#i swear there’s a post like this somewhere if i copied sorry i couldn’t find it though

[shehzadi]

have been fundamentally changed as a person (<- read a good book)

#i finished reading 2001 a space odyssey #AMAZING! btw #if you even care #i swear there’s a post like this somewhere if i copied sorry i couldn’t find it though #hall of fame #m

[rooftoprabbit]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 𝖁𝖆𝖓𝖎𝖑𝖑𝖆 𝕮𝖚𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖉✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Summary | There's only so much someone can take before they break.

Pairing | Eddie x Fem!Reader

Warnings | Fluff, swearing, mentions of DV, Fem!Reader, Jason Carver, bullying, Eddie protecting reader, reader being a badass, few more cultural references, sad read

Author's Notes | This is Chapter 2 of the series (Chapter 1 is linked below and I'll create a Master List on my page shortly). This Chapter picks right back up from where the reader left Eddie in Chapter 1. This one is a heavy read but one I felt the reader needed to experience. I promise the next chapter is more light hearted! I hope you enjoy!

Word Count | 4.7k

Key | Pink Italics is reader’s internal monologue

Blue Italics is Eddie’s internal monologue             

Bold Italics is a recall of a past event/encounter

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I don't consent to my work being copied and posted on third party websites. Plagiary is a crime...you wouldn't steal a car

SERIES LIST

PT 1

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 

1986

Eddie was right, there absolutely must be something in the Geneva Convention specifically written about how inhumane it was for Ms Fowler to be keeping you back 30 minutes for being 3 minutes late!!  

Racing through the halls you bump into every person who wasn’t getting out of your way quick enough, simply screaming a “sorry” over your shoulder but keeping your attention ahead.  You finally make it to the cafeteria doors with 20 minutes to spare.  Bending down with your hands on your knees, you start to take in large breaths to compose yourself a bit more before entering.  This was the first time since starting at Hawkins High that you were stepping foot into the cafeteria, instead opting to sit behind the music building listening to your cassettes on repeat until the bell went.  

You open the doors and start to scan the room, clearly defining the stereotypes that have managed to converge together in one large hall and then isolate together so as not to break the status quo.  The nerds were closer towards the door trying to be as far away from the jocks - Jason and his flock of sheep, who had all situated themselves over two cafeteria tables, obnoxiously laughing and making everyone around them incredibly uncomfortable.  You hadn’t seen him since your little interaction in the gym earlier in the day.  Avoid his gaze. 

“Y/N, hey Y/N – over here!”.  Looking to your right you see Eddie waving his hands furiously over his head like he’s trying to direct a plane into its landing gate.  He’s surrounded by six other boys.  Three of them looked about your age and the other two a few years younger.  Thank god you’re hear, I haven’t scared you off.  

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  

Eddie was kind, that you couldn’t deny.  You didn’t understand why he was being so kind to you though. Maybe he took pity after having to hear the countless arguments had between you and your mum, or seeing you live 90% of your time outside of the trailer alone; somewhere that should be a safe place of refuge for you in this unfamiliar world.  You had been used to staying out of the house though, finding space at your Uncle Mick’s place or a friends couch for the night after a fight with your mum.   You didn't have that anymore.

You were tough, that you were sure of but your world shattered into a million pieces the day your mum said you were moving to the States.  Not only had she made this decision without consultation with you, but she was purely moving in the hopes she would be welcomed back with open arms, ready to start anew and go back to the privileges of her old life.  What you wanted and what you needed was never put into consideration, so you left your heart lying there in a million pieces, determined to leave the minute you stepped off that graduation stage.  Determined to pick the pieces up all on your own.    

Hawkins was temporary. 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  

“Hey Eddie” you say as you sit down at the end of the table next to the pale lanky kid who had now found his lunch so incredibly interesting, he couldn’t possibly look up to acknowledge you.   

“Everyone, this is Y/N – the girl I was telling you about from gym class, she also lives in the same trailer park as me” Eddie says with a giant grin on his face, his eyes locked onto you.  

You gave an awkward smile “Hi everyone, I hope it’s ok for me to be sitting here.” 

They all gave you their best inviting smiles, yet you could feel they were somewhat cautious.  The boy to Eddie’s right speaks first “soooo what brings you all the way from Down Under?” he says in possibly the worst Australian accent.  

“Ohhh you know, mum felt like a fresh start and I guess that meant I get to have a front row seat to watch her mid-life crisis play out, lucky me” you scoffed.   

They all looked bug eyed at each other, unsure on how to react to how critical of your mum you just were.   

“You don’t have to look so tense guys, I’m aware that my sense of humour doesn’t always translate – but it’s fine. My life is a joke at this point.  My mum expected to come back to a welcome home parade but all we got was a trailer park at the edge of town” laughing a bit harder to reassure them they could regulate their breathing again.  

“I’ve only had a few conversations with Dundee here, you get used to her dry humour pretty quickly” Eddie gave you a smile as a show of comradery.  

“A weird sense of humour and a badass attitude, that’s a pretty wicked combination” the boy in the blue and white cap pipes up.  

“Sorry? Badass? I’m definitely not that.  I’m just here to get my certificate and walk out those doors” giving him a confused look as if you had just forgotten what happened during gym.  

The table erupts into laughter causing you to be even more confused than before.  

“Great joke Y/N” the boy to the right of Eddie says. 

A hush falls over the table as the boys look at each other realising you hadn’t heard yet. 

“Even though Eddie just gave us a play-by-play of what happened during gym class, it’s already spread across the whole school. You’re pretty badass.  Everyone who has ever had a problem with Jason sees you as their hero now.  No one’s ever stood up to Jason’s incessant taunting before for fear of retribution, but you’ve made a name for yourself”.  The table nods along in agreeance with what was just said.   

He continues, “how rude of me, I’m Dustin Henderson – it’s a pleasure to meet you.  Sitting next to you is Mike” and pointing to the boys across the table “Jeff, Gareth and Grant”.   

“I��m no one’s hero.  I said what I said to Jason to get him off my back.  I’m happy just being a nobody like you guys, no offense.  I’m just here to keep my head down, get my certificate and go back home”.  

“No offense taken Y/N.  We’re all just here trying to do the same thing” Eddie nods towards the boys who all agreed with your statement.  

“Some more than others” Grant laughs nudging Gareth and Jeff who all start laughing towards Eddie.  

“Shut the fuck up shithead” throwing a pretzel at Grant’s head.   

“This is my year, I can feel it”.  Eddie looks at you trying to send a telepathic message If you’re graduating, then so am I. I won’t leave your side. 

You knew with your personality you could only stay quiet for so long – turns out ‘so long’ was two weeks.  Jason just had to keep going at you.  He was everything you hated about a person.  Living in their picture-perfect family, behind their white picket fences.  He never had to suffer through a hard day in his life but still felt he could torture people like you? Where did he get the balls to do that?  Why does she want that life so desperately? Desperately enough to throw me to the curb.  

“It doesn’t look like Jason’s taken what you did too well, I can feel the excruciating amount of heat emanating from their table” Dustin gives a nod in Jason’s direction with everyone turning in unison to see what he was talking about.  

In the distance you could see Jason staring daggers into you.  You had always been told the old myth that humans had a sixth sense of knowing when someone’s staring at you, but you never believed it until you were here in this room.  You’d been able to feel it the whole time you’d been sitting at Eddie’s table, but you had managed to avoid his eye contact until now.  As soon as you looked up your eyes locked in on Jason’s.  You could feel the hatred seeping from every one of his pores for having humiliated him in front of his friends.  

“Everyone hates his guts; it was just a matter of time before he got what was coming to him” Jeff gesturing to the rest of the group.  

Anger filled you now, your gaze not leaving Jason, painful memories playing on loop in your head.  “I hate kids like Jason, and I know hate is a strong word.  I don’t usually give a shit what people do or say to me but people like Jason, who haven’t had to suffer through a day in their life come to school and fuck with us.  Then they leave here, live off daddy’s credit card and just continue to profit off their family connections while the rest of us nobodies slug it out trying to keep the smile on our faces and food on our tables. Drowning; treading water to stay afloat”.  You could feel a burn coming up your throat and tears in your eyes and take a large gulp of water to keep it down. 

You thought no one had noticed, they had all nodded in agreement to what you had just said.  Eddie noticed, and he felt he had heard you say that before.  He recognised the sudden anger that engulfed you and recognised that he had seen the same expression over the summer break when you had first moved in.  He had seen you angry quite a lot, but this was different. There was such pain behind those words.  

It was more than just ‘feeling bad for the little guy’, this was personal. 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  

Eddie was sitting on his front porch when you first drove in with your mum.  He watched as you sat in the front seat, with your headphones in and a solemn expression on your face, like you had just come back from a funeral.  

It was quiet for a few days before the fighting started.  At first it was just a few screams, the door slamming and you taking a walk to the woods behind the trailer park.  A few hours later you would return and there would be quiet for a day or so before the fighting started again. A vicious cycle he could see you didn’t want to be involved in.    

He got worried when he started hearing objects getting thrown and from what he saw, all directed at you.  He’d watch from his bedroom window as you dodged mugs and plates being thrown at your head.  There were a few times where a couple of the neighbours intervened, but you had always managed to reassure them you were fine and there was nothing to worry about.  

Eddie knew differently, he watched you just as he watched his mum fight with his dad.  He would replay it in his head repeatedly, seeing it all unfolding as if he were 5 again back in his mum’s trailer, helpless.  

So, he started to keep an eye on you from a distance.  When he would hear a fight abrupt from your trailer, he would walk into the woods ahead of you and wait for you to make your entrance.  He knew he looked like a creep, but he needed to make sure you were ok.  It was clear you didn’t want strangers in your business by the way you rejected any help from the other trailer park residents.   

He felt a sense of protection come over him every time he heard the screaming start.  The arguments were very rarely started by you, always coming from your mum and it would always be the same thing – the reason you’re here, in this trailer park and why it was your fault, not hers.  

This time the argument had spilled out of the trailer, you walking out to get away but your mum following you – not wanting to stop the screaming.  

“Let me leave, why do you insist on doing this over and over again!?”  

“You have no idea what I’ve been through Y/N, what I’ve sacrificed”  

“Why are we even here!? Go on, explain to me again why it was so important for us to up and leave everything behind to now be stuck in a fucking trailer park, in a town where your whole family fucking hates me and clearly wants nothing to do with either of us!? Go on, explain that Victoria”  

“My whole family doesn’t fucking hate you Y/N”  

“No, you do though”  

“Your silence speaks volumes mum.  How can someone hate me when they don’t even fucking know me!? Were you hoping that I would just sit in this trailer park alone while you went off and played happy families with your parents? Did you want to go back to your lunches at the country club; the fancy dinner parties? Daddy might even give you his credit card or ooooh this is good - you might even fall in love with your rich high school ex-boyfriend and remarry?  Doesn’t that sound grand!” 

“Jesus christ!! Why are you being such a cynical fucking bitch about all of this?? What is wrong with wanting to go back to what I used to have? What’s wrong with wanting to do something with my life?”  

“How is living off your parent’s wealth, drinking all day and treating people like shit ‘doing something with your life’?  What were the last 18 years then, just a place holder until you got back here? Well look how that’s turned out – they’ve shut the door on you again, the moment they laid their eyes on me.  I wasn’t part of their plan for their daughter. I’m just one massive inconvenience for you all.” 

“You know what, fuck it.  Yes.  Yes you are.  Sometimes I wish I had never met your father; I had my whole life planned out for me and I just had to meet your father and fuck it all up.  You’re just like him, you have no consideration for other people”.  

“I’m sorry, I have no consideration for other people!? Coming from the woman who ripped the carpet out from under my feet, moved me to a town where I know NO ONE on a whim that her parents ‘might’ welcome you with open arms.  I’m the one who’s not considerate?”  

“Yes, Y/N.  The life we had back in Australia is nothing compared to the life I could have here, I’m repairing the relationship with my parents and within a few months I’ll be living a happy life, a life of privilege, a life I deserve”.  

“It may have been nothing to you, but it was everything to me”.  

The first time he saw you in the woods after that fight, his heart shattered.  You were there, sitting hugging your legs up against your chest and crying.  This crying wrenched at his heart.  You cried so much there was no audible noise, you were just bawling out an ocean of pain.  It felt wrong watching this intimate moment but all he wanted to do was run and hold you, protect you from everything your mum had just said.  He wished he could tell you that even though he’s only watched you from afar, he didn’t know your name; you were loved.  He wanted to be your safe place.  

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  

“I hate people like Jason Carver.  And like my uncle would always say ‘I wouldn’t piss on him even if he was on fire’” trying to make a joke after the seriousness of your last statement.  

“Hahaha! I get that one” laughs Gareth which in turn causes everyone to laugh with him.  You felt a sense of relief run over your body. 

The rest of lunch was filled with the gang explaining their latest D&D campaign and how Eddie and his band, Corroded Coffin, were going to ‘make it big’ which then led to a heated argument about why Metallica were so obviously more superior than your beloved Skyhooks.  

“Well, as you can see boys” gesturing to your exquisite athletic attire “I am still in my gym gear, so I better head off and get changed before next period.  It was lovely meeting you all”.  As you gathered your things and the boys all started to say their farewells, you moved to get up feeling yourself bump into someone.  Before you could turn around to apologise you felt a cold, thick liquid being poured over your head.   

“Hey loser, I wasn’t hungry so I thought I would come and share it with you seeing as we can joke and laugh with each other now”. Jason, fuck. 

It all happened so quickly.  You could only gauge what was happening by the loud yells from the boys at the table.  As you swung around you saw Eddie nose to nose with Jason, his fist held up in the air shaking in anger and the other holding so tightly onto Jason’s shirt you could see his feet being lifted into the air.  

“Who the fuck do you think you are Jason?  Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t brand your face with every single fucking ring on this hand” you could see the rage in Eddie’s eyes and knew you needed to dissolve the situation.  

“Eddie, Eddie!! Don’t!!” you grabbed Eddie’s fist trying lower it.  “it’s not worth it, you do this, and you know you won’t be graduating”.  Eddie looked at you, your hair and face covered in custard, but he also saw the concerned look you were giving him.  Your eyes telling him to lower his weapon.  He’s just like your mum, why are you protecting him?   

As he lowered his fist and slowly started to lower Jason back to the ground, the fucking idiot continued “well looky here, the loser can tame the freak”. Jason’s buddies laughed in the background and Eddie’s grip on his shirt tightened once more.  

You knew the only way you knew how to dissolve this was to be you, there was no holding back for this.  Say everything you’ve ever held back from saying to your mum, I’m here.  

Wiping a drop of custard off your forehead you bring it to your mouth and lick your finger. With a smile on your face “mmmm vanilla custard! Jason how did you know that was my favourite, that’s so kind of you.  Eddie you can let go of him. I know it was just a clumsy accident.”  

You put your hand onto Eddie’s chest and give him a reassuring smile and nod that you knew what you were doing.  Eddie reluctantly released his grip on Jason.  You’ve got this, I’ve got you if you waver.  

Jason didn’t let off, he needed to know that he had humiliated you.  “The loser protecting the freak, it physically makes me sick.  You should count your lucky stars freak that someone gives two shits about you” he laughs, taking a jab at Eddie.  You weren’t going to give him the reaction he so desperately craved to see from you.  He wanted to humiliate you, remind you that you were a nobody.  

Your face got serious and every single argument you had had with your mum flooded back.  How could she still desperately want to be a part of that world again?  

Eddie grabbed your hand, both because he thought you were going to punch Jason and to let you know he was here.  Let him have it. 

“Listen here you stupid, fucking little weasel – I didn’t tell Eddie to let go of you because I’m scared it would get him expelled, I did it because I knew that if he hit you, it would put you six feet under.  But continue to test my patience and see where you’ll end up” you say giving him the biggest smile of contempt.  

“I know you just want to see me run off and cry in the bathrooms right now, but I have no plan on ever giving you that satisfaction. Do you know why Jason?” you don’t let him answer the question before you continue.  

“Because at the end of the day, this is all you’ll ever be” your hands pointing around the room of the cafeteria.   

A crowd had started to gather.  

“Someone who will have peaked in high school, and you know what happens to people who peak in high school? When they leave, they realise the world owes them no fucking favours.  Jason, you leave this school and you turn into a nobody just like the rest of us” gesturing to the boys behind you.  

Jason rolled his eyes ready to come back at you with another stupid insult.  He thought that was all you had, but you weren’t done, not by a long shot. 

“You’ve peaked in high school and the only way from here is down. Enjoy this while you can, call us every name under the sun, throw custard over our faces.  Get it all out now.  Because in 12 months all you will have achieved is the ability to live off daddy’s money and connections.  Of course until the day comes where you take a step out of line, which I guarantee you will because they will never be satisfied with your choice; they will cut you off.  All your friendships here are based on the fear of being your next target, so that means all of these fuckers laughing at every shitty joke you that comes out of that unintelligible mouth of yours will always manage to be “unavailable” when you need them most.  Oh, and how could I forget, your relationship with Chrissy.  This will obviously breakdown when you inevitably turn to the bottle to drown your sorrows from how desperate you’ve become, and she’ll realise how better off she is without you. So really Jason, while we’ll always be nobodies, the ones that were picked on; we’ll at least be able to sleep peacefully at night knowing we will never lead the sad, lonely life that awaits you outside Hawkins High.”  

A harsh silence fell over the cafeteria, but your eyes never wavered from his.   

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go wipe custard out of my hair.  Eddie, can you help me please”. 

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  

It was silent the whole way to the gym locker room, he didn’t know what to say.  He had just watched you destroy the king of Hawkins High’s ego in the span of 3 minutes, and he was so overwhelmed at seeing you so eloquently say what you needed to say without a waver in your voice.  He had only wished your mother was there to hear it too.  He was also aware of the vulnerability you must be feeling right now, and he was unsure on how to broach the subject.  

As you went to open the girl’s locker room “woah, woah, woah little lady, where do you think you’re going??” Eddie says with eyebrows turned upward as if he’d forgotten your entire head was covered in custard.  

“Well, as you can see Eddie” pointing towards your hair “I don’t think custard is really the latest fashion craze all the kids are aiming for”.  

“No, you can’t be going in their alone, I need to sweep the area to make sure it’s safe for you” Eddie now going into spy mode, lifting his left hand into a finger gun and his right held against his ear like he’s listening to an ear piece.  

Just this gesture alone from Eddie made you crack a smile.  Yes, a smile.  

“Well Eddie, I know the school calls you a freak, but do you really want them adding perv to it” pointing to the female sign on the wall. 

“Fuck ‘em”.  With that he bolts into the girl’s locker room, running around to make sure no one else was in there. You follow slowly behind sighing and shaking your head in embarrassment.  You weren’t really embarrassed, if anything you were grateful more than ever to have Eddie by your side.  Thank you.  

Raising his hand to his ear “the premises is secure; you may now shower safely.  I’m just going to lock the door, so you get a little more privacy”.  He tries to give you the most reassuring smile he could, make you believe you were safe in his presence. 

“Can you head over to my locker and grab my clothes out please?” 

“Of course, ma lady” bowing his head.  

The water falling over you felt like fire, burning away the constant disappointment you could see in your mum’s eyes for the daughter she so obviously regretted and for the life she could have had, a life like Jason’s.  You wanted to go home.  The feelings overwhelmed you and the flood gates opened. Your tears fell uncontrollably and loud, hoping that the sound of the shower was drowning you out. 

*Knock knock* “Y/N, you alright in there?” a sheepish voice on the other side of the door.  

You turn the shower off and wrap yourself in a towel.  “I look like my dad” spoken through heaving sobs.  

“Sorry?”  

“I look like my dad, that’s why we fight.” 

Eddie puts his hands and head against the door, wanting to break it down, feeling you crumbling on the other side.  

“I’m a constant reminder of the life she chose over the life of privilege she could have had it she had never met him.  She hates me, she doesn’t have to say it, I see it in the way her expression doesn’t change to anger when we fight.  She regrets me, I’m an inconvenience more than anything to her.  I’ve never felt more alone than right now”.  

Trying to compose yourself, you open the door and Eddie moved back to give you more space.  He gives you the same look Uncle Mick would give you when you’d run to his place after a fight.  A look that conveyed that you were enough, that you were safe, here in this moment, in his presence, you were loved by someone.  With that you fall to the floor, the flood gates reopening.   

Eddie crashes over you.  He encases your whole being, protecting you from all the people in this world that have failed you, a single tear falling from his face.  “I’m here, Y/N and I’m not leaving your side”.   

It felt like you had been sitting there, with your head in his chest crying for an eternity when the school bell broke through the sounds of your cries.   

Lifting your heard from Eddie’s chest you wipe away your puffy eyes “I’m so sorry Eddie, you shouldn’t have to witness this and I’ve just ruined your shirt and…” 

“Wait, what are you wearing!?” now realising he was wearing your shirt “what the fuck! Why is there a huge fucking rip in the front of the shirt?” you gasp grabbing the shirt from his chest.  

“Well funny story there, when I went to grab your shirt from your locker, it looks like the cheerleaders may have gotten to it first” he smiles, rubbing the back of his head.  

“You can just wear my Metallica shirt.  I feel like I’m pulling off this ripped shirt thing better than you could anyway” he laughs handing you, his shirt.  

Your hands touch as you grab for the shirt “I mean it Y/N, I’m not leaving your side, we’re in this together now”.  

Rubbing his hand “thanks Eddie”. 

“Anyway, who the fuck wants to live behind a white picket fence”.  

After you got dressed you both roamed the now empty corridors, late for whatever class you had next, not being able to find the strength to care.  

“How about we play hooky for the rest of the day? Who needs to be around these pieces of shits anyway? We could go for a drive, and you could show me exactly why you think Skyhooks would out play Metallica?” Eddie asks, looking for a way to cheer you up.  

You stop in your tracks looking directly into Eddie’s soul.  Even though these people were temporary to you, maybe the friendship developing between you and Eddie didn’t have to be.  

“Let’s go” a small smile returning to your face. 

“Fuck em”.  

#eddie munson #stranger things #eddie munson x reader #stranger things x reader #Eddie Munson x fem!reader #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x you #eddie munson fluff #eddie x y/n #eddie x reader

[strawwritesfic]

Hello Straw! It has been years so I am actually super stoked and happy to find you still active in fic writing!

Since The Last Of Us TV series has been coming out I vaguely remembered reading a fic of Joel x Reader that I believe was by you because it was so well written. She was an amputee and had lost her arm from a bite, but that was the only detail I can remember. I read it on Lunaescence and have been trying to look for it again, so I thought I’d shoot in the dark as I couldn’t find it on your master lists. If this doesn’t ring a bell, so sorry—but I hope your creativity continues boundlessly as it has been since I read that fic of yours in 2013.

Cheers!!!

Aw, that's sweet of you to say! I'm glad people have enjoyed stuff I wrote even a long time ago.

Yes, that sounds like my Last of Us fic, (Don't) Hold Your Breath. Unfortunately, it's not available online at the moment. I mean, it's probably accessible somewhere, because it's the Internet. But I tried posting it on Tumblr a while back, got absolutely no interest, became embarrassed myself by the amount of swearing in it, and deleted it off Ao3, which was the one place I had posted it after Luna uh...did whatever the heck Luna did.

I was actually considering brushing the fic off and editing it before I realized there was a TV show (and no, I will not be watching it, because I am a coward), but I don't actually have a copy of anything more than my handwritten draft for a new chapter right now. I thought I had a copy in my email, but it turns out I deleted that email along with the fic.

There should be a copy of it on my old laptop, but that started acting weird almost a year ago and I turned it off and haven't actually turned it on since, since I didn't want to make the hard drive worse before I had time to try salvaging anything. I'm kinda scared to try charging it up and turning it on now. I need to, but ahhhh. What if everything is gone?

Anyway! Yeah, it's not really around right now. If I can retrieve it (and at this point in time, I don't know when I'll have time), I've had several people ask about it, and I'd be interested in editing it a little and reposting it. It's really touching that so many people remember that old thing fondly even after all these years. Thank you for your kind words, and have a nice morning/afternoon/night/whatever it is where you are!

#not fic #ask #delvalentine #the last of us #tlou

[ghostbustermelanieking]

7 or 11 jmart for the kiss prompts??

thank you so much for the prompt!! asdfgghjkll i swear i didn't mean to post a post 200 separation fic on the same day as you (i was actually working on this last night).

this is a version of the scenario i wrote in love letters where martin and jon are separated after 200. but there is absolutely no need to read love letters to understand this.

warning for discussion of the panopticon scene in 200, and for a moment of jon wishing for the Eye to return (limited to the first section).

7. “I’ve missed you” kiss & 11. “I almost lost you” kiss

Waking up without Martin almost feels like dying all over again. That horrible moment where Jon opens his eyes in the hospital, on the other side, and doesn't see Martin… he'd take being stabbed a dozen times over this. 

When he wakes up and finds Martin gone, he thinks he's lost him. That Martin's died, that he's trapped on the other side buried in rubble, dead because of Jon, and Jon's survived somehow when he really doesn't deserve to… or that Martin's alive, maybe, just maybe, but he's somewhere else entirely. One of the other worlds Annabelle spoke of, or their original world—which maybe Jon should hope for; Martin would have the others, assuming they survived, and he'd be safe from the fears, safe from whatever horrible things they've unleashed on this world with one quick motion of a knife.

Jon should hope for this, that Martin is safe and that he has the others. But he's selfish, and they promised together, and he misses Martin with everything in him. 

He's at a hospital in London, he figures out eventually. The hospital closest to where the Magnus Institute was, in another world. The nurse reports that they found him on the site where Millbank Prison used to be, and isn't that weird? And that they found him there alone. (Jon's throat closes up at that, his eyes stinging, and he pretends he's tired so the nurse will leave, so he can cry in peace.) Martin wasn't with him. Martin didn't come through.  

But after a few days lying in the hospital with nothing but his thoughts, nothing else to do, Jon starts to question this. They have no idea how this all works, the tapes and the Web and the crack between the worlds… Surely he wasn't the only one to come through. Annabelle Cane thought she'd come through or die, and if Jon came through… and they didn't find her where they found Jon, either. (Of course, maybe Annabelle ran off before Jon was ever found, but somehow Jon suspects she wouldn’t. She strikes him as someone who likes to be at the center of things.) 

If there's a possibility that Annabelle came through, and landed somewhere differently than Jon, then there is a possibility that Martin came through, too. That he is somewhere, here, and maybe he is alive. 

It's a small possibility. But Jon clings to it with everything in him. 

He can't Look for Martin ( or for Annabelle, really). The Eye is gone. If it is here in this world, it has left him. Jon tries to be grateful for this, and a part of him is—he's been reaching for humanity for so long, all while sinking further and further into something he never wanted, he should be beyond grateful that it's gone, that he is alive and can live, without fading, somewhere else. (Although a part of him insists it doesn't matter if Jon hasn't made it.) But after so long with the Eye as a captor, a safety net, a part of him he thought he couldn't cut away… trying to live without it is strange. It hovers like a phantom limb, something severed by the gaping scar in his chest. He keeps reaching for it, for the horrible comfort of Knowing, and he hates it, but he wants it back deeply. Wants it because he knows he could find Martin with it, just maybe. He keeps thinking, Give it back, just for a moment. Thinks, I'll use it to find Martin and then I'll let go, I won't ever again, I hate it but I need it, I NEED to find him…

It doesn't come back. If Jon is ever going to find Martin, he'll need to do it on his own. 

He asks all the nurses and staff, anyone he comes in contact with, if they've ever met a Martin Blackwood. Asks if there's anyone in his files with that name, or a name like it, begs the nurses to please look around for anyone like that. No luck there. Jon asks for a phone book and gets an odd look; he guesses phone books are out of fashion in this 2018, too. He can't do much while he's in the hospital, and he's about to give up hope on making any progress until he's been discharged. 

But then he manages to get a hold of a laptop. After days of asking, a nurse offers to lend him one, if he promises to keep it quiet, and not to exert himself.  

Jon searches the Internet for hours. There are dozens of Martin Blackwoods, actually, more than he ever could've guessed, and none of them seem to be Martin. He has to consider the fact that Martin may not have existed here—just like Jon didn't exist here, or doesn't seem to have, before they woke up. Which will make it nearly impossible to find him using the Internet—using anything, until Martin has been here long enough to establish a paper trail—if Martin was ever even here in the first place… 

Desperation. Panic. Jon's last resort is to write a letter. To write down every single thing he's wanted to say to Martin, the things in his head when he woke up, the things in his head when he realized Martin wasn't here. He writes it all, says the things he knows only Martin would know, so Martin will know it's him if he ever reads it. And then he spreads it across the Internet. Posts it every single place he can think of. Every social media site. A lot of forums that are frequently visited. Comments on blogs he thinks Martin might read. Anywhere he can think of. He even prints off copies and mails them to every address he can think of that Martin might be at: his Prentiss flat, his post-Prentiss flat, his mum's care home, Upton House, the safehouse. He puts his real name on it, at the very top, and Martin's, hoping that if Martin is searching on the Internet, it might come up…

Jon's desperate. He'll try anything,  any desperate, silly scheme like spreading a love note all over the Internet. Anything to get Martin back.

-

By the time Jon leaves the hospital, his letter has gone viral. Plastered all over the place. There's people picking it apart, speculating about whether it's real, calling it an excellent work of fiction, speculating it's all a joke. There's even some commentary from other Jonathan Simses and Martin Blackwoods, swearing it's of no relation to them. 

None of it is what Jon needs. He checks every iteration obsessively: every comment, repost, retweet. None of it is Martin. None of them are Martin. 

He's still looking. Every single day, he looks, in places beside his letter and its hundred iterations. He searches as far as he can, in every record he can think of. He tries to find places in London that he and Martin frequented—the ones he can find. He even goes back to the Institute, or where it should be. It isn't there, of course. Probably never was. Jon can't decide whether to be relieved or disappointed. 

It's all he can do, to look and to keep hoping. It's all he can do. 

It's hard, being alone again, after so long always being at Martin's side… They'd craved space sometimes, and they'd had it, he supposes, but now… Weeks without Martin, one, two, three weeks, and it's excruciating. Jon had said together at the end, he'd promised , and he'd tried so hard to believe it, and now he's here, impossibly, alone. 

He has nightmares almost every night. Nightmares of the Panopticon and the end of the world, the ritual, words forced up through his throat—being at the center of the Eye, at the center of the world with Jonah Magnus at his feet and Martin dying in his arms. Martin forcing the knife into his chest. Jon hasn't dreamed of anything but the statements of others for so long, and he'd thought he missed it, but now… He wakes up almost every night shaking and crying, reaching for Martin. Like clockwork. He thinks he'd do anything for a dream that isn't his, a dream that's not an endless reminder of what he's done. 

He checks the forums. He searches in familiar places. He lies in bed and thinks of Martin, tries to look for Martin, silently begs for help from anyone who might be listening (the Web, the Eye, anyone). Nothing works. Nothing.

The reminders come like clockwork: Jon might be looking for no one, might be shouting out to someone who isn't there. Martin might be dead. It might be too late to get him back. 

-

Three weeks in, Jon finds a comment on the original forum, the original place he posted the letter on that first day. A comment from an m.blackwood . 

Jon reads it with his heart in his throat. Trembling with hope. Unable to hope completely. There's a dozen different things it could be besides him. 

The comment says I thought you were dead. It says, I'm sorry. It says, I love you, says, I'm coming. 

Jon's chin trembles, his eyes stinging. He fumbles at the keyboard with shaking fingers to instant-message m.blackwood, types out his address immediately, without thinking. (He has to type it out three times before he gets it right, his hands are shaking so hard.) And after that, I miss you. Even though he said it in the letter, even though it might not be Martin—it could be someone else fucking with him, a troll or whatever it's called; it could be the Web or the Stranger, luring him into a trap. But Jon doesn't care. He doesn't care. If there's any chance, any chance it's Martin… 

The reply comes a few minutes later: I'm coming. I'm so sorry. I miss you too. I'm coming right now. And Jon wipes his eyes, presses his face into his hands, and allows himself to hope. 

-

An hour and a half later, someone is buzzing for his flat. Jon runs so fast to the door that he almost slips and falls in the hall, hits the button with entirely too much force and breathes, " Martin? " into the intercom. 

Silence for a moment, long enough that Jon starts to wonder if this is just some random person he's practically sobbing down the line at. And then a voice answers, tear-choked: "Jon?" 

Jon nearly collapses with the weight of this voice, Martin's voice. He leans hard against the wall, his eyes burning, and says, "Martin, I-I'm buzzing you in," wiping his eyes frantically. 

He doesn't move from the door, stays leaning against the wall like it is the only thing keeping him up, until he hears a tentative knock on the other end. And then he's yanking it open, as hard as he can, and on the other side is Martin. Not something pretending to be Martin, not another Martin Blackwood, but his Martin. His Martin, standing there with the faded marks of bruising, his left arm in a cast and a new scar across his forehead, tears pooling in his eyes. Martin. Jon can't breathe for a moment, can't move, can't go to Martin because it doesn't feel real, none of it. 

And then Martin's saying, "Jon?" and bursting into harsh, frantic sobs. And Jon's rushing forward. He's rushing forward and letting Martin collapse in his arms, gripping Martin tightly, his fingernails digging into Martin's shoulders, his face pressed into Martin's neck. He's trying to hold on without squeezing or holding too tight, in case Martin's hurt worse than he knows—he's saying Martin's name over and over again, a senseless litany into Martin's skin: Martin, Martin. He's crying, too, hot tears dotting the fabric of Martin's shirt. He's burrowing as close as he can, pulling Martin into him, desperate to feel every part of him—it's him, he's here, it's Martin, they haven't lost each other. 

Martin's holding on just as tightly, trembling in Jon's arms where they've sunk to the ground, right in Jon's doorway. He's crying so hard, it's difficult to understand what he's saying, but eventually Jon begins to make it out. He's saying I'm so sorry. Again and again, muffled into Jon's hair: I'm so sorry.  

"No," Jon says, suddenly desperate. " Martin. No." He pulls back to look Martin in the eye, to try and wipe the tears off of Martin's face (even though he is crying, too). Leans up to press a kiss against Martin's forehead. "Martin, please, please… p-please don't apologize, please…"

"I killed you," Martin chokes out, his eyes shut, his dark lashes wet against his cheeks. "I killed you, Jon, I hurt you, a-and I… I thought you were dead, wh-when I woke up here, w-without you, I thought I'd never see you again, because of me… "

"I thought I'd lost you, " Jon says, quietly, through his own tears. He wipes the tears from Martin's face again and again. "A-and it really would've been my fault, because I lied to you, I-I was the reason you were up there… Martin, please. " 

" Jon. " Martin tugs him a little closer, burrows closer still, his face pressed into the juncture between Jon's shoulder and his neck. 

"It's okay." Jon kisses Martin's forehead again, his temple, his cheek, the top of his head. "Martin. Martin, it's—you're here, it can all be okay now…" 

Martin leans up abruptly to catch Jon's mouth with his. It's salty and lingering and desperate, every single thing Jon has felt in these long horrible days without Martin, every single kiss he wanted to give Martin while he was gone. Jon sinks into it, gripping Martin as tightly as he can, gripping onto his shirt, kissing Martin fiercely, with the panicked relief of being alive, of finding each other again. 

Even when the kiss finishes, they don't let go. They stay there, clinging to each other in the doorway, leaning against Jon's open door. Martin's still crying, still trembling in Jon's arms; he says, I missed you too, I missed you so much; Jon says, Martin, I missed you every single day. Every single moment. 

Martin whispers I love you against Jon's hair. Saying it back is as easy as breathing.

#tma fic #mag 200 #jonmartin #the magnus archives #post 200 #i wrote this #i might write more fics in this specific 200 scenario. like especially if i wanna write something where they talk things out

[broiderie]

Lost Princessa 25

So I'm quarantined until Thursday (if I don't pop positive on a test before then) so you guys reap the benefits of me having bronchitis and possibly COVID.

Thanks to @drabbles-mc and @iamthegraham. I love how you guys keep me going with this story and take anything I throw at y'all in stride.

This is a BEAST of a chapter with plenty of set up for the next chapter which may or may not already be written, so let's get the formalities out of the way.

Please do not translate, duplicate or in anyway copy my writing on any other platforms. I promise, there's only one of me and the only place this is posted is right here.

Warnings: cursing, talk of murder, talk of human trafficking. Let me know if I missed anything please?

After her shower, Megan searched through the closet to see what Letty had bought. There were a couple of backless dresses - surely Letty had thought of what went under those. Megan sighed and picked up her phone to call and find out.

Two rings in, Coco picked up Letty’s phone. “Who the fuck is this?!”

Megan giggled. “Well good morning to you too, Coco. It’s Megan. Got a question for my personal shopper.”

Coco chuckled. “Sorry Ma. I was expecting it to be some asshole boy. Gimme a sec. I’ll roll her outta bed.”

“‘Kay. Thanks, Coco.”

“No problem, Ma.”

Megan giggled again as she heard a muffled scuffle and much swearing from the teenager. A minute or so later, Letty’s sleepy voice came through the speaker. “‘Lo. Who’s this?”

Megan outright laughed. “It’s Megan. Got a question for you about my wardrobe that you purchased.”

“Oh. Hey girl. What’s up?” Letty asked through a yawn.

“So, you bought me backless dresses - any chance you bought the bra to match? I can’t exactly wear a regular one for a few days. It’ll rub the new ink.” Megan flicked through hangers looking for a shirt to wear. The dresses were tempting just because they were something completely new to her - and they were especially tempting after this morning’s time in bed with Hank - but not exactly practical with riding the bikes.

An excited squeal came through the speakers. “Yes! I got some of those stick on bras. Things work miracles for a clubbing dress. Please tell me you’re wearing one of the dresses today?”

Megan laughed again. “I thought about it, but I really can’t. I’ve never worn one and dresses and bikes don’t mix.”

“Oh please! I thought of that too. There should be some cotton shorts you can wear under the dresses in there somewhere too. Please wear one? I desperately want to see you in the green one. Hank will lose every bit of his SHIT!” Letty begged.

“So will Papa!” Megan exclaimed.

“Nah. Taza’ll be cool with it. Please…?” It sounded like Letty was really turning on the puppy eyes. “It’ll make putting lotion on your tattoo SO much easier too!”

Megan bit her lip and sighed as she found the dress Letty was referring to. A dark green skater dress that was backless but actually had ¾ length sleeves to it. It wasn’t TOO short… and if she had shorts on under it, it couldn’t be TOO bad… “Fine! You win. But if Papa or mi padrinos lose their shit - I’m blaming you!”

Letty cheered triumphantly and Megan could hear Coco in the background asking what the fuck was going om. “I’ll take it! See you later at the club house?”

“Yep. See you soon” Megan chuckled as she hung up before going to dig through the dresser and find where Hank had put the bra and the shorts Letty mentioned.

Forty-five minutes later there was a knock on her bedroom door. “Chica - you good? Breakfast is ready,” Taza called.

“Ugh. Okay, Papa. Just fighting with my hair!” Megan called back.

He cautiously cracked the door open to find Megan fighting to twist her long hair into a bun in front of the dresser mirror. His eyes briefly scanned over her in the deep emerald dress with the open back proudly showing off her new ink. He couldn’t help but smile. “Well look at you, Chica! Don’t you look pretty this morning.”

Megan smiled a little at him in the mirror and let her hair fall again. “Need to let the tattoo breathe. I couldn’t find a shirt to do it, and Letty begged me to wear the dress so…”

Taza slipped inside and shut the door. “You’re beautiful, Sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead gently. “Want me to braid your hair like yesterday so it doesn’t irritate you so much?”

“Do you mind? I was trying not to bug you about it today.” She smiled sheepishly up at him.

“I’ll never mind helping with your hair, Chica. We need to get you a dressing table for in here.” He smiled. “I’ll have the prospect go pick one up today. Til then…” he slipped out and found the little wooden step stool she’d been using in the kitchen “this’ll do.” He sat on the bed with the stool in front of him and patted it.

Megan sat in front of him and handed him the pins and hair ties from the day before along with her hair brush.

Taza brushed her hair gently and started braiding. “Yeah. A dressing table and a good hair brush. Somewhere to keep your hair things. Maybe a few pretty things for if you feel like getting dressed up sometimes.” He smiled and carefully slid some pins in as he went. The braiding went a lot quicker today since he’d remembered the feel of it.

“Papa… you know I don’t need things like that.” She played with the hem of her dress and looked down at the white low tops she was wearing.

He kissed her hair and smiled. “I know, Chica. You’re gorgeous without them but every girl deserves some pretty things. And I have some of my mother’s things in my closet. Seeing you in that dress reminded me.” He slid the last pin in. “There you go, Sweetheart.” He stood with a smile.

Megan went to glance in the mirror. “Thank you, Papa. I love it.”

“You’re welcome, Chica. Wait right there for me. I’ll be right back.”

Taza slipped out the door and shut it firmly before moving to his room across the hall.

“Hey - she okay, Taz?” Hank asked anxiously from the end of the hall.

“Yeah, brother. She’s fine. Just had an issue with her hair. We’ll be out in a minute.” Taza chuckled and went to get the wooden box from the top of his closet.

Inside was all his mother’s everyday jewelry. Some of it was heirloom stuff from his mother’s tribe. Some of it was Mexican from after her marriage to his father. Either way - it would all be Megan’s now. He chuckled and resolved that he’d buy her something pretty on each run he went on without her - starting with tomorrow’s Vegas run.

He took the wooden box back in and set it on Megan’s dresser for now.

She smiled at him as she finished putting in her earrings. Her crown necklace already sat around her neck. “Wow.” She touched the lid reverently. “Was this hers?”

“Yeah. And her mother’s before that. Only right that it belongs to you now.” He opened the box to show beaded and metal jewelry alike. He pulled out a soft cloth bundle and revealed a pair of small silver hair combs with a single green gem on each.

Megan gasped softly. “Oh! They’re gorgeous, Papa. I can’t wear those. What if they get lost?”

“Then they get lost, Chica. It happens. Most of this is everyday wear. I have all the special pieces put back for special times for you.” He smiled and slipped the combs securely into her braids. “There. They suit you, Chica.”

“Are you sure, Papa?” Megan looked in the mirror and couldn’t help but touch the silver pieces where they stood out against her dark hair.

“Of course I’m sure. You’re allowed pretty things.” He nudged her chin up so she was looking him in the eyes. “Don’t worry. I have all her ceremonial things with her regalia. These are all things that she wore whenever she felt like it.” He smiled. “You’ll get her regalia too, when you’re ready for that.”

Megan nodded and smiled softly. “Okay.”

“Good girl. Now - breakfast is ready and Hank is anxious.” He chuckled. “I hope you have shorts under that dress so he can show you off before Templo.”

Megan giggled a little and nodded again. “Letty thought of everything I think.”

“Good. C’mon then. Let’s get you fed.” He slung his arm around her shoulders and led her to the door. “Besides, I want to see his jaw hit the floor.”

Hank looked up as Taza entered the kitchen. “Get it straightened out? I put the pancakes in the oven to stay warm.”

“You tell me…” Taza smiled and stepped to the side to start making Megan a cup of coffee.

Megan laughed at her father’s dramatics. “Sorry. I was trying to get my hair to stay up…” she trailed off as she watched Hank’s jaw go slack.

Taza chuckled. “Told ya, Chica, and he hasn’t even seen the back. Give him a spin.”

Megan shook her head a bit. “You gonna catch him if he passes out? Hank, Baby, you gotta breathe. It’s just a dress.”

Hank took a deep breath. “Dios mío! Warn a man, Princessa.”

Megan laughed again. “It’s JUST a dress, Hank. Letty bought it and I figured it would let my tattoo breathe.” She played with her hem a bit self-consciously.

“It’s not just the dress, Princessa. You’re beautiful.” Hank stood and took two steps towards her.

“Thank you.” Megan smiled and took the cup of coffee from Taza when he offered it. “Thank you, Papa.”

Hank offered his hand to escort Megan to her seat and she took it with a grin. As he seated her, Taza replied “you’re welcome, Chica.” He chuckled as Hank stared at Megan’s exposed back and Taza saw him swallow hard. “You okay, hermano?”

Hank chuckled back. “Fine Taz. Our brothers on the other hand may not survive the day if they can’t keep their eyes to themselves.”

After breakfast, Megan tucked her wallet and phone into the inner pocket of her riding jacket. “What time is Templo?”

Taza glanced at his watch. “About an hour. You ready, Chica?”

“Yeah. I’ll do whatever you guys decide - as long as it doesn’t put any of you at risk.” She took her jacket down off the hook Taza had hung next to the one where his kutte hung.

“Princessa, we won’t take unnecessary risks.” Hank took her jacket from her and held it for her to slip into before brushing his fingers gently over the back of her neck. He couldn’t help envisioning a gold crown tattooed just below her hair line. While Taza was shrugging into his own kutte, Hank placed a kiss there.

Megan smiled at him over her shoulder. “Try not to kill your brothers today, hmm. It’s just the dress.” She squeezed his fingers gently.

“No promises, Princessa. And I keep telling you - it’s not just the dress.”

Taza chuckled. “C’mon. Let’s get la princessa there early enough that the novelty of seeing how pretty she is has time to wear off before Templo or her padrinos might just murder them all for you, Tranq.”

At the club house, the only bikes there before them were EZ, Marcus and Bishop.

Hank helped Megan out of her jacket and tucked her securely under his arm. Taza just shook his head with a smile. He knew Hank was going to lose his shit, but this was better than he expected.

The bigger Mayan seemed stuck between wanting to keep his hands on Megan at all times and trying to be a gentleman. The planned boxing lesson should be absolutely hilarious. Taza shot a quick text to Marcus and Bishop so they’d be sure to watch Hank and be as amused as Taza was.

Inside they found only the Padrinos at a table. EZ was nowhere to be found. He was probably in his trailer.

“Buenos días, Poquito! Look at you! Remind me to send a picture to your tía of you today. She’ll love this.” Marcus smiled as he stood to offer his god daughter a hug.

“Buenos días, Tío Marcus,” Megan said with a smile. “Thank you. I just needed something to let my tattoo air for the day.”

“You definitely found something to do that.” Bishop chuckled and motioned for her to turn so he could examine her ink. “Wow.” He looked at Hank. “Beautiful work, brother. Can’t wait to see it finished.”

“Thanks, Bish. She takes ink like a champ.” He smiled but kept his eyes on Megan as Marcus led her away to get another cup of coffee. He startled a bit when Taza patted his shoulder.

“Easy, hermano. Just her tío,” Taza said with a smile. He knew how Hank felt.

Hank grinned sheepishly. “Can you blame me? She looks like she stepped out of a storybook.”

Bishop chuckled. “She’s beautiful, brother, I admit. Where’d the hair combs come from? I thought we weren’t giving jewelry gifts before the Quince?”

Taza chuckled at his brother’s suspicion. “Not a gift. An heirloom. They were my mother’s.”

“Ahh. Fair enough.” Bishop looked at Hank only to see he was smiling at Megan who was watching him from across the bar with a grin. Bishop shook his head and nudged Taza who hid a smile behind his hand. “Dios mío. I swear - he’s twitterpated!”

Hank snapped out of it to look at the two older men. “What?”

“Man, are you going to be able to concentrate during Templo? We need all hands on deck here,” Bishop reminded him. “Megan’s safety depends on it.”

Hank nodded and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. “I’ll be fine.”

“Good, because we’re holding Templo out here. El Padrino and I agree - Megan needs to be a part of this discussion. We can’t just make decisions for her. Since she’s not patched, she can’t enter Templo. Prospect is gonna get a headstart on his yardshift and we’re holding full Templo in the bar.” Bishop lit a cigarette.

Taza nodded. “Sounds like a good idea to me. She can keep Hank focused enough. We’ll just sit her on his lap!” Taza teased.

Hank just chuckled. “Fair enough. That’s where I want her anyway with both charters here.”

EZ slipped inside from the kitchen doorway and Hank tensed. Marcus noted the sudden tension in the younger man from across the room and smiled down at his adopted niece. “Hank seems extra protective today. Everything alright, Poquito?” Marcus asked her as she put together coffee for herself, Hank and Taza.

Megan smiled. “Everything’s fine, Padrino. I just startled him this morning with the dress. I’ve never worn one before.”

Marcus chuckled. “If he loses it this much over a sundress, we may need EMTs at your party.”

Megan caught Hank’s eye with a smile and ducked her head a little shyly. “I’m still me.”

“You sure are, Poquito, but Hank is new to this relationship stuff too. He desperately wants to keep you safe and near him. He’d do anything if you never had to cry again. He doesn’t want anyone to even think about you in a disrespectful way, but he has no way of marking that you’re under his protection except his presence either.” Marcus reached out to gently tug the crown pendant around her neck. “That marks you as a daughter of the club. Gives you your father’s protection as well as Bishop’s and mine- but not HIS.”

“But I AM his girl. Eventually I’ll wear his mark. The vote just said only wives wear the permanent mark. We haven’t been together long enough for that.” Megan poured coffee into the three cups she had ready and offered Marcus a refill.

“True enough, Poquito. We just need to keep him from killing anyone until he relaxes into it.” Marcus winked and held the tray of coffee for her as she came out from behind the bar.

She laughed and waved at EZ to let him know she had Hank and Taza covered. They had settled into one of the seating areas of the club house and after she had put the coffee on the table between them, Hank gently guided her into his lap.

“Yo Prospect!” Bishop called, making Megan startle a bit. “C’mere.”

Megan settled closer to Hank's chest and leaned into him and his arm went around her bare back to steady her. He couldn’t resist stroking her soft skin with his thumb soothingly.

EZ came over to see what Bishop needed. “Yes, sir?”

“I need a Templo table put together here in the bar. One large enough for el Padrino’s men as well as ours. Once everyone gets here - you clear out and shut the gate. You’re on guard duty until otherwise notified for that rat bastard cop.” Bishop lit a cigarette.

“Yes, sir. Should I set up the front office for the girls? They’ll need a cooler and I can go turn the A/C on for them…” EZ asked.

“No need. Coco’s girl can stay in here if she comes. She’ll keep her mouth shut. And Poquito will be at the table with Hank and Taza.” Bishop exhaled smoke and waved it away from the group.

EZ startled a bit. “Yes, sir.” He went to start pushing tables together as the other men chuckled.

“Why hold Templo in the bar?” Megan asked quietly. “Isn’t the table in there big enough for both groups?”

Bishop chuckled. “Yes, but you have to have a full patch to enter Templo and YOU don’t.”

Marcus smiled softly as awareness bloomed across Megan’s face. “You deserve a say in what happens to the bastard, Poquito. He’s tormented you for fourteen years. Now you get to return the favor.”

The roar of bikes cut through the bar as Megan nodded, but pressed herself closer to Hank’s comforting warmth.

Hank stroked gently down her spine as her felt tension begin to knot her up. “Easy, Princessa. I’m here. Lean on me,” he whispered. He felt her tuck herself completely against his chest with her forehead pressed against the side of his neck. Her back was braced by his arm and the arm of the couch.

“Hank?” Megan whispered as men began to come inside revealing el Padrino’s men and not the men of the Santo Padre charter.

“Si, Princessa?”

“What happened to that prospect’s sponsor?” she asked quietly as her eyes roamed the unfamiliar men nervously.

“Hmm. Dunno.” Hank slid the hand that rested on her knee up to cup her face and kiss her forehead. “Stay right here until we find out though.”

Marcus sat up in his arm chair and greeted his men. “Buenos dias! Get yourselves some coffee. We’re holding Templo here in the bar.”

Marco - who Megan recognized as Hank’s friend - nodded with a frown. “Everything alright, Padrino?”

“You’ll find out during Templo,” Marcus said and lit a cigarillo.

“Si, Padrino.”

The men were noisy, but Megan could see that they weren’t as close as her own little family. There was joking and ribbing, but almost no contact between these strange Mayans. She looked to Taza and Hank. “Should I be behind the bar since EZ is busy putting the table together?”

Bishop answered her. “No, Poquito. You aren’t here as the bartender today. You’re family. You stay right where you are. You’re doing plenty keeping Hank focused.”

Megan nodded and glanced up at Hank who pressed a gentle kiss to her lips. “Stay right here, Princessa. I’ve got you.”

One of Marcus’ men noticed her and laughed. “I didn’t realize we could bring our own girls. I’d have brought a few of Vickies’s for myself.”

Hank tensed and Megna slipped her hand under his kutte to grip his shirt. “Remember - Arthur and Guinevere…” she whispered.

Hank took a deep breath of the scent of her shampoo and forced his muscles to relax. “Arthur and Guinevere.”

Megan smiled and kissed his jaw before looking up at the stranger. “You obviously weren’t here last time.” She held up her crown necklace. “But I KNOW the results of the princessa vote went wide, so either you’re begging for a cage match or you’re stupid. Which is it?”

“I’d like to hear that answer as well…” Bishop said, ashing his cigarette casually, but sitting forward in his chair with authority. “If you want a cage match, I’m sure Tranq will oblige, but making stupid comments about my god daughter will almost certainly get you killed here.”

Marcus sighed theatrically. “I thought I’d weeded out the dumbasses this time. Clearly I underestimated his stupidity. My apologies Bishop, Poquito.”

The man stuttered through an apology to Bishop and Marcus.

“Why are you apologizing to us? It was OUR goddaughter you basically called a whore. The daughter of the Santo Padre VP, I might add. You should be apologizing to her and her caballero - not us.” Bishop pointed out.

Hank was still tense, but Megan stayed snuggled against his chest and his hands were gentle as they continued to stroke the skin of her lower back and outer thigh.

The Mayan attempted to apologize to Hank - who growled deep in his chest causing goosebumps to litter Megan’s skin. “Still no apology for la princessa de los Mayas? You and I will be meeting in the cage this afternoon,” Hank growled. “We’ll see if you apologize better with fewer teeth. Get the fuck away from us.”

The man scrambled to put himself on the other side of the bar from them and Hank relaxed a smidge. He pressed apologetic kisses to Megan’s forehead.

Megan sighed. “I’m going to have to sit at the table with them, aren’t I?”

Bishop sipped his coffee. “We were just going to leave you on Hank’s lap so you’d be more comfortable, but now I think we need to establish you as Princessa. You’ll have a chair between Taza and Hank. You won’t have to be near anyone you don’t want to be.”

“How are we doing this?” Taza asked quietly. “Santo Padre on one side, Oakland on the other? Usually we only combine for Grand Templo and then it’s just officers at the table.”

“Sounds like a plan to me - Bishop and I at the head of the table - but you run the show, hermano. Your club house,” Marcus said. He sat back in his arm chair and offered Megan a small smile.

A loud rumble of bikes announced the arrival of the Santo Padre charter. Megan relaxed just a little bit more as she realized that her friends were here.

The men piled in laughing and joking to be greeted by their more serious brother charter. They quickly made their way over to the gathering at the couch. Morning greetings were passed quickly with many of them aimed at Megan.

Hank watched as Megan resituated herself on his knee so that she wasn’t hidden against him any more and had to smile. She was much more comfortable in the presence of her family.

Creeper had noted it too. “Everything go alright before we got here, Little Princess?” he asked her with a smile.

“I guess. Hank’s got an appointment in the cage this afternoon though.” Megan shrugged a bit nervously. “Apparently my reputation does not precede me yet.”

Creeper looked to Hank for an explanation.

“One of our Oakland brothers needs a lesson in manners is all. I’m more than willing to be the teacher.” Hank kissed Megan’s knuckles and smiled. “They’ll learn to give mi princessa the respect she deserves.”

“Fair enough.” Creeper smiled and patted his brother’s shoulder. “I’ll ref for you.”

“Hey Coco? Where’s Letty?” Megan asked curiously. “She said she’d be here and she better show after begging me to wear this dress.”

Coco lit a cigarette with a smirk. “She’ll be here later, Ma. I made her finish her homework first. Chuckie’s gonna go get her around lunch.” He chuckled. “She told me she’d picked your outfit this morning. Said something about airing out new ink. Lemme see.”

Megan grinned and stood to give the guys her back and show off Hank’s work. “Hank started fixing it yesterday so I had to be careful what I wore. Isn’t it gorgeous?”

All the guys very pointedly kept their eyes on her back as Hank narrowed his eyes at them.

“Wow, Shorty. That’s a lot of ink over your spine,” Angel said. He looked at Hank and grinned. “Very nice work, brother.”

Hank smiled up at Megan. “She took it like a champ too. Nearly four hours work and only took one break. She’d have kept going if I hadn’t stopped where I did.” He chuckled. “I’ll finish it in a few weeks when she’s healed.”

Coco looked closer and Hank tensed a bit before realizing that Coco was just admiring the art. “You did a great cover-up. Can’t even tell the old one was there.”

Megan smiled down at Hank proudly and preened - just a little - at his public praise for her stamina.

A sharp whistle cut through the air. “Time for table - Prospect make sure everyone has what they need and then shut the gate. Keep an eye out for our out of town friend,” Bishop called.

EZ quickly made sure everyone had a drink and put a few bottles of water at the end of the table where he knew Hank and Taza would have Megan and then went outside, shutting the door decisively behind him.

Bishop and Marcus moved to the head of the table before indicating for each group to take their places. Hank and Taza escorted Megan between them to the chair placed for her. None of the Santo Padre chapter batted an eye when Megan took her place, but a few grumbles were heard from the Oakland men.

Bishop called the meeting to order. “We have serious business to discuss today, brothers. My god daughter has a very large stake in the main matter of discussion. That’s why we’re holding Templo out here, so she can express any opinions she might have. Other matters can be freely discussed with her present as well - she knows all club business - but she won’t speak on anything to do with normal business.”

There were nods all around the table.

Marcus spoke next. “First - let’s get the run planning out of the way. Housekeeping first. Galindo will match our numbers. Who’s going?”

That was Creeper’s que to speak. “Taza is going as senior officer. As Road Captain - of course I’ll be going. We need at least two more.”

Bishop looked over his men. “Your turn Riz. Coco, Gilly and Angel were on the last run. Hank - you’re on minimal runs until we get the situation with Megan sorted and I can’t go because either Taza or I have to be present for the trespassing complaint to stick.” He turned to el Padrino. “Any of your boys want to make some quick cash while they’re down here? That’d solve our issue nicely.”

Marcus looked over his men. “Marco - I’ll give you first dibs. I know your daughter’s quince is coming up.”

Marco nodded. “I’ll go, Padrino. Becca’s party is getting close. Appreciate the extra cash.”

Bishop nodded. “Good. Coordinate with Creeper or Taza then. Preferably Creep. Taza has his hands full.”

Once Marco nodded, Bishop lit another cigarette and leaned forward over the makeshift ‘table’. “Now - for our main order of business. Some of you don’t know, so I’ll summarize from the beginning. A short time ago, Taza discovered that he had a daughter on a run. When given the option, Megan decided that she wanted to get to know her Papa and came back to Santo Padre with us. She is now my god daughter as well as being Marcus’ god daughter. She is also the reason for the princessa vote that happened in Santo Padre a few days ago as well as the markers for our queens.”

Marcus interjected as he tapped the ash off his cigarillo. “She is la princessa de los Mayas and will be treated as such. By all charters. She’s chosen Tranq as her caballero until they either part ways or she becomes his reina. Any slight to her means a cage match with him or another chosen champion. Am I understood?”

A chorus of “Si Padrino”s was heard. Marcus nodded and turned back to Bishop as Hank slid an arm around the back of Megan’s chair offering quiet support.

Bishop nodded. “Once here, we discovered MEgan was being stalked by her abusive ex-husband to attempt to beat an attempted murder rap. We eventually caught him and disposed of the issue.” He saw heads nodding all around. This was pretty standard practice in the club. “We disposed of the body in a car accident since the asswipe was out on parole. Figured it would keep the State of Tennessee happy while still giving Megan any benefits he may have had as next of kin.” He stopped to take a sip of beer. “Yesterday a Tennessee detective showed up asking questions and demanding to take Megan into custody. He set off her PTSD pretty bad, but after we got rid of him, she identified him as her foster brother from the age of twelve, Brandon Coleman. Further investigation on our part shows Detective Coleman is actually on leave from his department and is not here on state business. He just wants Megan and thought he could bluff his way into getting her because we’re a bunch of ‘dumb bikers’.”

One of the Oakland brothers frowned. “Why? No offense, but why does he want his sister so badly? No offense.”

Bishop looked to Megan who was chewing her lip hard enough to make it bleed. “We think he’s tied up in human trafficking. All evidence points to him selling Megan to her ex- for an undetermined price. He may want to dispose of her as evidence…” he paused and took a deep breath. “Or he may want to sell her again.”

The table was silent except for Megan’s harsh breathing. Hank was doing his best to resist pulling her into his lap to comfort her. He kept his arm tight around her and noticed Taza gripping her hand under the table.

Bishop swallowed and looked to Marcus. “You called Galindo’s people to see what you could find out. Any answers?”

Marcus nodded to the man beside him. “José was the contact I gave. I wanted to be freed up to help if Poquito needed us.”

Bishop nodded. “Anything?”

José pulled a folder out of his kutte. “Coleman is connected to three powerful trafficking rings. Two are of the mail-order bride type and the third is a hard core sex slavery ring. From what we can tell - la princessa would have been his first victim. No money seems to have exchanged hands, but shortly before he made detective, Coleman broke three drug cases wide open. The only way he could have gotten them is insider information.” José paused. He looked at Megan apologetically. “Then again - after the wedding of his sister to her now ex-, Coleman broke another career-making case wide open.”

Megan swallowed hard. “So he did sell me to advance his career.”

“I’m afraid so ma’am.” José said quietly before clearing his throat and continuing. “After that, Coleman can be connected to the disappearance of several women after their cases were closed. He goes on record saying he found them resources to start over and have a better life. On paper - the man’s a saint. In truth, Lucifer himself would condemn this man.” He passed the folder to Bishop. “All the proof is in there.”

Bishop flipped through it. “We’ll pass this information to our local police contact. It should be enough to get his badge pulled and a bolo put out for him. Until we can catch him - Megan you will stay in the presence of two full patches at all times.” He looked at her apologetically.

Megan nodded. She’d expected as much. At least they weren’t locking her down at the club house. “Si, Padrino. I understand,” she said quietly and looked down at her hands.

“Everyone else who isn’t on the run or babysitting duty - be on the lookout for anyone out of place. We’ve got pictures of him, but we don’t know if he has any allies here in Santo Padre.” Bishop passed around a picture from the yard security camera.

Megan spoke up. “Be careful if you do find him. He does have law enforcement training as well as being a big game hunter back home. He shouldn’t have S.W.A.T. or special ops training though.” She looked down at her lap. “If you have him and need physical leverage - his left shoulder is very weak from an old injury when we were teenagers.”

One of Marcus’ men spoke up, “Anything else you can give us? Any habits he would need to feed while he’s out here?”

Megan thought carefully. “No drug habit, but he likes to drink. Can’t hold his liquor very well though and has a rotten temper as a drunk. He’ll probably get himself thrown out of at least one bar.” She flinched at the memory of him being drunk and belligerent as a teenager. “He’s a bully. He won’t pick on someone his own size. And he likes to hit women. Like a lot.” She looked at Riz. “Did Vickie get warned about him? I’d hate for her girls to get hurt because he’s here after me.”

Riz smiled and nodded. “I can send her a copy of his picture, but I asked her this morning to not accept any new customers until this is sorted. They’ll be safe, Princessa. And this was NOT your fault. He’s not here because of you. He’s here because of him.”

Megan nodded and swallowed hard before looking at Hank. “You aren’t going to like this,” she said quietly. She met everyone’s eyes at the table. “I’m telling you all - right now. If he somehow does get his hands on me and tries to use me as a shield to get out - I’d rather be dead than be sold again. Take the damn shot.”

Coco spoke up. “It comes down to it, Ma, it’ll be me taking that shot. I won’t let him take you, but I won’t kill you either.”

Hank gave up and pulled her into his lap. “He won’t take you, Princessa. Not again.”

Megan nodded and curled tight in Hank’s lap burying her face in his kutte. He shielded her from the eyes of the brothers who didn’t know her situation as Taza petted down her back. Creeper was on Hank’s other side and gently jostled her white sneakers in support.

“Alright. You heard her. Spread out if you don’t already have an assignment. Show his photo to bar bouncers and diner girls. You find him - you call one of us -” Marcus indicated himself and Bishop. “And don’t be shocked if five-oh and Galindo’s men are looking for him too. Remember - today we’re all on the same team.”

Bishop struck the gavel and Oakland immediately cleared out. Gilly and Angel both patted Hank’s back on the way out but Coco reached out to Megan and nudged her gently where she was curled in Hank’s lap.

“I gotchu, Ma. He ain’t gettin past me.” He kissed his fingers and pressed them to the crown of her head before heading out to work in the yard.

Creeper nudged her again. “Hey Little Princess. We got you just like we got your pops. Ain’t nobody taking you from us now. We’re family and you’re stuck with us.”

Megan gave him a tiny smile from her safe spot under Hank’s chin. “Thanks, Creep.”

“No problem.” He winked and went out to patrol the perimeter of the scrapyard.

Soon it was just Megan, Hank, Taza and her Padrinos. Then men sat and let Megan calm as Hank rocked her.

“So, Poquito, ready to hang with the old guys for the afternoon?” Bishop asked with a smile. “Hank’s got a shift so we thought we’d take advantage and take you to look and Quince dresses. He’s not allowed to see your dress as your escort until your party anyway.”

Megan giggled as Hank groaned.

“Hey now. It’s tradition - and you best be making bouquet arrangements, hermano. You know that’s on you.” Marcus teased.

Hank chuckled. “You’re funny if you think I’ve got ANY say in that matter. Mama probably had had the flowers on order since we got back from the reservation run.”

Taza laughed outright. “You aren’t wrong. She asked me about colors at dinner the other night!”

Once they’d all had a good laugh at Hank’s expense, Megan spoke up hesitantly. “Could Letty come look at dresses with us? She’s really good with clothes.”

“Of course, Poquito. Maybe even see if she wants to be on your court, heh?” Bishop asked. “She could be your first maid. You really should have at least a small court.” He looked at everyone else. “Who could we get as her escort?”

Taza grinned. “Either make the Prospect do it or one of the other idiots.”

“The Prospect - definitely the Prospect. Coco would shoot our asses if we did Angel or Gilly and we’ll be lucky if Coco puts on clean jeans for the party,” Hank chuckled.

With all the talk of the party, Megan started to relax and come out of the shell she’d been hiding in. She’d uncurled some and was now more just resting back against Hank’s chest with a small smile.

Bishop grinned as Megan relaxed some more and even joined in the teasing. Even though he knew she was scared out of her wits - she was comfortable enough with just these few men to still relax. She was finally starting to realize that she was truely family and it made him very happy..

He stood and stretched. “I’m sending the prospect to pick up Letty. I know Chuckie was supposed to go, but I’d rather someone a little more alert pick her up to be safe.” He patted Hank and nudged Marcus. “C’mon Padrino, Taza. Let’s swap Megan’s stuff to our bikes.”

Marcus chuckled. “Not subtle Primo, but alright.” He winked at Megan and followed Bishop.

Taza chuckled and kissed Megan’s head. “Come find me when you’re ready?”

“Okay, Papa. Be there in a minute.”

The elders slipped out leaving Megan and Hank alone.

“What happened to two patches at all times?” Megan asked Hank with a grin.

Hank chuckled. “Guaranteed one of the assholes is right outside the door. It counts.” He nuzzled her gently before encouraging her to sit astraddle of his lap. Once she was settled. He lifted her chin to kiss her deeply and smiled as she melted into him. He held her close once he finally let her breathe and kept their foreheads pressed together. “You did good, Princessa. Real good. I’m proud of you.”

Megan fiddled with his rosary and sighed. “Do we trust Oakland?”

Hank nodded. “For the most part. They’re El Padrino’s home charter. The Mother Charter if you will. We trust them with club secrets and we trust them not to betray us to our enemies.” He gently stroked a wisp of hair out of her face. “Do I trust them alone with you? Hell no. But I don’t trust anyone but Taza and your Padrinos for that.” “Okay, so let’s keep my babysitters local if we can? Please? I know that’s a lot, but I don’t know those other guys.” Megan shrugged.

“Of course, Princessa.” Hank pressed another kiss to her lips. “Try to have fun with your tíos and papa this afternoon, huh? They’re excited to get to do this with you.”

Megan laughed. “We’ll see how excited they are after they see all the frills and lace.” She planted her knees and sat up tall to kiss him on a more even level, deepening this kiss and running her fingers through his hair.

Hank let her lead with a grin. She was getting comfortable with starting affection and he loved it… at least until he realized that he was going to pull a yard shift with his jeans tighter than they should be in a certain spot. He groaned and broke the kiss. “Mi Princessa… you are making it very difficult to let you go with your Papa this afternoon…”

She smiled and pecked his lips again slyly. “But now you’ll think of me this afternoon…”

He petted firmly down her spine to grasp her hips and sighed. “Definitely. Tell you what. We can’t exactly go on a date right now, but this evening - if you’re good - I’ll have you a surprise planned for at home.”

She nodded eagerly and kissed his jaw before allowing him to stand. She couldn’t help but giggle as he tugged his kutte straight but forgot to straighten the mess she’d made of his hair.

“Good girl. Let’s go find your pops, mi princessa. You’ve got shopping to do.”

#mayansmc #mayans mc #lost princessa #che taza romero #mayans mc fanfic #taza x daughter!oc #hank loza #megan(oc) x hank

[nyctophilin]

Fake Affection | III

Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV, Epilogue

Description: Han Jisung has been rejected by the girl he likes one to many times. He decides that he has had enough and is set on making her want him back. What could possibly make her want him more than seeing him with her rival after she boldly assumed he can’t find anyone better. That way Jisung and Y/N are stuck in a fake relationship until Jisung’s crush falls for him. Or he falls for someone else.

All rights reserved © nyctophilin 2020. Re-posting, copying and translating any of my works is prohibited.

Pairing: Han x fem!Reader, Hyunjin x fem!Reader

Word count: 5.1k

Genre: College!AU, Fake dating!AU, Angst, Fluff, eventual Smut

Warnings: swearing, mild groping, mild violence

Pearl note -> This got long. Yeah, things got interesting in this part. :)) Also, I realized I forgot to add something so I had to come back last minute and edit it. Yeah, sorry for the delay. :/ I hope y’all enjoy it! Feedback is very much appreciated.

      The sun was shining brightly despite it being almost 6 PM. The temperature outside reached unusually high numbers for that time of the year, and Y/N decided to take advantage of that. Dressed in a forest green spring dress that reached her mid-thighs and offered a modest view of her cleavage, she was waiting for Jisung in front of her apartment complex. The dress she was wearing had short sleeves, but she decided not to take any jackets with her thanks to the weather forecast that predicted the temperatures to be high until later in the night.

      She was clutching the strap of her purse tightly and impatiently checking the time on her phone every few minutes. It has been such a long time since she went on a date. Just because she was going there to make Mina jealous didn’t mean she couldn’t have fun. What better way to convince the other girl that she missed on a lot of fun than have fun?

      Coming from the left side, she heard the sound of an engine approaching. Soon, a black Range Rover came to a gradual stop right in front of her, the front wheel almost climbing the sidewalk. From inside the car, Jisung gestured her to get in. She opened the door and climbed in, placing her purse over her knees before fastening her seatbelt.

      Without much of a word, Jisung turned the steering wheel and started driving to a destination unknown to Y/N.

      “I didn’t know you had a car.” She spoke, trying to get rid of the awkward atmosphere.

      Jisung threw her a look before concentrating on the road again.

      “It’s Chan’s. He let me borrow it for today.” A long sigh left his mouth. “After a long talk where he told me that if I hurt his baby, I’m dead.”

      Y/N let out a chuckle, and Jisung smiled as well, as the memory of the silly conversation he had with the older man flooded his mind. Another minute passed, and the silence in the car was being filled by the pop music coming from the radio.

      “You look pretty!” Jisung complimented, stealing another glance at her.

      A bright smile invaded her facial features at his words. 

      “Thank you! I didn’t know where we were going, but I figured a dress would be appropriate for many activities.” She chirped, the tiniest bit of excitement rolling off her tongue.

      “What if we are going hiking?” Jisung said, and a smirk appeared on his face when he noticed her rolling her eyes from the corner of his eye.

      “Then you can turn the car. I’m not coming!” Y/N crossed her hands under her chest and her mouth formed into a small pout.

      “I’m joking. We are going to an outdoor cinema.”

      She gave him a side look and raised an eyebrow.

      “No offence, but how do you know when outdoor cinemas are happening? They don’t seem…” She eyes him up and down on the driver’s seat. “...your style.”

      Jisung resisted the urge to roll his eyes at her comment. After a moment of silence, he sighed silently accepting her words.

      “Mina told me about it three weeks ago. She said it was a rom-com she really wanted to see. We planned to go together.” He explained taking a right turn.

      “Then how do you know if she’s going to come if you planned to go together. I don’t know if you realised, but you are supposed to be dating me, and she’s dating no one. Girls don’t usually go to this kind of thing without a boyfriend or a potential one.”

      “There’s this guy from Theatre and Film that she used to hook up with when I wasn’t around. I know from someone that they are coming together.” 

      Y/N let a pitiful smile involuntarily invade her features. It was kind of pathetic how he knew about her whereabouts and still didn’t say anything. She understood that they weren’t together, but they were heavily flirting and behaving like a couple, hence why she and a lot of other people thought they were actually in a relationship.

      She let her teeth sink in the flesh of her bottom lip holding back from telling him a piece of her mind. He was old enough. He knew what he was doing. Or at least she hoped he did.

      The rest of the way to the outdoor cinema was spent in silence. The only audible sounds being the radio and Jisung’s soft humming from time to time. When they reached, their destination Y/N got out of the car and let Jisung find a parking spot somewhere further away from the location of the cinema due to the parking there overflowing with vehicles.

      Checking her phone, she noticed the time indicating 7:17 PM, and only then she realised how much time they spent in the car. Walking lazily on the pathway to where space was designated for blankets and chairs she saw a sea of people. Maybe not really a sea but there were enough people to fill two of the auditorium in their university.

      For a second she thought she'd lay out the blanket, but then she remembered the only thing she had on her was her purse. On top of that, they needed to ‘accidentally’ bump into Mina and her date and hope they end up sitting next to each other.

      Just as she was thinking about that a squeal deafened her and a pair of delicate arms wrapped around her. When the girl let go of her, and she met Mina’s face, she grimaced, but she regained her composure fast. She smiled at her and her date, a guy she had seen occasionally in some of her classes.

      “What a coincidence you are here!” Mina’s fake excitement was pissing her off. Coincidence her ass. Y/N was sure she knew they were going to be there.

      “Yeah, what a small world.” She gave the two a visibly fake smile and prayed for Jisung to hurry.

      “Are you alone?” The girl asked, moving her head in different directions as if she was looking for the person she came with.

      “No. I actually came with Jisung.” As if on cue Jisung appeared from behind the two, a blanket in hand.

      “Are you looking for me, princess?” A jolt of surprise went through her at the new nickname he used, but she didn’t let it show.

      Observing the angry expression on Mina’s face at his words, she figured that was how he used to call her before they broke up whatever they had going on. She surpassed a smirk from painting her lips.

      “Mhhm.” She extended her hand, which he gladly held and went in for a short kiss. “Look who I found. Isn’t it lovely seeing your friends here?” She sarcastically said, smiling up at him.

      “You guys should come sit with us!” Mina’s date said, and a victorious smile spread across her face.

      “We’ll love to if that is okay with Mina, of course. We wouldn’t wanna disrupt you!” Y/N faked concern and gave Mina doe eyes.

      Mina’s jaw slightly clenched before immediately relaxing and letting out a forced giggle.

      “Of course you can. Why wouldn’t I be okay with that?”

      After that, the four of them went and found a place at the back of the crowd where they could sit. It wasn’t exactly the back of the crowd since there were some more people behind them, but they were reasonably behind. 

      Jisung spread the blanket on the fluffy grass, and Mina’s date, whose name she found out was Jay, did the same as Jisung. Their blankets were almost touching, the distance between them millimetric. 

      There were still 20 minutes before the movie was supposed to start. They sat down on the blankets, and Y/N stretched her legs, finally relaxing for not having to stand on the platform shoes she was wearing.

      “So, are you guys dating or…” Jay asked, fixing his body position so he could see them better.

      Y/N rolled her eyes at his question. The guy wasn’t the best at reading the room.

      “Of course we are. Why would we be here together if we weren’t?” Annoyance was dripping off her tongue. She only wanted to relax for a bit before having to spend two hours watching some boring rom-com.

      “Oh…” His voice sounded almost disappointed as his gaze lingered a second too long on her exposed legs. “Mina and I are not a couple. And since she and Jisung have had a thing before, I thought...” He bit his bottom lip while looking at her thighs that were pretty much bare thanks to her dress riding up when she sat down. “Never mind!” 

      Y/N shifted uncomfortably and placed her hands on her thighs in an attempt to cover them even a little. Mina wasn’t aware of her date’s actions as her eyes were concentrated on Jisung and on the way he looked under the golden rays of the sun that was preparing to set.

      Jisung, however, was burning holes with his eyes into the other man’s head. Upon seeing him biting his lip while looking at Y/N in a less than appropriate way, he felt an unexplainable feeling of rage penetrate his body. What he wanted to do at that moment was to get up and punch that pig into next week for daring to look at her like that. But he kept his composure and decided not to make a big deal out of it. 

      There was literally no reason for him to get that angry. Besides the apparent reason that it made her uncomfortable and he shouldn’t allow something like that, especially when he is playing her boyfriend. But the sudden feeling to rip his head off filled him with turmoil.

      Jisung decided to ignore it for now, and he took his jacket off and placed it over her legs. Her head shot in his direction, confusion and at the same time relief present in her eyes.

      “What is that?” She asked, trying to act unaffected by Jay’s actions.

      “I just thought you might sit more comfortably with this over your legs. It stops unwanted attention.” He subtly glared at Jay, but he didn’t seem to pay him any mind as his eyes were now fixed on Mina’s chest.

      “Thank you!” She said, bringing the jacket further up to cover her thighs better.

      Jisung inched just a little bit closer to her and cupped her face. Placing his lips on hers, he forcefully pushed his tongue in her mouth, taking her by surprise. He made sure their heads were positioned in such a way that the two on the blanket next to them will be able to see the exchange of their mouths. 

      Mina was watching Jisung drag his tongue inside Y/N’s mouth, his eyes closed in satisfaction. The exchange wasn’t rushed, and the way his thumb would caress her cheek so gently had her bursting with jealousy. Jisung had never kissed her like that. Their kisses were always rushed and sloppy, driven by sexual needs.

      When she first heard about their little relationship, she laughed. She thought it was some kind of stupid joke. But then she saw how they behaved. The kisses, the hugs, the hand holding, how he would always have a hand around her shoulders. In the three days, they dated he showed Y/N more love than he showed her in a year and a half.

      Her initial plan was to tease him a little bit, then finally accept to be his girlfriend. She didn’t think he'd go and find himself a girlfriend. And especially not her. From all the people he could choose it had to be her. Looking at them now, Mina regretted her decision.

      Jisung broke the kiss and looked into her fluttering eyes before placing a peck on her nose. Y/N was sitting there dizzy from everything that happened. His sudden boldness left her speechless and burning hot from the embarrassment of being seen doing something like that.

      She wanted to question him. Ask him why he suddenly did something like that. However, a loud sound erupted from the speakers surrounding them, signaling the start of the movie. So she focused her vision on the big cloth in front of her and decided to ignore it.

      She shivered discreetly as a wave of cold hit her body. The movie was only half done, and with the midnight approaching slowly, a chilly air adorned their surroundings. The weather forecast predicted high temperatures, but at that moment she was far away from her city, and so the weather was different.

      Y/N rubbed one of her arms with her hand, regretting not taking a jacket with her just in case something like that was to happen. From the corner of his eye, Jisung noticed her actions, and he leaned in close to her to whisper in her ear.

      “Hey, are you ok?” His hot breath on her ear made the hair at the back of her neck stand up.

      “Yeah, I’m just a little bit cold. I’ll be fine!” She whispered back giving him reassuring eyes.

      Jisung thought for a second of what he could do. He didn’t have another jacket, and he didn’t want her to uncover her legs. At least not when Jay was around. An idea finally struck him, and he softly called her name, catching her attention again.

      When she turned to look at him, he tapped the space between his spread legs. Y/N raised an eyebrow at his gesture.

      “What does that mean?” She sounded a little bit annoyed.

      “Come sit here. I’ll cuddle you so you won’t be cold anymore.” Y/N threw him a weirded out look. “We are ‘dating’. No one will find it weird. Or you could just stay there and freeze to death.” The man explained his voice a little bit louder than before.

      She pondered his offer for a bit before getting up and making her way between his legs. She let herself fall backwards until her back hit his chest softly. Jisung put his arms around her, and warmth started enveloping her almost instantly. Y/N let out a purr at the newfound comfort, and her eyes shot open at the realisation of what she just did.

      “Hey, don’t get too comfortable, you hear me? I’m doing this just because Mina might be watching.” She warned, her voice stern hoping he missed her last action.

      Jisung rolled his eyes but decided not to bring up the sound she just let out. For now, he just wanted to enjoy the newfound proximity. Only so they can make Mina jealous. Right?

      They sat like that, none of them daring to move. For some reason, Jisung found the position really comfortable. A few days prior at the start of their relationship he found skinship really awkward but now it wasn’t like that anymore. It felt almost natural. Like they have been doing it for a long time.

      Some more time passed, but Jisung wasn’t sure how much. The movie was approaching its climax, and the man felt bored out of his mind. Was it really worth going through that only to get his dick wet? But then he remembered who he was doing it for. He was doing it so he and Mina, the girl who he has been in love with for the longest time, could finally be together. And when it happens, he will be able to slide his hand through her silky hair, and feel her smooth skin and kiss her soft lips without having to call it a friendly gesture.

      His trail of thoughts was interrupted by a quiet mumbling coming from Y/N. Her voice was so small that Jisung couldn’t hear her.

      “What?” He leaned his head down in order to hear her when she talks.

      For a minute, there was silence. Thinking that she didn’t hear him, Jisung wanted to repeat the question when a puff of air left her mouth. Right after, she turned slightly to the side, pushing her head more against his chest, and that is when he realised that she fell asleep.

      An involuntary smile tugged at his lips, and his heart started beating faster. He couldn’t explain why he was so happy about it. It was going to be a pain in the ass. Having to wake her up and wait for her to recover from her dazed form. They were going to be the last ones to leave after the movie was over.

      A whistle-like noise left Y/N’s nose when she expired the cold air of the night, and his smile turned into a grin. Jisung moved a few strands of hair from her face before wrapping his hands better around her to keep her warm. He placed a kiss on top of her head and rested his chin on her head, swaying slightly while continuing to watch the movie.

      If you were to ask Mina what has happened so far in the movie, she couldn’t give you an answer. As much as she wanted to see the film, the girl’s eyes seemed to be more interested in whatever was happening on the blanket on her left. 

      She watched as they were cuddling and whispering to each other things she couldn’t hear. Then Y/N fell asleep, and Jisung seemed to be even more loving, hugging her even tighter and kissing her. She was wondering if he has ever done that to her on the many nights they shared a bed.

      Mina never thought she would be that affected by the fact that Jisung has found himself a girlfriend. After all, he was just one of the many boys she was hooking up with. She never thought she would have feelings for him, but here she was, being jealous of the last person she ever thought she would.

      She had to somehow get the boy back. She wanted to see it as a challenge, but she couldn’t. It had barely been two weeks since they ‘broke up’ and scarcely four days since he started dating that perfect little missy. Love doesn’t fade away that fast. She’ll have him back in no time.

      Y/N felt someone shaking her arm gently, and she mumbled some incoherent words, pushing the hand away. She was sleeping so well, she didn’t want to wake up. A hand pushed a hair strand that was ticking her nose out of the way before grabbing her shoulder and shaking it again. She groaned in annoyance.

      “Wake up, Y/N! You have to go home. Unless you want me to take you to my place.” Someone whispered close to her face, and her eyes fluttered open, trying to make up her surroundings.

      The first thing she saw when she finally managed to blink the sleep away was Jisung’s smirking face. God, he was so annoying. Ignoring him and looking around, she noticed she was in his parked car in front of her apartment complex. She vaguely remembered falling asleep, but she doesn’t remember waking up to get to the car.

      “How did I get here? Did you wake me up?” Y/N asked, straightening her body and inhaling the cold air of the night.

      Jisung held her hand and helped her out of the car before slamming the door closed. He let her lean against the front door and opened the back door to fish her purse from the back seat.

      “I didn’t. You were way too cute when you shut up. Like a little obedient kitty. I had to enjoy the moment a little bit longer.” He teased, putting a hand around her waist and making their way to the entrance in the complex.

      Y/N scoffed at his childish remark but decided to ignore it. She didn’t have the necessary energy to argue with him.

      “So you carried me to the car? What about the blanket and the other stuff you had there? Did you go back for them?”

      “No, I had Jay get them for me, so I don’t wake you up.” 

      Stopping in front of the elevator, Jisung pushed the button, and they waited a few seconds for the doors to open. Stepping inside, Y/N pushed the button for the third floor before leaning back against Jisung.

      “Talking about Jay. Thank you for today!” The man threw her a questioning look, acting as nonchalant as he could.

      “What do you mean?”

      “Don’t act dumb! I know you didn’t give me your jacket just because you are nice like that. You saw how he looked at me.” She wanted to sound more aggressive, but her voice came out soft and calm since she was still sleepy.

      Jisung found that adorable but surpassed a smile. Adopting a disinterested expression, he spoke.

      “He did? I didn’t notice. I just thought that, as your boyfriend, I shouldn’t let everyone see your underwear.” Y/N punched him in the stomach lightly, and Jisung dramatically bent down, letting out a fake grunt.

      “You are such an asshole!”

      A loud ding echoed in the restricted space, and the doors opened, revealing the dirty wall of the third floor. They stepped out of the elevator and slowly walked down the hallway to where Y/N’s apartment door was. Taking her purse from Jisung’s hand and finding her keys, she unlocked the door and opened it.

      She leaned against the door frame and looked up at Jisung, giving him a bright smile.

      “I'd like to say that I had fun, but I fell asleep halfway through the date.” She giggled, trying to mask her embarrassment. “But it was nice getting out of the house. Thank you for today!”

      The man put his hands in his jean’s pockets and scoffed.

      “You are lucky Mina got upset by you sleeping on me. Otherwise, I would have gotten angry. My shoulders are so stiff from having to support your weight. I might not recover for a few days.” A fake pained groan left his throat, and Y/N rolled her eyes.

      Lifting herself on her tiptoes, she placed one hand on his shoulder and brought his head lower. She connected her lips with his in a short kiss. Breaking the kiss, she stepped inside her apartment and kept the door open enough for her head to be visible.

      “See you on Monday!” With that, she closed the door all the way and made her way into her bedroom.

      She wasn’t sure what was the time, but it must have been well past 11 PM. Taking off the dress, she discarded it on the floor before grabbing the oversized t-shirt from the back of the desk chair. She put it on and threw herself on the bed, letting the sheets envelop her body before falling asleep.

      Y/N’s eyes shot open, and her mouth fell open as the realisation of what she did only moments prior sank in. Putting the back of her hand over her forehead and exhaling deeply, her eyes closed and her brows furrowed. Why did she kiss him? She’ll never interact with anyone while she’s still drunk on sleep.

      Meanwhile, Jisung that just exited the complex couldn’t contain his smile. He couldn’t understand why that was happening. They kissed before to make Mina jealous. But maybe that was precisely the reasons such an insignificant gesture brought him so much joy. Mina was nowhere near. A spark erupted in his stomach at the thought that the girl might have a crush on him.

      “Do it again! With more love this time. Come on. You want me! You desire me!” Y/N ordered to Jeongin.

      The man let out a frustrated groan, using the script to cover his eyes from the brightness of the sun.

      Both of them, Hyunjin and Jisung, were outside, in front of the university. They had a free period and decided to practice the script for the short movie they were playing in. Hyunjin, although not part of the film itself, was always with them thanks to Mrs. Bae’s affinity towards him. 

      Jisung, however, was new in the picture. Ever since they went on that date a week and a half ago, he seemed to be spending more time with her. She felt mildly suffocated by that but decided not to question it. As long as he wasn’t distracting her from her usual activities, she didn’t mind him tagging along.

      “You don’t make desiring you really easy. We’ve done it four times already. We will start filming in three months. I don't have to be perfect right now!” Jeongin exclaimed letting his body fall on the bench on which Jisung and Hyunjin were seated.

      “Hey! Be careful of what you say. My girlfriend is very, much desirable!” Jisung said in a jokingly offended tone earning disgusted groans from the other two men.

      “Really dude? I could have lived my life without knowing that information.” Jeongin started fanning himself with the script. It was a sweltering day.

      “I don’t understand why you are here. You are only four-wheeling us.” Hyunjin remarked, earning himself a dirty look from Jisung.

      “A car needs all four wheels to be functional.”

      “Yeah, babe, but we are a tricycle.”

      Hyunjin, Jeongin and Y/N erupted into laughter at Jisung’s dumbfounded expression. From behind Y/N, they heard even louder laughter and Hyunjin scoffed at the scene unfolding under his eyes. 

      “I swear to God! Mina has been so annoying lately. Much more than when she used to hang out with Jisung. It’s as if she’s following us around.” The man rolled his eyes as he remembered how many times Mina ‘coincidentally’ happened to be in the same place as them the past week.

      “Tell me about it. And how she is always with Jay from our major. If I wanted to watch live porn, I would have signed up on one of those porn sites.” Jeongin seemed as annoyed as the other man.

      “Don’t stress about that guys. I’m pretty sure these are just coincidences.” Y/N tried telling them, even though she knew everything they said was right.

      “No, I’m pretty sure they are not. There’s someone between us whose attention she’s trying to catch.” Hyunjin gave Jisung a side look.

      “You can’t be sure of that.” She played dumb, wanting more than anything to change the subject.

      “ Oh, please! She’s always watching him. In the cafeteria, when we are hanging around on our free periods, when she’s kissing that loser. It’s like he’s a good movie she can’t tear her eyes from.” Jeongin snapped, tired of the whole situation.

      “Then let’s give them something to look at!” Jisung smirked smugly.

      “What do..”

      In the next second, Y/N has been pulled on Jisungs lap, and he captured her lips in an urgent kiss. One hand was on the nape of her head forcefully holding her in the kiss, and the other one was on her ass cheek, squeezing it. 

      She heard someone awkwardly clearing their throat from her right, and all her senses heightened. Y/N placed her hands on Jisung’s shoulders and tried lightly pushing him away while uncomfortably shifting in his lap. As a response, the man groaned lowly and slid his hand from her neck to her chest, cupping it.

      Her eyes widened in shock at his action and mustering all the force she had in her, she pushed him away, finally breaking the kiss. A loud bang ringed around them as her hand made contact with his cheek. Jumping off his lap, she gathered her bag from the leg of the bench.

      “You are a fucking asshole!” She shouted in his face before storming off inside the university.

      The stomping of her boots was echoing in the empty halls, and the few students that were around decided to make her space to pass. Her thinking was clogged at the moment, and all she could feel was rage and shame. She was angrily making her way down the halls, but her destination was uncertain. She just wanted to be as far away from him as possible.

      Y/N heard quick steps from behind her, and a hand pulled at her shoulder. Without turning around, she shrugged it off and started walking faster. The person behind her also increased their walking speed, but this time around, they grabbed her wrist.

      Just as she was preparing to scream in their face, she was pulled into a hug, her face forced into a firm chest. Y/N felt herself calm down as the smell of a cologne she grew accustomed to in the last week invaded her lungs. His hand was gently rubbing her back, and she relaxed under her touch.

      “Are you okay?” Hyunjin whispered softly in her ear.

      She hid her face more in his chest, feeling shame overcome her.

      “I’m sorry you had to see that. I swear it’s not what you think! We’ve never…” Her voice was shaky, as if she was about to cry. Hyunjin cupped her face forcing her to look in his eyes. She could see concern and sadness hiding behind his brown orbs.

      “Why are you apologising to me? You are the one who’s been wronged here. I just wanna make sure you are okay.” His soft voice was acting as a calmative for her racing heartbeat.

      Y/N felt her insides flip at his caring words. His hands on her cheeks were hot, and she decided to blame them for the blush that acaparated her face.

      “Hey! Step away from my girlfriend, you motherfucker!” Jisung’s voice filled her ears, and she saw Hyunjin roll his eyes.

      The warmth of his body left her, and he crossed his arms as Jisung finally arrived in front of them. Hyunjin was looking down at the other man, and both their expressions were filled with anger.

      “I was just making sure she’s fine. It looks like you took your time deciding to do the same.” The taller man spat venom dripping off his tongue.

      “It’s none of your business how I handle my relationship!” Jisung adopted a louder tone bringing his face closer to Hyunjin’s.

      “But it is when you decide to act like a bitch in heat and make your girlfriend uncomfortable. This is why Mina never dated you and why you and Y/N won’t last long!”

      Jisung clenched his jaw upon hearing the other man’s words, and before anyone could register what was happening, he plunged his fist into Hyunjin’s face.

#stray kids #stray kids smut #stray kids angst #stray kids fluff #stayverse #stray kids imagines #stray kids scenarios #han #han jisung #han x reader #han jisung x reader #han angst #han jisung angst #han fluff #han jisung fluff #han smut #han jisung smut #hyunjin #hyunjin fluff #hyunjin angst #skz #skz smut #skz fluff #skz angst

[angst-fairygodmother]

Light Fingers (The Umbrella Academy)

Diego’s vigilantism brings him repeatedly across the path of a young cat burglar. But as he finds himself developing feelings for the thief, he begins to wonder if there’s more to her than meets the eye, and whether they’re really on opposite sides. And as their relationship deepens, it brings with it a plot involving his estranged adopted father, and threatens to destroy all of them.

CHAPTER 13: DARKNESS FALLS

Word Count: 2362 Pairing: Diego Hargreeves x Reader Rating: T Content Warnings: swearing, references to violence (canon-typical), heavy angst, sort of spoilers for TUA season 1? Cross-posted to AO3: here

Previous Chapter: Confrontation || Masterlist

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Two weeks after your visit to the Academy, and everything that followed, a headline caught your eye as you poured coffee for a couple at the diner. ‘Eccentric Billionaire Reginald Hargreeves Under Federal Investigation. Crimes include Smuggling, Arms Dealing, Fraud’ screamed out at you in bold black print and you barely managed not to scald yourself as your hand trembled.

Your mind was racing. It hadn’t seemed real, when you were making phone calls and “visiting old friends” and whispering in the right, or wrong, ears. It was a stab in the dark, that you never expected to amount to anything. But it seemed like someone, somewhere, had listened and moved on D.S. Umbrella and your father-in-law.

A bubble of elation built up in your chest. Unable to contain yourself, you yelled out that you were taking your 15, despite the earliness of the hour, and jogged down the street to pick up a copy of the morning paper for yourself. As you scanned the article, more snippets jumped out: “midnight raid,” “suspicious and hazardous materials,” “illegal within city limits.” They also mentioned looking into his accounts, heavy investigation into recent break-ins at the warehouse that authorities suspected were to cover up evidence, and a re-examination of the adoption records for his now infamous Academy of children. That last one made your heart skip a beat. You hadn’t wanted to drag Diego or his family into any of this, and certainly not risk having his world flipped upside down. Still, there was hope nothing would come of that bit, and he would never have to be involved, and everything else was well worth it.

With a giddy giggle, relieved and stunned that things were going better than you could have hoped, you tucked the paper into your bag and returned to work, feeling lighter than you had in a while.

~

“This is insane,” Diego said, dropping onto the couch, head in his hands and the copy of the paper you’d brought home on the table in front of him.

“Is it?” you countered, sitting down on the far end and tucking your knees up to your chest. “We knew he was up to something…”

“But not this! Why would he raise us the way he did if he was a criminal?”

“Covering his tracks maybe? Or there’s something bigger here we haven’t put together.”

“You’re not even a little surprised by this,” there was something flat to his tone.

You shrugged, knowing that he knew you too well to deny it.

“What did you do?”

“Technically, nothing.” He fixed with you a firm, unamused expression that made you sigh. “I just talked to people. Gossip, anonymous tips, that sort of thing. I didn’t really think anyone would listen.”

His jaw clenched as he struggled to reign in his anger. “Who else did you talk to?”

“A few journalists, some law enforcement that Patch put me in touch with who wouldn’t ask too many questions, some folks in my line of work. That one clearly didn’t go anywhere, or we would have heard by now, especially if there’s an investigation too.”

“Thieves?”

“No waitstaff.” You rolled your eyes.

“What for?”

“I thought...I figured if some other crews went in, free looting, it would make it harder to figure out what we took, cover our tracks some.”

“That doesn’t make sense. He already knew we were there. Y/N, what aren’t you telling me?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s done now. I’m sure nothing will happen, the authorities are probably in his pocket, and if not...Prison for someone like your father isn’t even that bad. It’s a penthouse, just one with a 24/7 guard at the door.”

Diego looked annoyed but didn’t say anything else. You bit your lip, the silence tense over the two of you.

“I’m sorry, Diego. I just thought...it seemed like a good idea at the time.”

He grunted in acknowledgement. A moment later, he stood, silently getting ready for bed, despite the relatively early hour, and went to bed without a word. You waited, fighting back tears, still curled on the couch. You didn’t expect Diego to be thrilled the way you were that something was happening with Reginald, but you also hadn’t predicted this anger.

“Y/N,” he called softly, an indeterminate time later, making you jump. “Come to bed, sweetheart.”

~

Things in the household felt fragile after that, even the dog could sense that both you and Diego were tip-toeing on eggshells, waiting for the outcome of the investigation, like the Sword of Damocles.

And then it dropped, with a breaking news bulletin, one that made you almost grateful that Diego had a late night at the gym. You wrapped your arms around yourself, shuddering, as you watched an all too familiar building go up in smoke.

“No one knows what, if anything, was taken by the miscreants seen fleeing the warehouse shortly before the explosion, or why they chose to destroy the structure so definitively,” the news anchor said, the rest of her words blending into a drone in the back of your mind.

At some point, you fell asleep there on the couch, waiting for Diego to come home, startled awake in the morning when the door slammed shut.

“Diego?” you asked, frowning and rising to greet him. “Are you okay?”

He laughed bitterly, shaking off your hand on his arm and stepping away. “You’re really asking me that, Y/N? After everything you’ve done?”

“What are you talking about, Diego?”

“I’m not an idiot Y/N.”

“No but evidently I am, because I genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about, baby.”

“Don’t,” he growled, shaking his head again. “D.S. Umbrella. Thieves, an explosion. You’re honestly trying to tell me you had nothing to do with it?”

“I didn’t! Not...directly!” you protested. “I promised you that I wouldn’t go after him, so I called in friends who could, who would.”

“How is that any different?”

“I...you said yourself that he was dangerous, and he proved that to me. And I got scared okay? I panicked, and when I saw a solution, I took it. Torch and burn, and salt the earth seemed like a good idea.”

“And Luther? Was he part of your plan or just an acceptable casualty?”

“What do you mean?” your frown shifted from one of upset to confusion.

“Pogo called, last night. Dad sent Luther to the warehouse had he got caught in your friends’ chemical explosion. He’s lucky to be alive.”

There was a slight hitch to his voice as he spoke, and you knew that despite the years of tension between them, hearing such news about his brother had shaken Diego badly. And you hadn’t been there for him. You reached out for his hand, to comfort him as you usually would before recoiling.

“That wasn’t supposed to happen. No one was supposed to get hurt.”

Diego scoffed in disbelief, nostrils flaring angrily. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because I don’t hate your brother, and I had no reason to want that. Because your father was the one who sent him in, alone and probably unprepared even though he knew better than anyone what hazards were in there. Because I’m your wife, and I wouldn’t lie to you, not when it mattered. Because I never wanted any of this, I just couldn't sit back and do nothing.”

“Why not? And give me a straight answer this time, Y/N.”

“While you and Luther were busy getting out all your boyhood aggression or whatever, I tried to find answers just like we planned. Only instead I ended up having a nice little chat with Reginald. And he said that everything was staged, that it was an audition. That I passed. And he threatened you, and he called the Academy a failed experiment.”

“You never said anything to me.”

“I didn’t know how,” your voice was sharp, pleading. “I have even less answers than I did when we started. All I have is that your father didn’t care about you, but he did about me, for something. He was willing to let you die to test what I could do. He was okay with the idea of hurting you to keep me in line. I...I had to protect you. So I did the only thing I could think of to do.”

“We’re s-supposed to be a team.” His eyes were still dry, but you could see the pain written across his features, and you closed your eyes against the sight.

“I know,” you said softly.

“W-w-we could have figured it out t-to-tog-gether if you had ta-lked to me…”

“We tried that Diego,” you wanted so badly to reach out for him. You hated that you couldn’t. Not now. “It had us spinning in circles.”

"So you just shut m-m-me out?" His lip quivered.

“Would you have done any differently?” you gave up on even trying to keep your own emotions out of your voice, tilting your head in question as you looked at your husband, the man you loved, and said words that you knew were breaking both your hearts. “Honestly?”

He was painfully silent, lips pressed together and eyes downcast as he considered your words, and what his answer would be. Rather than let the question continue to stew, you forged onward, almost afraid of what would happen if you didn’t.

“I’m truly sorry that Luther got hurt, and glad he’ll be okay. But I still stand by what I did. It was the right choice to make. If anything, it worked out better than I had hoped.”

“H-how could you say t-tha-that?” despite his stutter there was outrage in his voice now, raising the pitch to almost a shout.

“If it’s him or you, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no choice. I’m not sorry for that.” You shrugged. “And maybe almost losing his last loyal son will be enough to get your father to back off, to rethink, stop doing...whatever it is he’s doing.”

Diego’s body tensed and his eyes narrowed to a glare, the full fury and hatred locked inside suddenly directed at you. There was no trace of the pain in his voice now and it made your blood run cold.

“Luther’s an asshole, but he’s m-y family.”

“I know that, Diego. And I know how much family means to you. That wasn’t how I—”

“You know, you’re starting to sound a lot like my father.”

You stared at him, aghast.

“You’ve been just like him this whole time, haven’t you?”

“What?” you couldn’t keep the break and horror from your voice, didn’t want to.

“All this scheming and planning. Using the rest of us as puppets. It’s all about the so-called greater good. And screw anyone that gets in your way.”

“Diego, that’s not—” You tried to pull your emotions back into check but couldn’t. Hot, desperate tears pooled in your eyes before spilling down your cheeks.

‘Not what?’ you froze to ask yourself. ‘Not fair? Not true? Isn’t it though? Wasn’t he completely right, that you and Reginald were circling each other, playing a game with each other? Lay a trap, dance away from it. Steal a piece of information, change it’s meaning. Capture a bishop, sacrifice a knight. Move and counter-move. For months now.’

“I’m going to the gym tonight,” he said, making a dismissive gesture when you remained silent for too long. “I can’t do this anymore.”

He turned on his heel, throwing a few things in a duffle bag haphazardly.

“Maybe this was a mistake,” you said quietly as you watched him pack, rooted in your spot in the living room.

“Of course it was a mistake!”

“I don’t mean things with your father or D.S. Umbrella,” you took a deep, shuddery breath. “I...I mean us.”

“What?” his voice dropped, all the anger leeching away as he hesitated in the middle of folding one of his turtlenecks.

You took a shuddering breath, “None of this would have happened if we hadn’t gotten tangled up trying to pretend we fit together, in each other’s lives.”

“Y/N. Stop.” He shook his head, words clipped and forced. “Don’t say that.”

“Say what Diego? What we’re both thinking? I love you, so much. More than I can possibly say. But...I don’t think that’s enough. I was...we were better off alone. Everyone was.”

“That’s not t-true.” He took a step toward you and you took a step back. He looked like the world had just dropped out from under him.

“Tell me I’m wrong. Please?” you begged, voice and lip trembling. “If you can say that, after everything I’ve done, after all of this, I’ll believe you. But...don’t say if it’s not true.”

“That’s it?”

���I don’t know.”

Your gut gnawed at you, the still image of the burning warehouse catching in the corner of your eye. It felt like he was going to forgive you, even for a moment, for that, for Luther, and you couldn’t fathom that. And the more you spoke, the more you found yourself meaning the words. You loved him, and he loved you, and that could only hurt.

“I should go,” he said, half-heartedly, almost asking you to stop him.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

His keys rattled as he picked them up, and the door closing behind him seemed louder than you had ever imagined possible. It felt like one of his daggers was protruding from your chest. You couldn’t breathe.

“Diego, wait!” you called shakily, throwing open the door but not quite chasing him into the hallway.

He stopped but didn’t turn around. Silence hung like a wall between you. Your tongue felt like lead. What could you possibly say to undo what you had just done?

The minutes dragged on, the silence unbroken.

With a sigh you could almost imagine wafting back to flutter over you, he started to move again, and you stood there until his back disappeared. Only when he was truly gone, did you sink to the floor.

“Goodbye Diego,” you murmured, the words trailing off into a sob.

#And No One Lived Happily Ever After. The End #I mean technically there's an epilogue and some sort of sequel but this is the 'end' #the epilogue isn't going to make things better I promise #13 is an unlucky number right? :/ #how to break your reader's heart (and your own) in 2.5k or less #an essay by Shye #Light Fingers #Diego Hargreeves x Reader #The Umbrella Academy fic

[gxldenflower]

It Was Enchanting To Meet You (Bruce Banner x Reader)

NOTE: Originally posted on my ao3, supposedly_archer, on August 15th, 2020. Both the summary and A/N are copied & pasted

Summary: The two Avengers are almost to the bottom of the staircase when you make eye contact with Bruce Banner. It lasted for what was maybe five seconds, but it felt like forever. His eyes were a beautiful brown. He was gorgeous. All of the other thoughts in your head left when you looked at him.

Based on the song Enchanted by Taylor Swift

A/N: There's totally not a Hamilton reference in here somewhere hahaha

Warnings: Fluff, alcohol, swearing

Word Count: 2,857

Female Reader

The venue for the Stark gala was gorgeous. High arching ceilings, elegant staircases, even the floors were beautiful. So why did you want to go home so badly?

You had positioned yourself near a wall, hoping to avoid as much interaction with other people as possible. If you were to clutch your wine glass any tighter, you were sure it would shatter in your hands. You took another small swallow of it.

You thought back to a month ago, where you sat on your friend, Chelsea’s, couch as an old movie played in the background. You were talking about work drama when she suddenly gasped loudly and dramatically. “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God!” She squealed. “How could I forget?”

You smile at her with your eyebrows raised. “What is it?”

She took a few deep breaths while smiling like a Cheshire cat. “Okay, so. My sister’s ex-boyfriend has a cousin whose wife works at a fancy building that’s like a venue, right? And, that’s where Tony Stark is hosting his annual gala, right?”

You nod, still smiling. “Right.” You didn’t pay much attention to the Avengers. Unless they were, of course, fighting aliens somewhere in the world. But, the Stark Gala was infamous. Everyone knew about it.

Chelsea continued. “To save a whole hour of storytelling, my sister’s ex-boyfriend’s cousin’s wife got us tickets to the gala.”

“No. Fucking. Way.” Your mouth hung open with your eyes wide as saucers.

“Yes. Fucking. Way.” She giggled at your reaction.

“Now, I know how much you hate parties, but I’ll be with you the whole time, and if you get too overwhelmed, I’ll help you find a secluded spot, got it?”

“Yeah! Holy shit, I- this is crazy!” You grab her by the shoulders and shake her, giggling hysterically.

She grabs your shoulders in response. “I know right; we’re gonna get to wear fancy dresses and pretend we’re rich people and part of the one percent!”

***

One month later, you both had bought fancy dresses that were way out of your budget and were probably never going to wear again.

The “going together and pretending you were rich” plan had fallen through the floors the day of the gala.

It had started in the morning when Chelsea called you. Picking up, she told you that she was having awful stomach pain.

“Could it be period cramps?” you had asked her.

“No, my period isn’t supposed to start for another two weeks. It hurts, worse than my regular cramps.”

“Maybe you’re pregnant and don’t know it,” you joked, trying to make her feel better.

“Har, har, har Y/N. Very funny.” You could hear her eye roll from the phone, she sighed and then groaned in pain. You winced. “I think I may have appendicitis.”

“That means we should get you to the ER; I’ll pick you up and drive you, alright?”

“Alright. But no matter what happens, you go to the gala. You absolutely cannot miss this, even if I’m lying dead in the hospital.”

You sighed. You weren’t going to argue with her about this, especially since you needed to get Chelsea to a hospital. “Alright. Fine.”

It turns out she did have appendicitis. Before they wheeled her off, she commanded you to go to the gala. “I know you can do it, Y/N. I’m not going to let my shitty luck keep you from finding true love.”

“But, what if something-”

“Go! Go get ready and have the time of your life. My sister will be here, and she’ll keep you updated. I love you.”

You sighed. Chelsea was so stubborn sometimes. “I love you, too.”

When you arrived at the venue, her sister called you telling you that she was okay. You thanked her and tucked your phone into the pocket of your dress. It blended into the dress, so you could easily carry it inconspicuously.

While you were busy recalling the events that had led to you hiding in a costly dress at a party you probably shouldn’t even be allowed to be at, you hadn’t realized you’d run out of wine. The glass had been offered to you by a waiter, and it was full when you grabbed it.

You were now freaking out about if you should put the old glass down, ask for a refill, or just hide in the bushes and cry. Your prayers were answered by a waiter who was walking past with a bottle of wine. “More wine, miss?” he asked you politely.

“Yes, please.” When he walked away, you heaved a deep sigh. At least that problem was solved. Though, you still felt way out of place. Watching everyone mingle and talk with their fancy outfits was unnerving. You barely knew how to start a conversation, and you doubted you would be able to with these types of people.

Are those people waltzing? You thought to yourself. They were! There seemed to be a small group of couples dancing around the room. I thought that only happened in movies!  It was a sight to see. They all looked so elegant. You sighed, Chelsea would’ve loved this.

You turn your head to look at the stairs. You blinked. And blinked again. Holy shit. That’s Tony fucking Stark. You didn’t know why you were so shocked. Of course, he would be here. It was his goddamn gala.

Though you weren’t an Avengers fangirl, it was still exhilarating to see one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. As you watched him walk down the stairs, you realized he was talking to another man. He looked to be around the same age as Tony Stark, and he looked familiar.

You mentally slapped yourself. It’s Bruce Banner, you moron!  If someone had asked you who your favorite Avenger was, you probably would’ve said Doctor Banner. You didn’t know much about him, other than that he was the Hulk. But, he was cute, with the curly salt and pepper hair and glasses.

The two Avengers are almost to the bottom of the staircase when you make eye contact with Bruce Banner. It lasted for what was maybe five seconds, but it felt like forever. His eyes were a beautiful brown. He was gorgeous. All of the other thoughts in your head left when you looked at him.

When you both break eye contact, your face is heated. You gulp down more wine. Your thoughts were racing. You wanted to talk to him. You needed to talk to him. There was something about him that just immediately drew you to him. And you didn’t even know him! You could hear your friend in your head; it’s love at first sight! Talk to him!

You took a deep breath. It couldn’t be that hard to start a conversation. Right? Your hands were sweaty. Why were they so sweaty? You shouldn’t be this nervous to start a conversation. You take some more deep breaths. You knew if you didn’t talk to him tonight, you might regret this night for the rest of your days.

You look through the crowd and spot him again easily. He’s still with Tony Stark, though the both of them were closer to where you stood now. You watch them both for a moment. They seem just to be idly chatting; they now had wine glasses in their hand. You then see Tony clap Bruce on the shoulder and leave him, supposedly to talk to someone else. This was your chance.

You start to walk through the crowd. Bruce is still standing there, alone. He looks almost as uncomfortable as you feel. He’s staring at his shoes, and you get closer. You can easily see all of him now. You slow down a bit; you didn’t want to seem like a stalker or weirdo.

You’re right beside him now. You’re facing his side, and you turn to look at whatever he’s looking at now. “It’s a nice night tonight,” are the first words out of your mouth. You feel like you’re about to go into cardiac arrest.

Bruce turns to face you. He seems to be caught off guard by your statement. “Hm? Oh, yeah, it’s, um, it’s nice.” His voice is quiet, and he’s back to staring at his shoes.

What the fuck do I say now? Do I introduce myself? What do I do? “You’re Bruce Banner, right?” You scream in your head. Why did I say that?

“Uh, yep, that’s me.” He gives a nervous chuckle. “And you are?” he trails off, waiting for your answer.

“Y/N,” you say, quickly, turning to smile at him.

“Y/N, that’s a nice name.” Bruce returns your smile.

You feel your face heat up. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

You laugh softly, still smiling gently at him. He laughs nervously as well. “Do you attend these types of parties often?” you ask him.

Bruce sighs. “Yeah, Steve says it’s good publicity for us, and Tony can never turn away a chance to host a party, so I just kind of go with it.” He takes a sip of his wine. “If I’m honest, I’m not a huge fan of these types of gatherings.”

You smile at his exasperated face. “That makes two of us then. My friend got us both tickets, but she wasn’t able to make it, so I’m here. Alone.”

He gives you a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry.”

You shrug. “It’s fine. I think Chelsea would’ve wrung my neck if I hadn’t gone. She’s very dramatic that way.”

Bruce smiles again. He has a beautiful smile. “I think I know what it’s like to have a dramatic friend.”

You both laugh, “you know I saw a fountain inside a small garden when I got here, and I’ve wanted to check it out. Do you wanna come with?”

“Yeah, I would. I think I know where it is.”

“Really? Have you been here before?” You raise your eyebrows at him.

“Yeah. All of the Avengers were here last night. Steve got Thor to try and teach us all how to waltz.” He sighs and chuckles. “It did not go well.”

“So, I’m assuming you’re not a dancer?” You grin mischievously at him.

He grins back. Not a shy, slight smile. An actual grin. You could feel your heartbeat faster if that was even possible. “No. No, I’m not.”

“Well, I’ll have to keep that in mind.” You pause and look at Bruce. “Which way is the fountain?”

“Oh, uh, it’s this way.” He points to a door close to the stairs.

As you and Bruce make your way through the crowd, you fall into a comfortable silence, walking so close that your shoulders are almost brushing together.

When you get to the doors, he opens it for you. You feel your face heat up for what feels like the millionth time that night. “Thank you, Bruce.”

“You’re welcome.” You look around the garden and see a plethora of different flowers planted around a large stone fountain, along with shrubs surrounding the whole area.

“This is beautiful. So much better than the pictures.” You start walking to the fountain and sit on the edge. Bruce sits opposite of you.

“Yeah, the pictures don’t do this place justice.” He looks around before settling on your face.  “What do you do for work?” He asks.

“I’m an x-ray technician at an ER.” He nods appreciatively. “It’s nothing too exciting unless you count trying to get a drunk man to lay still for more than two seconds as exciting.”

Bruce laughs at that. “I’d like that to be my definition of exciting.”

You grin at him. “Yeah, well, I think being an x-ray tech is a little below your paygrade. Though we almost always have a spot open for hiring, so if you ever decide being an Avenger gets boring, you’ll have a backup plan.”

He laughs again. His laugh sounds like music. “I may have to take you up on that sometime.” Bruce looks down at the water in the fountain. “What got you into that field?”

You let out a sigh. “That’s a long, long story.”

“Well, I have all night if you do.”

So, you launched into the story of how you got a job at an ER. Which then turned into a conversation about the way x-rays work and the science of radiology. Which then snowballed into a discussion about anything and everything.

Time didn’t seem like a concept as you talked with Bruce. It was like talking to someone you’d known your whole life. The conversation flowed so smoothly you never understood why you were so nervous about speaking to him in the first place.

Eventually, a notification from your phone pulls you out of your conversation. It’s from your friend, asking how your night is going and if you’ve found prince charming.

“It’s my friend.” Bruce nods, understanding. You quickly type out a “tell you later.” And put your phone back in your pocket. “Sorry. Where were we?”

He was about to respond when he was suddenly cut off by a booming voice. “Banner!”

Suddenly a tall, muscular man is standing in front of both of you. Oh my God, it’s Thor. “The team’s been looking for you everywhere! We thought that you had just gone home.”

He turns to you as if he’s just noticed you. “I wasn’t aware you were talking to a lady. I apologize for my rudeness and for not greeting you right away.” He holds his hand out to you. “Thor Odinson.”

“Y/N.” You put your hand out to shake it, but he shocks you by bringing it up to his lips and kissing it softly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Y/N, I will allow you two to get back to your conversation.” And with that, Thor’s gone as quickly as he came.

“I’m sorry about him.” Bruce smiles sheepishly at you.

You laugh at the look on his face. “It’s fine; he seemed very nice.” Bruce nods in agreement.

“Do you know what time it is? I forgot to put my watch on before I left.”

“Uhm, yeah, hold on,” you reply, pulling out your phone. “Oh, wow, it’s almost midnight.”

Bruce raises his eyebrows. “Really? We must’ve been talking for a while, then.”

You nod in agreement. “Yeah, I guess we have.” You sit in silence for a moment. Bruce clears his throat.

“If they’re looking for me, that probably means I should, um, get going.”

“Right, right. I should probably get going as well.” There’s a pause. You stand up at the same time. “Do you want my number?” You say, probably too fast.

“What? Um, yeah, yes, I would, uh, I would love your number.” There’s another pause. “Do you have anything to write down with, I don’t have my phone on me,” he starts patting his pockets as you grip your phone tightly. “I have a pen; you can just write it on my hand if you’re good with that.”

“Yeah, yep! That’s perfect!” He hands you a ballpoint pen, and you grab it quickly and take off the cap. “Do you prefer what hand or arm-”

“Um, not really.” He holds out his left hand, partially pulling up the arm of his suit jacket and shirt, revealing part of his wrist. Grabbing his hand, you quickly write down your number, praying he doesn’t notice how sweaty or shaky your hands are.

You pull away, putting the cap back on the pen and handing it back to him. “There you go.”

“Thank you, Y/N.” He smiles at you softly, and you feel like you’re going to melt into the floor.

“You’re welcome.” You smile back at him. “I know you’re probably busy constantly saving the world,” he chuckles at that, “but maybe we could find some time to get coffee together?”

Bruce grins at you. “I would love to.”

You grin back. “It’s a date, then.” You lean close to him and kiss his cheek. “I hope to see you soon.” As you pull back, you see his face is bright red.

“I hope to see you soon, as well.” He’s almost stumbling over his words.

“Bye, Bruce.”

“Bye, Y/N.”

With that, you leave through the same doors you came through, and through the corner of your eye, you see Thor again, this time rushing at Bruce. You shake your head as you make your way out to catch a ride home.

***

Finally, inside your apartment, you let out a squeal of delight. You laugh and grin to yourself as you get ready for bed. You shoot a quick text to Chelsea, saying, “I THINK I MET PRINCE CHARMING” and lay down in your bed. You laugh again into your pillow, replaying the night you spent with Bruce over and over again till you fell asleep.

In the morning, you wake up to two text messages. One from Chelsea, saying, “Y/N YOU CANT JUST TEXT ME THAT AND NOT FUCKING ELABORATE. WTF.” And one from an unknown number. “How do you feel about coffee next Saturday at 11:00 am?”

#bruce banner #marvel #bruce banner x reader #bruce banner x you #bruce banner x y/n #bruce banner imagine #hulk #the avengers

[maladaptive-ninja-returns]

It’s The Avengers (03x09)

Loki x Reader Avengers The Office AU (Slowwwwww Burn)

Season 3 Episode 09: I’m Allergic to Bad Memories

Series Summary: Living in the Avengers facility post-apocalypse in a better timeline   Tony Stark has decided to capture every moment by pulling The Office on the Avengers. All of housemates are pretty used to the idea except for you, who had just come here to finish her degree, and the newest member- Loki.

Warnings: *shrugs*

Word Count: I am sick. But I am out of stuff to keep my loud mind busy. So here we are. Be grateful to the Gods of k-dramas

MASTERLIST in bio, darlings. Tags are open (check bio)

The chirps of concern were a train of ramblings coming in between the nudges little orange furry paws were giving you; smushing your lips, your cheeks, booping your nose. The only time they stopped was when that echo that resulted in your unconsciousness announced a little plan. “How about I be of some help, little one?” Lulu stood up on his hind legs while he and his camera saw a pair of pale hands stroke your head ever so gently, whispering something foreign under a sweet breath. The next second, you stirred, perking up the little furball- who smushed your face and head with an endless amount of rubs with his own. You groaned before a yelp found its way out of your throat as you felt the bump at the back of your head thump with piercing pain. “Ow! Ow ow ow ow.” “Ah,” the soothing voice called out from outside the frame, “you hit your head pretty hard, dear.” The realisation of the stranger came a little late- maybe because of the concussion, maybe because of the angelic voice that seemed to make you feel at ease- and once it did, your eyes widened while your legs moved your body away from… “God?” you gasped in question while Lulu’s camera looked at the aged women smiling down at you with a glow unlike any. “More or less, yes,” the glowing woman in a gold dress chuckled before bringing her hand forward. “Come, let me help you, dear.” You tried catching your breath there. “Wh...who…” The smile on that bewitchingly calm face brought this uncalled ease inside your chest. “I’m Frigga.”

. A shrivelled high-pitched scream eroded the den as Javier stood frozen at the expressions similar to that of a spooked out little child on the face of the head of the universe’s deadliest mafia. “No, please do not hurt my face!! That is my one good asset!!! You always hit me where it hurts the most!!!” Taneleer cried. The camera focused from the ball of luxurious fur whispering on the floor to Loki- who stood there with his arms across his chest. “I didn’t even hit you yet. Quit being such a pain in the a-” “Ssso what! You were thinking of hitting me,” Taneleer huffed while he looked up at Loki, “I could see it in those snake eyes of yours. Like you will bite my-my h-head off!” Loki sighed and rolled his eyes.

Loki: *bags under his eyes* I am…*blinks tiredly* surrounded...by the most idiotic scum of this universe *camera pans across his shoulder to show Taneleer calling his henchman* “As long as they are here, make sure that little Terran is safe. Otherwise, I will cut off your limbs and feed it to the street rodents,” he hisses.

“I cannot believe you just thought of hurting me for that Terran,” Taneleer tsked and jumped in annoyance, “she is getting between our friendship.” “You were never my friend,” Loki delivered the blow with a straight face while the boss felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. “And to think I made little marble figures of us both hanging out in Knowhere,” he whispered with the hurt reflecting in his voice. “Who is she to you anyway?” He pouted. “Who is this creature to have you travelling by her side as if you are...she is...you both...what is she to you?!!” “Just get me my fucking grace,” Loki raised his voice while rolling his eyes, “or I swear to all the power in this universe I will personally make you suffer for frying my brain cells with your utter nonsense. What are you trying to do? Buy time till your rotten brain can figure out how to make up an excuse for your incompetence?” Taneleer’s slouching and sad figure straightened up and raised a finger. “More like, trying to buy time before I really tell you who I sold your grace to.” . “Frigga?” The camera took in the glowing pale face smiling in your direction as it nodded in your direction. Your face, on the other hand, was a mess of confusion, surprise and the worst possible daze just sitting on top of your forehead. “Like...Loki’s mom Frigga?” A sparkle went off in Frigga’s eyes as the already glowing face seemed to shine four times brighter. Her eyes widened and her smile seemingly found a reason to grow wider. That was till some uncertain thought crossed her forehead and her smile twitched and transformed into an unsettling concern. “This is…” Frigga trailed off. “Weird?” you tried helping her. “It’s usually Thor that people know me through.” “Huh...makes sense.” “How...do you know Loki?” “Oh, I’m his friend. Y/N Y/L/N. Nice to meet you.” “Ah,” Frigga nodded and mirrored your smile before confusion punched that softness away. “I’m sorry, you are what?!” The Lounge Scott sat on the sofa reading the latest copy of One Piece while the big screen opposite him showed Loki threatening Tivan by his collar. The screen did not seem to take his attention but the figure looking in front of it, going to and fro more times than Scott could count. Actually, Scott stopped counting after six about an hour ago. "Instead of working your legs, it would be better to work that mouth for your friend, don't you think?" Natasha called out from behind the counter, sipping on her kale smoothie. The words stopped Steve short, his whole face a mixture of blushing horror. "W-what." "That's not what she means, you thirsty grandpa!" Scott called his thoughts out without raising his eyes from the latest in Wano arc, "go talk to him." Steve blinked and regained a part of his lost senses, slowly moving towards the dorms. "And kiss him senseless while you're at it," Scott added, stopping the captain midway to give him an irritated glare- one that Natasha was loving.

Natasha: *smirks* I have to say it feels good to have someone else make thirst jokes on Steve too *Camera pans out to show Scott smiling for the lens* Scott: It's me *points to self* she means me. Natasha: I guess there are more coming? Scott: *gushing* you have no idea

The Den “So, if I were to summarise what you just told me, midgardians have no quarrels with Loki, Thanos has been defeated and my son is living with the Avengers now.” Lulu’s camera caught seriousness in Frigga’s brows while you nodded. “And I’m his friend,” you added with a smile before looking at Lulu’s camera.

You: I stressed that for reasons *shrugs nonchalantly*

“Right,” Frigga acknowledged. “So, how is my son? Is he here? My essence is only supposed to be released in his presence or someone he…” Frigga paused and looked back at you, this time with the keen observation that seemed to make you a little uncomfortable. “He is somewhere in the back with the anime-hair guy. They are trying to find a way to get him out of these cuffs my dad made so he couldn’t use magic. Long story. But we got teleported into some galaxy far away and now we are here to help Loki get his powers back so we can go home.” You thought best to blabber than stand there in awkward silence while Loki’s mother was giving you a deep mental once over. “And by we I mean me, Lulu and Javi. We are all friends. Lulu is the little baby we adopted on the way,” you cooed and smiled at the little pile of soft fur purring on receiving scritches from your under his not-so-visible jaw. You looked back up to watch Frigga’s fingers rest on her lips to mask some sort of emotion you were too late to read.

Frigga: This cute little midgardian keeps calling herself Loki’s friend *tilts head* and then tells me they adopted an old beastling’s offspring as their child. *contemplates* So...do marriages not happen on earth lately? Or is this something my son came up with? *raises her brows* no matter the story, *waves her hand* I am not letting him lose this precious one.

“Let’s go meet Loki,” you jumped in controlled excitement taking the first step to lead the way before freezing right there. “Wait,” you interrupted your own buzz with a grim expression, “how do I know you are one of the good ones?” “I beg your pardon, little one?” You sighed, feeling a little heaviness settle in your chest. “How do I know you are not going to hurt him?”

You: Yup *purses lips* reasons *stretches the corners of her mouth in regret*

“Did you just ask me if I was dangerous for my own son?” You could already feel the mother hen judgment even when you didn’t stare into her eyes. “I know,” you sighed, “it’s the space. My nerves are overworked and the only thing I can think of is Loki.” “...” “-’s well being.” Clearing your throat, you nodded at your own words, stealing a glimpse at the camera. “That usually does not happen. I can assure you that.” The surprise at your sheer audacity melted within ten seconds to give place to something soft and glowing; along with something else. You did not expect Frigga to bring forward her hand and cup your cheek with her palm to gaze into your soul while you stood there with disbelief dripping from your skin. “Your hand is so warm,” you commented after flinching a little at her touch, waiting for her to say something. But Frigga took her time, her thumb stroking your cheek while you witnessed the corner of her eyes glistening. “By the Norns, you have been one gentle soul through such wild storms haven’t you, dear,” she whispered, forcing you to grow more confused for a second, “why would someone hurt such a precious soul.” Lulu’s camera moved with Lulu’s body suddenly on alert. He could feel the change in the atmosphere right when the camera caught your crinkled brows release themselves to some invisible realisations that were either too quick- or too heavy- to bring tears to your eyes. All that your face carried was bearings of something that stopped time for you while your tears ran as much as they could; and with them ran your breaths getting shallow by the second till Frigga engulfed you in her warm embrace, her hands soothing your back. “Forgive me, my child,” she whispered, never leaving your cold figure, “forgive me for bringing it all back.” Lulu’s whines and unknown movements from the corridor made Frigga bring herself to face a dazed you. “You are one brave human, my dearest. Trust in yourself. And you are not alone. Take good care of my son till I can see him one last time.” With those words hanging somewhere in the midst of your ears and your brain, she left with a peck on your forehead, dissolving into the same light she was radiating all along.

The Dorms and Their Outer Surroundings The camera zoomed in to focus away from the leaves and into the french window of Bucky’s room where he and Steve sat in their respective love seats five feet apart, trying their best to keep their composure while trying to come up with words. Steve cleared his throat. Bucky moved the bottle of water on the coffee table towards him. “So…” Steve’s throat barely made any noise the first time while Bucky’s red face tried to hide under the shadow of his long unruly hair, “I heard that...ahem...that you…” “I’m gay!” The confession came like a shot of rifle mid-air, taking both Bucky and Steve by surprise. “And that’s o-okay,” Steve stressed, sitting up straight, “it’s okay to love anyone you want.” “So-” Bucky’s fingers wrung each other under the internal pressure to get the words out- “is it...is it okay to love you?” Unknown to them, another camera standing outside in the lawn witnessed an excited Scott perched upon the top of the tree with the headphones on to hear every word they said. And just as the confession came, the poor man caught hold of his chest, muttered, “my heart,” and fell from the branch while his red-headed accomplice waited for more. “Is it okay to love you now?” Steve was on pause, his attention solely taken by Bucky’s words and eyes. “Bucky,” was he was able to get out before standing up, forcing Bucky to mirror him. “I know this may seem out of the blue, Stevie, but I have always...always only had eyes for you. And I know times were different back then, but now I finally have the guts to tell you how I feel and I would completely understand if you don’t-” The words were stopped short right on the lips when Steve took Bucky by the collar and kissed him. “FINALLY!” a victorious cry came from the Black Widow right beside the camera, making the poor thing wobble and fall down lens first onto the ground.

The Weird Den Javier’s camera already caught the shimmer of an orb disappearing from right in front of you as he entered the room but his company was too late to notice any of that golden light that had just illuminated the room. The moment Loki entered the room the camera recorded his senses going off. His eyes ran over every corner of the room, over Lulu rubbing himself on your legs while trying to draw your attention, and then back to your figure standing in the middle with your back to him. “Y/N?” he called out, taking one cautious step at a time. You flinched. That stopped him right in his tracks. “What’s wrong?” Lulu’s camera caught your hands wiping away the tears before turning to face him. That effort was not of much use as both Loki and Taneleer could make out some real tears had been shed. “Nothing. Did you find something for your cuffs?” your nasal voice did not help your case either. Taneleer raised his hands a little as he stepped close to you, bringing forward a dense black fabric. You took without much thought and blew your nose into it, making the boss gag behind you. Loki clearly wanted to ask you about the reason behind those tears but those lines of latent rage in between your brows made him go the other way. “We will have to travel a little further for that, I’m afraid.” You sniffed, finally feeling the air in your nostrils. “Cool. Let’s go,” you muttered nonchalantly and walked out.  Taneleer’s eyes widened and he aggressively gestured his guards to follow you.  Loki’s brows raised themselves in question. “What just happened?” . “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?” Javier’s camera caught the grit of your teeth as you sat down in the transportation vehicle that looked like an exoskeleton of a schoolkids’ van. “I said I’m fine,” you pressed with zero emotions in your eyes. “Then why are you crying,” Loki pressed back while casually leaning on the doorframe and watching you with his intense gaze. You scoffed. “Because I’m allergic to you,” you spewed into the air and shifted to face away from him. Taking full offence of that statement, Loki opened his mouth to say something before shutting it back. Tight. “You know I’m still single right?” Tivan whispered from behind the God with a smirk. The latter did not pay much attention to his words. “I’ve taken some of your inventory. Don’t bother getting it back in one piece.” Loki was about to step into the van when Taneleer decided to open his mouth. “She knows you are here.” Loki paused, his hand resting on the frame and his biceps feeling a tug under his dark shirt. “She knows you are out of hiding, Loki. She will come for you. I know you already know that. And she will come for anything-” his gaze shifted from Loki’s beautiful back to yours- “-that stands between her and you.” No words came from the other side except for the tap of a finger on the frame before Loki got inside the van and came to sit next to you. Tivan’s guards were already putting the vehicle in full throttle to fly towards your ship while Loki waited for you to say something. But you were stubborn in your own way, not letting out a peep but turning to watch where exactly Loki is sitting. “Lulu,” he stressed with a note of caution when he did not let Javier secure him in his seat, leading to the fur-boy slump in his seat and sulk till Javier presented him with candy. At the same time, you scooched closer to Loki- still not facing him- and let your fingers feel his overcoat in them. Your eyes still carried the remnants of the tears along with a hidden hurt that you did not want to show anyone. But the high definition cameras everywhere were quick to catch it all; even the slight break of your heartstrings when you felt the fabric of comfort in your fingers move away. It also captured the shock that followed when you felt his arm come and rest behind your neck to prevent the discomfort of the metal rails on the back of your head on this bumpy ride, giving you full access to take the support of his shoulder and arms in that moment. You didn’t even realise when the waterworks came again. “What,” Loki looked at you expressionless, “I’m just resting my arm.” You blinked and took in the snot rising up in your nose. “I’m still allergic to you,” you muttered while resting your head on his shoulder. A smile born for two seconds was seen by no one except the camera.

#loki #loki x reader #loki fanfic #loki x y/n #loki series #loki fluff #loki smut #loki fic #loki x you #loki laufeyson #marvel #marvel fanfiction #marvel female reader insert #marvel fluff #marvel smut #mcu #mcu fanfiction #mcu fic #mcu fluff #mcu x reader #mcu x y/n #loki feels #loki smile #loki speaks

[ijustwant2write]

Hypocrite-Tommy Shelby x Reader

(GIF credit to @oldhollywoodcinema​)

Taglist: @captivatedbycillianmurphy @bloodorangemoonlight

Requested by anonymous: 'Could you write a Thomas Shelby imagine where the reader gets attacked because she was helping a friend get away from a violent husband and Tommy is livid because she should have come to him and not tried to do it herself which the reader finds hypocritical since that’s Tommy’s middle name and Tommy “agrees” to let her in on plans hoping it’ll keep her from doing more dangerous things?'

I wrote a similar plot to this with Isaiah- ‘Let Me Help You!’

Characters: Thomas Shelby x Reader

Meanings: (Y/N)=Your name

Warnings: Abuse towards women, swearing, violence, guns, arguing, fluff

(A/N: Anna Hilt is a made up character)

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

I watched as Tommy was driven away from the house, waiting for the car to disappear before I gathered my things. The servants brought my coat and handbag, bringing around another car. Everything was going smoothly. I had a cover story for Tommy, which he believed, and my confidence was growing by the minute. This had to be planned for weeks, in order to not gain any suspicion. Sitting back in the car, I went over my plan in my head, ensuring that I knew what steps to take. 

“Here we are Mrs Shelby.” My chauffeur announced as we arrived, opening the door for me.

“Thank you. I shall have someone call you when my visit is over.” I said, beginning to walk away. 

After five minutes, I looked over my shoulder, checking he was gone. When everything was clear, I turned on my heel, making the half hour walk to my friend’s house. I couldn’t help that my pace was fast, brushing through the crowds with my head down, as to not bring attention upon myself. 

Anna was a dear friend of mine, someone I had only known for two years, less than other friends, but considered close anyway. And she had been stuck in a terrible marriage. Her husband, a top end business man, had married her when they were young; she didn’t understand what love was, yet she believed she felt that when looking at Victor. Obviously their families were happy, their wealthy children now marrying a wealthy suitor. Over the years Anna realised that she was stuck like most women were, and she wasn’t able to escape by herself.

“Oh, (Y/N), what a surprise!” Anna’s voice called out from across the road.

I halted in my step, trying to hide my shocked face. We weren’t supposed to be meeting like this. I still had a ten minute walk before I reached her home.

I approached her, noticing the two men beside her.“Anna, how are you? I was on my way to surprise you actually, seeing as we haven’t seen each other in such a long time.”

"Oh sorry, I've ruined it! Do join me for a walk though?"

"Yes, of course."

She linked her arm in mine, gripping onto it tightly, and I could feel fear radiating off her. The two men stayed back, allowing us to speak. They were Victor's men, meaning something was wrong and effecting the plan.

"What's wrong? Explain everything." I whispered.

"Victor had unexpected guests, a business partner was angry with a deal. He sent me out of the house, now I've got these two following me."

"Has he hurt you?"

She sighed."Not this week. But the week before was rough, business is caving in."

"We'll think of something."

We continued walking, now talking at a higher volume, though I expected the men weren't really interested in what we were saying. I needed to ensure that they didn't think we were up to something. As we headed further into town, the cafe we usually spent time at came into view, and I suddenly had an idea. Steering Anna in that direction, she didn't question me, making me glad I had her trust. I knew the owner well, another woman that knew all too well the awful side of a man. She got rid of him and was running things all by herself.

"Ah, Mrs Shelby, Mrs Hilt, I haven't had you two visit in a while." Georgia beamed as we walked inside. There was only another small group of women and a young couple sat inside.

"Apologies Georgia, we have been extremely busy." Anna smiled.

"Two separate tables please Georgia, we have some more guests for you." I asked, letting Georgia lead the way.

We kept up the normal act, ordering food and tea, chatting away like we were having a catch up. In the back of my mind, I was trying to think of a way to get these men away from us. There was no way I could get Anna away without them seeing or taking action, not here. She was supposed to have everything packed, ready to go once I got to the house. Victor wasn't supposed to be at home either. Fuck.

"Anna, I'm headed to the powder room and I haven't brought any of my powder with me, do you mind?" I announced, making eye contact with her, hoping she would understand what I was implying.

"Yes, of course. I'll come with you actually." she stood with me. As soon as we were inside the powder room, her relaxed form tensed."What are we going to do?"

"I've got a plan. But no questions, alright? You just got to follow me, literally."

She nodded.

"Can you run in those shoes?"

"Yes, just about."

"Good, cause we might need to do that."

We spent another two minutes standing there, with me explaining what we were going to do. I had no idea if it would work, though I didn't let that catch onto Anna. Peaking my head out of the door, the men had their backs to us, engrossed in their own conversation. Taking Anna's hand, I led her out of the door and quietly scurrying into the kitchens, luckily the door being right next to the powder room. The chefs looked at us, bewildered at our entrance. They were about to pipe up when I quickly pulled my gun out, silencing them. Georgia appeared from crouching on the ground, only rolling her eyes and placing her hand in her hip.

"Mrs Shelby-"

I shushed her."I have to get her out of here." I whispered.

Georgia's sassy tone disappeared, hand falling from her hip."Go out the back, this way. Once you go out of the gate, turn left down the alley way then a sharp left again. It'll take you to the old part of town, near the country lanes. Do you need me to call someone?" she ushered us through the kitchen.

"Yes my chauffeur. Tell him to park outside the post office."

"Same number?"

"Same number. And tell your workers-"

"They never saw anything."

"Thank you Georgia. Whenever you need anything, just call."

Following her instructions, we ran down the alleyways as she had said, arriving in the old town within minutes. My chauffeur wouldn't be here for at least another twenty minutes, but what were we to do till then? Unless we ducked in and out of shops, we were stuck out in the open. I pulled Anna back into the alley, catching my breath.

"(Y/N) what are we going to do?" Anna panicked.

"Just stay calm. Those men are stupid, but they'll know we sneaked out the back. Hopefully they'll get lost in the alleys for a while."

"And until then?"

"Look I..." my words drifted off as I heard a familiar voice, two familiar voices, then three.

Anna called after me as I stepped out of the alley, quickly catching up to my steps. I was relieved when I saw Arthur and John, followed by some Peaky lads. As I made my way towards them, they didn't see me until the last minute, surprised by my presence.

"Oi, what are you doing here?" John's cheeky grin came out, pulling me into a side hug.

"Is Tommy about? Thought he was conducting business today?" Arthur asked.

"He is." I replied."Is there a car near here?"

"Er, yeah. Round the corner."

"Good, mind if we take it?"

"Why?"

"Doesn't matter, we need it."

"(Y/N), does Tommy think you're somewhere else? Don't be getting us into trouble now!"

"Arthur, I wouldn't be asking if I didn't desperately need it."

Him and John looked at each other, before sighing."Alright, lads take the ladies to the car. We don't tell Tommy about this though, yeah?"

"Course not. Lads, we need to run."

I heard Arthur and John shout for us as we began running, the boys trying to keep up. Anna was holding my hand, almost running as fast as me. Of course Tommy would know about this, he knew everything. Just as I thought we were making the escape, that this would be all over for Anna, the two idiots guarding her had somehow circled and caught us.

"Fuck." I pulled my gun out, everyone else having one copying. It's was three to two, though we could still lose."Just let her come with me."

"We let her go, Victor kills us."

"If she goes back, Victor will kill her."

“Can’t let you do that.”

Without hesitating, I pulled the trigger though unfortunately didn’t hit either of them. I dove onto Anna, hitting the ground briefly before our instincts told us to scramble away. I covered Anna, ready to shoot again as our lads starting shooting Victor’s men. We were called over to the car, which one of the boys had somehow got to. With our heads ducked down, we sprinted to the car, Anna screaming as bullets flew everywhere. I shoved her in the back, turning around to shoot one last time before jumping in myself. Anna ducked down whilst I continued shooting out of the window, but it was hard to do so when my driver was swerving so much. As we sped away, I saw Arthur and John with the rest of the lads, running towards the source of the noise.

Shit, they were definitely going to tell Tommy.

The car sprayed up the gravel as our driver hit the brakes too hard in front of my house. Everyone remained frozen, heavy breaths escaping all of us. I opened the door, grabbing Anna's hand and pulling her with me. We (not so gracefully) walked up the driveway, pushing open one of the doors to get inside. I was still clutching onto my gun in my other hand.

"(Y/N), have you been shot?!" Anna screamed, pointing to my hip.

My hand instantly reached for that place, relaxing when it wasn't my blood."No, not me. Come on, I need a fucking drink."

Members of staff looked at me questionably, though no one dared to approach me. Anna delicately sat down on the sofa, whilst I poured us both a strong drink; I knew she didn't like whiskey, but it was what she needed right now. Her disgruntled face wasn't surprising to me. She made me laugh as she tried to sip at it.

"(Y/N), I have nothing with me." Anna sighed.

"Items don't matter."

"He's going to come after me."

"He'll have me to deal with me, a Shelby."

"I'm not sure..."

Our heads snapped to the door as it opened, and I refrained from groaning. Tommy had come in, and although to the untrained eye he looked his usual self, I could see the fire blazing behind his eyes. Swigging back my drink, I slammed down the glass, saying nothing as I walked past him and towards his office.

"Mrs Hilt." I heard Tommy begrudgingly acknowledge her before he came after me.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I sat on top of his desk, something he hated unless we were in a different mood. Once he closed the door behind him, his eyes stayed on the floor until his face was right in front of mine.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing, eh?" his voice was low.

"Her husband was going to kill her." I seethed.

"Her husband is going to kill us now."

"Oh, like he's the only one trying to kill us."

"Do you want to get killed? Is that it?" Tommy raised his voice.

"I want to stop my friends from being killed."

"If you had asked me for help, I would have done just that! You can't put yourself in these situations, you're a huge target!"

"And you're not?"

"That's different."

"Why? Because you're a man? Because you're Tommy Shelby and I'm just the woman who hangs on your arm to make you look more like a normal man?"

"Fucks sake." he turned around, raising his arms before they slapped against his sides.

I hopped off the desk, storming up towards him."It's true though, isn't it? You never tell me anything, always come back hurt yet when I do it, somehow it's wrong."

"It's not the same."

"I know it's not."

"So why are you acting like this?"

"It's not an act. I know we always have targets on our heads, but what I don't know is why. I get dragged from place to place with no explanation, locked in the house for own safety, though from what, I don't know, and if there is a fall out with the family I'm the last to know. Even if I'm told something, it's never the full story."

"It's for-"

"It's for my safety, how many times have I heard that?!"

"Because it's true!" Tommy yelled at me.

"Don't you think I understand that?!" I screamed back."I know you're trying to keep me safe, but... But Tommy," I lowered my voice, slowly walking towards him,"Tommy, I am never told anything. You don't tell me anything, the servants say nothing, even the family don't speak a word. The girls have always hinted but that just blurs the picture even more. If I can understand what's going on around me, I have a better chance of knowing what's going to come next, or what I can do to help."

"You won't be helping in any business."

"That's not what I'm saying. I can help by knowing what steps to take next, where is should go in an emergency-"

"I wanted to keep you away from all that."

"And how's that going for you?"

He groaned, clearing his throat."Right, then what do you want me to do?"

"Just let me in, just enough that I understand what's going on around me."

"I don't think you want that."

"Stop telling me what I want. If you don't start telling me things, I'm just going to keep doing stupid shit like this behind your back."

Our faces were stone cold, eyes staring into each others, until I broke into a smile, giggling like a little girl. Tommy reluctantly smiled, a small chuckle escaping him.

"Fine. But some details will be spared."

"Just enough details for me. Thank you Tommy."

I pulled him down to kiss me by the back of his neck, and he wasted no time wrapping his arms around me. But I had other plans, I wasn't going to forget about this argument too quickly. As I pulled away, I hummed through my smile, his confused face watching me as I walked away.

"Don't look at me like that, we still have a guest in the house Mr Shelby."

#thomas shelby #thomas shelby imagine #thomas shelby imagines #thomas shelby one shot #thomas shelby x reader #tommy shelby #tommy shelby imagine #tommy shelby imagines #tommy shelby one shot #tommy shelby x reader #peaky blinders #peaky blinders imagine #peaky blinders imagines #peaky blinders one shot #peaky blinders x reader

[flamehairedwritings]

The Fiancé: Chapter Ten

Characters: Steve Rogers x Female Plus-Size Reader

Rating: The whole series will be E, 18+ ONLY

Summary: A lie about your best friend at a Christmas party spirals into world news, but a previously unknown threat leaves you having to now live the lie of Steve Rogers being your fiancé.

Originally based on the prompt ‘Character A’s ex will be at the Christmas Party A is attending. Character B poses as A’s fiancé,’ by @alloftheprompts.

A/N: The whole series will include swearing, alcohol, threat, injury, violence, apartment sharing, protected sex.

The Fiancé Masterlist

All Works Masterlist

Read on AO3

Please don’t copy or steal my work, and please don’t post it on any other sites; credit does not count.

—

The Truth

Steve grunts as he winces. 

Opening his eyes, he finds himself lying on the floor of the main foyer, staring up at what remains of the glass railing the force of the explosion had sent him through.

Rolling onto his front, he pushes himself up, shards of glass falling off of him and dropping to the floor. He can feel a few tiny cuts on his face and hands, and there’s definitely some bruising on his ribs, but he ignores the ache of them as he surveys the rubble.

He’d been looking at you, his heart pounding, despair and relief fighting within him with every word you said because yes, you shouldn’t be with him, because it’s not a normal life, and you deserve a safe, normal, threat-free life, and he knows he can’t provide that.

As you’d argued against your own words, though, after he’d made his statements, he just couldn’t help the ache of love in his chest. Was it selfish to want you? Selfish to wish you would be with him anyway? Despite everything? He’d told himself it was, and that just made his heart hurt even more.

He’d let you speak, gazing at you, fighting with himself, and he’d heard the elevator arrive, the doors opening. His eyes had lifted from you for a second, seeing who it was out of habit, before they’d returned to you.

And then he’d looked back.

It had been a man in tactical gear, nothing like SHIELD agents wore, and he’d been staring at him, his hand going into his pocket.

He’d had just enough time to shove you out of the way before the man had thrown something in his direction.

Coughing on the dust that swirls in the air, he calls your name out, staring up at the balcony, hoping, praying, he’d gotten you out of the way.

His earpiece crackles to life, and his heart lifts.

“Steve? Y/N? Are you okay?”

Nat.

He finds the gem on the bracelet and presses down. “Nat, where are you?”

“I’m on the tenth floor, they’re coming down from the roof, we’re blocking off the levels from here. The explosion was—”

“Right where we were.”

“What?”

He’s moving over the rubble and glass now, heading for the nearby stairwell.

“We were round the corner from the party, a guy was in the elevator and he threw something, a grenade, I think, not strong enough to kill me but strong enough.”

“Jesus, are you both okay?”

“I am, but I don’t have Y/N with me.”

Neither of them say it, but both of them are very much aware that you should be able to hear them, and they haven’t heard from you.

Steve opens the stairwell door, finding it dark, the light not coming on, and starts to move up the stairs, keeping his voice low so it doesn’t echo. “I’m heading back up there now, what’s going on?”

He can hear people crying and calling out in the background when she speaks.

“Well, they’ve killed the power but Stark obviously has a back-up generator in place, we’re just being careful about where we’re using it. We’re getting everyone out, it seems like it’s all clear out the front for now.”

“Well, they only want one hostage.”

“Yeah, and they’re not gonna get him.”

Reaching the floor you were both on, he opens the door and steps out, the corridor dark, the dust still trying to settle not helping matters. 

“Steve?” Nat prompts when he doesn’t answer.

“Yeah, sorry,” he murmurs, moving a little more cautiously. “I’m where the explosion was.”

“All right, Barnes is on his way down, keep me updated.”

“Okay.”

Silence falls and he steps out onto the balcony you’d led him to. The floor is scorched from where the explosion went off, part of the elevator on fire, and rubble, debris and glass cover the floor. Stepping carefully, he moves along, staring at the dust on the ground for any indications of where you might be. There’s some prints in it of shoes, leading away, back behind him, but that could have been from someone else because there’s two different ones, and, then... further down, a disturbance in it that suggests someone was on the floor and got up. 

It has to be you. 

Pausing, he returns his attention to the shoe marks, his gaze following them back to where he’d come from. 

Who the hell is with you?

—

You can hear Nat and Steve in your ear, but you try to tune them out. 

You want to press the gem on your bracelet so they can hear but you’re frozen, staring at the gun Joe has in his hand, wearing a cheap suit. There’s something else in his other hand, but you can’t make out what it is. He’s not aimed the gun at you, but when your eyes return to meet his, there’s a hardness to them that’s unfamiliar.

“What the hell are you doing here, Joe?”

“My job.”

He tosses what’s in his hand onto the table behind you and your eyes follow it. It’s some kind of a thin, floppy mask—

Oh, no.

Steve had told you about this kind of technology before.

Joe had used it to put Steve’s face on his own, but how the hell did he have access to this?

Your eyes quickly dart back to him. He’s still staring at you, unmoving, blocking the door.

“Your job?”

The gun twitches at his side slightly as a faint smile appears. “They recruited me. Head-hunted me, actually. Said I have what it takes, that I am valuable to the operation.”

Your heart thumps against your chest.

Oh my God.

You swallow hard. “The... the group that wants to kill Steve recruited you?”

He nods, an arrogant, satisfied smirk starting to pull at his lips. “Yeah. When they told me their plan, I thought it’d be a good way to make some quick money, easy, too. All I had to do was turn up, get you alone somehow when they created the distraction, and then wait for them to come and get you.”

He’s enjoying this.

“Come and get me? Why?”

He shrugs. “You’re Steve’s girl, right? He won’t want you in danger, will he?”

He’s right... Oh, fuck, he’s right.

Your throat is dry, your head is pounding, your heart is racing.

Get out of this. Get out somehow. Distract him, think, think, think.

And then it comes to you.

Maybe it shouldn’t delight you as much as it does that you know how to hurt him... but then again you want to really fucking hurt him.

Exhaling a breath, hoping he doesn’t hear how shaky it is, you tilt your head.

“Oh, Joe...” you sigh pityingly.

Faint confusion flashes across his features, his brow dipping. “... What?”

You give a small, patronising smile. “You don’t realise yet?”

He’s silent, and you can practically see the cogs working, trying to figure out what he’s missed.

You sigh again, a corner of your mouth lifting. “They want you to take the fall.”

His frown deepens. “What?”

“Oh, they’ve really played you for a fool.” You don’t know how you’re keeping your voice so steady, even as your shaking hands grip your bag. “Who better to take the fall if it all goes wrong than the ex-boyfriend?” You let out a small scoff, trying to bolster yourself as much as rattle him. “We’re in the Avengers Tower, Joe. Do you really think you’re going to get out of here?”

He looks at you, silent, hand twitching.

You hold his gaze, trying to look as sympathetic as possible, your earpiece silent.

And then he smiles.

“You’re underestimating us.”

Your heart stops. “No, I—”

He points at his chest. “You’re underestimating me. I’m not an idiot.”

You smile quickly. “I know, I know you’re not—”

“You never acted like it.” His sharp words cut you off, silencing you. His jaw moves as he huffs out a breath. “... I saw how you’d look at me sometimes, like you were, like you were cringing. Embarrassed of me. And you never invited me to hang out.”

You frown, swallowing. “What?”

He gestures at you. “With you and Steve. When I’d say why don’t we do something, and you said you already had plans to meet with Steve you never invited me. Why?”

Your mouth is moving as you desperately search for an answer that will appease him. “I—”

“Is it because you were ashamed of me?” He’s staring at you, eyebrows raised. “Think I wasn’t good enough to meet him, huh?”

You’re shaking your head, trying to smile. “No, no, not at all, he’s just, he’s just a private man—”

“How long have you been fucking him?”

A rush of breath leaves you as you pause, your lips parted. “What?”

His jaw moves, his features tight as he tilts his head. “Were you fucking him when we were together?”

“No.”

He scoffs, tapping the gun against his leg. “You sure about that? Sure you want to lie to me right now?”

Your breath is caught in your throat but you still manage to implore, “I’m telling you the truth, I didn’t cheat on you, I—”

Gunfire erupts from somewhere close outside the room.

Both of you jerk at the sound, you stiffening and staring at the door, Joe spinning and raising the gun.

“What’s that, what’s happening?” you demand and he stutters, his hand shaking, “I-I don’t, I don’t know, this wasn’t part of the plan—”

The door bursts open, making Joe stumble back as you do, a chair knocking against your lower back. Some kind of smoke pours into the room, making your eyes sting, and you cough on it as you quickly go to cover your mouth.

Joe splutters, too, bending slightly.

A voice bursts through on your earpiece, startling you again.

“Nat, Bucky and I have got a group of ‘em here, they’ve got a lot of firepower...”

Steve.

He’s close by, he’s so close—

A figure enters the room, a covering over their mouth and nose, and their arm lashes out, knocking something against Joe’s head and he cries out, falling to his knees.

Clutching his head, he groans and you stare at the figure as you cough, gunfire continuing outside. All you can make out is that they’re in black tactical gear, a handgun strapped to their thigh, and half of their face is covered.

“Come on!” the voice shouts, reaching out to you and they grip your arm, making you move.

Pulling you out of the room, you can’t stop to pause because they instantly start to move down the corridor. You try to look behind you, the gunfire rapid and unrelenting, but you can barely see what’s happening. The smoke starts to thin out as you reach the end of the corridor and the person pulls you around it before releasing you.

Your throat is prickling from the smoke and you swallow a couple of times as you catch your breath.

It has to be an agent who’s saved you, it—

You look up at the person as they pull the face covering, a bandanna, down and— 

Your heart stops.

Aaron looks at you, silent, his jaw tight.

“Oh my God...” You can’t take a deep enough breath as you stare at him, taking a step back. “... What the fuck are you doing here, Aaron?”

He presses his lips together, then grips your arm again, pulling you down the corridor.

Your mind racing, with the movement your bracelet shifts and you swiftly curl your fingers, catch it, and press them against the gem.

 Swallowing thickly, you trying to keep pace with him as he strides, staring at him. “You’re with them, aren’t you? Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe.”

Steve’s voice, the frantic tone making your heart ache, sounds in your ear. “Y/N?!”

Nat’s voice sounds a split-second later. “What’s going on?!”

“Aaron’s got her.” You can hear the anger and despair in his voice, the regret.

“What?”

Get them information, keep him talking.

They go silent as you speak, wanting to get every detail they can.

“Why are you doing this?”

He’s leading you down corridors easily, like he knows exactly where he’s going, and he doesn’t say a word.

You lick your dry lips, staring at doors you pass, trying to find something you can use to identify where you are, but there’s nothing, no plaques, nothing that stands out.

“Aaron, please.”

When he remains silent, you start to try to pull away, digging your heels into the floor. He clenches his jaw and just uses his strength to keep you moving. It’s not until you start to thrash slightly, trying to wrench yourself out of his hold, gritting your teeth, that he stops abruptly and grips both of your arms, looking down at you.

“Hey, hey, stop it, stop.”

His hands tightening makes you pause, your jaw clenched as you stare at him, knowing the anger that’s blazing in your eyes.

His jaw moves and he relaxes his grip a little, though only a little. “Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what.”

He exhales a short breath, his fingers flexing slightly, and his throat moves as he swallows. “Look... I like you, Y/N, I really do, I hate that you got mixed up in this, but...” You stay silent as he pauses, and so does your earpiece. He licks his lips. “... I was stationed to keep an eye on you. They planned on using your relationship with Rogers against him. As I got to know you, though, I... I took some pictures, sent them to him to scare him. I thought he’d do the right thing and leave you alone but he didn’t and you weren’t meant to be involved, they told me you wouldn’t be, but... you can go now, I’ll get you out of here, I know it’s not real—”

“What the hell do you mean?” You just say the first thing that comes to mind, your heart aching and mind buzzing because Steve heard all of that, he heard his worst fears come to life; that your relationship has put you in danger.

Aaron shrugs slightly, keeping his gaze on yours. “We hacked your phone, Y/N,” he states, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “We were listening to your conversations. It was too easy, SHIELD really needs to do better.”

Despite his seriousness, there’s a faintly smug, arrogance to his tone. It makes your blood boil, and terrifies you.

“Aaron—”

He’s already pulling you into a walk again. “Come on, I can get you out of here, you shouldn’t be here for this—”

“For when they try to kill Steve, you mean.” You try to wrench your arm out of his grip but he pauses once more, his fingers tightening.

Exhaling a harsh breath, he checks the corridor behind you before turning his attention to you. “Look... I’m sorry that this is going to hurt you, but this has to be done.”

“No, it doesn’t—”

“Yes, it does.” He shakes you in his grip in his certainty. At your eyes widening, his features soften a little and his grip loosens, though again, only a little. “Rogers symbolises the evil of America. The America that starts wars where they don’t belong and takes what isn’t theirs.”

Your throat is dry but you speak anyway. “That’s not Steve’s fault, he doesn’t stand for that—”

“Doesn’t he?” Aaron’s brow dips. “He’s the emblem of America. I’m sorry, Y/N, but it has to be done if America is to be free of its poisoned patriotism. Let’s go.”

You’re moving again and you don’t know what else to say. You feel sick but not unsafe with him and it’s an awful blend that has your stomach turning.

In the silence, Steve is talking, his voice low and quiet, he must be taking cover somewhere. “Nat, didn’t you check him out?”

“I did,” comes the reply, then a burst of gunfire, then she continues, “He came up clean, absolutely nothing on him.”

Aaron pushes a door open, taking you down a winding flight of stairs. Looking at him, Nat words ring in your ears.

“Aaron isn’t your real name, is it?” you ask quietly, your fingers remaining on the gem.

He glances at you before looking ahead again, taking you further down into the depths of the building. “No. They created a new identity for me, pulled me out of the deepest depression, you can’t even imagine. Gave me a purpose.”

You suddenly hear gunshots from somewhere above, faint and echoing, but you continue talking. “What’s your real name?” 

He doesn’t say anything for a few moments.

“Evan.”

Your voice softens as you look at him. “Evan, please, who’s ‘they’?”

You could hear Nat in your earpiece, telling Steve she’s searching the database for Evan along with the scan of him she has logged from the sunglasses.

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Yes, you can. I can help you.”

“I don’t need help.”

“Yes, you do.” You lick your lips, swallowing as you try to think quickly. “This group, whoever they are, they don’t have your best interests at heart—”

“And you know all about my best interests, do you?”

He doesn’t say it with any anger or malice, his calmness so unsettling.

“I know what’s right and wrong, Evan—”

“So do I.” You stare at him, so sure of himself, so absolutely certain. “And America? This is all very wrong.”

“Please—”

“They said it was too easy to hack SHIELD.” You remain silent, letting him talk, letting Steve and Nat listen. “To keep who I am and they are concealed. Oh, that reminds me...” Stopping on a landing, with his free hand he removes your bracelet. All you can do is watch as he presses his thumb against the gem, holding your gaze as he speaks, knowing they can hear, “Suppose they got some information, huh? It won’t matter. They won’t find anything.” He tosses the bracelet aside, the clattering of it on the metal stairs echoing, and then he’s removing your earpiece, and the last thing you hear is Steve saying he’s coming, you’re going to be okay, you’re—

He drops the earpiece.

And then he’s leading you down the stairs again, and as you peer over the side there is an end in sight, only two more flights to go to wherever he’s taking you to. You lick your lips, trying to think of what to say, hoping, desperately, that if you keep talking Evan will reveal something, maybe more willing to speak now they can’t hear you.

“Evan, when we... when we talked, all those messages we sent each other... was that just you or was it them, too?”

He looks at you, and a light smile suddenly lifts his lips. “It was just me.”

You take a breath. “I know you’re a good person, then.”

He scoffs, almost laughing, leading you off the last step, on to concrete and to a metal door. “C’mon, Y/N, I know I am. You’re just not willing to open your mind and see the truth.”

Opening the heavy door, that, due to the power being off, now freely opens, he pulls you through as desperation and panic starts to claw its way back up within you.

You’re in a larger, darker corridor now, pipes running either side of you with a tank to your right. Three steps take you down into it, the door closing loudly, and you just start talking.

“Evan, you said you liked me, if you really did then you’d let me go, I want to be with—”

He sighs. “I’m trying to save your life, Y/N—”

“And I’m trying to save yours, do you—”

“I already have been saved.”

It’s no use, you know it is. You go for your last resort.

Pulling a face, you release a rush of breath as you slow as best as you can, Evan still pulling on your arm. “Evan, please, wait, I can’t walk anymore.”

He doesn’t look at you, nodding ahead. “We’re nearly there, we’re—”

You dig your heels in once more, pulling back. “Please can I just have a moment, my feet hurt, I think glass got through my shoes.”

Finally looking at you, he pauses and presses his lips together, but after a few moments he nods and releases you. Trying not to exhale too relieved a breath, you lean against the wall.

You grip your bag with both hands to try and hide that they’re shaking, when you feel it.

Your gaze darting up to him, you watch him fold his arms, looking along the corridor in the direction he was taking you, trying to keep control of his impatience.

Keeping your eyes on him, your hand slips into your bag, finding the gun, and as you withdraw it you take a couple of steps backwards, and aim it at him. He hears you moving and his head whips round, his mouth opening. He pauses when his gaze lands on the gun, then you. You don’t say anything as you take another step backwards.

He doesn’t move, his arms remaining folded. “You don’t know how to use that.”

“Yes, I do.”

“No, you—”

You both hear the ‘click’ of the safety as you press it off.

“Are you sure you want to try me.”

Evan lets his arms fall slowly to his sides, and your eyes dart down momentarily to where his hand is, inches from his gun.

“You’re not a killer,” he says gently.

Your jaw clenches. “Who said anything about killing.”

He inhales a breath and exhales it slowly, a note of disappointment to it. “Y/N, I can get you out of here, both of us out of here. We can both walk away.”

You almost want to laugh at that. “I don’t think you will.”

“I would for you.”

The words hang in the air. You hate that his features have softened, hate that he sounds genuine, hate that part of you believes him. Your fingers flex slightly, adjusting your grip on the gun.

“You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not.”

Your lips press together and for some reason you feel tears pricking at your eyes because you hate this, you hate that—

The door behind you crashes open suddenly.

Evan freezes and you spin with a sharp inhale.

Thor moves down the steps slowly, Mjolnir in his hand, swinging slightly by his side. Raising his eyebrows, the god smiles easily. “Hello. Is this one of the little party poopers? I was having such a nice time.”

“Thor,” you breathe with a smile, relief washing over you as your arm lowers.

His smile widens, but there’s a hardness to his eyes as he locks them on Evan. “Sam and Steve are on the way, and they’re both very angry. I really wouldn’t want to be you right now.”

There’s silence.

And then it happens in seconds.

One hand is on your arm, the other on your wrist, and you’re wrenched backwards, your back colliding with Evan’s chest, and then the gun is out of your hand and your bag is dropping to the floor and then—

The barrel of the gun is pressed against your temple.

Thor has stilled and you’re frozen, eyes wide, heart pounding, staring at him.

“You’re gonna let us go,” Evan says evenly, his other arm around your chest, high up on it, nearer to your throat.

The god raises his free hand slightly, his smile lingering, almost like he’s amused at the sheer audacity. “You think you’re a smart little man. You won’t get far, though.”

“Far enough,” comes the sharp answer. 

He’s already moving you backwards, keeping your body tight against his, and Thor’s gaze shifts to meet yours, a lighter smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. You assume it’s to reassure you, but you don’t feel in any way relieved or optimistic as a gun is held to your head and someone you had once trusted hauls you backwards to an unknown destination.

“Oh, you would for me, would you,” you echo his words from only moments before, your voice shaking.

“I’m not gonna hurt you,” he murmurs, and you latch on to it, your mind too frightened to think it through.

“Thor, he won’t hurt me! He—”

The gun suddenly disappears from your head. His arm darting out, Evan pulls the trigger and starts firing at Thor. You cry out as you flinch, bullets ricocheting off of pipes, denting them and making some burst, steam erupting. 

You hear Thor grunt as he’s suddenly obscured from your vision, white-hot steam filling the corridor and you have no time to call out to him as Evan continues to haul you down the corridor, his arm now practically around your neck.

“Let me go!” you shout, trying to push his arm away but he only tightens it.

“I won’t hurt you,” he repeats but you can hear how distracted he is, his head going from whipping back to check behind him is clear to looking ahead to see if Thor will emerge.

“You already are,” you hiss, your nails digging into his arm, but he ignores it, barely feeling them through the material of his shirt.

The gun suddenly moves out of your sight and you hear the sound of a heavy door opening and a rush of cold air. Pulling you through it, he releases you finally, but only to shove the door shut and then he’s gripping your bicep and forcing you to walk beside him, having to keep up with his strides.

You’re in an underground parking lot, another fucking underground parking lot, and it’s filled with cars, lights illuminating every step of the way. Your shoes echo across the concrete floor, the only sound that fills the area. Glancing at Evan, his eyes are looking ahead, knowing where’s he going.

He’s going to take me to a car and then he’s going to drive us away and—

The lights go out.

Evan stops abruptly, his fingers digging into your arm. You hiss slightly at the feel of it but it’s quickly forgotten, the darkness surrounding you making you swallow. A light behind you, by the door you’d exited through, is the only one still on, flickering, going out completely for a few seconds before resuming its flickering.

All you can hear is your own, short breathing and Evan’s, harsh, tense.

Then, there’s a loud, echoing sound not too far away, like something heavy denting metal.

You hear it again before what sounds like shoes landing on the concrete floor. Then there’s footsteps, drawing closer.

Evan tightens his grip on you, pressing the barrel of the gun against your arm, looking around. You feel him freeze suddenly, and as your eyes dart about and then you do the same, watching the figure emerge from the shadows.

The flickering light barely illuminates Steve but you can make out his hard features, eyes burning into Evan, his suit jacket gone, sleeves haphazardly rolled up, and his shield glinting on his left arm.

Your heart almost stops in relief.

You hear Evan take a breath, but it sounds steady; he’s not afraid.

“Rogers.”

Steve’s jaw moves minutely. “Evan.”

Neither of them move, but you’re not frightened anymore because there’s no way Evan can win against him, not on a normal day, and particularly not today when Steve Rogers looks like barely restrained rage personified.

Evan knows that, too.

The barrel of the gun returns to your temple, but you’re still not afraid.

“I’d let us pass if I were you, Rogers.”

Steve's gaze, which so far has been fixed solely on Evan, flicks to you. He gives no indication of a reaction as he gauges yours, assesses how calm you are, Evan’s words, then his eyes return to him.

“You aren’t going to hurt her.”

You try to keep your breathing even, try not to let Evan know how relieved and relaxed you are because he won’t. In his own twisted way, he likes you, really likes you, enough to risk all of this and take you away. 

“I wouldn’t be so sure. Desperate people do desperate things, like cling on to a former way of life.”

You see Steve’s shoulders drop slightly, like he’s just exhaled a breath... No, he sighed.

“If you’re trying to insinuate that’s me, then you’re even more stupid than you look.”

You freeze, and Evan pauses... and you realise that this isn’t what he’d been expecting. Of course, he’d probably never spoken to Steve properly before. He’d have been shown old reels of film, been told the stories that, over the years, had grown in detail, left in the good parts, omitted the bad, glorified Steve and everything he’d done. He knew the legend, not the man. He’d been expecting some kind of pontificating, to be talked down, an attempt at reasoning, and Evan expected to be able to counter every word. With this, with the man Steve Rogers actually is, weary, angry, and fiercely protective of those he loves, he can’t do that.

Steve continues as silence stretches. “I don’t know exactly what you’ve been told, some of it might be true, but your fight is with me, not her. She doesn’t need to be part of this. You’re getting her out of here? Let her go, then. She can leave and it can be just you and me.”

You’re almost holding your breath because his grip on your arm has relaxed a touch, and you desperately hope his ego or fear will get the better of him.

Instead, though, Evan smiles suddenly. “Very heroic words, but she won’t go. Will you?”

He tugs on your arm, making you look at him and it’s so sudden you can’t hide the panic in your eyes because it hits you; he doesn’t need to appeal to Steve.

He needs to appeal to you.

You’re the weak-link.

From Evan’s expression... Steve isn’t going to have to try to save you, you’re going to have to try to save him.

He shakes you lightly, suddenly, and you realise it’s not a rhetorical question, he’s waiting for an answer.

“I...” 

Smiling sympathetically, he then lowers his head and whispers in your ear so quietly, “They’re on the way, Y/N. You think they would’ve let him just slip away? They could be here right now, hiding, aiming at him, waiting for the right moment. Waiting to see if I’ll handle it. Maybe this is a test for me, huh? Maybe I planned this all along. Maybe I have an earpiece of my own, or a tracker on me.”

You don’t know, even with his hearing, if Steve will have heard but it doesn’t matter because Evan’s got what he wanted; you’re rattled, doubt in your mind.

And he knows you won’t risk anything when it comes to Steve.

“I don’t think we’ll be alone for long,” Evan almost croons, making you swallow because you don’t know if he’s bluffing or not. “I might not be table to take you on but me and six other guys...”

“You don’t know Steve, then,” you snap quietly.

You think you catch a corner of Steve’s mouth lifting slightly.

Evan just continues to smile, though. “And he doesn’t know us. So what’s gonna happen, Y/N? Are we staying or going?”

‘We’.

Whatever happens, he won’t be letting you do it alone.

And you don’t know what to do.

“Make a decision, Y/N.” The gun moves from your head, and he aims it at Steve as he keeps his eyes on you.

You look at Steve, your heart pounding. He’s watching you and you have no idea what he’s thinking, his features unreadable. You must look as panicked as you feel, though, because his expression softens a touch, and then his gaze falls for a split-second, and your eyes follow, dropping to his hand. His fingers are curled; he’s pressing down on the gem.

Nat has heard every word.

Hope starts to build within you.

Evan might have people coming, but so does Steve.

You lift your chin an inch. “Staying.”

Evan pauses, his eyebrows rising. “Are we?”

He’s still looking at you so he doesn’t catch Steve’s small nod.

A smile starts to pull at your lips. “Yes.”

“Calling my bluff, huh.” Evan exhales a breath.

He lowers the gun.

Two gunshots ring out.

You cry out, the sound echoing horribly, hands flying up to cover your mouth as a bullet buries into Steve’s chest and shoulder, making him grunt and lurch forward from the impact.

You watch in horror as three men in unrecognisable tactical gear suddenly appear from behind a column, moving forward, their guns raised.

Another shot fires, tearing through Steve’s leg, forcing him down onto one knee with a grunt.

“Steve!”

You try to lunge forward but Evan’s tightened his grip on your arm and is pulling you to an elevator nearby.

“No! Stop it! Stop!” you yell, hitting at his arm but he just carries on and all you can do is watch as the men near Steve, their weapons still trained on him.

You hear the elevator doors open behind you, keeping your eyes on Steve, watching as he grunts again as one man kicks the back of his knee, making him drop down onto his hands, the shield clanging against the concrete.

Evan drags you into the elevator and jabs a button on the panel.

The last thing you see as the doors slide shut is Steve pushing himself up, and just before they close there’s a burst of gunfire.

You stiffen, your breath catching in your throat.

Silence.

You can feel tears sliding down your cheeks as you stare at the doors and release a jagged sob, the only other sound the humming of the elevator as it moves.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no...

Despite the fact you have nowhere to go, Evan hasn’t released you. He exhales another breath as he glances at you. 

“You can save your tears.”

“You watch someone you love get shot then try and tell me how to feel,” you snap, your voice breaking.

He scoffs. “You love him? What a twisted case of Stockholm Syndrome—”

“Shut up. Shut your fucking mouth.”

He does but you can’t feel any relief because oh my God, Steve...

He’s stronger than the average person, he can recover more quickly, they won’t have hit anything vital, they won’t have, they won’t have, they won’t have killed him, they won’t have, they can’t have, the gunfire could have been agents, they could have come for him, he isn’t dead, he isn’t dead...

You don’t realise that you’re shaking and actually murmuring the words out loud, over and over again, Evan watching you with a faint frown.

He isn’t dead, he isn’t dead, he isn’t dead...

There’s several minutes of nothing but the humming and your muttering. Evan stays silent.

You don’t notice that he’s holding your arm tighter, though you’d never believe him if he told you it is because you are shaking so badly.

The elevator doors open once it reaches the floor he’d requested, you haven’t bothered to look which one, and he leads you out and down a corridor, again like he knows where he’s going.

You let him, having no strength or energy to resist, just chanting over and over in your mind as you stare, unseeing, ‘He isn’t dead, he isn’t dead, he isn’t dead...’.

You’re then in another elevator, chanting it over and over like a prayer and a wish while Evan opens the control panel and overrides it. Chanting it as the elevator ascends. Chanting it as he tugs you out and across a room. Chanting it as he—

The freezing night air hits you like a slap in the face, forcing a rush of breath out of you as you blink and return to your body. Taking in a gasping breath, the air almost burning your throat, you head whips round to take in where you are.

You’re on a balcony, a huge balcony, with a glass railing around it, some kind of a runway to your right and behind you there’s a huge room with sofas and a bar and it’s all so familiar—

Oh, no, you know where you are.

You’ve seen this balcony before thousands of times, on the news, in newspapers, in adverts and shows.

This is the fucking balcony where the Battle of New York ended.

Evan has pulled a radio from his pocket and holds it close to his mouth. “Delta Four to base, over...”

The answer is instantaneous.

“Delta Four, this is base, tell us what’s going on and why you’ve abandoned your post.”

The voice is masculine, American, stern and cold, but Evan is unfazed. “I’ll tell you when you’ve sent the helicopter round and I’m on it, I’m on the balcony, over.”

“I don’t think you’re in any position to be making demands, Delta Four.”

“Oh, you’ll want to come and get me. I’ve got her, over.”

You pause, staring at him. He glances at you briefly.

“So we heard.” There’s a short silence. “... The helicopter will be there in two minutes. Over.”

“All right, I’ll see you in two minutes, then, over and out.”

He shoves the radio back into his pocket, and meets your blank gaze.

“I thought I wasn’t meant to be involved.”

Your skin prickles at his light smile. “Have to get us out of here somehow.”

Denial is turning to anger now and the sudden way you wrench your arm back takes him by surprise, leaving you finally free of his grip.

“You don’t care about me,” you hiss, “You just want to save yourself.”

“Save us,” he’s pleading almost wearily, taking a step towards you as you take one back. “I’m doing this for us.”

“You’re either lying to yourself or to me!”

“No, I’m not, I just want—”

He breaks off, staring behind you and your brow dips as you turn after a moment. 

Relief and elation washes over you.

Sam hovers metres above the balcony, wings stretched wide, hands on his hips, incredibly pissed off.

“You know, man, I’m real tired of chasing you around and getting this rented suit messed up.”

A smile spreads across your features as he moves closer and you hear Evan take a few steps backwards.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking, Sam.”

Your head whips to the side at the voice, that voice, and you release a gasp of relief because Steve Rogers stands in the balcony doorway with his shield, alive. He’s resting his weight on his good leg and there’s blood staining his shirt where he was shot but he’s alive.

“Yeah, you’re not gonna be able to return that.”

You can hear the smile in Sam’s voice, your eyes remaining fixed on Steve, tears filling them again. He smiles softly and you can see his breathing is slightly laboured, but then his gaze shifts to Evan and the smile vanishes.

“There’s nowhere else to go, Evan. Don’t make this any more harder than it needs to be.”

You turn, watching Evan’s gaze dart between the two of them, weighing his options.

“I’ve got back-up coming.” The way he says it, so matter-of-fact, so arrogant, makes Steve chuckle, and the sound of it gives you the courage to take several steps back, finally putting some distance between you and Evan.

“Oh, yeah. Sam, you wanna go and take care of that?”

“Love to.”

You hear Sam surge higher into the sky and race off as the faint whirring of a helicopter draws nearer.

Evan stares at Steve and you can practically see his mind racing again, trying to figure out his next option, how he can win this.

He can’t.

He raises the gun, so swiftly, and aims it at Steve again. You freeze, closer to Steve but still some distance away. Steve raises his shield in front of his torso, his lips in a thin line. 

“Evan. Think about what you’re doing.”

You can’t read the other man, his features blank. He’s going to do something desperate, you know he is, he’s not going to just—

Evan lowers his arm and aims at Steve’s shield.

“Get down, Y/N!” Steve yells as he twists his arm so the shield is slanted away from you.

You drop to the floor just as Evan pulls the trigger. A bullet screams out and collides with the shield, shooting off in another direction and shattering part of the glass railing.

Lifting your head, you stare at Steve who’s darting forward, towards you.

What had been the point in Evan—

You feel a hand on your arm and the gun on the back of your head.

“Get up.”

Steve has come to an abrupt halt, one arm reached out, the other keeping his shield close to his body.

You stare up at him, his hand too far out of reach.

You flatten your hands and push yourself up slowly, obeying Evan’s order. He had said he wouldn’t hurt you, but at this point...

The gun remains at your head as you get to your feet and straighten, Evan’s grip on you tight, and he starts moving you backwards, using you as his own shield. Steve follows, moving slowly, one step at a time, his arm remaining outstretched.

“Evan, c’mon... It’s over.”

Evan is silent behind you and you have no idea where he’s taking you or what he’s even planning on doing. You can no longer hear the helicopter, he’s completely alone, he’s completely out of options.

He stops suddenly and Steve does, too, opening his mouth to try and reason with him again.

But nothing comes out as you watch realisation flood Steve’s features.

“No, Evan, don’t!”

“I’m so sorry, Y/N,” Evan murmurs sincerely.

Before you can speak, before you can breathe, the gun is gone and he shoves you to the side, through the gap in the broken railing.

And you’re falling.

You hear Steve yell as you scream and you’re falling and you’re going to die and — 

A hand grabs your forearm.

Your body slams against the building with the momentum, and you’re dangling, crying out as your arm screams in protest at the sudden pull on it. Your head snaps up to find Steve gripping you, nearly his entire torso leaning out, on the broken glass. He hisses out breaths as his wounds pull and the shards bite into his skin through the shirt. His other hand, shield gone, presses against the flat of the intact glass to his left. 

“I’ve got you, Y/N, don’t worry, I’ve got you, look at me...”

You’re sobbing, your heart pounding as you hold his gaze, and you can feel him shaking just slightly from how tense his body is.

 “Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God...” you breathe raggedly, shaking yourself, your body dangling.

“It’s okay, it’s all right—”

An explosion erupts somewhere close-by in the building, making it tremble, and you shriek as you feel like you’re falling again but Steve has tightened his grip, keeping you in place.

“It’s all right, sweetheart, you’re okay, I’ve got you!”

Frozen in terror, all you can do is stare up at him, his teeth gritted... and then you see the glass around his hand starting to crack slowly.

“I’m gonna pull you up, all right? It might hurt a little with all the glass here but I’ve got you, okay?”

You nod several times, unable to speak because wind is making your dress whip about you, making you very aware there’s absolutely nothing between you and the ground.

“Hold onto my arm with your other hand, all right?”

You nod again and raise your arm quickly, gripping his arm, your nails digging in but he doesn’t react.

“Ready?”

When you nod once more, he grits his teeth and starts to haul you up. He has to twist his body as he does so, more glass piercing him, but he manages to turn so he can press his shoes against the intact but still cracking glass and use it as leverage to push against.

Even though he moves quickly, it feels like a life-time and you can’t quite catch your breath as you sob, glass starting to prick at you now as he lifts you higher, pulling you over the edge of the building.

And then finally, finally, finally, you’re over it and in his arms, gripping at him, your face pressed into the crook of his neck as you tremble and cry.

You hear his heavy exhale of relief, his arms wrapping tight around you as he holds you, rocking you slightly, and you flinch as the glass his shoes rest against finally shatters.

“You’re all right, you’re okay, it’s okay...” he murmurs, his cheek resting on the top of your head.

You lift your eyes suddenly, looking behind him because oh my God, Evan...

Your gaze darts about frantically but you can’t see him anywhere.

“He got away...” you manage to say through your tears.

“I know, it’s okay,” he hushes you gently, continuing to rock you.

“He got a-away, what if he...” You can’t finish the sentence, can’t contemplate any more pain or hurt.

He presses a lingering, tender kiss to the top of your head, murmuring, “It’s okay, you’re safe.”

Those words have fresh tears sliding down your cheeks and you can’t speak anymore so you just close your eyes and cry into his shoulders, trembling, tightening your arms around him and holding onto him because he’s alive and you’re alive and you can’t believe it, you just can’t believe it.

“Steve! Y/N!” Sam’s voice startles you, your eyes snapping open, and a moment later he lands on the balcony. “What happened? Is everything okay?”

“We’re okay, it’s okay,” Steve answers, and you realise then, from the flatness of his voice and the slight break in it, that he must be crying, too.

“Nat’s on her way up, all right? I’ll get ‘em to send a medic up, just hold on...” 

He’s turning away and talking into his earpiece, but you just close your eyes again and cry, gripping onto the man you love as he holds you tightly, wind howling around you.

—

“... Breaking news! We interrupt this programme to inform you of more information we’ve received of tonight’s dramatic events...”

“... the as yet unnamed group still have members at large and, according to SHIELD, operate a recruiting system online, preying on the disillusioned...”

“... engagement was actually part of the operation to catch the group...”

“... the two explosions have caused significant damage to several floors of the building and an elevator shaft...”

“... ex-boyfriend has been arrested and associated with the group, though he’s denying any knowledge of...”

“.... just been announced that the three men who went to attack Captain Rogers on the carpet were actually decoys so the group could enter the building...”

“... the group infiltrated the system and organised the release of a Marise Daniels...”

News vans line the street outside the Tower, but, mercifully, you haven’t glimpsed any of them.

Nat, a group of agents and five medics had arrived minutes after Sam had. You’d been forced to separate from Steve, though it had taken some convincing from Nat for either of you to even move. He’d needed a little more attention than you so he’d been swiftly whisked away to one of the many medic-bays the Tower had, some of them still intact. You’d stared after him, watching him limp away, wincing every few moments and pressing a hand against one of his wounds.

“I won’t be long,” he’d whispered in your ear before kissing your cheek softly, but that had been three hours ago.

You’d been taken away, too, but to a different bay, and as you’d been patched up and made to change out of your beautiful dress, the garment torn and blood-stained, into sweatpants and a sweater, you’d had to give statement after statement, to the medics, to Nat, to various SHIELD agents, repeating every single little thing that had happened until your brain felt numb.

Sam had sensed your weariness, so tired tears were coming to your eyes, and had gently ended the questioning. He’d then asked you what you wanted to do.

You knew seeing Steve wasn’t an option, if you could he’d be here by now, so you’d said you wanted fresh air.

Sam had taken you outside, to the high-fenced, guarded, immaculate gardens towards the back of the Tower and asked if you wanted him to stay.

Knowing he was needed elsewhere, though he would stay if you asked, you’d said no with a small smile, and he’d hugged you as tightly as he could given your injuries, exhaling a breath.

“Thank you for everything, Sam.”

“Any time. Any time at all.”

After he’d left, giving you his phone in case you needed anything, you’d wandered a little further in, gazing at the gorgeously bright flowers, and then, realising just how damn tired you were, sat down heavily on a bench, stretching your legs out.

You’d stared at his phone in your hand, then unlocked it with the code he’d told you, went to his contacts and scrolled down until you’d found the name.

“Sam?!”

“It’s me, Bridge’.”

“Y/N?! Oh my God, oh my God, are you okay? Doll’, she’s okay!”

You’d burst into tears all over again as you heard them crying, too, and then Dolly’s frantic voice, hearing her sobbing as well.

“I’m so sorry, you two, I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you about everything—”

“Oh my God, stop it, don’t you dare apologise, we’re just so fucking glad you’re okay and we’re so fucking proud of you! You’re the fucking best, are you okay?!”

You'd told them what you could, given how tired you are and how fresh tears seemed to come every few minutes. They’d listened quietly, sniffling and sobbing at various intervals at what you’d had to go through.

When you’d finally said goodbye, your voice almost hoarse, they’d promised to visit you tomorrow if they could, telling you how much they love you over and over. You’d hung up after your goodbyes and wiped your face, even more exhausted.

You’ve sat there for you don’t know how long now, your arm in a sling, the force with which Steve had grabbed your arm having strained muscles and tendons in your arm and shoulder, a bandage around your head from when it had hit the floor after the first explosion, the little cuts from the glass on your arms and hands cleaned, a few bandaged.

You don’t even really think about anything, just staring at the flowers.

I wonder if I could just fall asleep here.

“Hey.”

Lifting your head, Nat approaches, smiling lightly.

You return it. “Hey.”

She folds her arms as she stops before you. “How you holding up?”

You wrinkle your nose, your lips twitching a little. “Uhm...”

She laughs lightly, raising her eyebrows. “Yeah, thought so. If it’s any consolation, you did fucking great.”

Tomorrow you know it’ll blow your mind that Natasha Romanoff has just said that to you, but for now you just smile wearily, nodding. “Thanks.”

Her smile widens a little more briefly, before she takes a breath. “I thought you’d like to know we got Evan.”

You freeze. “What?”

“Yeah, Sam got him about an hour ago. Found him just sitting in a park, on a bench.”

You exhale a long breath. “That was easy.”

“Yeah, it was.” She seems... off, for the briefest of moments, before she smiles again. “For now, though, I say we both get the rest of the weekend off, what remains of it.”

You laugh softly, your eyebrows rising. “Oh, I fucking think so.”

She drops her arms, her smile lingering. “Great. I’ll call you tomorrow, all right?”

“Okay. Oh,” you say just as she’s about to turn, “Will you thank Thor for me? And everyone else?”

Her lips twitch, though it’s almost in endearment this time instead of hinting at a smirk. "Of course. I’ll see you later, make sure you rest.” 

“I’m absolutely planning on doing nothing but.”

“Good. See you later.”

As she turns and heads back into the building, you hear her announce, “Right, all of you can fuck off now, I can finally sleep.”

It brings a smile to your lips as you watch her walk away, and then you see Bucky pass her, heading out to you.

“Hey, kid,” he greets you with a wide smile, wearing the most complicated tactical gear you’ve ever seen.

You find yourself standing and hugging him as best as you can before he can say another word, and if he’s surprised he doesn’t show it, his arms going around you instantly, hands patting your back.

You feel like you want to cry all over again.

“Thank you,” you murmur, and he squeezes you gently.

"Don’t mention it.”

Pulling back, his features have softened and he pats your shoulder. “I’ve got some things to deal with but I just wanted to see how you were. You okay?”

You nod, swallowing the lump in your throat. “Yeah. Be better after some sleep I think.”

“I think so, too. I’ll see if I can get ‘em to bring a car around for you, all right?”

You nod again, relieved, and his smile widens. “All right, wait here.”

As he heads back into the Tower you close your eyes, just letting yourself feel the relief because they’ll have to have enough agents to take you back to the hotel so you can sleep, or you wouldn’t even care if you were taken up to a room in the Tower, you just want—

You hear someone clear their throat.

“I really do have competition, huh.”

Your teeth sink into your lower lip as you try to stop a wide smile, swallowing again because tears are pricking at your eyes again. Opening them, you find Steve stood a few feet away, his own arm in a sling, a few bruises on his cheeks and jaw, and smiling softly. 

You sniff and shrug, saying as nonchalantly as possible, “What can I say, I’m a complete catch. A literal one actually, I was literally caught—”

He’s suddenly in front of you, the smile still there but he swallows, shaking his head slightly. “Oh, I’m not ready to joke about that yet.”

You manage a smile. “Neither am I, actually.”

Then his arm is around you and your cheek is against his chest and your eyes are closed and he just holds you, his lips against the top of your head. You don’t know how long you stand like that, holding each other, grounding each other, but it’s you who finally lifts your head, needing to see him.

“Hey,” you murmur.

“Hey,” he says just as quietly.

For a few moments you just look at each other, and then he closes the short distance between you and kisses you so tenderly it almost breaks your heart.

“Hey, now that we’re no longer engaged...” he murmurs after he draws his head back, gazing at you. “... would you like to go on a date with me?”

You laugh, and the sound warms his soul. “I’d like that very much.”

“Oh, good.”

He kisses you again, lingeringly, softly, and it feels like home.

So you say it.

Breaking the kiss, you exhale a breath and smile. “I love you, Steve Rogers.”

His eyebrows lift a little, one corner of his mouth lifting higher than the other as he swallows. “I love you, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

It was the easiest thing in the world, to say it, and the most beautiful thing in the world to hear it.

Taking his hand, you blow out a breath and sniff as you both start to wander back towards the Tower.

“I want to go on holiday.”

“Yeah?”

His thumb strokes against your skin, and if you were to look up at him, you’d find pure love and adoration shining in his eyes.

“Yeah. Maybe to that island that was on that programme.”

“It did look nice.”

“And it’s far away.”

“Oh, perfect.”

“Hey, lovebirds!” Bucky calls from inside, grinning. “Your carriage awaits!”

“Oh, thank God.”

As you enter the Tower, not knowing what the future holds and, right now, not really caring, you just hold the hand of the man you love and who loves you back, with all of his heart.

You’re safe, you’re loved... and you’re so close to finally getting some damn sleep.

The End

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

I just want to quickly say a huge thank you to you all for reading this story and coming on this journey with me! I wrote the first chapter nearly two years ago as just a little drabble, and then just over a month ago it came back to me and I couldn’t get this idea out of my mind. I set a challenge for myself to write this week-by-week and even though it was v v v stressful at times this has been so fun and rewarding. 

A bigger thank you goes to those who have reblogged and commented; your support has meant the absolute world to me, I really cannot thank you enough, you kept me going.

I hope you’ve all enjoyed the story, and who knows, maybe there’ll be more in the future... x

—

Comments and reblogs make my day in a way I can’t describe.

Tagged: @herb-welch, @jobean12-blog, @gifsbysimplysonia, @multireality, @saltyspiceduh, @sergeantangel, @sarcasm-is-my-native-tounge, @lex-is-up-all-night-to-get-bucky, @dispatchvampire, @superapplepie, @rynabarnesrogers-reading, @im-not-great-at-making-up-names, @imaginedreamwrite, @mrsbarnes32557038, @tellthemall-i-saidhi, @tacohead13, @opalsandlace, @opalsandlacemain @river-soul, @ollypopp, @byssheplease, @kimberliinabox, @ughofcourse, @sebbystanlover-vk, @vale0413, @donutloverxo, @shynara51, @rebekahdawkins, @gigglegirl77, @isaxhorror, @nomadicpixel

#steve rogers x reader #steve rogers x female reader #steve rogers x plus size reader #steve rogers fic #my writing #flamehairedwritings

[justjeonday]

Always you | jeon jeongguk

You usually hate walking to the convenience store, but with Jeongguk it’s anything but boring.

— pairing: jeon jeongguk x reader

— genre: established relationship, fluff - so much fluff, boyfriend!jeongguk

— word count: 2,690

— warnings: none

— notes: so, this is my first time ever posting something I’ve written on here - and I’m really nervous. Idk if I’ve done all of this right lol, I tried. I spent a few days working on this piece, and it’s nothing huge or anything - just a simple idea that popped into my head. I hope you enjoy, feedback is very welcome. Thank you :’)

— disclaimer(?): I spell ”Jungkook” as Jeongguk throughout this whole thing, cause that’s just how I naturally tend to spell it out. I hope this won’t bother anyone, if it does I’m sorry lol. I also apologize for any typos, it feels like I might’ve missed some although I looked through it multiple times.

Your boyfriend’s hot breath against your neck leaves goosebumps rising on your skin, but you manage to ignore it - waiting for the woman behind the desk to pack your bag. However, just a few seconds later you feel him leaving light kisses over the most sensitive area just below your ear. You turn slightly to nudge him away with your shoulder.

”Will you stop it?” You whisper as you look at him.

Jeongguk just looks back at you with amusement visible on his face. He sure loves teasing you in public. You snicker at him, shaking your head as you turn back to grab the bag of snacks the cashier is holding out for you. You thank her and make your way out of the small store, Jeongguk following closely behind.

”I’ll take that for you,” He insists, taking the bag from your hand before you can protest.

The cold air hits you just as hard as when you left your apartment twenty minutes ago, causing you to shiver as you step outside.

Snow had been falling ever since this morning, a white blanket now covering the ground beneath you. It looks beautiful, sparkling as the city lights reaches the surface of it. It’s rare snow actually stays on the ground here in Seoul, only occurring once or twice a year. You love it like this. Even though the temperature feels unbearable at times, with the weather getting colder it prompts for a lot of cuddling.

And in your opinion, there can never be enough cuddling.

In fact, before this very spontaneous adventure to the store you and Jeongguk had been cuddling while enjoying some random K-drama you found. After watching the two main characters share a bag of snacks, the two of you started craving just that.

”Should we go?” Jeongguk had asked, shifting his head in your lap to look up at you.

You removed your hand from his hair, reaching out to check the time on your phone.

11:39.

You looked down at him. ”Should we?”

After much contemplating whether you should go or not, you guys put your jackets on - getting ready to go to a nearby convenience store despite the fact that it was close to midnight by the time you guys left.

You’re now on your way back home, walking side by side with interlaced fingers. Seoul at night is probably one of your favorite things. You love how all the lights and neon signs beautifully illuminate the world around you, how they gracefully dance across Jeongguk’s honey-colored skin.

”Wait.”

You stop at your boyfriend’s sudden demand, turning to him in confusion.

You see him searching for something in the pockets of his jacket. ”What’s wrong?” You say.

A few seconds later, you see his fingers wrapped around his vintage camera. In spite of the smile sneaking its way onto your lips, you roll your eyes at him. ”Really?”

”What?” He says, smiling.

”When did you even manage to bring that thing?”

”This thing happens to be my favorite camera, do you know what I use it for?” He begins, fiddling with it as he speaks.

You raise your eyebrows questioningly, gesturing for him to continue.

”I use it to capture things I find beautiful-” He says, eyes locking with yours. ”- Being with someone as beautiful as you, I’ll always have it with me.”

He looks at you with a smirk on his lips, knowing you’ll be blushing at his words. You do, feeling blood rushing to your cheeks as your heart swells in awe. You truly feel as if you don’t deserve someone as good as him, but oh how happy you are that the two of you found each other. With him you feel like the luckiest person walking this earth.

”Now smile for me please,” He brings the camera up in front of his face, ready to take a photo.

You do as told, letting him take all the pictures he desires before intertwining your fingers with his again and continuing your walk home. You never really like being in photos, but since you started dating Jeongguk you’ve gotten used to him randomly wanting to take photos of you. Even if that’s in the morning when you’re making breakfast, your hair still a mess — you let him take a photo, knowing he’ll keep it to himself unless you give him consent to do otherwise.

It makes you feel special, like you’re one of a kind.

”Ah, cold,” Your boyfriend says, sucking in air through gritted teeth and holding your hand tighter.

You look at him, a giggle escaping your lips. ”I told you to wear your gloves.”

”I couldn’t find them,” He says with a frown forming on his face. ”How come your hands never get cold?” He pouts.

It’s kind of strange actually, how rare it is your hands get cold.

”I don’t know,” You laugh.

”It’s so unfair, I bet you have superpowers or something.”

”Like what?”

”Heat manipulation.”

”How epic, feel free to use me as your personal hot pack!” You joke.

He laughs out loud at that, throwing his head back — his eyes becoming crescent moons. You automatically smile at the sound, happy you made him laugh.

”I can carry the bag if you want,” You offer, holding your hand out.

”No need,” He chuckles, only pulling you closer into his side.

You think nothing of it until you feel his fingers creep up the inside of your jacket and under the fabric of your, or should you say, his hoodie. As he lays his hand flat against the warm skin of your lower back, you squirm and jump away from him in response.

”What’s the matter?” He says, a made-up look of innocence on his face.

You just frown at him for a moment, but with it being impossible to act annoyed at his adorable ways — you let out a laugh before proceeding to walk. ”You can’t do that.”

”Why can’t I?”

”Your hands feel like ice,” You say. ”I’m not kidding.”

”I thought you said I could use you as my personal hot pack,” He says, acting disappointed as he looks down at his feet.

You push him playfully. ”You are so annoying, Jeon Jeongguk.”

He chuckles and walks past you with his arms stretched out. ”But you love me anyway,” He sings.

But you love him anyway, of course you do.

Deciding to get revenge, you lean down to pick some snow up from the ground. You form it into a ball, then you aim and throw it at his back. He stops in his tracks, turning around with a mischievous grin on his lips.

”Oh love, I hope you realise what you’ve just started.”

It’s a stupid idea really because you know very well that he’ll win, he always does. He has this annoying tendency of being above average at anything he does, even when it’s his first time doing it. Although, being the sweet boyfriend he is — he lets you win sometimes.

Before you know it you’re both running around outside your apartment complex throwing snowballs at each other, the bag of snacks left in the snow at the side of the street. You earn a few looks from people walking past, most of them just in wonder of what’s going on. It’s probably not so often you come across to adults running around in the middle of the street having a snowball fight, let alone in the middle of the night.

While you’re leaning down to make yet another snowball, you feel Jeongguk behind you. He grabs the collar of the hoodie you’re wearing, pushing it aside and letting the snow in his hand fall down the inside of it — the cold coming in contact with your skin. You squeal and start chasing after him with snow in your hands, and a few seconds later you manage to copy his actions.

He hisses as the snow falls down inside of his shirt, capturing you in his embrace before you can run away again. ”Caught you,” He says, smiling.

The both of you are breathing heavily, your breaths visible in the cold air surrounding you. As your chest is pressed against his you feel your heartbeats becoming one. You put your arms around his neck and look up at him, his bunny smile making butterflies swarm in your stomach.

Even though you’ve been with him for what seems like forever, not really remembering what life was like without him — everything with him still feels like the first time. You still feel your heart skip a beat every time he enters the room, butterflies going crazy in your stomach at the sight of his smile and the sound of his laugh. You still get lost in the galaxies that are his eyes, and every time you look into them you swear you see stars shining in them. Like people look at stars scattered in the dark above, you look into his eyes - and that’s your way of stargazing. At every little thing you can feel yourself falling in love with him over and over, and there never seems to be an end to it.

”What’s on your mind?” He asks, noticing you’ve wandered off somewhere in your mind.

”You,” You say, looking at him with a small smile on your lips. You run your thumb along his cheekbone softy. ”Always you.”

His nose and cheeks had been painted a shade of pink because of the cold, making him look even more adorable — if even possible. You put your hands on each side of his face, cupping his cheeks before leaning up to press your lips against his. He instantly kisses you back, exhaling through his nose as if he’d been waiting for it to happen. You can’t help but smile into the kiss. Warmth spreads throughout your body, the cold air around you suddenly becoming less cold. You then pull away, having to catch your breath.

You run your fingers through his hair, your forehead pressed against his. ”We should probably get inside before we catch a cold.”

He just hums in response as he lets his eyes flutter open. He licks his lips, the taste of your raspberry lip balm still lingering on them.

After making sure to remember the bag of snacks you initially had come outside for, the two of you head inside. You shiver as the warm air inside engulfs you. You’re quick to get out of your outerwear and run into your bedroom, wanting to get rid of your hoodie — in which is now soaked at your lower back. You undress deciding to steal one of Jeongguk’s shirts. You put it on, and with the hem falling just above your knees you figure you’re in no need of pants.

As you’re about to leave you bump into Jeongguk’s bare chest, the shirt he had been wearing earlier now in his hand. He stands in front of you with exposed abs and sweatpants hanging low on his hips.

Now the sight of this — you can confirm — is more mouth-watering than any snack in that bag.

You tear your gaze from his body as you hear his voice, eyes meeting his.

”Hey you, I was about to ask if you happen to know where me long sleeve is,” He says. ”But it appears someone stole it,” He nudges a finger against your side.

You grin. ”You don’t need it,” You argue as you walk past him, heading towards the sofa.

”And why’s that?”

”You look better without clothes.”

”Oh, if that’s the case you don’t need it either then,” He steps in front of you, stopping you from reaching your longed for destination.

”I can’t just walk around in my underwear,” You laugh.

”Sure you can,” He says, a smirk on his lips.

You hit his chest. ”Shut up.”

He picks you up by grabbing the back of your thighs, making you squeal and put your legs around his waist. He carries you over to the sofa and let’s you fall onto your back on top of it, then he lays down next to you.

You gasp.

Jeongguk looks at you with worry in his eyes. ”What?”

”The lights need to be turned off,” You say, gesturing to the light above you. ”Technically, you laid down last so that means you have to go turn them off.”

He groans, but gets up to turn them off nonetheless — making you smile in satisfaction. On his way back he brings the bag of snacks, placing it on the coffee table. He lays down next to you again and reaches over for the remote to press play. Shadows start dancing around the room as the K-drama starts playing. Jeongguk sighs as he cuddles into your side, laying his head on your chest and pulling the covers over the both of you.

You lay like that for a while, legs tangeled, sharing snacks and making stupid jokes about the things you see happening on the TV — laughing at stuff that wouldn’t have been funny if it weren’t for the lack of sleep. After a few episodes you can tell the late hours are getting to your boyfriend as you notice him getting quieter, his breaths slowly becoming deeper.

You too feel your eyelids getting heavier so you grab the remote to turn the TV off, then gently placing it on the coffee table. You get yourself comfortable, but you soon realise you’ve left your phone in the bedroom — making you sigh in frustration. Despite the very comfy state you’re in, you decide it’s best to go and get it in case your boss gets the idea to call you in the morning.

You prop yourself up on your elbows, carefully pushing Jeongguk so his head falls softly onto the pillow next to you before you lift his arm off of your waist. Trying your best not to stir him out of his sleep, you sit up slowly but realise you’ve failed as he groans and brings his arm around your waist — pulling you back down next to him.

”Jeongguk, I have to go get my phone,” You whisper, trying to remove his arm yet again.

”Nooo,” He whines, putting his leg over your hips under the covers.

You can’t leave, even if you try.

”I have to,” You say.

”Please don’t,” He pouts.

”I’ll be quick I promise.”

And with that he let’s you go against his will, keeping the pout on his lips. You try to keep your promise, being as quick as you can despite your eyes not really being adjusted to the darkness yet.

You luckily get to the bedroom without stumbling over something, fumbling to grab your phone that you had thrown on the bed earlier. After finally finding it under a pillow, you make your way back to the sofa.

Jeongguk immediately puts his arm around you as you lay back down next to him, laying his head on your shoulder.

”Missed you,” He says with sleep laced in his voice, making you chuckle.

”I was only gone for a few minutes, Gguk.”

Half asleep, he shifts so he’s lying on his side and pulling you against him so your chest is pressed against his. He nuzzles his face into the crook of your neck before leaving a few light kisses just under your jaw. You put your arms around him and bring a hand up to run your fingers through his hair. Your other hand draws circles on his back, your fingertips delicately skimming over his soft skin. You feel his body relax against you, a sigh escaping past his lips — his breath hot against your skin.

You could stay like this forever, close to him like this while just enjoying the presence of each other. You kiss his shoulder before laying your head against his, feeling the melatonin take over you once again.

”I love you,” Jeongguk mumbles into your neck.

You smile. ”I love you too.”

#jeon jungkook #jeongguk #jeon jungkook scenarios #jungkook #jungkook fanfic #bts senarios #bts drabble #jungkook drabble #bts fluff #bts fanfction #kim namjoon #kim seokjin #kim taehyung #park jimin #min yoongi #jung hoseok #bts imagines #fanfic #jungkook fluff #bts #jeon jungkook x reader #so much fluff #i don’t know lol #fic; always you #kirawrites

[nyctophilin]

Fake Affection | II

Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III, Chapter IV, Epilogue

Description: Han Jisung has been rejected by the girl he likes one to many times. He decides that he has had enough and is set on making her want him back. What could possibly make her want him more than seeing him with her rival after she boldly assumed he can’t find anyone better. That way Jisung and Y/N are stuck in a fake relationship until Jisung’s crush falls for him. Or he falls for someone else.

All rights reserved © nyctophilin 2020. Re-posting, copying and translating any of my works is prohibited.

Pairing: Han x fem!Reader, Hyunjin x fem!Reader

Word count: 4.5k

Genre: College!AU, Fake dating!AU, Angst, Fluff, eventual Smut

Warnings: swearing

A/N: Remember when I said this will only have two part? Well, I’m a big fat liar. The drama kind of started this chapter and I’m excited for it. Also, thank you so much for for the huge support I got for the last part. I’m really grateful for that. I hope you like it, hehe. Feedback is very much appreciated.

      Y/N was sitting in Script Interpretation class trying to go over the script they were going to discuss that day once more. Her concentration was interrupted by a pile of books being slammed into the table way too close to where her hand was resting. Lifting her head to look for the culprit she locked eyes with Hayoon. A shiver went through her body.

      “Hey, girl. How are you doing?” Her voice was abnormally high and she hated how she couldn’t hide her feelings in front of her best friend. She really fucked up this time.

      “Oh, don’t you ‘girl’ me! Can you explain to me what the fuck is everyone talking about?” She wasn’t screaming, her tone calm. Way too calm. It was making Y/N way more scared than she should have been.

      Y/N lifted the script she was previously holding. “ Angels in Ame…” Hayoon hit the table with her palm and lowered herself to watch Y/N in the eyes.

      “Don’t you bullshit me Y/N. Why is everyone talking about you and Han Jisung being in a relationship?” Hayoon’s face was dangerously close to hers and she could feel the daggers that her eyes were sending in her direction.

      She gulped visibly before putting her hands on Hayoon’s shoulders and slowly pushing her away from her. “Well, we are in a relationship.” She didn’t dare look her friend in the eyes.

      Annoyance was embracing Hayoon’s facial features. She clicked her tongue before exhaling loudly. “And why didn’t I know? And most importantly, when the fuck did it happen?” The girl’s voice started to rise in volume.

      “Ok, please calm down! I’ll tell you everything at the end of the class. The professor is supposed to arrive any minute.” Y/N had a pleading face on, grateful for the fact that they didn’t have a free period. She hoped that maybe during the class Hayoon would calm down even a little. She really couldn’t deal with her friend when she was angry.

      Like it was on cue, the professor entered the classroom and greeted everyone. Hayoon threw Y/N a look that meant they were not done there and focused on the professor.

      Throughout the class, Y/n couldn’t focus on what they were talking about. She was thinking of what to tell her friend so she believes her and Jisung are deeply in love or at least very horny for each other. She was told by more professors that she is one of the best actresses they have at the moment but in front of Hayoon, she felt just like a kid who’s done something bad for the first time.

      The time flew ridiculously fast that class and when the bell rang Y/N felt like she could have used some more hours to prepare for the talk she was about to have with Hayoon. Her friend got up and when they both finished packing their things she grabbed Y/N’s bicep as a method to prevent her from running away. 

      Hayoon led her outside of the campus and they sat down on a bench at the front of the university. That was the moment when she let go of her friend's arm. She made herself comfortable on the bench while Y/N was fidgeting nervously.

      “You can start talking” She tilted her head to the side waiting for an explanation.

      Y/N let out a shaky breath. “What happened is that he sat next to me in Canto class and then when the class was over he asked me to talk. He asked me out and now we are dating.” She said all that in a breath hoping that maybe Hayoon didn’t hear her.

      “Just like that?” The other girl’s voice filled her ears. Y/N looked at her confused. The girl rolled her eyes. “You started dating him just like that? Just because he asked you? What happened with ‘He’s a loser’, ‘He never takes shit seriously’, ‘He has a stupid face that I hate’? Weren’t he and Mina dating?” The flood of questions took her by surprise.

      “No, they are not dating. And he’s actually kind of nice. He has his bad parts but don’t we all?” She tried explaining without stumbling over her words which she succeeded in doing. Thankfully.

      “But what if it is some kind of bet or trick? You know who he is friends with. You should have thought better before saying yes.” She shifted her position closer to Y/N and put a hand on her forearm protectively.

      She was right. The whole thing was just a trick but she wasn’t the victim. She kind of felt bad now but the whole thing was actually harmless. They were just trying to make Mina jealous and if it didn’t work in a month or so, she would break up with Jisung. She turned her head towards her friend, tears stinging her eyes.

      “Yes, I know his friends but it’s not like that. I really do like him. Why can’t you be happy for me? Is it that hard to believe that a popular guy would like me?” A single tear fell down her cheek and Hayoon hugged her hurriedly, stuffing her face into her chest.

      “No, I’m sorry! Of course, he can. I’m sure a lot of popular guys like you! I was just worried!” Y/N sobbed a little and Hayoon hugged her tighter, rubbing her back soothingly.

       “It’s ok. I know you mean well.” Y/N hated having to use the fake crying on her friend but if they wanted that to work no one should know they were faking their relationship.

      The bell rang signalling the end of her last class. She gathered her things and waited a bit for Hayoon before leaving the room. Just as she stepped outside the classroom a hand snaked around her waist and she was pressed to a body.

      “Hey, babe.” Jisung said next to her ear before giving her neck a kiss. The girl jumped at the contact before relaxing upon realising that it was Jisung.

      “Hey.” She made eye contact with Hayoon who was sitting awkwardly to the side. She got out of his lock only to hold her friend’s hands and bring her closer. When she turned she noticed Hyunjin and Chan standing close to Jisung as well. “She’s my friend, Hayoon.” The men all greeted her.

      Hayoon gave them in return a smile that was visibly fake before turning to Y/N. “I have to go. See you tomorrow, ok?”

      “Yeah, see you.” She watched her get lost in the crowd before turning back to the boys.

      “She’s nice.” Jisung said ironically, rolling his eyes.

      “Give her time. She just doesn’t really like you.” Hyunjin and Chan held in their laughter as Jisung’s face turned into a hurt one.

      “But you like me, right babe?” His voice was as if he was talking to a child as he placed his hands on her hips bringing her closer.

      “You might have to give me some time as well.” The men finally let out their laughter as Jisung’s expression turned into an annoyed one. “What are you doing here, anyway?” She asked her head tilted to the side to show confusion and to distance herself a little bit from Jisung, who didn’t seem to have a problem with showing her affection.

      “I came here to wait for Jeongin and they came to wait for you.” Hyunjin smiled as he spoke. She smiled back at him feeling happiness invade her body.

      She turned her head towards her pretend boyfriend raising an eyebrow. “Did you want to tell me something?”

      “I actually came to take you home. I and Chan have to meet Changbin somewhere and your house is on the way there.” She felt a warm feeling in her stomach at his words. That was actually really nice of him considering the fact that they were not actually dating.

      “Jisung sweetie, you don’t know where I live yet.” Hyunjin snorted loudly, biting his lip to prevent himself from laughing. Jisung glared at him before looking down at Y/N.

      “Ok, I don’t know if your house is on the way there but we were going to drop you off.” 

      “That’s really sweet of you but I actually have the first meeting with the crew for the short movie I’ll play in. I can’t leave yet.” She finally got out of his arms as she wanted to turn around and leave. A pair of strong hands placed themselves on her biceps and stopped her from moving.

      “Easy there. You almost hit me. We still have 15 minutes until the meeting starts.” Jeongin explained as he went past her to greet each of the men individually.

      “I’m sorry!” A pinkish colour dusted her cheeks, embarrassed by her negligence to where she was walking. “We? Your crew is meeting now as well?” The innocence in her voice made Jeongin chuckle.

      “Y/N, we play in the same movie.” Her eyebrows furrowed and her mouth fell agape at his words. Hyunjin and Jeongin giggled at her reaction.

      “Seriously?” Her question had Hyunjin rolling his eyes.

      “You say that like you haven’t been together in every single play since last year.” He was right but she didn’t remember seeing Jeongin at the auditions. “Now, let’s go or we’ll be late.”

      “You play in it as well?” Her expression became even more shocked if it was possible.

      “No, I don’t. I’ll just come watch.”

      “I don’t think you are allowed to.”

      “Oh, please! Mrs. Bae loves me. I’m sure she won’t have anything against it.” Right after he finished talking he hooked an arm around Jeongin’s neck forcing him to follow his lead. When he got next to Y/N he did the same taking the girl by surprise.

      She regained her composure fast telling herself that Hyunjin is just a social butterfly. She lifted her hand and waved it ‘Goodbye!’ at the boys who she couldn’t see because of Hyunjin’s grip on her neck.

      Jisung watched as the three of them were heading for the auditorium. Taking another look at Hynjin’s arm around her neck, he scoffed. He had been particularly annoying since lunch and something told Jisung it wouldn’t be the last time.

     As long as he didn’t interfere with their plan to make Mina jealous, he didn’t really care what kind of relationship Hyunjin was trying to push with Y/N.

      “I can not wait to get the script. Cursed be the printer for breaking down today of all days!” Y/N chanted for the nth time in the last 20 minutes.

      The meeting went fairly well. They mostly talked about the concept of the movie more in-depth, met the other actors that they didn’t know thanks to them being from different majors and discussed about each character individually so they know how to prepare for the roles. The only thing that upset Y/N was the missing scripts that they were supposed to receive. She was so excited about the movie and she could not endure another day without knowing the entire story.

      She was currently walking home with Hyunjin and Jeongin. Despite being well past 7 PM the sun was still in the sky probably preparing to set soon. The spring breeze had her clutching her jean jacket to her body trying to get rid of the goosebumps covering her skin.

      “You’ve only told us that a thousand times in the last couple of minutes.” Hyunjin said being unable to suppress the smile that was tugging at his mouth upon seeing how excited she was.

      “Can you blame me? The concept of Hell and Heaven, the forbidden love, the action, the drama. Everything is so, ugh!” Y/N was making wide gestures with her hands as she spoke, having the men trying to avoid them in order not to get hit. Jeongin grabbed one of her hands stopping her ministration.

      “I have never seen someone so excited about a school project. Calm down! We’ll get the script tomorrow.” Her mouth formed into a pout at his words. The two men let out chuckles at her action.

      Taking a look around her she noticed a familiar coffee shop on the other side of the road. She cleared her throat as she stopped at the crossroad. 

      “My apartment is actually that way.” She used her index finger to point the direction of the coffee shop. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow!”

      “Actually, I’m going that way as well.” Hyunjin said, pressing the button of the traffic lights.

      They said goodbye to Jeongin before crossing the street. There was a comfortable silence between the two of them for a few minutes.

      “I still can’t believe that they let you stay.” Y/N said, remembering how he sat behind her and Jengin the whole time. He would make short comments about the plot and characters from time to time, making her giggle.

      “I told you Mrs. Bae loves me. She’ll do anything for her favourite student.” He said matter of factly.

      “I just don’t understand how she can be such a bitch to everyone but you. She acted like you were her son, I swear to God.” She trembled as she recalled how the professor would talk to him in a baby voice and how she offered to give him her chair so he could sit comfortably.

      “Not everyone is as handsome and amazing as I am.” Y/N laughed shortly and shoved him slowly.

      Another minute passed before Hyunjin decided to speak.

      “You know what I don’t understand?” He asked, looking at her side profile.

      “What?” She made eye contact with him.

      “Now, I don’t want you to get offended, cause that is definitely your choice. However, why date Jisung? You could have had any boy on campus. Someone that’s actually mature and nice.” Hyunjin let his teeth sink into the flesh of his bottom lip. 

      He knew what he was trying to do was not ethical. Jisung was one of his best friends but he had to know. If he couldn’t get Mina, which everyone could, how did he convince someone of Y/N’s calibre to date him?

      “Perhaps you think too highly of me. I assure you, I couldn’t have had any boy on campus.” She let a breathy laugh leave her lips. Boys barely talked to her and every time they did they were very awkward and distant.

      “I’m afraid I have to disagree with you. A lot of guys like you. You are smart, talented, friendly and, please excuse my language, hot. You just seem unapproachable because…” He stopped in the middle of his sentence contemplating whether he should say it or not.

      “Because…” She encouraged him to speak.

      “You might have a resting bitch face sometimes.” He noticed she wanted to say something but cut her off. “AND. And there is this guy that claims to have confessed to you last year and he said you completely humiliated him.” He bit the inside of his lip.

      An irritated breath left her nose. “I swear to God. I knew that guy would do something like that. All I did was tell him I want to focus on school for a while and he literally started crying. When I told him he could ask me again in a few months he called me a bitch and stormed out of there.” She paused for a bit to regain her composure. “If he’s the reason no guy approached me all this time I’ll find him and give his ass a beating.” She declared clenching her fist in front of her face.

      Hyunjin chuckled at her action. “Ok, but let’s go back to Jisung.” That was a phrase he never thought he would say to a girl.

      “Ah, yeah. I don’t know. He was the first one to ask me out. He is kinda handsome and nice, I guess. I mean, he does that thing where he likes to make fun of people for no reason that absolutely drives me mad.” She exclaimed the last word clenching her jaw. “But he has been nice to me since we started dating. It has been only a day and a half but he knows that if he does something wrong I’ll dump him faster than he can rap.”

      “Hmm, interesting. So this is all it takes for you to break up with him. In that case, I want to let you know that he has been rude to me today before we came to meet you.” Y/N laughed and hit his chest softly. Hyunjin laughed as well, but his laugh wasn’t genuine.

      Y/N stopped walking and put her hand on his forearm. “This is where I live. Thank you for walking with me. It was fun spending time with you today.” A bright smile enveloped her features.

      Hyunjin took a look at the apartment complex behind her trying to figure out at what floor her apartment might be. Quickly, he shifted his eyes on her and without realising he patted her head smiling.

      “I had fun as well. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go rub into Jisung’s face the fact that I found out where you live before him.” He said and turned on his heels to leave.

      Y/N noticed Hyunjin going in the same direction they came from and confusion settled inside her.

      “Hey! Where are you going?” She shouted after him.

      Hyunjin turned towards her and a smile tugged on his lips. “Actually, I live two streets behind.”

      Her eyes widened at his words. “Oh my God! Why didn’t you say so? I made you walk all the way here.”

      “I couldn’t let such a pretty lady walk alone at this hour.” His response came to her panicked rambling.

      “But it’s still really bright outside!”

      “Ok, you got me. I just wanted to spend more time with you.” A smirk appeared on his lips. “Hey! Don’t tell Jisung!” He winked at her before turning around and sprinting down the street.

      She casually walked into the complex and made her way to the third floor where her apartment was located. She fished her key from her bag and unlocked the door entering the residence. 

      When she found herself in the safety of her apartment she let her body slid down the white door. A rosy pink was covering her cheeks and she bit her bottom lip. What was that stupid feeling inside her chest? She needed to calm down. 

      Y/N got up from the floor and went into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and snatched a water bottle from the fridge door. She downed half of it in one go and used one hand to prop herself against the wall.

      “Mina, you bitch. Hurry up and fall in love with Jisung.” She mumbled pressing the cold bottle to her exposed collarbones.

      “How much more should we sit in silence?” Changbin whispered looking around at the people occupying the table.

      “Shhh. Be quiet! They’ll both rip your head off if you disturb them.” Hayoon spit in a barely audible voice.

      Changbin threw her an annoyed look. Why did Y/N’s friend have to sit with them as well? He glanced at Y/N and Jeongin who were seated across one another. Their eyes were scanning over the pages of the thick scripts they had in hand for the past 20 minutes, forcing everyone else around them to be quiet.

      “Whoa, what an ending! I knew I could trust our senior.” Y/N finally exclaimed, startling some of the people at the table.

      “Tell me about it. I can not believe you have to do that.” Jeongin said, placing the script next to his tray.

      “Don’t be sad, lover boy. I promise I’ll take good care of you in hell.” She winked at him before stuffing the script in her bag.

      “Do I sense some steamy stuff coming up?” Felix wiggled his eyebrows at Jeongin.

      “Nah, just a kiss. But like, fucking finally!” Jeongin exclaimed, taking a bite from his food for the first time since he sat down.

      “How did we manage to be in so many plays together and not kiss once? That never happens. It started to worry me. Finally, the universe is in order again.” She joked pretending to wipe away sweat from her forehead.

      Jisung rested his elbow on the back of Y/N’s chair and leaned close to her. “Do you mean to tell me that you’ve wanted to kiss Jeongin for a long time now?” His tone was meant to be teasing and intimidating but Y/N felt like laughing at his efforts to seem like a possessive boyfriend. She rolled her eyes visibly.

      “Don’t worry, babe. It’s just acting. No real feelings involved.” Her words carried a lot of meaning, one which only the two of them could understand.

      “Really?” His voice lowered an octave and using one finger he turned her head towards him capturing her lips in a slow kiss. 

      From the corner of his eye, he noticed Mina looking at them. She was seated a few tables away with her friends and a few guys from her major. He felt like smirking when she clenched her jaw and scoffed in their direction.

      He broke the kiss and proceeded to lick his lips tasting Y/N’s strawberry lip balm on them. He curled one hand over her shoulders and brought her closer. Upon placing a kiss on her temple, the sound of metal hitting metal ringed in the cafeteria. Mina abruptly got up from her table and left the cafeteria leaving her friends to clean up her tray.

      Minho let out a prolonged whistle rolling his eyes in the process. “Looks like someone is in a bad mood. I wonder why.” His voice was dripping with sarcasm, the reason for Mina’s sudden outburst being well known at the table.

      “You snooze, you lose.” A smirk was plastered on Jisung’s face. “I think a year and a half was a good amount of time for her to figure out her feelings. I wasn’t gonna wait around for her my entire life.” He declared nonchalantly playing with a strand of Y/N’s hair.

      Y/N bit back a laugh at his bold statement. What he said wasn’t entirely wrong. He didn’t wait around for her but he sure as hell wasn’t over her like his tone wanted to make it seem like. She lightly patted his thigh under the table as a form of saying ‘Good one!’.

      “That kind of makes it seems like you are using Y/N to get over her. I’d be more careful with my word choice next time.” Hyunjin said in a stern voice, throwing Jisung a cold glare.

      “No one needs your fucking opinion. Why do you even care?” Jisung felt annoyance overwhelm him. Hyunjin has voiced a lot of his opinions regarding his relationship with Y/N ever since they’ve announced it. Most of them in private when she wasn’t present.

      “Cause I don’t want you hurting my friend. She’s been nice enough to date you. I feel like you should be grateful.” Hyunjin was clearly irritated by Jisung’s attitude.

      Y/N watched as the two men were throwing daggers at each other. The same fuzzy feeling from the day before started spreading in her body. She kept repeating to herself that Hyunjin was just being nice. All he did and said the day prior was just him being nice. Some of his words started playing in her head when she remembered the previous day. ‘I just wanted to spend more time with you. Don’t tell Jisung!’ He was probably just joking. Just some playful rivalry between the two.

      “It’s ok, Hyunjin. I didn’t see it like that. I’m fine.” She mumbled and started playing with her fingers under the table. She tried controlling her laboured breath.

      Jisung threw Hyunjin a victorious smile. Noticing a change in her demeanour he took a look at her. Cheeks dusted with the faintest of pinks and fingers playing nervously under the table. A smirk acaparated his face as he remembered the conversation he had with her the other day on the bench. She definitely had a crush on someone.

      The sound of a key turning in a lock was heard in the empty apartment. Y/N entered the residence and abandoned her bag on the hanger near the door. Taking off her boots, she made her way to the window in the living room to close it, the air in the apartment being way too chilly for her comfort. She picked up a plate from the coffee table that she abandoned there in the morning before leaving and took it to the sink in the kitchen before going to her bedroom.

      The space was fairly clean excepting her desk that had all sorts of assignments and books sprawled all over it. She took off her clothes and discarded them in the laundry bin before going to her closet to pick something comfortable to wear. She settled for a pair of burgundy sweats and a black hoodie, perfect for that spring weather.

      Just as she finished putting on the hoodie she heard her phone go off signalling that she got a message. Throwing herself on the bed she grabbed her phone that was on the nightstand next to her bed.

[Jisung,15:36]Tomorrow is Saturday. Let’s go on a date! :D

      Y/N pursed her lips after reading his message. She has planned to do research about her character for the movie the next day. Her fingers moved fast in typing a reply.

[Y/N,15:39]Is Mina gonna be there?

      She had no reason to go on that date if Mina wasn’t going to be there. It will be just a waste of her time. Her phone emitted the same ringing sound like earlier and she unlocked it to check his response.

[Jisung,15:40]Of course. Why else would I ask you on a date?

      His message had her rolling her eyes. She would bet all her money that he had a smug expression at that moment. Probably thinking that he did something. She was getting annoyed just thinking of it.

[Y/N,15:42]Time and place?

[Jisung,15:45] 6 PM. Text me your address, I’ll come pick you up.

      She sent him her address after a few minutes of contemplating insisting to meet there. She locked her phone and turned the silent mode on putting it back on the nightstand. Jumping out of bed she made her way to her desk prepared to start working on some of the assignments scattered on it.

#stray kids #stray kids smut #stray kids fluff #stray kids angst #stray kids imagines #stray kids scenarios #han #han jisung #han smut #han jisung smut #han angst #han jisung angst #han fluff #han jisung fluff #hyunjin #hyunjin fluff #skz #skz smut #skz angst #skz fluff

[redthreadoffate]

help me, i’m melting [sebastian stan]

a repost, originally posted in my former writing blog

relationship: sebastian stan x female!reader

warnings: swearing, none; mistakes here or there

request (anon): In honour of the thirst tweet video, can you write something were there’s a tweet along the lines of “if I was Seb gf, I would melt under those eyes” and Seb mutters something like “my girl did this morning” and Mackie loses his shit.

notes: i really hope i got this good. i’ve been writing and re-writing some parts and although i am honestly happy with how this turned out, i’m hoping anon would like it, too.

summary: so sebastian has a girl, cool

While Anthony Mackie and your boyfriend Sebastian Stan were gracing your phone’s screen, you were also taking a short break from work. Kids were great, but they can definitely be a handful at most times, not gonna lie. So here you are, in the faculty room, watching the thirst tweet video of the two actors.

“Thank you for allowing me to make you horny.”

Cut.

“Okay, we’ve got one more for Sebastian here,” Anthony said.

“If I was Sebastian’s girlfriend, I would melt under those eyes.” He paused, a smirk forming in his lips as he avoided looking at the camera. He let out a low laugh making Anthony look at him curiously. “My girl did this morning.”.

Anthony burst out a long “oh” before he looked at the camera in shock. You would’ve done the same if you were there. However, probably for very different reasons.

“Did you hear that?” Anthony demanded. “Did you hear that? Tell me you heard that!”

“I definitely heard that,” you murmured. You’ve stopped eating your sandwich and began drinking your soda. “You’re going to get it from me later, Mr. Stan.”

“Rewind that tape!” Anthony requested. “We need to make sure we got that line on tape! Sebastian Stan just admitted he’s taken. I’m sorry, ladies, but this man has his hands tied to a lucky woman who’s somewhere around the world right now!”

Sebastian was hysterical. “Anthony,” he wheezed, “you’re overreacting!”

“Give me a copy of this tape!”

Your boyfriend shook his head. “Goodnight and good luck.” Cut.

The first one to come home to the apartment you shared with Sebastian was you. You thought you had some time so you freshened up a bit before lying on the couch in the living room. Finally, you heard the sound of the jingle of keys.

“Y/n?” he called out.

“This couch is really nice,” you said.

He gave a nervous laugh. “You’ve seen it already, huh?”

“During break, yeah.”

“What did you think of it?”

You stood up and replied, “Considering you filmed that a few days ago and you had no idea what you were doing, it’s good. Funny. Anthony was hilarious.”

He grinned.

“But you just told the world that I melted because of your eyes. And that, in turn, blew up my phone, and now I know how it feels when somebody suddenly finds your private account.” You shrugged. “I even got some messages.”

Sebastian sighed. “I’m sorry about that. I just couldn’t help it. It was perfect. We were being all…you know, during that morning. And you even said that you were literally melting because my eyes were so…and then you trailed off.”

You groaned. “I didn’t know someone was going to tweet something like that, and people put it on live tv!”

He laughed. “Let it go, babe. You’re just going to stress yourself out.” He grabbed your hips and wrapped his arms around you. You hummed and encircled your arms around his neck. “Now, can you tell me what you were going to say about my eyes which you claimed made you melt?”

You quirked your lips. “Nah.”

#sebastian stan x reader #sebastian stan x you #sebastian stan y/n #sebastian stan imagine #sebastian stan imagines #sebastian stan fanfiction #bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes x you #bucky barnes x y/n #bucky barnes imagines #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes fanfiction

[roseyserpents]

Existing in Remembrance

Summary: Sweet Peas other half had been ripped away from him and he struggles with living with the overwhelming memories

Word count: 2,081

Warnings: death, grieving, cursing, tiny mention of sex

A/N: this has been sitting in my drafts for a while and just finished it. Sorry.

Posted: February 27, 2020 11:29 PM CT

That morning it was hard to get out of bed. That wasn't the only thing, though. It was hard to wake up. To open his eyes. To breathe. To exist. Everything hurt as he lied staring at the ceiling. His bed felt empty and cold with only him in it, void of extra warmth and a pair of arms wrapped around him. It was quiet without the sound of gentle snoring or early morning chatter, the only sound instead his shaky breaths. It was atleast an hour before he could find the motivation to get out of bed. Another hour later he was walking out his door in black suit, getting lost in his thoughts until he's standing outside the funeral home. It takes everything in him to walk inside and walk in that room without crying. He was the first one there, sitting in the back corner of the dimly lit walls with his head in his hands.

"Come on Pea!" You smile, taking his hand and pulling him after you.

"We already had milkshakes today." He sighed in protest though you still took him inside Pops and ordered.

"Since when do you say no to more milkshakes?" You ask, unable to hold back a laugh.

He could hear your laugh echo through the building but it's gone before he can salvage the sound. Maybe it was just in his head, but it didn't matter.

Five minutes later Toni, Fangs, Jughead, and Betty arrived, five minutes after that Veronica, Kevin, Archie, and Cheryl.

"Hey Pea." Fangs said, pulling his friend into a hug. He falls against him, tightly gripping Fangs. He couldn't help but wish it was you holding him.

You are not allowed to go out anymore." Sweet Pea says after you'd come home with cuts and bruises.

"I'm fine." You assured him as you turned your head with your chin and cleans your cuts. "It was a small fight that I won."

"But now you're hurt." He says. "I'm supposed to stop you from getting hurt."

"I can handle myself." You say, standing up and so does Sweet Pea. "I'm not a delicate princess."

"You're my princess." He smiles, wrapping his arms around you. You roll your eyes but copy his smile, pulling him into a strong hug.

"You okay?" Toni asks, seeing her friend standing still with a distant look in his eyes. She knew he was getting lost in his thoughts and memories again like he had been the past week, having to hold back her own tears. "She loved you, Sweet Pea. She still does."

He nods and presses his lips into a line, scrunching his face together as to make sure no tears slip out. "Thanks Topaz." He mumbles. She squeezes his arm before walking towards Cheryl.

"I love you." You say, still staring up at the stars in the back of the truck you both lied on.

"What?" Sweet Pea quickly looks away from the stars and watches you, examining your side profile.

"I love you." You repeat, finally turning to look at him. A smile was on your face as you saw the look of excitement and love on his face.

"I love you." He smiles, leaning closer to you and pressing his lips against yours. "I love you so much, Y/n Y/l/n."

"Aw you're such a Sweetie." You giggle as he hovered over you.

"I hate you."

"You love me,"

You sit up on your elbows to meet him in the middle, your lips fitting together perfectly before parting and rejoining. A warm tingle was spreading through you from a source in your chest, like how you felt when you first kissed but ten times more intense. You knew he felt it too, the warmth seeming to radiate off of him in waves. He moved so you were above him before sitting up so you straddled his lap. His lips trailed down to your neck, your hands combing through his hair.

"Sweet Pea," you breathe after his teeth grazed your neck causing your breath to hitch in your throat. He pulled away as quick as he'd started, a partially embarrassed.

"I'm sorry I just-"

You cut his apology off with a kiss softer than before. "It's okay."

The two of you were just that; just the two of you. You had all your firsts together, first relationship, first breakup, first kiss, first I love you, first hook up. You explored this new world of being teenagers and being a boyfriend or girlfriend together, and ever step seemed easy with him by your side. Despite your obviously differing personalities, yours greetings and smiles while his was "don't talk to me, I bite", you fit together like a two puzzle pieces from separate puzzles that didn't go with the rest but were perfect for each other.

But then one day you disappeared. At first he just thought you were off doing your own thing, then thought you were blowing him off; that he said something wrong. After a week of nobody seeing or hearing a single thing from you, the missing persons report was filed. You weren't really known as Y/n around the school anymore, more as the girl who went missing last week. The days went on and Sweet Pea tore himself up over it. Maybe you ran away because of him because you thought you were moving too fast. Maybe you never really loved him, it was just an act until you could get away. Maybe you were hurt somewhere and--

"Sweet Pea, you in there?" Fangs asked causing him to physically jump up out of his head.

"Yeah, just... Thinking." He answers, running a hand through his hair.

"She'll come back dude." He gives Sweet Pea a sympathetic pat on the back before walking to his seat.

"Sweet Pea, can you join me in the office please." Weatherbee asks after walking into the classroom. Sweet Pea rolls his eyes but does so, the principal closing the door to his office once they get there.

"Sweet Pea, you might want to take a seat. The news I'm about to tell you is... Shaking." Weatherbee says.

"I can take it." He says through his teeth.

The man in front of him frowns and sits at his desk, his hands folded in front of him. "Well, I got a call from the sheriff's office about an open case."

"She's home?" Sweet Pea asks knowing immediately which case it was, his entire body language changing, "where is she, can I see her?"

"Miss. Y/l/n was found, yes, but she... She wasn't alive. I'm sorry."

"No, no you're lying."

"Sweet Pea, I understand this will be a hard time for you," Weatherbee starts but is cut off by Sweet Pea running out of the room and to the parking lot, a mess of emotions that seemed to be drowning him, pulling him further and further into the depths of his spiraling mind with stops along the way of memories and thoughts of you. Of his girl. His girl that wasn't really his girl anymore because how could you be his girl if you were gone?

"Sweet Pea?" He heard you say.

"Y/n?" He looked up with excitement shining in his dull eyes but they went back to the previously seen empty look after seeing it was just Betty. "Oh. Hey."

"I'm going to go talk to Toni." Betty excuses herself. Sweet Pea silently wished that she'd taken Jughead with her, not wanting the burden laid upon him of pouring out his feelings to someone else because that's all everyone keeps fucking asking.

"Jones, I swear to God if you ask me how I'm doing I'm going to throw you into a wall." Sweet Pea says, not meeting his eye instead looking at his own hands that had held yours so many times in the past.

"I like to think I'm not that cliche." Jughead says quietly. "Thinking about her?"

"I can't stop thinking about her." He replies in a quiet voice, still scared of opening up to anyone; he opened up to you, not them. "Every little thing about her is just... I miss her."

"We all do, man." Jughead tries to comfort him but didn't quite know how to get through the thick cloud that was thoughts of the girl he'd loved and lost.

"I was thinking um... About when I found out." Sweet Pea continues, "I just remember thinking that I didn't even get to say bye, or tell her I loved her. I don't even... Don't even know why she was out of town."

It was silent for a while between them until Jughead let him be alone which he obviously wanted.

Everything just hurt. His head hurt, his stomach hurt, the memories hurt. He wanted to escape from his body and go to some far away land that was just him and the pictures of you he'd put together in his head. He had so many more things to say to you. So many more things he wanted to do with you. So many conversations you'd yet to have. He wanted you to help him with his pain like you'd done with him times before, but could you really help if you were the cause of the gnawing, aching feeling deep within him?

People kept telling him over and over time would be the cure to his hurt, but they couldn't be more undeniably wrong. As each day went on, he longed for you more and more, he kept seeing whispers of you in the hallway, like the memorial in front of your locker filled with cards and flowers from people you didn't really know. There were scattered pictures of you there, your heart-melting smile looking straight at him, and there was pictures of the two of you on your common dates to Pops. He saw you in the newly put up colourful posters pasted to the walls about going to the guidance counselor to "help guide you through your grieving"; He saw you in couples walking down the hallway just the way you used to; And he saw you in your seat next to him in fifth period despite it's emptiness that served as a cold reminder.

Everyone asked him how he was and every time he gave them a one worded answer varying of "good" "okay" "fine" "great". He didn't want to share the memories he had of you that only the two of you knew about, like how the earth around you seemed to stop it's rotation around the sun and instead rotated around you that night when you first said you loved him. You loved him, and of course he knew that, but it was so damn hard to keep remembering that because when he thought of you it wasn't a warm fuzzy feeling anymore, it was pain and sorrow and regret. He loved you, so fucking much it hurt; then again, that hurt was probably longing for the other half of his heart. It was rare for someone to find their person. The One with a capital "O". And that's what you were for him and him for you. With you gone it felt like half of him had just disappeared into a phantom, like he was walking around slowly disappearing into the air around him and no one seemed to realize as the days went on he sunk deeper into this place where his body didn't exist in the present, instead getting stuck in the past following after his mind.

Everyday in his trailer he passed the black velvet box on his table. Sometimes he just sat and stared at it, gently popping it open and turning the ring inside between his fingers. It was a promise ring, something that binded the two of you until you were old enough to get married and carry out the rest of your days together because you'd found the One. He was going to give it to you the day you disappeared, sitting in the truck he'd slide it on to your finger and you'd smile and kiss him saying how much he meant to you and he'd look up to meet your eyes but then this dream world would merge with the real one and you'd be gone; disintegrated into thin air leaving him alone to keep you with him as a mere collection of memories.

#sweet pea smut #sweet pea imagine #sweet pea #sweet pea x reader #sweet pea fanfiction #riverdale cheryl #riverdale moodboard #riverdale imagine #riverdale fanfiction #riverdale #sweet pea x you #sweet pea x y/n #toni topaz #jughead jones #betty cooper #veronica lodge #archie andrews #fangs forgarty imagine #fangs fogarty

[rkivepacks]

TITLE: surprise in two Pairing: Jung Hoseok - Member x Reader Rating: R18+ Genre: fluff, smut, little crack Word Count: 3,372 Trigger Warning/s: swearing, smut Cross-posted on: AO3/dtgloss

Disclaimer:  Should there be similarities with the works of other respected artists are purely unintentional. This also do not reflect on the real lives of the artists portrayed in this work. Comments, suggestions and any other concerns are accepted in my inbox. Thank you!  ©  AO3/dtgloss / tumblr/rkivepacks

NOTES: ∟ This is a prompt submitted by @himbeaux-joon​ to @ficswithluv ‘s changeswithluv that allows lovely people to send in commissions for donations to BLM charities and organizations. P.S. I hope i did the prompt justice ∟beta-ed by the lovely @meowxyoong who helped me the whole time!!!

∟ banner by @rkivepacks​ ∟ request banner here ∟ request prompt/fic here

Prompt:   Strangers!AU: You hooked up with a hot guy named Hobi at your best friend's birthday last night. The next morning you realize he's also her little brother Hoseok.

You love all things organizing, decision-making; the works.

But you don’t love stress.

What your best friend’s boyfriend is giving you now reads along the lines of stress.

[New Message] I’m sorry my advisor wanted to reschedule our meeting to today. Forgive me!!!! I PROMISE I HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DO IT DON'T WORRY

You reread the message again before typing back a I will cut your balls off

He replies a I AM REALLY SORRY , followed by a series of hand emojis that you surely know is supposed to be depicting two hands clapping and not to be mistaken as a begging emoji but you let it go.

There are more important things that need your attention.

Like the cake that will apparently just appear later at the surprise party from someone you don’t know and forgot to ask among other things, like organizing the whole party for your best friend.

In their defense, Jiwoo’s boyfriend volunteered to get the cake at least, saying he does not have a bone in his body that is inclined in organizing and left that part of the party to you.

Everything is out of the window now that he had a meeting and would not be able to get the cake in one piece himself on time to the party.

Plans changed and so has your level of patience.

╫

The plan should go like this; let Jiwoo be distracted on her own knowing, that putting someone else for that task will only make it obvious that something is up, meet on the apartment and put up the decorations with Hana as fast as you can before Jiwoo gets back for your ‘planned small get together for the three of you’.

You are currently working on the two-toned tassel garlands that're too slippery to come together when Hana pads into the living room. “The cake is here, Hope said he’ll be back with the pizza.” You hum in acknowledgement, although you do not know who Hope is.

Twenty minutes later with everything set up, you try to have a sip of water when your phone pings.

[New Message] You’re at the apartment? Can you take out the chicken pops from the fridge so I can cook it when I get there hehe

You reply a quick yes and think to yourself sorry, no chicken lollipops today

After a few minutes of checking and finalizing the place, the lock from the main door beeps, signaling that it’s unlocked. Like clockwork you and Hana stare at each other, eyes wide, before she runs to where the light switch would be and quickly turns it off, engulfing the room in an almost pitch dark black just before the door fully opens.

╫

If success is measured by the surprise on Jiwoo’s face, you’d say you did, a hundred percent. Greetings and loves are passed around, pictures are taken and the party is now in full swing.

The preparations tired you out and you end up sitting down by the window that overlooks the back garden, a cup of soda in your hand. Jiwoo and her boyfriend are within your range for now and every time he catches your eye he sends you a sheepish smile and apologies come off of him in airwaves.

You decided to sneak off to the kitchen with a slice of the cake and another glass of soda and get back to your spot on the window as fast as possible.

“Is it good?” You hear a voice not too far from you.

You look at the stranger and assess him, quickly realizing you have not seen the man before as you don't recognize him.

To his credit, he looks handsome in a simple oversized black shirt and jeans, his head covered in a black bucket hat that adorably covers his head perfectly, little hairs peeking out from under it.

“Sorry?” You answer back, unsure.

“Is the cake good?” He repeats.

“Oh yes. Would you like some?” You try to be nice and offer your piece, tilting the plate towards him as he rests on the wall in front of you.

“Thank you, maybe later.” He smiles. “I’m Hoseok.” He introduces himself and you do the same, shaking his hands.

“So are you not in the mood for people? Or…” He trails off and you don’t expect him to stay longer. Not that you mind the company but you had the impression that he was only going to stay to make a small talk to avoid coming off as rude.

“The party just drained me out. And I wanted to have cake in peace.” You explained, tilting your head back as you remember the hecticity of the day.

“Oh you came with Hana, then?” Hoseok asks.

“Yep!” You reply and down the rest of your soda.

“How about we get another piece of cake and soda, and hide somewhere nicer?” He asks, shifting off of his feet.

“Sure.” You smile at him and he leads you back to the kitchen. As Hoseok is slicing the cake for the two of you, Hana comes in skipping into the kitchen. Clearly the alcohol has hit her, considering her face has become red and her hair is almost at rest with what probably is the heat and sweat coming off of her body. Hana comes and wraps two arms around you, swaying you both from right to left before doing the same to Hoseok.

You don't know how the two knew each other and just laugh at Hana’s antics.

“Go away, Hana, you’re drunk.” You shout over the loud music hoping it reaches Hana’s ears but to no avail, the black haired girl just continues her skipping out of the kitchen the same way she entered the room.

╫

Cake and Soda acquired, Hoseok leads you to the guest bedroom that is surprisingly empty. The two of you sit on the floor by the bed, sharing the cake between you. You have been sharing small talk and stories to entertain yourselves.

“I just realized something.” You stop after you hurriedly swallow down the cake, fork midway in the air as you speak. “You’re Hope.” You point the fork towards Hoseok, your tone almost accusatory.

“I am Hope.” Hoseok nods as if the fact is obvious. It’s not for you, apparently.

“Yes you are.” You continue to prod, eyes wide. You realize it as you eat the cake, remembering how Hana has mentioned a certain ‘Hope’ who apparently is about to get the cake instead. You also remember how Hoseok said thank you when you said the cake was delicious.

Hoseok was Hope.

Hoseok was giggling at your serious internal monologue while your brain surely creates an unwarranted mind map between the two names and one person.

“Are you drunk?” Hoseok jokes and you take another bite of the cake and scowl at him. “Speaking of drinks, would you like another glass, I’ll get myself one.” He stands and looks down to where you stay seated, you shake your head and wave your hand to signal him a ‘no, thank you’ before he replies, “Please wait here, I’ll be right back”, and goes his way to the door.

Hoseok stops midway before turning around to go back to you. “Just in case you need to leave and couldn’t wait until I get back,” he pecks you on the lips fast before sprinting towards the door, hoping that being fast would somehow make you stay inside the room.

After a short while, the door opens again and peeks into the room, his face contorted into what shows curiosity before relief washes over him as he sees you still seated on where he last saw you.

“I’m still here.” You wave to him, eyes following his form as he takes his seat again, drink in his hand.

“So, that kiss was like uhm, a deposit.” He clears his throat, eyes searching yours. “I’d like to claim it back, if you wish.” He grins sheepishly and you tip your head back laughing. You shift to your knees, supporting yourself on one hand with the other cupping his face, as you do exactly what he did just moments ago.

When you pull away, he tilts his head back and groans, taking off his jacket.

“What?” You ask, giggling.

“I think it got hotter in here, I don’t know.” He fans himself before he sighs and retreats with his back on the floor, completely laying down making you laugh.

“I think you’re fine, Hoseok.” You laugh, moving to sit near him on the floor before copying his position on the floor and shifting to your side, body turned to him.

“The floor is stiff on my back.” You whisper, shifting on your place as you try to find a comfortable position.

“I like your thinking.” He appraises before he stands up with ease and turns back to you. He stretches out two hands and pulls you up as you reach up to him.

You notice he used more force, not too hard but enough to have your chest press to his once you’re completely up on your feet. As you reach him, he keeps you in place with a hand on your hips, pressing his lips to yours softly, as if not to surprise you.

He pulls away, not leaving too much space between you but enough to allow you to pull back completely if you wish. When he sees no refusal from you, he tilts his head to the side and slots your slips together, this time more firm. You place your hands around his shoulders, your left hand tracing the hair at the back of his head.

You pull away to drag him into bed, your back turned to him but he takes the opportunity to take steps closer into you, crowding into your space. With his chest pressed to your back, he nuzzles into your neck, his hands softly caressing your arms.

You giggle as you lean back to him, “I tickles.” you tell him as you sit on the bed, pulling him towards you and he mutters a little ‘sorry’ although the smile on his face tells otherwise.

“No you’re not.” You huff, he continues to crowd into your face until your back is on the bed and he’s hovering over you.

“Hm. I like this.” He lightly tugs your off-shoulder yellow top, peering down at you. “It’s my favorite color.”

“Is it? Lucky for you I match everything.” You wiggle your eyebrows at him.

He groans and he continues mouthing at your collarbones exposed to him, your body moving with your laughs.

“Let me know when to stop.” He whispers to your ear and you felt ticklish with his breath hitting your skin.

“Eyes up.” You tilt his chin and catch his eyes, slowly he untugs the strings that keep your skirt secured and pulls it down altogether, you assist him without much movement from the two of you.

You pull him closer and kiss him again, tugging his jeans and he pulls away to get it off before returning to his previous position. His eyes never leave yours through the whole accord.

With your senses heightened, you are both hyper aware of your actions and each touch the both of you leave on each other’s has only left you both feeling the hair on your skin rise.

“Still not looking.” He whispers to your lips before slotting them back together, his right hand tracing your hip bones, fingers ghosting over where the line of your underwear rests.

It’s obvious he is trying to get consent even after he’s told you to let him know when to stop. It’s in his looks as he catches your eyes for a few seconds before continuing with what he is about to do next.

He pulls away and grabs something a few steps from the bed. “I’ve felt that I would need this today.” He smiles, in his hands a packet of condoms and lube, before slotting in between your legs only this time, his face is not as close to yours as before.

He softly traces your stomach with gentle fingers, following his own traces with his lips. He continues his movements until he’s mouthing at the waistbands of your underwear, his left hand fumbling with it.

He pulls it off, his fingers trailing after as it runs down your legs. He continues with his ministrations with his hands on your thighs, his presence felt everywhere on your skin. When he gets back up to level his face with yours, he presses his hips to yours and you rest both hands on his hips, tugging on his boxers.

Off it goes and he wraps both of your legs around his waist, at least one hand never leaving your thighs, his lips never leaving yours.

“Ready?” He scans your face for any discomfort and your heart swoons.

A handsome and respectful man? Your heart swelled. .

His hands move with confidence but prove to be gentle as he holds your hips and lines himself up with you.

“Fuck.” He mutters as he slowly eases in, mouth pressed to yours.

You try to not crush him in between your legs as you feel yourself become putty each time he moves, but it proves to be difficult when he moves with practiced ease. He knows how to activate your senses and which actions and movements he could do, sometimes in between intervals and at times a meddling of the two.

You feel yourself sag down onto the bed, his hips continuing his movements, providing you with much pleasure.

Reaching the climax, your legs clamp up on his hips from where it rested on his hide and your arms smoothing down the expanse of his back, unable to apply much pressure as the relief washes over you.

He follows suit, pulling your hips closer to his and stays pressed to each other for a second, before he lets you down gently.

You stay still and connected for a little while, basking in the aftermath of your pleasures. When Hoseok regains his strength and senses, he helps you rest down your thighs to where you would be more comfortable, gentle hands guiding you.

Swoon.

He presses soft kisses to your forehead as you cool down, and quickly finds the thin blanket to cover your body, his eyes never leaving your face.

Soon you feel yourself slowly regain your strength as well. You sit up, holding the blanket to your chest and pick off the underwear from where it was thrown to the edge of the bed. Hoseok gives you privacy as he sits on the other side of the bed, already dressed in everything except for his shoes and his black shirt, back turned to you.

You quickly dress and smooth your hair down from where it was messily tied up.

Your phone buzzes from where you left it on the floor with a text from Hana telling you that she left the place already.

“I think I’m gonna head out.” You say as you stand in front of him.

“Let me get you a ride.” He stands up and you move to the side as he quickly dresses into his shirt and slips into his shoes, leading you back down to where some people, although a little less compared to what they left off a while ago, are still up and drinking.

“I’d drive you, but…” He trails, pertaining to the alcohol he has in his system.

“It’s ok. I can handle myself.” You look up to him and he laughs.

“I know you can. Let me know when you get home.” He says. He gives you a quick peck just before you jog over to where the car was waiting for you.

╫

To: Hoseok I got home safe, thank you!

From: Hoseok That’s good. Would you be free for a late breakfast tomorrow?

To: Hoseok If I wake up before that, yes

From: Nice. Good night :)

To: Hoseok Night, Hope!!!

╫

You do wake up before lunch time. Actually, you wake up way earlier than you should have considering you got home at two in the morning and went to bed at least thirty minutes after.

You contemplate what time to send a text to Hoseok about your meet up when your phone vibrates with a message from another person.

From: Jiwoo You left your subway card here!!! Come get it and I’ll make you breakfast <3

You read the message and sigh. Maybe the late breakfast will be postponed. You text Hoseok informing him that your best friend needs you this morning and ask for a rain check. Thankfully, the nice man takes it well and lets you off easily.

An hour and a half later, you arrive at Jiwoo’s, “Come with me to my room and help me.” She pulls you to the direction of her bedroom. When you get there she hands you the card you apparently left behind.

When you are done helping Jiwoo with an inexistent problem, you come out of the bedroom first while she follows suit, ranting about the mess the party made last night. You hear the door to the guest bedroom open and you stop on your tracks when you look up to the person in front of you, Jiwoo almost knocking on your back on your abrupt stop.

It’s the handsome and respectful guy from last night. Your late breakfast buddy.

Hoseok reacts better than you, face alight with recognition, “Hey!” He greets you and his eyes switch back and forth between you and Jiwoo.

“Oh? You know each other?” Jiwoo takes over and walks in front of you. You follow on autopilot and Hoseok trails behind you.

“Yep.” Hoseok answers.

Yes, if a one night stand counts as ‘knowing each other’.

“Yep. He brought the cake over.” You reply, sitting down on the dinner table.

“Ah, I’ve heard of that from Sowon. He said he was supposed to bring the cake but he had a surprise meeting and he texted my brother instead. Right, Hoseokie?” Jiwoo explains, biting off an apple slice.

Brother? Stress on the question mark.

Jiwoo and Hoseok are related.

Jiwoo and Hoseok are actual siblings.

Jiwoo and Hoseok actually do look like each other if only my brain functioned enough last night.

Your eyes move from Jiwoo to Hoseok, the latter at ease from his seat as if the situation does not bother him as it did to you. It probably doesn’t.

“I think I left my phone in your room.” You say and retreat back upstairs. If they see your phone peeking out from your back pocket, they don’t say anything.

╫

To: Hoseok I DID NOT KNOW ??????

From: Hoseok Sorry?? Do you guys like have some sort of rule or something…

To: Hoseok It does not exist just like my dignity.

From: Hoseok Come back here already Jiwoo’s chill dw

To: Hoseok …

╫

The breakfast went as smoothly as it could. You laughed over and over, enjoying Hoseok's company. Although, it was mostly Hoseok laughing at your despair as you recount the morning you found out Jiwoo and the embodiment of the man of your current dreams are blood-related.

The late breakfast was only a one time thing, with you having research during normal hours and Hoseok balancing a masters and a dance class with his time. You meet on nights your free time would be fitting with his, and on the weekends you get to do more and spend more time, most of it spent with Jiwoo at her apartment. That's when you realize Jiwoo would actually be chill with the whole thing.

Well- Jiwoo was chill with it until she found out that you actually did sleep over at her apartment, seeing you sleeping peacefully with Hoseok cuddled behind you, arms wrapped around your waist.

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