#The way it works in WC is that the cats are put into groups of work | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bunji-enthusiast · 3 months

Note

Heya again!! <333 as per tradition, before I put an order, I want to say ty for feeding the PP fandom and I hope you're doing well <333 may whatever you're planning to write, original or fandom, be successful!

May I order a blast in the past, where the Hour of Joy hasn't started, Caretaker! Reader is yet again an employee at Playtime Co. and they happened to find out about the rejected isle and they were overwhelmed by the sheer cuteness and charm of the toys, they do kinda get why some of them were rejected but thought mostly they were fine.

For the sake of the plot, they got to keep the toys and bring them home with permission from the higher ups ( wow reader charisma 💯 ). As they're happily making their way back, Catnap noticed them carrying this unknown toy, giving it affection, and overall just showering it with love from the shadows and gets quite pouty about it. So much so that the rest of the smiling critters had to pry it out of him to tell them what he saw and oh boy, they too were quite pouty.

Dogday tries to reassure them that everything's alright and they agreed to " ask " more like interrogating the reader the next time they come in to work. When that happens, Reader is caught red-handed still giving that rejected toy their love and affection, Dogday sends the rest of the group off so he and Catnap could talk it out with Reader more privately. Ends with them getting the full story and the smiling critters getting their fair share of love and affection, especially Catnap who's by the way still pouting about the whole ordeal 😂

I really just wanna see this sleepy cat having someone else he could actually trust as a parent figure and him just getting worried that his place might be taken away by some rejected toy 🥹 ahhh I'm starting to love him more and more slowly,, the Smiling Critters are such babies and I love themmmm

Signs Of Love

Note || yesss insomnia kitty needs love, all of em need love 💕

WC || 1,931

Sypnosis || Misunderstandings occur, but as quickly as they come, they can also very much leave.

You were quite the lover of many things, having been assigned to be a caretaker when your superiors saw how well you integrated yourself into the role at your interview. They are quite fond of you and all their other caretakers, since they know you all (you and the rest of the caretakers) are the only ones able to keep all the toys and children in line.

Though the children were mostly left to the Playcare Attendants as the caretakers were more or less focused on the toys themselves. It was without a hint of a doubt, you certainly had garnered the attention of many toys. Some who liked you, though it really was the Smiling Critters who liked you more than most.

Yet when you found out about the rejected toys, you thought it was really saddening that they were even rejected in the first place – though you understood why – you just wanted to simply take them home with you!

Deciding to try and convince a higher-up to take one home, that is exactly what you did.

“Ma’am, please look at this adorable potato!” You held up the rejected toy in your hands, clearly enough for your superior who shrunk back in surprise against her recliner chair. She let out an exasperated sigh, recollecting herself as she adjusted her position on the seat.

“I am well aware,” She begins, gesturing to the rejected toy. “But by no means are you allowed to take it home, rejected or not–it is still company property.”

You frown as you search your mind for conceivable reasoning to convince your superior, you sigh as the toy falls out of your hands, landing on your lap. “W-well, maybe I could keep it for a little while?” You jump up, your hands landing straightforwardly on her desk. “Like a-a security precaution!”

A frown adorns her face in return to your earlier one, crossing her arms across the top of the desk as gently as she possibly could. Appearing to be searching your face for any lying or incompetence, her shoulders slump in defeat. “Very well, if you insist.”

“Keep it.”

You let out a yelp of success, almost falling backward as you did so. You grin, an exasperated noise leaving your throat as you cautiously upright yourself, as to not uproot or accidentally change her mind in turn. Your hands make their way to your superiors, shaking them to be polite. “Thank you thank you! You won’t regret this.” You smile at her, then let go of her hand as she is left in befuddlement by the actions that had just happened.

Normally you weren’t much of an extroverted person, only conversing and confronting social situations when necessary. But you had simply felt joy bursting through your veins at the accomplishment you had achieved, to convince a superior to let you keep the rejected toy! (One of the rejected toys at least, you couldn’t do much else for the rest as much as you wanted too) Now you were making your way back, rejected toy in hand and you had a lot of affection to give it.

Too bad it wasn’t alive as much as the other toys you knew were, but at least it was alive in your own heart.

A familiar figure in the distance resting on a rooftop had taken notice of this quite easily, may it be quite the discovery they had found. CatNap couldn’t let this go unnoticed, a strange pang resided in the depths of his hollow yet dense chest. The giant cat couldn’t pinpoint the feeling he felt, not knowing what name to put to the feeling he felt so strongly, like a parasite it wouldn’t leave him alone.

He felt a strange guise of loneliness, noticing how much you began giving the unknown toy such a sudden bout of affection and hugging. Even nuzzling it as well to boot, CatNap was jealous?

How strange, CatNap wasn’t entirely familiar with the concept of emotions. Even with how certain ones could flare up at times, depending in response to the situation, whatever one he may be in. CatNap got up, stretching his finely tuned legs. CatNap wasn’t prepared for the others to pry the information out of him, trying to figure out what he saw and knew. He almost felt a little intimated, but he was… in the sense very emotional–even beneath his sleepy and quiet demeanor.

Then he could feel himself justified for the guilt of jealousy.

Well, CatNap certainly did expect the outcry, all at the same time he truly didn’t expect it either. The group, he felt rightly justified in their emotions as he had reported it to them, he too was quite in earnest – very jealous of the unknown toy. KickinChicken spoke externally with the whole of his heart, “This sucks! Why does that toy get more love than we do?”

“I wanted a hug!” Bobby cried, sitting on the floor as Crafty had patted her back, trying to gently soothe her. The colorful unicorn too was upset, yet she hid it very well. Picky had remained quiet, just stuffing her face with an apple to conceal her upset, she had big emotions and wasn’t sure on how to deal with them unlike the rest of the Smiling Critters.

Hoppy on the other hand was pounding the ground with her feet, hopping around so as to not completely create noise. She was woefully upset too as it appeared to CatNap, he hadn’t expected any of them to take this information the way they did. But they had pried it out of him, He didn't know what they were expecting to hear anyway.

CatNap’s voice came out short and strained as he made an attempt to comfort any of them, “It’s ok–” His voice fell on deaf ears, CatNap huffed a puff of red air. His tail lapping about, then overlaying to rest upon his left leg.

Bubba was muttering to himself, rapidly tapping his feet. As if his intellect could formulate a reason as to why this had happened, alas CatNap knew the elephant was simply just trying to find reason in coping with his emotion.

Believe it or not, CatNap pays very good attention to all the Smiling Critters. They are his friends after all.

“Guys!--” The group still went on, continuously upset. No means of comfort getting through to them. “GUYS.”

His visibly noticeable purple fur rustled about as he sat down, noticing that DogDay was finally back in leadership mode. CatNap didn’t know what to do to calm them all down anyway, he was pouty and upset as they were. DogDay spoke slowly, “I’ll ask Angel what’s up, maybe we just don’t understand it fully. Okay?”

The group notices, finally relenting in defeat. None of them questioned him as DogDay always had a way with words usually, he wasn’t one to go wrong as he was the leader of the group for a very good reason.

As the group clamored to find you, you weren’t that hard to find surprisingly. Mostly as you were hard to find other times, they could all easily see that you were still found with the rejected toy. Sitting back on your chair that you had found, and giving it all the affection that had made a few members quite pouty.

“Guys, let's take it easy. Me and CatNap will talk with Angel alone,” DogDay motions for them to take their leave, holding out his hands before he elaborated. “Let’s not take it personally, okay? I don’t think it’s that complicated.”

KickinChicken sighs, as Bobby and the other few do. They all take their leave, showing that Hoppy was still there. She points at DogDay, then CatNap who was confused by the predicament. A silent gesture.

Nothing weird boys, you got that?

DogDay nods at Hoppy, who finally leaves as she hops away to rejoin the rest of the group. CatNap taps DogDay’s shoulder, gesturing that he should take the lead on this chat. His own paw comes up to pat CatNap’s, “I know bud, but let’s not overdo this.”

If the sunny leader were to be honest right about now, he too felt a pang of jealousy at the lack of affection and attention that he hadn’t received like his fellow critters.

You were aimlessly cooing at the rejected toy, happily partaking in giving it all manners of affection (nothing weird, ahem). It certainly had a charm and adorableness too it that you couldn’t ignore, you have no idea as to why the designers and superiors had rejected this design or any other one in the reject aisle that you saw for that matter.

Suddenly you felt a creeping chill crawl up your spine, traveling thoroughly all the ways to your shoulders and sides.

Feeling two taps on your shoulder almost had you jolting, causing you to turn around to see CatNap and DogDay standing right behind you, albeit very menacingly from your perspective. “DogDay? E-eh CatNap?!”

DogDay waved his hands, trying his best to reassure you, “Sorry we didn’t mean to frighten you like that Angel!” CatNap nodded along with DogDay’s words, doing his best to affirm that fact. You sigh in relief, hand very visibly held to your chest.

“So..” You straighten your posture as DogDay and CatNap came around you and sat down, to really level with you at most. “What’s up? Anything bothering you or the others?” You shrug, jabbing a questioning thumb as you spoke, directly in the general direction. They both knew what you meant, but they had more pressing matters.

DogDay let out a breath, before he spoke as to steel his nerves. CatNap deadpans, directed toward DogDay, emotional expression clearly evident despite the restriction of movement his own mouth has. “Well, we just… uh, wanted to know what was up with you.” DogDay pauses, then pointed at the toy which was unknown to him laying in your lap.

“And that.” He emphasized, wincing as he searched your face for any reaction. Suddenly what had surprised the two was how you began to laugh and giggle, waving your hand as the other clutched your stomach.

“Ah.. I’m sorry.” You shook your head, wiping your face. “Were you boys… perhaps jealous of this?” A small grin plasters on your face, with convoluted happiness as you held up the toy in question.

DogDay felt embarrassed, looking away as to not stutter or speak any words. CatNap sighed in reprieve, laying his head upon his front legs. Those actions alone had answered your question that effortlessly. “I see..” You couldn’t help but try and stifle the giggle, they were simply so adorable.

Them, jealous? It’s so cute. You really couldn’t resist their pouty moods, so you calm them down, proceeding to tell them the whole story so they didn’t have a misinformed perception of the situation.

You happily spread your loving and hugs to all the Smiling Critters and CatNap individually.

Albeit, CatNap was a little embarrassed that he had saw your situation with the rejected toy incorrectly. Feeling as if he might’ve been replaced.

You had reassured him individually as you had taken your time with each of the members, “I would never replace you CatNap! There’s always room for everyone..”

“Even you.”

You grin, booping CatNap’s nose. He recoiled back as he had the set revelation, CatNap slumped as he gave in to your very touchy movements. Feeling your hands thread throughout his fur, CatNap was content that he now knew.

He really had no reason to worry.

He truly was loved.

#poppy playtime #poppy playtime x reader #poppy playtime chapter 3 #x reader #dogday poppy playtime #catnap poppy playtime #catnap #poppy playtime dogday #dogday #smiling critters

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chlorinecake · 6 months

Text

🎙️ star-crossed lovers 【薄幸な恋人】 ⛦

summ✩ry While collabing with your girl group and Enhypen for a special stage, forbidden feelings spark between you and the main dancer upon dorming together

p✩iring idol!niki x popstar!reader ✩ requested ✩

-> PART 2 HERE

genre band au, fluff, secret romance cw swearing, mild bullying, the word ‘sexy’ like once, kissing, girl drama, reader is younger than Niki wc 4.4k

“Ugh,” Serenity groaned as the hairstylist applied yet another thick layer of chocolate brown hair dye to her scalp.

“This gig better bring in some serious bank, because never in my life would I willingly collab with those overrated wannabes,” she exclaimed, taking a frustrated sip from her vanilla latte.

“Hey, people used to call us wannabe's, too, you know,” Haerin said quietly as she tucked her hands under the UV light.

“Yeah, you should be more mature about this, Serenity... like I always say, professionalism triumphs pride," you added, only half-engaged in the conversation as a certain online article caught your attention.

As the band leader, you were always in charge of everything, so Serenity and Haerin were used to you talking to them this way...

“I’m just glad that we're getting exposure,” Haerin smiled, thinking of the countless nights you and your group spent practicing routines and writing songs for auditions, "it's not often that artists like us get opportunity's to perform internationally."

“For real,” Serenity cheered, “Riot Grrlz for the win!”

The three of you put your hands out to make a circle, “Riot Grrlz for life,” Haerin exclaimed, forgetting that her nails hadn't fully dried yet.

"Whoops," she giggled, just as Jade, the oldest of your group, made her way from the bathroom.

“What took you so long in there?” Serenity asked cheekily, “I thought we were gonna have to call the fire department.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Jade returned, taking a seat beside Haerin so she could get her nails done, too.

“You were talking to the enemy, weren’t you,” Serenity accused.

“No, Ren, I didn’t go behind your back and sell my soul to the devil for fame.”

“Not that enemy,” Serenity grinned, “I'm talking about Mr. Six Foot Moon Eyes.”

“Oooooo,” Haerin amused, pulling your attention away from your phone.

“Ugh, let it up guys. My crush on Sunghoon is long gone, especially now that we’re gonna be working together. Besides, I would never act so recklessly over romance.”

“Who said anything about reckless romance,” you teased, unintentionally giving Jade a full view of the article your were reading on your phone.

"Nobody,” she began, “but I’m surprised you even heard that over all your internet-stalking.”

You were scrolling through a K-Pop news feed when you came across a post.

It was titled: "Enhypen Rumored By Netizens To Be Collabing With THIS Rookie Western Girl Group."

"Shush," you whisper-yelled at Jade, "unless you’re trying to get our record deals pulled!"

Just last week, your management team made you and your group sign a contract of secrecy, swearing silence regarding unpublicized business projects and associations: this included your upcoming collab with Enhypen that Jade nearly just spoiled.

Although, in all honesty, the blog's use of the word "rookie" bothered you more than potentially breaking any contract rules.

"Relax, boss, it's practically a ghost town in here," Jade defended, drawing your attention to the near vacant salon space.

Ding.

It was an email from your manager.

He wanted to inform you all that your chauffeur would be ready around 2:45am to bring you guys to the airport.

"Jeez," you mumbled to yourself, "looks like I'm not getting much sleep tonight."

“Shit,” Serenity whined, “I haven’t even made enough time to brush up on my Korean yet!”

“Luckily me and Haerin here are bilingual baddies,” Jade giggled, giving the cat-eyed girl a fist punch.

“Ahh, watch my nails!!”

▶︎ ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| • • •

Your company's fashion crew was experimenting with different concepts, assigning each of your members an individual color to permanently represent: Serenity was teal, Jade was purple, Haerin was white, and you were pink.

Some time passed, an you and your group arrived in South Korea around 3:00pm.

Thanks to the fashion tech your management team hired, it wasn't obvious that you and the girls had been in and out of sleep for the past 13 hours.

You couldn't help but stalk the headlines about your group, as rumors about your Enhypen collab continued to spread like wildfire.

So much for swearing silence and secrecy, you thought to yourself.

South Korean pop media had already seemed to build a vendetta against your group, given that you were young, talented, and most importantly, from the states. The xenophobia of most K-netizens was disheartening at best, but you understood that hate was a part of success.

Besides, you were living the dream of many engenes at the moment — most of them would sell their siblings to be in your shoes right now.

“Ahh! This is unreal!!” Jade cheered excitedly in the back of the limousine. You guys had just left the airport around thirty minutes ago, after getting past the pesky crowd of paparazzi.

“I know right? Korean McNuggets slap way harder than back home,” Haerin added while munching on the salty snack.

“Don't get too comfy, Rinnie. We will leave you here,” Serenity joked.

You hadn't even realized the radio was playing until a certain guitar riff blared from the ceiling speakers.

"Oh hell no," Serenity immediately cringed, covering her ears as you, Jade, and Haerin exchanged knowing look, bringing imaginary microphones to your mouths in unison.

It was Enhypen's song Blessed-Cursed, Jay’s voice singing "We go!" over the radio.

"Go, go, go, go, go, go, GO!!" The three of you cheered, obnoxiously dancing to the choreo while sitting.

Memories of your group (minus Serenity) binge watching music videos at sleepovers resurfaced in your mind.

Usually, you'd only listen to throwback hits like Britney Spears or Rihanna, mostly because Rnb and Pop beats inspired your own art.

Still and all, Blessed-Cursed was one video that the three of you fell in love, way before your upcoming collab was even a thought.

"Don't get mad when I start recording you clowns," Serenity threatened, thoroughly amused by your behavior.

▶︎ ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| • • •

Upon arriving outside the Hybe Building, a trio of body guards guided you and your girls to an office room where the seven boys stood awkwardly around a large table.

Part of you still couldn't believe this was all actually happening, despite it being right in front of you.

“Hello! We are Enhypen,” Jungwon bowed as the guards exited the room.

Jay visibly cringed at his leaders words, “I promise we were told to introduce ourselves like that. Please don’t judge us.”

“Well, uhm… H-hi,” you stuttered, feeling a bit nervous, “We are the Riot Grrlz. It’s a pleasure being able to work with you all.”

Niki, the tallest of the boys, caught your attention immediately as he greeted you with a peace sign.

Was he always this cute?, you thought to yourself.

That’s when a lady dressed in all black barged through the glass door on the other side of the room.

“Sorry to interrupt… well, not really. Me and the Enhypen boys are already well familiar with each other, but you ladies can call me Kim,” she greeted, waltzing into the office as if owning the place.

She was a fast talker, so you knew you’d have to pay attention to what she was saying or else you might miss something.

“I hope you made use of each others time and gathered everyone’s names? Phone numbers?”

”We were just in the middle of that before you came in, Miss Kim,” Sunoo clarified.

“Very well then. You have a total of 15 minutes to lock in dorming arrangements. As you’ll see on this clipboard here…”

She paused mid-sentence, holding the clipboard dumbly.

“God, can one of you take this thing already?”

“Oh- sorry,” Heeseung chuckled nervously, taking the clipboard from the fiery woman.

“As I was saying, there are four rooms for the eleven of you to somehow divide. And no, just because you’re all hormonal young adults, none of you get a free pass to break the no-dating rule.”

“No-dating rule? What is this, a detention center,” Serenity mumbled.

Kim cleared her throat, feigning a smile as she glared at Serenity with narrowed eyes, “This is a place of utmost professionalism, Princess Land of The Free. If you have a problem adhering to the rules in place here, you are more than welcome to leave.”

“A-and after that? The fifteen minutes, I mean,” Haerin blurted out shyly.

“All of you will meet back in the main lobby, where you will be guided accordingly.”

Miss Kim turned of her black boots, beelining to the door with powerful strides, “The timer starts now” she called out, closing the door behind her.

And with that began your group discussion of rooming arrangements. Unfortunately, though, things didn’t get off to a particularly nice start.

“Are you effing kidding me?” Serenity asked rudely, screwing her eyes toward a now annoyed Heeseung, “Why can't we just get separate hotel rooms?!?”

“Look, there's no perfect way to go about this," he sighed, crossing out the roommate pairs you all had just agreed on. "So you either humble yourself, or sleep in the bathtub for the next two weeks."

“Really guys, the math is simple,” Jake started, “There’s eleven of us and only four rooms to choose from. Nine of us will be divided in groups of three, and the remaining two will share the last room together.”

"Cool! Me, ____, and Jade can share the first room together!" Haerin obliged with a smile.

"Perfect, and where will I go?" Serenity questioned, mocking Haerin's excitement.

"The bathtub, right?" Jay teased, provoking Serenity to argue with him.

Meanwhile, you attempted to make peace with everyone willing to listen, “Guys, I agree with Jake. We need to make a decision quickly before Kim gets back.”

“Right. Everyone in favor of room number 1, provide a show of hands,” Heeseung said, Jay and Jake raising their hands with him.

"And for room 2?" Jungwon initiated, raising his hand with Jade and Haerin.

A pout formed on Jade's face once she realized that Sunghoon wasn't in the same pair as her.

"3's the magic number, I guess…" Sunghoon offered, Serenity raising her hand with him.

Now it was just you, Sunoo, and Niki remaining.

"I'll group with 3, too. All of our name's start with "S," so it just makes sense that way," Sunoo joined shyly.

"Welp, now that leaves the final room for me and..."

"Me..." Niki spoke with a deep voice, flashing a mysterious half-smile-half-smirk that you knew would haunt your mind later.

"Me and me... the odd one's out! Wow, that's actually perfect!" Jake cheered just as the lady in black strut back in.

“Times up,” she said, taking the clipboard from Heeseung to analyze the finalized dorming plans.

“Hmm, interesting,” she mumbled to herself, tucking the clipboard under her arm.

You all made your way down to the main lobby, just as Kim instructed.

One of the security guards mentioned that Hybe suggested a dinner outing for your group and Enhypen as a way to end the night before you started work the next day… or maybe it was mostly a way to officially confirm the rumors about your collab.

Upon arriving, everyone sat at separate tables, divided according to who they agreed to room with.

Although Niki seemed quiet at first, you and him were giggling the babies the entire time you ate.

“Poor Jungwon. He’s gonna be sandwiched between Jade and Haerin for the next two weeks, his biggest fans,” you joked.

“Nah, Sunghoon and Sunoo have it way worse. Serenity’s attitude is enough to send me running,” Niki chuckled, shaking his head.

"Speaking of running, how come you were appointed leader over your group even though you’re a baby," Niki teased.

"Not you baby-shaming me! I was born in 06', you've barely got any experience on me."

"I've had an entire YEAR to catch up on things, for your information."

"Things like what? Potty training?"

"Pfft, probably..." he replied, going quiet for a second before continuing, "If you ever need help, though, I don’t mind practicing with you after hours.”

"Sounds like fun, but that might be past my bedtime," you pouted playfully, taking one of the fries off his plate.

"Hmm."

"Hmm what?"

"Nothing, I just didn't take you as the type to follow rules," he smirked, taking a sip from his soda.

"I guess it depends on what rules we're breaking. Whether it’s worth it or not."

"So rule breaking is a “we” thing now, huh?"

"Probably..." you smiled, the cool breeze of the foreign air sending shivers down your spine.

Or maybe that had something to do with Niki?

Before you knew it, it was time to head back to your dorms for the night. You knew rehearsals in South Korea were taken a lot more seriously than where you're from, so you needed all the rest you could get.

▶︎ ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| • • •

Day one was easy.

The main focus was recording voice samples in the studio, experimenting with different harmonies, and training your vocals as needed.

Now you were on day two, which started with a quick vocal session, leading into the dance rehearsal warm-up right after. After stretching, the studio was split in half, girls taking the left side and boys taking the right.

You all wore numbers on your back. This way, there wouldn’t be any confusion when any of your were being called.

Niki was assigned number eleven, and you had number one.

According to Jake, the numbers were disseminated based on skill level, and out of the 11 of you, that made Niki first place… and you the very last.

As rehearsals went on, your placement was proving to be true.

You were struggling to keep up with the choreography and it was really starting to bug you.

"Are you feeling okay," Niki asked as you sighed for what sounded like the hundredth time.

"Yea, I'm fine, it’s just this footwork is a bit tricky," you admitted.

“Aww, the smallest number for our most inexperienced contributor,” Serenity teased, making a pass at both your age and inability to get this one move right.

“I may be the youngest out of all of us, but I was appointed head over our group for a reason,” you snapped back.

“Yea… and it still shocks me to this day,” she mumbled, Jade and Haerin pausing to listen now.

You scoffed at her ignorance, putting your hands on your hips, “As if you could lead the Riot Grrlz any better.”

Serenity gave you a look that made you wanna drop here right there in front of everyone.

You never understood why she always had an attitude over the simplest things, and given the current work setting, your tolerance for her bull crap was at an all time low.

“Right, the Riot Grrlz. “Rookie Western Girl Group,” huh? And you expect me to be proud of that?”

“With pride of lionesses, of course,” Jade pitched in, leaning down to fasten her shoelaces.

“We should really keep working on our routine, guys,” Haerin mumbled quietly, causing the raging brunette diva to roll her eyes.

Meanwhile, the boys seemed to be getting along rather well with their part of the routine, completely blind to the chaos brewing at their left.

And by the boys, I mean all of them except Niki and Jake, who were both too distracted by your girl drama.

Way to go embarrassing myself again, you thought to yourself

“You’re new to this sort of training, aren’t you,” Jake asked curiously.

“What, did my shitty dance moves give it away?”

You know it wasn’t Jake’s fault, but you were started to doubt your abilities as an artist and performer.

Even Serenity felt as though you were letting your group down.

“You’re not a shitty dancer, ____,” Niki answered, walking closer to you.

“Yeah, Niki’s right. You shouldn’t put so much pressure on yourself,” Jake added.

“Exactly! Just focus on your strengths,” Serenity pitched in, “your vocals, for example. You might ruin the dance routine, but at least you’ll save all the high notes with Heeseung.”

It was clear that you and Niki were equally fed up with Serenity’s toxicity.

“Okay, can everybody clear out for a moment," Niki clapped, causing everyone to back up against the walls almost instantly.

He pulled you by the hand, turning you to face him as he called out to Sunoo, "Put on a random dance track, real quick. Something upbeat, please."

“Gotcha!”

Turning back to you, Niki took your chin in his hand, making your eyes meet his. “Just follow my lead, okay?” He whispered, taking off the bracelet he wore before sliding it on your wrist, “Do you trust me?”

“Niki...” you started, not sure of what he was trying to do.

“I need you to feel the music, ____. Let it control you," he said, stepping away as a short remix of "Buttons" by the Pussycat Dolls blared from the radio.

You could hear an amused Serenity and Sunghoon chuckle a bit at Sunoo’s choice of song, but Niki remained serious.

His gaze met the ground before he started freestyling to the song, letting his mind and body get used to the rhythm as he flowed to the beat. You stood awkwardly beside him, not feeling up to dance at the moment.

He caught sight of you standing and nudged your shoulder, "Loosen up, ____," he smiled, finally starting to feel the song himself.

You started by mirroring his movements at first, adding a few steps to make it fit your own style more.

"See? Now you're getting it," he encouraged again, pulling you toward him so you could dance together.

Your friends and the boys cheered you and Niki on while you two danced as if choreographed.

The track ended with Niki's had on your waist, both of your chests heaving from all the action.

Haerin's jaw dropped as she struggled to find the right words or any words to say, “That was…”

“Sexy!” Heeseung smirked while playfully fanning himself, making Niki turn his face in embarrassment.

You could feel your own face getting hot now, too, especially with everyone staring.

"Relax, Rinnie, you're acting like you've never seen a guy dance with a girl before," Jade chuckled.

"N-not... n-never like THAT,” Haerin said with a shocked face, “____, you're amazing!"

"Thanks," you smiled shyly, eyes falling back the bracelet Niki put around your wrist.

"Keep it... it's a good luck charm," he replied softly.

"Alright, alright. You guys can loosen up each other's buttons on your own time," Serenity snapped, interrupting everyone's gawking.

"Right... On second thought, it’s time for our break," Jay called, handing you and Niki a rag for your sweat.

"Great job, you guys. See you in 20," Jungwon added.

"Come on, girls," you chirped, picking up your gym bag as you took a sip from your water jug, heading towards the studio exit.

▶︎ ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| • • •

The rest of the day continued according to your work schedule. One vocal practice followed the other as the initially difficult routine felt more natural with each retake.

You also made a stop by Hybe's fashion team, getting your measurements taken so they could design your outfit for the upcoming stage.

Although this was a work trip, you were having a blast in Korea so far. You liked getting to work with the new people and trying different foods. You especially liked being roomies with Niki.

He was super talented, chill, yet flirty at the same time.

No wonder his fans go so crazy over him, you thought to yourself.

“Hey, ____,” Niki called out, jogging to catch up as you made your way from the dance studio after going back to get the pair of headphones you forgot near the water cooler.

“I wanna show you something…,” he announced, “Well, a thing I like to do.”

“Mhm, and what’s that?” You asked playfully.

He chuckled, “Just a thing that I can’t get away with while in idol mode. My secret escape... Are you interested?”

You meditated on his words before answering, considering the early curfew outlined by both your managers, and how it was already 8:00 at night, “It’s getting pretty late, you know… Is it gonna take long?”

He giggled again, this time leaning into you. “Only if you’re indecisive.”

The sounds of your sneakers tapping against the shiny tiled floors bounced off the hallway walls.

Like you said, girls would sell souls to be in your shoes right now: there’s no way you were gonna pass up on a chance to hang out with Niki…

A chance to explore this reckless romance.

“Ok, let’s go, but we have to be back by midnight,” you agreed.

“Ok, Cinderella. We’re not too far from where I wanna show you,” he beamed, fighting the urge to hold your hand as you followed him out of the Hybe Building, clashing into the night.

▶︎ ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| • • •

The place was reminiscent of a skate park, graffitied ramp-like walls cupping you and Niki in the surface of the arena.

There were a few other people present, but they seemed more wrapped up in their own little worlds to even look your way…

The moon shined behind the thin clouds of the sky, basking you and Niki’s skin with an ethereal glow.

“This is it!” He gestured with open arms, “my secret escape.”

You tucked your hands in your pockets as it was a bit cold out, “A shared secret place?” You corrected, pointing out the tiny groups of people hanging around.

Niki pushed the hoodie from over his head, revealing his two-toned mane, “I guess you could say that… they’re all idols, here. Just like me. They get why I do this.”

“Why you do what,” you inquired, stepping over a few random rocks that decorated the path.

“Why I dance,” he answered almost immediately, looking you in the eyes, “for myself.”

He took a few steps away from you, swaying to the music that rippled from one of the mystery people’s carry-radios.

Like earlier, you mirrored his moves at first, adding your own adjustments based on intuition.

Feeling.

You had so many more questions to ask, but in this moment, you focused on Niki and the way he moved.

The small groups of people developed into a crowd within a matter of seconds, joining you and Niki along with the music.

Although everyone was doing their own thing, in a strange way if felt harmonious.

Some people danced calmly, others were more wild. Either way, you were starting to understand what Niki meant.

Being able to express yourself away from prying eyes, scornful comments, flashing cameras, or a number 1 sign on your back was invigorating.

The music was still going when Niki grabbed your hand and pulled you to the side, a soft look taking over his features.

“Kiss me,” he whispered, staring into your eyes.

“W-what?”

“I just need to know that what I’m feeling right now is real.”

You took his face in your hands, trying to make yourself feel more in control of the situation, “Niki, I don’t think we should do this. Your manager outlined pretty strict rules.”

He paused before responding, “Remember what you said at the restaurant the first day we met?”

His grip on your hands remained delicate despite how strongly he felt for you.

“About us breaking rules together… only if it’s worth it.”

“Exactly,” he smiled, leaning in, “I knew they didn’t call you a riot girl for nothing.”

His lips connecting with yours like a puzzle piece, both your hearts fluttering as if they’d grown butterfly wings.

You felt like your world was spinning at twice its original speed, but at the same time, the moment felt still.

Niki tilted his head, deepening the kiss as he braced a hand at your waist, pulling you closer before finally letting go.

“I like you, ____. Like, a lot,” he confessed, taking in the dreamy expression displayed on your face.

Your mind went blank.

“Say something? Please,” he urged, taking your hands in his.

A smile wavered over your features as you kissed him back on the lips, feeling as though you both stopped breathing for a moment.

“I like you too, Niki. But isn’t this pretty risky?”

“You said so yourself, risks don’t count if it’s worth it,” he nearly whispered.

“Well,” you began, still holding onto him, “if we’re gonna do this, it has to stay between us… no one else can find out.”

And just like that, you were now secretly dating your roommate / coworker / Enhypen’s main dancer and maknae / one of K-pop’s most sought after It-Boy’s, all in a three days.

Great.

▶︎ ၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊| • • •

You and Niki made it back to you dorm rooms undetected. It seemed like everyone else was either too tired or too busy to notice that you two were out for so long.

Unlocking the door to as quietly as possible, you and Niki took light steps, trying not to disturb anyone or draw attention to yourselves.

Once the door was closed, you both bust out in a fit of laughter for reasons you didn’t understand nor cared to understand.

You didn’t need a reason laugh when Niki was around… it’s kind of just something that started to happen over the last couple days.

“What’s your secret to performing so well?” You asked him, both laying face-up on the lower bunk bed together.

“Hmm, I feel like nervousness is a strength. It pushes you to go forward in a sense…”

“Yeah… I get that. Sometimes, I feel like being calm is dangerous. It puts you in a safe space, when performing should be all about taking chances.”

“Right,” he agreed, resting a hand over his stomach, “Speaking of chances, they’re precious, you know? I never just assume I’ll get another opportunity to dance.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Like…” he sighed, trying to find the right words, “Every time I get on stage… in front of those lights… in front of my fans… I perform-”

“As if it’s your last…” you answered for him.

“Yeah, that,” he chuckled, running a hand through his hair, “You know, it’s really nice talking to someone who gets me… the dancer part of me.”

“Of course, it’s really nice talking to you, too, Niki,” you smiled softly.

Breaking the calmness of the moment, he sat up in his elbows, meeting your face.

“Top or bottom?” He asked, referring to where you wanted to sleep for the night.

You crawled over his body, climbing into the upper bunk of the bed and laying down to finally rest.

“Good night, number 11,” you teased, snuggling into the mattress.

“Rest well, number 1. Big day tomorrow.”

🎙️ For my baby, @microwvdstrawb3rri3s, I hope it was worth the wait ~ And yes, before you ask, there will be a second part 💕

⛦ Additional tags for my fellow Niki enthusiasts: @fanficfactoryfoxxx @nikisblkgf @yourmomscuntis2tighy @nikimeows @kimjiho1 @nikipedia07 @nishimuradaniel

🎙️ Feel free to check out more fun reads on the pinned post at my home page ~

@ashgonedash, I still felt bad about forgetting to tag you earlier 👑 so here you go, my love :3

Update: THANK YOU ALL SM FOR 400 NOTES!!

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hannibals-favourite-meal · 4 months

Note

Rick/reader/Daryl are a throuple and the Alexandria residents don’t know how to react.

.⋆｡Her Poor Cat｡⋆.

Daryl x plus size reader x Rick

Obviously the Alexandrians were pretty vanilla

Warnings: mentions of pregnancy and smut, bit of a crack fic, humour, fluff

WC: 900

Minors DNI

Library- @hannibals-favourite-meal-library

The welcome party was an interesting touch to the new-comers. It was so weirdly reminiscent of the old world with the nice clothes and good food and alcohol but at the same time, many in the room carried that haunted look in their eyes from the hell just outside the walls. But the food was fresh and the company was pleasant enough.

Carl had scrambled off a couple minutes ago, presumably to try and sneak some whiskey behind his father’s back, leaving you alone with a sleepy Judith perched on your wide hip. Her chunky hand tightly clutched at your shirt as her big blue eyes fluttered.

“Mama.” She muttered, nuzzling further into your hold. You gently cupped the back of her head and began to sway softly.

“We’ll leave soon, just need to find your dads and make sure they don’t get into any trouble.” Your eyes skipped over the crowd but you were quickly stopped by someone coming up beside you.

“It’s so good to see healthy children during these times.” Deanna seemed less focused on you and more on the now half-asleep child in your arms, which you were incredibly grateful for considering that your poker face wasn’t as good as it used to be and she legitimately freaked you out.

Judith grumbled as you hitched her higher on your hip. “Judy is an easy baby, pretty much eats anything that gets put in front of her.” You chuckled and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“You and Rick must be very proud of your kids.”

Your eyes widened. “Oh, it’s not-“

A strong arm was suddenly wrapped around your thick waist and you were tugged back into their hard stomach. The scent of cigarettes and motor oil filled your senses as Daryl’s lips brushed against your earlobe. You watched as Deanna went pale, obviously coming to her own conclusion about your relationship with the archer.

“I-I didn’t realise, given how affectionate you are with the kids, I thought Rick was your partner.” You could feel Daryl’s broad chest rumble with discontent.

“So what if he is?” The noise from the party faded away to a faint whisper as all eyes turned to you. Internally, you groaned, vowing to get some sort of revenge on your boyfriend.

“I’m sorry?” Deanna seemed genuinely confused but you knew that whatever was about to come out of Daryl’s mouth would not serve to lessen that feeling.

With your free hand, you dug your fingers into his hip, urging him to shut the hell up but like always, Daryl refused to listen. “So what if we’re both fucking her?”

And there it was. Your body sagged with embarrassment as heat raced up your neck, blooming across your cheeks. “You fucking asshole.” Your group all seemed to be holding back their laughter as the Alexandrians were suddenly incredibly uncomfortable. You heard Carl groan loudly from somewhere behind you. “Not again.”

“Both of them?” Spencer materialised beside his mother, jaw practically on the floor. “At the same time?”

Just as Daryl’s mouth opened once more to very rudely answer the mayor’s son, Rick’s hand on his shoulder stopped him. His grip was light enough to appear friendly but the way his fingers curled into his collarbone kept the other man silent. “What Daryl meant to say is that we are all in a relationship together.”

You then made the mistake of making eye contact with Maggie and Carol who both seemed to be on the edge of suffocation as they desperately tried to stop giggling. You glared at the women and got back a rather rude gesture from Carol that restarted their laughter anew.

“I think I need to get Judy to bed.” You tried to pull away from Daryl’s grip but the stubborn man he was, he just held you tighter.

“How does that work?” The question came from a woman towards the back. You could practically feel Rick’s smirk as he cleared his throat but very quickly, another woman decided to answer for him.

“Obviously they take turns.” A murmur of agreement filled the room followed by- “Oh her poor vagina.” This makes Glenn snort into his drink.

With a horrified look on her face, Deanna spoke again. “This is highly inappropriate.” Yet no one seemed to hear her because someone else piped up.

“I can’t believe that she isn’t pregnant all the time.”

“I think that’s enough of that! Thank you all for the wonderful party, but we really should be going now.” Your voice boomed, starling Judith awake but that was the least of your concerns at the moment. Daryl went easily enough as your fingers clamped down on his wrist and you pulled him along, although there was a prideful smile on his lips.

But Rick had other ideas. “It’s not like we don’t try every chance we get.” Faster than you thought you were capable of, you dropped Daryl’s hand and your arm darted out, grabbing Rick’s ear with a force that made him visibly flinch.

“I said that’s enough.” You snarled and tugged him towards the front door, Daryl trailing close behind you. “Goodnight.” The door slammed shut behind you, leaving behind a room full of stunned Alexandrians and your friends who were all laughing loudly.

“Well, I guess that cleared that up.” Deanna murmured and took a long pull of her drink.

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rqgnarok · 11 months

Text

music to my eyes - jamie tartt

fandom: ted lasso

wc: 4,266

warnings: spoilers for the season 3 finale of ted lasso, jamie being a lil self deprecating. reader uses female pronouns.

summary: jamie has a crush on the band’s bassist.

author’s note at the end!

Jamie’s so, so late.

Roy’s gonna have his balls. It’s the first training for the Queen’s Cup final against Tottenham– their first one without Ted, a little something before the freaking Champion’s League starts next year– and Jamie’s having the worst morning of his life.

He woke up late for his 4 am training that ran long, traffic was absolute shit and now he’s sprinting– not running, cause he’s not allowed to after he and Colin almost ran over the Prince of Denmark while racing each other to the locker room, a story for another day– down the hallway with Roy Kent’s fury just waiting to find its rightful owner.

He didn’t even have time to comb his hair today. It still looks amazing, but it’s the routine that matters. For his mental health or whatever.

Maybe that’s why he feels so jittery and doesn’t look where he’s going as he makes his way to the locker room. Jamie’s got his bag clutched to his chest and his headphones hanging around his neck, his jacket halfway on before he gave up and left it trailing down his side like a sad blanket.

He’s cursing whatever Gods control alarm clocks and traffic and hairbrushes when he knocks onto someone. It’s so forceful it sends them both to the ground with a grunt and a little ah! of surprise. Jamie tries not to grow annoyed and fails. He considers laying on the ground and becoming one with the carpet so he doesn’t face Roy’s justified punishment and sighs out his nose, pushing himself to a sitting position.

“–so sorry,” and it’s a woman, Jamie just knocked out a woman in his rush to work. What’s next? Is he gonna hit a cat with his car? Maybe spit on a kid’s face? She keeps babbling apologies, unaware of Jamie’s foul mood. “–supposed to be at her office but there’s just– there are so many hallways–”

“‘s alright,” he cuts her off harsher than he means to, guilt stabbing at him when she looks at him with wide, remorseful eyes. Jamie sighs, dusting off his clothes and standing, offering her a hand. “Me fault for bein’ in a rush. Should’ve seen where I was going.”

“Oh, god, you actually know where you’re going,” she says with a grimace, accepting his hand. She’s on her feet and standing too close to Jamie for a second that feels like a lifetime– almost nose-to-nose with Richmond’s greatest. Her laugh is stuttery and nervous when she steps back, barely meeting Jamie’s eye.

She’s cute. Jamie’s not planning to do anything about it, especially not with his fine for being late slowly becoming one for missing training but she is. Cute. His mouth lifts in a half smile at the thought, charmed.

“I was looking for Rebecca Welton’s office but I only got myself lost,” she says sheepishly, putting her hair behind her ear every couple of seconds since it keeps stubbornly falling out of place. Jamie’s fingers twitch a little but no. No, absolutely not, he’s not doing this to himself, no sir. “Is there any way you can give me directions without having to go with me? I don’t want you to be late for– shit. Practice, huh?”

Jamie thinks she’s the smartest woman that’s ever walked the face of the Earth until he remembers where they are. At Richmond’s training facilities. She’s looking at a disheveled man in a sports outfit. The story kind of tells itself.

“I– yeah,” Jamie stutters a little, clearing his throat to disguise it. “There’s, um, it ain’t a problem. I can take you there if you want.”

Her entire posture screams relief as soon as he offers, and it’s enough for Jamie to make up his mind even if she hasn’t said yes yet. “Would you? They said in the group chat not to be late and, like, they weren’t specific about it but you just know when a message’s for you, you know. And here I am, late–”

A beat.

“–and rambling,” she smiles at him again, the sight tugging at Jamie’s chest as he stands there like an idiot, his brain rebooting whenever she does it. “Yes, please. I’d really appreciate it.”

And so Jamie asks a kitman to take his stuff to the locker room while he walks her up to Rebecca’s office. His hand hovers but doesn’t quite touch the small of her back while he blabbers his way through small talk. Nice weather, today, innit, traffic was absolute hell though. Oh, you’re not from around here, that’s nice, do you plan on going sightseeing?

He delivers her to Rebecca’s floor to a thankful, ecstatic Higgins, who welcomes her with a hearty shake of the hand and promises that she hasn’t missed anything important. She’s barely able to spare him a smile and a quick thanks before the door’s closed behind them and Jamie’s standing there on his own, smiling at nothing.

He’s still wearing a dopey grin when he finally finds himself on the field, Roy yelling at him to run laps until sundown for being late. His legs are killing him, he’s £200 poorer, and he didn’t even get the woman’s name; but nothing can drag him down from his high and make him forget how she’d squeezed his arm in gratitude, touch warm and calloused against his skin.

The next day Rebecca’s there before practice starts, looking tall and pleased as she claps her hands and shares the big news: since the final of the Queen’s Cup is being held right here at Nelson Road, she managed to get a band to play during the halftime show. They’ll be here the entire next two weeks for rehearsals and staging, so everyone must be on their best behavior if they don’t want their name in the summer transfer market.

Jamie doesn’t connect the dots until he sees her again, this time at a local bar big enough to house less than two thousand people. Keeley hears from Roy who hears from Beard, who heard from Higgins that Rebecca said the secret band was gonna hang around the city for a couple of other smaller, quick gigs.

Jamie manages to excuse himself from video games at Colin’s with the guys and offers himself to Keeley as a buffer between her and Roy at a bar tonight. Though, in Jamie’s very humble and very right opinion, they’re already on their way to getting back together for good.

The band’s gathered a nice crowd, the lighting low and the thrum of the music hammering on Jamie’s teeth. He’s nursing the beer Roy bought him, the man charmed enough by Keeley’s presence that he let Jamie bend his rigorous diet regime. Just for the night.

It takes three songs for the bassist to speak up, a makeshift spotlight landing on her, sweaty and delighted at being onstage. Jamie’s blood rushes to his face and his vision blacks out for a second.

It’s her. No longer is she lost and out of her element, shyly asking a stranger for help. Both of her feet are steady on the ground, the strap of her bass snug around her neck. Her fingers are toying with the strings even when no song’s playing, an air of rightful confidence washing over the room as it takes her in. Jamie isn’t the only one suddenly breathless.

She grins against the microphone, coy. “Thank you so much for having us, Jaded Joker. We’re Karma Police, and we hope you have as much fun hearin’ us as we do playing for you.”

They fall into another song with that quick introduction and Jamie can’t take his eyes off her, barely hearing the song as the world around him slows down. Her clothes and jewelry sway with her to the rhythm of the music, the lights shifting seamlessly into different colors making her look ethereal.

Keeley clocks it in immediately.

“She’s good, huh?” she nods at the stage where Jamie’s stranger is moving to the beat of the bass like no one’s watching, shamelessly enjoying herself and making funny faces at her bandmates. “Fuckin’ smoking, too.”

Jamie only hums in a very Roy Kent-like way, knowing there’s no fooling Keeley fucking Jones. The last thing he needs is to give her details and have her dip a toe into Jamie’s nonexistent love life.

Of course, he doesn’t take into consideration that Roy’s a brazen gossip.

“So,” Sam elongates the word as he’s spotting Jamie on the press the next day, happy watching him grunt at the effort. “How was the band last night?”

Jamie almost drops the damned thing on his chest.

“Roy said you enjoyed it,” he continues giddily like he didn’t almost commit accidental manslaughter by catching Jamie off guard. “Especially the bassist. What was her name?”

Sam fakes confusion for less than a minute before Jamie gives, mumbling it under his breath. He’d been weak and googled Karma Police in the privacy of his car before going home, swiping through the images that popped up until he recognized her face.

(Y/N) (Y/L/N), the article he clicked on informed him. Jamie had repeated the name under his breath just to see what it felt like on his tongue for an embarrassing amount of time.

Thanks to Karma Police’s bassist and lyricist (Y/N) (Y/L/N), the band’s sophomore album New Perspective has found a home in people’s hearts and high on the global charts.

Keeley wasn’t kidding. She’s good.

“Oh,” Sam realizes, some of his amusement softening into genuine interest when he watches Jamie’s face do whatever the fuck it's doing. “Oh, you like like her.”

Jamie immediately flushes under Sam’s gaze, making sure the weight is safe in its place before physically fleeing the conversation. Sam doesn’t mention it to anyone, which Jamie appreciates so badly he could cry a little, but he does find his eyes across the locker room later when Rebecca comes in, four people in tow.

“Everybody, these are the wonderful musicians I spoke to you about the other day,” she says it in a way that screams I’m a pleasant human being and embarrass me and I will end your career right where you stand all at once. “We’re on a little tour of the installations and I thought we’d all come to say hi to wrap it up.”

The boys are charming and welcome them with ease. They’re not one of the most liked teams in England despite their bad runs for nothing, but Jamie’s frozen the second he catches sight of her. She’s a step behind one of her bandmates, shaking hands and smiling politely at conversations while staying slightly in the background, the stage persona from the previous night gone like taking off a jacket.

Jamie takes pride in the way their eyes meet and her tight expression loosens, her smile blossoming into something more genuine, less unsure.

“Hey, stranger,” she says a little awkwardly after having gathered the courage Jamie couldn’t to cross the room and say hi. It feels like they’re alone in a room full of people, and for a second Jamie thinks he sees Sam stealing a few looks, making sure he keeps the others away and distracted for a little privacy. “Did you make it to training the other day?”

“What?” Jamie blanks like an idiot, then shakes his head when he remembers how they met; both of them, late for their respective responsibilities. “Oh! Oh, yeah. I– yeah. I had to run for me life to make up for it, but I made it.”

“Good,” she smiles, shifting in her place. “I, um. I’m glad we get to play for you guys. What you’ve done this past season, getting back to the top, has been unbelievable.”

“You’re unbelievable,” he replies, awestruck, and backtracks when she looks a little apprehensive. She’s doing the hair thing again, combing it back while it stubbornly escapes its place every couple of seconds. A nervous tic, maybe. “I mean– some friends and I, we saw you last night at the Jaded Joker. If anything, it’s an honor we get you guys to play for us.”

“Oh!” she seems pleased, ducking her head at the compliment. Her shoulders loosen again, and Jamie tries not to feel like he just scored a goal against Man City. “Oh, you should’ve said hi! Did you enjoy yourselves?”

“I did,” he says, too soft, and it feels like an admission of something when her eyes search his face, for a moment landing on his mouth before putting herself back together. “Up there, it’s like– it’s like you forget everyone else. You’re made for the stage.”

If anything, (Y/N)’s delight only strengthens, tugging at the neckline of her shirt. Jamie finds himself trying to follow the trail of new skin and flushes as well when he catches himself just in time.

“Thank you,” she matches his tone. “You’d think it’d be nervewracking but it’s… silence. In my head. Does that make sense? I feel like it doesn’t.”

“It does,” Jamie agrees, breathless. It’s exactly how he feels when he gets the ball on his feet, every anxiety and worry and part of him he doesn’t like quieting the minute he steps on a pitch. “I get the same when I play. Peace in the chaos, I guess”

(Y/N) looks at him like she’s discovering the world’s eight wonder.

“Kids!” her bandmate breaks the moment by coming over, arm draped around (Y/N)’s shoulder. (Y/N) blinks, looking a little shell-shocked. “Sorry to interrupt this party, but rehearsal awaits.”

Disappointment claws at Jamie’s belly, but before he can let it fester the conversation continues, bubbly and loud. “Alas! We’ll be done around 5. You’re welcome to visit then. We’re going to the third floor, I think.”

(Y/N)’s only amused at her friend’s antics, even if Jamie’s back to having a knot in his throat out of nervousness alone. Jesus, what’s wrong with him? It’s like he’s eight again and crushing on the cute boy that lived in the apartment in front of the Tartt’s.

“See you then?” (Y/N) says, hopeful, and Jamie thinks it’s only fair he’s brave as well and nods as resolutely as he can.

“I’ll be there.”

He ends up having to ask Higgins for directions, after promising he’s not gonna stir up any trouble at least four times. It takes Roy passing by and giving a few reassuring grunts, guaranteeing Jamie’s best behavior before Higgins gives him the location. When Jamie goes to thank him, Roy only points at him menacingly, though lacking his usual frown, and says don’t fuck this up.

Rehearsals are just wrapping up when Jamie gets there, instruments being packed and people saying goodbye to each other when he makes his way into the room. He immediately finds (Y/N) sitting on the piano playing a complicated melody.

She lights up when she sees him, the music seizing. “You made it!”

Jamie stops her from standing up, instead sitting next to her after she scoots over to give him room. “That was nice. A song of yours?”

(Y/N) shrugs. “Hopefully soon. You never know, when you’re writing. You start working on a song and it ends up being a completely different thing from when you started.”

“Sounds messy,” Jamie says, a little consternated at the thought. Fortunately, (Y/N) laughs.

“It is. Do you play?”

“Fuck no,” he says quickly, then tries to explain himself as she splutters in amused surprise. “I mean, I don’t think I can. It seems pretty complicated. I’ve always been better with me feet.”

He reaches for the keys and begins playing some nonsense, loud and offkey, knowing it’ll make her laugh again.

“No, you gotta–” she cackles, placing her hands on top of his and quieting the dissonant echo of the keys. Jamie feels the tug at his lips, insistent, automatic, the same rush of delight that courses over him whenever he’s in her presence. “Gentle. Be gentle about it, jeez.”

She lines up their hands so her fingers move his and begins playing a quiet, fun melody. Jamie’s doing shit other than staring at her face, slightly twisted in concentration as she mumbles the notes under her breath. G, G, G, F, G, B, G, G…

“I know this one,” Jamie mumbles in recognition. (Y/N) turns her head to smile at him, pleased. “‘s from Nottin Hill, innit?”

“And a million other movies,” she murmurs back, unable to break the spell that’s fallen over the room. “I wouldn’t have taken you for a romantic.”

“‘s my favorite film,” he concedes, finding it incredibly easy to be honest when they’re sitting side by side like this, alone, their sides warm against each other. He loves his teammates, but (Y/N) didn’t know him when he was awful and arrogant, too cocky. There’s nothing she holds against him, no standard he needs to meet for her to be happy in his company. “Cried me eyes out at the end. Though I’ll deny it if you ever ask in front of anyone.”

(Y/N) laughs. “I promise I won’t. It’s a good movie. Doesn’t beat While You Were Sleeping, though.”

Jamie’s expression remains blank. (Y/N)’s face falls into disbelief, her hands tightening against his. “You’ve never watched While You Were Sleeping.”

He’s heard of it, but it’s hilarious to watch her forget herself, any sign of nervousness or polite shyness finally out the window. Jamie likes it– likes her, wants her to be comfortable with him and stop holding herself so tightly whenever she’s off the stage.

“You poor, sheltered boy,” she exhales, aghast. “Holy fuck, I can’t believe I’m about to introduce you to the best romantic comedy ever made.”

Jamie goes to take the opening but stops himself at the last second. He knows this process; the flirting, the leaning in for just a moment so she smells his cologne then pulling away, leaving her wanting more. The asking for a date, a fancy dinner, then taking her home. Sneaking out in the middle of the night, dodging calls until she stops trying to reach him.

He’s been doing it for years. He wants to desperately break the cycle and he wants to do it with her, but does he have it in him? Jamie’s been working on himself harder than he’s worked for anything else in his life, but what if he’s one slip away from becoming his old self? From turning out like his dad?

Sure, the old man’s changed, or– well. He’s trying to. But whether Jamie likes it or not he sees a little too much of him in himself sometimes, and he can’t do that to her. He’s known her for less than a week and he knows she deserves better. Everyone does.

Roy told him not to fuck it up. Maybe this is what he meant.

His expression stutters, shatters, and reestablishes itself in a matter of a moment, a blink of an eye. Jamie knocks his shoulder into hers gently, leaning back into place after a second. He teases: “And who made you the expert, eh?”

Rather than letting it drop, (Y/N) takes the bait just like Jamie knew she would. They stay there until a security guard comes to kick them out for the night, and they talk about everything and nothing. Movies, songs, bands they like, and foods they don’t. Jamie’s favorite players when he was a kid, his hero-like worship for Roy Kent, and how he’s made him a better player, a better man.

(Y/N) shares with him the first time she held a guitar in her hands, the albums she listened to when she was a kid that changed her as a person, realizing she could create magic through words and music. Her favorite cities to tour, how long she’s known her bandmates, how she’d die and kill for them if necessary.

By the time he’s walking into the pitch at Nelson Road two weeks later, the roar of the crowd around him swallowing every other sound, Jamie’s spent every free moment of his time with (Y/N) (Y/L/N). It was unavoidable, helpless as he is in his attraction to her, but Jamie doesn’t know what to do without, as Roy so carefully put it, fucking it up.

It hadn’t helped when (Y/N) snuck into the locker room to wish him luck, showing him the Richmond bracelet she was gonna wear onstage with a roll of the eyes. “Our stylist wouldn’t let me wear the jersey, but don’t you doubt for a second that I’m rooting for you, Tartt.”

Jesus Christ. Jamie had felt his cheeks warm up and dared to thank her with a loud, exaggerated kiss on the forehead that left them both grinning like idiots and Roy staring at them knowingly.

Before Jamie followed his teammates into the field, Roy had pulled him aside with a hand on his shoulder. “Tartt–”

“I know, I know,” he answered a little too self-deprecatingly. “Don’t fuck it up.”

But Roy only raised his eyebrows, realization dawning on his features. “You think I say that because I think you will?”

Jamie mumbled some not-words under his breath and Roy cursed. “Prick. I say it because you deserve good things, dickhead. And you should let them come to you when they do.”

Good things, Jamie thinks after one of his passes gives Dani the first goal of the night. The younger man jumps into his arms while hugging him tight and laughing into his ear, their teammates joining their embrace less than a second later.

He looks towards the general area of the VIP seats where he knows (Y/N) and the rest of the band are cheering them on. He pictures her screaming at the top of her lungs, arms in the air, and being happy for him like she’s known him for all his life.

She might be the best thing. Whether he deserves her or not, Jamie wants her. Wants to be with her, watch romantic comedies until they both cry and spend his free afternoons watching her play the piano while he plays FIFA in the living room. He wants songs written about him that have him blushing whenever he hears them in public and for her to come to his games and be able to dedicate every goal to her he ever scores.

Good things. Yeah, Jamie can get down on that.

“You fucking asshole!” she jumps into his arms the second she finds him on the pitch after the game, a medal hanging from his neck and sweat sticking to his skin. (Y/N) doesn’t seem to care as she lets him lift her in the air, holding onto each other tight. “You did it! You fucking did it!”

“I missed your show,” he replies instead, only a little bummed. He’s seen her play live before but there was an itch under his skin the entire half-time, knowing how close she was and being unable to get to her. Jamie grins. “And stole it, too.”

“There he is,” she teases gleefully. “For a second there I thought you were gonna be humble about this.”

“I don’t even know what that word means,” he says cockily.

“And how’s Mr. Man of the Match gonna celebrate, huh?” she wonders, hitting him lightly on the chest now that he’s put her back on the ground. “A fancy club? Getting shitfaced with the boys? A date with your left hand?”

Jamie puts his hand on hers at the last second, stopping her from pulling away. She sways into him, all traces of joking vanishing from her expression. He forces himself to stay on her face, the urge to look away defeated by how she’s looking at him. In wonder, open, hopeful.

She deserves good things, too. Jamie is determined to be the one to give them to her.

“I was thinking dinner?” he asks, fidgeting a little on his feet. “Maybe a movie? Thought I could see what While You Were Sleeping’s all about.”

(Y/N)’s mouth is fighting against a smile, somewhat hesitant still. Jamie doesn’t blame her, he’s been beating around this bush the entire time they’ve known each other.

“You want any company?” she wonders.

“Well, what kind of date would it be if it was just me?” he forces his features into faux confusion, watching her finally lose the battle and beam like a kid on Christmas. Her fingers twitch where he’s holding onto her hand.

“Not a great one,” she concedes, looking like all of Jamie’s dreams. “How do you feel about Mexican?”

Awful. Jamie feels awful about Mexican. He’s a white sexy boy in all the ways that matter and his taste buds punish him for eating spicy food no matter how much he likes it. But he can compromise. He’s starting to realize there’s very little he wouldn’t do for (Y/N) (Y/L/N).

“I feel fantastic about anything you like,” he answers truthfully. “I’m sure me tongue will forgive me eventually.”

(Y/N) laughs, fingers in Jamie’s hold shifting so she can hold his hand. “I think there’s a good lyric somewhere in there.”

“You plannin’ on writing me a song?”

She smirks. “Bold of you to assume I haven’t yet.”

Jamie squeezes her hand, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

“Can’t wait to hear it, love.”

___

there’s an ache in my bones to make a series out of this fic omg

i can’t believe the show’s over (is it tho????) so here’s some jamie fluff to heal our tender, mourning hearts. as always you’re welcome to tell me what you think and chat jamie and ted lasso as much as you’d like! thank u for reading AND for all the love on my last jamie piece that you can read here!

masterlist / ao3 / ko-fi

#commissions and asks are open!#leo writes #jamie tartt #jamie tartt x reader #ted lasso #phil dunster #roy kent #brett goldstein #rebecca welton #hannah waddingham #keeley jones #juno temple #sam obisanya #toheeb jimoh #i had so much fun w this i hope i do write more of them #reader insert

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janeyseymour · 5 months

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At Arm's Length pt 4

Yet another installation that is highly unedited because I have to teach again tomorrow and once again it's late

*i feel like most of this would make sense as a stand alone*

Summary: You tell the Abbott clan, and then you have a big realization.

Part 1. Part 2. Part 3.

WC: ~3.8k

You can’t help but notice the way that Melissa’s knee bounces incessantly as she drives the two of you to school. Today was the day you would be telling your friends (her friends) that the two of you were seeing each other- or confirming their suspicions.

“Babe,” you try to assure her as you set a hand on her thigh from the passenger seat. “Take a breath. It’s all gonna be okay. They all think we’re dating anyway, so really… it’s not even like we’re coming out. We’re just confirming what they already think they know.”

“I know, I know,” she sighs as she runs a hand through her hair. “I’m just nervous.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about,” you tell her gently. “They’re going to be thrilled for us if anything.”

She nods as she pulls into her parking spot. Neither of you can help but notice that the parking lot is relatively empty for this time of morning. Barb isn’t here yet, Janine and Gregory aren’t here yet, and neither is Ava to no one’s surprise. The only other car there is Mr. Johnson’s. With a shrug, the two of you get out of the car, grab your bags, and head into the school.

You both head for the break room, content with the last few minutes in your little bubble before everybody else trickles in and the cat is out of the bag. You put both of your lunches into the refrigerator while she brews the coffee, and the two of you settle at your table for a few more minutes of peace and quiet.

The custodian sees the two of you enter from down the hall. He grins. He knows you two are alright.

You notice the way that as she sits down, her sleeves are pulled up past her hands, and she has her thumbs through the holes in her shirt- a little quirk you’ve noticed about her, but it’s also a telltale sign that she’s nervous about something. You know what she’s nervous about.

You glance at the clock. There’s only about five minutes before everybody’s favorite segment of the news comes on, and you know nobody is ever late to watch.

“I’m gonna run and use the bathroom,” you tell your girlfriend gently as you lay a hand on her shoulder to stand. “Take a deep breath. It’s all gonna be okay.” You kiss her cheek delicately before quietly making your way out.

You know what you’re doing. You’re giving her a chance to not tell your secret because it’s quite evident that she’s a wreck over telling them. You’re not entirely sure why, but she is. So you slip into the bathroom to allow Melissa a few moments in solitary before everything unwraps for the day.

“Hello, Melissa,” Barb enters the staff room cheery as ever. In tow, she has the three work children. She looks oddly at the two coffee cups in front of her filled to the brim. “No Y/N today?”

“She’s here,” Melissa tells the group as she takes a rather large sip of her coffee.

Jacob furrows his brows. “Her car isn’t here though- did she take the bus? I told her if she ever had any car troubles, we could carpool. We really all should be carpooling anyway,” he rambles. “We have to make some sort of effort to save planet Earth from all of these terrible-”

“Gregory and I carpool now,” Janine says.

“Because you spent the night at his house,” Jacob reminds her. The couple averts their eyes with a small shrug.

“Her car is fine,” the second grade teacher says. “I brought her in today.”

“Oh?” the kindergarten teacher raises an eyebrow and gives her friend a look, silently asking if the two of you are okay.

Melissa just nods mutely into her cup before pulling one of her sleeves over her hand and balling the material in her fist.

You enter the room again and take your seat next to Melissa, silently noting that she’s still as nervous as she was on the way in. She’s gripping her mug so tightly her knuckles are white, and you can see the way she’s just barely rocking herself in attempts to soothe herself. As subtly as you can, as you reach for your first mug of coffee that day. You brush your hand against your girlfriend’s and give her a comforting look.

“Good morning, Y/N,” Barbara greets you kindly. “Melissa said she drove you in today? Are you having car troubles again?”

You know Melissa hasn’t told them yet, and you want her to be the one to let the cat out of the bag since she’s clearly so nervous about it.

“I already told youse, her car is fine,” Melissa grumbles, clearly annoyed.

“My car is fine,” you keep up with her charade. “It’s just been making a funny noise lately, and the heat doesn’t always turn on, so Melissa offered to pick me up this morning so I wouldn’t have to freeze on my way here.”

You see her shoulders relax even just slightly as you continue on with your charade.

“Can someone turn on the news?” the redhead asks.

After the news is over, you all break apart to get ready for your day with the kids. Gregory and Jacob leave together, while Barbara and Janine exit the room talking about the assembly you all were supposedly having today. That leaves you and Melissa in the break room together for a few quiet moments before you know you have to get down to your classrooms.

“You coulda told them,” Melissa mumbles, still not looking at you the whole way.

“I could’ve,” you say softly. “But I could see how stressed you were about it, and I respect that. I don’t want to push you into something you aren’t ready for.”

“I-I’ll tell Barb today,” she promises quietly. “I’m just not ready for the kid to jump on me and question me like crazy- not yet. At least not before I’ve finished my first cup of coffee.”

“That’s fair,” you chuckle and glance at the clock. “Just breathe, babe. It’s all gonna be okay. Now, I have to run to greet the little gremlins, but I’ll see you at lunch, okay?”

She nods, and as you go to leave, her hand wraps around your wrist gently. She squeezes your wrist softly, as if to say thanks, before letting you go.

Your morning is fine. You catch a glimpse of Melissa as she quickly makes her way down the hall as the kids start to make their way in, and you frown when she doesn’t look any less stressed.

“Ms. Y/N!” you hear one of your kids call from down the hallway. She barrels into you, giving you a tight hug. “Are you feeling better than yesterday?”

“I am, Alena,” you say softly as you hug her back. “Thank you for asking.”

She grins at you, and when you tell her to start unpacking and get ready for the day, she nods eagerly.

You look back down the hallway towards your girlfriend’s room, and she’s standing in her doorway, but she looks to be in deep thought.

“Ms. Schemmenti!” you call down, hoping to be able to ease her concerns with a soft smile.

She glances up, and you give her a questioning look, to which she just gives you a subtle thumbs up. “Good morning, Ms. Y/N.”

“I’m thinking of another cup of coffee,” you tell her. “Would you mind just standing between our rooms to make sure my kids don’t get too wild?”

She laughs but nods and makes her way down to your room, just so the kids know she’s watching. As she passes you by, you squeeze her hip gently and whisper, “Breathe, Mel. It’s okay. I’m not upset.”

She nods with a straight face before you head back down to the staff room to brew two more cups of coffee.

When you return down the hall, two mugs in hand, she smiles. “One of those better be for me, hon. You have three cups of coffee right off the bat, and you’ll be on a sugar high right alongside your kiddos.”

“One’s for you,” you grin as you hand her a cup. “You look like you could use it.”

“Thank you,” she grins as she lets the hot cup warm up her hands and her heart.

“Thanks for watching over my class,” you tell her. “And seriously, take a breath. You look like you’re about to pass out, and I can’t come running in to save you today.”

She just lightly hip checks you. “I’m okay now,” she promises and squeezes your shoulder before sauntering her way back down to her end of the hall.

Lunch time approaches, and you’re looking forward to the leftovers your girlfriend packed you for lunch. You didn’t want your salad this morning, and she was more than happy to let you steal some of the gnocchi she made for dinner last night.

After making sure your students are settled in for lunch, you make your way back down to the staff room. Your lunch is set out for you as it usually is, and you can’t help but grin.

“Changing it up for lunch today?” Jacob glances over at your spot as you walk in.

“Yeah, wasn’t feeling my ‘bland ass salad’,” you chuckle as you sit down next to Melissa. “Thanks for getting my lunch ready.”

“No problem, hon,” she says as she digs into her own gnocchi.

“You guys have the same lunch?” Janine asks. “Aw! Twins!”

“The same-”

“Of course we do,” Melissa rolls her eyes. “She wasn’t feeling her salad today, and what kind of girlfriend would I be if I let her starve?”

In near comical unison, everybody’s eyes turn to the two of you, but your eyes stay focused on the redhead. Did she really just tell everybody so casually that you two were seeing each other?

Barb just nudges her best friend with a chuckle. “‘Bout damn time you told us.”

“What?!” Jacob and Janine stutter out.

“B-but, yesterday you said-”

“It was all a lie,” your girlfriend chuckles and lays a hand on your leg as she takes another bite of food. “We’re together.”

“Together?! As in-”

“Together,” you state. “As in, we’re dating, and we have been for the past few months.”

“So… that’s why your car isn’t here?” Gregory asks. “Because you were with Melissa last night?”

“Yes, Gregory,” Melissa huffs. “Do we have to spell it out for you any more? Or can we finish our lunch in peace?”

Mr. Johnson wanders in, and the first thing he notices is Melissa’s hand on your thigh. “I see you two are out?”

“Mr. Johnson!” Janine is quick. “How did you-“

“I’m always watching,” he says mysteriously. “Now, I’m heading out for the day, so don’t have any problems, ya hear?”

You all chuckle at the man fondly.

“Yeah, Mr. J,” you tell him. “I’ll do my best to keep ‘em all in line.” You place your hand over Melissa’s.

At the end of the day, Melissa meets you in your classroom, and she leans against the doorframe.

“Hey gorgeous,” she grins. “You about ready?”

You type away for a few more seconds, although her greeting makes you smile like a lovesick idiot. “Yeah, just give me a few minutes to read over this email and get my stuff from the break room.”

She makes her way over to your desk and settles behind you. “I already got your stuff from the staff room.”

“You did?”

“I did. Figured only one of us needed to be questioned by the Abbott relationship police today.” she laughs and wraps an arm around your shoulder.

“Oh, god,” you groan playfully. “What were they asking?”

“Just the basics.”

“Like?” you prompt as you turn your attention away from your computer.

“Like how long we’ve been dating, who made the first move, what made us start to date…” She trails off and blushes.

“What else?”

“Ava asked me if I had ‘hit that’,” she admits somewhat sheepishly.

“And you said?” you raise a brow.

“I asked her who’s business that was with my hands on my hips and a look,” Melissa laughs. “She quieted down real quick… until Barb nudged me.”

“Barbara?” Your brows shoot up in shock.

“Barbara,” your girlfriend grumbles.

“And you said?”

“Nothin. It ain’t nobody’s business but ours,” she tells you seriously, although you feel her hand sliding down your back and towards your-

“What’re you working on?” she asks you, as if she isn’t reaching for your ass as you sit in your chair.

“Just replying to a few emails,” you sigh as you turn back to your computer to continue typing away.

“Do you want to just do that at home?” she asks you. “I can make dinner while you sit at the island and look pretty?”

“Home?”

“Yeah, babe,” she rolls her eyes. “How’s that sound?”

“I-it sounds really nice,” you smile as you close your laptop. “I’ll finish the emails at home.”

“Should we swing by your place so you can grab fresh clothes for tomorrow?”

“Please,” you request softly. Ava spilled her apple juice all over me this morning, so I also want to change my top.”

“Why didn’t you say something at lunch, hon? I would’ve let you wear my Eagles sweatshirt again,” she tells you as she picks up one of your many bags.

“It wasn’t the worst,” you shrug as you grab the remaining bags. “I can carry my own stuff, Mel.”

“Just let me do this.” She somehow still has a hand free to grab yours as the two of you walk out hand in hand.

The two of you walk out together, and she’s nothing but chivalrous as she opens the door for you to slide into her passenger seat.

“G’night all youse,” Melissa calls as she sees the rest of the group leaving for the night. They all call out their goodbyes to the two of you, and you give a broad wave as she closes the door for you.

She gets into the car and immediately holds your hand as she pulls out of her spot. As soon as she’s out of the parking lot, she’s bringing your hand up to her lips and kissing it delicately.

You smile at her, and you lean over to kiss her cheek. “So sweet,” you tell her. “Who knew, under that tough wall you have up, you’re a teddy bear?”

“More people than I wish,” she chuckles. “I’m a second grade teacher; I gotta be soft sometimes.”

You giggle. “I suppose you have a point.”

As she pulls into your apartment complex, you look up at your dingy apartment. “Are you coming up?” you ask her.

“I can, or I don’t have to,” she tells you. “It’s up to you.”

“I’ll be quick,” you promise with a kiss to her lips. You’re out of the car quickly, fully intending to run in and out of your apartment.

But as you walk in, you realize how dull and empty your apartment seems in comparison to Melissa’s. It doesn’t feel like home. It hasn’t since… since you started dating your coworker. Your house doesn’t constantly smell delicious. You don’t have food stuffing your fridge. Your decor, if you could even call it that, is basic and not heartfelt at all. You have one lamp in each room to just barely light up the rooms at night.You don’t have any pictures, except for the single image you have of you and your childhood best friend. Aside from that one picture, there are no features that scream that this place is yours.

Melissa’s house, on the other hand, is always lit brightly or with mood lighting. It smells like a bakery at any given moment. There’s always something to snack on in her house, and you always have options in what you can munch on in between meals. Her house is tastefully decorated, and the walls and end tables are covered in family photos filled with rich history that tell so many stories.

You frown as you wander through your apartment, looking for anything that you might have over your girlfriend. But you can’t. Melissa’ house trumps all, and it always has. With a sigh, you go into your room and start packing your things when you get a text.

You okay, hon? Melissa texts. You’ve been in there a while.

That was ten minutes ago. You go to respond, but you’re cut short when there’s a knock on your door and you hear it opening.

“Babe?” your girlfriend’s voice rings out. “You okay?”

“In my room,” you call back. “Just getting stuff ready, and then I’ll be-” you smile when you see Melissa standing in your doorway.

You’re currently standing on your toes, trying to grab your favorite sweatshirt from the top of the closet. The slightest bit of your midriff is showing, and Melissa licks her lips quietly.

“You need some help, hon?” she chuckles once she’s gotten herself out of her trance.

You make a face at her with a huff. “You’re like… an inch taller than me.” She still comes over and reaches for your pullover with ease. She hands it to you with a kiss as her hand lands on your back.

“I’m ready to go home,” you whisper as you pull yourself closer to her.

“Alright hon,” the second grade teacher grins. She grabs your bag and leads you out, even locking your door for you.

The two of you drive over to her place in a comfortable silence. Your hand lays gently on her thigh the entire way. She isn’t bouncing her leg up and down like she was this morning. Your eyes flicker shut for just five minutes, but in those five minutes, you wind up at her house. Today took more out of you than you thought.

“We’re home, sweetheart,” Melissa kisses your cheek gently. “C’mon. Let’s get you inside.”

“Home,” you sigh, eyes still closed gently.

“Yeah, baby,” she whispers. “We’re home.” You still don’t make any moves to get out of the car, and she chuckles low and deep.

You hear her side of the car open, and you can hear her shuffling to get everything into the house. When she’s inside, she pours you a glass of wine before coming out to retrieve you.

You’re still sitting in the car, eyes unopened, and she can see your breath starting to even out again.

“Honey,” she laughs quietly as she opens the passenger door. “C’mon. Let’s get you inside and comfortable. I can make us dinner while you get a quick nap in.”

You groan. “I have to email back those parents and start on my lesson plans for next week.”

“Well, then I have your glass of wine ready to help you loosen up,” she tells you as she unbuckles your seatbelt, kissing the nape of your neck as she leans over you.

You hum. “What did I do to deserve all of this? You treat me like a princess, and I hardly-”

“You aren’t a princess,” Melissa tells you. “You’re a damned queen. I love you.”

Your eyes snap open. That was the first time she said that to you.

“W-what?” you ask, suddenly very awake.

“I said I love ya, hon,” your girlfriend whispers, and she kisses you gently.

“I love you too,” you mumble against her lips. “God, I love you.”

When you pull apart, she sweeps you into her arms and carries you into the house. She sets you down on the couch.

“Get your beauty sleep, my love,” Melissa tells you softly.

“I can’t,” you whine. “I have things to do, and I want to watch you cook.”

“You’ll be able to watch me cook plenty, amore,” the second grade teacher promises you as she kisses your temple. She reaches for one of the blankets she has thrown over the back of the couch.

“Thank you, babe,” you sigh as your eyes flutter close again. But they only stay closed for a few seconds… you really do have a ton of work to do today. You grumble under your breath as you sit up and wrap the blanket around you, dragging yourself and your bags to the kitchen island.

“Y/N,” Melissa says as she hears you make your way in.

“It’s fine,” you mumble. “It’ll just be an early night if that’s okay with you.”

“That’s just fine, hon,” your girlfriend tells you as she brings your glass of wine over. “We’ll have some dinner, you can do some work, and we’ll head to bed.”

You end up getting slammed with emails about the new project you had introduced to your third graders while you and Melissa are eating dinner. When you look at your computer again, you know it’s not going to be an early night like you had hoped- you have to reply to these emails, and you absolutely have to plan out next week’s lessons.

“Honey,” Melissa rubs your shoulders. “You’re ridiculously tense. Take a breath.”

“I’m sorry,” you whisper. “I’m just a little stressed right now… the parents and the lesson planning, and the way that conferences are coming up and I-”

Melissa leans over to close your laptop before returning back to your shoulders. “Deal with the parents tomorrow- we’re off the clock right now. Hell, Barb and I’ll help you deal with them tomorrow. Focus on relaxing for a few minutes, and then we can tackle your lesson plans for next week. I’ll even pull out my old third grade lesson plans, and we can see how my lessons played out and adapt them to fit to your students. Most of your kids were my kids last year, so I can help you tackle the parents. It’s all going to be-”

You turn in your girlfriend’s arms and kiss her soundly. “Thank you,” you mumble against her lips. “Thank you.”

“I got you,” Melissa tells you earnestly as she holds you close. “I got you. You’re gonna be okay.”

With the promises of starting to figure everything out tomorrow, the two of you head to bed not much longer after she reassures you that everything is going to be alright. She’s worked a few knots out in your shoulders before patting them.

“Alright, love,” she smiles as she kisses the nape of your neck. “Time for bed?”

You can’t help the small gasp that escapes your lips before you compose yourself. “Please. I’m exhausted.”

As the two of you climb into bed and lay your head on her shoulder, you know your apartment is no longer your home. Your home isn’t even Melissa’s apartment. It’s just wherever Melissa is.

“I love you,” you whisper before drifting off.

“I love you more.”

#abbott elementary #abbott elementary fanfic #abbott elementary fanfiction #melissa schemmenti fanfic #melissa schemmenti x reader #melissa schemmenti x you #melissa schemmenti

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songmingisthighs · 17 days

Text

[12:24] dad!hongjoong × baby!minjae (ft. mom!reader)

⇀ having a big family, natural or chosen, could be a blessing or a curse. or both. this time ? hongjoong would rather not choose and just work. his son however, has another idea in mind

⇁ another installment of the baby xikers series finally written after an impromptu discussion about the children and their uncle wooyoung with @starlitmark LMAO LOOKIE I FINALLY WROTE THIS

wc : 1.2 k

genre : fluff ? slice of life ?? baby!xikers, dad!ateez

It had been weeks since the big incident and Hongjoong feared his son had started to catch on the situation the parents put Wooyoung in. Or something along the line.

Two and a half weeks ago, Wooyoung took the children to the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History for an educational day. Or so he claimed because not two hours since Wooyoung sent a selfie of him and the kids at the museum entrance to the friend group chat did all of them receive a call to come collect their children (in which Wooyoung's wife was told to collect all three of hers; Junghoon, Hunter, and of course, Wooyoung). Apparently, Wooyoung had told them that they couldn't play with any of the displays which the children took as a challenge rather than a warning. Seeun, Yujun, Minjae, and Sumin tried to get on the Acrocanthosaurus display while Hyunwoo and Hunter took off their shoes and dipped their toes in the Han River section of the Nature Hall to play with the fishies and Junmin, Jinsik, Junghoon, and Yechan somehow got inside the forest ecosystem display. It would have been an easy issue to handle and even let slide had Wooyoung not stood by and taken a video of everything whilst cackling rather than trying to get everyone to stop. After that, the parents rounded together and agreed that Wooyoung was to be put under an indefinite playdate hosting and attendance ban.

Unfortunately, the children were not told of this development as some were still grounded by their parents and some were known to love their Uncle Wooyoung so they'd probably get upset. It took them a while to even notice that suddenly they were not being taken to their Uncle Wooyoung's for playdates nor did their Uncle Wooyoung show up to chaperone.

The first to be told was Jinsik because his dad, Yunho, had given up trying to cover up the issue (literally 20 minutes after Jinsik started asking) and by the time the children were being picked up from playdate at Uncle Jongho's, they were all informed and began protesting in their own ways.

It was safe to say that for the past three days Hongjoong was stuck with Minjae who turned into melted cheese as a form of protest.

"Kim Minjae," Hongjoong called out sternly towards his son who sprawled himself on top of his work bag on his bed. Hongjoong had taken a short shower when he got home only to be met with Minjae groaning and moaning like a stranded starfish on top of his work stuff. Despite being called, Minjae didn't answer and just continued moaning like an injured cat. "Kim Minjae," Hongjoong huffed again, "Please get off my work bag, you'll crush my laptop," he walked closer to his son and stood over him with his arms on his hips. For a moment, Minjae stopped his moaning and looked over to Hongjoong, "Will you take me to Uncle Wooyoung?" Hongjoong raised an eyebrow at his son trying to bargain with him, "I'll take you to the doctor to get a shot instead, how's that?" And with that, Minjae dropped his head back and resumed moaning and groaning.

Minjae kept doing so, even following his dad around who managed to get his things from under Minjae by throwing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes (and Minjae slid right off his dad's shoulder... like a sack of potatoes). When Hongjoong was setting up his laptop in his home office, Minjae laid on the rug, when Hongjoong took a break to eat the dinner you cooked, Minjae laid across his lap and grumbled despite you trying to get him to sit up and behave when people are eating, then Minjae laid in front of the bathroom like a speed bump which almost caused Hongjoong to trip and fall.

With a sigh, Hongjoong crouched down and stared at his little boy, "Kim Minjae, if you don't cut this out right now I'm going to take you to my room," he threatened. But Minjae blinked and tilted his head, "Can we go to Uncle Wooyoung's room instead?" He asked, trying to bargain yet again. Hongjoong felt the corner of his left eye twitched and firmly stated, "No," then, Hongjoong stood up and tried walking away. Unfortunately, Minjae immediately latched onto his dad's leg and let his body be dagged away. Not even when you ran over screaming, trying to unlatch his grip on Hongjoong's leg did he relent. In fact, Minjae screeched and dug his nails into Hongjoong's leg, leaving the man soundlessly screaming and almost falling on his face. It was quite a sight to behold. Kim Minjae, your usually calm and reserved son, let out a banshee-like screech that managed to surprise the heck out of you, causing you to jump back and stare wide-eyed and as if nothing had happened, Minjae returned to his moaning and groaning while still being attached to his dad's legs.

To say that both you and Hongjoong gave up on trying to get Minjae to stop was an understatement because Hongjoong was now stuck in his home office with his son on the rug behind him moaning and groaning, causing him to lose focus which means that the situation was that bad because Kim Hongjoong doesn't lose focus on his goals. Apparently neither does Kim Minjae. Every 20 minutes or so, Minjae stopped his moaning and groaning to ask Hongjoong if he could go to Uncle Wooyoung's in all sorts of ways. As much as Hongjoong felt annoyed with the incessant behaviour, he had to admit that his favourite was when Minjae offered to prank Wooyoung on his dad's behalf as a form of revenge for the museum chaos.

The moment Hongjoong realized that the moans and groans had stopped was when Minjae finally fell asleep. It was well over 10 pm which means it was past the boy's bedtime. Knowing his relationship with sleep, Hongjoong was not at all surprised that his circadian clock had automatically shut him up. After saving his progress, Hongjoong stretched his body out slightly before getting out of his chair and crouching down next to Minjae who was creating a puddle on the rug ironically enough Wooyoung bought for Hongjoong. The way that they don't even live together anymore but Wooyoung still effectively has his grip on Hongjoong's life.

Gently, Hongjoong moved Minjae's bangs out of his face but as gentle as he was, Minjae still managed to stir and he suddenly opened his eyes. "Daddy going?" he groggily asked, lifting his head up slightly, "It's past your bedtime sir, what do you think?" Hongjoong sarcastically answered, scoffing slightly and shaking his head before scooping the barely conscious boy into his arms without much issue. "Are we going to Uncle Wooyoung's?" Minjae still managed to ask despite the fact that he was already closing his eyes again and resting his cheek on Hongjoong's shoulder. The question sent Hongjoong in disbelief but he simply shook his head, "Not tonight buddy." Thankfully, Minjae nodded and even nuzzled his face deeper, "I'll try again tomorrow," he mumbled in finality before falling back asleep.

As much as Hongjoong wanted to complain and even tell his son no, he knew there was no point. The issue was reserved for the next day. All he could hope for was that Minjae would forget or get distracted.

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steviesummer · 5 months

Text

Dealing with Demodogs

written for @steddiemicrofic's December prompt - ‘pine’ also works for today's prompt for @steddieholidaydrabbles - 'Royalty AU' wc: 508 | rated: G | cw: none | tags: pre-Steddie

“Dustin, I though you said you knew the way?” Steve could hear the unfamiliar voice carry through the pines surrounding his home.

Dustin’s voice he knew. “It’s your kingdom, Eddie, shouldn’t you know every place and resident?”

“I’m sorry, did you just suggest that anyone could know everything about the Enchanted Forest?”

Steve’s eyebrows rose, not at the realization that King Eadwine of all people was apparently searching him out, but that Dustin, usually so intelligent, would make such a basic mistake. He may not have been from here originally, but Dustin was usually more knowledgeable. In any case, he apparently had royalty approaching, so he might as well meet them at the door - if only because it made him look all knowing. Especially because Dustin hadn’t quite figured out his little trick.

He heard their arguing quiet as he put the kettle on and opened the door just before they could knock. “Come in, I’ve just started tea.” When the duo just stared at him for a moment, a small smirk found its way onto his face. “Unless I am wrong and you weren’t here to ask for my help?”

That seemed to shake both of them from their shock. “Tea sounds wonderful.” King Eadwine accepted, following him inside. He shooed two of his cats off the table so they could sit.

“So, what seems to be the problem?” He asked. “Unless the problem is Dustin, in which case I can’t help you, Your Majesty.”

“Hey!” Dustin objected, but the King grinned, clearly familiar with the younger man’s quirks.

“Please, call me Eddie.”

“Steve.”

“I wish it were as simple as Dustin’s ego, but alas, I am here to request your help on a slightly more serious matter. There have been reports of strange creatures along the Southern border. Dustin said you had helped him with something similar in the past - four legged with no eyes or fur and their head opens like a flower full of teeth?” Steve frowned, knowing exactly what Eddie was referring to.

“Demodogs. How many?” He mourned the loss of the lighter atmosphere, but shifted easily into crisis mode, already thinking about logistics.

“There have been 5 sightings, though only three seen together at a time. We can’t be completely sure, of course, but it does seem to be a fairly small group of them.” Eddie explained, before Dustin jumped in.

“Max and Lucas went ahead to get more information, but you were the one who actually dealt with them last time. And you know how we only thought there was one but it ended up being a whole pack. I don’t think the situation is the same, but better safe than sorry, right?”

Steve remembered the entire experience far too clearly. So much for an easy favor. He sighed, getting up. He waved Eddie and Dustin off. “Finish your tea. I’ll get my bat and a few other things. I’ll have to let Nancy and Robin know I’m gone as well. The sooner we leave, the sooner its done.”

#steddie #fic #mine #for anyone who has read the series #yes this is absolutely inspired by The Enchanted Forest Chronicles #with Steve being the very sensible witch #Nancy is basically Cimorene but dating Robin who is another princess #their dragons live in caves right next door to each other #no one is a wizard because they are the worst #also had to come up with a weird name that would still work to get shortened to eddie

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bonefall · 7 months

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Honestly? I was a certified Nightheart hater but you've made me come around: apart from the usual Misogyny in Warriors, I think if it wasn't for that and if the Erins realized he's driving his clanmates away I would actually like him. If him joining ShadowClan and proclaiming he was Sunbeam's mate behind her back was actually treated as a flaw and their relationship imploded, it could've been really interesting! Kinda makes me wonder how Dovewing would react to him, because I can see her being understanding until he critfails their conversation by going 'I don't think ANYONE suffered as badly as I DID in ThunderClan. >:(' <3 No king, DON'T make Dovewing revoke her speaking to her priveledges from her- king why, you forced her paws! She's walking away!!!

YEAAAAHHH MANNN!!!

It's COMPELLING!! They could have done something BANGER here! This drama is juicier than his silly little rotisserie chicken and if you can just wade through the Certified WC Misogyny(tm) then there could be a really fun character there!

Like, imagine a story where all this was on purpose;

Nightheart ruins all his own relationships, can't take responsibility for himself

Bramblestar, guy who ALSO does this, becomes his best friend... and uses him, too.

The only person he could bond with was the person who was a liar. The person who never told him no.

Connect to the part earlier where Nightheart lamented how his dead father would have understood then... he only likes the people who aren't really there for him.

How Nightheart defies orders, puts himself in danger, freaks his family out, and then he treats their concern and exasperation like hatred

AND THEN HE LEAVES

And goes to ShadowClan and thinks all his problems will be fixed

Forces himself into Sunbeam's life, in the MIDDLE OF A WAVE OF POLITICAL TENSION...

Sunbeam, petty queen, who can never say no ever, letting situations spiral out of control constantly to disastrous effects: "ummm"

Berryheart: "What is this?"

Nightheart: "HER BOYFRIEND!"

Berryheart: "What... that's-"

Sunbeam (SUDDENLY SEEING A WAY TO SPITE HER MOTHER): "MY BOYFRIEND."

But then this EXPLODING because he's looking for something to fix him, and she can't. No one can. HE'S THE PROBLEM

But that doesn't mean he deserves the TREATMENT that Berryheart gives him

And it all ends up coming to a head, with Tawnypelt sick of him, Dovewing laying it out that he's a tar pit, and Berryheart moving on him...

LIKE... He's REALLY GOOD as a kid who needs to learn to confront himself. He's fun as someone who makes things worse and has the absolute worst timing ever. The DRAMA... it drives me.

Isn't that what WC really is, at its best? A cat soap opera toeing the edge of being a political drama? You HAVE to have your messy, unpredictable little brats. That's the BEST

I'm gonna have a BLAST when I get around to him, man. I've got so many succulent little berries to work with here;

Dovewing revoking his privileges. Most damning thing in the entire universe is when she just gets up and walks away from you.

Having Nightheart have to examine that he's the problem in his own life.

And yet, he's in active danger, since Antfur is going to be dying in ASC instead of TBC, as a result of Berryheart's violent group.

Berryheart, in general. I've got ideas, man. I love the evil educator idea, I hope that Fringewhisker stays in ShadowClan so I can go with that idea of Heartstar spitefully making her the next educator.

Berryheart's got Don't Hug Me I'm Scared vibes, lmao. "Now let's all agree to never be creative again!"

And on that note... she survived the Kin, that day, because her executioner intentionally let her go. Looked over their shoulder, saw Berryheart swimming away, and said nothing.

The idea that Berry tells a story for sympathy about escaping, and uses it to justify her xenophobia, when it was a Kin cat who SAVED her life but she leaves that detail out... effervescent.

And that's not even getting into anything I could do with StarClan, with the last arc in BB ending in the end of Skystar, a shattered purgatory, and the quiet revelation that Ashfur had accomplices.

It's gonna be fun!

#better bones au #bone babble #I can't help it man. I am fascinated by bramble-types. I hate them. I think about them. I love what they could be.#I want to put them in a blender #I want to study them

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yojeongin · 1 year

Text

DON’T BLAME THE LOVECATS — 36: ENTRE TUS PUPILAS

→neighbor!jaemin x neighbor f!reader

genre: social media au, neighbors au, fluff, angst, enemies to friends to lovers, humor

wc: 2.4k+

an: that’s a wrap guys, all that’s left is the epilogue

m.list | previous | next

Anxiousness and happiness was eating the both of you alive. Fighting amongst themselves to settle which feeling should take over your whole day.

Things were going alright for Jaemin. He had preparations to distract him like getting flowers from his client (who’s website he finally finished), picking up the food from both places his friends worked at, and debating on where he should hold this little picnic.

As in for you… you had tried watching a movie, cleaned the apartment, and even tried watching the Barca match but without their star players they lost. Again. It’s obvious not even football distracts you from what you could possibly talk to Jaemin about.

You were more nervous about how your relationship with him is so far. Things through messages were sweet and as if nothing happened but that’s only virtually, things are always different in person.

He could be a sweetheart begging you to meet with him but once you two are face to face, what guarantees you that he won’t unleash whatever wrath you think he holds? After all, you've refused to hear him out for weeks (rightfully so).

Nevertheless the only thing left in your mind to distract yourself was to take care of the cats. Yeah, maybe if you take them on a little walk while Jaemin is ready to get you, you’ll be fine. After all spending time with your babies always entertained you (no matter the unprovoked scratches and bites).

After putting on Minino’s harness, you make your way to the apartment next door. Knocking three times as tradition to the rhythm you and Mark had unconsciously assigned to each other through the years.

Being so, the mentioned opened the door with a smile, rubbing his eyes showing he had fallen back asleep after the little group chat discussion about you and his roommate. When he was to open his mouth, Dooie had bolted out the door, the action making Minino kick and scratch you harsh enough to let go of the hold you had on him.

In that instant you cursed yourself for not clipping on the leach to the harness before coming to them. This always happened and none of you ever learned.

“Good afternoon, huh?” Mark remarks, grabbing his keys knowing he had to go after them as well. “Seems so.” You groan with a shaky giggle, pulling him by the arm in order to hurry before they wreck havoc.

“We should buy toddler railings.” He mentions, yawning while struggling to go down the two flights of stairs, your pulling making it dangerous. “They can fit through the bars though.” Bringing him down from that train of thought, Mark frowns rushing behind you. Poor boy, you didn’t give him enough time to put on shoes.

Through the transit of your chase: Mark had multiple pebbles clinging to his feet, you ran out of breath a couple of times considering the cats would go up some building just to jump off when you reach them, and on occasions you both almost fell when leaning down to grab them. In those instances, they sped faster and kicked during the act. These cats really wanted to make you guys suffer just for the hell of it.

That is until they finally halted their spree and purring was all you two heard going up a hill. ’Sneaky little monsters.’ Mark thought to himself; the universe kept showing him cats were smart enough, their minds broader than his.

“Nana?” Your voice broke both of them out of their thoughts. While Mark sported a smile despite his panting, Jaemin wanted to rip his hair out seeing only the plates and cups were out, everything looked a dirty mess and he was disappointed.

He laughed nervously, looking between you and the cats that immediately snuggled in his lap. “Surprise…” The shaky words left his pretty lips showing his sparkling pearly whites.

“I wanted to make it a little special but I see the kitties have other plans.” Dooie sniffed his fingers, the obvious scent of food inside the basket more prominent than before. “Oh you’re so—“ The words wouldn’t leave your throat, an airy giggle left your lips instead.

Seeing him this close again was making your insides churn. You really did miss him and seeing how Minino wouldn’t stop rubbing against his sides made the feeling increase.

Your feelings took over your instincts, crouching down to the blanket he was sitting on top of and making your way to him to take into an embrace. The action alone took both of them by surprise. Mark looked at you two with wide eyes and a smile nodding to Jaemin who didn’t hesitate in wrapping his own arms around you, holding you tight in fear you’ll leave him again.

Mark took that as his cue to leave. He hoped to take the cats with him but the two made no effort to leave the claustrophobic space you two squished them between. Lifting his hand tiresomely, Mark turns back praying that this time his feet won’t suffer what they did earlier.

“I’m sorry.” Jaemin is the first to break the silence, burying his face in the crook of your neck. “For jumping into conclusions and preferring to part ways instead of talking it out.” He wanted nothing more than to kiss your cheek, leaving that sweet action as a form of a caress.

You were the one to separate, a look of confusion plastered on your face. Jaemin doesn’t hesitate in taking your hands into his, still not ready to not hold contact. Squeezing them, he nods to himself. “I overheard you and Mark talk about rejecting someone and I got scared…”

He turns behind him, his grip off you and once his hands find what he searched for, he turns back to you. “I’m also sorry for thinking submerging myself in my job would help but it ended up backfiring.” He laughs, handing you another bouquet of white flowers, this time a small note hidden between them.

A side smile is what you could give him, taking the crisp envelope between your fingers to read what he was trying to say.

‘You crossed my path and I found the paradise I want to stay in. It’s you, only you. The one who gives me the moon, the one to calm my insanity, forever it’s always you.’

Your smile grew reading over the note. They’re obviously song lyrics but it doesn’t matter, he knew what song to use regardless. “You’re a cheat.” A giggle makes its way to his ears, causing him to return it while squeezing your hands again.

“I wouldn’t reject you, Jaemin. You’re really dumb sometimes.” You scoot closer to him, freeing one of your hands to pet Dooie who now found purchase on your lap. “I can be, yeah. I didn’t want to face rejection, I don’t know how to handle it.”

He hesitates, rubbing your knuckles with his thumb. “She was my client, those flowers were for you. She owns the flower shop I get them from. I really don’t want you to think I’d quickly find someone new. I make it so obvious that I only want you, y/n. Always have.”

His eyes softened, body unconsciously getting closer to yours making it more obvious how his eyes sparkled in adoration. “Not always. Pretty sure a few months ago you wanted me gone.” You laugh, rubbing your arm that despite it being spring, you felt cold.

He shakes his head instantly, taking off his own jacket to wrap around your shoulders. “Y/n, I’ve been madly in love with you for the past year. I only went along with your arguments because— well, it’s really cute how your face gets when you’re annoyed.”

His laughter earned him a slap on the shoulder, startling Minino who slept on his lap when he almost fell back. “I’m sorry, you’re really cute when angry.” Jaemin holds to the cat now, rubbing its head while the rumbling of his stomach soothes his lower body.

“Oh you dick! Do you know how many times I wished you got food poisoning because you pissed me off?!” You weren’t entirely angry, just a bit peeved. It did explain why he didn’t start arguments, if anything he only followed up yours with irking responses or questions.

“See! Like that!” He points at you, chuckling in the process of calming himself down. “Whatever…” You roll your eyes at him, sitting beside him now. “A year, though? Might explain why I dreamt of you often.” A cheeky smile appeared on your face causing a crimson blush to spread across his face.

“You’re lucky I like you too.” The chaste kiss he didn’t place on your cheek, you did on his, making that blush spread more. “Y/n…” He whines, hiding his face in his hands, leaving Minino to wake up from his nap again due to the missing warmth.

“I guess we have to work on our communication more.” You nod, petting Dooie who now decided to get off your lap, rubbing herself against your cat. “I got your favorite food from the cafe and the restaurant. Shotaro might have begged Winter to tell him.” Jaemin’s smile only made you feel more warmth within you. He even got his friends involved to help him please you.

“Oh and one last gift.” Behind the wicker picnic basket laid a wrapped box, the blue and silver colors shimmering with the sunlight. It wasn’t too heavy when he handed it to you but it sure caused some excitement.

With nimble fingers, you rip off the pieces of paper and soon enough the tape from the box. Jaemin seemed more excited than you, giggling to himself and to the cats every time you got closer to the prize.

When you finally ripped off the top box and noticed that similar combination of red and white, joy overtook you and you took him into another embrace. A quick one though, your mind was more focused on seeing a jersey that belonged to one of your favorite players.

“I was looking for one not so long ago, how did you know?!” You cheered beside him, pulling it up before you and admiring every detail. It was soft to the touch and smelled great from the softener he must’ve used when washing it after gaining possession.

Jaemin doesn’t hesitate to wrap his arm around you, pulling you closer to him once again. “I knew you liked this guy and I saw it on eBay. Almost ripped my hair out bidding with it against someone.”

He might’ve been ecstatic to know he won but once the gears in your brain turned and you connected the dots which made you realize he was the asshole you had been fighting against for hours, the smile dwindled and your body gained a mind of its own.

“You!” The change in tone made his smile fade, gaining some fear the second he saw you stand on your knees just to pounce on him. It was more of an excuse to be near him but your hands made sure to shake his shoulders causing him to lose his balance and ended up pulling you down with him.

With his hands on your waist and yours on his shoulder, you two stay still for a second. No words left his mouth or yours, the beating of your hearts felt through touches. His eyes kept flitting from yours to your lips, biting his inferior lip. You take notice of this and decide to tease him, squeezing his shoulders and lowering your upper body, making him grow more nervous.

“You want to kiss me so bad.” Your teasing voice makes the blush from earlier appear, Jaemin taking a tighter hold on your waist as the centimeter diminished. “Loser.” Your final words leave your lips, ones you connect with his in a sweet and tender kiss he’s been dreaming about for ages.

Your arms wrap around his neck now, bodies connected, and both of you in pure bliss that things finally led somewhere. It could’ve been left like that but the universe always has plans for you. The second you two got comfortable, the sprinklers went off. A loud laughter right after that made the two of you separate immediately startled by the water and embarrassment.

“Oh thank you, Johanna. Thank you for pushing us, Johanna.” The owner of the laugh spoke up, making her way down the hill after checking around the complex to see if anything needed fixing. She was just glad the right timing was on her side to experience the view before her.

Regardless some forced thank you’s left you two, rushing to get the basket, flowers, and everything else that had been taken out. By this point the cats had been long gone and now they were something else you had to search for.

“You’re the asshole I was fighting with all day for this jersey by the way.” What you had intended on letting him know before the kiss was finally spewed. Jaemin’s smile dropped, looking at you through squinted eyes and remembering all those curses he threw whenever you tried outbidding him.

“Oh you’re sick… Why the hell would you bid a hundred more!” He reproached, taking your wet hand in his. “Because I wanted it badly!” You tried defending yourself, he on the other hand grunted. “Do you think if I file a report they’ll give me the money back?” He jokes, smiling now that this other issue was settled. “You won fair and square, deal with it.” You tease, biting your lower lip while pulling him up towards the building you two shared.

“I planned to listen to the mixtape you made while eating but the sprinklers killed it. Wanna go on a date?” He smiles widely, finally leaving a quick peck on your cheek.

“How about we have it at my place during the match?” He nods, smiling widely at the images that have been created in his brain. “One last thing.”

You hum at his words, stopping in your tracks once you two reach the second flight of stairs. “Would you let me be your boyfriend?” Despite the kisses and words, he was still nervous.

With a wide and tender smile you nod, taking his face into your hands and giving him yet another kiss that he didn’t fail in returning. “Yeah, I’ll grant you that honor.” The both of you laugh in between kisses, holding each other despite the bother of items you both held onto.

After years of bickering and that slow progress into friends, Jaemin and your dreams became a reality. Just like the cats, you two could be happily together.

taglist: @bbymatz @dandelionxgal @w3bqrl @liljeongseong @n0hyuck @minjiville @xxxx-23nct @liliansun @ihrtnyu @kpopwh0r3 @buubbbbly @luvenshiti @igotkpoops @xuimhao @enhapocketz @wonnou @channnaa @najm00

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wc-confessions · 5 months

Note

//thunder spoiler mention??

Now that a TNR arc becoming a thing, the next thing I want in WC is a "clans vs Starclan" kind of arc. I'm getting tired of Starclan getting away with their bs, manipulating and gaslighting cats into fighting one another for nothing. I want more than one cat to sit down and reflect on their lifestyle, and question themselves "Is this really the ideal cat lifestyle? Is Starclan really doing the right thing? "

And no, I don't want this to be a only-a-scene thing. I want this to be the theme of the arc. I want the protogonist/s to actively question themselves and the clan lifestyle. The clans lead a deranged way of life, constantly in war with one another, imposing their lifestyle in smaller groups, and looking down on any non-clan cat around. And yet, they still think this is the ideal cat lifestyle. I want change. I want those cats to review their own code, their own beliefs, and realize how their society is flawed. I want them to make changes for the better. Depend less/no longer depend on Starclan, respect outside cats, work together more often, creating a better lifestyle for everyone.

But I know Starclan wouldn't allow this to happen, because it would put the hierarchy in danger, and they would no longer have cats to manipulate. With the clans working together, they'd probably realize that maybe Starclan is the real problem. Without their puppets believing on them, they no longer have a reason to stick around and thus they would end being forgotten and fading away.

I know I'm probably being too harsh on Starclan, but god, sometimes it feels like they're real villain. I'm still bitter about the Leafpool-Squirrelflight thing. They basically manipulated the two of them and yet had the audacity of calling them out after all of that. They allowed ASHFUR in "because he loved too much". FRECKLEWISH?? DOES ANYONE REMEMBER FRECKLEWISH???? TL;DR: I just want a arc where cats fight their jerkass gods and improve their society.

but I know the Erins are too chicken to do that, so this'll probably only be a dream

#text #anonymous #confession #warrior cats

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beomqutie · 1 year

Text

ㅡ ending scene | c.bg

pairing: nonidol!beomgyu x gn!reader genre: angst wc: 1.5k warnings: implied death, depression, loss of a loved one

synopsis: beomgyu felt his life light up in various colors when he met you, but what happens when all those lights suddenly go out?

beomgyu loved being alone. he pretended to not be there when anyone called him, waiting for his phone to stop ringing. he acted busy when being invited to someone's party only to lay in bed and watch netflix or mindlessly play the guitar. and when he did go he hoped someone would bring their pet to play with so he won't need to talk to anyone.

beomgyu also loved you. if it's you, he'd always pick up your calls if it meant he was getting to talk to you and hear the voice he loved the most. if it's you, he'd leave his laptop at home and tag along to a party if it meant he got to see you dancing around freely, a gleeful smile gracing your features. if it's you, beomgyu would break out of his comfort zone and allow himself to feel content going out and exploring the world. and even though love is giving someone a list of all your flaws and imperfections you never abused that power, which was incredibly beautiful to him. ever since you two met he had felt freedom, serenity and satisfaction. for him in this ugly world where colour was fading, you were beautiful in every colour he could ever imagine.

in the short time, you two had spent together, which was about 4 months, beomgyu had already started thinking about your future. he liked to imagine you two buying a small cottage near a forest with either two dogs or cats, which was for you to decide, by your side. you'd grow your own fruits and vegetables and sell them to earn your money. he also wanted to have kids with you after getting married. in his dreams, everything seemed perfect.

then you left, and all beomgyu had felt since was loneliness.

loneliness /ˈləʊnlɪnɪs/, noun ~ (of a place) the quality of being unfrequented and remote; isolation.

loneliness is also referred to as social pain and should not be mistaken for solitude.

solitude /ˈsɒlɪtjuːd/, noun ~ the state or situation of being alone.

while solitude was something beomgyu usually loved, being alone, he didn't want to feel lonely. despite the fact that beomgyu had never felt lonely his whole life it hit him all at once and without a warning the day you vanished. from then on he felt lonely everywhere he went; at work, on the full bus, he rode with you and at his dorm with his friends surrounding him. beomgyu had become like a zombie in just a short amount of time, still alive and walking yet not really living anymore. especially his friends' behaviour annoyed him. professionals would advise people like him to find a support group, a therapist or seek help in any other way, however, that's not what he wanted. instead, he put on a facade. pretending to be happy and over you abandoning him, sending a light smile to his friends whenever one of them asked if he was fine. and soon enough he noticed that no one seemed to care, after all, everyone had their own problems and life to keep them busy.

nonetheless, he didn't feel alright like he pretended to be, deep inside beomgyu was anything but fine. due to him trying to play the role of a happy person he trapped himself in his self-deflating behaviour that the very isolation and rejection he dreaded, trapped in a nightmare he made himself. granting all this he oh so desperately and genuinely wanted to be alright again. he wanted to go out and enjoy the sun without being reminded of the way you smiled at him as if he was your whole world and so much more. go to sleep without crying because the bed feels empty and cold without you laying next to him with both of your legs entangled. eat without wanting to throw up because all he could think about was you trying to secretly steal food from his plate, only to be caught stuffing something in your mouth while smiling sheepishly. but when you're lonely everything is off, you can't relax or enjoy yourself because after all, there's a constant reminder in the back of your head that not all the pieces to you are there. all those happy memories should make him happy, yet they only reminded him of what he had lost. your presence still lingered in his apartment.

so that's why beomgyu tried to take his mind off his loneliness. he put his belonging in the spaces where your stuff used to be. he threw out all of your favourite snacks and turned on the tv or blasted music when the apartment was growing too quiet and started feeling empty.

beomgyu frantically tried to run away from the pain he felt which made his heart hurt, even more, feeling lost and confused like he was stuck in a time loop he couldn't escape no matter how hard he tried. similarly to how kids who fell on the playground hurriedly put on a bandaid only for it to fall off right away; doing nothing to cease the pain.

he didn't know to handle any of the things he felt or how to stop the thoughts circulating in his head, so he responded with anger. beomgyu didn't mean to do that, the last thing he wanted to do was hurt his friends and family with his harsh words, but he couldn't help himself. every time someone wanted to help his anger started bubbling up inside him and before he knew it he started throwing a tantrum; screaming, crying and sometimes when his feelings hit him worse than they usually would he'd get violent too.

after all his friends had stopped trying to help him his feeling of loneliness increased a lot. so he started talking to you in his head, making conversations similar to the ones you two used to have. and while it helped him for a while it didn't last long. though once he realized what he was doing he felt all the pain crashing him like a wave all over again. what would you think if you saw him like that? he thought you'd probably think of him as a fool, pathetically crying over something that was long gone, but how could he not cry when all he wished was for you to come back home to his arms? and for him, it was even harder having had to say goodbye when he didn't have a choice. he wasn't able to hug you one last time, kiss you one last time, thank you for loving him one last time or tell you how he loved you more than stars are shining in a clear night sky. all the words he urgently wanted to say stayed at the tip of his tongue before being swallowed completely, never once reaching your ears.

one would think that beomgyu had reached the last stage of grief at this point. denial flows into anger and then into depression which ultimately leads to the oh-so-desired acceptance. the stage where individuals learn to live with their loss, move on and return to their lives. they start going to work again, reconcile with their friends, rarely think about what happened and stop crying every night. yet, beomgyu never reached that stage. he still didn't go to work, and didn't reconcile with his friends. he also still thinks about you day and night and cries himself to sleep, holding the hoodie that still has the slightest remainder of your smell attached to it, hoping he'd be able to remember that smell forever.

when beomgyu was able to sleep at night he wished you'd visit him, even if it was just in his dreams. feeling as if he was on an isolated road, running and running in search of you, yet he stayed unsuccessful. he'd briefly close his eyes and hope he'd see you standing in front of him when he opened them again. smiling when you look at him he'd run up to you and hug you so tight in fear of you disappearing as quickly and unexpectedly as before. he'd spill all the words that had been collected in his head and swear he'd take better care of you. but what was he expecting? everything was the same when he opened his eyes, the only sight being the empty street with the broken streetlight doing nothing to light up his world like you used to do. not being able to go further beomgyu thought he'd only walk this path one last time.

when you appeared in his life he felt his heart turn into a beautiful garden, almost overgrown with lilies, tulips, and roses. now his garden is grown full of thorns, thorns that feel like nails digging into his heart every time he had tried to remove them. the pain slowly grew locked in his once innocent heart with seemingly no way out.

the flower who was you has withered away and he'd give up everything he owns to get you back, but beomgyu knew that was impossible.

which is why he decided to do the only possible thing - meeting you in paradise.

taglist. @hee-pster @valley-of-lies @astrozuya @kflixnet

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cock-holliday · 2 years

Note

Here’s another FicTober thing to have fun with: Margaret Scully always remembers Mulder’s birthday and sends him cards then, on his birthday, for Easter, super fun ones at Halloween, etc. It’s her way of letting him know she cares about him because she learns from Dana and/or has some kind of psychic? sense that his parents are not exactly stand-up. It’s also her way of thanking him for looking out for her third-born especially after the abduction. And maybe the first time he gets a card is on his birthday the same year the abduction happens.

You did so wonderful with the fish story. Maybe you can also do something with this one? 👀💕 Good luck 🍀

Aiight, disclaimer cause I'm at the end of season 7, haven't seen 8-9, IWTB or the revival. I know snippets but don’t have the timetable locked down. I am taking some liberty here. Set post-IWTB, pre-pre-revival breakup. This got out of hand.

WC: 1748

Scully shoved another box aside with a groan. Spring cleaning was shaping up to be a more tedious task than she had expected. Scully preferred to condense. She was nostalgic, certainly, when finding old keepsakes, but things that were no longer serving a purpose, or of a high sentimental value needed to be thrown out.

Mulder was the opposite.

It seemed that every little item carried the weight of Mulder’s entire life and being. She saw junk, Mulder saw his most prized treasures. It was how their office was arranged. It was how their home was now too.

Now that Mulder was able to enjoy a bit of freedom and venture from the house, Scully had suggested that he take a trip. He insisted she accompany him, but she had work to do here. In his absence she decided to sort the various items into a few groups: keep, ask Mulder, and throw out no matter what Mulder says.

There wasn’t as much as she expected for the last category, but there was certainly more in the middle one than she had anticipated.

What is this for? Why is he keeping this?

There were countless items in folders and boxes and wrapped with bubble wrap and tape. Old magazines. Coins. Very old t-shirts. A snowglobe here, a baseball cap there. They were turning a new leaf in their lives. Much as Scully wanted to shed the shackles of their old life, she didn’t want to abandon anything precious to Mulder.

Lifting an old globe, Scully turned, her elbow knocking into a shoebox and sending it and its contents flying.

Scully sighed, putting down the globe before kneeling and beginning to gather up the cards that were strewn about. It appeared to be cards for every holiday and occasion. Some funny. Some heartfelt and delicate. Others somber.

A ‘My Condolences’ card caught Scully’s eye, and she opened it, recognizing the hand that scrawled a long note inside the card. Her eyes widened as she looked at the bottom.

It was signed by Scully’s mother.

Scully grabbed another card. This one for a birthday. The same script was inside.

Scully grabbed another: a little cat wishing a Happy Halloween. In that card too was a note from her mother.

At the top of each card was the same two words: Dear Fox.

-----

The first card had been a complete surprise.

Mulder walked into the office and there it was, a right red envelope on the desk catching his eye. He walked over quickly, intrigued by the mail. Inside was a simple card, containing a lengthy folded letter thanking him for not giving up on ‘Dana.’

Mulder smiled at the warm compliments and tender language of the Scully matriarch, and was tickled so see that before her signature, she included her phone number.

Scully had only been back among the living for a few days, she hadn’t even returned to work yet. Mrs. Scully had to have sent the letter immediately, if not dropping it off herself. The letter lamented not having Mulder’s address, a sentiment that suggested the possibility of future correspondence.

Mulder called Mrs. Scully that night, thanking her for the letter and the card. She was delighted to hear from him, and reported that her visit to Scully had gone well. Mulder was going to go to the hospital next, and Mrs. Scully reminded him to give his address.

He laughed, insisting there was no need, but ‘Dana’ was evidently not the only stubborn Scully woman.

He relinquished his contact information, but didn’t expect anything further.

He was mistaken.

As the holidays approached, Mulder found a letter with familiar handwriting in his mailbox. The card wished him a Merry Christmas. The note extended an invitation to dinner, and a prompt to call. He called her later in the week, passing up on dinner, but thanking her regardless. She wished him a Merry Christmas. He offered the same back.

The cards kept coming after that. It seemed like any excuse. Christmas, New Years, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Easter. One year he received a card for Valentine’s Day, expressing that she hoped he was taking care of himself, and then spoke at length about Scully and frequently mentioned her upcoming Birthday.

Where Scully could be enigmatic, her mother was less subtle in her suggestions.

Some cards would reference their previous phone calls or visits, others shared details from her family’s lives. All extended offers into the future.

The first card to arrive for his birthday came as a bit of a shock. First, he was surprised that Scully had relayed the information to her mother. Second, as he stared at the little balloons on the card, he struggled to recall the last time someone sent him a birthday card in the mail. It had to have been as a child. Maybe cards from family friends. Perhaps a stray card from his dentist, wishing him a toothy birthday or whatever it had said.

The card was warm–all Mrs. Scully’s cards were. But the sentimentality on his birthdays struck him each time, and did not lessen as the years went by.

She would shower him with compliments, make a joke here or there, wish him a bright and happy future, and then invite him to an engagement of some sort. A family dinner. A cookout. Once or twice, without Scully’s knowledge (unless Mrs. Scully divulged), the pair had lunch. But usually Mulder would pass up, instead opting for a phone call.

Not long after their return from New Mexico, a card offering condolences for the death of his father showed up in his mailbox. For the first time since the death of his dad, he cried.

When his mother was in the hospital, more cards found their way into his inbox. First of condolences, then of prayers in his mother’s name, and then of comfort when she recovered. Each time extended offers for support. He did not take her up on them, but he called her to thank her each time. After his third decline, she bullied him into visiting a park with her one weekend.

He was reluctant, but went all the same. She had been right. The fresh air would help. His mother had pulled through. He could breathe again.

When his mother passed, there was no card. He didn’t know why it bothered him to not receive one. He never expected them to come, but they came for every and all occasion, that it was only when one didn’t come did he realize he had come to anticipate them.

When a card did eventually arrive, it contained a long letter, like the first card.

In the letter, it expressed condolences for the loss of his mother, but also, he was surprised to see, for the loss of his sister.

Mrs. Scully spoke about her own struggles with losing her husband and daughter, and she talked openly and candidly about grief and finding meaning. In the letter, she gave encouragement, and hope, and expressed that she hoped herself that now he could find peace. He hadn’t cried after finding his answers for Samantha. He didn’t cry the rest of their time in California, or the trip home. When he read Mrs. Scully’s letter, he clutched the paper to his chest and wept, feeling the grief that had been building fully release, and acceptance of everything washed over him.

Mulder kept that letter where he kept all the other cards from Mrs. Scully: in a little shoebox in his room. He’d occasionally read them, reminiscing about the times that surrounded those holidays and special occasions. But mostly he just liked to see the pile get larger. The weight that the stack of cards held was physically minuscule, but they landed heavily in his chest.

Mulder thought about how lucky Scully was to have this woman as her mother, and with each card he added to the pile, he came to realize how much she treated him like a son.

Or what being treated like a son could look like.

-----

Scully’s eyes welled with tears as she read her mother’s cards. The sound of the front door startled her from her thoughts, and she hastily wiped her eyes, sniffing and shutting the lid on the box.

Scully could hear Mulder settle into the house, presumably taking off his jacket and shoes, hanging up his keys, before looking around for her. He found her quickly enough, beaming at Scully when he entered the room.

“You’re back early,” Scully told him with a smile, swallowing the lump that had built in her throat.

“Missed you,” Mulder shrugged, leaning against the door frame.

His face fell as he took in her appearance, and his brow furrowed in concern, “You okay?”

Scully smiled and nodded, feeling tears building again. Mulder stepped closer to her, clearly not buying it, and Scully let out a huff of a laugh.

“Come here,” she told Mulder, crossing the room and pulling him into a tight hug.

She held on for dear life, and Mulder returned the hug with a squeeze, still stiff with tension.

Scully pulled back, leaning up to press a kiss to Mulder’s lips, and as she shut her eyes, she felt a tear escape down her cheek.

She sniffed again when they broke apart and she licked her lips, walking over to the shoebox, “I found the box with my mom’s cards to you,” Scully explained.

Mulder’s scrunched brow softened, “Oh.”

“You kept them?”

Mulder nodded gently.

Scully smiled, swallowing and getting her tears under control, “Since the very beginning,” she added, shaking her head in disbelief, “Since my abduction, all the way through.”

“She is very thorough,” Mulder laughed.

“And you kept them? All of them?” Scully asked, her voice quiet.

Mulder nodded again.

“She loves you,” Scully added with a shaky laugh, wiping her eyes, “Always has.”

Mulder smiled sadly, crossing the room and wrapping his arms around Scully. He nuzzled into her neck, prompting Scully to wrap her arms around him back.

“Know who I love?” he asked.

Scully snorted, “Who?”

“Oh–your mother,” Mulder replied, pulling back and pretending to grow serious, “Isn’t that who we were talking about?”

Scully rolled her eyes, pressing another kiss to Mulder’s lips.

Mulder grinned against her lips, and Scully pulled him in closer, “Well I love you, Mulder.”

It was mumbled against her mouth, as she deepened the kiss, but she heard it clear as day.

“Love you too.”

#txf #txf fanfic #xf fanfic #fictober22 #day 20 #this was supposed to be short! lol oops #Maggie Scully my beloved #thank you for sending this! spent literally all day at work thinking about it

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kwannies-boo · 1 year

Text

Skittish

Pairing: Minho x gn!Reader, S.Coups x gn!Reader, Yunho x gn!Reader

Group: Stray Kids, Seventeen, Ateez

Genre: Comfort, fluff, drabble

WC: 300 total, 100 per drabble

Warnings: None

Disclaimer: All works are non-idol! AUs unless otherwise specified. Barely proofread.

Content: In the early days of dating, how does your boyfriend respond when you tell him that skinship and physical affection sometimes make you nervous? Three self-contained drabbles, one for each of the boys.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

You tell Minho a little later than you wanted to, but he hadn’t seemed big on physical affection at the beginning, either. When you do, he blinks at you for a moment, before perking up with realization. “Oh! So you’re like a stray cat.” He beams, pleased that he’s figured it out. He calls you kitten from then on, and is so, so gentle with you. He brings you treats, setting them in front of you before wandering off to give you space. Others might think he’s ignoring you, but the careful arm he puts around you tells you otherwise.

Cheol is actually the one to sit you down and ask if his touch bothers you. He’s noticed the way you sometimes freeze up when surprised with an arm around your waist or a hug from behind. He listens while you stumble through an explanation and asks questions, helping to figure out your boundaries and ways to check in when needed. He asks twice before big touch, “To give you time to change your mind,” he says. When you lean into him on the couch, he stays as still as he can, feeling like his heart might burst with pride.

When told, Yunho considers momentarily before nodding, "Got it.” And he does. He hadn’t noticed how far you’d come until one day he wakes up with your hand on his cheek, thumb stroking his lips and jaw, eyes looking at him intensely. You immediately pull your hand back and turn away, embarrassed. He reaches up to cup your cheek and you only freeze for a second before letting him guide your face back to his. “I like it when you touch me,” he says. You nuzzle into his hand and kiss his palm, and his smile could outshine the sun.

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mirrorball-writings · 2 years

Text

All You Need is Pain

request: @looneylupinsworld: hii could you please write an imagine with the marauders x fem reader (5th year) maybe she gets bullied or something for not having friends and being a loner and like they take care of her and befriend her and she finally makes some friends ? thank youu!!

WC: 3.6k

Reading time: 13:15

Warnings: bullying, physical/verbal abuse, unforgivable curses

I stared out the library window, momentarily forgetting about the mountain of homework that sat in front of me. Even though it was only the beginning of the term, fifth year was OWLs year, so we already had a lot of work. Still, it was hard to concentrate on my homework considering the beautiful leaves outside, not to mention the fact that the infamous Gryffindor boys, or the “Marauders,” as they called themselves, had also taken seats at the library tables and were incredibly loud. I turned my attention away from the orange and yellow covering the landscape and back towards the essay I was working on, but I couldn’t get myself to focus with the incessant chatter and laughter from a few tables down. I sighed and packed up my work, knowing I’d surely be able to get more work done in my dorm without so much noise.

I strolled through the corridors of the castle, taking in my surroundings and humming one of my favorite Muggle songs I listened to back at home. I was looking at one of the portraits on the wall — a particularly beautiful one with a girl in a flower garden — when I ran into someone and dropped all my books on the floor.

“I’m so sorry,” I stuttered out, while hurrying to gather all my things back into my arms.

I heard a girl scoff. “Watch where you’re going next time. If you had messed up my robes I’d have to get you to pay for them.”

I picked up my last book and finally looked up, my eyes meeting those of a Slytherin girl, although I didn’t know her name. She had never talked to me before, but I had seen her parading around the castle with her crew of Slytherins: Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa and Bellatrix Black, Severus Snape, and the like. I hurriedly apologized to her again and rushed off, not wanting to prolong our interaction.

Somehow, I managed to get all my work done, but the next day I had already been assigned plenty more. I trudged through the corridors on the way to my next class, arms weighted down with mounds of books and parchment. As I turned the corner, I saw the girl from the previous night, plus some of her gang. They met eyes with me briefly, but I turned to stare straight in front of me and walked as quickly as I could past them.

“Not so fast, Wilson,” I heard, right as I was about to turn out of their sight. I took a deep breath and turned around to see none other than Lucius Malfoy sneering in my direction.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?” he asked, feigning interest. When I didn’t answer, he snarled, “Answer me when I speak to you! Or are you too much of a scaredy-cat? Seems weird to me that they’d put a timid little mouse in the house of the lion.”

I mumbled, “I was just going to the library.”

The whole group laughed, sharing meaningful glances between one another, smirking and snickering at me.

This time, Bellatrix spoke up. “Wow, Wilson. We all knew you were a loser, but I never would’ve expected that you’d be such a weirdo that you couldn’t even find another weirdo to do homework with you. I mean, you may be a loser but at least you get good grades. It must be a shame to have nobody even like you enough to get homework answers from you.”

I shook my head and turned around, walking the rest of the way to the library. I knew that would probably upset them, since they didn’t tell me I could leave, but I didn’t want to just stand there and let them keep harassing me. I tried to tell myself that I didn’t mind not having many friends, but I also knew there was some truth in what Bellatrix had said. I was known for being smart, and yet nobody ever asked me for help on homework or assignments, much less to help them study. I had never really tried to make friends with anybody, and I generally liked being alone, but I suppose maybe it would’ve been nice to have someone to talk to or laugh with every now and again. Of course, the other girls in my dorm were perfectly nice to me, but they all were in their own little friend group, and I was never included in the things they did. I figured that after five years it was too late to try and make friends, so I just shook my head to myself and got started with my homework for the night.

I tried to avoid the group of Slytherins after that, because as I figured, they were not happy that I had left before we were done with “our little chat,” as they called it. The few times I did pass them in the halls, they made snide remarks, but we didn’t really have any more interactions like the first one, since there were generally other students or professors in the halls when they would see me. So, thankfully, I was able to avoid being stuck in a similar situation for a while.

I didn’t really know why they seemed to have it out for me, but I knew that the only way they really knew who I was was because I had run into that girl one night. They didn’t even really seem to have a problem with me — I figured that they just picked on me because I was easy. I didn’t stand up for myself and I didn’t have any friends to stand up for me either. Or maybe they picked on me in hopes that they could get to the Marauders, who had pranked them more times than anyone could count. They knew that I wasn’t friends with the Marauders, but they also knew that we were in the same house and the same year, and they sarcastically asked me many times if I was going to go ask them for help. Although I could tell they were trying to be patronizing when they said I should go get the Marauders to help if I couldn’t handle them on my own, I was fairly certain that they somewhat hoped that I would, so that they could have an opportunity to get back at them for all the things the Marauders had done to them in the past.

A few weeks later, they caught me again when I was on the way to class. This time, they cut to the chase.

“Look, Wilson. Our deal is this: either you start telling us about how to ruin the pranks of those boys in your year, or we make your life miserable.”

I shrugged. “I don’t really know them.”

Bellatrix, who was the one talking to me at the moment, scoffed. “You’re in the same year and the same house. The only way you wouldn’t know them is if they’re trying to avoid you. Which I guess wouldn’t be surprising considering that everyone else seems to, otherwise you might actually have some friends.”

I looked around uncomfortably, trying not to meet her eyes. “They don’t avoid me, we’re just not really friends. And I don’t really want to sell you information anyway.”

The group looked at each other before Bellatrix responded, “Fine, then. Get ready to see a lot more of us.”

I continued to try to avoid them, but they lived up to their promise. Every few days they would catch me in the corridors as I was heading to class or the library, and they would pick on me, tease me, call me names, and generally belittle me. After a while, though, I learned to live with it, since it seemed that their insults were fairly limited. All they would say was that I was a loser, a loner, a nobody with no friends. I knew I had no friends, so I tried to not mind, although I can’t deny that their insults started to get to me eventually, and I started to wonder whether maybe I was just so weird that nobody wanted to be friends with me at all. I had always thought that it was just because I was too shy to try and make friends, but maybe they were right, and people would want to be my friend if I wasn’t such a loser.

After a few weeks of teasing, they seemed to get bored, and started to escalate things to physical harassment. They would push me around, and sometimes even hit me, just to try to get a reaction out of me. I was surprised that they would go to this much effort just to try to get back at the Marauders, but I supposed that they had a reputation to uphold and the incessant pranks were making it difficult for them to maintain the respect they wanted, and they somehow figured that if I got tired enough of their treatment that I would go to the Marauders and get them to deal with it. I couldn’t possibly understand the logic of the plan, but I figured that they hoped that if the Marauders got involved, they could blackmail, threaten, or scare them somehow into not pranking them anymore. Either way, I thought they would have realized by that point that I wasn’t the way for them to get what they wanted, but maybe by then they just enjoyed picking on me.

This trend of teasing continued for quite a while, and I was starting to feel drained. I was tired of worrying about where they were at all moments of the day, and I was tired of trying to cover up the fact that they had been hurting me — physically and mentally. Although nobody really looked out for me most of the time, the girls in my dorm had noticed something was up, and tried to get an answer out of me. I didn’t want to tell them that I was being picked on, so I tried to make excuses, even if they weren’t particularly believable.

Eventually, they seemed to get bored again, and this time escalated it further. The first time they ever hexed me was when they were asking again for me to give them a chance to get back at the Marauders. When I said no, they hexed me. It wasn’t really harmful, and it wore off in a few minutes, but it still signified a new level of the degree they would go to. I left that particular meeting shaken up, but still not willing to bring the situation to anyone’s attention.

As the weeks went by, it got more and more difficult to hide what was going on from the girls in my dorm. There were multiple times that I was late getting somewhere, or they saw the aftermath of an interaction — whether that was bruises on my arms or evidence of a hex. I still tried to deny anything was happening, but they were too smart for my excuses, and they eventually figured out that someone was picking on me. From that point, it wasn’t hard for them to figure out who it was. Apparently, although they didn’t tell me this, they decided to give those Slytherins a piece of their mind, and try to convince them to stop.

I didn’t know that the girls had done this until the day after their confrontation. When the Slytherins caught me in the corridors that day, I could tell that something was different. Instead of their usual attitude, which treated me more as a plaything, they seemed genuinely angry, which surprised me, since I had no recollection of doing anything in particular to upset them.

Lucius was the first one to talk to me. “Who else have you told?”

I stared at him blankly before responding, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He laughed coldly. “Don’t play that innocent game. We all know you went and told your little friends about what was going on, who else have you told? You’re a goody-goody, so no doubt you’ve told a professor. Who have you told?”

I shook my head. “I haven’t said anything to anyone.”

“Well, then how did those girls in your year know that we were having these little meetings?”

“I—I don’t know. I didn’t tell them.”

I was starting to get scared at this point. In the past, they hadn’t really done anything to actually harm me, but up to this point they hadn’t really been angry. Now that they were, I didn’t know to what extent they would go to take out their anger. Thankfully, before I could find out, a professor turned the corner, so they backed away. However, before we could part ways, I saw a look on their faces that said, unmistakably, I ought to prepare myself for the next time we meet.

Later, the girls in my dorm confronted me. They told me that they had talked to the Slytherins, and that they knew they had been picking on me. I said that I already knew about their conversation, so they asked if they had done something again today. Now knowing that they already generally knew what was happening, I figured that there was no reason to deny anything anymore.

“They stopped me today in the halls, but they didn’t really do anything.”

The girls looked at each other before Lily spoke. “Do you think they’re going to do something?”

I nodded. “Before they walked away, they had this look on their faces, like they wanted to do something really bad. But they didn’t have time to do it.”

They looked concerned, but I waved it off and said it would be fine. They hadn’t ever really done anything to hurt me before, so I figured they wouldn’t really do anything too bad.

The next day, they saw me again. This time, it was the evening, so professors were less likely to be roaming the halls. I had just left the library, yet again trying to escape the ruckus of the Marauders. I tried to turn away when I saw them, but they noticed me before I could.

“Ah, Wilson, we meet again,” said Severus.

I backed towards the other side of the corridor.

“Don’t act so afraid. You brought yourself into this. Let this serve as a reminder that we have a deal. If you want this to stop, you have to follow through with the deal and let us get back at the group that has humiliated us all these years. If not, nothing changes. Understood?”

I nodded, afraid of the raised wands pointed towards me. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

Severus laughed. “It’s too late for that now, isn’t it?”

Before I could prepare myself, I heard a word I had never heard outside of a classroom. I knew that these people would do awful things, but I never thought that even they would go to this level of cruelty. And yet…

“Crucio!”

I wasn’t sure who said it or how long the spell was working. All I knew was pain coursing through my body — every bone, muscle, and vein in my body screaming with shooting, burning pain. It was worse than any pain I had ever felt before. I couldn’t hear, I couldn’t see, and I couldn’t think; I could only feel, and I could only feel pain. It was the purest pain I had ever experienced, and I could do nothing about it. I could feel myself writhing on the ground like a bug that’s been stepped on, but I couldn’t bring myself to get up. My vision was covered with bright white, with pain. All I felt was pain.

I didn’t know how long it had been happening, but somewhere in the distance — or, perhaps, right next to me, but sounding distant due to my decreased senses — I heard someone shout “Expelliarmus!” and the pain started to ebb away. Even once my body had stopped burning with pain, I remained lying down with my eyes closed, willing myself to get up. I tried to lift myself up off the ground, but I couldn’t.

I heard footsteps approaching me and felt someone kneel down, presumably to check if I was still alive. Someone tapped on my shoulder, and I forced myself to open my eyes, even if only to curl up tighter and clutch my head afterwards because of the light of the corridor. However, the split second my eyes had been open was enough, and I couldn’t deny what I saw. Remus Lupin.

I was still lying curled up on the floor when I felt strong arms scoop me up and begin to carry me towards what I assumed was the common room. In normal circumstances I would be beyond embarrassed and would demand to walk, even if I was in an unfit state, but I was still in shock and still had no ability to form coherent thoughts. After a minute of walking, I felt myself being lowered down onto the familiar couch of the Gryffindor common room, and I felt a blanket being laid over my numb body.

Eventually, I was able to open my eyes, and I was met with the very concerned stares of four boys that I had never seen concerned about anything before. I shied back into the couch cushions, wishing they would look away, wishing I could disappear from their gazes. However, there was no such luck.

“Are you okay?” asked Sirius.

Remus lightly hit Sirius in the arm and said, “Don’t be thick, Sirius, of course she’s not okay!” Turning to me, he continued, “Can we do anything? Do you need something to eat? Drink? Anything? We could go get the girls if you want.”

I shook my head.

The boys looked at each other, and Remus said, “That’s a pretty intense curse… it can really mess you up. I have some chocolate though, that helps. I’ll go get some.”

I shook my head again, but he had already left to go get some. When he came back, he forced me to eat it, even though I didn’t want to. However, I supposed that he was right, since it did restore me and my senses a little bit.

After a few minutes of silence, James spoke up. “So, have they ever done that before?”

I shook my head once more. “They’ve hexed me and such, but never anything like that.”

“It’s good we came when we did. The girls told us to go make sure everything was okay when they saw you leave on your own. It would’ve been better if we had come sooner, because it looked like they had been going at it for a while, but if we hadn’t come when we did… who knows what could’ve happened. You should probably stay away from them, though.”

I chuckled a little. “I try to.”

This time, Sirius made an offer. “Well, you can always hang around us if you want. That way they won’t catch you alone again.”

“I don’t want to intrude, I know you guys are a pretty close group of friends, and I don’t want to get in the way of that — I mean, I’m not exactly the type of person you’d want to hang out with.”

Remus shook his head. “Nonsense! You seem super cool, plus it might be nice to finally hang out with someone else with some brain cells.”

I laughed and gave them a strong maybe. They took that as a yes, and told me to meet them in the common room for breakfast. They started to head up to bed, but my body was still too drained to get up and go to my dormitory to go to sleep.

Remus noticed that I wasn’t getting up to go to bed, and asked whether I’d like for him to stay down in the common room with me. I told him he could go up if he wanted, but I was thankful that he seemed to understand the language of anxiety enough to know that that meant “yes, but I don’t want to make you or myself feel like I’m forcing you to,” and he sat down on the couch next to me. Listening to the fire, I slowly felt myself relaxing, letting the tension from this evening die down, and I slowly, slowly, fell asleep.

The next day, I did indeed meet the rest of the group in the common room for breakfast, and I realized that it was nice to have a group of people to talk to. Even though I spent the first few days mostly listening and not talking much, I started to open up a little bit. Thankfully, they never really mentioned the circumstances under which we met initially, but they did sandwich me whenever we walked past a particular group of Slytherins. I still liked having some alone time sometimes, but it was also nice to sometimes have people to hang out with. They made me laugh and they gave me comfort, and they were just another source of joy. I figured that even though our meeting was far less than ideal, things seemed to have worked out for the better, and I was glad it was them who had stopped the curse that night.

Thank you so much for the request!! One thing about me is that I am definitely a sucker for hurt/comfort so I tend to like writing those kinds of stories. I know that this wasn't exactly what you asked for but I tried to follow the prompt as best as I could, although I admit I got a bit carried away in the story as I was writing. Hopefully you enjoyed! Thank you for reading!

#harry potter #marauders #platonic #platonic fanfiction #platonic imagine #hogwarts #harry potter fanfiction #marauders imagine #platonic marauders imagine #james potter #remus lupin #sirius black

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