually digressive arrangement is actually an oddly adorable bonding in disguise. Satoru and your son put on a front of being annoyed at the other's presence, but you've never seen them apart for longer than a few minutes at a time. They've grown on each other; much like how moss grows on a statue that's been lingering out in the open. An indispensable cycle of life that's truly inevitable. 

"No, she doesn't! She doesn't! She likes... sof- sofis... sofistogated guys."

"You mean sophisticated?"

"Shut up!" 

You'd been terrified that your little one wouldn't have a father-figure to rely on anymore after you divorced your husband. However, it was something you had to do for his sake. The child deserved to live in an environment that wasn't always reeking of alcohol, where he wasn't subjected to the constant, drunk yelling of a pathetic excuse of a father who couldn't get his shit together and lazed around at home all day while you did all the work. If that meant that you'd have to raise him on his own, then so be it. At least he'd be raised properly. Signing those papers was, by far, the easiest decision you'd ever made. 

"I'm not shutting up because a kid in clothes too big for him is telling me to."

"You... you're the one always wearing tight clothes around the house to impress my mama."

"No, that's because I'm ripped. Gotta show off what I've got. And your mama loves that." 

"Oh, yeah? That means you show off your... your - um... ugly, doo-doo face!"

Would you regard it a miracle that Satoru just so happened to stumble into your life around that very time? Well, relatively. Meeting him wasn't something you'd planned, nor anticipated. The kind stranger who offered to pay for your order at a café a year ago has somehow, thanks to quite a romantic sequence of events, turned into your boyfriend; a rock to lean on for when you need the support. And, also, someone that your little one can look up to (with the fun, bonus benefit of the pair getting into silly, childish quarrels nine times out of ten). What is Satoru if not a three-hundred-and-thirty-six-month-old toddler, too? Puts your five-year-old to utter shame with the way he acts. 

"Enough. Baby, we've been over this before. Behave."

"But, mama, he's being a meanie!" "But, babe, he's acting all pretentious." 

The responses come simultaneously: one is high pitched and whiny, and the other is your son. Sometimes, you have to pause and ask yourself how you haven't gone insane yet. It's the love that keeps you from falling apart. How could you ever harbor any other feeling for these two, except for wanting to cherish them? You just... need to work on a pet name that doesn't apply to the both of them at once.  

"I don't want to hear it. Sweetie, finish your lunch. And, Satoru?" 

"Yes, honey-who-loves-me-and-my-'ugly, doo-doo'-face?" He's smirking, snickering, while saying this, the sly bastard. When will the pair ever relent on trying to one-up the other? 

"Why have you got one of my hair ties on your wris- never mind. Don't forget to change the sheets in our room. I'd do it myself if not for the meeting I need to get to in an hour." 

"Yes, ma'am." 

Cue a tiny gasp. 

"But, mama..." The voice of your little one breaks the peaceful silence at the dining table once again. His legs start kicking back and forth - a sign that he's growing restless - from the chair they're dangling off of. He's got a protest already forming up in that head of his. "Toru said he'd take me to the skate park today. And he promised to get ice cream after."

Toru, huh? That's new. You can't help the smile that paints itself on your lips. The two have been getting along pretty well, it seems, contrary to all the bickering they do. That's always nice to know. It's amusing to see the dynamic they've built. One second, they're riling each other up to no end, the next, they've already formed a secret alliance to go out and have fun together. How cute. "Is that so?"

"Mhm! So that means we need to leave riiight after I finish my lunch. Don't get mad, okay?" 

It's the small things like these that warm your heart. Some sacrifices can be made if it's in regards to this adorable (step, even though you haven't married Satoru yet)father-son moment. The sheets are insignificant right now. "Awwh. Of course I won't get mad, baby. It's good for you to want to spend more time with Satoru. Isn't he a fun guy?"

"... maybe." 

. . . 

"Just make sure he's safe out there. Helmet and gear on at all times, no big ramps. And don't let him eat too much sugar. He'll get hyper. Once the rush dies down, he'll get cranky -"

Satoru's arm wraps around your waist before you can finish your sentence, pulling you overwhelmingly close to his frame. Instinctively, your arms move to wrap around his neck, just the way Satoru likes it. Oh, how he wants to just throw everything else out the window and drag you to the nearest room with a lock in place.

"You -" A quick peck to your lips, followed by a nibble on your bottom lip. "- worry -" Another peck. "- too -" Another. "- much." Then, an unexpected bite on the shell of your right ear. "I'd never allow myself to let that little demon get hurt; or hyper."

Large hands wander across the curve of your back, resting firm on your butt. Satoru doesn't want to expose your son to the way he's squeezing your plush flesh with his long digits, so he shifts to have your back pressed against the wall. A perfect opportunity to kiss you - which the man can't help but seize. What else is a smitten boyfriend to do while waiting for your son to get ready and come down from his room upstairs? Lips against lips until one of you pulls away for air. "He's safe with me, okay?" 

"Okay." 

"Atta girl. Now, you go to that meeting of yours. And, tonight, after we both get back- oww."

"Groooss! Don't kiss my mama, or you'll make her ugly! Like youuu!"

"Baby, no. Don't kick Satoru's ankles-"

"I'm saving you, mama."

with 𖹭, rina !!

[space-cowgirllll]

Crush

a/n: soft jackson ellie ily.

not proofread, if you see any mistakes look away lol.

She couldn't stop staring. Sitting on a cold bench in front of Jackson's little schoolhouse, she hides behind the astronomy book she'd recently found while out on patrol. Frozen fingers flip to the next page every couple of seconds, far too fast to actually retain any information. She watches you lead Joel to a particular part of the fence that has clearly seen better days. The wood is rotting and splitting apart in certain spots. No longer safe for the children who play nearby. You nudge the post with the toe of your boot, eyes widening when it topples over. 

Her eyes follow the curve of your neck as you throw your head back, laughing at something Tommy said. Your smile lights up your entire face, sending a flutter of giddiness through her body, almost as if it had been directed at her. She bites her lip, averting her eyes when you crouch down to inspect the damage. Where you found jeans that fit you like that in times like these she'd like to know. One more quick glance and she contemplates walking away, leaving Joel to get dinner by himself.

"What are we looking at?" A familiar voice whispers behind her, causing her to almost drop her book. She clutches it to her chest.

"Nothing!" She whips her head around to find Jesse and Dina behind her. The pair plop down on either side of her watching while the two men try to make the broken piece work until Joel can come back and replace it later. You stand off to the side chatting, not wanting to get in their way. Ellie marvels at how pretty you look under the street lights. Your hair a messy halo of waves, making you look angelic. 

"So," Jesse knocks his knee against hers "Are you ever gonna actually talk to her?"

"I talk to her!" Ellie scowls. "She comes over to Joel's for dinner once a week."

"Oh, we know." He interrupts "We've been invited."

"It was brutal."  Dina winces. 

The couple quietly tease Ellie, reminiscing over that night a few months ago. She had begged them to come and serve as a buffer between you and her. They spent the whole night watching Ellie try and fail to not make a complete fool of herself. Stumbling over her words and cracking lame jokes that left her screaming into her pillow later that night in embarrassment. Jesse's foot kicking her under the table when she stared for too long. Ellie listens with a pout on her face. 

"You guys are the worst." She groans. Her eyes travel back to where you stand, widening a little when she sees you already staring. There's a tiny smile playing on the edge of your lips. Heat rises to her cheeks when you send her a little wave. Sorry, you mouth, gesturing to Joel and Tommy.

Dina's giggle seems to catch your attention. You shift from Ellie's flushed face to the brunette beside her. The two of you share a look, seemingly having a conversation with just your eyes. There's a sly smirk on your face when you finally look away. Her brows furrow in confusion. In that moment, Ellie wishes she spoke girl better. 

"You know what? Surprisingly, I think she might like you too." Her best friend pats her thigh as she stands. "Do something about it before she finds someone else who will actually make a move." 

She grabs a confused Jesse by the hand, leading him in the direction of her house. The two whispering as they go. 

Ellie digs the heel of her sneaker into the ground, the thin layer of snow crunching underneath her foot. Most of the people in her life knew about her little crush. The way she offers to take your patrol shifts if it was too cold. Always on the lookout for things that would brighten up your small classroom. Volunteering when you ask for help with random little tasks during town meetings. She isn't as subtle as she thought. There's no way you don't know she's spent the past year and a half pining after you and haven't said anything. 

Not only is she ridiculously awkward, Ellie speculates your disinterest also comes from the three year age gap between you two. At twenty four, you probably see her as a little girl with a crush. 

She can see how much you enjoy spending time with Joel, especially after your grandfather's passing. She would hate to ruin that for you. It's better for everyone if she keeps her mouth shut.

____

It isn't until a week later that Ellie sees you again. She's shirtless in the middle of her makeshift home in the garage just feet behind Joel's house. There's a small pile of discarded tops sitting at the foot of her bed. She huffs, trying to find one that nice enough, but doesn't make it look like she tried too hard.

You stopped by the stables in the morning, making plans with Joel for dinner and a game of poker. Ellie hid behind Shimmer, trying to think of a way to get out of tonight when a look from Joel told her she had no choice. She fumbles with the last couple of buttons on the flannel, too lost in thought to hear the sound of the door opening. 

"Ellie, food's read- oh!" 

"Shit!" She spins around to find you standing in the doorway, eyes fixed on her panicked face as she pops the last button open. Ellie shoves her arms into the sleeves of the maroon flannel she'd borrowed from Dina, knowing it probably matched the color of her flushed cheeks. At least she'd thought to put on a bra.

"In my defense, I knocked twice." You state as you slowly make your way around the room, pausing to inspect the posters hung on her walls. She watches you pick up the comic she'd thrown on the coffee table earlier. Your eyes light up in recognition. "Oh hey! My grandpa used to read these to me. I think I have some you're missing if you ever wanna see them." 

Her breath catches in her throat at the prospect of spending more time with you. "Really?" She grins. "I'd like that."

You nod, walking slowly towards her. Your footsteps loud in the quiet room. Ellie watches the way your piercing gaze roams her face, slipping to her exposed torso for just a second before locking eyes with her. She hopes you didn't hear the embarrassing way her breath hitches when you replace her clumsy fingers with yours. Ellie basks in the warmth radiating from your body as you button up her shirt, your warm breath hitting her temple. 

"Cute." You smirk looking down at her. "Really makes your eyes pop." Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, you step back towards the door. "Don't make us wait too long."

Ellie stands frozen, heart pounding in her chest, listening to your retreating footsteps wondering what the hell just happened.  ——

After another slightly awkward dinner, she was shocked when you showed up at her doorstep again that night, this time waiting until she opened the door. Giving her a shy smile, you'd held out a box full of old comics, letting her know there was no rush on returning them. Ellie still remembers the grin that bloomed on your face when she'd invited you in. 

The two of you rarely left each other's side after that. Your friendship blossoming in the months that followed. It helped that you liked to talk and Ellie liked to listen to you talk. Most nights were spent together, either at your place or hers. She loved it when you read to her while she drew in her sketchbook. Some nights she would attempt to teach you how to play some of her favorite video games, enjoying how cute you looked when you were pouting after losing to her. The two of you had even started growing a dvd collection, always fighting over what movie to watch (she let you win almost every time.) 

She couldn't believe how quickly you'd become such a big part of her life. Ellie still had the urge to pinch herself on the mornings when she'd wake up to you sleeping soundly next to her. And on the nights where she'd stay awake, late into the early hours of the morning, memorizing every inch of your face, the magnitude of her feelings for you scared her. She'd do anything for you. 

Which is how she finds herself standing in the corner of the room nursing a drink, doing what she does best - watching you. You've been looking forward to the winter dance for weeks, begging Ellie to come with. The sweet look on your face when she walked through the door sent a rush of excitement through her.

You stay by her side all night until one of your friends pulls  you to the makeshift dance floor, managing to get Ellie out for one song before she quickly retreats back to where she was despite your protests. You're glowing under the twinkling lights, dancing and singing your way around the room. The navy blue sweater she'd gifted you for Christmas last month fits you like a glove.

"So where's your girl?" She looks up to find Jesse standing there, his face covered in a thin sheen of sweat from dancing. Dina's laugh sounds off from somewhere behind him.

Ellie chokes on her drink "She's not my girl." She says through a nervous chuckle. 

"You mean to tell me you follow her around like a lost puppy and you'll sleep in her bed but you won't tell her how you feel?" 

She shifts nervously from one foot to the other. "We're just friends. I sleep over at Dina's all the time."

"You don't look at Dina the way you look at her." He sighs looking out at the crowd of dancing people. "All I'm saying is it's only gonna get worse the longer you ignore it. Are you prepared to be her friend while she dates someone else?"

Ellie's eyes follow to where he's currently staring. Bile rises in her throat as she watches you dance with someone else. Twirling around with another woman, her hands where Ellie's had been just minutes before. Her hand grows clammy around the glass. The blonde kisses you. Her lips far too close to your mouth for it to be friendly. Before she knows it, she's pushing past her friend and rushing out the door. 

The chilly January wind bites at her face as soon as she steps outside. Blood rushes in her ears as she quickly walks back towards her house. She's mad. Mad at Jesse for being right. You for leaving her standing there alone. But mostly she's mad at herself. What had she been thinking? That she would just get to know you more and not fall even further? Her cold palms press into her eyes, trying to alleviate the stinging sensation. This crush was going to ruin her. 

She stops just feet from her door, digging into her pocket for her key. Footsteps that are not her own pound on the snowy pavement behind her. "Ellie!" 

Her eyes squeeze shut, regretting not walking faster. She wants nothing more than to freak out while buried underneath her covers. For the first time ever she doesn't want to see you. 

Your hand grips her bicep, spinning her around to face you. "Els what's wrong?" 

"Nothing 'm jus tired." She mumbles shrugging you off and taking a step back. Your lips pull down into a frown at her actions. 

"Why didn't you tell me? We could have come back together."

She scoffs. "You seemed a little busy. Didn't wanna bother you." 

"Ellie-"

"Caroline's great." She interrupts. "Word around town is she has quite the crush on you. If you wanna go back don't let me stop you."

"Oh my god shut up." In the blink of an eye she find herself up against the wall, your body caging her in. Your hands fly to the back of her head, fingers tangling in the short strands of her newly cut hair. You tug gently, forcing her to look up at you.

"She kissed you." Ellie whispers looking like a kicked puppy. 

"And if you had stayed long enough you would have seen me brush her off." You cup her face, slowly dragging your thumbs across her cheeks in a soothing manner. The tenderness in your eyes will forever be ingrained in her mind. "There's only one person I want to spend my night with and she's right here."

"Really?" You nod, brushing the tips of your noses together.

"I don't want to be just your friend Ellie," You whisper against her lips, your breaths mingling together. Her ears ring at your confession, and she hopes you can't hear the way her heart is pounding. "and I know you don't either. I've been waiting for you to make the first move, but I'm real tired of being patient baby." 

Your lips press against hers in a soft kiss. It's hesitant at first, giving her the option to pull away. You see her eyes flutter shut, shaky hands wrapping around your neck. She whines quietly, wanting more. Her fingers slip down and hook onto your belt loops, pulling you in and deepening the kiss. Your tongue is soft and warm in her mouth, sliding against hers as you press her further into the wall. She shivers when your cold hands caress the warm skin of her lower back. 

Ellie's head goes fuzzy at the feeling of your thigh slotting in between her legs. Her hips seem to have a mind of their own as she slowly rocks back and forth on it, the seam of her jeans giving just enough friction to provide some relief. 

Her soft mewls and the wet sounds of your mouths fill the air. Somewhere in the back of her mind she realizes you two are still outside, where anyone walking by can see. You need to go inside. She just can't find it in her to care at the moment. 

Hands slide from their place on your hips to cup your ass, squeezing harshly, drawing a groan from you. "Hmm. Do you wanna know how many times I've caught you staring at it?" You ask as your mouth pulls back to kiss down the column of her throat. Teeth nipping the soft skin there. Ellie laughs breathlessly in response, somewhat lightheaded from the lack of oxygen. The dazed look in her eyes sends a jolt of heat through you. 

"Ellie?"

The two of you rip apart at the sound of Joel's voice. He stands just outside of his back door, the concerned look on his face vanishes when he spots you and Ellie off to the side of the garage. 

"You two alright out there?" 

You want to laugh at the clear discomfort and amusement in his voice. "Fine Joel, just walking her home."

"Uh huh." He doesn't sound convinced. "Well, best get inside before the snow picks up."

"Right. Good night!" 

Ellie rushes to unlock the door, pulling you in and slamming the door shut. 

"How did you know?" She asks, playing nervously with her fingers. Her freckled face deliciously flushed. A love bite peeking through the collar of her hoodie. 

"You weren't good at hiding it. I had my suspicions." you giggle, intertwining your fingers with hers. "Dina also might have put in a good word. Said I would love you if I just got to know you better."

"And?"

"She was right."

[malfoyscoffee]

birthday cakes ౨ৎ draco malfoy

♡ draco malfoy x transfer!slytherin!reader ᝰ fluff, slight angst ☆ reader has neglectful parents, use of y/n

a.n.: this is my first fic for this account, so it's not my best work.

6:02 pm

“Finally, in a few hours, our lovely Y/N will be 16!” Pansy clapped her hands together in delight, excited for your birthday.

“Oh Pansy, it's not that serious.” You shrug while picking at your food.

You were a transfer student from Drumstrang, so this was indeed the first birthday you would spend at Hogwarts.

The moment you were placed into Slytherin, Draco approached you and befriended you into his group of friends. Ever since, you have grown closer with all of them.

Mattheo puts his fork down, “But Y/N, this is your first time celebrating your birthday with us!”

“He’s right,” Theodore started, “we should stay up till midnight since we don't have class tomorrow anyway.”

You looked up at your friends, knowing they wanted to cheer you up.

It was this morning when you received your monthly letter from your parents. They wrote that you should study harder to keep up your—currently perfect—grades, along with how they were going on another business trip to America.

They wrote about everything but your birthday.

This was nothing new, after all, they were always busy during your previous birthdays.

Blaise joined in, “If it makes you feel any better, we all had our gifts bought last month because someone,” he looked over at Pansy, “wanted to start gift shopping early.”

You turned to Pansy who simply grinned, “Oh, come on, you didn't have to spoil the surprise, Blaise!”

Pansy playfully slapped Blaise’s shoulder while you, Mattheo, and Theodore laughed.

The laughter died down and you spoke, “By the way, where's Draco?”

Draco Malfoy, your best friend. You would consider him the closest person to you in all of Hogwarts.

You haven't seen the blond a lot this week, mostly during classes. After classes ended, instead of him hanging out with you, he would leave the common room and not come back all night.

Two days ago, he returned late at night to the common room, passing by your group of friends while his dark robes were covered in some white powder. You asked what was wrong as he bee-lined towards the stairs, but he muttered something with a frustrated face; you haven't had a chance to talk to him since.

All the talk about your birthday made you start to feel excited, but you wanted Draco to be around too. But seeing how he has been the past week, you were starting to doubt he remembered your birthday.

You were too busy in thought to see the four of your friends sending eye signals to each other, each of them caught off-guard to give you an excuse.

Unlike Blaise exposing everyone’s early gift preparation, this was something that needed to be covered up.

Theodore cleared his throat first, “I think he's practicing more Quidditch. You know, since the season is starting soon.”

Mattheo added on, his food long forgotten, “You know how serious he is with beating every house, especially Gryffindor.”

“Oh,” you nodded your head “that reminds me, I'll see my first Hogwarts Quidditch match soon!” Your mood was suddenly lifted, thinking back to your old school’s Quidditch games. You always loved Quidditch and attended every game since you were a first-year at Drumstrang.

The moment you started to ramble to your friends about your favorite sport, you didn't hear the sighs of relief at your table.

11:50 pm

Pansy and Blaise were walking with you back to the common room. You just spent a few hours stargazing with them by the Black Lake.

Mattheo and Theodore said something about having to practice Quidditch with Draco too, which you didn't want to hold them back for. They made sure to tell you that they would meet the three of you back before midnight before they hurried off.

“We’re going to the Three Broomsticks tomorrow?”

“Of course, we’re going to have a birthday dinner. We always celebrate our birthdays there.”

You smiled, grateful to have wonderful friends. “It's not even my birthday yet, but thank you both for preparing so much. You guys know already, but I didn't celebrate my birthday during my childhood.”

Pansy and Blaise look at you with sadness, knowing about your life with your busy parents. It was a post-party hangout at Draco’s dorm when you opened up to all of them, partially because you were drunk, but also because you knew you could trust all five of them.

“Y/N, we’re your family too. We will always celebrate your day with you, so don't think too much about your parents.” You smiled at Blaise, grateful for his words.

The three of you finally reached the Slytherin common room. Although it was late, there were many students sprawled out of the room, hanging out with each other.

“Should we go check up on Draco?” Pansy asked, staring at her watch.

“Wouldn’t he be asleep?” You asked confused.

You assumed that since he was busy with Quidditch, he forgot about your birthday. The thought of him forgetting your birthday made you grow a bit sad, but you didn't want to make it a big deal.

Blaise started walking to the stairs, “He doesn't sleep early, come on.”

Pansy followed quickly behind Blaise, leaving you a little confused.

“Y/N!” Pansy yelled from the top of the stairs, “Let’s go!”

You grew confused but followed after your friends, walking up the stairs to Draco’s room.

“Pansy? Blaise? Where did you guys go?” You reached the top and did not see your friends.

You approached Draco’s dorm, knocking on the door.

“Draco? Are you in here?” You pushed the knob, stepping inside the dark room. You took two steps before there was a loud sound next to you, like something popping.

12:00am

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y/N!”

The lights turned on and you looked around, Draco’s dorm decorated for your birthday. Green balloon letters were written ‘HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY’ and confetti was thrown all over the floor. There was also a stash of gifts in the corner of his room, definitely the one Pansy made them buy in advance.

You were immediately hugged by Pansy, “It’s midnight! The start of your big day!”

Blaise, Theodore, and Mattheo chuckled before all saying happy birthday to you.

You had never smiled so hard, feeling so grateful for all of your friends.

“What happened to Quidditch practice today?” You ask Theodore and Mattheo, assuming they must have decorated Draco’s room. However, it may have been the messy arrangement of the balloon letters that gave it away. 

Mattheo looked at you with wide eyes, “That was a lie. Sorry, we tried to have you distracted to prepare this.”

You let out a laugh, “It’s okay, wait a minute, then what about Draco’s practices?”

The group felt silent, not before looking behind you at the currently opened door “If your practices were a lie, then was Draco’s-”

“Happy Birthday, Y/N” A voice interrupted your own.

You turned your body to the door, and a smiling Draco entered the room. Looking at his hands, he held a green cake with a single lit candle on top. It spelled out ‘Happy Birthday Y/N’ in frosting.

“Draco? What is this?”

“Well, snake's out of the bag,” Draco said standing in front of you.

Pansy went to stand beside you first, “But before, let’s sing first!”

The others agreed and started to sing you a happy birthday, Mattheo’s off-pitch voice making you laugh the whole time. When they finished you smiled, closing your eyes to make to make a wish before blowing out the candle.

“Yay!” Mattheo screamed excitedly, jumping up and down.

“Let’s go down to the common room to eat!” Theodore suggested, leaving the room to race Mattheo.

The rest of you four laughed, following them quickly.

“So,” you started, “did Draco have practice this week?” You sat down on the couch as your friends surrounded you.

Draco grinned, “You’ve caught me. I made your cake myself.” Your eyes widened in surprise as he put the cake down for Pansy to cut it.

“You thought Pansy reminding us a month in advance to buy gifts was insane? Draco spent the entire week learning how to bake a cake for your birthday.”

Draco took a seat next to you on the couch, hiding behind you as Blaise and Mattheo teased him further.

“Is that true?” You asked Draco, who shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing.

“Have the first slice, Y/N” Pansy passed you a slice on a plate that she somehow prepared while you were too shocked.

“Come on, tell us if it’s bad!” Mattheo said from the couch across from you, earning a smack in the head from Blaise.

You took a bite and it seemed like the cake was baked by a professional. You savored the taste and smiled, “It's delicious!”

That was all it took for Mattheo and Theodore to beg Pansy for slices, while Blaise was busy helping her cut the cake.

“Thank you, Draco, I didn't know.” He put his arm around your shoulder, leaning closer to you.

“I’m happy you love it, and that the cake didn't taste bad.” You laughed as you kept eating the cake.

“Y/N,” Blaise said, all your friends now settled down with cake slices except Draco, “You don’t understand. Not only did he learn how to bake that cake, he asked all of us to taste test it each time..”

A realization hit your eyes, “Is that why you were all sick a few days ago? It was his previous cakes?”

All your friends laughed as Draco hid his face in your neck embarrassed.

“At least it tastes wonderful now.” Mattheo munched on his cake slice with a smile, “Draco, you need to bake all of us birthday cakes now.”

Draco shook his head, before looking at you.

“Only for Y/N’s birthdays.”

[wannaeatramyeon]

Fem!reader Isekai in Lookism ?

Anon, so sorry I'm answering this exactly 3 months later. You're my last request from May and I was soooo close to deleting it because I have had exactly zero ideas. Then I got partly inspired by @honeyhotteok fic here and now I'm running on less than 3hrs sleep in work and it's your fault. Oh yeah, and I've completely twisted the ask as well. It's not even close. So all that wait was for nothing 🙇🏻‍♀️

Adventures of YOUR part time job in the Lookismverse

G/N. You work the graveyard shift in a convenience store. You meet bizarre characters on different nights. Part 2

There's something wrong with people your age these days.

Everyone seems to be either in a gang or up to some shady shit. Seriously what is going on. Is this all a big joke that only you aren't in on?

Just the other day you swear you saw a group of guys in boiler suits punch through some walls across the street. Like what the fuck? What did the wall ever do to you? And then someone apparently called Tabasco starts chanting something about Burn Knuckles and oh my fucking god it's 11pm please shut up.

Oh course you never said that, you still have some sense of self preservation.

And how does anyone even have the time for all this. Between school and this part time job, you barely have enough hours to sleep.

You miss Daniel, the coworker who you haven't seen for a good year but used to gossip into the early morning with. He always seemed a bit nervous and fidgety when you voiced your concerns and observations, but you just assumed he was a nervous and fidgety kinda guy.

There would have been some fun stories to share. Instead now you work the graveyard shift on your own.

.

.

Case in point, the guy standing in front of you looks like one bad conversation away from a mental breakdown.

And really you're not in the habit of checking out customers but he cuts a striking figure. Every exposed inch of skin besides his face inked, and (you silently ask for his forgiveness for the objectification) the biggest chest you have ever seen. What even is this guy eating? What is this guy injecting? Lifting?

The question is almost out of your mouth but then you see the look in his eyes and slam your lips shut.

Nevermind. You ring his purchases through and tell him to have a good night.

.

.

You're restocking the shelves when you notice a guy with a scar across his lip and nose, dripping blood from god knows where all over your freshly mopped floor.

Which is alarming in itself but come on man. Look at the floors. You're making it so fucking gross.

He notices you watching him, gives you an apologetic look and says he'll take care of it.

He makes a quick call and in comes 26 guys, one after the other and they line up in front of him.

You know it's exactly 26 because you counted all 26. And you've also watched all 26 pairs of dirty shoes trample over your previously nice clean floor.

The blood drippy guy asks politely for the mop and bucket and you think this must be some sort of prank because why the hell is this even necessary. 26 guys to share your one solitary mop and bucket and to clean a goddamn floor that you managed in 10 minutes.

"Get out." He blinks at you, taken aback by your tone. "Or I'm calling the police."

.

.

"You can bring your pups in!" You call out to the emo teen lurking outside.

Health and safety be damned because look how fucking cute these dogs are!

He hesitates but then the rain grows heavier and all three rush in.

You miss the suspicious glance he gives you, too fixated on how adorable the dogs are. You don't even mind their wet fur or muddy paws because look at these little babies!

And huh, this guy must really love them too with his, you squint, God? Dog? hoodie on. D'aww that's so stinking sweet.

.

.

Damnit, you knew these two would be trouble the moment they stepped foot into your store.

The tall blonde just gives off a distinct creepy vibe and the shorter one has his entire eyebrows shaved off.

Shaved. Off.

You couldn't help but stare when you put their purchases through and noticed some regrowth and stubble. Is this a trend you missed out on? Either way you're glad because there's no way you're shaving off your own eyebrows.

They converse in Japanese, not even saying a word to you. No thanks or anything, which is fine you suppose. But then they pay you in fucking yen.

They're out the door by the time you see the cash and fuck. Your boss is going to go apeshit when he finds out.

.

.

"What do you think, sweetheart?"

A new blonde guy addresses you tonight and for crying out loud, you just want a quiet shift.

What do you think of his white suit? With the garish LV logos? That it's tacky as fuck. That anyone with any sort of taste would never ever wear that. You keep your actual thoughts to yourself and instead just say it's fine.

That does nothing to subdue the blonde. He does stop talking to you though, and just mutters bitterly under his breath. You catch the words blind and tasteless.

His partner smirks at your response.

And isn't that a whole other kettle of fish because it's currently 2am and you're indoors and who the hell wears sunglasses right now. You think he's a douche of the highest calibre.

The smirk is wiped from his face when he asks for cigarettes and you ask for ID. He doesn't have it on him.

"No can do. No ID, no sale."

He leans aggressively into your space, and reveals his eyes peering over his sunglasses.

My god, what is up with this duo? One with the tacky suit, and this one with the ugly black contact lenses.

You don't budge and the guy is dragged out by the blonde cackling.

Ugh. That laugh gives you a headache for the rest of your shift.

.

.

You really wish customers would stop involving you in their conversation.

This one, who looks exactly like how you would imagine a SoundCloud rapper that has their mother following them and no one else, asks you to listen to his music.

He insists that he's good as the blonde girl rolls her eyes.

You listen to about 10 seconds and make up your mind.

He's wrong. He's very wrong. You want to suggest he gets checked out at the doctor because clearly his ears aren't working properly.

Instead, you mention you like Duke Pyeon, he's more your taste. Has he heard of him? It's the wrong thing to say though because this guy looks angrier than you've ever seen anyone.

"Don't start Vin, I've seen you listening to his music." The girl scoffs.

'Vin' shouts in indignation and storms off with his friend trailing closely behind.

.

.

"Can I help?" You ask with your customer service voice and customer service smile.

He has been standing in front of the hair dyes for a good ten minutes as his friend looks increasingly bored and you can't blame him.

"No thanks, I'm just browsing," he responds and you tell him you'll be just over there if he needs anything.

You kill some time playing on your phone, look up, and both of them are still in the exact same spot.

The one with the H on his neck looks about ready to tear his hair out.

"Come on bro, just pick one!"

"No Warren, this is important. I need it to suit my new aesthetics."

You shrug and return back to your kitty kat restaurant game.

.

.

"Cool glasses," you tell the guy walking around the store and he looks affronted at first before realising you're being sincere and gives you a small smile instead.

You wonder if you can pull off orange tinted glasses too or whether you'd just look like an idiot. It's probably the latter you decide when you ring up his energy drinks.

"I'm a boxer," he offers, as if you're judging the amount of caffeine he's going to slam down.

"Ok?"

"I need it for my training."

"Sure."

You've seen weirder purchases and weirder combinations. The people coming in looking frantic and buying a single plunger or pack of toilet paper never fails to make you chuckle.

To be honest the amount he's buying is a bit nuts, and you wonder if he's going to drink it all in one go. You probably wouldn't sleep for a year if it was you.

"Enjoy your training," you say, heaving and handing over the bag of 19 cans.

.

.

A mute blonde gestures at you

You try to use some sign language, but he looks at you as if you're crazy. At least you think he does but you can't see his eyes.

Somehow you're able to decipher he's lost his dogs. Four. Golden retrievers. And he asks if you have seen them.

(Huh. Do you have telepathy? Do you have the gift?)

You tell him no and he sprints out.

You spend the rest of your shift trying to move things with your newly discovered psychic powers.

Spoiler: you have zero powers. Zilch.

.

.

You think you might be having a stroke.

Because on what planet did this K-pop idol think the disguise would work. Cap and mask on but tufts of pink hair poking out and dressed completely in white.

It's like he's asking for attention and for people to ooh and aah over who that could be.

As he leaves, you shout that you can't wait for his next album. He turns around in complete shock that you recognised him, as if you solved the world's hardest puzzle.

It's a good job that DG has such a pretty face because what an idiot.

.

.

You hear two voices mention the words Daniel Park and your ears perk up, wondering if it's about your old colleague.

Nah. You're just being silly. It's not an uncommon name at all and too much of a coincidence.

"I haven't seen Daniel in ages! Have you heard from him, Zoe?"

"No," you see her friend shake her head from the corner of your eye.

The brown haired girl tilts her head in thought, "I wonder how Zack is doing too. I haven't seen him in so long."

"Ohhh~ you miss him!"

"O-of course I do! He's a friend!" She blushes bright red and you chuckle to yourself.

'Friend', sure.

For the rest of the shift, you reminisce about how you used to tiptoe around your feelings with your boyfriend, Taehoon, too.

[tomhiddleston]

One More Tomorrow (Billy Taylor x Fem!Reader) - Chapter I.

Summary: When a new guest checks in to The Halcyon, Billy looks for any excuse he can to get close to her.

Pairing: Billy Taylor x Fem!Reader (third person)

TW: pure unadulterated fluff, Billy being an idiot with a crush, some light swearing, this fic is basically a romantic comedy

Word Count: 5k+

A/N: I haven't written fic in ages so I hope you all enjoy my Billy Taylor brainrot!!! This is part one of a three-part miniseries I have planned... with potentially more to come if people want more? !!! Also, we're all gonna have to make peace with the fact that our nameless young lady has a surname, lol

Also, thanks to @valeskafics and @aegonx for reading this through for me!!!

Disclaimer: I do not own any The Halcyon characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used nor do I claim to own them.

Comments, likes, and reblogs are never required but are always appreciated!

Art deco dividers by @saradika

Billy will always remember the first time he set foot in the lobby of The Halcyon. He’d come to work with his mum more than a handful of times over the years, especially when he was little. But, in those days, the only glimpse he got of what went on upstairs at the hotel was the silver serving trays that the waiters carried as they walked past his mum’s office. Seeing the lobby - the heart of the hotel - for the first time was like stepping into a different world. 

That was almost a year ago, now. Barely sixteen, with trembling fingers tugging at the high collar of his bellboy’s jacket. It was brand new and freshly pressed, so it had a stiffness to it that he wasn’t used to from the hand-me-downs that he usually got from his father. 

He followed Feldman up from the bowels of the hotel and through the door that had always been forbidden to him. What lay on the other side was something he could have only dreamt of. Towering columns carved from emerald green marble, glittering chandeliers, doorways trimmed with a rich, dark wood. The sweet smell of fresh flowers permeated the air. He wondered how it was possible for it to smell so strongly of flowers in a room so large. He reckoned his family’s entire house could fit inside the lobby four times over. 

The Halcyon was the most beautiful thing Billy had ever seen.

Until the day he sees her.

May 1939.

His morning starts as it usually does. Quick cup of tea in the hotel kitchen. Dodge a kiss on the cheek from mum. Check on the hotel generator. Head upstairs to begin bringing down the luggage of the guests who are checking out. 

The dreary, painfully normal morning eventually turns into a rainy May afternoon. Billy’s shoes eventually become so waterlogged from escorting guests inside with an umbrella that he can feel his socks squeak against the leather with every step. He’s whinging about it to one of the doormen when Mr. Garland comes parading through the lobby towards the front doors with Mr. Feldman in toe. And if The Halcyon’s general manager and head concierge are preparing to greet a guest, then they must be someone important.

“Come on, then, Billy!” Feldman calls to him. “Fetch the umbrellas.”

Billy deflates a little, knowing that there’s little hope of his shoes drying any time soon. Still, he’s dutiful as ever and meets the other men at the front door with the still-damp umbrellas tucked under his arm. 

“Is his Lordship back in town?” Billy asks Feldman curiously. 

“No, Billy,” Mr. Garland answers instead. “It’s a new guest and one that we’re eager to impress. Mr. Tobias Greene, of Greene Automotive.”

Billy’s face lights up. “Greene Automotive? Oh, they’ve got the fastest cars on the market. Their new Model F’s got an eight-cylinder engine. Three hundred twenty horse power! It’s got a top speed of two hundred kilometers… an hour…” His voice trails off as he sees the look on Mr. Garland’s face. “What’s he coming here for? Their factory’s all the way in Birmingham.” 

Mr. Garland peers outside, looking for the arrival of their new guest’s car. “Something about setting up a corporate office here in London, I think. But it’s best not to pry, Billy. You know that. And please, no gushing to Mr. Greene about his cars.”

Billy nods and Feldman laughs at the disappointed look on the boy’s face. 

Mr. Greene’s car arrives at a very punctual three o’clock on the dot and the men step outside into the pouring rain to greet their new guest. Feldman is the one to open Mr. Greene’s door. Out steps a tall, dark-haired man with a thick mustache and shrewd brown eyes. The handshake he offers to Mr. Garland is firm but friendly. Billy can’t help but be a bit starstruck. 

“Come along, my dear,” Mr. Greene calls into the open car door. “Don’t make your father wait in the rain.”

A corgi jumps out of the car and into a puddle on the sidewalk, splashing water up the front of Billy’s grey trousers. Great. He barely has time to groan about it before he looks up and sees her. Mr. Greene’s daughter steps out of the car with the dog’s leash in her hand. It’s lucky that Billy is standing close enough that she is covered by the umbrella he’s holding because he’s frozen solid at the sight of her.  

If he was starstruck seeing her father, then he’s completely bowled over by her. She’s dressed in a beautiful fur-lined coat and has her hair done up in those curls that all the ladies are doing these days. Not a single strand is out of place. She looks like she’s just stepped off the set of a new picture or out of the pages of one of those magazines his mum reads. 

Her eyes meet his and it’s like he’s been struck by lightning. He wonders for a moment if his heart’s stopped beating. He sees her lips move but doesn’t hear what she says. How could he, when he’s so transfixed on her beauty? Plenty of good-looking women have walked through the lobby of The Halcyon, but not a single one of them could ever compare to her. 

Billy comes crashing down to earth again as the sound of the car door closing breaks him out of his trance. He’s not supposed to talk to the guests. Greeting them is Mr. Garland’s job. But he can’t help but squeak out a nervous “Welcome, my lady.”

She smiles in response and he melts. 

“Thank you.” Her voice is warm and sweet. Prettier than any melody. The little chuckle that leaves her is even lovelier. “But I’m no lady.”

Billy stumbles over his words, knowing that he’s mucked it up. His eyes widen and both hands move to grip onto the handle of the umbrella. “Y-yes, miss.” 

They all make it barely halfway to the front doors of the Halcyon when she turns to the car with a gasp. “Oh… my gloves. I left them in the car…” Her tone is pensive, more like she’s making a mental note not to forget them later than anything. 

But Billy, desperate to please her, springs into action without so much as a word. He’s at the car door in three long strides, only realizing that he’s left her standing in the torrential rain, umbrella-less, when Feldman snaps his name from atop the hotel steps. When he turns back, her suede gloves in hand, he sees her huddling for cover beneath the umbrella that Feldman is holding for her father.

He can almost feel the daggers in both Feldman and Mr. Garland’s eyes pierce through him, but then he sees the smile that creeps onto her lips. She’s drenched, the fur on her coat matted against her shoulders and her perfect hairdo ruined. But she’s smiling. 

When her lips part in a laugh, Billy knows he’s done for. Even if it’s him she’s laughing at, for being such a bloody twit, she’s laughing and he gets to hear it. If it was the only sound he ever heard for the rest of his life, then he would die a happy man.

Mr. Greene is not as charmed by Billy’s foolishness as his daughter, raising an outstretched hand for him to hand over the gloves and let them get inside. Billy can’t look the man in the eye as he places her gloves in his hand, but he does manage a small, sideways glance at her and sees that she’s gone all pink in the face. Just like him, he reckons. 

The Greenes are put up in separate but adjoining rooms on the second floor. Billy watches as Mr. Garland ushers them up the marble staircase. Feldman gives him an earful for what happened outside, but all he can think about is being the one to bring her luggage to her room. To see her again, maybe even talk to her.

He very nearly pushes the other bellboys over as they begin to bring the Greenes’ luggage inside. Despite their obvious wealth, they’ve traveled lightly in comparison to many of the other guests the Halcyon receives. Billy counts her suitcases. Only four. He can manage four on his own, can’t he? 

Feldman pinches the bridge of his nose at the sight of Billy, two large suitcases tucked awkwardly under each arm, lumbering up the stairs and nearly taking out one of the guests along the way. 

When he makes it to the room that she’ll be staying in, he has to scoot sideways through the open door to even make it inside. He’s huffing and puffing from the exertion but manages not to drop the luggage. As he sets them down gently, he looks up and sees her. She’s removed her drenched coat and is standing in the doorway to the bathroom, toweling off strands of her wet hair. There’s a warm glow around her from the sconce on the wall that makes her seem almost luminescent. 

He should say something… or leave now that he’s brought her suitcases. But he just stands to his full height and tugs at the bottom of his bellboy’s jacket to straighten it out again. They are both staring at each other all the while, her with that same, pretty smile as before. 

But to her, the wide-eyed look on his face must make him seem like a startled owl. 

“Thank you,” she finally says, breaking the silence. “Billy… wasn’t it?” 

His name. She said his name. It’s the best his name’s ever sounded. 

Billy swallows hard, his throat painfully dry, and nods. 

“Thank you, Billy.”

He can’t leave yet. Not until he’s managed to say something to her. Not until he’s apologized for having left her to get rained on, at least. A million things he could say seem to run through his brain all at once. Everything he wants to say becomes jumbled in the chaos. The words seem to bloom and die on his tongue in an instant. 

What he eventually decides on is something to the effect of, “I’m sorry I left you in the rain, miss.”

But what actually comes out of his mouth?

“I’m sorry–”

He turns on his heel to run out of the room before she can formulate a reply of her own.

Billy remains on edge every second of every shift after their first interaction. He’s restless at his post by the front doors of the hotel, fingers tapping on the back of his hand so incessantly that Feldman eventually asks him if he’s unwell. He cobbles together an excuse, saying that he’s just eager for a smoke break. But Feldman can see the way he longingly watches the staircase, hoping and praying to see her again. 

He’s so intent at his post that he forgets more than once to take a guest’s hat or coat when they enter, leaving the doorman, Skinner, to awkwardly step in for him. He gets a proper slagging off from Feldman after he leaves one of the hotel’s most valued guests standing at the door waiting for their coat. 

But none of that matters whenever he sees her. She seems to glide down the staircase whenever she emerges from her room, never a hair or a thread out of place. The beauty of The Halcyon’s lobby pales in comparison to her. No, she somehow makes the room look even lovelier, like there is a light radiating off of her that makes everything in her vicinity more exquisite. 

If she’s walking to the hotel’s restaurant, he’s there to open the door for her. If she’s heading out of the front doors, he’s there with her coat and hat. Each time, he relishes in the sight of her cheeks flushing pink and her eyes getting that little twinkle in them that makes his heart flutter. Hearing the little “thank you” that she mutters each time only makes him fall harder.

“One look from a pretty bird and he’s become a total melt,” Tom, one of the hotel waiters and Billy’s closest work mate, teases him during the staff’s weekly game of poker. 

Feldman spurts out a scoff. “A melt? Boy’s lost his bloody mind, he has. Couldn’t even tell you which way’s up and which way’s down when he’s thinking about… her.” He leans in close to Billy, saying the last word in a sing-songy kind of tone.

Billy attempts to hide the redness in his face behind his cards.

“You’re barking up the wrong tree, mate,” says Tom. “She’s an heiress and a guest. Best forget about her. Find a girl you might actually be worthy of.” He laughs it off as a joke, but Billy isn’t smiling. 

It hits a nerve, that remark. Billy knows he’s not the brightest. Never excelled in school. He only got his job here at The Halcyon because of his mum. He may only be sixteen, but he’s peered into his future once or twice and lamented about the fact that he might always be stuck working here until he’s old and gray like Skinner, still taking coats and hauling luggage up and down the stairs. There are few prospects for men like him beyond jobs like these. How could he ever be a suitable match for a girl like her?

Dejected, Billy folds his hand and rises from the apple crate he’s sitting on, not even bothering to collect the cigarettes he’s planned on using as his stake before he starts walking away with his head hung low.

“Oi, Billy!” Tom calls after him, abandoning his own hand to follow him. “Mate, I didn’t mean it. I was only teasing.”

“Doesn’t mean you ain’t right, Tom.”

Tom walks a little quicker to get in front of Billy and stop him in the long hallway between the stairs and the kitchen. “Okay, look.” He lowers his voice. “You wanna see her again? She takes her tea in her room at two o’clock every afternoon. Yeah?”

“Yeah?” Billy echoes, shrugging. “What, and ask Feldman if I can take a late lunch to have tea with her?”

“No, you dolt.” Tom sighs. “You could be the one to bring her her tea every day. You know, get in the door. Strike up a little conversation.” He nudges Billy’s arm. “Get in a cheeky kiss.”

Billy’s eyes widen. He’d be lying if he said he hasn’t thought about it… what it’d be like to kiss her. He’s never kissed a girl before. If she could be his first… oh, the idea alone is enough to make him weak in the knees. 

“But it’s… not my job, Tom. Feldman–”

“Leave Feldman to me. I’ll sneak him one of those custard tarts he likes from the kitchens. He won’t be able to say no.”

Finally, a smile tugs at Billy’s lips.

“Look,” Tom continues. “I’m sorry about what I said. She’d be lucky to have you, Billy.” He begins to walk down the hall to rejoin the poker game, but has to tease Billy a little more. “Just promise to make me best man at your wedding, mate!”

The rattle of porcelain fills the hallway leading to room two-hundred four. Why Mr. Garland had to put Mr. Greene and his daughter in rooms at the end of the hall, Billy will never know. The usually short walk now seems like a marathon’s length as he fights to balance the delicate tray of fine china. He dropped a teacup not long after he started working at The Halcyon and still hears about it from the kitchen staff. If he dropped this tray, he would never survive it.

Billy has bitten down on his bottom lip in concentration, his usually long strides short and uneven. The clattering of the fine china only grows louder the closer he gets to her door, his hands trembling an unacceptable amount. He can carry the heaviest, most cumbersome luggage and now he can’t handle a simple tray of tea? He thanks God that no one else is in the hallway at the moment to see him struggling.

He comes face to face with her door and stares at it for a moment. He’s certain that she will be able to see his heart pounding against his chest from underneath his bellboy’s jacket. Standing there, he begins to work himself up into a frenzy. He doesn’t know if he can do it. Better to turn back now and let Tom deliver her tea as always.

It’s as though he hears Tom’s voice in his head.

Billy, you idiot. It’s just a door.

Yeah, a door with the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen on the other side. He wonders how she’s spent her day so far. Brushing and styling that long, silky hair that he wishes he could run his fingers through. Reading books. Maybe Jane Austen or one of those other books that girls like. Curled up on the chaise with her little dog by her feet. It’s not the type of day that sounds appealing to him, but he’d sit by her side all the while if she wanted him to.

Billy snaps out of his daydream, realizing that he is still staring at the dark mahogany door with the gold two zero four on it. He swallows hard and decides to go for it. It’s quite the balancing act, getting one hand free to rap on the door without dropping the silver tray. He stands on one leg and lifts the other to prop it up on his thigh, quickly knocking twice on the door - but not before he sees a trickle of tea spill from underneath the teapot lid and onto the pristine tray. 

“Oh, bugger.” 

He only just manages to regain control over the tea tray when the lock clicks and the door swings open. It’s clear that she was expecting to see Tom by the look on her face - first, a flash of confusion, and then, a little smile and a blush. She’s rouged her lips today, making them look even fuller than usual. It complements the navy blue silk blouse she’s wearing and somehow makes her face seem even more aglow. Then he’s hit with the warm, flowery smell of her perfume and he lets it fill his lungs. Whatever it is, it suits her. 

Say something, Billy. Bloody hell.

He glances down at the tray and back up at her, seeing that she hasn’t taken her eyes off of him. He swallows again, trying to regain even a semblance of composure. He’s trying to come up with a reason as to why he, a bellboy, is there delivering her tea and not Tom or one of the other waiters, but she speaks first.

“Tom’s busy today?” 

Oh, that voice of hers. He could melt. 

But instead, he offers a little “Mmhmm.”

That’s a better explanation than he would have probably come up with, anyway. 

“Come in. Please.”

She turns to walk with him to the sitting room where she takes her tea by the window and he follows her like a lost puppy, tea tray rattling all the way there. He manages to spill more of the liquid onto the tray on the way there and curses internally. He sucks in his lips in concentration, but the tray still comes clattering to the table. One of the cucumber finger sandwiches tumbles into the puddle of tea below and the clotted cream slides out of its bowl.

“Oh… sorry, miss,” Billy mutters, knowing he’s ruined the presentation of the tray and, likely, spilled half of the tea that she was meant to drink. That’s the second time he’s apologized to her in the span of a few days for doing something stupid. Feldman would wring his neck.

Any other wealthy, well-to-do guest would have snapped at him, cursed at him, called him clumsy and stupid. But she smiles up at him, her eyes glittering more than all The Halcyon’s chandeliers combined. It’s only now that Billy notices just how close they are. Almost as close as couples get when they dance. His mind wanders again, wondering if she enjoys dancing. 

“It’s alright, Billy.” Her voice brings her back into the moment. Heaven above… she remembers his name. She plucks the finger sandwich out of the spilled tea it’s sitting in and tries a small bite, offering him a little smile. “I think it tastes better this way.”

He’s staring at her like a deer in the headlights again, but he somehow manages to nod and smile. “Oh. G… good.” 

Her own grin widens and she leans down to pour herself a cuppa. He knows he should go, but he’s somehow glued to the spot. He watches her every movement, from the way her hand delicately grasps the teapot handle to the way her brow furrows in concentration as she adds milk to her cup.

“You don’t talk much, do you, Billy?” 

“Erm…” He straightens the front of his jacket nervously, feeling the heat in his cheeks. A breathy laugh leaves him. “I dunno.”

His mum would be in stitches if she were here right now. He’s been chewed out more than a few times for talking her ear off when she’s busy cooking or cleaning. You’re going to drive me mad one of these days, Billy, she’d say. To see him completely clammed up around this girl would throw her for a loop.

“I understand. My dad’s not a big talker, either. So I talk to Clara.” She turns to where her corgi is asleep in her plush bed by the fire and smiles. “She’s a good listener.” 

“Yeah…” He follows her gaze, grateful that the little dog isn’t awake to bark at him. “Bet she is.”

“Do you have any pets, Billy?”

He blinks a few times. She wants to know something about him? The blush in his cheeks only deepens.

“Uhm, no… mum’s allergic.”

A look of sympathy flashes across her face. “Oh. That’s bad luck. Well, you’re welcome to say hello to Clara and pet her if you want. She’s such a sweet girl. She loves people.”

Billy glances at the dog again. She isn’t the one he’d like to spend time with. “Yeah. Maybe next time.”

“Next time?” she asks hopefully. His heart jumps.

“Oh, I just– you know. If… Tom’s busy again.” 

Her smile warms him. “I’m sure he’s always busy. Not that you aren’t, too,” she laughs. “I just mean that… you’re welcome to bring my tea again… if you want.”

Billy is stunned into silence again, and right after he’s finally managed to string together more than two words at once. They mirror one another, both wringing their hands together nervously. The air between them feels heavy with unspoken words, but theirs isn’t an uncomfortable silence.  

“Of course, miss,” Billy finally manages. He watches her take a sip from the glistening white teacup and delights in the little hum of pleasure that leaves her.

“If you have work to do, then… I won’t keep you, Billy.” She speaks almost hesitantly, like she’d rather be asking him to stay. “I’d hate for you to get in trouble because of me…”  

She’s right. He has a lot to do before his work day ends and Feldman wouldn’t take too kindly to him neglecting his duties. But he’d give anything to stay here with her.  

“Yeah, I’d better… go.” He sounds unsure, something she clearly notices judging by the way she smiles. 

“Thank you for bringing me my tea, Billy. See you later?” The enthusiastic way in which she asks her question makes it sound like they’re friends who are set to meet up again tomorrow… or maybe that she sees him as, potentially, something more. 

No, he has to tell himself. She doesn’t mean it like that. Not at all. She can’t. Not him, the bellboy. But he’ll be damned if he doesn’t get his hopes up.

“See you later, miss.”

His eyes flit to her lips briefly, hoping she hasn’t noticed before he hurries out of the room and nearly slams the door behind him. He all but floats down the hotel staircase, wearing a stupidly wide grin on his face. 

At the end of his shift, he’s downstairs by the staff lockers being grilled by Tom about everything that happened that afternoon. Billy can barely give any specifics about the interaction itself because he keeps devolving into thoughts of the way her hair curled at the base of her neck and how delicate her fingers looked as she poured herself tea. At some point, Tom decides he’s a lost cause and leaves him to his daydreaming.

Feldman wanders in to collect his things and sees Billy leaning against the lockers there, clutching his bellboy’s hat to his chest. As far as he’s concerned, the sooner this girl checks out of the hotel, the better. It’ll sort him out and get him back to functioning properly.

“I think I’m in love with her,” Billy says over his shoulder with a dreamy sort of look in his eyes.

“You haven’t said ten words to her, Billy.” 

“I have too!” But he starts hurriedly counting on his fingers… just to be sure. 

“Saying ‘yes, miss’ and ‘no, miss’ a handful of times each doesn’t count, lad.”

Billy blushes. “Well, I—” 

Feldman’s laugh only makes his face redder. “I reckon you’ll want to keep bringing her tea so you can stare at her some more, eh?”

“W-well, Tom said he’ll be too busy again and—”

“Yeah, busy having a smoke break.”

Billy can find no clever reply or excuse, so he just looks down at the bellboy’s cap that he has been idly turning over and over again in his hands.

“Look, Billy. If I’m gonna keep allowing you to slip away for tea time with this girl when you should be helping me check in guests, then you have to swear to me that you’ll man up–” Feldman hits him square in the middle of the chest with the back of his hand. “–and hold at least one bloody conversation with her before she and her father leave on Sunday. Yes?” 

“Yes, sir.”

Feldman takes him by the shoulders and gives him a little jostle. Someone’s got to shake some sense into this boy. “Yes?”

“Oi…” Billy furrows his brow and recoils. “Yes. Feldman, I will. Promise.” 

The rest of the Greenes’ stay at The Halcyon passes far too quickly for Billy’s liking. He does manage to hold true to his promise to Feldman and strikes up a conversation with her about her dog on the final day he brings her tea. Of course, Feldman never said that it had to be a long conversation. Billy found himself clamming up again in the end, but he still left her room feeling like he’d accomplished an insurmountable feat. 

He’s back to his uncharacteristically quiet demeanor today, though. Part of it is his own sadness that she will be leaving the hotel today and part of it is that her father has been flitting between their two rooms all morning. Something tells him that Mr. Greene wouldn’t be too pleased about a bellboy staring a little too long at his daughter. 

As the last trolley of luggage is wheeled out by another one of the bellboys, Billy waits for her to finish putting a leash on her dog. He glances around the room, now empty of her personal effects, and feels his heart sink. The room already seems less lovely in the absence of her. 

“That’s the last of your luggage… miss.” He knows he sounds too dejected when she looks at him with a little crease between her eyebrows.

“Thank you, Billy.” Her voice is as soft and as sweet as ever, but he’s far too heartbroken at the thought of her checking out of the hotel and probably never returning to enjoy it. She’ll forget all about him when she returns to her father’s estate and her fancy parties and her rich, handsome suitors. He’s feeling so sorry for himself that the purpose of her next request is lost on him.

“Billy, would you… help me with Clara? These shoes are brand new, and… I would hate to slip on the stairs if she decides to pull on the lead…” 

He’s seen her go up and down the stairs with the little dog plenty of times. Why should she need his help now? But he acquiesces and holds a hand out to take the lead from her.

“Course, miss.”

They leave her room together in silence. He notices that she keeps attempting to catch his gaze, even offering a couple of crooked smiles, but he’s walking under a raincloud the entire way through the lobby. 

“You know, Billy,” she finally says in her usual chipper tone. “I was thinking… my seventeenth birthday’s this fall. Maybe I can see if my father will let me have my party here. Do many people celebrate birthdays at The Halcyon?”

Billy completely misses her question after he hears the words “this fall” and “have my party here.” Fall isn’t that far away if he really thinks about it. He doesn’t care when or how, only that she’s already thought about returning to the hotel. She wants to come back.  

“Wh– you mean it?” 

He catches her beautiful, red-lipped smile and feels his heart flutter again. 

“Of course I do. I’ve enjoyed staying here and–” She blushes. “–getting to meet you.” When he stares at her, too taken aback to reply, she chuckles and continues. “You’ll still be here in November… won’t you?”

“Y-yeah,” Billy breathes. “Long as Feldman doesn’t sack me or nothing.”

She laughs again and takes Clara’s lead from him. “Then… I’ll see you again soon.”

“See you…”

Billy’s voice trails off and he takes a step back from her as her father approaches with Mr. Garland in toe. Mr. Greene places a short kiss on the top of his daughter’s head before the two of them step out into the gray Sunday morning. Billy cranes his neck to catch one last glimpse of her as she climbs into the car after her dog, catching a smile from her before the door closes. 

November can’t come soon enough.

[thatlittledandere]

On my way back from an anime con (cosplayed Marie) (pics coming after I get them from the photographers) here's some highlights

Three people asked for a photo in my first ten minutes at the venue I'm literally a celebrity Atlus should hire me as a representative

One of them was Yosuke!!!!!!! This is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I bought a used copy of Kingdom Hearts for the PS2 at a very low price for such a classic because it's missing the manual. God bless sloppy owners, the only defense against the evils of used game sellers.

An Estonian cosplayer/con goer/organizer gave a lecture (for the lack of a better word) on the differences between Finnish and Estonian con scenes. It was fascinating!!

The neverending battle of unstoppable force (my hunt for second hand Vita games which are hard to come by) vs immovable object (my stupidly limited taste making me entirely uninterested in 90% of what I do find) resulted in a rare victory: I bought a mystery visual novel I've never heard of from the flea market. We'll see how it goes.

Standing in line for the flea market I was spotted by an old acquaintance I originally met in Osomatsu-san cosplay circles years ago and haven't talked to in aaaaaages. I've seen her around along the years but haven't had the guts to go talk because she's always super pretty which.. I still see as something "above me" like I'm not allowed to go talk to someone like that like we're still living in middle school social hierarchy lmaoo but luckily it sounds like she was similarly awkward about starting a conversation with someone she's not close to so. Both of us were happy to meet again!! Neither of us is a loser unworthy of such attention. Whew and lmao

Heaven's nectar Calpis Water ♡

A can of good cafe au lait mentally transported me back to spring 2016 in Japan and buying coffee from the vending machine in the language school lobby after the 15-minute walk in heavy rain to get there and feeling like I saw God after the first sip.

My green contact lenses tried to kill me every time I put them on I think it's because they dryed out once. I'll have to buy new ones

Second day I barely stepped out of the accommodation when I came face to face with people cosplaying Yu, Yosuke and Yukiko and for a solid 20 seconds we all just did the Spiderman pointing meme and went "oh my god!!!" Got photos <3 The best thing that has ever happened to me has been topped.

It has been topped yet again: BATTLE LOVER SCARLET COSPLAY!! AT A FINNISH CONVENTION!!! IN 2024!!!! I was soooooo awkward and awestruck throughout that interaction. My god. My word. My fuck. Mind blown

Love is not over

We battle on

We persist

Boueibu is forever

If you don't know what I'm talking about get the hell out of here (joking) (only on this last bullet point though) (Boueibu is the most important anime that exists)

[yourstruelyxo]

First fic ever on here and first post, omg accomplishment this was requested on my wattpad so 😍

Ashamed

paring: Rita Castillo x Reader

TW: Mild homophobia maybe idk, tell me if theres any pls 🫶😍

Y/Ns POV

Dating the Rita Castillo is amazing. well not really dating, fooling around? yes, but still amazing. She was truly a wonderful woman. Always making sure I am perfectly fine and i'm living comfortably, but going behind her husbands back and constantly sneaking around was getting tiresome. I love her, but it feels like she doesn't love me as much. It's exhausting hearing her go on about how she'll leave her husband and that we're going to be properly together soon. Yet she never leaves him and she refuses to be seen with me in public. "Rita, you know i love you right?" I asked her, "of course i do love, why would I need to speculate about how much you love me?" she says like she'd been surprised. "It just that i feel like you don't love me and i know you do but, you don't want to see me out in public and you've not left that absolute bastard of a man yet, so i feel as though you love me less then i love you" i say with fear in my voice. " I love you, My dearest Y/N, I swear to you that I love you and will forever love you, but I still need time okay. I need more time" she says frustratedly. "Is three years not enough time, I can't keep doing this, Rita I want all of you, I want you to be mine, I don't want to have to share you with anyone else, i want you to want me like that, to get angered when i am to close to another person and want to show them i am yours" i say with indignation. "Well you won't have that, i'm fine sneaking around with you, that way i'll neve have to worry about someone else, that way your all mine and i know it" She said rising out of her seat and walking over to the mirror. "Oh look at the time, I best be going, but you won't care, because well your just fine with me going off to someone else, right? because i'm not going to be the only single women in the god awful town" I say while walking to the door. "wh-what NO Y/N, are you truly upset by this? What do you want me to do, Shout it from the rooftops, Scream that I am yours and you are mine, because i will not do such a thing, i love you but i will not" She said, i could her the anger in her voice, even if she was trying to hide it. "Well i'll be leaving" and with that I walked out. Refusing to acknowledge the shouting of my name as I left, saying goodbye to to Isabel and walking straight out the front door not looking back. I got to my apartment and broke down. I am in love with Rita and she can't even see me.

Rita's POV

I haven't talked to Y/N since our fight, if you can call it that. I feel horrible, i haven't been able to sleep since last week and every time I go to her apartment, she doesn't answer the door. I feel guilty for how I acted and I want her to know that i love her, but in this world it's hard, people stare, people will make a mockery out of me, but oh how I love her. So i'm going to meet the women for the garden club today and tell them the truth.

*time skip cause i quite literally have no idea what to put xx*

"Hello Ladies, How are you all?" I say, a series of i'm fines and i'm alright rung around the room. "This meeting is very important for me and someone else, but first of all i'd like to make it known that I have ended my marriage, but we all know it had ended years ago", in unison all the women nodded their heads knowingly, "I am in love with someone else." Gasps and whispers started among the women as i told them this information "Well who is it Rita?" I heard Joan ask from the back. "Well, please keep in mind that we are all human and we deserve love, happiness and yaddy yadda, so please keep an open mind when I tell you this information." i say, all of the women nodded "I am in love with Y/N Y/L/N", suddenly all the women erupted into a fit of laughter. "You're so very funny Rita, we all know that Y/N is, well you know different, but you seriously think we believe that you are, this has to be some kind of joke" one of the women said in the crowd. their laughter continued. "This is no joke, i am very much in love with this women and yes i am older and i know that i am also a women, but i love her ever so dearly, and i need her to know i would put everything on the line for her" i stated. That was it, some of the ladies looked as though i had punched them in the stomach others had pure disgust written on their faces. "I think it's best you leave Rita, we'll until you come to your sense about this" someone shouted. So I left, I got up and left, and i went and found my girl.

Y/Ns POV

I was lying in bed, having not gone anywhere at all really during the past week, just in case i had seen her. When i heard loud banging against my door. "My love, please answer the door, please come out i need to see you" Rita's voice ran through my small apartment. God i missed her, but she had hurt me and i couldn't do this anymore. I swung the door open, "Rita i don't want to see you anymore, how can you not understand.." i stopped mid sentence, seeing her glassy brown eyes and disheveled makeup, my heart tore apart "Rita, what, what happened, are you okay?" I pulled her into my apartment, she grabbed my face and kissed me, our lips met and I melted, i had missed how her lips felt on mine, how i became putty in her hand when she touched me. she pulled away from me and said "I told them, the women at the garden club, I told them I loved you and well their probably telling their husbands and neighbours, i'll be the laughing stock of the town, but I did it for you, for us" the words came out of her mouth in a hurry "Rita, my dear Rita, you shouldn't have it's your reputation, everything you've built, i'm sorry, I shouldn't have made you choose" I say. "No, I did this because i want you and i want all of you, better yet i want to be yours, all yours, i'm filling for divorce and I'll be yours forever, I don't care what anyone in this town says, as long as I have you, that's all I need." She says before she kisses me again. Now I know she loves me, she gave up everything for me, she wants me and I want her.

[frightnightindustries]

@indigo-flightly-falls

Real look inside the clubhouse

Fragment, slamming pots and pans together to the rhythm of "Give it to me, I'm worth it": I didn't get no sleep cause a' y'all! Y'all never gonna sleep cause a' me!

Absence, spraying a melted cutting board with a tiny water gun: We gotta cool this bitch down. Cool it down. Fragment: I actually just put the cutting board in the oven... Phantasm, visibly confused: Okay, so they decided to put the cutting board in the oven? Absence, spraying Fragment: You FUCKING DUMBASS! Fragment: Dude, I forgot- Absence: OH MY FUCKING GOD! We're trying to make Chicken Alfredo right now, and you fucking MELT the cutting board in the oven at 400 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT!? Epitome: *Watching in complete confusion while trying to process this whole situation.*

Absence: I’ve organized your messages into three categories. Absence: “From Parody” Absence: “Death Threats” Absence: and “Death Threats From Parody”

Epitome: A person can really hear themselves think out here. Epitome’s mind: Did you leave the stove on? The front door unlocked!? WILL YOU DIE ALONE!? Epitome: Well, that was a mistake.

Phase: Advice of the day kids, if you ever meet someone who calls Gatorade flavors the actual name of the flavor instead of just the color then they are a certified nerd. Freak: Yeah but you have to specify, frost glacier or cool blue? You can’t just say blue because there’s more than one blue. Phase: Blue and light blue, nice try nerd.

Phase: I once tried to play a pirated copy of Garfield Kart, when Garfield jumped out of my PC! We are currently married with three beautiful children and a summer house in Lisbon.

Parody: Sometimes I like to call people by the wrong name to show them I don’t care about them. Absence: That’s brilliant. Parody: Thank you, Neurosis.

Epitome: I am going to cry. I’m going to cry until I can no longer physically cry anymore because all the water in my body is gone and I die from dehydration. Mastermind: Are you okay? Fragment: Did you actually just ask them that? Like, you need that to be answered otherwise you won’t know?

Phase: As someone who has a long history of not understanding anything, I feel confident in my ability to continue not knowing what is going on.

Mastermind: Can I offer you a nice stick in this trying time?

Fragment, talking about Phantasm: Y’know, you never mentioned an intern. Neurosis: That’s because they’re not officially an employee, they’re unpaid. Fragment: You don’t pay them?! Neurosis: They get college credit. Fragment: Are you sure your not evil?

Epitome: Even Phantasm and I have been getting closer. The other day, they gave me half of their sandwich. Phantasm: I mistook them for a garbage can.

Neurosis: Phase and I are so close we even share a toothbrush. Phase: We what?

Neurosis: Any tips on how to make someone like me? Phantasm: Try to make them laugh all the time. Neurosis: Oh, wow! You actually help me for once, and it's even good advice! Phantasm: Yeah, the more they laugh, the more time they spend with their eyes closed, so it'd be easier.

Absence, planning a group disguise: You cannot be Blake Bortles. Mastermind: Fine! Then I’ll be Jake- Epitome, under their breath: Don’t say Jortles. Mastermind: Jortles! And I work at the molotov cocktail department.

Mastermind: My mom is calling… hi mom. Freak: Come on guys, stop. They’re trying to talk to their mom. Phantasm: *loud fake sexual noises* Parody: EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP! Absence: *is asleep* Epitome: *gets really close to the phone* Tell her I said hi.

Absence: Imagine if someone handed you a box full of all the things you lost throughout your life. Neurosis: It would be nice to have my sense of purpose back... Freak: Oh wow, my childhood innocence! Thank you for finding this. Mastermind: My will to live! I haven't seen this in years. Phantasm: I knew I lost that potential somewhere. Parody: Mental stability, my old friend! Absence: Jesus, could you guys lighten up a little?

Neurosis: Hey, let’s mess with Mastermind, guys! Absence: Hey, Mastermind, your momma so fat- Mastermind: My mom committed multiple war crimes and is now locked in solitary confinement in a Bolivian prison. Phase: Well, uh- your dad- Mastermind: My father left when I was two to be captured and consequentially sacrificed by a group of feral ferrets. Absence: The fuck- Fragment: Well then... Neurosis: Stop, Fragment! Fragment: Your grandparents so- Mastermind: My grandmother floated into the sky like a balloon with too much helium when my grandfather spontaneously combusted. Mastermind: You cannot best me, mortals.

Neurosis, singing: I don’t want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need— Parody: A family. Phantasm: A better love life. Epitome: Mental stability. Absence: *clueless* Bagels?

Freak: How do I ask someone out? Mastermind: Roses are red, violets are blue, guess what, my bed has room for two. Freak: No! Phase: Twinkle twinkle little star, we can do it in a car. Freak: Stop! Neurosis: Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream, merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily I can make you scream. Freak: I feel like the last one is verging dangerously into serial killer territory.

[hslcat]

I am sitting in my kitchen. My because there is no one else here anymore. I don't think it will ever be my kitchen though, it's always going to be dad's kitchen.

I'm sitting in what is now my kitchen, in my house that feels so big and so empty suddenly, have for the last three weeks.

I'm waiting for my brothers who haven't been home for years, they are supposed to arrive anytime now. I don't really know what they have been up to, haven't really since they got invited to the school.

My three brothers, who got invited to a secret magic school at twelve, who became a part of the magical world and haven't been back for years. My brothers who only are visiting now because of the accident.

The accident, a drunken driver on a gravel road, they hadn't seen him coming around the sharp turn and the cars had hit eachother head-on. They died on inpact, all three of them and they hadn't been found until the morning after by a cyclist.

That's why my brothers are coming home today, the funeral is in a week.

I've lived most of my life in this house, the only time I hadn't was the few years I went to university in another city, but that was still close by.

My brothers on the other hand have lived most of their lives outside this house. Mike got a letter the summer after his twelfth birthday, an invitation to a magical school on the other side of the country, it was a school of magic. It was a boarding school so he only came back for Christmas and summer break, he also made it home for Easter the first three years before he decided to stay at school during the holiday.

Then Jack and Sam got the same latter a little before their twelfth birthday, and we saw as much if not less of them during their time in school.

After graduation they all decided to stay in the magical world, I mean I get why, the magical world is probably more exiting than the normal one and they didn't exactly have the right education for it either.

It still hurt when they became more and more distant until we had no contact.

But they are coming today, they are coming any-

There's a knock on the door.

I get up from the stool I've been sitting on for the last, I don't know how long.

I open the door and there is Mike, older than last time but otherwise almost exactly like I remember him. And next to him, someone I don't recognise, she's holding a suitcase in each hand and Mike is holding-

That's a kid, he's holding a kid. When the fuck did he get a kid?

"Ash! Nice seeing you!" he says it with almost the exact same infliction that he had growing up.

I give home a slight smile before responding, "Hi Mike, who is this" I incline my head towards the woman.

"This is my fiancée Layla, and this" he raises the sleeping kid slightly, "is Christopher, our kid." He's engaged, he's fucking engaged.

"Nice meeting you, you'll be staying in your old rooms. I can get a mattress from the attic for you."

It would have been really nice knowing that there were more people coming, I would have liked to have gotten the extra mattress before they arrived. Now I also see Jake and Sam unpacking the back of the car.

"Oh, that's not necessary." Layla's voice cuts through my thoughts.

"Yes it is, you three don't fit in his bed" I say pointing at Mike.

"No worries, that is easily arranged" she seems confident so I don't protest.

"Okay, then I'll help you with your luggage"

"No worries sis, we've got it" that's Sam, he and Jack had come closer to the door. They look different, I can't exactly put my finger on what is different but some thing clearly is.

"Oh, I'll be in the kitchen, come when you have installed yourselves in your rooms."

They give affirmatives before I go back to the kitchen, dad's kitchen.

It's late enough so I start with dinner, after a bit my brothers and Layla come into the kitchen.

"Anything I can help with sis?" Jack asks.

"Sure, can you put the oven on 200 degrees."

"How do I do that"

All of your siblings, papart from you, have attended a prestigious wizarding school. Now, after all these years, they’re back in your “regular” world… and don’t even know how an oven works.

[gaylorvader]

The Black Widows Brother:part 2

Part 1

Summary: After reuniting with your sisters you still haven't seen the people who were basically your parents, until now.

Warnings: brief mentions of violence

Word Count: 2,709

It's been a few months since you reunited with your sisters after being apart for years and years, and you couldn't be happier.

Your sisters got you some Red Mist to free you from the brainwashing, and you felt freer. Like a weight you didn't know was there was lifted.

Tony Stark was even fine with helping you get testosterone without having to steal it or get it from shady people.

It was also nice getting to talk to another trans guy, or boy in his case. Peter was a cool guy, kinda awkward at times but a good kid.

You both had a moment of "Wait are you trans?" "Yeah I'm trans are you trans?" "Yeah bro." You were both super excited to be able to talk about dysphoria and other trans stuff with someone who knew what it was like.

You'd both go on patrol around the city together. Though you had to drive a motorcycle to keep up. He was a fair bit younger than you but you both were fast friends.

You also got on well with Bucky. He understood what it was like to be on the run and to be brainwashed, you both understood each other.

He also understood what having a part of your body that people stare at was like and he helped you learn to ignore it. You still preferred wearing your mask most of the time when you went in public though.

You got on well with the whole team, even meeting Wanda's brother Pietro. He was a little much at times, being more outgoing and extroverted, while you kept to yourself and were more introverted. You liked him though, he's a good guy.

One day while you and your sisters, their girlfriends, and Pietro, were having a movie marathon Yelena had a random realization. "Oh! Y/n you haven't seen Alexei or Melina have you?"

You looked over at her confused as to why she was asking now. "Uh, not since Ohio. Why?"

"We should totally go and visit them!" Yelena said happily.

Visiting Alexei and Melina after all this time? What are they even doing now, you know they helped destroy the red room but what'd they do after?

It's not that you didn't wanna see them again, you did. They were the closest thing to parents you ever had, but after so long, would they even remember you? And most importantly would they support you being trans?

You must have been staring off for a while as Pietro bumped your shoulder. "You in there?" He joked.

"Yeah, sorry. I just had a lot of thoughts in my head." You told him.

Yelena and Natasha both looked at you, then each other. It may have been years but they still knew you well enough to tell you were anxious.

"What's going on in that head of yours?" Natasha asked softly. She had a feeling it was about whether they'd accept you or not.

You looked at the ground and Wanda paused the movie so you could talk without it distracting people or you.

"It's just that it's been so long. Like would they even remember me? Or would they accept me for being trans?" You told them.

It was silent for a moment and you didn't like it, but eventually Nat found the words she was looking for. "They asked about you. If we knew where you were, if you were alive. Alexei had a picture of the three of us with him. And Melina talked about you a lot. They remember you rodnoy brat."

(Brother)

You laughed "He does?"

"Yup." Yelena said.

You chuckled even more, shaking your head. "Like father, like son."

"What do you mean?" Kate asked.

You took off your necklace, opening it and showing them the picture of Nat and Yelena when you were kids. "I've had this picture since Ohio. I managed to hide it and took it with me when I ran. It's what kept me going all these years." You smiled.

Natasha gently took it from you, Yelena and her both looking at it. It was a little faded but still clear. Both of them were shocked you were able to hide it and keep it in fairly well condition.

"So that's what was in there." Yelena muttered.

Wanda looked at you with kind eyes "I understand why you hold it so much now."

You just smiled back. "Yeah I hid it under my gear most of the time but when it wasn't I had a nervous habit of playing with it."

Natasha handed you back the necklace smiling at you, same as Yelena. "So sentimental brother." Yelena joked.

After the brief laughter was over Yelena looked at you more seriously. "Going back to what you said earlier, they'll accept you. They've been very supportive of me dating Kate Bishop and being ace, and Natasha dating Wanda. They'll be fine with it, I promise."

You smiled at her feeling better about it but still nervous. "Ya sure?"

"We're sure." Nat cut in. "They'll just be happy you're ok."

After some more encouragement from your sisters and their girlfriend's, and Pietro, you decided why not. You wanted to see them for a while anyway.

"Alright, let's go." You told them.

"Yes! This is going to be awesome. I promise y/n." Yelena was clearly excited.

—---------

It was you, your sisters, and Pietro, on the plane to Alexei and Melina's home. Pietro had never met them but wanted to come along. He had a problem of being spontaneous, you thought.

Natasha was flying the plane Yelena in the co-pilot seat. Wanda and Pietro were talking switching between Sokovian and English constantly, you don't think they even realized they were doing it.

You tried not to let your anxiety show but every now and then you'd accidentally start shaking your leg or playing with your fingers without noticing it.

Kate did though. You were shaking your leg looking at your phone to try and distract yourself. Kate had sat a seat over from you but still next to you and saw your leg shaking. She moved next to you, putting her hand on your knee, you were so zoned out you only noticed her then.

She smiled at you. "You ok y/n?"

You just looked at her surprised for a short second before answering her. "Yeah, I'm fine Kate." You were trying to play it off but dating a spy Kate picked up a few things.

She just looked at you, raising an eyebrow. "Really? You're shaking your leg on and off, and zoning out looking at your phone screen without touching it, is totally something a fine person would do."

You chuckled at her. "Fair enough Bishop." You paused "I'm just anxious. I'd rather be fighting someone."

She shook her head at you playfully. "It'll be alright y/n. I bet you're gonna get crushed in a hug by Alexei."

You smiled remembering how tight but soft his hugs were. "Yeah, that's definitely something he'd do."

Nat and Yelena had shown you pictures of what they looked like now. Melina looked about the same, but Alexei looked very different. You were still able to recognize him though.

"Landing in 10!" Natasha told everyone from the cockpit.

You took deep breaths to steady yourself. Kate gently held your hand to comfort you. You flinched at first, still not used to people touching you gently, but as she started pulling her hand away worried she overstepped you grabbed her hand.

"Thanks Kate." You whispered. She just smiled at you. "Of course tough guy." She joked, bumping your shoulder with hers.

When you touched down Pietro jumped out of his seat ready to stretch his legs, Nat and Yelena came out from the cockpit, and you, Wanda, and Kate stood up from your seats.

Kate gave your hand a squeeze as Yelena patted your back. "They'll be happy to see you rodnoy brat, promise."

(Brother)

You smiled and nodded, dropping Kate's hand and walked with everyone to the house with Pietro next to you.

"Hey if it helps they haven't met me either. Or, well, you've met them just not as, uh" He trailed off. You just smiled at him. "Yeah I get it, and it does help."

He smiled back at you and patted your shoulder. As you all were walking up Melina and Alexei came out to greet you all. They knew two new people were coming but didn't know who, you all wanted to surprise them.

"Ah it's good to see you four again." Melina greeted. "It's very good to see you again." Alexei said.

You didn't realize but you were shaking slightly, your mask brought you some comfort but you were still nervous. Pietro, being a speedster, noticed and put a reassuring hand on your shoulder. You whispered "Thanks" to him.

"So who are your two friends you brought?" Melina asked.

"The one without a mask is Pietro, Wanda's brother." Natasha told her.

"Ah! Wanda has talked about you before. It's nice to meet you." Melina shook his hand.

"So do you have the same powers that the witch has?" Alexei asked.

"Alexei." Natasha growled through gritted teeth. Wanda had to reassure Nat it was fine so she wouldn't glare at Alexei for the next hour.

"Oh no. I'm just fast." Pietro shrugged.

"How fast?" Alexei inquired.

Pietro had his signature cocky smile on his face, which you knew at this point spelled trouble. "This fast." He speeded off down the field before coming back.

Melina and Alexei both looked surprised. Alexei laughed "That is fast!" Melina shook her head at him. "That's an amazing power."

"Thanks." He grinned.

"So who is your masked friend here?" Melina asked.

You all looked at each other. "Um." You shrugged at your friends and sisters signaling it was alright. Your sisters didn't wanna admit it in front of you but they were also really nervous.

"This is y/n. He used to be a widow too." Yelena introduced you.

Alexei looked confused and so did Melina. "He's trans?" Alexei said, of all people. "What? I also know things." He said as everyone looked at him.

You all started laughing. "Yes he is." Natasha confirmed, still chuckling a bit.

"Ha! I guessed right!" Everyone just kept laughing at him.

"How about we all go inside?" Melina asked you all. After agreeing you went inside.

They had a nice home. It was very comfortable. You saw pictures from Ohio and some after they all reunited. It made you sad you weren't there.

You're snapped out of your thoughts by Yelena gently pulling you over to the table.

Alexei sat at one end, you at the other with your sisters besides you next to their girlfriends, with Melina and Pietro next to Alexei.

As you all started talking the focus was mainly on you and Pietro as the "new" guys. Pietro and Alexei ended up showing and talking about their different scars after Pietro mentioned getting shot.

Alexei turned to you. "What about you y/n? You have battle scars?"

You just nodded. "More than I care to count."

Alexei smiled. "You want to show some. Scars just show how tough you are, you know?"

You just smiled at him from behind your mask but he could still see it. "Yeah they do, huh?" You paused "Yeah I'll show you some, why not."

Alexei cheered and your sisters and Melina facepalmed.

You pulled down your mask showing the scar on the side of your head under your ear.

Melina's and Alexei's eyes widened. You figured you'd explain. "Got it escaping the Red Room. I was running through this forest being shot at, and this one bullet went right here. If it had been over even an inch I'd probably be dead."

"Wow." Alexei sighed. "You did a very brave thing. Not many would try."

You nodded. "Yeah I just couldn't take it in there anymore. Especially around puberty."

She nodded as well. "Yes that's a hard time for everyone, but I bet it's even worse when your body doesn't match your brain."

You chuckled. "Yeah, no kidding."

The topic changed and you were getting worried it wouldn't be brought up, but luckily the others turned the direction of the conversation to Ohio.

"Yelena," Melina asked. "In your search for the other widows you didn't happen to find your sister did you?"

"Um, not technically."

Melina slightly squinted her eyes at her, questioning her.

"Well it was more Natasha than me. I just showed up after."

Melina and Alexei looked really hopeful, urging one of them to continue. "SHIELD got him to join us after seeing what he could do. I didn't know it was him at first but as the rest of the team and I talked I put it together."

"He?" Alexei questioned.

"Yup." Yelena said. "Turns out we have a brother!" She smiled, putting a hand on your shoulder and gently shaking it.

You smiled shyly. Melina and Alexei were in disbelief. They thought you were dead all these years but you're alive. "How?" Melina asked.

You finally looked her in the eyes. "After I escaped I ran as far as I could go. Got different clothes, cut my hair, and went into hiding for about a year. I started doing mercenary work with a mask on so I was kind of anonymous, and I never stayed in one place for more than a month. Found some shady people selling testosterone, and I had a doctor who agreed to help as well, he was also kinda shady though." You laughed at the last bit.

"Why did you never reach out to us?" Melina asked you, still kinda in shock, Alexei as well.

"Wait, yeah, that's a good question." Nat said. "You knew I was an Avenger right?"

You nodded. "Yeah. Since I heard about the battle of New York."

She nodded. "I don't know why I didn't think to ask before, but you knew I was alright and had powerful friends. You could have been safe a lot sooner.

You looked down for a moment to figure out how best to explain it. Before sighing and starting to explain.

"Honestly, I don't really know. I mean I cried when I saw you were fine. I guess maybe it was intimidating because I hadn't seen you in so long, or because I didn't trust the Avengers." You looked back down.

Natasha put a hand on your arm slowly, as to not make you flinch. "You were worried I wouldn't remember you or accept you. Weren't you?" She asked rubbing your arm with her thumb.

You just nodded and she hugged you.

Melina came over to you, holding your face in her hands, it sinking in you were alive and in front of her. She smiled slightly teary-eyed. "Ya skuchayu po tebe." She said before hugging you.

(I missed you)

You smiled back and stood up melting into her hug like you did when you were a kid. "Ya skuchal po tebe tozhe."

(I missed you too)

Alexei smiled getting up. "Ha! I can't believe I have a son!" He said laughing, before pulling you into a crushing bear hug just like Kate thought he would.

His hugs were just as you remembered them too, tight but soft. "Does this mean you will be a second Red Guardian too?" He asked with a smile.

You just laughed. "Hey, I'm not a super soldier, I'm fine with just being a Black Widow….but maybe I can be Red Widow instead."

He smiled even more and crushed you in a hug again. "Yes! The legacy of the Red Guardian will continue!" He joked, making people laugh even if they shook their head or facepalmed at it.

It was so nice to have your family back finally after years and years. It was almost like you picked up where you all left off.

Your sisters were happy and had their girlfriends and friends with them. Alexei and Melina were happy together. You were also happy for the first time in a while. You had your family back and you all were gonna stick together no matter what this time.

A/n:I also made a playlist for these 2 fics.(I got excited)doesn't have that many songs right now but I'll probably add to it. Tell me if the link doesn't work so I can try to fix it.

[bayisdying]

Lucky Penny - Prologue.

A/n: Here it is! Let's get this story rolling babes. As always, let me know if you want to be included in a taglist, and feedback is much appreciated.

"Hey daydreamer, we got mail." Rueben "Payback" Finch slams the thick envelope on the table in front of his backseater. "I've been trying to get your attention for like three solid minutes dude."

"Sorry man. Just thinking about something." Fanboy started to rip open the envelope.

"Oh don't lie to me brother, you were thinking about someone. That's why you had that damn penny in your hand." He pointed to the copper coin now chilling on the table.

"Damn you for being so observant, I'm just worried about her. I haven't gotten a letter in almost a month now."

Payback laughs. "She always did love to make you sweat. She's probably kicking ass and taking names right now."

Fanboy ignored his friend's comment and started to read the official document stating him and Payback were to report to North Island in two weeks time for a special detachment. In the packet of information it had said this mission was for the best of the best. That made Fanboy smile. He knew his girl would be at North Island if that was the case. He would get to see her in the California sunshine just like the first time they met.

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

"Lucky, you got mail!" The overly chipper recruit said as she handed the tired pilot a stack of mail including a very thick envelope.

As she started to go through the stack she landed on a letter with her mother's handwriting. Tossing that aside she opens the very official looking package. She'd cry over her mother's words later when everyone else was asleep.

"You are to return to North Island in two weeks, you have been selected for a special detachment where the best of the best will be challenged with a mission unlike they've seen before."

The girl smirked, he'd be there. Him and Payback were a damn good team. She wouldn't even have to send out the letter she'd been holding onto. She'd be able to tell him just how much she missed him, in person, at the place it all began for them.

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

The California sun greeted her like an old friend as she stepped out of the airport. She took a deep breath in and Lucky had never felt so at home. She loved the heat, the smell of salt water in the air, and even the squawking seagulls above felt like home. She'd missed this place more than she could ever admit.

She found her Uber, and climbed into the backseat after throwing her bag in the trunk.

"So what brings you here Miss?" The Uber driver, an older gentleman named Benny, asked.

"I'm in the Navy, I got orders to come back." Lucky answered.

Benny nodded "thanks for your service young lady." they made small talk the rest of the drive. Lucky taking in all the sights she had fallen in love with years prior.

They pulled in front of the quaint beach cottage, the bright red door standing out against the blue siding. The flower garden clearly tended to, she'd have to thank her friends for the upkeep. The wicker chair on the front porch was slightly rocking in the breeze.

She tipped Benny and waved as he drove off down the block. The keys in her hand jingled as she unlocked the front door. She knew he wasn't here yet, his car wasn't in its spot in the driveway but she still wished he would have been able to greet her with that damn smile.

Within two hours, Lucky had unpacked her bag, freshened up the place, and showered the long flight off of her. She knew that whoever was sent back would more than likely go to the Hard Deck to scope out the competition, so grabbing a pen and paper she wrote a note for him to find when he made it home.

"Meet me at the Hard Deck, I'll have a cold beer waiting for you. I love you nerd. -Lucky"

--------

The Forevers: @kloofspeaks @callsign-milano @callsignthirsty @notyoursbutlewis @roosterscockpit @callmemana

The Discord Babes: @askmarinaandothers @callsign-dragonbaron @mrsjaderogers @callsignscupcake @persephonesportal @mtnofgrace

[ravenclaw-daydreams]

𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐨 | 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐧𝐞𝐫

Warnings: mention of assassination, graphic smut, adult content, mentions of murder, pervy men in the workplace, falling for a villain, guns, mentions of pregnancy, unprotected sex, alcohol.

Masterlist

Summary: Jackson just wants a normal life but thanks to his business, his chances were slim. but after meeting you, his chances it doesn't seem like such a long shot anymore.

A/N: Reading Jack's Villian wiki gave me the idea, and the personality section is what really set it in motion. He's more human than we thought, folks. I felt VERY inclined to write this. :)

Jack wasn't proud of his work. He never was. But he knew that once he got into the business, he could never get out. And as fate would have it, you met him on the job.

Your boss was a ruthless, lying, manipulative son of a bitch, and you just so happened to be his receptionist. You hated your job and the way your pig of a boss would always make it sickeningly obvious he was starring at your breasts when asking you to make a call. You hated him. Sometimes you would imagine ways to kill the bastard and get away with it too.

Apparently, someone else had the same idea, but actually took the initiative of hiring an assassin. That's where you came in.

It was a late Friday night, and after a long grueling day of putting up with your boss's demands, you were so happy to see the front door of your home. You couldn't wait to collapse on the couch with a glass of red wine and have a leisurely weekend.

You fiddled with your keys as you tried to find the right one. 'Why the hell did I have all those keys anyways?' you thought to yourself bitterly as you shuffled them around.

But the sound of a gun cocking from behind you made you freeze. Air caught in your throat as you tried to convince yourself you didn't just hear what you thought you heard.

"Don't let me stop you," a smooth masculine voice from behind you sneered, pressing what you presumed to be the barrel of the gun point-blank onto your back, "Unlock the door, step inside. Scream and you die."

You gave a small nod, your search for the right key more frantic now, and once you found it, your shaking hand fumbled with it before finally slipping it into the keyhole, your trembling hand opening the door, and you felt yourself get pushed inside.

The door slammed behind you, and that's when you whipped around, now face to face with your captor. The gun was still pointed at you, but the man who was holding it was what stopped you in your tracks.

If someone told you that morning that you were going to be held at gunpoint by one of the most attractive men you had ever seen in your life, you would have laughed in their face. But you weren't laughing now.

"What do you want?" you managed to squeak out, his piercing blue eyes bore into yours.

"Well, I have a job to do, to put it plainly, and you're one of the only people that can help me complete it," he began to explain, "And you don't have a choice."

"What are you wanting from me?"

"Your boss. I want you to call him and tell him that there's something going on and he needs to swing by the office. Once he obliges, my guys who are waiting outside the building as we speak will take it from there."

"You're going to kill him?" you gasped. Sure, you considered doing it yourself, but you never thought anyone would actually try to do it.

"You don't need to worry about that. What you need to worry about is the gun that's pointed at you right now," he concluded, reaching for your home phone, politely holding it out for you to take.

You paused, and he raised a brow. Out of instinct, you tried to bolt past him to the front door, but when you realized it wasn't going to work, it was too late. He grabbed you violently as you thrashed in his grasp before he collapsed the two of you on the couch. He held you in one position until he felt your breathing calm, your neck in a headlock as you faced away from him, panting like an angry dog.

"Stop getting cute," he hissed next to your ear, and even though you couldn't see his face, you knew his teeth were gritting.

He finally trusted you wouldn't pull anything else after he gave a harsh squeeze to your trapped throat, and he let you go, and you immediately scooted to the other side of the couch.

You felt his eyes on you, and with a sudden jerked movement, he held out what you thought was the gun, making you flinch. But with a double-take, you realized it was just the phone.

You reached out, taking it, his eyes never leaving yours. You felt as if you could see something in his gaze. Something longing. Something not quite there. Reluctance.

Shaken fingers press the numbers as you click 'dial', but before you could hold it up to your ear, your captor stopped you.

"Nuh-uh. Speaker."

You nodded, pressing the speaker button before the dial tone echoed through your home. After three times, the line was suddenly picked up.

"What the hell are you doing calling at this hour?" your boss's harsh voice hissed through the phone.

"Yeah, Mr. Snider, there seems to be something happening at the office. Someone from the administration is here and demanding to see you," you tried your best to sound convincing.

"What do they fucking want?" he scorned, his tone making you flinch.

"I wish I knew, sir. They won't tell me anything," you tried to force a smile in your voice.

"Fucking useless," he grunted, making you shift uncomfortably.

"Should I tell them you're on your way?" you proposed.

"Fuck. Fine. I'll be there in 15. And hey, don't get bitchy with me, yeah? Don't forget, you work for me."

"Yes sir," you muttered, loud enough for him to hear.

All the while Jack was watching your reactions. He saw how you flinched at strong tones and saddened at the insults.

The sound of the line going dead was what snapped him back to reality, your still shaking hand setting it down on the coffee table.

"Is that all you needed?" you finally spoke.

"I wish I could say yes," his words made your gaze shift to the floor in disappointment, "I need to stay here until the deed is done."

"How long will that be?"

"After I make this phone call to let the guys know the target is on his merry way, we'll wait until I get a call back. Then we can part ways and you'll never speak of it to anyone. Or else I will have no other choice but to come back and kill you."

You curled in on yourself, resting your chin on your knees as you didn't answer, the sounds of a number being dialed making you cringe.

The sudden movement of him standing up made you flinch, and for a second you thought you almost saw a look of sympathy flash through his eyes before he held the phone to his ear, waiting for the other line to pick up.

"Stu? Yeah. Yeah, she called. He's on his way. He'll be there in 10. Make it look believable, yeah? Clients aren't paying us for anything that looks tacky."

Jack continued his conversation on the phone as he made his way to your kitchen, still in clear view of you. A few moments later he came back, the phone now hung up, a glass of water in his hand.

"Drink," he commanded.

"I'm not thirsty,"

He suddenly set the phone down, taking one of your hands and wrapping it around the cup, "I don't want you passing out on me. Drink," he commanded again.

Now it felt as if you had no choice. You lifted the cups to your lips, gently sipping as he watched you like a hawk until all the water was down your throat.

"Good girl," he praised jokingly, setting the glass on the table.

He then sat down with you on the couch. There was a prolonged silence.

"What's your name?" you finally asked.

He turned to you and cocked a brow.

"Sorry... just trying to make conversation," with an assassin you added bitterly in your head.

He scoffed, the room going back to silence, the two of you waiting... listening.

"Jackson."

"What?" you questioned, looking at him.

"My name. It's Jackson."

"Oh," you replied, "Well, I'm (name)."

"I know," he smirked.

You mentally facepalmed. Of course he did. He was an or assassin for fuck's sake.

"Can I call you Jack?" you asked meekly.

"Seeing as you won't ever see me again, sure. I haven't been called Jack since I was a kid though."

You could tell he was trying to open up. Just a little. Besides, he was right. It wasn't like he was ever going to see you again.

"Why?"

"Rippner. It's my last name," he explained.

"Oh shit," you said in spite of it not being lady-like, "That was a dick move on your parent's part."

"Tell me about it."

The conversation unfolded. You spoke about names, childhood experiences, hell, even what your favorite ice cream flavor was. It was a careless conversation with the mentality of getting everything out there.

You almost forgot that your boss was being killed right as you spoke. You felt the man in front of you open up. He was okay with being vulnerable with you.

That was until the phone rang, Jack rushing to pick it up.

"Yeah?"

His facial expression was unreadable as you watched him. Finally, he hung up the phone, his face returning to the same cold and distant look it had the moment you two had met.

"Well, (name), this is where we part ways," he began, but before he could walk to the front entryway, you grabbed his hand.

He looked startled as he turned around, his eyes searching your face for an answer. Your move was bold. Risky. But you were willing to take it.

"Don't go." your mouth moved before you could stop it.

He narrowed his eyes, almost as if he didn't believe it was you talking. Yet his hand was still being held tightly in yours.

"Please don't go."

☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆

1 Year Later

☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆

You flipped in your sleep, half awake when you realized the spot next to you was bare, the indent of the once sleepless man in his place. You sighed as you flipped back over, looking at the clock.

2:15 am.

You pulled yourself away from your kingdom of soft pillows and blankets and slipped out of bed, your feet pressing against the hardwood of your home. You left the bedroom, crept down the hallway, and when you were finally met with the living area of your home, you were met with the form of your lover.

He was hunched over on the couch, hovering over a glass of red wine that rested in his hand. He seemed to be lost in thought, his blue eyes no longer piercing but distant.

The creak of the floorboards under you gave your position away, the man glancing up at you, spooked.

An instant look of regret graced his beautiful features, "Honey, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Hush," you sighed, "It's warmer out here anyway," you concluded.

"Even without your mountain of blankets?" he smirked, thinking of how adorable you looked cuddled up under the mound of linen.

"The bed is always cold when you're not in it," you whined, stilling next to him as he continued to nurse his glass of red liquid.

"Sorry love," he sighed, setting down the glass before wrapping his arms around you, your head resting on his chest as you listened in on his heartbeat. It was soft and lulling as you felt your eyes begin to droop.

That was, until you felt his hard-on press up against your back. A smirk crossed your lips.

"Is this why you couldn't sleep?" you questioned, subtly rubbing up against his bulge as you heard his breath catch in his throat.

"As I said," he muttered, "Didn't want to wake you."

"You could have just said so," you sat up, giving him a passionate kiss, one hand going in his hair, the other going down to his crotch, where he let out a primal groan at the feeling of your touch.

"I'm gonna be honest, I'm not really in the mood for foreplay," he stated, his hand reaching your lace panties and ripping them off, pulling you on his lap so you straddled him.

He pulled his boxers down to his knees, his cock springing up. The tip was flushed and angry, pre-cum leaking from the tip, the ridges of his veins pumping.

You bit your lip as you hovered over his gorgeous cock before sinking down slowly, the both of you moaning as you become one. Not long after you began to bounce up and down on his cock.

Jack growled as he grabbed a hold of your hips, helping you as he lifted you on and off his cock, searching for solace in orgasm. His eyes locked with yours as you rode him, and in his eyes, you found nothing but love and admiration, every part of him screaming in appreciation for you.

To put it plainly, he loved the way you loved.

You felt yourself tighten, yet to your disdain, your lover found his release first, a loud groan escaping his lips as he poured himself into you, the warmth in your belly growing as you felt him let go.

By the time he was finished, he was completely blissed out, but you weren't done yet. You wanted to cum. You pulled him out of you, and he watched as his spend dripped out of your swollen mound.

Before he could ask if you were okay, you were already back on him, your thighs now straddling one of his.

"What are you doing?" he asked darkly, raising a brow.

"Shut up," you hissed, rubbing your clit on the meat of his thigh, not wanting to lose any fraction that was already built up.

He caught the hint, his hands finding your hips once again as he helped you drag your throbbing cunt against the skin of his leg. All the while, he whispered filthy things in your ear, knowing it would get you there faster.

"Look at you go. Bet you're not so tired now, eh? Humping my leg like a little bunny. Such a good girl, huh?" he coaxed in your ear, and you nodded desperately, immediately agreeing with whatever he was saying. You just wanted to cum.

Finally, you felt yourself come right up to the edge. Jack knew all your body language perfectly, smirking at you as he began to speak.

"Come on, cum for me, baby. Let me watch you cum,"

And you did. Oh, you did. Your ears rang as your eyes shut tight, feeling your body tense and shake as you let your orgasm sweep you away.

Jack helped you ride through it, his words of praise now seeping into your brain.

"Good girl, there you go," he crooned as you began to catch your breath.

You panted as you slumped against him, hearing his heartbeat once more, matching your breathing with his. You felt him press a small kiss to the crown of your head.

"Thank you," he whispered, and all you could do was nod.

Then he began to stand, "Now come on. Let's go take a shower."

"Can I bring the wine?" you asked intently.

"Fuck it," he laughed.

☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆

3 Months Later

☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆☆○o。　　。o○☆

"You're doing it again,"

Jack looked up at you at the sound of your voice. He was sitting there, his hands folded and his jaw clenched, his leg bouncing up and down in anxiety as he went back to staring at the developing pregnancy test on the table.

"What?" he finally said.

"You're overthinking. I can see it in your face."

He rolled his eyes, seeming harsher than he intended. But he was nervous. In complete honesty, you were the first thing Jack had that had any semblance of normal. and after the things he's done and after the things he'd seen, normal was everything he wanted. And that's what this baby meant.

He craved normal. Life as an assassin didn't really scream domestic. But with you, everything he had ever wanted was wherever you were.

"Whatever the test reads, we'll be okay," you ensured, walking behind him and wrapping your arms around the anxious man, doing your best to calm his rapturing nerves.

"Yeah," he agreed, taking a deep breath, "We'll be okay."

The timer suddenly went off, the both of you perking up, chomping at the bit to get to the test, your fingers clutching it as you looked at it.

You gasped.

Jack froze.

You bolted into his arms, test in hand, bawling like a baby.

"You're gonna be a dad, Jack! You're gonna be a dad!!" you squealed, your arms wrapped tightly around him as he held you tight.

He began to tear up, "Really?"

You pulled back and nodded, showing him the test that read positive. He took it in his hands as a means to do a double-take, looking at the two little blue lines.

Without a word, he embraced you again, holding you tighter. His voice was muffled against your shoulder. From him came a small:

"Thank you."

[evanestraz]

Part 2 under the cut

Hi, this is Mitch. André gave me your number. How are you?

While it might be the lamest line ever, Mitch hadn't really actually been trying to meet someone in ages, so he was a bit rusty. There's a difference between real and fake flirting after all, only that just he himself knows where he draws that line. Sometimes.

Oh hi Mitch! Norman told me you might text me. This is Sacha. I'm fine, what about you? Head still hurting?

Mitch almost drops his phone. Fenestraz? Isn't he like twenty five or something? That's definitely younger. Why on god's green earth would André set him up with Sacha? I mean he's a good kid, with a hell of a talent but still. He kinda is a kid.

Do I want to know how you know my head hurts?

He got three laughing emojis back.

Because there are videos on Norman's private account story.

Videos. Plural. Mitch is fucked, he will never live this down, fuck drinking with André Lotterer.

Right, I think I need to go murder a certain Frenchman. Talk to you later

Sacha just sends him back even more laughing emojis.

He smiles at his phone.

Yeah. That's not good.

He accepted that he and Alex are over the second the Brit stepped out of his flat in Monaco, when he told him he'd get married. Three months later, he still isn't over Alex completely, how can one be after ten years? But what still hurt him isn't that Alex left him per se. It is that he too chose an easier life, a better public image, over him.

That he didn't even want to fight for it.

And he is scared. Scared that this will be a pattern going through his entire life. Two is a coincidence, but three would be a pattern and he isn't sure if he could take that.

__________________

Three month more passed and Mitch is doing well. There is still that underlying dread, that it will happen again. That he'll be left after it was going well. But only when it's late at night and he's overthinking.

He's still talking to Sacha, trying to offer some support and comfort to the younger man, the sudden drop from Nissan less than ideal.

He does like him and maybe André wasn't too wrong to connect them. Sacha will come visit him in the next week, hasn't really been to Monaco away from race weekends, as he lives in Italy.

He's content enough with his life, slowly getting over the pain the end of the Formula E season once again had caused him. So when he goes to open his door, when the bell rings, he does it with a smile on his lip, expecting Norman, or Stoffel to stop by spontaneously.

Instead, it's Alex in front of his door. They spoke to eachother since the wedding, but not nearly as much as they used to. They haven't seen eachother since then.

"Hi. Can I come in?", Alex asks and Mitch recognises the look in his eyes, sees how he slightly sways to the side. Knows that he has been drinking.

"Alex", Mitch sighs, leaning against his door frame.

"Please?", Alex repeats.

Mitch finds that he doesn't want to give in, like he thought he would faced with Alex again. Faced with the possibility of getting him back. That's definitely a change.

"Alex you are married", Mitch warns him.

"It was a mistake. I know you know it was."

"Go home Alex", Mitch says, trying to close the door.

"But I want to talk to you, I need you to forgive me."

"Go home Alex. We can talk tomorrow. Call me yeah?"

"Okay", Alex's shoulders slump and as he turns away from his door.

Alex doesn't call the next day.

_________________

The next time, he sees Alex is on Antonio's wedding a few weeks later. He has told André about the visit, having to talk to someone about it. That's also why the German throws him a look, when he sees Alice hang from Alex's arm. Mitch just shakes his head, he expected nothing else.

They exchange pleasantries, promising to get in touch more again and as if that isn't enough on its own, Daniel is there too, joining their little conversation circle. He does see the comedic potential in this conversation, especially when he beckons Sacha to come over.

"Hi Sacha, nice to see you again", Daniel greets. He interviewed him for the German TV once or twice before. Sacha just gives a little wave, saying hi back.

"Alex, have you met Sacha before?", Mitch asks.

"I think I've seen you around when I visited Formula E again, but I didn't have the pleasure to meet him until now", Alex answers.

There it is again, Alex's charme. Sacha looped his arm around Mitch's waist, drawing him close to him. Cute, shoots through Mitch's head. Of course Sacha knew that he was in a relationship with both Daniel and Alex before and this is definitely a sign of possessiveness from Sacha.

He leans slightly against the Argentinian. "Well, glad that you could meet my boyfriend this time around."

While Daniel grins at him delighted, Alex looks like he's about to be sick. Mitch feels bad for him. He does. But at the same time, it's his own fault.

Luckily, André paid attention to them, being able to call Mitch and Sacha away at the perfect time.

"See you later guys", Mitch smiles and drags Sacha away with him.

He puts a kiss against Sacha's cheeck.

"Thank you for coming with me here."

Sacha isn't scared of being seen with him. It's refreshing and feels so right.

"Of course", he smiles back.

They reach André slowly after.

Sacha picks up a conversation with Norman, still holding Mitch's hand, fingers loosely intertwined.

Mitch leans over to André, whispering to him: "Thank you. For everything. For sitting me down half a year ago and for leaving Sacha's number."

"No problem", André smiles. He's happy too. They are both happy. What a stark change from the last wedding they've met at.

This time he doesn't drink to forget, this time, he wants to remember it all.

Good luck babe!

Pairings: Mitch Evans & André Lotterer, Past Mitch Evans/Alex Lynn, Past André Lotterer/Jean-Éric Vergne

Summary: Being the best man at Alex's wedding, was not the place Mitch thought he would take, having been together with him just three month ago. At least André is ther for him with a much needed bottle of Tequila.

You can read here on ao3, or under the cut, there is a part two, which I'll put in a reblog but this can be read as a stand alone.

By now, Mitch learned to expect the unexpected. Because most racing drivers were unpredictable at best, chaos agents at worst. That also goes for the time they spend together away from the track.

Like right now, when André Lotterer in all his glory sits down in front of him with a whole bottle of tequila, two shot glasses and a deep sigh, that indicates Mitch, that he won’t get away from whatever parenting technique André would be trying whatsoever.

He vaguely thinks about how alcohol usually should not be involved in parenting, but he does feel like getting drunk and the fact that André just produced lemons and salt out of his pockets tells him, that this is probably a long planned intervention, rather than just a spontaneous idea.

André pours them the first glass, still not telling him why exactly they are doing this right now at one of his best friends wedding, but honestly that is reason enough. Mitch doesn’t like being that honest to himself. He gets ahold of the salt shaker, licking over the back of his hand to make sure the salt will stick, before shaking some of it onto his skin.

He takes the lemon he’s offered with the same hand as the salt is on and the shot with the other.

"Ready?", he asks the man sitting opposite from him, the first words uttered between them. André just nods, shot in his hand himself.

"Go."

They simultaneously lick the salt of their hands, downing the shot and bite the lemon, before they look at eachother again, André already pouring the next one. Placing it right in front of Mitch again, together with another slice of lemon, offering the salt shaker too. They down the second one too and while André already pours the third round, Mitch finally speaks up.

"While I appreciate this, why exactly are you trying to get me drunk at Alex's wedding, I don’t think he will appreciate it too much, when his best man is hammered."

"I'm just returning the favour, don’t think I didn’t know you sent Stoffel my way at Jev's wedding."

"How did you-."

André waves him off. "Takes one to know one", he smiles weakly.

"Cheers to that."

And there went the third round.

"So how are you holding up?", Mitch tries to stir the conversation to André's dilemma, away from his own. Even though it was clear, that he won’t be able to avoid it forever. But André indulges him for the moment and spills his thoughts

"I'm doing fine mostly. Jev and I had been apart for quite some time when he asked me to be the best man on his wedding. We ended it off on good terms. I know there is no sense in telling you, that I wasn’t miserable inside. On one hand, I'm insanely happy for him, because he deserves someone who makes him truly happy. On the other hand, whenever I used to imagine standing at the alter with him, it was not as his best man."

He recognises the longing in André's eyes. He knows his eyes glint in the same way, whenever he looks to the dance floor, where Alex is still glued to his wife. Newlyweds or something. Mitch is so happy for his friend. So happy. But he’s two for two now. Two for two boyfriends that chose the easy life of marrying a woman. Instead of him that is. Two for two of asking him to be their best man. Mitch would laugh if that wasn’t his life they are talking about.

"Hey, you there?", André asks, nudging his hand with a new shot. Mitch takes and downs it without even waiting for the lemon and salt, pulling a face. It’s definitely a lot more grim like that.

The sympathy in André's eyes almost kills him.

"Yeah. More complicated for me mate", Mitch says, what is implied heavy in his tone. "Two for two." He formed a fist with his fingers, spreading the thumb and pinky away and shaking it. The same thing surfers did to show that everything’s great. Or some of their colleagues like to do after a win. Making fun of himself was the only way Mitch could remotely deal with it.

André just sighs again and pours another round, this time insisting Mitch takes the salt and lemon.

"Daniel was pretty shit, I won't lie, but at least he made it quick and a lot more painless, going back and marrying at the slightest inconvenience in our relationship, telling me that we are better off as friends after all. But Alex, it hurts like a bitch."

And there goes round six. Mitch knows he should pause now. Let his stomach get accustomed to it. Let his liver some room to breathe. He also should be the one at Alex side so what the hell was going on anyways. He's allowed to scrape this night from his memory.

"I still don't really understand you guys' time line if I'm honest", André confesses, urging Mitch to go on.

"He and I have been on/off for years, a decade give or take. Even before my relationship with Daniel. Hell we were on just three months ago. When he called and said he wanted to talk, I-", his voice breaks and the sobs that he is holding back so well so far, nearly break out of him. He takes a shaky breath in, trying to keep his voice from trembling. "I thought he called me to tell, that he was leaving Alice for good, but instead he told me, that he had proposed to her."

André reaches over to squeeze his hand, trying to offer support. It's about as bad as he expected. Maybe worse even.

"You are not the problem here", André says, voice soft.

"No, I know, but that makes it worse. Because that means it would have worked under different circumstances it could have worked", Mitch sniffles and André tuts.

"No crying Mitch, here, take another one of these instead."

Mitch laughs and downs the next shot with André.

"I don't know if that is of any soothing, but you can't know if it would have worked under different circumstances. We never will."

"But it's pretty damn obvious, when you've been on and off for ten years. Something was there."

André doesn't know how to answer, because it's not like Mitch is wrong. So he tries to make him laugh again.

"Maybe we are just meant for that bachelor life", he says, shooting finger guns at Mitch.

"Maybe we'll end up together", Mitch just muses back, making André laugh in turn.

"You're not really my type", André responds.

"Why? If I grow my hair a bit longer and work on that beard, I can pass as a Jev impersonator."

From all the answers André expects, this was none of them, he laughs out short and loud. "I'll pay you 500€ if you do that for this year's Halloween party."

"You might have yourself a deal there Lotterer", Mitch smirks, clinking their shot glasses together, as they take the seventh round of the evening.

"So what are your options then, what about Rossiter? You and him used to be close, isn't that an option?"

André shakes his head, fond smile on his lips. "While I did hook up with James a few times, I fear he's of f the market."

"No. You are kidding? How did I not get wind of that?", Mitch suddenly sits up straight again, he loves gossip almost as much as he loves to be the gossip.

"'Cause he's on the grid", André smirks.

"Who?", Mitch asks faking a gasp, vibrating with curiosity.

André chuckles, he knows neither Max nor James will mind him telling Mitch. They had thought about telling the grid anyways, is just easier for hang outs.

"Max."

"As in Max Günther?", a real gasp coming from Mitch.

"The one."

"James was his team principal", he gapes.

"Precisely", André answers.

"How long? I mean- what? That's. Oh I'm so happy for them!"

"Can't really give you details, you'll have to ask for yourself, but they are incredibly sweet together."

"Well to them then", Mitch decides to give a spontaneous toast. Round eight of the night running down the back of their throats.

Mitch can see André's eyes lock on a point behind him, he doesn't even need to look to know that it's Jev there, probably dancing with his wife.

"Hey eyes on me", he commands spontaneously, not really sure why he said that himself.

André looks at him, equally surprised.

"We were just getting somewhere that isn't sulking over our ex-boyfriends. Let's not loose that momentum."

André nods and pours them another shot.

"Oh my god, you are actually trying to get me drunk", Mitch laughs. "Like I said, you can get into my bed easier than that."

André shakes his head and just holds out the shot. Mitch still takes in and downs it, biting into the lemon afterwards.

"But we have to find you someone, we are too hot to be the hottest bachelors in town", Mitch pretends to fan wind into his face, as to cool himself down.

"I originally wasn't going to tell you, but I'm on a good way with someone right now."

"Ohhhh tell me!!", Mitch wants to know immediately.

"It's still too early. But I think it's going somewhere", André blushes, fully blushes and Mitch isn't sure if he ever saw the always so cool André Lotterer blush before. Well, apart from when he still was with Jev. Mitch deems that to be a good sign.

He coos at his friend. "Finding love on your old days."

"Shut up", André laughs, shoving him gently over the table.

"Still. It's not easy to see Jev with someone else", André tells truthfully. "I've just been with him for too long, for it not to sting."

"Yeah. I feel that. I'm over Daniel, one hundred percent, but when I see him in the paddock, my stomach still twists. And Alex is a different story entirely."

The following silence seals the tenth round of shots for them, the bottle almost half empty already.

"Oh we will regret this so much tomorrow morning", Mitch chuckles, getting a nod in response from André.

"Go dance to sweat a bit if it out?", the German asks, offering Mitch his hand. That did sound enticing.

"Sure."

_______________

Another ten shots later - they have successfully convinced themselves in the time that passed that they'd have a hangover either way - Mitch still clings to André.

"I want a boyfriend, a boyfriend, that doesn't just goes of and marries the next best girl. One that will stay", he says, speech slurred.

"Yeah, that's what you deserve", André muses, patting Mitch's head. He's drunk too, but not nearly as drunk as Mitch. German genes or something.

"I need a boyfriend, who doesn't even think about marrying at this point. I think James is doing it right, being with something younger that is."

André looks at suprised, not sure where that came from, just to see tears brimming in Mitch's eyes.

"Okay, it's okay. Let's get you to bed. You're tired, huh?", André soothes and steers him towards the exit. Just before they make it out though, Alex steps in their way. It is late by now, surely past one in the morning, but the air is still warm, so not even that is an excuse for André to just drag Mitch along.

"You're leaving Mitch?", Alex asks, looking disappointed. André is like 85% convinced that Mitch would just fall into Alex's arms if he wasn't holding him.

"Yeah, 'm tired. André's taking me to bed."

"I'm bringing him to his bed so he can sleep", André corrects softly but sternly.

Still, jealousy flashes over Alex's face. André sighs deeply. He feared this could happen. He steers Mitch, who had previously stood between them to the side and grabs Alex's arm with his free one.

"Mate. You just got married. This isn't a good look. I promise I'll get him to bed safely. But this is on you. He would've married you too."

"I know", Alex's conceives.

"She's looking here", André observes.

Alex tenses up and bids them goodbye tight-lipped.

______________

Mitch wakes up, already groaning, his head hurts like a bitch and he once again swears to himself, that he'll never drink Tequila again. At least with André Lotterer.

He vaguely patts around to find his bedside table, hoping, praying, that he'll find an aspirin and some water there. When he does actually find these things, he makes a new resolve, to only drink with André ever again.

He does remember stumbling into his room aided by André, but judging by the fact, that the older man is nowhere to be seen, that's probably all he did in his room. Tuck him in, tell him everything will be alright and listen to him cry over Alex a bit more.

Live isn't fair and Mitch knows that too well. No title, no husband, not even a boyfriend, no one to come home to.

He wants to spend the day in bed, not get up, just laze around. There is nothing to do for him anyways. Well, Alex and Alice organised a day-after brunch, but Mitch isn't sure, if he's ready to see Alex again. With his wife.

He doesn't even know why he agreed to be best man in the first place, probably because he didn't want to loose his best friend and boyfriend in one go.

It feels like he lost both anyways.

Only then, he sees the little piece of paper, that also was left on his bedside table. It's still too dark in the room, to actually read it and Mitch doesn't feel like enduring the headache that would come as soon as he opens the blinds just yet.

It'll have to wait until Mitch has slept at least three hours more and so he doesn't exactly that. The next time he wakes up, he only feels vaguely like shit, which is already progress.

He stumbles out of bed and opens the blinds, letting some light in, the sun already standing high. He has probably slept through at least half of the brunch by now anyway and basically everyone knows his situation with Alex anyways, they will understand, at least those that matter to him. He can afford that one of Alice cousins thinks he's a dick.

The piece of paper finds its way back into his field of vision. He picks it up, squinting a bit to read it properly.

You said you want to date someone younger. Text him.

And then there is a number written on the paper. A number he doesn't have in his phone. From the scribble, Mitch can clearly identify it as André's handwriting. 'Is he trying to set me up?', shoots through his head.

And knowing André, he probably is. He always wants to see his friends happy and if that means pushing them into a certain direction, he would.

What does he have to loose anyway? Mitch shrugs and retrieves his phone from where he had previously neglected it, to read the note again. It would be nice, to be with someone again. Like actually, without buts and maybes. Without fearing they'll propose to their ex-girlfriend. But even some no strings attached fun would help him right now. He hasn't been seeing anyone ever since Alex broke it off for good

So he types out a message.

[cherrycheridarling]

happier | t.h.

tom holland x singer!reader

warnings: swearing and sad. fluff if you squint

summary: you wish tom the best with his new relationship in your new song. {listen to happier by olivia rodrigo (if you want)}

wc: 3.6k

'We broke up a month ago,'

"I've been thinking," your heart sunk at his words, "I'm always working." he grabbed both of your hands.

You locked your gaze in his. Sat in the living room of his shared flat. Inches apart yet you could already feel the separation between the two of you growing.

He avoided your eye contact, "I-I can't be in a relationship unless I can give one hundred percent of myself to the other person. A-and I know I haven't been doing that to you, which is c-completely unfair." he wiped away a tear from your cheek that you didn't know had fell, "You've been so, so good to me. I'm sorry I wasn't better, but I can't keep putting you through this." his voice was barely audible.

You finally tore your eyes away from his face. His tear soaked face. Choosing to stare at a spot over his shoulder instead. You took three deep breaths. In and out. Something about his words made you confused, but your pain overpowered it.

"Please say something. Anything." he whispered against your knuckles. Holding your hands to his lips.

You gently removed your hands from his grip, "Thank you for being mature and honest with me." you started with a sniffle, "Thank you for all of our memories and for showing me what love is," you cupped his face, "Thank you for everything, loser." your light laugh lacked any humour, but it still brought a slight smile to his face.

He held your hand that was resting on his jaw, "I love you more than life itself, darling." he kissed your palm and you felt your heart shatter. "Never hesitate to call, dummy."

You nodded with a sad smile. "I love you, too." You stood up and made your way out of the door. A year and a half down the drain within ten minutes.

'Your friends are mine, you know I know you moved on. Found someone new.'

"Do you guys wanna do something on Saturday? I don't have work. Maybe karaoke?" you asked the group without looking up from your phone.

Harrison made a confused noise, "Did you forget? We have Nadia's birthday par—" you heard a loud smack, "—Ow! What? Oh, shit."

You looked up to see Zendaya, Jacob, Harry, Sam and Tuwaine all glaring at Harrison.

"Absolute div." Tuwaine muttered.

You furrowed your eyebrows, "Who's Nadia?" you looked at all of them as they avoided eye contact. "Daya?"

She let out a long sigh before clearing her throat, "Um, Nadia is- Well she's kind of- you know, um—"

"—Tom's new girlfriend." Sam finished for her.

Your mouth formed an 'o' shape as you processed the information. His new girlfriend. It'd been a month and four days since he ended your relationship. And he had a new girlfriend.

It took him a month to move on. A month to be able to give a hundred percent of himself to someone.

You couldn't tell if you were more angry or sad. Maybe a mixture of both. Angry that your friends were hiding information from you, but at the same time you understood their intentions. Sad and upset because the boy who told you he wasn't ready to give a hundred percent of himself was already with someone new.

You slowly nodded, "Oh, okay. Well, I hope you guys have fun." you gave a tight lipped smile before looking back at your phone.

Everyone glanced at each other worriedly before allowing their gazes to fall on you again.

"How do you feel?" Jacob asked cautiously.

You locked your phone and set it on your lap, "I'm fine." you faked a smile, "I think I'm gonna head home, though. It's getting late and I have an early studio session. Bye." you quickly grabbed your purse and left with a small wave.

"Y/N! Wait—" the slamming of the front door cut Tuwaine off.

It was three p.m. and you weren't supposed to be in the studio until noon.

'One more girl who brings out the better in you,'

"Y/N/N. You need to talk about it sooner or later." Zendaya reminded you as she sat at the end of your bed with Harrison beside her.

You removed the covers from your face, revealing your tear stained cheeks, "Does she make him happy?"

There was silence from your two friends before they hesitantly nodded. Both weren't completely sure, but they assumed she did.

"Does she bring out the best version of him? Does she stroke his hair while they cuddle? Does she cook with him? Does she walk Tessa with him?"

Harrison sighed, "Y/N/N, we—"

"—Because that's what I did. I brought out the best side of him. I stroked his hair while we cuddled. I cooked with him. I walked Tessa with him. I did it all. Every single thing." your voice broke towards the end as you let the sobs rack through your body.

Harrison and Zendaya went to either side of you and held you. They just held you. Because even they didn't know what to do.

'And I thought my heart was detached from all the sunlight of our past,'

"Are you sure you're okay with this?" Zendaya asked as you walked towards Tom's front door.

You nodded and smoothed down your sundress, "Yeah. We ended on good terms. It's been two months or so. We're friends. Plus, I miss hanging out with all of us." you assured her.

She sighed before knocking on the door, "Alright."

A few moments later the door swung open revealing Tom. Dressed in black jeans and a white button-up. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Curls dangling over his forehead. A sweet smile on his lips.

You felt your stomach lurch. Air leaving your lungs involuntarily. Heart rate quickening. You could smell his cologne and every single memory with him clouded your mind.

"Hey! It's great to see you guys—"

"—Sorry. I-I think I left something in the car. One second." you rushed out the words before turning on your heel.

Zendaya let out a long sigh, "Fuck."

Tom frowned, "Did I do something wrong?"

'But she's so sweet, she's so pretty. Does she mean you forgot about me?'

"Y/N!" an unfamiliar voice called out to you from somewhere in the boys' backyard.

It was Harrison's annual barbecue get together. Nearly three months since your break up with Tom.

You turned towards the source of the noise and found a girl walking towards you. Brunette. Tight black dress with black heels. Body and face of a model.

"I've been dying to meet you! I'm such a huge fan. I basically live off of your music." she giggled as she hugged you.

You smiled, "Aw! Thank you! That means so much to me. You look amazing, by the way."

She laughed, "Thank you! But you're absolutely gorgeous! Sorry, I completely forgot to introduce myself. I'm Nadia, Tom's girlfriend."

Of fucking course.

You raised your eyebrows, but managed to keep a smile on your face, "Oh! I've heard so much about you! Well, Tom's one lucky guy," you chuckled, "I'd love to chat some more, but I need to use the washroom. Excuse me. It was a pleasure meeting you." you gave her a hoaxed smile before quickly walking away.

You were two feet away from the washroom when Zendaya grabbed your arm, "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."

Your breaths were coming out in short puffs, "I just met Nadia?"

Her eyes widened before she dragged you towards Tuwaine's room, "Okay. Let's sit down."

'Oh, I hope you're happy, but not like how you were with me. I'm selfish, I know. I can't let you go,'

"You should move in here." Tom mumbled against your shirt.

You let out a small laugh, "You already have four roommates, love. One more might turn this into a barn."

He lifted his head off of your chest, "I'm serious. Driving from Manchester to Kingston all the time is such a hassle for you. We have recording studios here and it would make me the happiest man in the world if I could wake up to your gorgeousness everyday." he planted kisses on your forehead, nose and lips.

You chuckled at his boyish grin, "It's only a three hour drive and I'm sure the boys don't want me imposing on your time with them."

He quickly shook his head, "I already talked to them about it and they want you here, too."

You raised your eyebrows, "Well, if you're sure it'll make you the happiest man in the world, I'll think about it."

"You already make me the happiest man in the world, but I needed something to convince you." he rested his head on your chest again as you laughed.

'So find someone great, but don't find no one better. I hope you're happy, but don't be happier.'

"Are we ordering pizza?" Harrison yawned from beside you on the couch.

"Sushi?" you grinned hopefully.

Tuwaine shook his head, "We had sushi last night."

"Tom and I are making dinner for you guys!" Nadia reminded you from the kitchen.

Her arms wrapped around Tom's waist as he stirred whatever was in the pan he had on the stove.

You really hated their open floor layout at that moment since there wasn't a wall to block them from your view.

"Oh, yeah. What're you making?" Sam asked.

"Salmon with rice and steamed veggies." Tom answered without looking up from the pan.

Everyone made noises of realization as you turned to Harry, "Aliens or a tiger. Which do you think you could beat in a fight?" he asked.

You laughed before replying, "Hmm, depends. Are the aliens small or—"

"Tommy!" you heard a girly giggle and turned to see Tom with Nadia over his shoulder as they laughed and ran around the kitchen.

You quickly diverted your gaze to the coffee table. Forgetting about Harry's absurd question. All eyes were on you.

"What?" you asked when you finally looked up at your friends.

"Are you okay?" Harrison frowned from beside you before resting his head on your shoulder.

You let out a dry, quiet laugh, "Of course. As long as he's happy."

The looks of pity you received were almost as painful as the scene you witnessed moments ago.

'And do you tell her she's the most beautiful girl you've ever seen? An eternal love bullshit you know you'll never mean,'

"Premiere day!" Zendaya walked into your shared hotel room with a bright smile, Nadia following behind her.

You faked a smile as you applied another coat of mascara, "You girls look gorgeous."

Zendaya was in a red and black sequin gown. Hair down and heels on. Nadia was dressed in a maroon silk dress with a slit on the side. Black heels dawning her feet. Both had makeup and accessories on matching their attire.

You were in an emerald green gown with a slit running down your left leg. Silver heels and silver jewellery to match.

"So do you!" Nadia exclaimed as she sat on Zendaya's bed.

"Are the boys coming soo—" Zendaya got cut off by three loud knocks on the door.

"I'll get it!" Nadia jumped up and opened the door.

Tom was stood before her in a maroon suit. Matching her dress. Black dress shoes. Matching her heels. Glasses on and a bright smile.

You watched as Tom ran his eyes down Nadia's outfit, "Well, aren't you just the most beautiful girl in the world?" he planted a kiss on her lips as you witnessed with envy.

"Aw, Tommy. I love you."

"I love you more, darling." he grinned before looking behind her.

Heart wrenching pain struck you again.

You watched as his mouth fell open by the slightest bit. Eyes growing wider.

He quickly snapped out of his daze, placing a pearly white smile on, "You two look absolutely stunning."

You acknowledged his compliment with a curt nod.

Zendaya let out a laugh, "Yup. About to out do you at your own premiere."

'Remember when I believed you meant it when you said it first to me?'

"Green or white?" you held up both dresses against your body.

Tom looked up from his phone, "Both of them will look amazing on you, love."

You sighed, "I appreciate the compliment, but I am meeting Sebastian Stan tonight. Now is not the time for indecisiveness. One of them will make me look bad and I need to know which one."

The Infinity War premiere was in two hours and your anxiety was growing by the minute.

"C'mere." he motioned you towards him with a 'come hither' gesture as he sat on the edge of the hotel bed. You made your way towards him. Standing in between his legs as he wrapped his arms around your waist, "You are the most beautiful girl in the world. Absolutely gorgeous. You could make the ugliest dress look like something from a fairytale."

Your smile grew as he kissed your stomach, "Thank you, mi amor." you bent down and placed a peck on his forehead, leaning your head against his, you whispered, "Now, green or white?"

He chuckled and pecked your lips, "White."

You smiled before making your way to put on the white dress, "I love you."

"I love you more, darling."

'And now I'm picking her apart. Like cutting her down will make you miss my wretched heart. But she's beautiful, she looks kind. She probably gives you butterflies.'

"I don't like her." you murmured.

Zendaya chuckled, "Nadia? You barely know the girl."

You nodded, "And I don't like her. I don't like her giggles and her nickname for him. I don't like her hair."

You knew you were looking for things to dislike, but there weren't any. She was a fan of your music, she complimented you all the time. She was genuinely a great person.

She sighed, "No, you don't like the fact that she's dating Tom. If she wasn't, you wouldn't be saying any of this."

You rolled your eyes and glared at her, "Can you let me be angry?"

She laid herself down on your mattress, "Nope. If you wanna be angry, be angry at Tom. Nadia hasn't done anything to you. You're better than this."

"God, I hate your optimistic side sometimes." you threw a pillow at her.

She laughed, "One of us needs to be the optimist."

You sighed, "Do you think he misses me?"

"Yes." she replied without hesitation.

You sat up and furrowed your eyebrows, "What makes you say that?"

She let out a long breath, "You need to talk to him about that."

'I hope you're happy. I wish you all the best, really. Say you love her, baby. Just not like you loved me. And think of me fondly when your hands are on her. I hope you're happy, but don't be happier.'

"And you're dead." you dropped the controller on your lap as you defeated Harrison in Super Smash Bros again.

He huffed like a child, "Unfair. I taught you how to play, how'd you get better than me?"

"Actually, I taught her how to play. And I am ten times better than you." Tuwaine corrected him.

Harrison scoffed, "Whatever. Sweaty nerds, the both of you."

Nadia spoke up from Tom's lap, "Can I try?"

You nodded, "Who do you wanna go against?"

She chuckled, "I think I'll verse Harrison. Seeing as how Y/N just kicked your ass, I wanna at least have a chance."

Her comment made you laugh as you handed her the controller and watched them pick their characters. You watched as Tom set his phone down and focused on the screen where his girlfriend chose Pichu.

"Choose Kirby." Tom told her.

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Why? Pichu is so cute."

"Y/N always plays as Kirby and she always wins. With that stupid power absorbing ability." he chuckled as his eyes landed on you.

You felt your heart skip a beat at the small detail he remembered before you played it off with a light laugh, "Not my fault you thought Luigi could beat Kirby everytime we played."

'Ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo,'

You pressed on the keys of the piano in the boys' home. Singing your heart out. You still had your spare key and Harrison told you no one was home.

You were waiting for them to return from golfing so you could have your Sunday night dinners. It's been nearly four months since your breakup with Tom. Your album was due to be released on May twenty-first and you were letting the still evident pain fuel your lyrics.

"I hope you're happy, just not like how you were with me. I'm selfish, I know. I can't let you go. So find someone great, but don't find no one better. I hope you're happy, but don't be happier." you faded out the piano and pressed stop on the recording on your phone.

Writing down small notes about the song and things to tweak, your thoughts were quickly interrupted.

"I'm not."

Your head snapped up. Tom was leaning against the doorframe behind you. Tears escaping his eyes.

"T-Tom. I'm sorry. Haz told me the house was empty and I just started playing and- Wait. What did you say?" realization dawned on you.

He stepped closer and sat beside you on the piano bench, "I'm not happier. Hell, I'm not even happy." he gave a pathetic attempt at a laugh, staring straight at the black and white keys.

Your mind was trying to catch up with everything happening, trying to register his words, the state he was in. Grey sweats, black tee. Messy hair and red eyes.

"Why?"

He released a heavy sigh, "There's so many things you could be asking 'why' about. Why did I break up with you? Why am I with Nadia? Why am I not happy? Why the hell am I crying? Which one is it, Y/L/N?"

You blinked a few times, "All of them."

He sniffled and rubbed his face, "I felt like I was holding you back." he started, catching a glimpse of your confused expression, he continued, "You hadn't released any music in over year. There were so many articles saying that I was the reason that the biggest pop star in the world was quitting music. I didn't want to be the reason for that."

"You weren't and you aren't." you assured him.

He shrugged, "I just felt like you would do a lot better without me. And you are. Look at you, your fifth album is coming out next month." he nudged you with his shoulder, "I'm proud of you," he smiled.

"T-thank you."

He nodded, "Anyways, why am I with Nadia? Um, a few days after we broke up, I went to a friend's place to distract myself, as one does. She was there. She was a distraction. I never meant for it to get this far. You know, she actually asked me to be her boyfriend." he chuckled dryly to himself as you listened intently. "I guess, I thought it'd be easier to move on if I had something else to pour my love into?"

You nodded slowly, "Okay, I somewhat get that. So you really do love her?"

He quickly shook his head, "No, no, I don't. I mean, I can't. No one can truly love two people at once. And I think that answers the question of why I'm not happy." he paused and faced you completely, "I'm crying because hearing that song and hearing how evident your pain in it is, that will make anyone cry. I'm crying because I miss you and I miss us. I-I miss what we had and what we were. I miss your kisses and your stupid jokes that only you laugh at. I miss going on walks with you and Tess. I just miss you."

There was a long period of silence after his confession. You were trying to process all the information he was giving. He was cursing himself for being so straightforward. The longer it went without a response from you, the more anxious he got. He grabbed your hands, holding them to his lips.

"Please say something. Anything."

Déjà vu.

You swallowed, "You want honesty?" he nodded, "Okay, I was so mad at you. I-I was infuriated. Y-you told me you weren't ready to give a hundred percent of yourself and that you couldn't be in a relationship until you could give all of yourself to that person. Then a month later, you're with her. Making me feel like you just couldn't give yourself to me." you paused and shook your head, "You could've told me the truth. You should've told me the truth. We could've talked about it. We could've avoided months of awkward run ins and no communication." he nodded, still holding your hands in his, "I'm not gonna lie and say I don't miss you because I do, I miss you more than anything, but we shouldn't be doing this or saying these things while you're with her." you removed your hands from his.

He spent a moment looking down at his fingers. Releasing short breaths. "I don't want to be with her."

"But you are. And I don't want you to break up with her for me. Because that's not how things work, Tom. But you shouldn't stay with her either. Especially if this is how you're feeling. That's just unfair to her." you shook your head and felt your mind clear.

He nodded and met your gaze, "This is the end of us, huh?"

You shook your head, "I don't think there will ever be an end to us." you laughed dryly.

He agreed with a smile, "For forever and a day, remember?"

You nodded, "For forever and a day."

[splendentmoon]

Incorrect Quotes/4/

fourth part!!!

I'm energetic and that's very rare coming from me hehe!

Enjoy!!✨✨

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Yin: You three, explain yourself right now!

Jin: It was Spindrax.

MK: It was Spindrax.

Red Son: It was Spindrax.

Spindrax:

Spindrax: ...shit.

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MK: Poison is a magical transmutation potion that turns people into corpses.

Spindrax: This knife is actually a magic wand.

Yin: Meet me in the Denny's parking lot for a wizard duel.

Jin: -cocks the gun- Magic missile.

Red Son: What the hell is wrong with you guys?

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MK: How do you connect with a fictional character?

Yin: what?

Red Son: What?

Spindrax: What?

Jin: -opens a 500 slide presentation- I'm glad you asked

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Yin: Where are Spindrax, MK and Jin?

Red Son: They're playing hide-and-seek.

Yin: where?

Red Son: I don't think you understand how this game works.

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Yin: Imagine that someone gave you a box full of all the items you have lost throughout your life.

MK: Self love, I haven't seen you in years!

Spindrax: Oh wow, my childish innocence! Thanks for finding this!

Jin: I knew I had lost that potential somewhere!

Red Son: My moral code, is that you?

Yin:

Yin: I was just going to show you this cool trunk my mom left me, but do you need a hug?

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Jin: Why are their tongues purple?

Red Son: We had slushies. I had a blue one.

MK: I had a red one.

Jin: oh

Yin: ....

Spindrax: Oh!

Jin: ....

Jin: Did you drink each other's slushies?

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MK: Guys... Yin just called—

Red Son: It was Spindrax!

Spindrax: It was Jin!

Jin: It was me!

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Red Son: What's the scariest horror movie you've ever seen?

MK: it.

Yin: Annabelle.

Spindrax: Paranormal Activity.

Jin: High School Musical. All through high school, I was afraid everyone would randomly get up and start singing and dancing, and I'd be the only one who didn't know the words.

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-The squad walking in the mall-

MK: Hey, have any of you seen Jin? Long gone...

Yin: Uh, nope.

Red Son: No, I didn't see it...

Spindrax: He probably ran off to McDonald's or something.

Jin: Hello.

MK: Ooh, there you are-

Yin: what the hell?

Spindrax: I- where were you?!

Jin: Walking right behind you.

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MK -trying to convince Red Son to join the group-:You know... I thought it would be nice if someone who was really... strong came along!

Spindrax: And screamer!

Yin: And grumpy!

Jin: And oblivious to reality!

Red Son: .........

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MK: What did you get in your yearbook?

Spindrax: 'The most beautiful smile'

Jin: 'Nicer personality'

Yin: 'Most likely a bar fight will start'

Red Son: "I'm less likely to start a bar fight, but more likely to win one"

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MK: You're a loose cannon, Spindrax.

Spindrax: No, I'm not. I'm a cannon, maybe, but a loose cannon? Is that what you think of me?

Yin: I think you play by your own rules.

Jin: No way, they think the rules are made to be broken.

MK: Those are all the attributes of a loose cannon.

Spindrax: No, I'm just a reckless renegade. Yin is a loose cannon.

Red Son: -breaks a chair- Aah! Shut your mouth, Spindrax!

Jin: I'd say Red Son is more of a cop on the edge with nothing to lose. That is something completely different.

Yin: Now I'm confused. Is Spindrax a loose cannon or not?

Jin: Alright, have a cup of coffee. Let's get to the bottom of this.

Spindrax: -gasp-

MK: Oh man, what did I start?...

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Red Son: Goodbye MK! Goodbye Yin! Bye Jin! Goodbye Spindrax! Goodbye MK!

PIF: You said 'bye MK' twice.

Red Son: I like MK.

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Spindrax -possessed by LBD-: You're just jealous. All my subordinates tell me that I remind them of MK.

The Squad: -screaming-

Jin: Does he look like MK? Are you out of your fucking MIND?

Yin: MK, honey, I'm SO sorry. I'M SO SORRY that an ugly bitch like this says that. OMG.

Red Son: MK? MK? MK? Do you know who you look like? You look like a bitch!

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MK: Good morning.

Spindrax: Good morning.

Yin: Good morning.

Jin: You all sound like robots, try to spice it up a bit.

Red Son: GOOD MORNING SONS OF BITCHES.

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MK: I'm too short to kiss my boyfriend on the lips, what should I do?

Spindrax: Kick him in the stomach, then when he doubles over, kiss him!

Jin: I run into him.

Yin: Get rid of him.

Red Son: LITERALLY DON'T DO ANYTHING OF THAT SHIT, JUST ASK ME TO DOUBLE!!!! JESUS.....

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MK: There are seven chairs and ten children. What is your job?

Spindrax: Everyone stand up.

Yin: Bring three more chairs.

Jin: The most important ones can sit down.

Red Son: Kill three.

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MK: I've done a lot of stupid things.

Spindrax: I witnessed foolish things.

Yin: I recorded the silly things.

Jin: I joined the silly things.

Red Son: I TRIED TO STOP YOU FROM DOING STUFF!!!

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MK: Okay! Let's play Kiss Marry Kill!

MK: First, who would you kill?

-Red Son points to Spindrax-

-Yin points to Spindrax-

-Jin points to Spindrax-

Spindrax: -shrugs- I'd kill myself too.

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Police: You run a red light.

Jin: You too, hypocrite.

Police: I was following you.

Jin: That was silly, I'm a terrible driver.

Police: Get out.

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Yin: Sweet dog you have there.

Police: Yes, this is our new drug-sniffing dog.

Yin: Are you still training, huh?

Police: What do you mean?

Yin:

Yin: It doesn't matter.

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Spindrax: I was put on this earth to do one thing.

Spindrax: Fortunately I forgot what it was, so I can do whatever I want.

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LBD: I'm an idiot.

Spindrax:

Yin:

Jin:

Red Son:

MK:

Spindrax: If you're expecting us to disagree, this is going to be a long day.

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Yin: What are they better at than Spindrax?

Jin: Mario Kart.

Red Son: Yes, video games.

MK: Emotional vulnerability.

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Red Son: Nothing in life is free.

MK: Love is free!

Yin: Adventure is free.

Jin: Knowledge is free.

Spindrax: Everything is free if you take it without paying.

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Red Son: We need more help. Maybe I should call my friends.

Yin: ... you what?

Red Son: My friends.

MK: Are you saying "friends"?

Jin: I think he's being sarcastic.

Spindrax: No, no, no, this is delusional, they've cracked from staying up all night. Hello Redson! All your friends are in this room.

Red Son: I have other friends! You asked me to make new friends, I made new friends! It was a task I do tasks.

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