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helnjk · 3 years

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I Never Planned On You - C.W.

Charlie Weasley x reader

This is part of my showtunes fic list based on the song I Never Planned On You from the musical Newsies 💗 also i am SUCH a simp for Charlie it’s crazy

Word Count: 3.3k

Summary: when the twins bring their best friend to the burrow for christmas, charlie can’t keep his eyes off of her.

Warnings: very brief mentions of death (minor character) & the war, injuries from dragons (?), mentions of food & alcohol consumption

I’ve got no use for moonlight, or sappy poetry

Girls are nice, once or twice,

Til I find someone new

The pub was unusually packed, Charlie noticed.

As he scanned around the crowded room, his friends idly chatted around him. This was their usual routine, every Friday they would clock out of work and make their way here for a round of drinks and some fish and chips.

He hadn’t noticed until she was directly in front of him, but one of the girls he saw around the reserve had made their way over.

“Hello Charlie,” She drawled, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder, “It’s so nice to run into you here.”

Despite the freezing temperature and the fact that everyone else was dressed comfortably, having come straight from work, the girl was wearing barely anything. Not that it mattered what any bird wore, as long as they felt confident in it and in themselves. But, as she bent down to be eye to eye with him, her breasts practically spilled over from her too tight top.

It was obvious what she was trying to do.

His friends watched with amused glints in their eyes, already knowing how this interaction would go. Her appearance was not out of the ordinary. Despite each incident involving a different bird, they had seen this kind of thing happen quite often when they went out with Charlie.

“Erm, hello,” He muttered, trying not to make eye contact, “Louise right?”

Her attempt at a sultry conversation was shattered as she replied, “It’s Leanne.”

“Right.”

Sensing that he was not at all interested in whatever was going on, Leanne huffed and turned on her heel. She angrily strode across the room, making as much noise and ruckus as possible, just to get a reaction out of the redhead, but her attempts were futile.

Mark, one of Charlie’s friends, let out a low whistle as the girl left hearing distance, “That one was rather presumptuous, don’t you think mate?”

Charlie let out a soft chuckle, “I don’t understand why they all think they can pull the same move and expect me to react any differently.”

“They’re all hoping to be the lucky one that the Charlie Weasley falls for, or some other crap like that,” He winked, taking a swig of his beer.

“Reckon that won’t happen for a long time yet, mate.” The redhead replied.

“You never know, Charlie boy!”

He merely shook his head and took a sip of his drink. Dating wasn’t really on his mind anyway.

Love at first sight’s for suckers

At least it used to be

The crack of apparition sounded through the pale morning light.

Charlie landed steadily on his feet as he appeared on the top of a hill, just on the outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole. Nothing had really changed since the last time he visited, the same silhouettes of different houses littered the landscape, the same sleepy neighbors about to begin their day. The familiarity of it all blazed in his heart like a warm fire at the end of a cold day, comforting and all consuming.

The Burrow stood proud and tall in the horizon, and he couldn’t help the smile that graced his lips. He was home. It was the Christmas holidays, the war had ended, and he was home.

He took his time, trudging up through the blanket of snow surrounding the house. Smoke rose from the chimney signalling that his mum was already puttering about in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the army of people no doubt housed under her roof.

“Mum!” He yelled as soon as he crossed the threshold, “Mum, I’m home!”

As he banished the remaining snow on his boots with a wave of his wand, Molly Weasley came bustling out the kitchen door. Apron adorning her waist and a smidge of flour flecked on her fiery hair, she grinned and opened her arms.

“Charlie,” She said as he bent down to wrap his arms around her in an embrace, “Oh love, it’s so good to see you!”

“You too, mum.” He smiled at her, “Anyone else here yet?”

From eldest to youngest, she listed off the plans of each of her children and where they were to spend the holidays. Everyone would be ‘round on Christmas and Boxing day, but the only ones spending the night that day, Christmas Eve, were the twins, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny. The younger ones of the bunch had arrived the day prior, but were still asleep from what she knew.

Charlie nodded his head before he was sent away to unpack his things in his old room. His mum had kept it just as he left it, even though it had been many years since he moved to Romania. She said something about not being bothered to think of anything to turn it in to, but he knew that she kept it for nostalgia’s sake.

As he made his way back down the stairs, the commotion at the front of the house caught his attention. Fred and George had arrived, noisily announcing their appearance, taking off coats and scarves and calling out to their mum. However, Charlie could also just barely see the outline of a third person behind them.

She was nearly a head shorter than the twins, but when she came into view, he felt the air get knocked out of him. The light streaming in from the open door behind her seemed to glow in a halo around her, her eyes lighting up at whatever the twins had said and a laugh falling from her lips.

She was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on.

The twins took notice of Charlie’s presence, as he was paused halfway down the stairs, and called out to him.

“Oi, Charlie!” George called, making his way to his older brother, “Nice to see you, mate! How’ve you been?”

“Good-erm, good yeah.” He managed to stutter out, head still spinning at the sight of the beautiful girl, “What have you lot been up to, then? Who’ve you brought over?”

“This is Y/N,” Fred said, motioning to his best friend.

At the introduction, she smiled brightly and held out her hand for Charlie to shake, “I work with the twins at the shop, nice to meet you.”

Charlie spotted Fred and George roll their eyes playfully.

“Oh come off it,” Fred nudged her before turning to his older brother, “We’ve been mates with this one since Hogwarts. She was usually the one getting us in trouble, though.”

“Oi!” She laughed, “Don’t make me sound like the bad influence, I was a perfectly good student.”

As Charlie watched their interaction, he had flashes of a little girl always in step with the twins and causing mischief in the halls of Hogwarts during his last few years there. Back then, she had only been a child, bright eyed and inquisitive, but now she had grown into a woman, confident and sure.

“Nice to meet you,” He murmured as their eyes locked, “The more the merrier around here.”

He might have been imagining things, but he swore he could see the faint beginnings of a blush creeping onto Y/N’s cheeks.

The ruckus made from the twins & Y/N’s entrance was enough to wake the rest of the inhabitants of the household. It seemed like the Christmas celebrations had begun early as they all clambered into the slightly too small kitchen table and had a meal together.

For the rest of the day, Molly had them all helping out in preparation for the real celebratory meal the next day. Charlie hadn’t had the time to strike up a conversation with Y/N and instead settled with (not so) subtle glances her way.

Once or twice, one of the twins would catch onto his game and send him knowing looks. He paid them no mind, though, being used to their antics.

“So Charlie,” Fred began, as the family was settling in around the living room after dinner, “Y/N, huh?”

The pair of them leant against the wall in the corner of the room, away from any prying eyes or ears.

“Shove off, mate.” He replied with a slight shake of his head and his lips barely twitching into a smile.

The younger brother rolled his eyes playfully, “It’s alright. Georgie and I have been fending off boys for years with our Y/N. She’s quite fit, but no guy’s been good enough for her in our eyes, or in hers I reckon.”

“Don’t you go playing the protective best friend on me now, I haven’t even done anything!” Charlie playfully shoved his shoulder against his brother’s.

“Nah, I’d never. Just wanted to tell you that she’s never been romantically involved with anyone.”

“Well, that makes the two of us then.”

The Burrow was uncharacteristically silent as Charlie crept down the staircase. It was definitely past midnight, but he hadn’t been able to fall asleep, tossing and turning from the moment his head met the pillow.

He paused for a moment as he reached the bottom, not expecting to see light filtering through the open kitchen door at this time of night. His heart only picked up its pace as he noticed that it was Y/N who was sat by the counter, nursing a cup of tea in her hands and staring out the window.

“Care for any company?” He asked, leaning against the doorframe.

He noticed her body jump slightly at the noise, but when she turned to face him, the smile she sent in his direction could light up any room, “I’ve just heard from a certain redhead that around here, the more the merrier.”

“Fred tell you that?”

Her laugh was a sound he knew he would never tire of hearing, “And I see cheekiness runs in the family as well.”

“Nah,” Charlie shrugged, taking the seat across from her, “It’s our good looks that you should be watching out for.”

He flicked his wand and the kettle began to boil once more as a mug floated its way towards the counter. The pair of them had settled into a peaceful silence, taking in the comforting atmosphere of the winter night.

It was Charlie who finally broke the silence, “So, how’s it been working with the twins at the shop? They drive you mad yet?”

She gave him a knowing smile, “When you’ve spent nearly seven years in close quarters with them, you tend to get used to it. Plus it’s good to have steady company, especially when it comes in the form of Fred and George.”

“What about your family? How’re they spending the holidays then?”

The moment the question escaped Charlie’s lips, he knew he had made a mistake. The light in Y/N’s eyes seemed to dim and her grip on the mug in front of her seemed to tighten.

“Oh I’m sorry, you don’t have to–” He began.

“No it’s alright,” She assured him, “My parents died in the war. I was going to spend the holidays alone, but the twins refused to even entertain the thought.”

“Well, I’m glad they brought you along this year.” He sent her a timid smile.

“Me too.”

But I never planned on someone like you

Christmas comes and goes in a flurry of cable knit sweaters and too much food. Y/N and Charlie found themselves tucked away in a corner or out in the snowy landscape taking a walk together more often than not. A quiet conversation at the dead of night did wonders for their budding friendship.

It was as if they were magnets now, drawn to each other in a way that couldn’t be explained.

Sooner than he’d like, Charlie found himself in one of the Ministry offices, hand tightly gripped onto a portkey.

As he settled back into his daily routine at the dragon reserve, his mind often wandered to Y/N. The way her eyes lit up when she saw the snow fall, how her smile bloomed at any of the twins’ (albeit not so funny) jokes, the little crinkle in her nose when she had a particular thought in mind.

“Look out, mate!”

He only had a second to react as he saw one of the younger Welsh Greens open its mouth and shoot flames in his direction. Charlie had been so distracted by his thoughts that despite his best effort and his exceptional flying skills, he still felt flames lick his skin and singe his clothes.

Full of adrenaline, he managed to land his broom properly before rolling onto the grass and performing the protocol for accidents such as these. Mark reached him quickly, as the rest of the team he was with went to settle the dragon down. A quick aguamenti charm at the still burning areas of Charlie’s clothes got rid of the remaining flames, but he still suffered a few burns and scrapes.

“You alright, mate?” Mark asked, helping the redhead get to his feet, “I think we’ve still got to get you to the infirmary for those burns.”

“Nothing I haven’t gone through before.” He smiled, wincing slightly as his clothes rubbed against the new burns on his skin.

As it was protocol for the reserve to inform next of kin of serious injuries, Molly Weasley received an owl detailing the accident and the procedures done to make sure that Charlie was well taken care of.

When she received it, she just so happened to have Y/N over for some tea. As the matriarch of the Weasley family couldn’t help but be drawn to children who had lost their parents in unfortunate circumstances, she made it a point to have her over every once in a while.

“Charlie’s hurt?” Y/N asked, concern leaking into her voice. She had peered over Molly’s shoulder to see what could be so urgently delivered from Romania.

Molly tried to hide her smile as she noticed how much Y/N cared for her son. She wasn’t the only one who took note of how quickly they were drawn to each other over the holidays, and she was thrilled at the thought of Charlie finding someone to love.

Of course, she knew it wasn’t love just yet.

“Got a few burns from one of their younger dragons, it says,” Molly clarified, “He’s confined in their infirmary until further notice. Usually we’re allowed to visit them when we get a notice like this, but I don’t think I’d have the time to go this week… And I don’t want to bother Arthur, he’s been so busy these days with the Ministry as well.”

Having been around Molly for much of her Hogwarts years, Y/N knew exactly what she was doing. But she couldn’t deny the flutters in her stomach when she realized that the person she looked up to as basically her second mother was trying to push her into the arms of her second eldest son.

“Molly,” She began, already set to turn down the offer.

Mrs. Weasley was quick to the chase, however, “Oh I hope he wouldn’t feel too bad, being injured and not having anyone come to visit him.”

A small chuckle escaped Y/N’s lips as she shook her head, “I’m sure he’s got friends over at the reserve.”

“Oh Y/N, but I know he’d love to have you over!” She protested, “And I know the twins would let you go and visit him as well. I would be truly grateful if someone from the family could visit him and come home with news.”

Y/N’s resolve faltered as she noticed that Molly had said she was family. The Weasleys had been practically her second family the moment the twins took her under their wing, but hearing the family matriarch say it so casually moved something in her heart.

“Oh alright.” Y/N smiled, “I’ve never been to Romania, might as well go and see what all the fuss is about.”

The infirmary wasn’t new to Charlie.

Working with dragons was a little more high risk than his mother would’ve liked, but his love for magical creatures overrode whatever concerns she might have had. It helped that everyone working in the place was a top notch healer and got him patched up in no time.

Still, he found himself on bedrest for at least the next few days as he waited for the various balms and soothing creams applied to his skin to work.

Just as he began to feel a little stifled and antsy, a knock on the door rang and the familiar head of one of his healers popped in, “Looks like you’ve got a visitor, mate.”

Charlie furrowed his brows, “But, my mum said she couldn’t come ‘round and visit–”

“Sorry to disappoint, love.”

The sound of her voice was enough to fill his heart with immeasurable joy. In that moment, he forgot all about the uncomfortable sting of his burns and the itch he had to get out of the ward and onto the field again.

“Y/N?” He asked, as she stepped into the room, looking as radiant as when he first met her, “What’re you doing here?”

“Molly said that you were injured,” She shrugged, nonchalant, “Just thought I’d keep you company while you recovered.”

“You came all the way to Romania just so that I wouldn’t be bored out of my mind?”

“Well when you say it like that, it sounds like I went through loads of trouble! I just got the next portkey out of Britain.”

Despite all appearances, the two of them bantered with each other with rapidly beating hearts. Charlie couldn’t believe that his own mum had sent the bird he was pining after to visit him in the infirmary. Y/N couldn’t believe that she had actually gone through with the plan and was going to be around the boy who caught her eye.

As soon as she took a seat next to his bed, though, their conversation flowed from where it left off. No awkwardness or uncomfortable pauses, just the two of them chatting as if they were still back in the Burrow, nursing warm mugs of tea and watching snow fall outside the window.

Y/N had to avert her eyes when the healer came back to redress his bandages, not because she was embarrassed to see him practically naked in front of her, but because seeing the burns nearly made her gasp out loud. She knew that he was a dragon tamer, but she hadn’t known the severity of what accidents on the job looked like.

Of course, he noticed and once the healer had left them again he said, “I’m alright, love. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be all patched up in no time!”

“Yeah,” She nodded, “I just wasn’t expecting that.”

Without thinking, she reached out and took his hand in hers. The both of them looked at their intertwined hands atop the stark white bed sheets. His skin was calloused and rough, she noted, but tender and gentle too. It was evident that he enjoyed what he did and he did it with a lot of care.

“Tell you what,” He stage-whispered, finally meeting her eyes, “I know what’ll help me feel better.”

“Oh yeah? What?” She raised an eyebrow, leaning closer to him and playing along.

“For you to go on a date with me once I get out of here.”

“You are something else, Weasley.” Her eyes glimmered as she shook her head, and Charlie felt his heart hammering in his chest, “If you weren’t injured, I would’ve shoved you off this bed.”

“You didn’t give me an answer, Y/L/N.” He replied, hoping that he didn’t come off as too eager, but still squeezing her hand to show that he was serious.

“Of course I will, you silly man!” She rolled her eyes, but pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

She relished in the way that simple gesture brought a rosy pink tinge to his skin.

#kai's showtunes fics #charlie weasley #charlie weasley fanfiction #charlie weasley imagines #charlie weasley imagine #charlie weasley fics #charlie weasley fic #charlie weasley x reader #charlie weasley x y/n #hp fanfiction #tw injury #tw mention of death #tw food #tw food mention #tw alcohol #tw alcohol mention

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harrypotter-imaginess · 3 years

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Commission info for Love Letters from your favorite character here!

- Honestly, your probably meet him through his Dad or all people

- You meet Arthur at the store, you’re probably at a department store or the grocery store

- Maybe you work here, maybe you just come there weekly to run errands

- But you’re probably a personal shopper

- And you’re looking for something in particular, but every time you go to that section, there’s this lanky middle aged man just standing there

- And you really don’t want to get involved

- But your over active imagination gets the best of you

- What’s if he’s a widower? And he’s just not used to shopping because his partner did all of that

- Or what if he’s trying to get a gift for his new love interest and he’s just trying to get back out there

- And well, if he is a widower, and he just needs some help- shouldn’t you help him?

- Isn’t that just the right thing to do?

- So even though you don’t want to get involved, you very hesitantly approach this red haired man

- “Um, excuse me sir- but is there something I can help you with?”

- He lights up when you approach him

- Looks like the poor thing is a widower

- “Would you explain the purpose to me of this item?”

- He’s holding up a bath kit, one that comes with a bath bomb, some bath salts, and bubble bath soap

- “Um well it’s a bath kit sir”

- He looks at the package for several ing moments before pointing to the circular bath bomb

- “Is this a sweet? Is it a treat you eat when you’re in the bath tub?”

- You practically fall over yourself rushing to tell him that no, it is in fact not a treat

- “It’s like a bubble bath type of thing, you drop it into the water and it turns the bath a certain color, this ones a fortune type so after it’s done fizzing out you get a little fortune.”

- “Well isn’t that fascinating, you Muggles are quite remarkable”

- You don’t think it’s that amazing, just some baking soda and aromatics

- Also what’s a muggle? Is that some middle age slang for young people?

- You help him to the register, and you think that’ll be it, you’ll probably never see him

- So imagine your surprise when you see him again next week, this time in front of a completely different section with the same expression

- “Well hello again, can you help me with this?”

- It’s sort of a fast friendship, you learn a little more about him with each visit

- He is in fact, not, a widower

- He has 8, no 7 children

- And he works for the government

- “A glorified paper pusher really” he says, but you get the feeling he’s being humble

- “How old are you, if you don’t mine me asking?”

- You tell him and he smiles

- “That’s how old my Son is, you two would be a good match.”

- “Which one? Don’t you have seven?”

- He smiles, because you still count Fred as his child even though he’s gone, just like him

- “Take your pick, I’ve got a whole volleyball teams for you to pick from”

- You laugh

- He’s a nice guy, the exact image of what a dad is, you think

- You like him

- Arthur likes you too, he thinks you would be a good match for Percy, maybe George

- He wants to give Percy a fighting chance, he’s a good boy-

- But he’s got his nose stuck in a book most days, Arthur considers it lucky if he ever gets married

- So it’s in early winter that he drags Percy with him to the department store hoping he’ll run into you

- “Why do I have to come along again?”Percy asks grumbling as he walks beside his father

- “Because I’m buying gifts for my department-“

- “You never buy us any gifts” Charlie teases from his other side

- Arthur also brought Charlie, to seem a little less obvious about his intentions of setting you up with one of his children

- He figures Charlie is the most harmless, if you see Bill... well that would be disappointing for you

- considering he’s married and all

- And the scars might raise more questions than he’s willing to answer

- And then Ron was busy at the ministry today, an emergency or something.

- He’s already decided as he walks through the store that if this doesn’t work out, he’s bringing George next week-

- And if that doesn’t work out, well-

- Maybe Ginny would be more your type

- how solid are Harry and Ginny really

- He’s so caught up in his own mental gymnastics that he doesn’t realize one of his sons isn’t following him until he’s well inside the store

- “Where’s Percy?”

- “Oh, he left like 15 minutes ago to take a phone call for work, but I bet he snuck off to that bookstore across the street.” Charlie says casually eyeing a brightly colored display

- Arthur sighs, well he does need to get some gifts for the kids, almost Christmas and all

- “Hello Arthur, what are you dissecting today?” You ask when you see him

- “Just picking up gifts with my son-“

- A small frown lilts onto your face, his son?

- It’s only a little shift of your head and you see him

- Well isn’t he just gorgeous

- He’s got a firm build, toned arms littered with dozens of scars and burns

- His face is chiseled, with a light dusting of red hair, matching vivid hair is long and pulled into a bun

- And the deepest brown eyes you’ve ever seen

- Damn what a hottie

- Arthur should have told told you his son was a total smokeshow

- And he’s got 6 of them?!? Are they all this gorgeous?

- Arthur doesn’t miss the way you look at Charlie

- And one glance at Charlie is all He needs to know that the feeling is mutual

- Why didn’t he think of Charlie?

- Well- actually he had started to think that maybe Charlie just didn’t feel that way about people.

- And so, to be supportive, he wasn’t going to push him into any romantic relationship

- But well since he seems to find you pleasing-

- “This is my son Charlie-“ he says putting both his hands on Charlie’s shoulders and jerking him closer to you

- A light red begins to dust Charlie’s cheeks, wether it’s from embarrassment or attraction he’s not sure

- You fidget in front of him feeling oddly self conscious

- “Nice to meet you, I’m (Y/N)”

- He takes you hand in his with a firm squeeze and you feel a little lightheaded

- His hands are surprisingly soft

- On closer inspection he’s got a light dusting of freckles across the bridge of his nose

- Adorable really

- “So how do you know my dad?” He asks when Arthur is busy /giving you two time to get to know each other looking through the candle selection

- “Oh um I don’t know I guess we just became friends talking about how stuff works?”

- It’s a little weird to think about it, Arthur is your dads age, but he’s like your friend?

- It’s kinda weird tbh

- You wonder how Charlie’s digesting it but he just grins

- “Yeah that sounds like Dad.”

- It’s cute, the way he looks at his Dad

- You remember hearing about Charlie, that he works far away and that Arthur and his wife worry about him. And that he likes animals

- It’s kind of like meeting a celebrity, you know all about him

- except for the fact that he’s a wizard of course

- Well, it was nice meeting one of Arthur’s famous son’s, you suppose he’ll go back to Romania soon and -

- “I was wondering-“ he leans down, his voice low “if you might do me a small favor?”

- Your eyebrows thread together and your head tilts to the side a bit

- “It depends on what it is”

- Charlie only grins

- And so you find yourself standing in front of King’s Cross Station on your next free day, wearing a nice outfit that seems neither too causal, or like you’re trying too hard

- Your fingers fiddle with the hem of your shirt until you see Charlie round the corner

- Well doesn’t he look absolutely delicious

- He’s wearing a crisp white collard shirt and a sweater over it, with a pair of khaki trousers

- Very dark academia

- “Sorry have you been waiting long?”

- You shake your head

- “No only a few minutes, have you thought about what you might want to get him?” You ask and he flashes a little and shakes his head

- “The best I could think of was a gadget of some kind?”

- You nod, you can work with that

- The favor Charlie wanted was pretty simple

- He needed help picking out a Christmas gift for his Dad

- Oddly wholesome in its own way

- You take him to a large department store

- “Maybe this pasta maker?”

- “No, Mum’s already got one”

- He should know, his dad enchanted it to make pasta on its own

- “Than maybe this waffle maker?”

- He shakes his head again, they had one and it did not end well

- You go to several stores throughout the day, but there’s nothing quite right at any of them

- Eventually you both slump down on chairs, untouched mugs of tea in front of you, both of you utterly exhausted

- “This is so much harder than I thought” you mumble, Arthur seems like such an easy to please person

- “I’m sorry” Charlie says, honestly the reason neither of you can pick something is because he can’t be honest with you

- Yeah his Dad loves muggle gadgets, but he loves them because he wants to take them apart, to see how it works

- And then he wants to enchant certain parts to make the contraption even better

- But he can’t tell you all that now can he?

- Not when you’re a muggle

- He sighs leaning back in his chair

- Maybe he shouldn’t have asked you for help, he saw how close you and his Dad were, like you were already family-

- But it’s unfair to you to monopolize all your free time like this-

- “It’s no problem really, this is actually really fun”

- You’re not lying, hanging out with Charlie is really fun.

- Usually spending time with people you’ve only just met exhausts you

- But being with him makes you feel comfortable, the two of you falling into a comfortable rhythm

- Guess he’s kinda like his Dad in that way

- You feel your mouth quirk into a small smile at the thought.

- He kinda looks like his dad too on closer inspection, around the jaw and-

- “Are your ears pierced?” You ask, and Charlie immediately flushes. A hand nervously fluttering to his ear

- “U-um yes, I did it when I was younger-“ he lets out a nervous laugh

- You raise an eyebrow

- “What did some girl break your heart?”

- He sputters at that

- “N-no of course not”

- You feel a wicked grin curling on your face, he’s awfully fun to tease

- “Boyfriend then?”

- He’s burning so bright red that you think steam might actually start coming out of his ears

- “N-no it was nothing like that,” his eyes are looking into his mug, fingers still twiddling with his earlobe.

- “My brother and I got them at the same time with our other friend. It was really their thing, wanting to get the piercing that is, I just joined to be apart of it”

- You can certainly see it, Charlie getting swept up in his friends things.

- “Besides this sort of thing... it doesn’t really suit me” he lets out a nervous laugh and you feel your heart swell

- “I think it would look great on you” The words leave your mouth without even thinking and you feel your face grow hot when they do.

- What are you saying!?!

- You’re embarrassed, but Charlie’s flattered.

- He’s never been the favorite sibling, he’s not as brave as Bill, or as funny as George, Percy’s the smart one, Ron’s the charismatic one, and Ginny’s the athletic one

- He hasn’t got anything to compete with honestly-

- All he can do is try to emulate his siblings, he guesses he’s still trying to figure out who he is

- Which is a little pathetic at his age- at least that’s how he feels

- But hearing you say it would look good on him- well it makes his heart flutter

- Meanwhile you’re completely ignorant to the fact that you’re making his heart race

- Completely caught up in your own embarrassment

- Geez you’re just blurting stuff out like a kid

- A lightbulb goes over your head

- “Hey I think I might have an idea of what your Dad might like!”

- You practically tug him into the the next shop, his face contorted in confusion until you show him what you thought of

- “Oh Merlin, it’s perfect”

- You’re both standing in the toy section of a department store

- Charlie’s watching the bubble machine like it’s the best thing he’s ever saw

- His dad is going to love enchanting it

- While Charlie’s asking the clerk about gift wrapping and other things you wander around the store

- Stopping when you see a rack of candles

- They’re the ‘homesick’ candles, with a scent that’s a place

- And then you see something else glint from the corner of your eye

- “Thank you so much for your help today-“

- You’re both standing in front of king’s cross again, you’re about to go home

- Charlie takes a deep gulp, if he was brave like Bill he might ask you on a date- a real day

- But he’s not

- So he’ll just thank you for your time, and ask for a business card so he can send you a tasteful gift with maybe a card asking to spend time again with you

- But before he can get the words out you thrust something out to him

- It’s a neat folded striped pink and green bag

- He takes it carefully on his hands, leading inside

- “Candles?”

- You nod

- “They’re those homesick candles, they have a scent for places, I got you London and then another one that says English country- it’s amber, honeysuckle and moss, I thought you might like it” you’re blabbering-

- There really wasn’t a need to do anything like this for him

- But well- you know he probably feels so homesick, not to mention his rowdy siblings

- So maybe this will offer him some comfort

- But he’s not looking at the candles he’s looking at something else that’s glinting beside them

- Thick fingers gently pinch the end of the thick paper square

- It’s a pair of earrings

- They’re Dragon Earrings

- “Oh that.” You look at the item with a wide expression “it’s really like a gag gift, I know you work with animals and you’ve got the piercing so-”

- Charlie’s grinning

- “You didn’t have to do all this.”

- “O-oh no, it was no big deal at all, I um- I wanted to.” You give him a shy smile and he feels butterflies erupt in his stomach

- He’s never going to be as brave as Bill, or as Smart as Percy, as funny as George or loyal as Ron.

- But he wants to be kind

- As kind as you, if not more

- “No, I couldn’t possibly let you do something like this for me, especially not after all your help today”

- You feel yourself deflate, ah you were overstepping weren’t you?

- It’s just- you’ve heard so much about him and you work so well together,

- You had started to think of him as a friend

- But clearly it was too much -

- “Let me take you out to dinner sometime,” your eyes snap to his face, which is dusted with pink, deep brown eyes staring into your own

- “To repay you for all the kindness you’ve shown me today”

- You feel a smile spread across your face, arching into a goofy grin

- He’s looking at you hopefully, pieces ears burning red. A matching hopeful smile curled onto his face

- “I would love to”

#Harry Potter imagine #harry potter x reader #harry potter reader insert #Harry Potter headcanon #harry potter fanfiction #charlie weasley #charlie weasley x you #charlie weasley x jacob's sibling #charlie weasley x reader #Charlie Weasley x mc #Charlie Weasley imagine #Charlie Weasley headcanon #Charlie Weasley reader insert #harry potter hogwarts legacy #harry potter hogwarts mystery

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imlovethomassanders · 3 years

Text

Eyes are the Windows to the Soul(mates) - Chapter 4

You can also read on ao3

Thank you to @strongindependentcheesecake for beta reading

This work is complete, and new chapters will be added everyday until completion:

Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 5 (FINAL)

Summary: The lucky few who have a soulmate are born with heterochromia, with their left eye being the color of their soulmate’s eyes and their right eye being their own color. Not only was Virgil one of the lucky few to have a soulmate, but he was given four. His left eye changed colors every time he blinked, rotating between his four soulmates’ eye colors. His rotating eye colors caused him to be a bit of an outcast growing up, but when he finally leaves for college, things start to fall into place. This is the journey of five strangers finding each other.

Pairings: DLAMP with background Remile

Warnings: None I believe

Words: 3924

Taglist: @touchstarvedvirgil @lamp-calm-sanders @ninjago2020 @confinesofpersonalknowledge @secret-novelisthost18 @phander-sides @sherlock-lives-on-bakerstreet @bookbingingproblem @viana-dascolli @sharktryingtofly @crofters-n-falsehoods @turnedthefreakingfrogsgay @little-kat07 @romano-hottopic

Logan had been too worried about Roman and his eyes to talk to Patton and Virgil. It had been two weeks since they last video called, and Patton and Virgil were getting worried. For the first few days, Logan said he was sick. Then he had a lot of homework, then he had a migraine, then he had to study, then he had to help Emile with studying, or whatever excuse he could think of. He knew Patton and Virgil didn't buy it, but he was grateful they didn't push him.

Patton: How are you feeling today sweetie? Virgil: think you can talk to us today? Logan: I'm in the apartment elevator. As soon as I get home I will turn on my laptop and call you. Patton: !!!! :D <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Emile wasn't home yet, so Logan assumed he was still out with Remy. He went to his bedroom and opened his laptop, and a video call request popped up as soon as Logan came online.

"Hello-"

"LOGAN YOUR EYES!!" Patton exclaimed, Virgil wincing next to him. "Who?? When?? Where??"

Um, a couple weeks ago," Logan admitted. "We... had a bit of a rough start."

"You okay, Logan?" Virgil asked.

"Yes, things are getting better. We actually have a date tomorrow."

Patton squealed. "Oh, when can we meet them?? I can't wait to meet them!!"

Logan texted Roman that they were excited to meet him. Even though Virgil waited to meet Logan in person, that wait was only a couple days. Since Patton and Virgil probably wouldn't be able to meet Roman in person until the end of the semester, they decided to video call tomorrow.

Logan got to Roman's apartment a little before noon, and Remy was already gone. Roman said he wasn't too upset about being kicked out, since he got to use this as an excuse to go see Emile. Logan remembered Emile being particularly giddy as he left.

Logan was surprised when Roman pulled him into a hug as soon as the door opened.

"Hello," he said, muffled against Roman's chest. He prayed his cheeks weren't as red as they felt.

"It's wonderful to see you," Roman said as he let go of Logan. "I made tea. Do you like tea?"

He started talking again before Logan got a chance to respond.

"Oh, I'm so excited. You're going to love these. Which ones do you want to watch first?" Roman asked as he shoved a mug into Logan's hands.

"Show me your favorites."

Roman beamed.

A relaxing afternoon passed into evening. Roman and Logan had spent much of the time poking fun at inconsistencies in the movies, or Logan holding back laughter as Roman dramatically sang along to the songs.

Logan's phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Patton and Virgil are almost back to their dorm. They will be ready to call us when they arrive."

"Oh, wonderful!" Roman said.

Their moods had been so playful, it was easy to notice Roman's mood shift as his leg started shaking.

"Are you okay?" Logan asked.

"I'm fine," Roman said, but winced when his voice cracked.

"There is no need to worry," Logan said as he pulled his laptop out of his bag and Roman paused the movie. "I know they are very excited to meet you."

Roman gave him a grateful smile as Logan clicked the "Accept Call" button.

The few moments it took for the video to load dragged on for what felt like forever before the image of two men appeared on screen, one with pale skin and dark hair and the other covered in freckles with golden curls.

Roman's breath hitched at how absolutely gorgeous they were.

"Ohmygosh! Hello!!" the curly one exclaimed with a giant grin. "I'm Patton! It's so so wonderful to finally meet you!"

"Hey," the other one said, not nearly as energetic. "I'm Virgil."

"I'm Roman Kingsley. I'm so glad to finally meet my soulmates," Roman said as he flashed a grin. "And may I just say, that you two are two of the most beautiful beings I have ever been blessed enough to see."

Patton squealed in delight as he grabbed Virgil's hand while Virgil's cheeks grew a dark shade of red.

Conversation followed easily for them, and all of Roman's worries melted away. Roman glanced over to see Logan looking at him with eyes softer than he'd ever seen before. Roman smiled back and took Logan's hand and the two turned their attention back towards Patton and Virgil.

They were all so incredible. Roman swore he was in love.

"Logan?" Roman asked. He was laying on the couch with his head resting on Logan's lap. It was late Saturday night, and the two were exhausted after spending most of the day unpacking boxes. Roman and Emile were switching places so they could each live with their soulmates (Emile made sure he and Logan kept in touch - plus, double dates with them were now a common occurrence).

"Hm?" Logan hummed as he ran his fingers through Roman's hair.

"How long until winter break?"

"Thirty more days, dear."

It had been almost two months since Roman and Logan first met. And since Roman had met Patton and Virgil, too, he had been counting the days until he would finally get to see them in person.

"That's too long."

"I know."

Roman reached for Logan's hand that wasn't in his hair, but he didn't take it. Instead he just held his hand out for Logan to grab. Roman had been prepared to move at a fairly fast pace once he met his soulmates, but Logan clearly wanted to take it slow. So Roman was patient and let Logan set the pace. It took a couple weeks for Logan to hold his hand in public, a couple weeks more for Logan to cuddle with him. Some days, Logan didn't feel like being touched at all, so they'd sit in the same room on different chairs, just enjoying each other's company.

"Not that I'm not content with you," Roman quickly added. Logan opened his mouth to speak but Roman didn't notice. "I'm so unbelievably happy when I'm with you. Though I'm excited to meet Pat and Virge, you make me so much happier than I ever imagined I could be-"

"I know, Roman. I'm excited to see them, too."

Roman smiled up at him as he squeezed Logan's hand.

"...You're gorgeous," Roman said softly as he gazed up at Logan. Logan's face tinted pink as he glanced away.

"I-... you-... Thank you," Logan managed to stammer as he looked back at Roman, letting go of his hand just to run his hand down the side of Roman's face. "...May I kiss you?"

Roman's eyes widened as he sat up. "Are you sure? Because if so, then yes. Absolutely yes. But I don't want you to feel rushed or-"

"I want to, Roman," Logan assured, a tad embarrassed. Roman gave him a gentle smile as he placed a hand on Logan's cheek. He leaned in slightly but let Logan close the gap. Roman sighed happily as his eyes fluttered closed. He went to raise his other hand to Logan's cheek but Logan' separated, eyes wide and cheeks red.

"Are you okay?"

Logan nodded. "That was... really nice."

Roman smiled.

"Can I... Can I kiss you again?"

Roman nodded as he placed his hands back on Logan's cheeks. This time Logan placed his hand on the back of Roman's neck to pull him just a bit closer, not that Roman minded. Logan was the one to pull back first again, but only for a couple seconds before he pulled Roman back to him.

Roman kept the kiss slow and soft as Logan's hands held tightly on him, firm grip trying to pull them as close together as he could. Roman moved his arms around Logan's waist, aiding in pushing together. Soft gasps were escaping them both as their chests were pressed together.

The next time Logan pulled away, he just wrapped his arms around Roman and buried his head into the crook of Roman's neck. Roman smiled as he placed a kiss onto the side of Logan's head while rubbing soothing circles on his back.\

"Roman, I... I think that I... I0" Logan huffed out a frustrated sigh as he struggled to finish his sentence, his grasp around Roman tightening.

"I know, Logan," Roman assured him with a smile. "I know. Me, too."

Roman groaned and shut his laptop. He had done enough school work for tonight. Probably.

He ran his hands over his face. His eyes stung slightly from staring at a bright screen for so long in the dark room. Glancing at the clock, he was surprised to see it was already nine o'clock. Logan had gone out to attend some seminar for extra credit, not that he needed it. With Roman no longer tapping away at the keyboard, he noticed the light pattering of rain.

He pushed his chair away from his desk and fell onto his bed, reaching for his phone. He didn't know when Logan would be back, but he hoped it would be soon. The apartment got lonely when he wasn't around.

Roman was about to text the group chat to see how Patton and Virgil were doing when he got a phone call from the emo nightmare himself.

Surprised, but in no way complaining, he happily tapped the answer button.

"Hello, my darling. How are-"

"Roman," Virgil gasped out, and Roman was immediately worried. He sat up in the bed, mind racing with what could be wrong. Was he hurt? "I'm sorry. This is so stupid, but Patton's not at the dorm and- Oh, it's getting late I shouldn't have called I'm sorry-"

"Virgil," Roman interrupted. Virgil was already breathing heavy - Roman didn't want him to work himself up even more. "What's wrong, dove?"

"It's stupid," Virgil muttered.

"Virgil."

"...It's storming. And thunderstorms make my anxiety spike."

As if on cue, Roman heard a loud clap of thunder in the background followed by a sharp intake of breath from Virgil.

"That's not stupid," Roman said, affection dripping in his voice. "Just focus on my voice, dove. Follow my breathing."

Roman took a few deep breaths, listening as Virgil followed, and his breathing eventually grew steadier.

"Perfect. You're doing wonderful."

Roman led Virgil through breathing a bit longer until Virgil's breathing was back to normal.

"Thanks, Roman," Virgil said quietly.

"Of course, darling. I'll always be here for you, to protect or comfort. Whatever ails you, I'll work to destroy it."

"Sap."

Roman couldn't help but smile. The sound of rustling blankets came through the phone.

"...Hey, Ro?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you, um, sing for me?" Virgil asked quietly. A large grin grew on Roman's face, his heart burning with so much love for the man on the other end of the phone that it almost hurt.

"Of course I can."

Roman started to sing softly all the love songs he knew, anything he thought could even begin to portray how much he was already in love with him.

"I wish you were here," Virgil said, his soft voice making it evident he was getting sleepy. "So your voice wasn't muddled by the phone."

"I wish I was there, too. To hold you and let you know that as long as I'm around, nothing is going to harm you. Not even thunder."

Virgil chuckled softly.

"I wish you could hold me."

"And I will, love," Roman said earnestly. "As soon as I can."

Virgil yawned.

"Sing me to sleep?"

"Anything you need, Virgil."

Fluffball <3: Everyone get on video call!!

Roman shook Logan's shoulder, who was sitting by him, to get his attention. He showed Logan the text and Logan grabbed his laptop.

"Hey sweeties!" Patton said the same time Virgil said "'Sup."

"Hello, dearests," Roman said the same time Logan said "Salutations."

"So we all agreed to get together the first couple weeks before Christmas so we could still go see our families on the holidays, right?" Patton started, smile wide in excitement.

"Yes, Patton." Logan said.

"Well, I found a place in my home town we could rent for those weeks. So we can spend the time by ourselves instead of making our schedule around my parents," Patton said sheepishly. "If we all pitch in, I know we could afford it."

"That sounds incredible, Pat," Roman answered with a large smile. Patton's grin grew wider.

"I'll email y'all the details."

Roman was shaking his leg as Logan drove. He was finally, finally, after far too many months, on his way to see Patton and Virgil.

"There's nothing to worry about," Logan assured him. "They are both very fond of you. Just... be prepared for a really big Patton hug when you walk through the door."

Roman was looking forward to it.

Roman knew Patton and Virgil almost as well as he knew Logan due to the constant texts and video calls, though that could never compare to finally being able to see his darling soulmates in person.

Logan held Roman's hand as they walked up the path to the front door. He didn't have time to knock before the door flew open and Logan was pulled inside, yanking Roman in with him.

"Roman!!" Roman heard someone shout before they threw themself into his arms. "Oh my gosh it's so wonderful to finally meet you in person!"

Roman pulled back to see Patton looking up at him, absolutely beaming. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Virgil and Logan hugging while exchanging "I missed you"s, but right now all he wanted was to focus on the little puffball in his arms.

"Hello, dear," Roman said with a large smile as he pulled Patton back to him. Patton let out a loud squeal of laughter as Roman picked him up and spun him around.

"I can not express how ecstatic I am to finally hold you," Roman said as he put Patton down, taking the opportunity to cover his face in kisses. "My dear, my darling, my love, I've been waiting for this day for as long as I can remember, and oh, how gorgeous you are in person."

Patton's face was very red as Roman finished talking, Logan and Virgil watching in amusement. Roman panicked for a moment, thinking he had gone too far, but Patton just threw his arms back around Roman and pressed kisses to his cheek.

"You're so sweet! I'm so happy you're here," Patton said as he pulled back.

Virgil gently placed a hand on Patton's arm, and he let out a little "oh" before stepping aside, turning his attention to Logan.

"Logan! I've missed you!" Patton exclaimed as he threw his arms around Logan, but quickly pulled away once he remembered Logan's occasional aversion to being touched. But Logan wrapped his arms around Patton, and Patton smiled before hugging him again.

"I've missed you, too."

"Uh, hey, Roman," Virgil said a bit sheepishly as Patton turned to Logan.

"Hello, Virgil," Roman said with a grin as he stepped closer. There were a couple of moments of silence, then Virgil threw his arms around Roman and Roman quickly reciprocated, placing a hand on Virgil's back and pressing him against his chest.

"It's lovely to finally see you, darling," Roman whispered as Virgil took a shaky breath and hid his face in the crook of Roman's neck. "I'm here now. It's okay."

"We're all together!" Patton squealed happily as he wrapped his arms around the two of them, and Roman felt Virgil smile against his skin.

Roman gave Logan an expectant smile, holding out his hand for Logan to take. And when he did, Roman pulled him into the group hug.

"It's really nice to finally be with all of you," Virgil muttered against Roman, voice cracking just slightly. Roman tightened his arm around him.

"It is," Patton beamed. "I'm so happy."

Roman groaned as he stood up off the couch and stretched his arms up, hearing his bones pop in the process. The four of them had gone out to eat that night, and it had been pure magic. It wasn't a particularly grand place, just a small diner around the corner, but the four of them being in the same place for the first time was just wonderful. Roman could put his arm around Patton, or reach over to take Logan or Virgil's hands. The way the four of them clicked together so naturally made Roman feel like he was walking on air.

Oh, how lucky he was to be blessed with soulmates.

When they got home, they had put a movie on the TV. But after a long day of travelling, Logan and Roman didn't last half the movie. When Roman woke up, Virgil had also fallen asleep and Patton was gone, but Roman could hear humming in the kitchen.

"Oh, hello, sweetie," Patton said as Roman walked in. "I'm making tea, would you like some?"

Roman nodded as he reached out towards Patton but hesitated. Patton then gently grabbed his arm and pulled Roman towards him.

"You don't have to worry about me. I always want cuddles," Patton sighed happily as he rested his head on Roman's chest. "You don't have to ask."

"But what if one day you don't-"

"Then I'll make sure to tell you. Though there's never been a day in my life I didn't want hugs."

Roman rested his cheek on Patton's fluffy hair and sighed. "I... I'm honestly sort of relieved. Obviously I'm not upset about Logan's boundaries, but..."

"You can tell me, honey," Patton urged as he tightened his grip around Roman. "It's alright."

"It's just... I've been fighting my insecurities for as long as I can remember. And physical affection just makes me feel better, I guess. It makes me feel secure and wanted," Roman said, voice getting softer from embarrassment. "And when I feel like I need it but Logan doesn't want to be touched, I just keep my mouth shut on how I'm feeling to not make him feel guilty."

"I get it," Patton said as he stepped back to cup Roman's face. "Virgil's the same way. Less often than Logan, but the same.

But I don't think you should hide how you're feeling from Logan. He'd feel bad you felt the need to hide from him. I just know he would want to know so he could find a way to help you. He loves you, Roman."

Roman huffed a bit as he pulled away from Patton to sit on the counter.

"But I don't want him to think I'm trying to pressure him."

"I know, I know. Roman... I get sad often. For no real reason in particular, sometimes. And physical affection helps me feel better, too. And just like Logan with you, Virgil is usually more than happy to help me. But for a while I, too, felt like I needed to keep it to myself because I didn't want to bother him."

"And?"

"He figured out, and he told me to tell him whenever I'm feeling sad. And we've found other ways. I'll sit next to him and we'll watch cat videos, or he'll show me his favorite music. Sometimes he'll say he can handle a little bit of touching and he lets me hold his hand or rest my head on his shoulder. But nothing is going to get better if you keep it to yourself."

Roman ducked his head as Patton gingerly pushed hair away from his face.

"Yeah, you're right," Roman said quietly. Patton pressed a kiss to his cheek. A smile grew on Roman's face. "And one day, we'll all live together, and we'll all balance each other out and love each other in our different ways. We'll never be more than a name call away from all the affection we need. Plus, while I'm here with you, I'll always be more than happy to give you lots and lots of attention."

Patton returned his soft smile as he cupped Roman's cheek. The two gazed at each other for a moment before connecting their lips, pulling the other towards them as close as they could.

The kiss was so incredibly soft. The two had to break apart for a moment just because their smiles grew so big, but they immediately reconnected their lips. It was gentle, just like Patton. Roman couldn't help but melt against him, promising himself that he was going to get as many Patton kisses as he could in his lifetime.

"I don't think I'll be able to handle another semester away from you," Patton said with a melancholy smile as they parted. Roman kissed him.

"Only a couple more years, darling. Then I'll be all yours."

Over the following days, Roman had the three of his loves in arms reach at all times. He could finally cuddle Patton against him or wrap Virgil tightly in his arms (and he'd never get tired of holding Logan). But the bliss couldn't last forever, and the day for them to leave for the holidays arrived.

Logan and Patton didn't have a far drive at all considering they were already in their hometown. Virgil had a good few hours, but Roman had to drive to the airport to get home, meaning he had to get up early in the morning and leave significantly sooner than the others.

"I'll see you soon, Specs," Roman said with a sad smile.

Logan met Roman halfway for a kiss. "See you soon."

Patton had been holding back tears all morning. But when Roman pulled him into a tight hug, he couldn't help that a few tears fell down his cheeks.

"Hey now, it's okay, darling. We'll see each other again soon. I lo- I'll miss you."

Patton's eyes widened and Roman tried not to wince at his slip up. But Patton gently placed a hand on Roman's cheek and pulled him down into a kiss.

"I love you," Patton whispered. Roman kissed him again.

"I love you, too."

They shared one more brief kiss before Patton let him go.

"I'll bring your bag out for you," Virgil said and walked out the door before Roman could say anything.

Roman gave one last goodbye to Patton and Logan and followed his other love.

"Call me when you land," Virgil said. "Want to make sure your plane didn't crash."

Virgil put Roman's suitcase in his trunk and slammed it shut. He wasn't looking at Roman.

"And drive safe. I know you like to play your music loud but be careful."

"I will."

"Well, um. I guess this is goodbye," Virgil said, staring at the ground.

"...Please look at me, darling."

Virgil huffed but slowly lifted his head, showing his red cheeks and puffy eyes.

"Oh, my dear," Roman said as Virgil let him pull him into a hug. "It'll be okay. We'll see each other again soon."

"I know," Virgil muttered into Roman's shirt. Virgil pulled away slowly, then placed his hands on Roman's cheeks to pull Roman down into a kiss. Roman pulled Virgil as tightly against him as he could, wishing this didn't have to end.

"I love you," Virgil whispered, surprising Roman. But he smiled.

"I love you, too. So much."

"Call me," Virgil said as he let Roman go.

"I will."

Virgil pressed one more quick kiss to Roman's lips before walking inside. And Roman smiled.

This is going to work out perfectly, he thought.

69 notes · View notes

fiddlepickdouglas · 3 years

Text

Viva Las Vegas, Pt. 4 - Favors

Summary: Sunset Curve Alive AU, Willex, will he make it?, 2.5k

@trevor-wilson-covington is the bestie who makes me these lovely edits, we stan supportive friends

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Willie’s hands were red and wrinkly from all the dishwashing. The industrial washer was hot and the smell was gag-inducing but somehow after some time he could manage not to notice it. Glancing at the clock, he sighed heavily. It was 7:40. Alex was going to be on stage soon and he wasn’t even off his shift. He’d had a feeling that was going to happen though. Even if it was foolish to hope, he’d been the fool anyway.

Business had sure picked up from the lull that morning, but thankfully he wasn’t bussing tables. He rarely had to be a waiter, and the main reason he’d gone out there earlier was because there were four attractive boys and no one else and he wasn’t missing a chance to pick up on one of them. Willie hadn’t imagined Alex to be so disarming, not to mention that the chances of seeing him again had seemed impossible.

Finally, the next shift came into the kitchen and he could set his last load on a drying rack. His apron was off and hung and he was headed out the door so quickly that he didn’t see Caleb coming into the kitchen.

“In a rush, William?” the man said in his usual austere manner.

Willie paused in his tracks and looked back at him like a deer in the headlights.

“Ah...yeah, I just....have some errands to run,” he tried to smile casually, but he was no good at lying. It seemed silly that he felt he had to make an excuse, but he was never sure if Caleb was going to demand something more out of him.

“Well, they seem pretty important,” Caleb said, patting his shoulder and peering down at him. Willie could sense the height difference between them. “Better get them done.”

Before he could seize up completely from the intimidation, Willie grabbed his board and helmet and stuffed the cash from his tips into his back pocket. He never adhered to the curfew Caleb gave him, no matter how he got punished for it later. Stepping into the night air and kicking off on his board, a monolithic weight floated away from his shoulders. The breeze was life flowing across his face and through his clothing, hair whipping around behind him.

“Whooooo!” he cried, echoing through the street.

This was what he lived for - the simplicity of him against everything else. His hands were getting the brunt of the wind chill, since he hadn’t let them dry completely before heading out, but it was refreshing.

Willie had learned a lot of shortcuts in the city and if he moved fast enough he would just barely get himself to the show on time. Skating through alleyways and low-traffic streets, he weaved through the Las Vegas nightlife with almost no effort. The lights at this angle were nothing but blurs. His ears still burned to know what Alex had been about to say when he’d mentioned showing him a better view. The thought of them perched above the rest of the city, watching the lights flash and twinkle below -

A car honked loudly at him as it screeched to a stop, narrowly missing him as he crossed the street. Willie tripped over his board and only just managed to stay on his feet as he held his hands up defensively.

“Sorry!” He called to the driver.

“Use the crosswalk!” they yelled without even rolling down their window.

He collected his board and ran to the opposite side before he could see their angry mug flipping him off. Once he was safe, he checked over his shoulder and his hands went to feel his helmet. It was on, thank goodness.

“Use the crosswalk…” he muttered in a mocking manner, laughing it off. Huffing as he mounted his board again, he continued on his way to Alex’s concert.

Just a few blocks later he was at the entrance to the Pearl and looked on at the closed doors. His heart sank slowly as he approached them, pulling on the handles and finding them locked. It couldn’t be too long after eight, right? He peeked inside the windows, hoping to find anyone near the entrance. Nobody was visible. Banging the door a couple times, he waited to see if anyone came.

“Hello?” he shouted, getting no better view through the windows than before. “Heeyyy!”

He saw a security guard round a corner and ditched immediately into the side alley. Willie didn’t own a watch so he had no idea how late he was. He leaned against the wall and sighed deeply, wishing his heartbeat would settle. The taunting thought came that oh well, it wasn’t meant to work out, he’s just some guy in a band. Feeling his fist clench the moment those words crossed his mind, he hit it against the wall and grunted in frustration.

That feeling was wrong, and he knew it was because he had felt something bigger than that. He’d seen Alex’s face and the calm adoration that reflected in his eyes. Willie couldn’t recall feeling more alive and more at home than in those moments. He sat against the wall, leaning his elbows on his knees and placing his head in his hands. There had to be a way to get into the show. Alex had to know that he’d tried, at the very least.

He didn’t know how long he sat there, but the more time passed the more he knew he was just missing the best night of his life. Nothing helpful was coming to him either and he had half a mind to just go back to the bodega and cuddle Sheldon. His finger ran over the sore on his hand that Alex had so tenderly bandaged. He’d had to remove the band-aids while he was washing dishes - the sting was another thing he’d tuned out while working. A door at the side of the building opened and the alley was momentarily flooded with yellow light.

“Jules!” he heard a girl with long braids saying to another girl in an edgy, glamorous dress who was extremely upset.

“Flynn, I’m trying so hard, but I don’t know if I can be my best on stage tonight. I should be there with her!” The other girl said. Willie shrank into the shadows, not wanting to invade on privacy but also not wanting to be caught.

“She knows you would be there if you could! There’s still time and I know that she would be proud of you for killing it up there. Just hear me out, Julie.”

Julie. Willie was trying to remember why that name was significant.

She sighed and crossed her arms. “Say it, because I know I can’t stop you.”

“Okay,” Flynn started. “Your mom got you into music. She gave you a gift! She shared what she loved with you and she didn’t do it so you could drop it when things got tough.”

“Let me guess,” Julie said with a hint of skepticism. “She would want me to keep sharing it?”

“Look at my smart girl,” Flynn said with warm pride. She held out her arms to give her friend a hug.

Julie. Julie. It finally clicked in Willie’s mind. He stood up and stepped into their view, causing them to break apart from their touching moment. Flynn moved protectively in front of her friend.

“Who are you?” she asked, a fierce expression aimed in his direction. Willie raised his hands and slowly approached.

“I don’t mean to butt in,” he said carefully.

“Oh, really? Cuz you just did and we’re kind of in the middle of something personal.” Flynn clearly was down to fight. He moved closer and she blocked him. “You’re gonna have to get through me, skater boy.”

He looked over her shoulder to see the other girl.

“Are you Julie Molina?”

Flynn continued to step between him and Julie, and folded her arms.

“Who’s asking?” she said defiantly.

“I’m Willie,” he said, stopping so Flynn would quit blocking him. He looked at Julie. “First, I’m sorry you can’t be with your mom. It sounds like she isn’t okay and that really sucks.” The girls shared a glance full of pity. “Also, sorry for asking, but do you know Alex?”

Julie came forward and put a hand on Flynn’s shoulder, giving her a look that made her friend drop the mama bear attitude.

“Yeah, I do,” she said hesitantly.

“Uh…” Willie started awkwardly. “Well, he told me to come tonight and it looks like I missed my chance. I just wanted him to know I didn’t forget.”

Flynn raised an eyebrow but Julie shrugged at it.

“You know he’s playing right now,” she told him.

Willie nodded, looking down at the ground. That wasn’t a reminder he really needed. Flynn studied him for a few seconds and then raised a finger, furrowing her brow.

“Are you the guy Alex was talking about earlier?”

He looked slightly flabbergasted.

“Who was he talking about earlier?”

“Oh, just some skater with a cat in a sandwich shop,” she said, heavy on the sarcasm. “We got him to confess.” She gave Julie a smug look.

Willie couldn’t help smiling.

“Yep, it’s him.” Flynn smirked.

Julie looked at him thoughtfully for a minute.

“You know what?” she began. “I don’t usually do this, but I’m gonna do this.” She went to the door again.

“Does this mean you’re good about going on tonight?” Flynn asked.

“Yeah,” Julie said. “You were right. My mom would want me there. And she would also want me to do favors once in a while.” She gave a pointed look at Willie as she pulled the door open. Flynn got an excited look on her face, grabbed Willie’s wrist, and started pulling him inside.

“Sorry about coming off the wrong way,” she said back to him. “Are we good?”

“You bet we’re good,” he replied, not sure how he’d gotten this far, but happy nonetheless. They moved through storage rooms full of props and costumes from other theatrical shows being held at the venue. Faint rock music echoed from above.

“Okay people, Julie and Flynn plus one coming through!” Flynn called as they passed various members of the tech crew. She let go of Willie’s wrist so he could properly hold his board as he followed them. First, they met a man with short gray hair who approached Julie with concern.

“Estás bien mija?” he asked, holding his arms out slightly to invite a hug if she needed one. Julie accepted it, but it was only a quick one.

“I’ll be okay, dad,” she said reassuringly. “At least for tonight, I will.”

Her dad patted her on the back as he nodded toward Willie.

“Who’s this?”

Julie raised her eyebrows awkwardly.

“Uhhhhhh this is my new friend! My new friend....” she eyed him to provide his name, having clearly forgotten.

“Willie,” he followed, holding out a hand to shake.

“Nice to meet you, Willie, I’m Ray,” her dad said, taking his hand. He didn’t seem to question that Julie had picked up a new friend for a moment. “Well, I’m going to head to my seat with Carlos. You’re gonna do great out there, mija.” He blew her a kiss as he walked off.

They could all hear the crowd screaming. Sunset Curve had finished their set and by the sound of footsteps, were all headed backstage. Willie had a mix of disappointment that he didn’t actually get to see them play, but it paled next to his excitement to see Alex.

Flynn grabbed Willie’s wrist again, leading him to one of the dressing rooms. She knocked lightly, and a voice was heard saying “come in”. She simply opened the door and pushed Willie inside.

“This belongs to you!” she said, giving Willie a double thumbs up before dashing off with a devilish smile on her face. As Willie stumbled forward, Alex turned around from wiping his face in the mirror. His eyes went wide in surprise as he dropped the towel he was holding.

“How did you - how…?” Alex was lost for words, but his smile grew.

Willie shrugged charismatically and jutted his thumb back toward where Flynn had been, clicking his teeth.

“I have my ways,” he said smoothly, dropping his board on the floor and making his way over to Alex.

“Sorry I’m all sweaty,” Alex said sheepishly, pulling his chair up, sitting on it backwards and facing Willie.

“Don’t worry about it,” Willie said, sitting cross-legged on the end of an ottoman, aware that if he moved too close their knees would touch. “I’m sorry I just missed seeing you guys play.”

“Oh, well,” Alex flailed his hands awkwardly. “I mean, that is a bummer, but I’m not mad about it.”

Willie just looked on fondly. Alex was so uncomplicated compared to everything else, and it made him all but go dizzy.

“Julie’s going to be on pretty soon,” Alex was saying. “You could join me and the guys to watch her. We won’t be doing anything fun after, though, because her mom isn’t doing well and we have a long drive home tomorrow.” He stopped there, and they both sat not thinking about how tomorrow would come and put a distance between them. Willie hadn’t even known him for twenty-four hours and that inevitable separation felt...wrong.

“Before we go up, then, I have a question,” Wille said.

Alex looked at him with expecting eyes. Willie looked back into them, smiling.

“What were you going to say this morning, about the lights in the city?”

Blinking, Alex took a minute to recollect what Willie was referring to. He gave a big nod when it finally came to him.

“Right. You were saying that I needed to see them at the right angle and that you would show me if I weren’t already busy.” He paused and stared at the floor for a few seconds. When he looked up he asked, “Was that an invitation?”

“It is now,” Willie responded.

Reggie poked his head in the door.

“Alex, we’re heading up to watch Julie, you coming?” he said. Then he pointed at Willie with a goofy smile. “Hey, buddy! Good to see you!” Bobby was peeking in over his shoulder, and the smug look on his face made Alex turn red.

“Yep,” Alex said matter-of-factly, a goofy expression on his face. “We - ” He glanced over at Willie, surprised to refer to the two of them as ‘we’. “We’re coming.”

Reggie and Bobby disappeared as Alex glanced at the clock on the wall. Willie put a hand on his back and rubbed slightly, feeling his nerves extending into the entire room. Taking in a deep breath, Alex simply gave him an appreciative look and stood up.

“Come on, let’s get up there,” he said in a breathy tone.

Willie smiled wide. Leaving his board and his helmet behind, he followed Alex out to their seats, ready to watch the girl who’d helped him get to this point put on a stunning performance.

#julie and the phantoms #jatp #fanfic #jatp fanfic #willex #alive au #alex mercer #willie #luke patterson #reggie peters #bobby wilson #julie molina #flynn #ray molina #carlos molina #viva las vegas #favors #fiddlepickdouglas

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hidden-otaku-stuff · 4 years

Text

Lockscreens (ch. 6)

tw: Pining, mentions of alcohol/drinking, gossip, brief mention of slut-shaming

Word count: 6k

Genre: Angst, fluff

All trigger warnings will be tagged and posted at the beginning of each chapter! This will have *manga spoilers*

Pairings: Bokuto x fem!reader, Kuroo x fem!reader

Summary: Nearly four years ago, Bokuto left the love of his life for volleyball. Despite all the time, he’s still very much in love with her. He comes home to a major surprise leaving him wondering…What happened while he was gone?

Masterlist | prev | next

Ch. 6: Is he the father? (20 weeks)

“Hello, my name is (L.Name, Name), but you can just call me (Name). Thank you for taking care of me.” She bowed.

“Welcome to the team, (Name)! We’re so excited to have you join us here.” Aya Nakamura bounded over, eagerly taking (Name)’s hands in her own. Her bouncy brown curls shook in her excitement. “You can just call me Aya, I don’t mind.” Aya was another recreational therapist who (Name) was set to work alongside. “Follow me, I’ll show you around.” Aya let go of her hand, leaving the lobby as she led her through the building. “The first floor is for all of our facilities,” she explained, pointing out the various rooms, “through those doors are our locker-rooms, and past that is the pool. On the other side is the weight room.” They walked past a pair of double-doors, a male walking out of it. “Oh, Makoto! C’mere.”

The male stopped, throwing his towel over his neck. He was wearing a swimsuit. “Hi Aya! Is this the newbie?”

“Hello,” (Name) bowed in greeting again. “I’m (Name). I’ll be in your care.”

Makoto laughed, shaking her hand. “Thanks for joining the team! I’m excited to work with you.” He looked down at Aya, “make sure to add her to the group-chat!”

“Don’t worry, fish-boy, I will.” Makoto laughed again, waving to them as he headed towards the pool.

“Fish-boy?”

“Oh right, Makoto used to be a pretty good swimmer. He switched over to sports medicine though,” Aya waved her hand dismissively, “something about his best friend.” They continued down the hall, passing more doors. “These are the individual training rooms. Each of our clients are granted privacy when it comes to their rehabilitation, unless they’re in the pool and weight room.” (Name) nodded, mentally taking note of everything. She hadn’t realized how immense the facilities were. “There are also dance studios available to the right for yoga and other related activities.”

“This place is so nice!” (Name)’s eyes widened.

“Isn’t it? I love working here.” Aya beamed. “I’ve been here for the past two years, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” They arrived at the elevator, taking it up. “So, tell me about yourself, (Name). What made you want to be a recreational therapist?”

(Name) giggled, brushing her hair behind her ear as she adjusted her bag. “Well, all of my friends were in volleyball. I loved watching them being so passionate about something, and after becoming their manager, I realized that I genuinely wanted to be around other people like them. To help them make their dreams come true.” The elevator opened, arriving at the second floor. “That, and I know that I’ll be helping people other than athletes be able to regain normalcy in their lives.”

“That’s so cool! Y’know, one of the other trainers here is actually a former volleyball player. My boyfriend too.”

“Oh really?” They entered the employee space now.

“Yeah! I’ll introduce you to them sometime.” Aya glanced around the lounge. “Anyways, this is the employee lounge. You can come here whenever you have a break to have lunch or whatever. Clients aren’t allowed here.” They walked through a door on the opposite side of the wall. “Here’s the cafeteria. The cafe is only open for breakfast and lunch. If you want dinner, you’ll have to preorder it during breakfast and pick it up before they leave for the evening.” They walked back into the lounge. “Coffee and tea is always available in the lounge, though.” Aya giggled. “We normally don’t have many late-nights, but that also depends on your clients. If you have clients that can only see you in the evenings, then that’s when you’ll see them.”

“That makes sense.” They left the lounge, walking down the hall.

“Here are all of our offices! We each have our own, thank god.” Aya stopped at the first door on the left, opening the door. The door was decorated with flowers, a weekly calendar posted on the wall under her name-plate. Times were blocked off with black blocks, revealing no additional details. “This is my office! If I’m not with a client or I’m just hanging out, then I’ll leave the door open. Please feel free to stop by if you see it open.”

(Name) surveyed the office. There were posters of muscle diagrams, and at Aya’s desk, there were fresh roses. An empty owl coffee mug sat next to it. A familiar face flashed in her mind. She shook her head before offering her new coworker a smile. “Those are lovely flowers, Aya.”

“Aren’t they? My boyfriend dropped them off this morning,” Aya giggled. “He also got me that cute mug!” Aya shut the door, continuing down the hall. “All of the recreational therapists have their office in this hall. The trainers and medics are located in a different wing.” They stopped in front of a door on the right near the end of the hall. “And this is your new office! Make sure to lock it every time you leave and lock your drawers when you aren’t here.” Aya pulled out a key, unlocking it and handing the key over to (Name). “Feel free to get settled and comfortable. Kayda will probably stop by in twenty minutes to introduce you to your first client. She’ll sit in with you on your first few sessions, just to make sure you get the hang of things. I’ll see you at lunch!” With a final wave, Aya left (Name) to her own devices.

The office was nice, albeit small. There was an examination table to the left side of the door with a seat besides the door. On the right wall were cabinets full of medical supplies. Under the counter were drawers for her patient folders. In the corner between the examination table and cabinets was her desk. Two monitors were already set-up with a dock that awaited the new, company-issued laptop that was sitting in her bag. (Name) took a seat, pulling the laptop out and docking it. As she waited for the laptop to connect, she pulled out some more personal items. A box of her favorite pens was tucked into her drawer, alongside with her other stationary items. She placed her purse in the bottom drawer, gently shutting it as she placed the rest of her items out. A leather-bound planner sat beside her. Leaning against the wall was a picture of her and the Nekoma volleyball team from when they won against Nohebi to qualify for the spring tournament. Her fingers traced the familiar faces, landing on her and Kuroo. Kuroo had an arm thrown around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest as he used the other one to pull a reluctant Kenma into the frame. Her heart fluttered. The sound of her laptop booting up shook her out of her reverie. Cracking her knuckles, she logged in. She was so excited for her first day of work!

****

(Name) let out a satisfied sigh as her client left. “Thank you so much, (L.Name)-sama!” He waved, stepping out of her office and heading down the hall.

“You’re doing so well, I don’t think I have to shadow you anymore.”

(E/c) orbs widened at the praise, swiveling in her chair to look at her manager. “Oh really? Thank you so much, Kirishima-san!”

“Please, just call me Kayda,” she laughed, waving her hand. “We don’t need to be so formal amongst each other.” Kayda looked down at her notes. “I don’t have any notes for you, except for you to continue doing as you have been. You’re definitely suited for this type of work, I knew you’d be a great addition to the team after seeing your resume and reading your recommendations.”

“Thank you so much for the opportunity, Kayda!” (Name) chewed her bottom lip. “I appreciate your kindness in taking me in, especially since I’ll be taking a leave so soon after joining.”

“Well, I’ll still have you for a few months before that. Just make sure to continue the good work!” Kayda smiled, standing. “I can already tell that you’re hard-working. Towards the end, you can focus on paperwork and assessments instead of the actual rehabilitation and treatments. We’ll have the trainers and other therapists step in for you.”

(Name) bowed to her manager. “Of course, thank you again!”

“C’mon, let’s go get lunch. I’m sure you’re dying to meet the rest of your coworkers.” Kayda walked towards the door, patiently waiting for (Name) to grab her wrapped lunch box as they made their way to the lounge. Stepping inside, she was quickly greeted by Aya. Aya was sitting with Makoto and another pretty black-haired woman. Where Aya was bubbly and approachable, and Kayda professional and put-together, this other woman could only be described as intimidating.

“(Name)!” Aya waved excitedly, scooting her seat over and putting a seat in between her and Makoto. “Sit here!”

“Hello Aya, hi Makoto.” She bowed, taking the seat.

“(Name), this is Azami!” Aya introduced. Azami looked up, responding with a curt nod.

“Welcome to the team, (Name).” Immediately, Azami went back to her meal. Kayda sat in between Aya and Azami. The group of coworkers settled into an easy-flowing conversation. Aya was busy telling silly stories from outside of work that involved Makoto, and Makoto was busy trying to deny them, cheeks glowing.

“So, (Name), Kayda was telling me that you’re going to be taking leave in a few months?” Their heads snapped to Azami, who had finished her bento. Quiet tension crept through (Name) as she shifted under Azami’s piercing golden gaze.

“Yes,” (Name) swallowed, placing her chopsticks down. “I’ll be leaving for maternity leave in three months.”

Aya - who had been taking a sip of her coffee - choked. “Maternity leave?” She whirled around. “You didn’t tell me you were pregnant!”

“Uh, surprise?” (Name) laughed, a hand affectionately settling on her stomach.

“Who’s the baby-daddy?”

(Name) just winked, pretending to zip her lips. “Secret!” Aya groaned, playfully glaring at the pregnant woman.

“I’ll find out sooner or later,” Aya warned, crossing her arms as she pouted.

“Leave her alone, Aya. If she wants to talk about it, she will,” Makoto chided, eyes sparkling as he gazed at his coworker.

“This is my new work bestie, and I demand to know!” Aya whined.

“I suppose we’re just chopped liver,” Makoto whispers to Azami, who rolled her eyes.

“Guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”

“Alright, lunch is over children.” Kayda stood up, dusting her hands off, her own green eyes sparkling. “Aya, leave (Name) alone. We don’t need to scare off our new RT with your shenanigans.”

“That was one big word, Kayda,” Aya joked, rolling her eyes. They all stood up, making their way out of the lounge after wiping down the table. “See you later!” She cheered, stepping into her office.

Makoto and (Name) made their way down to the hall. “Oh, I guess you’re the office next to me,” Makoto grinned. “Feel free to ping me or knock on my door if you have any questions, or if you need any help.”

“Thanks, Makoto!”

****

(Name) wiped her brow, stepping out of one of the dance studios on the first floor. “Thank you, (L.Name)-san!” She sent the male a friendly wave, watching him leave. He had been having issues with his shoulders and knees due to old volleyball injuries, and she’d brought him into the studio in order to test his mobility.

“Oh, (Name)!” She turned, meeting the bubbly brunette. “Are you finished for the day?”

“Yes, I think so.” She tucked her laptop into her bag.

“Great! Let’s walk out together then.” Aya grinned.

“Ah, let me just wash off real quick.” (Name) gestured towards the restroom. Aya followed her in, leaning against the counter as (Name) washed her hands.

“So, how was your first day?”

“It was great! I know it’s a bit early, but I already feel at home,” (Name) smiled warmly, drying her hands. She pulled out her phone, absent-mindedly staring at the screen. Kuroo grinned back, a dollop of ice cream on his nose. After they’d eaten at the fancy restaurant, he’d taken her to an ice-cream shop. When he’d teased her, she decided to smack his face with ice cream, capturing this silly moment on her camera. “Thank you so much for taking the time to supervise me today.”

The coworkers stepped back into the hall, making their way to the lobby. “Well of course! I told you, you’re my work bestie.” Aya skipped along the hall.

They stepped through the double-doors, swiping out. (Name) stopped, her eyes widening as she looked between her phone and the male. “Kuroo?”

Aya’s head whipped up from her phone at (Name)’s call. “Hey there!” Kuroo was dressed in his standard all-black suit, a red tie contrasting the rest of his outfit. In his arms were a beautiful bouquet of flowers. He offered her a smile.

“I’ll see you later Aya!” (Name) smiled at her coworker, walking towards Kuroo. Aya let out an excited squeal as Kuroo pulled (Name) into a hug, his lips barely brushing against the crown of her head. “You didn’t have to!” She chided, taking hold of his elbow as they left the building.

“Well, I wanted to surprise you after your first day!” As he presented her the bouquet, her eyes softened. Beautiful white lilies and gardenias were surrounded by apple-blossoms and red carnations. “The florist helped me pick this out for you. I hope you like it.” Overwhelmed with emotion, (Name) stepped on her tip-toes, leaning in to capture Kuroo’s lips with hers.

Hazel eyes widened, arms settling loosely around her waist as he gently held her. Kuroo’s lips were soft, tender. Delicate movements waited to match hers. His lips were hesitant, but grew more fierce, moving with hers as the seconds trickled by. It was…intense to say the least. Years of emotions placed into this one searing touch. Could she feel it? Could she feel the years of yearning that Kuroo had, the years of undeniable, pure love that had swept him away, knocking him down every single time the thought of even trying to move on bubbled to the surface? A surge of desperation filled him, praying, hoping that this moment could last forever. That it meant something. Her touch consumed him, her taste intoxicating. The way that her lips moved against his...Was it? Were his feelings returned after all these years? His heart pulsed with hope at the mere thought.

Kuroo pulled away reluctantly as his lungs burned, leaning his forehead against hers. “Let’s head home, yeah?” He breathed, eyes shut as he savoured the moment. The taste of her on his lips and the warmth of her body were the only things on his mind.

His nose brushed against hers in a soft butterfly kiss before (Name) pulled away to look up at him. Warmth spread through her body as (e/c) orbs roamed his face. She adjusted the flowers in her arms before brushing her hair away from her face. “Yeah, let’s do that.” Kuroo gently slipped his hand into hers, grinning as their fingers intertwined. “Y’know, they’re going to think you’re my baby-daddy.” She jerked her head back at the clinic, seeing Aya in the window excitedly pointing and yanking on Makoto’s arm. Both of them were facing Kuroo and (Name). At the sight of them looking, Aya waved aggressively to the duo. Kuroo chuckled, waving at them.

They arrived at his car, him opening the door and helping her in. “I wouldn’t mind that,” he teased. Thump thump. Thump thump. Could she hear the song of hope that his heart drummed?

(Name) hummed, buckling herself in as Kuroo got into the other side of the car. “I suppose we’ll just have to see.” He fiddled with the knobs, putting on some music before his hand found its home on her thigh, absent-mindedly tracing shapes into the soft skin.

****

Three weeks later...

The sound of soft sobs woke Kuroo up. He blinked sleepily at the blue-grey walls, mind wandering for a moment. It always seemed to land on her, even when he’d just woken up. Nothing had really changed between them. In fact, they’d still remained as close as ever except for the domesticity that their friendship had taken. Kuroo would drive her to work - made easier since he worked down the street from her - met her for lunch, took her home, and they’d either take turns making meals or cook dinner together. He’d try to prevent her from doing chores, only to be yelled at for his ‘chivalry’ as she loudly proclaimed that she wasn’t a “useless mother that can’t even do her own laundry”.

Shaking himself out of his reverie, he glanced towards the door and clambered out of his bed, following the sobs that led him to the kitchen. Standing over the kitchen sink, eyes unfocused on a steaming mug of milk and honey, was (Name). “What’s going on?”

His sleepy baritone rumble caused her to jump. Her head shot up, hands following as she brushed away the trickles that cascaded down her cheeks. “Nothing!”

“It’s obviously not nothing if you’re crying.” Kuroo made his way to stand beside her. “Now, what’s going on?” He led her to the table, gently pushing her into the chair he pulled out. Kuroo slid into the one beside her.

“It’s stupid.” She sighed, sitting her mug. Kuroo placed one of his hands on the table, tapping while he waited patiently for her to continue. “It’s just that...one of my coworkers...” (Name) paused, more tears welling up. Kuroo leaned over, grabbing the box of tissues and handing it to her. She blinked with appreciation before taking a deep breath. “I just...Azami said some things to me at lunch the other day, and it just got me thinking. Like, what am I even doing? Why did I start this job when I’m pregnant? Why did I even decide to keep this baby when her father won’t even know about her?” The trickle became a steady stream. She blew her nose. “Will I even have time for my job when she’s born? I don’t want her to grow up alone and unsupported.” Her knuckles turned white as she grasped her mug, chest shaking with suppressed sobs.

“(Name).” Kuroo reached out, grasping one of her hands. Empty eyes stared down at their intertwined hands. Thump thump. “You’re not alone. Nor is our child.” (Name) let out a soft gasp, watery eyes snapping up to meet hazel. “Yes, ours. I don’t care what genes he will have. He is as good as my child as much as he is yours, and I don’t intend on leaving you alone no matter what happens.”

“K-kuroo,” she choked. Thump thump. He squeezed her hand before bringing it to his lips to brush them against her knuckles. (Name)’s eyes squeezed shut as her body trembled from the endearing touch. Thump thump.

“(Name), I promise you. I will never abandon you.” Glowing hazel eyes met hers as he surveyed her. Thump thump. Even when she cried, she was beautiful. Kuroo’s other hand reached out, cupping her face and wiping away the tears. “You’re the hardest working person that I know. If there’s anyone who could raise a child while working, it’s you.” Kuroo stood up, opening his arms slightly. She stood too, leaning her head against his chest as his arms pulled her flush against him. “Now, it’s not like you to crumple at the words of a coworker. What else happened?” His hands rubbed her back comfortingly. Thump thump.

(Name) sniffled, swallowing. “One of my clients was hitting on me, and when he found out I was pregnant, he made some...rude comments. Said that I was committing sins for being unmarried and for leading him on.”

Kuroo’s jaw clenched, eyes flashing dangerously. Thump thump. “Please tell me he’s no longer your client.”

(Name) shook her head, wiping her nose. “He was one of Makoto’s clients. Makoto just asked me to finish his final examination, so I won’t be seeing him again.”

Kuroo wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly. “I’m glad.” He pulled back slightly, looking down at her face. “Don’t hide from me anymore, okay kitten? You know I’m always here for you.” He pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. Thump thump. She buried her face deeper into his chest. They stood in silence a few moments longer. THUMP THUMP. THUMP THUMP. He cleared his throat, “c’mon, let’s get you to bed, okay?”

“Stay in my room tonight?” His heart softened as (Name) looked up at him with still watery eyes.

“Of course.” Another forehead kiss.

“Y’know,” he traced shapes into her arm, cheeks glowing as he avoided her eyes, “we’re practically dating already.” He took a deep breath, forcing the smirk on his face in an attempt to hide the nerves that threatened to overwhelm him. Thump thump. “I know that we’re already house-mates - albeit temporarily - but would you be interested in being promoted to girlfriend?”

“You’re such a dork, Kuroo.” She rolled her eyes, pressing her hands on his chest.

“But you didn’t say no!” He grinned. Thump thump.

Their eyes met. Thump thump. He was surprised by the fondness and affection that softened her gaze. Thump thump. “We have been acting like a couple now, haven’t we?” She asked in a low tone, her finger mindless tracing shapes on his chest. Thump thump.

Kuroo shrugged, his throat tightening. His heart was screaming at him now. “That’s not an answer, love.”

Her heart skipped a beat, feigning annoyance by rolling her eyes once more. “Because my answer is yes, dumbass.”

She pulled away, stepping on her tip-toes to press a kiss to his lips that was abruptly broken by a sudden movement. They both looked down, shocked. “Was that—” he whispered, a hand outreached slightly.

“She’s kicking.” New tears welled up in her eyes as (Name) straightened. Kuroo maneuvered himself onto his knees, placing his cheek onto her stomach. “Guess she’s happy,” she teased, as he felt another gentle nudge from their baby. Thump thump. He tightened his grip on (Name), pressing a gentle kiss onto her stomach as an unparalleled warmth spreading throughout his body. Thump thump. Everything finally felt right.

****

Meanwhile...

The bass of the speakers caused the entire room to shake. The dim lights hid details as bodies intertwined under the flashing lights. Gold eyes scanned the room half-heartedly. From his perch at the booth, he could see Atsumu with his arms around two girls at the bar. Everyone else - except for Sakusa who wasn’t there - were on the dance-floor. Bokuto couldn’t see the rest of his team-mates. He sighed loudly, though it was barely audible over the music. He glanced down at his drink, swirling the whiskey in the glass.

“Hey, you’re looking a little bored tonight. Why don’t you come with me and we’ll have some fun?” Bokuto sent her a dejected smile, waving the girl off. “Suit yourself.” She stalked off, rejoining her friends who all sent him looks. It had been like that for the past hour or so since they had arrived. Girls had been coming up to him. One had even sat in his lap, giving him a lap-dance, only to get pissed off at him when he showed no inclination of interest. That girl had stormed off. She and her friends ended up glaring at the wing-spiker before being whisked away by the crowd. Bokuto sipped the whiskey, letting the liquid burn his throat. How many had it been now? Four? Five? He had just asked the waitress to keep bringing him drinks whenever his glass was running low. Bokuto glanced down at his phone. A photo of him and (Name) at Spring Nationals stared back at him. She was wearing his jersey, black and gold paint on her cheeks. He was carrying her on his back, legs and arms wrapped around him as he flexed his arms. Bokuto held the screen, watching as the ‘Live’ function activated. He watched over and over again as (Name) kissed his cheek before grinning at the camera. Tonight would’ve been their four year anniversary.

“Are you okay?” He looked up and the air left his lungs. Standing in front of him was a familiar sight. He blinked, shaking his head to clear it from the buzz that had crept in. Gold eyes squinted into (e/c) eyes. A wave of disappointment crashed over him. The sparkle was just...wrong. “Hello?”

Bokuto swallowed. “I’ll be fine.”

She raised her eyebrow before nodding at the empty booth. Mind if I sit with you?”

He eyed her carefully before looking back at his team-mates. It was obvious that they weren’t going to rejoin him anytime soon, and he was tired of dancing around his thoughts of (Name). Another searing sip. She held his gaze steadily as she waited for his verdict. Every time he blinked, he felt like he was staring at (Name) only for a cold bucket of water to be dumped over his head each time he realised that he wasn’t. “Sure.” He conceded finally.

“Thanks.” She slipped into the booth beside him toying with her own glass. “What’s on your mind?”

“Huh?”

“Well, you��ve been sitting here for a while, and all you’ve done is drink. You keep telling the girls off whenever they come over and bother you, so there’s obviously something bothering you.” She took a sip, placing the empty glass down. “So what’s up?”

Bokuto snorted, “I’m not drunk enough for this.”

She snorted in agreement. Raising a hand, she waved the waitress over. “Can he get another coke and whiskey? And I’d like a new gin & tonic as well too.” The waitress whisked the glasses away.

Bokuto eyed the girl. “How long have you been watching me?”

“Not long.” She shrugged. “My friend stopped by earlier, and boy was she pissed when you turned her down.”

“Where’s she at now?” The unnamed girl pointed towards the bar. Bokuto chuckled. Of course she was clinging onto Atsumu’s arms now. Maybe she had a type. “So what are you doing with me? Isn’t there girl-code or something?” Bokuto leaned back in his seat, scanning his conversation partner.

Another shrug as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. “To be honest, clubbing isn’t my scene. I’m going through a breakup right now, and my friends brought me out to get over it but,” she waved her hand, “they ditched me because I wasn’t being any ‘fun’.” At this, the waitress returned, placing the drinks down in front of the duo.

Bokuto looked down at his drink. “That’s what’s on my mind,” he admitted. She raised an eyebrow, stirring her drink. “I was with this girl for years, and I thought that I was gonna marry her and everything. But I ended up running away to chase my dreams and left her behind.”

“If you loved her so much, why did you leave her behind?”

Bokuto shrugged. “I was scared, I guess.” They sat in silence for a moment.

“Well, cheers to our mutual heart-break then.” They tapped their glasses together. Bokuto chugged his drink, finishing it. The almost-familiar eyes bore into his as she turned to fully face him. “If you want...maybe we could forget together.” He licked his suddenly dry lips. She had gotten really close to him, he noticed. Gold eyes drifted down to her lips as he felt the heat from her, her thigh spreading to press against his. One night of distractions couldn’t hurt, he decided as he leaned in.

****

The next day...

The sounds of heels meeting hardwood met their ears as the couple made their way into the all-too familiar izakaya. “There they are!” Lev cheered, gesturing to them with his mug. Kuroo helped her take off her coat, draping it over his arm as they walked over. Lev’s eyes bulged as he scanned them. “(Name)! Are you pregnant?”

Tsukishima cuffed the barely taller male over the head, causing Lev to wince. “Idiot, you can’t just shout that across the bar.” Heads had turned at Lev’s cry. (Name) simply giggled, sliding into the empty seat beside Akaashi.

“Yes, Lev, I’m pregnant.”

“Congratulations!” Lev cheered.

“Congratulations, (Name).” Tsukishima nodded at her.

Kuroo placed her folded up coat onto the bench, shrugging his off and placing it on top of hers. He took the other empty seat by Lev. Tsukishima, Akaashi, and (Name) sat on one side. Tsukishima faced Lev while Akaashi faced Kuroo. This time, they hadn’t left an empty seat for the missing wing-spiker. “Have you guys ordered yet?”

“Only alcohol,” Akaashi grimaced, eyeing Lev’s red face.

“No wonder he seems louder than usual,” (Name) joked, rolling her eyes at the tall male.

“You’re so rude to me, (Name)-san!” Lev whined, pouting. He took another big gulp of his beer, smacking his lips. “So who’s the baby-daddy? Is it Bokuto?”

Kuroo and (Name) exchanged a quick look, unnoticed by most at the table before she let out a soft laugh. “Didn’t you hear Lev? Kuroo and I are together now.” Akaashi and Tsukishima raised their eyebrows, surprised looks crossing their faces. Lev simply cheered for them.

“Oh my god! Since when?” His jaw dropped. “Wait!! Does that mean...you and Kuroo are gonna have a kid?”

“Yes, that’s what that means, Lev,” (Name) replied patiently, sipping her water.

“I’m so happy for you! Kuroo used to go on and on and on about you, everyone in the locker-room used to make so much fun of him.” Lev burped, ignoring the surprised look that crossed her face. Kuroo’s ears began to glow red.

“Oi, shut it,” Kuroo warned, “or I’ll call Yaku.”

Lev started whining to his senpai, causing the other three to roll their eyes. Apparently Lev’s fear of Yaku was still persistent in his life. Tsukishima joined Kuroo in roasting Lev while (Name) turned to the quiet setter besides her. “Akaashi, we missed you last time! How have you been?”

“Not too bad, just busy.” Akaashi sipped his beer. “Congratulations on graduating, (Name)-san. I’m sorry that I missed your party.”

“It’s no biggie, I’m just glad you made it out this time!” Her bright smile filled his vision as he hummed in response. “How’s your program going?” They settled into an easy conversation, though Akaashi was still hesitant. He hadn’t expected this turn of events, and he definitely hadn’t missed that look they had exchanged. They ordered their food, and the males ended up going through another two pitchers of beer as the night went on.

“Excuse me guys! I’ll be right back babe.” (Name) stood, kissing Kuroo’s cheek before she waddled towards the restroom.

Akaashi turned to Kuroo. “Kuroo-san, may I speak to you?” Luckily, the rest of the guys were busy talking to each other. Hazel eyes bore into blue as Kuroo nodded slowly, swirling his glass. “Is that your child?”

“He is now.”

If the setter was surprised, he didn’t show it. “Does Bokuto-san know?”

“She found out the day he announced his deal.” Kuroo sipped his beer, eyes drifting back to the rest of their company. Lev and Tsukishima were in a heated argument about which was the best dinosaur. Lev was simply arguing in order to get a rise out of Tsukishima. Akaashi nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on Kuroo.

“He would’ve sacrificed anything for her.”

Kuroo sighed. “And she did just that for him.” Glowing hazel met steady gunmetal blue. “He would’ve sacrificed his entire career for her, and he would’ve been unsatisfied with life. This could’ve been his only chance to go pro, and she was not about to let him squander his dreams for her.” Kuroo’s face softened. “Even at the price of her own, she chose his happiness.”

“(Name)-san was always too kind for her own good,” Akaashi mused, sipping his own drink.

“(Name)-san, are you alright? You don’t look well.” Akaashi’s brow furrowed as he looked at the girl. Sweat beaded along her forehead as she panted heavily. The black and gold paint on her cheeks barely hid the redness.

Sluggishly, she waved a hand. “I’ll be okay, ‘Kaashi! This is more important.” (Name) leaned against the setter, and he winced at the heat.

“Are you sure? It looks like you have a fever.”

(Name) nodded, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. “G-gotta be.” Even her voice was hoarse.

“Nickname!” At the sound of Bokuto’s voice, (Name) completely straightened, a smile forcibly spreading across her face.

“Kou!” She squealed. Bokuto swept her into his arms, swinging her around.

“You came!”

“Of course I did. I had to see my best friend playing in the finals!” Akaashi’s eyes widened slightly, impressed. It was barely noticeable that just moments ago she was feeling ill. Even the lilt in her voice had been banished.

“You’re the best,” Bokuto cheered, nuzzling into her neck.

Akaashi stepped away, heading towards the managers with a soft shake of his head. “Is (Name) ok? She looked really sick a few moments ago.” He could only shrug at Kaori’s question. “Poor girl,” she clicked her tongue.

“(Name)’s here?” Yukie asked, glancing over as her brow furrowed. “That’s a surprise.”

Kaori and Akaashi looked over at Yukie. “Why’s that?” Kaori tilted her head.

“Kuroo said she caught a fever the other night. Something about a breakdown, her going out to comfort somebody at 3 AM and forgetting a jacket.”

Kaori clicked her tongue again. “She’s really too nice.” They watched as Bokuto swung her around over and over again. (Name) looked vastly uncomfortable up until Bokuto put her down to hand her his spare jersey. As soon as he had put her down, a wide smile overtook her features. All signs of discomfort vanished. Akaashi shook his head. She really needed to stop sacrificing herself for everyone.

Akaashi sighed, swirling his cup and watching the bubbles. “Under different circumstances, I would want to tell him. He has the right to know.”

“If you tell him now, you risk jeopardizing that future that she gave to him. And if he were to suddenly appear in her life again, who knows what type of stress that’d put on her and the baby?” Akaashi simply hummed in response, fingers tapping against his glass. Kuroo licked his lips before sighing. “For her sake, can you please not tell him? After he’s born, I’ll talk to her about getting Bokuto involved.”

Akaashi sighed. “For their own good.” Kuroo’s face relaxed into a pleasant smile.

“Thank you, Akaashi.” Kuroo stood up. “I’ll be right back,” he promised, before he too made his way to the restroom. A sleek black phone lit up on the table. Glancing at it, Akaashi let out a soft chuckle. The familiar faces of (Name) and Kuroo stared back at him, and she looked beyond happy. The former setter couldn’t remember ever seeing her face as bright as it did in that photo. He had always known that Kuroo had been in love with the former Nekoma manager. Anyone just watching their interactions could see that. Throughout the conversation, Akaashi had kept that in mind, wondering if Kuroo was being selfish about his intentions. He bit his bottom lip as he contemplated the news. Though Bokuto was one of his closest friends, Akaashi had quickly become close to the spunky girl that had captured his friend’s heart. They all deserved to be happy, and it seems that Kuroo and (Name) were happiest together. He nodded to himself, turning his attention back to the quarreling pair. It was for the best that they remained together. He only prayed that Bokuto would be able to find his own happiness.

Fun facts

💟 There were still some of Bokuto’s owl mugs at (Name)’s house

💟 In high-school, photos of the Nekoma volleyball team were (Name)’s lockscreen until their third-year when Kuroo got annoyed and changed her background to a photo of just them as Captain and Manager. He claims that he had priority as her best friend.

💟 Aya really wanted a female best friend, but was terrified of Azami and had too much respect for Kayda so she was extra excited when she found out (Name) was joining the team

💟 Aya’s name means ‘colorful, beautiful’, Azami means ‘thistle flower, greatest’, Makoto means ‘sincerity, truth’, and Kayda means ‘Little Dragon’ or ‘Princess of God’

💟 Every time they went to get dessert, a bit of it would end up on Kuroo’s face because he would either try to steal (Name)’s dessert or make fun of her

💟 Kuroo had taken a floral arrangement class as a GE and learned about the meaning of flowers through it. He forgot that (Name) had also taken that class a different semester so she also knew the meaning of the flowers he’d gotten

💮 White lilies: “My love is pure”

💮 Apple blossoms: “I prefer you before all”

💮 Red carnations: “My heart aches for you”

💮 Gardenias: secret love

💟 There were mutual feelings of alterous attraction between (Name) and Kuroo - meaning that they’d both be okay whether they were platonic friends or romantic partners. (Name) just didn’t know the second part.

💟 Kuroo thought he was doing her a favor by doing the chores, but once he got his butt kicked, he remembered how much (Name) hates depending on people

💟 Even though they’ve been friends for so long, it was still rare for Kuroo to see her crying. She typically tried to cry alone in her room

💟 This was the first time that Hikori kicked

💟 Bokuto took up drinking about a week after (Name)’s graduation

💟 Bokuto wasn’t really sure why he kept changing his background photo

💟 Most people had figured out that (Name) and Bokuto had separated. They just didn’t know why. Lev was one of the only exceptions to this

💟 Both Kuroo and (Name) were posting on social media, but a majority of people chalked it up to their long-term friendship

💟 Bokuto still doesn’t know that (Name) had a fever during that game

💟 (Name) had gone out late at night to comfort Shibayama who was feeling very insecure and unprepared to take on the role as libero after Yaku

AN: This was my favorite chapter of Lockscreens to write! did you enjoy that little ‘Free!’ cameo 😜

Please feel free to pop into my inbox if you have any questions, comments, or concerns 💞 I love interacting with you all!

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bowieandqueen11 · 4 years

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That’s Messed Up / Ben Hargreeves Imagine

Request: Hello💓 could I request a Ben Hargreeves X Reader where she is stressed because of her job/university and her family is stressing her out and she just needs a good cry or comfort? I hope you are having a good day☂️💜

This is honestly a big mood thank you <3

Comments are really appreciated and add me on Instagram @bowieandqueen11!

Ben, when he asked Five to bloop him into your house, wasn’t expecting to see you huddled up in the corner of your room.

The first part of the night involved a lot of waiting.

A little while before, he had been checking his watch at the corner near Griddys, watching it tick on and on before his eyes, every second getting a little bit further away from the time you were meant to meet at, and increasing the fear in his heart, inch by painfully slow inch.

Ben always had called you his hurricane. Just a rush of love and happiness and such hyper hope that it always whisked him away from whatever fear, whatever self hatred he was feeling. You always felt everything, love, anger, sadness, joy, to such extremes, that in the end, he was so wrapped up in you, he forgot what hating himself used to feel like. All encompassing, that was what you were, and god if he didn’t love you more than the world itself for it.

That’s why, when you’re not there, he notices the silence.

Chilled by the coldness of the metal on his wrist, he finds comfort from turning it to its side and reading the inscription you had left for him.

‘Happy birthday to the light of my life.’

Ben had never thought as himself as light, as anything resembling something bright, and yet he still always found the darkness strange, uncomforting. Living in the heart of the city, he had grown used to having the warm, orange glow of the streetlamps outside your window, filtering through the curtains as he held the most precious thing he knew in his arms. And yet, the light from the nearby lamp felt different tonight, frostier, somehow, and even the stars he had spent his whole childhood looking up at, dreaming of escaping into their light, seemed too far away to make a difference.

That’s when the first inkling began churning in the pit of his stomach, the thought that something was badly wrong with you.

Pulling out his phone, he ignores the other couples walking by on the sidewalk, which on any other evening would have made him smile, seeing his future reflected in them, and instead checks for new messages. Seeing none, he instead flicks through some old photographs stored on his phone: your first christmas together, his birthday, your birthday, your first date, all trying to calm him down. Telling himself to be patient, to wait a few more minutes before doing anything drastic, he places his phone back into his pocket and looks back up at the stars, back into the light, with a frown etched on his face.

When it had been an hour, and you still hadn’t turned up, that’s when Ben knew something was definitely wrong. You never, ever missed date nights.

The second, involved a lot of phone calls.

‘Five, I’m coming over - no, it’s about Y/n. Yeah - yes, yes I know what time it is! I think she’s in trouble, and I need your help, alright. Yes, I know Diego is crashed out, but it’s a two bedroom apartment for a reason, isn’t it? No, Klaus won’t be able to help with this one, plus I’m pretty sure he and Allison went out for the night. I don’t know, I just kind of zone out when he talks half the time. Yeah, okay, I’ll see you in a few.’

Before he starts walking, he decides to try leaving you a voicemail. Then he gets worried, and leaves you another one. Then, when he sets off, and he becomes scared, he leaves you another, and another, and another, until he finds himself ringing the doorbell to his brothers’ flat.

Five and Diego’s place wasn’t much warmer, either.

‘Look, I’m sorry about the mess, but letting Diego move in with me was probably one, if not the worst decision of my life.’

Like everything else in the room, the couch told a story, a testimony to the personality of its twenty year old owner. It was a piece bought more for style than overall comfort, quite cold and demanding and yet Ben still felt himself sinking into it. On top of the beige colouring, he could spot where Diego usually sat from the food stains that had been harshly scrubbed off.

Five pours himself another cup of coffee, sighing to himself as he dumps another cracked eggshell left on the counter into the bin. Taking a swig, he holds up his finger to stop Ben from talking prematurely, before he opens the fridge hidden in the corner of the kitchen and takes out two chocolate eclairs.

‘Eclair? If we don’t eat them now, Diego will eat them both in the morning. Or worse, Klaus will more than likely come crash here when he sees your not home yet, and then they’ll be gone before the sun even has a chance to rise.’

Ben turns down the food, but accepts a glass of water Five offers him in return. He takes tiny sips, trying to swallow his fear along with it.

Five settles into his armchair, placing the newspaper onto the small resting table nearby. Settling down into the cushion, he places one leg over the other and blows harshly over the top of his mug.

‘Okay, so what seems to be the problem with Y/n.’

As soon as Ben relayed what had been happening tonight, Five abandoned his coffee by the edge of the kitchen sink and transported the two of them straight into the corridor by your home.

When Ben opened your bedroom door with a small knock, and he saw the mess, he knew it was time for him to go, WIshing Ben luck with a small murmur of his breath, a flash of blue light disappeared behind the shutting door, and the two of you were finally left alone.

The third, was like a harpoon through his heart.

Stepping onto some scattered papers, Ben walks into your room and surveys the damage. A lot of your University work lay crumpled by his feet, your desk chair half on the floor and half still resting against the desk, as if a fight had occurred just before he came in.

‘Y/n, buttercup, what happened. Can you tell me what happened? Was it your family again?’

Slowly, so slowly, so as not to jostle you and make everything worse again, he came over to squat down by you on the floor. He places a hand gently on your shoulder, digging into your muscle to try and relax you, but you just try and shrug him away, burying your face deeper into your hands. You knew you had to be the strong one, for both of them. You knew Ben didn’t deserve this stress, more than anyone, but you just couldn’t take it anymore. You couldn’t take the work, your family, but you also couldn’t take Ben seeing you as weak.

Ben watched you with dipped eyes, trying to stop his hand from shaking as he rested it on your knee, trying again to get through. It looked as if you had retreated in on yourself, your touch somehow disconnected, and his voice is arriving over a radio set in another room. So, he does the only thing he could think of, the thing you used to do when he broke down after missions and used to hide under his bed, refusing to get out. Grace often tried, of course, to coax him out with the promise of milk and cookies, and Klaus had often come the closest, but he refused unless his best friend in the whole wide world was there with him.

So, he repays a debt he knows he can never fully repay, and he tells you over and over that he’s really here, that he’ll always be here. He tells you softly yet at a volume that reaches inside and soothes that which ran and hid from him, from all of them.

‘I’m sorry Ben. I’m so sorry. I- I’m...I’m sorry.’

'You have nothing to be sorry for. Y/n. I’m the one who’s sorry. I know how stressed out you’ve been with University, and I know how messed up your family’s been treating you. I thought going to Griddys would make it better, but I was wrong, I was so wrong. I’m so sorry for leaving you alone.’

Ben always said you loved like a hurricane, and he was right. When he moves to take your palms away from your face, and instead replace them with his own, you cried with more violence than any gale. You didn't break quietly, it was like every atom of your being screamed in unison, the wracking sobs heaving into his chest as he wrapped his arms around you.

Resting his head on top of your own, he reached out to rub your back, promising to himself that he would never leave you to fight your battles alone again.

#tua #the umbrella academy #tua season 2 #ben hargreeves #five hargreeves #tua imagine #ben hargreeves imagine #the umbrella academy imagine #five hargreeves imagine #ben hargreeves x reader #ben hargreeves angst #ben hargreeves fluff #klaus hargreeves #allison hargreeves #diego hargreeves #justin min

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natromanxoff · 3 years

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I am sure many of you have already read this one but here are some parts from Ash Alexander’s Queen journey for those who haven’t!

“...At some point in early At some point in early 1983 on a visit to Jacky at the QFC, John Deacon wondered into the office. He came into the basement office and said hello as Jacky introduced me, sat down and spent a little time reading through press clippings. He could easily have slipped away back upstairs, but the fact that he stayed was a nice touch.

Another fan club letter arrived with good news. In Another fan club letter arrived with good news. In November 1983, fan club members were invited to help in a video for the new single 'Radio Ga Ga' at Shepperton Studios. Again, my Mum stepped up and drove me down for the day. I took the day off school and had just turned 14. We arrived at the studio and were ushered into a huge hanger where we were kitted out with white body suits and then sprayed with a light grey stripe on each arm - even now I’m not sure what the spray paint was for as you can’t see it in the video. When we had all been prepared, we were taken into an adjoining hanger and were greeted by the band and an initial play through of the song. The rest of the day was spent clapping as you’ll see in the video. I wound up in the front row, opposite Brian. If you look closely and you know what you’re looking for, you can see me!

In between takes, I approached John Deacon who was surprisingly on his own. I remember trying to remain calm as I approached him. I didn’t mention our brief meeting, I asked him how to get a job in recording studios and that I was interested in pursuing a career as a sound engineer. He was really helpful and took time to explain the usual route.

On 22, March 1984 at Limehouse Studios in London’s docklands, the video for ‘I Want To Break Free’ was filmed, again with the help of fan club members. I went along with my brother Andrew. The set was a big dark staircase that we all stood on. We were given black bodysuits this time that were sprouted with hello paint on the arms. We also wore a hard hat with a head lamp attached to it. The band were set in the middle of us all. After all the filming, we returned to the main building where we said hello to Roger. He’d come out to say thanks. Later, waiting for a cab down in reception, Freddie glided down the staircase and past us with his entourage. I remember wanting to get up and say thanks, but the opportunity was missed.

...20th April 1992. My friend Chesney Hawkes was managed by Trinifold. They also managed The Who. He invited me along to the Freddie Mercury Tribute gig at Wembley. Roger Daltry was appearing and Ches had a spare ticket. He only had one backstage pass though. This was overcome by him befriending the chap on the security door. Ches came out to meet me with his pass. He returned on his own and got in. I confidently flashed my pass and entered the Hard Rock tented area. Ches beckoned me over from the other side of the room. He was signing autographs for a lady, her two children and an older lady was with them. He introduce me to them saying I was a huge Queen fan. ‘This is Freddie’s mother' he whispered to me. I remember saying to her that I wish we’d met under different circumstances and how deeply sorry I was about her loss and how incredibly proud she should be. I often wonder about her.

...In Spring 1993, I was in front office. It was well after midnight and I’d left a s session for a little break. As usual, I took a look in the studio diary to see what was coming up. I flicked through the weeks and came upon an booking entry “Studio 3 - QUEEN” for 2 weeks that was pencilled in. There was no further info than that. I put my initials next to the booking thinking there would be a rational explanation as to what the booking really was. I soon found myself on a 2 week session with Queen.My diary from 1993 is lost, so I have only a mental note as to when & what songs were touched upon at this initial stage of 'Made In Heaven'. We started taking delivery of various multitrack tapes on varied formats. These were then transferred to digital 48 track tapes for future work. Roger & John were alone on these sessions as Brian was touring in Japan. I remember Roger being rather dismissive of Brian being unavailable, much like a brother sledging his sibling would do, with a slightly jealous edge but genuine at the same time.

...Over the 2 week session, Roger would suggest we went out for dinner. We had 3 or 4 meals out at a local Italian restaurant. Even now I laugh at jumping into the back of Roger’s Merc and the four of us driving down Abbey Road to the restaurant. It was owned by an Italian lady that would force you to smell her ‘wonderful mushrooms’ from a jar, which she made Roger do. On our initial meal she told Roger he looked familiar. ‘I know you’, she said. ‘Where have I seen you before?’ ‘Well, I’m in a band and we’ve been on TV before.’ Roger replied. John seemed calm with his lack of recognition. ‘What group do you play for?’ she asked. ‘I’m the drummer in a rock n roll band called Queen’ he replied. ‘No - I don’t hear of this band’ …We finished our food and the bill was called for. It showed up. John took it and asked Roger if he should use the Queen card to pay for it or his own card.

Roger’s drum kit arriving half way through the first week of sessions was a surprise for Noel Harris (the engineer) & me. We expected the sessions to be playing back tapes and working through the various formats to find possible material to be worked on at a later date. Noel was unfamiliar with the room in studio 3 and asked my opinion where to set the kit up and what microphones I would use. Eventually he left me to it. The kit was positioned and I mic’d it up that evening. John had his red Fender bass DI’d (no amp was used) and sat with us in the control room. I doubt these recordings made it through to the final mixes, it’s nice to think that they did.

...Tuesday 5th September

During the afternoon Brian’s guitar and a Vox AC30 appeared in the studio, brought in by Pete Malandrone. We were to do guitar overdubs on ‘You Don't Fool Me’. David asked me to put two Shure 421 microphones pointing into the back of the speaker cabinet. We did have two SM57’s on the front but these weren’t used in the recording.

I had to do a recall of the mix, which meant noting all of the studio outboard settings so we could get back to the mix and finish it off.

We had a technical problem with the Sony 3348 tape machine and eventually had it swapped for a new one. Brian clearly wasn’t aware we weren’t ready for him. I was half way through telling him and Jim Beach jumped in and finished off my explanation. Brian got really cross with him and slammed an empty coffee mug down on the studio table. Later Brian was so apologetic for his outburst. He must have told Jim he was sorry 4 times. As I type this I note it was Freddie’s birthday.

Brian slipped on his guitar that was linked to his amp with one lead. No pedals. His sound was instant and we were soon ready to record. He stood in front of the console in the control facing David & me.

Brian had an idea of what he wanted to play. The guitar riff had already been recorded. The solo guitar is what was added. Brian used a scrap of paper that he drew a map of dots on. Not like musical notation but his own short hand. It reminded me of being at the 'Radio Ga Ga' video shoot 13 years earlier. I was the same distance from Brian as I was then, but the scenario was beyond my imagination.

...Friday 8th September

Day Off - I may have met Pete Malandron at the Sun Inn in Barnes this afternoon. The QIFC was based round the corner at the time & Brian had a house there too, although I'm not sure he lived there at the time. I was with a friend and Pete joined us in the pub. He sat near the window and kept looking out of it. I asked what he was looking at and he replied "I always get worried when I'm out with Brian's guitar. It's in the boot of the car you see." He stayed for one drink and decided it was time to leave.

...One of the evenings of this second week, George Michael came to visit. There was a strong possibility that he would sing on one of the songs. Roger, John, Brian, David, George & I sat chatting in the control room. One of the conversations moved onto the Beatles and their current 'best of' release. I think Brian suggested that it was a bad idea releasing all their old material and I piped up that the fans would buy it regardless, much like the scenario Queen were about to face with the imminent release of the album. There was a deathly hush as I realised what I was saying. I wasn’t being at all derogatory. I was helped out of the hole I was digging by George who agreed with me and we moved on. No one actually spoke about doing a vocal. After George left the studio that evening, Roger was clear that he wasn’t keen on the idea.After looking through the Vintage Car garage across the road from the studio one afternoon, Roger saw a black Cadillack convertible that he quite liked. The following morning he came into the studio and said ‘Don’t tell Jim, but I bought the car.’ It was £80, 000.

Brian asked me if had been involved in the Abbey Road Sessions. Perhaps he’d seen my name on the tape boxes. I said that I was. Immediately he made a phone call. I didn’t hear all that he said, but I knew it was about a special thanks on the album credits. The following morning, after the artwork had been finalised, Roger came in and said ‘morning Aardvark’. Because the special thanks were alphabetic, I was on top of the list. It wasn’t until I bought a copy of the album and saw my name on it that I finally took on board that I had actually achieved one of my dreams.”

#queen #queen band #roger taylor #brian may #john deacon

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toloveawarlord · 3 years

Text

You can find my masterlist in my bio!

25 Days of Christmas Day 9

Pairing: Edgar x MC

Prompt: “How long have you been out here?”

Tagging: @plumpblueberry @christmaswarlock @sakura-1819 @starry-starry-night24 @kissmetwicekissmedeadly @thewitchofbooks @ikemensengokufangirl @stardust-dreamer13 @gay-noodle-clan @nad-zeta @canaria-blackwell @hamster-damn @boundtothejacks

A/N: Not my original plan for this story but I fell in love this idea!

Snow danced in the chilled wind, drifting down to join the blanket covering the yard. The warm shop disappeared, and she found herself shivering before a large home, strangely familiar. Alice rubbed her hands together, casting a quizzical glance around her surroundings. The mountains cascading across the horizon told her this was Red Territory, not Central Quarter where she’d previously been.

“Hey, miss! That magic you used lit up the whole yard!” A boy no older than six bounded up to her, his boots and jacket coated in a fresh layer of snow. The cold nipping at his red tinted cheeks and nose. Despite how frigid he looked; a wide grin broke out on his features.

Alice studied his familiar features. Chestnut brown locks. Jade irises reflecting mischievous intent. The moonlight shimmering on the white snow only illuminated the boy in a magical glow. “Did I scare you?”

“Of course not! I don’t scare easy!” The grin fell into a defiant pout as he folded his arms across his chest with a huff.

“Edgar! There you are! How long have you been out here? You’ll catch a cold!” A woman clad in a winter shawl over her pajamas and house slippers called from the door. Her gaze fell on the unknown woman. “Oh, hello there.”

“Hello- I-”

Edgar slipped his small hand into hers, tugging her toward the warm home. “This lady is lost, mother,” He announced, intent on bringing her inside with him. “As the future Jack of Hearts, I hereby decree that--” His head swiveled up to look at her, realization on those small features. “Sorry, I don’t know you’re name, miss.”

“Oh, it’s Alice.”

His head nodded as he cleared his throat and straightened his back. “I hereby decree that Alice will be given sanctuary in our home until morning.” He spoke with authority but peeked at his mother for permission. “We can’t leave her in the cold and no carriages are running at this hour.”

His mother laughed softly with a gentle smile. “Yes, I think that’s a wonderfully kind idea.” She brushed her hand lovingly through his hair and turned her attention to the woman. “You are more than welcome to stay here. I’m sure you’re terribly cold having wandered this far out into the country of Red Territory. I’m Lillian Bright, and this is my troublesome son, Edgar.”

The boy in question gave a breathy hey but didn’t deny it.

“Thank you, I’m terribly sorry of the inconvenience.” Alice might have chosen to brave the cold, but knowing that she wasn’t in her own timeline, she decided against it.

Besides, she was quite intrigued by this little Edgar. He was just as she imagined he’d be at this age; full of adventure, innocent, and simply so adorable she wanted to pinch his cheeks and tell him how cute he was.

But she refrained, as hard as it was.

“You should be in bed. It’s well past your bedtime,” Lillian said.

“It’s Christmas Eve, and Father promised he’d be home.” His head dropped; disappointment laced in his tone. He’d gone outside to wait, hoping to catch him riding in the distance on his horse. But hours had passed.

Lillian tugged his jacket off before relenting. “Alright. Go warm up by the fire. I’ll make us some hot chocolate.”

“I’ll help you. It’s the least I can do for your hospitality,” Alice offered.

Edgar tugged on her sleeve until she bent down to hear what he whispered into her ear. “Sneak extra marshmallows into mine!” He snickered softly, like he’d told her about an evil plot. With his request done, the energetic boy took off toward the roaring fire in the living room.

Alice accompanied his mother to the large kitchen. The arch above the sink gave a perfect view into the other room. She watched the six-year-old stick his hands out toward the flames only to wrench them back a few moments later and blow on them.

“Do you have kids, Alice?” Lillian asked, setting a pot of milk onto the stove top.

“Oh, no. Not yet anyways. I’m not sure E-” She stopped herself short of mentioning his name. “I’d like to, one day. I’m quite sure my boyfriend would be a wonderful father.” Her heart thumped in her chest as she thought about the two of them having a little one. Perhaps they’d have a boy who looked just like Edgar when he was young.

Lillian laughed, setting to work cutting up a bar of chocolate to melt into the warmed milk. “You must have a devoted lover, then.” A flicker of recognition flashed across her features. “His father, Cecil, he’s a good man. Busy, with his duties as the Jack of Hearts, but he loves that boy fiercely.”

“I can see that he’s loved so well.” An ache splintered across her chest. One day, he’ll lose those who cared so deeply for him.

Steam rose from the mugs as they were filled with the beverage. As requested, Alice slipped three extra marshmallows into the smaller mug. Edgar settled on the couch in between his mother and Alice, a wicked grin on his lips as he beamed at Alice.

She gave a wink and sipped on her drink. “Are you excited for Christmas, Edgar?”

“Yes! I hope I get a lot of candy and sweets. My favorite is-”

“Jellybeans?”

Jade eyes widened as if she’d read his mind as his head bobbed a confirmation. “How’d you know? Did you use magic?” He passed his mug to his mother before wiggling across the cushion to get closer to Alice. “I saw you use magic when you arrived.”

How would she explain that? It wasn’t like she could tell him that she was from the future, that she knew because he’d told her. Instead, Alice placed a finger over her lips and said, “It’s a secret.”

“Aww,” Edgar whined, flopping down onto his stomach, resting his head on his stacked arms. “That’s cheating. I can order you as the Jack!” He threw the title around as it fit him.

Just as mischievous as he was in the future. “You’re about twenty years too early for that.” Alice reached out her free hand and pinched at his side, causing the boy to flail around in a fit of uncontrollable laughter.

“He-hey! Stop t-that! It tickles!” He fought to no avail, only getting a reprieve when she pulled her hand away. He panted, taking deep breaths. “You’re a lot of fun. More fun than any of the maids here.” He sat up, tucking his legs in to sit criss-cross.

“I’ll bet you like to tease them, huh?”

Edgar turned his nose up, utterly denying his devious nature. A little prank here and there didn’t harm anyone. He shushed her as she snickered at him. “Mother fell asleep. She’s been getting tired a lot lately,” he said.

He tugged the blanket off the back of the couch and gently covered her with it, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I hope father makes it home. She’d really be happy, then.”

“He has a lot of work, being the Jack of Hearts, but I’m sure he’s doing everything he can to be here for the two of you.” She knew just how much was demanded of the Jack, especially since it wasn’t until Lancelot became King that the Bright line was free of their dark obligation.

“I wished on every star in the sky.”

The jingling of keys went unheard by the boy, but Alice turned her head toward the front hall. As she rubbed circles on his back, magic pulled at her body. The spell wearing off, telling her it was time to leave. “Hey, Edgar. You’ll get your wish. I promise. Wait right here, okay?”

“You think so?” The light returned to those jade irises. Hope laced in his features. His greatest wish for the year evident.

She rose from the couch, taking all three mugs to return them to the kitchen. The front door creaked open, making young Edgar jump up. His smile one that she would never forget. Alice clasped her hands together, finding the brightest star in the sky from the window.

I wish for his happiness. Both past and future.

“Father! You came! Just like she said you would!”

“She? Who are you talking about?”

As the magic took her back to her own time, she barely heard his reply.

The Christmas angel, Alice.

The lights of the shop returned to her vision. The crystal now a rock in her hands. Alice squeezed it tightly, a memento of her glimpse into his past. Two strong arms slid around her waist.

“There you are. I searched the whole shop, but you were gone for a while. Did you sneak out on me?” Edgar teased, resting his chin on her shoulder. They’d gone shopping together, but somehow, she’d managed to slip away. How strange.

“Yes, something like that.”

“Oh?”

Alice laughed to herself. He may deny it, but that childish innocence had begun to return to him. She pocketed the rock and twisted in his arms to face him. “I went to wish on a few stars.”

He searched her for the truth, a sly smirk on his lips. “And what, pray tell, did you wish for?” Gloved fingers caressed her cheek as he waited patiently for the answer.

“Your happiness, for the rest of our lives.” She adored the surprise on his features. His cheeks the faintest of pink as he struggled to respond. Alice rose up on her tiptoes and placed a tender kiss on his lips.

She vowed to protect his happiness always.

#ikemen revolution #ikerev #edgar bright #jack of hearts #edgar bright x reader #25 days christmas #2020 edition #day 9 #small edgar is too cute #honestly i love the idea of his parents being the best

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not-from-the-absence-of-violence · 3 years

Text

I exist as I am

it is yet again @jonnitweek time :D

Day 4 - identity / fluff

Jonnit and their relationship with gender.

Jonnit sat at a table, breakfast among the crew these days was somewhat tense with their new status and the captain's death looming over their shoulders.

Dref didn’t like eating around other people so he had gone and locked himself in his own office to eat, Travis was sitting in front of him, he looked generally annoyed at the world while he ate his breakfast.

Gable arrived a few moments later, having gotten no food for themself as they usually stole from Travis, who always grabbed way too much.

“Hello Jonnit,” they said cheerfully, Jonnit smiled back, then they said “Travis.” who gave them a bleary glare.

They sat down next to him and in practiced familiarity went to grab Travis' mug.

He swatted at their hand like an annoyed cat. “That’s heartroot,” he said pointedly. “Which if you want you are going to have to blend yourself I’m afraid.”

They don’t seem at all surprised by this, just seem annoyed that they will have to get their own drinks later.

Jonnit stares at him, he has heard of heartroot before of course, it’s one of those things that he is aware of but has never actually thought about.

“You drink heartroot?” Jonnit asks in genuine curiosity.

Travis smirks. “Sometimes,” he says, “staying the same for so long would just be dreadfully boring don’t you think?”

Gable shakes their head a little. “I feel like you aren’t explaining this right.”

“Well how would you put it then?”

They seem to pause for a second. “You humans and your gender,” they say, then stare at Jonnit, “I’ve certainly never gotten it.”

And Jonnit thought he did, right up until that point where he wasn’t sure actually. He hadn’t grown up particularly sheltered, there are however things that you just don’t question, corsairs were generally a lot more free, and glamorous, in their expression.

“Dref, how does heartroot work?” Jonnit said as he was sitting on a desk in his office as Dref worked methodically to clean some equipment.

“I-It’s not s-something I’m an ex- xpert in b-but,” they say, turning to look at Jonnit, there is a bright slightly nervous energy about the way he kicks his legs, “It’s d-definitely m- magic.”

Jonnit rolled his eyes without malice. “I get that.”

Dref can’t help but smile at him. “I h-have p-ersonally n-never t-taken it.”

“I think i get how it works, i meant more in a,” he said and vaguely waved his arms around, “how do you know you want it, I guess?”

Jonnit seems lost in his thoughts for a moment and Dref wishes he knew better how to verbalize his own feelings, he hasn’t taken heartroot no, this doesn’t mean they don’t understand the anxious curiosity practically radiating from Jonnit.

“N-not everyone who f-feels d-different t-takes heartroot,” they tried. “B-but some p-people feel their b-body doesn’t align w-with who they are.”

Jonnit hummed impatiently. “But how do you know.”

“Experimentation? Often t-there is m-more to ex-xploring g-gender.”

Jonnit seems content with that answer, a small smile on his face as he stares at the wall. “Sure okay.” he flashes a smile at Dref, “Thanks, man.”

“Any t-time.” Dref says and they lapse back into comfortable silence as Jonnit ponders and Dref works.

Celebrations are always big on the Uhuru, the sound of music and laughter filling the ship with an almost magical energy.

Jonnit likes parties, the general buzz of fun and movement letting the gentle worry of the life of a corsair fade into the background.

It’s night and Travis is lamenting about it, a coyote on Gable’s lap. Dref comes into the room, they are wearing a floor length skirt and a coat other than his doctor's coat for once.

Gable smiles at him. “Look who pulled out all the stops tonight.”

He blushes and stammers a bit, “T-thank you.”

Jonnit can’t help but stare at it, the fabric looking soft and glittery all the same. “I didn’t know you owned skirts.” he remarks.

“T-they are i-inconvenient for m-most of m-my work,” he says, a bit solemn.

Jonnit nods, a pirate's life was not made for pretty and frilly outfits. Travis grumbles something about being able to wear skirts when she’s human and Gable laughs at him, genly petting her head.

He can’t help but keep staring at Dref’s skirt as they run their fingers through the fabric.

“I p-probably have one f-for y-you,” Dref says suddenly, “if you w-would l-like?”

Jonnit’s eyes go wide and he smiles excitedly, “For real?” he says.

Dref nods.

“Cool! Thank you.” he says, getting up quickly and practically dragging Dref to the door.

Gable and Travis watch them leave as Jonnit bables excitedly, Dref looks at him with a soft smile.

“They grow up so fast.” Travis says mocking at Gable’s incredibly fond look.

“Oh sush,” they say, “you are one to talk.”

Jonnit stares at himself in the tall mirror of the captain's quarters, the skirt Dref has given him is a deep blue, with what looks like stars embroidered at the bottom of it. He likes the sensation of it when he spins, the fabric swishing and all the constellations moving with him.

He isn’t sure why he has never worn a skirt before, mostly because it has never been practical maybe, but now he feels warm and happy as he looks in the mirror.

“It s-suits you,” Dref says,

“Yeah!” Jonnit says with glee. “Now let’s go dance.”

He pulls Dref by his arm, who then almost stumbles but quickly follows behind Jonnit, into the mass of dancing skyjacks.

Everyone seems excited to see them, of course they are the heroes of the hour having not so long ago taken down The Civility.

Everyone on the crew is fond of Jonnit, he mingels easily in the crowd and people seem glad to teach him all types of dances he eagerly attempts.

Gable pops in and out, occasionally to Jonnit's delight swinging him around like he weighs nothing. Dref mostly stays at the outskirts, nodding at the pats on the back he gets from the rest of the crew, smiling at Jonnit’s exited demeanor.

"I should wear this more often." He says later, twirling to make the skirt turn with him.

"Y-you can k-keep it," Dref says firmly.

Jonnit looks at him like he has stars in his eyes. "Thank you," he says, and leans in for a hug slowly, so Dref can back out.

Dref melts into the quick hug, holding Jonnit for a second, hoping he gets everything they didn’t get to have.

After Buzra Nyth Jonnit still owns the skirt. Dref was right of course, it isn’t very convenient in most situations but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t wear it.

It surprisingly doesn’t feel terrible to wear it, it brings with it only soft memories of Dref, and a nice glow like feeling that Jonnit can’t help but smile at. It’s the comfort Dref would give him, were he still here.

There is something about being called “boy” that just doesn’t sit right with Jonnit. He’d imagined it was because of how childish it made him feel, but there is something weirdly specific about the twinge of discomfort that comes with it.

Gable and Travis are listening to him ramble about in, trying to pay attention at this late hour. It is, Jonnit imagines, a bit like a sleepover you would have were they a normal friend group.

Except Travis, who is a snake at the moment, is curled around Gable’s neck, and Gable is nodding along while they idly play with a gun.

“Is girl any better?” Gable tries.

Jonnit grimaces a bit. “It’s not...worse?”

“Let’s just call you child then.” Travis says.

Gable vaguely pushes part of him off their shoulder. “This is important.” they say annoyed. Jonnit can’t help but laugh at them both.

“What about young man?” Gable keeps trying.

“It isn’t bad, doesn’t feel...me?” he says, gesturing vaguely. It was all confusing and not easy to explain.

“Well people don’t need to use gendered anything.” Gable says matter of factly.

“Or everything.” Travis says, and she smiles Jonnit a snakey grin.

As the night goes on Jonnit has a small list written down; he finds he doesn’t mind “son”, but he does prefer “sibling”, he decidedly dislikes “boy” and “man” feels distant, “sir” and “madam” both have a certain status they are excited about achieving someday. It’s almost fun really, repeating small sentences in their brain, imagining scenarios, Travis and Gable both occasionally sleepily adding commentary.

He ends the list with a twice underlined bold. “Captain Kessler.” which leaves him smiling stupidly at the paper.

This is my friend, they are a corsair and their name is Jonnit. He writes down carefully.

“Hey would you guys mind using they pronouns for me occasionally,” they say at the end of the night, feeling a small and unreasonable anxiety in his chest.

Gable smiles excitedly. “Of course!”

Travis lifts her head from where it was buried in Gable's hair. “Welcome to the club, kid.”

Jonnit smiles. “Yeah,” they say, “yeah I guess so.”

Jonnit smiles at the scene before him, Margaret had forced them all into what she regarded as a well needed rest after Nordia. So here they were now, cooped up into Dref’s former office, laying on the floor as Margaret did their nails one by one.

It was an activity that required patience, and forced you to sit down and enjoy eachothers company. Occasionally Margaret and Travis took sips from their mugs of heartroot, Travis’ balanced precariously on the edge of a book shelf, Margaret’s safely at her side as she chided Gable for moving too much.

Jonnit clinked their bright freshly polished nails against his own mug, they were a deep blue to match with their skirt and made a soft lovely sound against the ceramic.

Jonnit had, almost shyly, approached Margaret about blending heartroot a while ago, and had been blown away by her level of enthusiasm and knowledge.

So there he was, shakingly holding the tea, which was ever so carefully picked to stop facial hair growth and to make their voice just a little higher. Margaret had gently reminded him that the mix could always be adjusted, people and feelings change after all. It still felt like a big step as he took a small sip, it was sweet and almost floral and warm.

He couldn’t quite contain his giggles, a happy haze falling over them. His three companions turn to him with equal fond looks.

Many things happened when Jonnit went back to Akaron, the feelings and slight unresolved tension from when they had left home still hanging around the air and certainly explanations were needed from his sister, who had apparently also left home.

Both Zana and his dad were delighted to see him, embracing them in a group hug so tight Jonnit almost felt he couldn’t breathe.

His nervousness falling away as they entered their childhood home and sat down to have the longest conversation he had had with anything in a while.

There was a lot to digest of course, with both Zana and him retelling their adventures, their destinies, their fears. Jonnit’s gender journey in the end was only one of the many many items in the long list of explanations that night.

Whatever edge of nervousness there was it was worth it for the gentle peace of understanding that washed over all of them having talked.

It was worth the giddiness he got when he overheard Zana talking to a friend of hers.

“Yeah me and my sibling are home for a bit,” she says, “Jonnit? You remember them right?”

It was worth for the hug his father gave them when they left, full of unspeakable emotion.

“I’ll always be here you know,” his father said, blinking back tears, “whatever you do, you always have home to come back to.”

Jonnit was tearing up too “Thanks dad.” he said and added, “You’ll always be welcome on my ship too.”

His dad gave him a wide smile, tears now falling from his eyes as he nudged them towards the Uhuru where Travis and Gable were waiting. “Now go get them, captain Kessler.”

“Captain?” his quartermaster said as they slowly entered their quarters, Jonnit nodded at them to speak “Ma’am the crew is awaiting orders. Shall I tell them to get to their battle stations?”

Captain Jonnit Kessler moved away from the window where he was looking at their next target, a red feather ship gilded in gold, one of the last ones in the sky. He couldn’t help but smile, they should be used to this by now but some things never quite stop being a small novelty.

“Yes,” they said, “and tell Gable to come up to my quarters, I would like to see them before the battle.”

The quartermaster nodded, the excitement of upcoming battle clearly in the air. “Yes ma’am.” they said, exaggerating the salute a little.

Jonnit smiled and shook his head. “Well get to it then.” they said, not quite being able to shake the amusement in his voice

“Yes sir!” they say, with a final grin as they leave the room.

And with that Capitain Kessler prepares themself for one of many battles to come, one of the crucial ones that one day make them the best pirate to ever live, the ones that help him one day rule the skies.

#skyjacks #jonnitweek2021 #campaign podcast #jonnit kessler #gable skyjacks #dref wormwood #travis matagot #margaret skyjacks

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snakeboistan · 4 years

Text

A Fateful Meeting

Platonic Sugino and Nagisa

“Main Hall, Main Hall,” Sugino said to himself as he turned the corner carrying a large box filled with new textbooks, “just one more corridor and I can head back and enjoy the rest of my break. Or what’s left of it at least.”

He continued to walk along one of the many hallways of Kunugigaoka Junior High’s main campus, casually looking around to glance at the many multicoloured displays that were pasted onto the walls, mainly notices and reminders to study. The things this school did for grades - it was unbelievable how much power academic performance held around here.

“You better be careful,” Miyoshi from 2-D had warned him when his first mathematics test of the year came back to him with a grade that was less than stellar, “if your grades aren't good enough, you’ll get sent to you-know-where.”

The hushed way his yearmate had described the dreaded E-Class building still shook him to his core.

Shindo clapped him on the back, “Nah, Sugino’s not like those losers. He actually works hard and uses his brain. Unlike those lazy drop-out’s, he has potential.”

“Ugh,” Miyoshi scrunched his nose up in disgust, “can you imagine actually being associated with that lot? It’s practically social suicide. If anyone I knew ended up going to E-Class next year, I’d burn any memories I had of them.”

“Yeah,” Teruya agreed, “wouldn’t want to get dragged down by the likes of them.”

Sugino shook his head and continued on his journey. He didn’t know why but the subject of Class 3-E was one that was treated as a taboo, it’s existence only made known by harsh whispers and sneers, like it was a cautionary campfire tale than an actual classroom filled with actual students. Personally, he didn’t understand why a group of teenagers should be shunned and treated like parasitic pariahs just because they found it harder to learn but he knew better than to publicly complain lest he ended up in that ramshackled building at the top of the mountain. Apparently E-Class students weren’t allowed to join any clubs and if he was forced to drop out of the baseball club then the world might as well have stopped turning.

‘Ahh, here I am,’ Sugino thought as he placed all of the weight of the box in one hand and opened the door with the other.

He entered the room to find that it was already inhabited by the concert club and the teacher that he was sent to deliver the box to was currently engaged with observing the performance on the stage. Currently all of the students were sitting down - apart from one small kid with blue hair (is it possible to have naturally blue hair?) tied down into a low ponytail. She - ‘he’ Sugino mentally corrected himself when he noted the male’s uniform that the other student was wearing - was stood near the middle, eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed, chin resting on a violin that he was playing. And boy was he playing it. Sugino found himself completely captivated by the elegantly eloquent music that was being played and the way his delicate fingers created notes that filled the entire room, engulfing the vast emptiness with memories of rainy days and crackling fires and mugs of his mother’s hot chocolate. He found himself stepping forward, wanting to get closer to both the boy and the harmony when all of a sudden it stopped.

“Shiota that was wonderful,” Fujimoto-Sensei praised making the blue-haired boy - Shiota - blush and duck his head, “Now everyone, break is going to be over soon so you can all pack up and leave.”

“YES FUJIMOTO-SENSEI!”

As the students began to make their exits, folding up their stands and moving their chairs, the teacher turned to him, “Ah, hello, what can I do for you?”

Sugino blinked and replied, “Oh, Sir, Suzuki-Sensei told me to give these books to you. They came from reception.”

“Oh yes, thank you. I’ll take that.” He smiled and took the bag from him, which Sugino took as a sign to leave. He had just left the hall and was about to make a turn when-

“Shiota,” Sugino called out when he saw a flash of blue hair in his field of vision. The boy in question stilled and slowly turned around, wordlessly pointing to himself, “yeah, you.”

“Umm, can I - uh - help you with something?” Shiota asked timidly, voice soft. His head was slightly lowered and a hand was gripping onto the strap of his school bag. He just looked so small and for some reason, Sugino felt the urge to protect this kid flash through him. Just something about the tiny guy in front of him made him feel warm and safe and he couldn’t help but want to be in his company even though he never really saw him outside of assemblies, school trips and a few breaks between classes.

“I just wanted to say that you were really good,” he said, smiling at the blunette in an attempt to get rid of some of the nervousness that was prominent on his face, “like I don’t know what it was but it sounded awesome.”

“Oh, um, thanks?” Shiota replied, “that’s really nice of you to say.”

“You must practice a lot, right? I mean, you’ve got to work really hard to be that good.”

“Yeah, it’s not that difficult once you’ve the hang of it. You must practice a lot yourself, right, since you’re in the baseball team and all?” at Sugino’s confused look he flushed, “I-I watched you play during the match last week. You were good. I mean you won, so, uh, congratulations.”

“Thank you, Shiota.”

“Nagisa,” Shiota said softly with a smile, “call me Nagisa, please. There’s a chance that my family name might be changing so I prefer to be called my given name.”

“Sure thing, Nagisa,” Sugino beamed, “I’m Sugino, by the way.”

“Hi Sugino,” Nagisa said, “nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

“So, uh-”

“Your hair,” Sugino blurted out because he has no self-control, “it’s..”

“Oh,” Nagisa didn’t seem surprised, eyes going slightly downcast, “yeah, it’s a bit long. I’ve been meaning to cut it but-”

“No, I mean,” Sugino got the feeling that he was approaching a touchy subject, “I mean is it actually blue? Were you born with it?”

“Oh,” he actually looked surprised at that question, with the way his eyes widened slightly, “yeah, actually. My mum’s got blue hair as well. I-”

Just then the bell rang, signalling that break was over and that they should make their way towards their classrooms.

“I-I should get going,” Nagisa said, tightening the grip he had on the strap of his school bag and offering a small smile, “I wouldn’t want to make you late.”

‘Yeah, you’re right. Have a nice day.”

“You too,” and with that the boy turned around and walked away whilst Sugino watched after him.

He wondered if he’d ever meet Shiota Nagisa again.

He really hopes he does.

#assassination classroom #Sugino Tomohito #tomohito sugino #Nagisa Shiota #Shiota Nagisa #My writing

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calligraphist-artemisia · 4 years

Text

16 | Will-o’-the-Wisp

Written for Kidgetober 2020. Week 2 Theme: Myths & Magic. Day 16: Will-o’-the-Wisp.

Summary: Set in the Harry Potter universe. Pidge finds herself lost in the woods on a dark, moonless night. She'd given up hope on getting home before sunrise when suddenly a light appeared between the trees to lure her deeper into the forest. Luckily, a handsome stranger is around to save her.

Also posted on AO3 under the username Kishirokitsune. Titled as “Magic of the Season”.

- - - - -

16 | Will-o'-the-Wisp

Pidge trudged through the undergrowth, cursing herself for deciding to take a stroll through the woods on a dark, moonless night. Why did she think it was such a good idea? She hated the woods! And nature in general.

Yes, she was definitely the indoors-y type, best suited to viewing the world from a screen and the comfort of her home.

She shivered and hugged herself, rubbing her arms with the hope of creating enough friction to generate warmth. She glanced up to try and see the stars but the canopy of trees completely blocked her view and the only thing that greeted her was more darkness. Her breath came in tiny pants as she looked around, barely able to make out the thick trunks, and it sank in just how well and truly lost she was.

Someone once told her: “the best thing to do when you're lost is to stay where you are”. But did that really apply when no one knew she was out there?

Pidge stopped and took a deep breath to try and calm down. What she needed to do was take a moment to think logically about the situation, highlighting all of the details she knew, and then come up with a workable plan from there.

So.

She was lost in the woods and it was too dark to see anything past a few inches from her face.

Her cell phone was very dead, though she did have a charging cable if she could find a place to use it.

She had no real way of navigating her way back to civilization.

Pidge reached out until she felt the bark of the nearest tree and used it as a way to ground herself. She briefly considered climbing up as high as she could go and hope it would be enough to get a look at the stars, which she could then use to get her bearings, but dismissed the idea as being potentially too dangerous.

There was nothing she could do but wait out the night and find her way once the sun rose once again.

She leaned against the tree and tilted her head back, wishing she could see something. Even the smallest pinprick of light would give her hope.

Pidge wasn't sure how long she stood there, her mind whirling through all of the different possibilities of how and when she would make it back to civilization and even entertaining the idea of someone heroically swooping in with a flashlight to save her. It was fun to imagine, though she knew it wasn't something that was going to happen.

She lowered her eyes and that was when she saw it: something glowing in the distance, lighting up the trunks of trees around it. Pidge held her breath in surprise. Surely she was hallucinating, right?

“Hello?” she called out.

She didn't get a response, but the light bobbed around a bit, as though whoever was holding it was trying to draw her in closer.

Or lead her out of the forest.

Pidge pushed away from the tree and began walking towards the light, praying that she wouldn't snag her foot on the undergrowth. To her confusion, the closer she got, the farther away the light seemed to move, occasionally stopping to sway and let her get a little more caught up before moving away again.

“Who's there? Can you slow down a bit?” Pidge called out, frustration bleeding into her voice.

And just like that, the light stopped. It hovered there in place, growing larger and larger as she approached. It pulsed in a mesmerizing pattern as it appeared the drift in the air, but Pidge didn't take any notice of how odd the whole thing was as she continued to follow it even as she sank to her ankles in cold, muddy water.

She shivered but kept going, the light too entrancing to stop. It would lead her to safety. She knew it.

The water lapped at her calves as the mud clung tightly to her feet, making any movement difficult, but she had to keep going. She was going to get out of the woods and make it back to her safe and warm home before the sunrise and a little bit of water and mud wasn't going to stop her.

Nothing could stop her.

A jet of crackling red energy shot past her shoulder and collided with the bobbing light, which emitted an inhuman screech as it skipped backwards over the water. Pidge watched, dazed, as two additional red jets shot out from behind her, colliding twice more with the light until the screeching stopped.

And then, suddenly, the water moved away from her legs and Pidge swayed, thankfully prevented from falling over into the deep mud by a pair of hands on her shoulders.

There was someone there speaking to her, but their words were so muffled that she couldn't make out what they were saying. Nothing made much sense. Her thoughts were so discombobulated that she couldn't keep anything straight and when the heavy fog clouding her mind finally lifted enough for her to think straight, she was sitting on a soft couch in an unfamiliar room with a warm blanket wrapped around her and a man with dark hair kneeling in front of her, holding up a mug for her to take.

“Drink this. It should help clear the rest of your shock,” he told her gently.

Pidge's hands were shaking so badly that she wasn't sure if she'd be able to hold onto the mug without spilling the drink everywhere, but she gave it a try anyway, choosing to rest it on the top of her legs until she was sure she could lift it high enough to drink.

“W-what happened?” she asked.

There was a moment of silence that stretched on for long enough that she wondered if she needed to repeat herself.

“The forest around here is dangerous at night, but especially during the new moon. Usually it isn't a problem since most people stay away once night starts to fall. They find it unsettling,” he said. “That light you encountered was something most folks would call a 'will-o'-the-wisp'.”

Pidge's brow furrowed in confusion. “But that's... that's not real. That's just a fairytale.”

“They're real and very dangerous. Their only goal is to lead people astray, typically into bogs or marshes, and... Well, those people don't come back.”

Pidge shivered at the implication.

“You were trapped pretty deeply into its thrall when I showed up, but you'll be okay now,” he continued. “Drink that. I need to finish preparing the spare room for you.”

“Spare room?” Pidge questioned.

He shrugged a little and then stood up. “I thought you'd prefer the privacy while you sleep.”

A flash of alarm shot through Pidge and she fought not to spill her drink. “I'm staying here? But why? I mean, don't you have a car or something? You could take me back into town!”

“Any other night, maybe, but... not tonight. And not when the most important thing is you getting rest. An encounter with a will-o'-the-wisp is draining even for people who know what they're doing and I want to make sure you're really alright before I send you away,” he explained.

Pidge watched him walk away without another word and she sat there by herself for several long minutes before remembering she had a drink in her hands. She took a sip and was pleased by the rich taste of hot chocolate, which warmed her down to her core and helped chase away the last traces of fogginess in her head.

And that was when she noticed how exhausted she felt.

Maybe there was something to what the strange man said.

The strange man whose house she was expected to sleep in.

Pidge sat up a little straighter and took a suspicious look around. Wherever she was, it had the appearance of a cozy little cabin with hardwood floors and a real stone fireplace tucked away in the corner. If she craned her head a little she could see directly into the kitchen behind her. There were six other doors that she could see, three of which was closed. The other appeared to be a bathroom and the third was the room the stranger had gone into, so Pidge assumed that was the spare room he mentioned. The final two closed doors led out the front and the back.

It would be easy to get up and leave. There was nothing stopping her.

But... there was also no reason she shouldn't stay. It was still dark out and she had no idea which direction to go in order to get back to an area she recognized. Plus, the stranger (who still hadn't given her his name) didn't seem like a bad guy. Maybe he was a bit weird, going on about a creature that didn't exist as though it were a real thing that people worried about, but that seemed like more of a quirky character trait rather than something to be concerned about.

Okay, maybe she'd be locking the bedroom door before she went to sleep. And moving something in front of it so he couldn't get in until she was ready to get up. And double-checking the windows. Maybe there was a closet she could sleep in?

There was nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution.

Pidge drank more of the hot chocolate while she waited for the stranger to come back and when he did, she blurted out the biggest question on her mind: “Who are you?”

He paused, a look of surprise crossing his face. “Oh, uh, I'm Keith.”

“Pidge,” she responded, unwilling to give him her real name.

“Okay, well the room is ready for you. I found a shirt and some pants that should fit you, if you want to be more comfortable and you can use that bathroom over there to wash up,” Keith said, pointing to the bathroom Pidge noticed earlier. “If you need anything else, my room is right there. Just knock and I'll come out to help. And, uh, you can see the kitchen, so if you need anything from there just help yourself.”

Belatedly, she realized he was trying to give her a tour of the house.

Keith paused for a moment to give her time to speak, but when Pidge said nothing he shifted his feet and spoke again. “You can leave your cup in the sink and I'll take care of it in the morning. And that's pretty much it. Just... I don't recommend going back outside until the sun rises.”

“Because of your make-believe creatures?” Pidge couldn't help but ask.

“Because it's dangerous to be in unfamiliar woods in the dark,” he responded, a hint of challenge in his voice. “Look, I know you have no reason to trust me, but please listen to me on this and don't go outside. Even if you don't believe me about the will-o'-the-wisps there are other dangers, like wolves, that live out there.”

That was a good point.

Pidge quietly agreed to stay inside and watched as he relaxed, his relief completely obvious even to her. He offered a tiny smile and then said something about going to bed, leaving her completely alone on the couch.

She finished up her hot chocolate and put it in the sink like he said, though she did take the time to empty it and rinse it out first. Pidge debated for a moment whether or not she wanted to change her clothes before deciding she'd rather have something clean to wear, although...

Pidge glanced down at her jeans, which were surprisingly clean despite her vague memory of walking through mud.

Either way, jeans weren't comfortable to sleep in and she didn't see any harm in borrowing a shirt and pants, so she changed into those before going to check out the bathroom. The light clicked on by itself when she stepped inside and Pidge's gaze was automatically drawn to the round mirror over the sink.

She frowned and combed her fingers through her hair to try and tame the mess it had become, but there wasn't much she could do.

Apparently her reflection felt the same, because it shrugged at her once she was done and said: “Best rinse it out and try again, dear.”

Pidge blinked.

Then she opened her mouth and screamed as she backed away so quickly that her feet got tangled with each other and she toppled backwards. She felt pain and then blackness took over her vision.

The next time she opened her eyes, she was tucked beneath warm blankets and sunlight was streaming in through the windows. It took her a moment to remember everything that happened the night before, but as her brain started to fully wake up she jumped out of bed and set off to find Keith.

She needed answers and he was going to give them to her.

#voltron #kidgetober #kidgetober 2020 #fanfiction #kidge #day 16: will o the wisp #week 2: myths & magic

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nahimjustfeelingit-writes · 4 years

Text

Imagine:

Reader/ OC trying to keep her orgasms on the inside because she doesn’t like how she sounds.

This is going to be pretty long and detailed. Figured I could add this bit into an idea I had. I wanted to write it out just like this 😩.First time using an OC. Enjoy lovelies xoxoxo

Hello, it’s your girl Ebony here and you’re listening to The Love Zone. We already have a caller number one on the line...

“Hello?” Élise timidly spoke into the phone while seated in her dimly lit living room. There was a 100% chance of showers that evening and rainy nights were the perfect nights for her. Alone in a home she inherited from her grandmother in Marigny, New Orleans, Élise decided to call The Love Zone on WQUE-FM, New Orleans mainstream urban radio station. Ebony Starr was a famous Sexologist and radio personality from Bywater, New Orleans. She inspired Élise to start her own podcast that she titled Finally Exhaled which discusses overcoming past toxic relationships and starting new ones.

“Caller number one?” Ebony said into the microphone. Her voice echoed since Élise could hear it twice.

“Yes,” she licked some cocoa butter from her lips, “I’m caller number one.”

“Alright, love, do you have a question for me?”

“I’m a huge fan,” she nervously laughs, “Just...I didn’t expect you...to answer my call.”

“You’re so sweet, honey, thank you,” Ebony made Élise smile, “what’s your name?”

“Yolanda,” that was her mother’s name.

“Yolanda, Pretty name. I know a lot of Yolanda’s.”

“Yeah,” she toyed with her long dreaded hair.

“Why are you up so late, Yolanda? No work for tomorrow?”

It was 11:00 pm. She worked as a waitress in a bar and grill but that was just to keep busy. She was an only grandchild left with her grandmothers money. Her Father didn’t like the fact that she got everything. Typical. He wasn’t around so why did it matter to him?

“Work tomorrow evening,” she pondered for a moment, “Now I remember my question.”

Ebony laughs, “go ahead, what’s your question?”

Wiggling her toes at the fireplace she opens her mouth to speak, “How do I overcome being embarrassed by the way I sound when I orgasm and moan? I’m nervous to even ask this question but it’s been bothering me and I just...I don’t like it.”

“Hmm,” Ebony’s smooth hum reassured her, “Why don’t you like the way you sound, Yolanda?”

“It’s-its because I was told it was ugly mainly. My last boyfriend-shitty boyfriend by the way, told me I sounded like a dying animal,” Élise chuckles, “I want to move past that and embrace the way I sound whenever the moment happens for me again but...”

“You’re afraid the next man will find it just as ugly and look at you weird?”

“Yes, ugh,” Élise closes her eyes, “What the hell should I do?”

“Honestly? Embrace it. That sound is a beautiful sound, Yolanda. One of the sounds of love making. When it’s real and sudden like that it makes you stutter out incoherent words and sounds but only a real man, an experienced appreciative man, would love to hear those noises. How old were you when he told you this?”

“I was 20 years old. That was when we first started dating. A start to a long toxic relationship.” She didn’t mean to vent like that but she couldn’t help it. Her ex, Sean, was such an emotional abuser. He shot her down every chance he got to make her feel ugly. That was for four whole years. She was 25 now and wanted to heal from that.

“Oh, that explains it,” Ebony made a noise of disapproval, “See, boys don’t know a thing, honey. I’m happy you’re not in that toxic relationship anymore and there is a man out there that will love every screaming orgasm you have. Especially if he’s the cause.”

“I know you’re right but gosh,” what man anyway? The closest she’s ever come to a man since then was working at that bar and they all were too pushy and drunks. She was loosing all hope honestly.

“Yolanda, when was the last time you had sex?”

“Over a year ago.”

“You’re craving sex heavy, sweetie. You want to give yourself to someone badly and a year can do that. I don’t think it was only the way you sound it’s a trust thing as well. Sean betrayed your trust.

Bingo.

“I’m better now. I can trust but I just don’t know where to start.”

“There is no rush. Let it come to you, honey. Once it does...accept it. Feel it. If you can listen to yourself moan and shout when you orgasm alone then you can definitely do it in front of a man again. I bet you sound angelic.”

Élise blushes.

“I actually heard that smile through the phone, Ebony laughs, “Sweety, let that moan out, snatch a man’s soul, and feed that craving.”

Élise laughs pleasantly, “I really needed this thank you so much, Miss Starr.”

“Please, If you need to talk you could always come to my meet and greets and workshops in The French Quarter.”

“I’d like that,” Élise smiles wide with her high cheek bones, “thanks again, Ebony.”

“Thank you, Yolanda. Enjoy the rest of your evening, love.”

The line disconnected. Élise places her phone on the carpeted floor and thought about their conversation. She was pining for sex. She wanted her year back. A year of no dick or lips on her pussy. Sex toys over used and calling her name as we speak.

Let’s take it slow with some Beyoncé- Dangerously in Love 2...

Baby I love you/You are my life/My happiest moments weren’t complete if you weren’t by my side/You’re my relation/In connection to the sun/With you next to me/There’s no darkness I can’t overcome/You are my raindrops/ I am your seed...

The rain was coming down in sheets, banging against Élise’s rough top like bullets. There was no lightning or thunder. She was glad that she got the lighting in her grandmothers home fixed because if she didn’t the power would be out and Élise did not want to go into that cobwebbed basement to find candles. Last time she went down there she saw a possum. Élise has on nothing but a retro Voodoo Fishing T-shirt while seated in front of the fireplace. She finally stands, the heat of the flames warming her butt before she walked back to the couch where her crinkled copy of Roar of Thunder, Hear My Cry rested on top of a quilt.

She couldn’t sleep and Beyoncé had her singing with her eyes closed. Grabbing her Walt Disney World coffee mug that had lukewarm herbal tea in it, Élise snuggled into the couch while facing a small window just above the heater in her living room.

I hope everyone is being safe on this stormy Friday night. We have another caller on the line, caller number two?

Élise tunes in.

“I’m still unfaithful to my husband. I can’t shake the need to be with the other man. Just tonight I came home after frantic car sex in an open lot. I want to tell him...I want to tell him I’m happy with the other man.”

“Wow,” Élise loves this juicy talk. She could faintly hear Rihanna-Unfaithful play in the background which causes her to giggle. Ebony was hilarious.

Whew, honey, juggling two men?

“SHIT!”

Élise’s head shot up from the couch. The angry shout came from outside. Maybe someone was locked out the house, she thought. Élise covered herself with the quilt further to listen to more of The Love Zone.

You are killing this man. Just tell him the truth. I can hear the pain in your voice. If you want to end this the right way stop stringing him along and communicate...

Thump

A rather loud kick could be heard from outside. Now, her interest was peaked. Élise tosses the quilt back , tiptoeing to the window with her mug still in hand. She could see a little better only because the house had a porch. But it was still foggy. A man was outside with his hazards flashing. He had to have been out there for a minute with how drenched he was messing under the hood of his car. No lightning or thunder. Just the rain, but the rain was more than enough to make the situation extremely uncomfortable.

Élise couldn’t see him that clearly as he hopped in and out of his car every minute or so, probably trying to warm up before trying something else to get his car moving again. Thanks to the street lamp about twenty feet from where he parked she could make out the type of car. A Ford Mustang 2006. It was parked beside a neighbor of hers that she didn’t like at all. His name was Kevin and he was a white supremacist. Nothing new in the South. No family but she could have sworn she heard screams from his house...

“Fuck!” The man shouts again. Élise felt kind of guilty. She had no idea why. She was sure most of her neighbors saw him stranded out there as well. As quiet as her neighborhood is, something out of the ordinary rarely goes unnoticed. However, the fact that the man was still out there struggling on one of the worst nights, weather-wise, of the year didn’t sit right with her. What harm would it be to offer to let him into her home so he could properly make a call for a Tow service or have a nice cup of tea and a hot meal? Loan a flashlight, or let him warm up by the fireplace for a moment?

Élise stares down at what she was wearing again. That retro Voodoo Fishing T-shirt. Élise went to the closet to grab her red longline puffer coat and black Hunter rain boots. She grabs a flashlight from the closet shelf, trying it out to see if it worked. A couple slaps with it to the palm of her hand made the old thing ignite and she was headed for the door. Élise swung the front door open like a women on a mission. She stomps across her front porch and right down the steps, pulling the back of her coat up over her head to keep from getting her dreads wet.

“Excuse me!” She yelled out from the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street from where the man was parked. He looked in her direction, and she could finally make out his soaked face. She was not disappointed.

“Wassup?!” He responded loudly, “This rain is a bitch!”

“Yeah, it is! Do you need some help?! It’s pretty cold out too my place is warm!”

He kept a steady gaze on her from under his hood. He had this look on his face as if that were a bad idea. Now, Élise was regretting it.

“Are you waiting for someone?!” She started up the conversation again. Her legs were so wet now.

“Nah!” He shook his head and from what Élise could make out she saw short dreads fall over his forehead, “Listen, it’s bad out here, sweetheart why don’t you go back inside, huh?!”

“You sure?!” She pointed her flashlight to the house, “My offer still stands if you change your mind!”

“Thanks, I appreciate it, ma!”

Even though it was dark she could see his smile. Damn, he was good-looking. All that out here melting in the rain. Élise turned to run back to the porch only to fall right on the concrete. She felt both her knees hit the ground. She wailed in pain. Her hands planted to the ground and she tried lifting up but her rain boots slipped right from under her. She could feel hot tears prick her eyes.

“SHIT!!! Hey, Ma!” He called out. Élise could hear heavy feet splashing in the flooded streets and then a pair of wet hands grabbing her waist and lifting her all the way up into bridal style. She squinted her eyes up at the nice-looking man with the fucked up car. He started walking back to her porch. He sat her down on an old chained swing chair before removing his black hoodie and tossing it on the swing chair with her. It was probably uncomfortable walking around with heavily soaked fabric. One thing was for sure: he was built. He had on a charcoal gray tee that was hugging his body something fierce. Élise could make out his physique thanks to him being up close and personal now. Then there was those dreads. They fit his rugged look so perfectly. He definitely wasn’t from around here.

“What are you doing out here? It’s bad, sweetheart, you could have cracked your head open on the ground instead.”

She blinked up at him with timid eyes. He softened his stern ones before his eyes closed. His hands finger combed his dreads back before he shook his head to stop the dripping water.

“My bad,” he looked down at her on the swing chair, “you’re probably thinking who the fuck he think he is talking to me,” he laughs awkwardly.

“Not at all,” Élise looked away and down at her lap. He was right. She was so quick to come running to the rescue. It was almost flooded outside.

“Let me see the damage,” He crouches down to look at her knees, “just scraped skin but it needs to be cleaned off.”

His onyx eyes landed on hers before turning back to his car. Élise studies the back of his smooth neck and the curve of his ears. It seemed like forever that he was staring at his car.

“I have everything in my house I can take care of it. Thank you though.”

He turned back with a tilt of his head. His eyes looked up at her house while his fingers lazily drummed on the swing chair.

“My name is Erik.” He reached out to shake her hand.

“I’m Élise,” she grabbed it and noticed some cuts on his knuckles, “looks like you need some help too.”

Erik drew his hand back before covering his knuckles by folding his arms, “Shit, I forgot that was even there.”

“No worries, I’m not afraid of blood.” She clarified.

“You must not be afraid of much talking to a stranger at 12 in the morning in the rain.”

His tone was serious. Élise looked away from him with a shy smile.

“I have a big heart and my shitty neighbors wouldn’t help you out so I figured what the hell I can do it.”

“Not much happens around here, huh?” He asked with attentive eyes.

“No, it’s pretty quiet,” she took in every inch of him with her eyes. The tight charcoal gray shirt was damp and exposing every single muscle. She liked his short dreads, almond colored skin, and long, sexy eyelashes.

“You could have knocked on someone’s door to give you a jump.”

“Ha,” his chuckle was dry, “You don’t answer doors when strangers knock, baby girl. And I don’t trust knocking on doors in this neighborhood. I’m lucky you even stepped out,” he smiled faintly, “like a breath of fresh air.”

“I agree,” she changed it up, “it’s just-“

“Don’t explain yourself. It’s cool,” Erik stands, stretching out the muscles in his arms. His eyes were studying her home with a new found curiosity.

“In this world we live in, you never know what you might find knocking on someone’s door. Most people are suspicious, especially of us black men.”

“True,” she stood with him, wrapping her coat around her, “so...do you wanna come in?”

He licked his lips and placed his hands in his black cargo pants pockets. He looked like he was freezing and she could see his cold breath.

“Erik, I have blankets and dry shirts,” she beemed up at him.

He squinted his eyes playfully at her before his head fell forward with defeat. Success.

“A blanket does sound nice. But, as tiny as you are, I doubt I could fit into one of your shirts.”

Élise thought she saw a flicker of lust in his eyes when he said that. At least, a part of her hoped she saw lust.

“Unless...” He gave her quizzical expression, “your boyfriend got some shirt he left behind.”

Élise blushes, “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

She could tell he was fighting a grin. Élise finally turned to lead the way back into her place, Erik grabbing his hoodie and walking through the door. The second he ended up in there he felt his body defrost and dry.

“Fuck,” he ran his hands over his short dreads, “I’m glad I let my pride down for once and let you help me. A nigga was cold.”

“Uh-Huh,” Élise laughs, “I see your skin warming up, Erik.”

“Oh yeah, I’m nice and toasty now,” He smiles flirtatiously.

“Hungry? Thirsty?”

“Nah, I’m cool.”

“Tow service?”

“Not available and...I’d rather not,” His jaw clenched.

“Well...” Élise shrugs, “looks like you’re staying the night, Erik.”

Erik raised a brow at her before looking around him to get acquainted.

She felt comfortable with him even though he was considered a stranger. Her grandmother would have higher blood pressure than what she already had if she knew what she’d just done. The thought of having some kind of company that night made her feel a lot better and less lonely. Élise finally locks her door and went to her closet to take off her boots and coat. It was all or nothing.

“Closet is free to put your boots and hoodie in.”

She was so damn comfortable around him that she forgot about only being in her T-shirt. Erik stood back with his arms folded watching Élise move and the fabric of the shirt sink in between her ass cheeks. She was sexy for sure. The second she kicked off her boots Erik could see the flesh of her butt... bare flesh.

This girl is serious? He thought.

Ass swinging while she moved. She was a cutie with a nice body. Alone in this big home. All that alone with no man. Shit didn’t make sense. Maybe she was just fucking someone. Erik began walking up to her while she took off her puffer coat to hang. Long slender dreads with shells in it. He wanted to pull on the coarse hair.

“Thanks, Élise,” He was so stealthy that she hadn’t noticed how close he had gotten to her. Elise’s back stiffened and her body tried to step away to give him space but Erik was already taking off his boots and hanging up his hoodie. She caught a whiff of his cologne causing her to nibble on her bottom lip. He didn’t smell like liquor and cigarettes like the men at the bar and grill she worked at. He smelled like rain, sweat, and what she recognized was Gucci Guilty men’s cologne. She remembered that smell from when she was in Macy’s sniffing around in the perfume section. It was intimate and warm at the same time.

“Don’t worry, your blankets will smell like me even when I leave, baby girl.”

She was caught red handed.

“I’m sorry,” she stroked a few dreads from her face, “Your cologne smells really good.”

We’re they really standing in the closet? She dropped the flashlight on the floor when Erik leaned in towards her to smell her now. He was more than comfortable around her. He acted like he knew her.

“You smell like coconut oil,” He gave her a coy smile, “I like that.” Erik crouched down in the small space to pick up the flashlight.

“T-thanks.” Élise licked her dry lips. She needs more cocoa butter.

“So, nice closet,” He teased.

“Yeah...very spacious,” she awkwardly tried to joke back.

Just show me around, ma, since I’m gonna be sleeping here tonight. Unless...you changed your mind?”

He leaned in toward her with a slight raise of his brow and parted lips. He knew he had hers shooken up.

“Yeah, I have a spare bedroom and the couch pulls out into a bed.”

Erik’s eyes trailed up and down her body, “Pull out couch is fine.”

Élise finally let out the breath she’d been holding once Erik stepped away and into her living room. She watched him look around like he was in a museum, staring at her family photos and the art on the walls. Élise has redecorated since moving in two years ago.

“This you?” Erik had a wide smile on his face while pointing to a photo on the ledge of the fireplace. Élise walked over, spotting the photo in question. Oh, yes, when her hair was in a kinky fro, nose piercing, college T-shirt on two sizes too small, tiny denim shorts, and laying in the grass with her ass sitting out and ready to be grabbed.

“Looking like a little rebel,” He picked that photo up studying it with unrelenting eyes. She shuddered.

“Very sexy,” Erik commented and then he gave Élise that look. She turned away from him; she didn’t want him to see the desire in her eyes. She was beginning to have second thoughts about kissing and possibly fucking a complete stranger. No need to deny herself her own thoughts. She’s been thinking that the second he looked up at her from across the street in the rain.

“Where are you from, Erik?”

He placed the picture back on the fireplace ledge, “California.”

Élise was intrigued.

“Why New Orleans?” She followed him to the couch where he started pulling it out into a bed.

“Business,” He kept it short. She didn’t pry further because she sensed that he didn’t want her to know the nature of his “business.”

“How do you like it so far?”

He gathered the bottom of his shirt, bringing it up and over his head while his zealous eyes never left hers, “It’s cool, I’ve been before during Mardi Gras.”

She froze. Was his skin naturally like that? It wouldn’t make since with how neat the bumps were. What would make him do that? He didn’t seem bothered by her eyes taking it all in or the wondering crease in her brow. He wouldn’t tell her, she knew that. The shit was going to eat her alive.

She snapped out of her daze, “I haven’t been to a Mardi Gras since I was 21.”

“Why?” He settles down shirtless on the pullout. His body bathed in the fire. She could feel her tongue tingling to taste his skin. Erik is so sexy.

“It’s so damn wild.”

“Please, girl,” He laughs, “Drunk white people acting a fool ain’t our kind of wild.”

They both laughed.

“When I came that shit was dead i was not partying with them. So, me and a friend hit up some urban spots and listened to some upbeat jazz and ate Cajun food. I met a chick and had some fun with her.”

What kind of fun?

“Sounds a lot better than the time I went.”

Élise stares down at her scraped knees. The crimson peeked through the tiny scratches. Now that her attention was there it was beginning to burn.

“Where’s your bathroom so we can get those cuts cleaned, baby girl?”

Élise pointed to her stairwell, “Upstairs. I can bring it down you don’t have to come with me.”

“Well,” Erik had a roguish expression on his face, “what if I wanna see what upstairs looks like?”

Her wary eyes stared at his wry expression. Erik was definitely being very coy with her.

“You won’t find anything interesting upstairs except for my bedroom.”

Élise’s wistful expression let Erik know without even saying it flat out that she wanted him in her room. He fixed his eyes on her for being that bold with him. She wasn’t so shy. She was a little rebel.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” Élise tries to play it off, “I should probably shut up.”

“Let’s go,” Erik stood up, holding his hand out to her. Élise grabs his hand, leading Erik to the staircase and up the creaky steps. It was dark and chilly in the hallway since she didn’t turn on the heat upstairs. She could hear Erik shiver even though his hand was still warm. They made it to her bathroom, Élise turning on the light. She hadn’t changed it around much. Her grandmother still had Élise’s potty from when she was a baby in there. She never let go of things.

“My guess is this house belonged to your grandmother?” Erik finally spoke while standing at the sink.

“Yep. She passed away from breast cancer two years ago.”

“I know how that shit feels, trust me,” Erik opened her medicine cabinet to find a withering first aid kit, “I lost my mom and my dad so I understand.”

Erik motioned for Élise to come to him. When she did he picked her up and sat her on the edge of the sink. Her short yet thick legs swung back and forth reminding her of when she was a child. Erik opened the kit and grabbed some gauze dressing, peroxide, and neosporin.

“You must really enjoy picking me up, stranger,” Élise’s playful eyes sought out Erik’s and the second he smiled revealing those deep dimples in his cheeks she crossed her legs to simmer the heat growing between them. Even the grip she had on the edge of the sing became firmer.

there is a man out there that will love every screaming orgasm you have. Especially if he’s the cause.

Ebony’s words spoke to her again. She was thinking about the sounds she would make if Erik fucked her. He was still shirtless, his cargo pants riding low on his hips showing her that chiseled v-cut of his, and those lashes with his onyx eyes blinked at her like he was trying to read her mind. Lord knows Élise wanted to read his. He was so mysterious and unreadable and that didn’t scare her. It made her want to stake her claim on him. He was visiting New Orleans and maybe she could show him around and they could have some fun of their own. Élise was lonely and friends weren’t enough to fill the void. Not really much family left either. She needed the warmth and comfort of a man.

But Erik looked like the type to break you down piece by piece. She wouldn’t mind him turning her out. Élise didn’t know how long she was staring but Erik’s soft fingers tapping the sides of her thighs broke her out of her dreamy state. Staring down, she could see the fresh gauze covering her wounds. Élise bit into her lip and without being able to control it her high cheek bones puffed out. He made her blush over everything. Why couldn’t he be from New Orleans and not California? Once he left she wouldn’t find another guy around like him. She already crushed on him and she hardly even knew him.

“What did I do to make you blush, pretty girl?”

“What didn’t you do, Erik,” She reaches out for his hands, “let me see.”

He came in closer between her legs, giving her permission to grab his hands and examine his scarred knuckles. It looked pretty bad. Did he beat a brick wall or somebody’s face? She glanced up at him briefly and without saying a word she tended his wounds. His searching expression made her belly flit like butterfly wings. Now, she was rubbing neosporin in carefully. She could feel his eyes leering at her in a sexually suggestive way.

“These are pretty fresh,” she muttered. Élise’s eyes looked from his Adam’s apple bobbing from swallowing spit to his teeth nibbling the corner of his full pouty lip. He didn’t look at her when she said that.

“That’s because they are, Élise,” he says with a low voice. She started wrapping the gauze dressing around his hand. After she was done she didn’t let his hands go. Élise surely didn’t want to. They stood in a comfortable silence and it gave her time to think about his fresh wounds. He didn’t look like the type to go around beating brick walls but faces? That was definitely the answer. And surprisingly, Élise wasn’t afraid. If Erik wanted to rob her or kill her he would have done that already. Instead he was kind to her and he looked at her like he wanted to fuck her. She liked that look a lot.

“Élise.” Erik spoke earnestly.

“Yes?” She said with a soft-spoken voice.

“You’re not afraid of me. Why?”

“Because I know you won’t hurt me.”

She noticed him watching the way her lips moved when she said that. He was admiring the shape of them. Her lips were the perfect proportion. Perfectly symmetrical on the left and the right. Full lips with volume and a plump pout.

“Yeah, baby girl, I wouldn’t hurt you.”

“...but you did hurt someone...”

Erik glides his tongue over his upper teeth, responding but completely ignoring her question, “what if I kissed you right now? That wouldn’t change your mind?”

“No.” Élise said gazing into his eyes.

Erik leans in with his hands bracing the sides of the sink. His lips sparingly touched hers as he spoke. Élise clings to every word while her low eyes stared at his mouth.

“If you lettin’ me put my mouth on yours then you’ll let me put something else on you...am I right?”

Élise has an anxious feeling and Erik wasn’t helping when the flesh of his bottom lip tickled hers every time he spoke. Now, her eyelids were fluttering. Still in nothing but that retro Voodoo Fishing T-shirt and no panties. She wondered if he could smell her arousal towards him.

“Erik-“

“Just answer the question, Élise.”

“Yes, I would.”

“If you’re not afraid of me you would answer my questions,” Erik moved his lips to her ear, his hard chest touching her clothed one. Élise shuddered when his warm breath tickled her ear, “Why are you so comfortable around me with this little ass T-shirt on and no panties?”

“H-How do you know I don’t have on panties?”

“Because,” the hair from his beard touched her neck, “I could see that ass from the back when you were in that closet, ma.”

She hung on to his captivating voice while staring at the side of his neck. Élise was sweating from how turned on she was and he didn’t even kiss her yet.

“That’s what I’m talking about. You act like you know me...what if I would have pulled that shirt up to get a better look at that ass?”

Élise gasps at his words, turning to look at him with alluring eyes. What if he would have done that? He was already so close to her. Now she was imagining him bending her over in that closet and going deep in her pussy from the back. She found that to be very sexy and thrilling. Élise’s grandmother was probably turning over in her grave right now. Her granddaughter letting a strange and clearly very dangerous man into her home and allowing him to seduce her.

Erik takes his hands to rest on her thighs. He moved them up and down in a slow motion keeping a steady gaze on Élise to see if she would flinch away. No, she was enjoying the firmness of his hands. He knew exactly what he was doing. Élise could feel his fingertips hit the bottom of her T-shirt. Damn...he was so close.

“Élise, you so damn thick, girl.”

“Thank you.” She bit down on her tongue to fight her ugly moan. At least that’s what she thought it was. Her eyes descended when she felt Erik lift the bottom of her shirt. Unhurried and gentle Erik lifts that T-shirt up to reveal Élise’s shaved mound. The phat flesh sat between her plush thighs like a surprise treat.

“Damn, you just letting me do this, huh?”

“Yes,” she let out an airy sigh, “I am.”

“Been too long, ma?” Erik had a wolfish expression on his face, “shit, you nice and phat down there too.”

Erik pulled her shirt back down and Élise’s heart sank before his pillowy lips finally connected with hers so suddenly. Her head almost collided with the mirror from how alarmed she was. Her hands reached up to cup his face while she allowed this man to fuck her mouth with his tongue. She tried to keep up with him but in the end Erik conquered her. His mouth tasted amazing. Now, he was gripping her curvy waist with his forceful hands and practically pulling her into his body. Their heads moved from side to side and their lips smacked and sucked on each other’s. A tiny yelp escaped her mouth when Erik sank his teeth into her bottom lip before drawing back. He licks his lips in one motion all the way around his mouth and Élise was officially hungry for more of him. A man coming in from the rain. A man she would have never expected would be kissing her on her bathroom sink. It was so risky.

“Ahhhh!” She moaned instantaneously. His lips and teeth were on her neck. Shit, Élise actually moaned. Why was she even worried? She actually sounded quite nice. Erik was bruising her skin with the right suction of his lips. If it felt like that on her neck it would feel just as good on her hard nipples and clit. The surface of the sink was moist from her pussy rubbing and gliding along the surface.

“Taste so goddam good, girl,” he flattened his tongue and licked her neck, “so sweet.”

“God, Erik,” she moaned, “I can’t believe I’m letting you do this to me.”

“I can,” He chuckles, “You like that I’m doing this to you. I can tell you’ve been loosing out, ma, got you all sweaty and breathing deep.”

“I just can’t...believe...fuck, Erik.”

His hands grabbed her breasts, circling them and tweaking her nipples through her shirt. He was torturing her at this point. Élise wanted him to rip that shirt off her body.

“You’re driving me crazy,” She whispered, “Erik,” her voice was so hushed and heavenly. The man in question was just as frazzled as her. Panting, a sheen of sweat on his skin, his dick hardening and thickening against her inner thighs.

“Élise...I wanna fuck you.” He grabs her hips to keep her still, “listen to me,” his thumb came up to stroke her dimples chin, “...I wanna fuck you so good, girl. You need to take some good dick.”

“It’s been so long,” she bit into her pouty lip.

“Shit, how long?” He was running his hands through her dreaded strands.

“I feel,” she shivers, “I feel so embarrassed saying it,” Élise’s murmured like she was telling a huge secret.

“You can tell me...don’t be scared, girl.”

“A year,” she closed her eyes.

What the fuck. An entire year. Élise was yearning, longing, craving, and hungry for some dick and attention. Part of Erik wondered if that was one of the reasons why she let him into her home.

“Aye,” Erik soothes her, “that’s a long time, baby girl, but I can help you out with that,” Erik takes her hand to kiss it gently before speaking against her knuckles, “I can make you feel better....”

“Erik.”

“You know you want me to...let me make you feel good...” He kissed her hand again while staring into her eyes. Erik felt her thighs quiver around his waist.

“I got you, ma.”

“Erik,” she kept whispering at him and it had him grunting and painfully hard, “I’m so wet, I can’t believe it...Erik.”

She’s so beautiful. God, Erik needed this right now. He needed her ass.

“Élise, girl, I swear to fucking God-“

“Erik, please, Erik.”

Élise unexpectantly lifts both of her legs to the sink, her entire T-shirt bunched up around her waist now showing Erik all that wet juicy pink. Pussy looking like a wet piece of fruit. A peach drizzled in honey. Tight slit with puffy suckable lips. Erik’s eyes were vicious. He reached out to keep her thighs back since she wanted it that way. Then, in a blink of an eye, he had her pushed back against the mirror with her ass hanging over the edge of that sink.

“Oh? You itchin’ for me, ain’t you? opening up your fucking legs like that. Just telling me I can have it? Girl, I will beat this pussy up right on this motherfucking sink. Fucking playing with me if you want...”

She caved when she saw him spit thickly on her pussy. She drew her lips into her mouth. Élise could feel the saliva practically slap her clit. He was so fucking nasty. She just knew that Erik would have her making all types of noises.

“Still ain’t scared, huh?”

“No.” Her voice shook even though she said no.

Erik’s head went down between her legs. He stuck his tongue out as far as it could go and began licking the underside of her clit back and forth. Élise clenched her teeth, the sounds begging to escape her mouth.

“I don’t hear nothing. If you ain’t afraid why don’t I hear you moaning, baby girl?”

Erik went in again slurping her up and licking in a deadly pattern. She felt him tug on her clit and inner folds. She was ready to cum already.

“Erik, Erik I-Stop it, I’m-Erik, please, please I’m-oh my God you’re-you’re making me-Ooooh you’re making me-“

Like it wasn’t in her own control, Élise moaned as her orgasm erupted from her. Her eyes squeezed shut and the so called animalistic sounds escaped her mouth. She was choking on her moans and she hated that she couldn’t control it but this fucking man...he was eating her. Making up for that year. Every month fueling him to suck and lick on that pussy some more. Even after she came he still covered her with his entire mouth and spit. She waited and waited for him to say she sounded ugly or look at her bizarrely but no. Instead he says...

“Good fucking girl. That’s right, cum in this mouth. Shit, cum all you want, do it, baby girl.”

Thank god for his car breaking down.

“Yes!”

“Uh-Huh, you want some more!”

She nodded her head with vigorously.

“Look at you,” Erik bit his lip while thumbing her clit, “look at you shaking and moaning,” his motions increased, “cumming again? That pussy cummimg for me? she ready to bust for me, Élise?”

“Mmmm, Erikkkk, baybeee!”

“You just keep on going?” He smiled.

“I-I’m sorry,” her body spasmed, “I can make a lot of mess.”

Élise was referring to her squirting habit.

“You can squirt all over Daddy whenever you like,” He inserts two fingers inside of her. She rolled her eyes shut, body vanquished but feeining for more.

“Grabbing my fingers like that? Gon’ head and cum...better yet fuck these fingers. Get you some, ma, pop that pussy on these fingers.”

Her hips lifted to get all of his fingers as he dug deep.

“Ooh...ooh...look at you...got my dick heavy in these pants.”

Élise watched him grab his dick. He was so long. She couldn’t wait to see it. And fuck it. And suck it...

“Damn, shit, I can’t wait to pound that puss.”

She shouted out again, pussy convulsing around his thick fingers. Her throat was raw from how hard she screamed.

“So fucking beautiful. Shit don’t make no sense.”

@tgigoldie @soufcakmistress @chefjessypooh@chaneajoyyy@pananegra@theblulife @becincere @blaqwidow91 @fish-outta-watah@moonlight-night-sky @eyeknowmywrites @crowngold@njadakillthiscookie@blktinkerbell@luvanxi @sheisexcellent1@chocolatedippedinhoney@brandithecrystalgem@dababydababydababydababy@soulfulbeauty19@btitannaaa@sunkissedebony97 @youngblackndgifted@harleycativy @rbhp@thee-germanpeach @thadelightfulone@bugngiz@palmstreesallday@skylahb @bakaris-shorty @nizzle-mo @truglori @queenflaws @ljstraightnochaser @nickidub718 @vikkidc @thehomierobbstark @rent-emspoons @abluesforlyssa

#nahimjustfeelingit writes #killmonger smut #killmonger fic #killmonger x reader #killmonger imagine

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flouncingwiz-sevsnape · 4 years

Text

Cards and Kisses

Request: Hi! Was wondering if I could request something where the reader is a professor like snape (like charms or dada or something) and they're like close friends but both have a crush on each other and snape asks her out after dumbledore and mcgonagall are like 'just do it' and for it to be super fluffy and cute 😊😊😊 thank you so much!!!

A/N: I really liked this idea, so hope that you like the result! Please feel to keep requesting- I’m always ready to try out new stuff!

On a different note, I am going to be working on a Part 2 to “Enough Energy,” so stay tuned!

Snape X Reader (professor)

Warnings: fluff

Ever since your first day at Hogwarts, you and Severus had hit it off. He was ordered by Dumbledore to give you the grand tour, and at first he seemed very resigned about the whole thing. His intimidating energy and sneers didn’t scare you though, for some reason it all seemed like an act. Instead of cowering under his snide comment about the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts being cursed, you shot back a playful retort about asking for a raise if that were the case, and Snape couldn’t help but chuckle. Since then, you two had become very close friends and never failed to make fun of the other playfully. Besides providing a refreshing amount of sarcastic comments and angry remarks, Severus had, unexpectedly, been your closest confidante. During your night patrol wanderings, you two often met up and talked all through the night. Both of you knew everything about each others’ pasts and all their darkest secrets. After all that, it didn’t surprise you when you started feeling something more than friendship for the Potions Master. You were, without a doubt, sure that he only saw you as a friend though, so you did your best to control your emotions and keep things normal.

It was mid-afternoon on Halloween and spirits were high all throughout the castle. You had just finished up a class with a group of first years and had a free period. Deciding to grab some coffee as a pick me up before your advanced class with seventh years, you made your way towards the staff lounge. You heard Severus and Minerva in the middle of a heated debate, but they quickly halted their conversation as you strolled through the door. Minerva was smirking and Severus sitting in a chair, arms crossed and fuming. You caught his eye and laughed for no reason. He shot you a look of contempt and he stood to pour himself some more coffee.

‘Not still sulking about the Gryffindors’ big win yesterday, Sev?’ You playfully shouldered him out of the way of the coffee and helped yourself before he could. You cocked an eyebrow and triumphantly raised your cup to your lips. Without replying, Severus flicked his wand lazily and coffee splashed all down your robes.

He tutted with false pity, ‘Uh oh. Ever the clumsy one, aren’t you, y/n?’

Cursing under your breath you pointed your wand at yourself and muttered ‘Scourgify.’ Instead of refilling your now empty mug, you set it on the counter and snatched Snape’s out of his hands as you passed him, sauntering over to the couch. Minerva uttered a soft noise of amusement before returning her attention to The Daily Prophet. Severus sat himself down next to you with a regal look about him, eyes set dead ahead. You rolled your eyes at him, knowing full well he was going to try and ignore you until you apologised. ‘Such a drama queen,’ you thought, smirking. You took a long sip from Snape’s mug and then turned, offering him some as an olive branch. He continued to glare straight ahead, but a small tug at his lip was a dead giveaway that he was not angry at all. You scooted towards him, grabbed his jaw and began lifting the mug ceremoniously towards his lips. When it was an inch away, Severus jerked out of your grip and turned to face you, a smirk on his lips and his dark eyes dancing.

‘Don’t patronise me, I am perfectly capable of drinking myself,’ and he plucked the coffee from you, ‘thank you very much.’ You merely scoffed and shot him a playful sideways glance.

You locked eyes and time stopped. Mug hovering by his lips, Severus’ eyes bore into you with such intense passion you were sure you were imagining things. In the blink of an eye, your trance was broken and Snape was boredly drinking his coffee. What had just happened? Surely he couldn’t feel that way about you… could he? You cleared your throat and stood up, watching Severus curiously.

‘Well, I’d better be off. Minerva,’ you nodded to her before turning to Snape with a smirk, ‘enjoy the coffee, Sev.’ He sneered, but waved goodbye nevertheless. You hurried out of the room breathlessly, mind racing with thoughts of Severus.

Snape held his breath as he watched her go, exhaling when she was gone. Why had she hurried out so quickly? And why did she look at him with so much emotion? Could Minerva and Albus, perhaps, be correct? Severus sighed, knowing full well that when he turned around, Minerva would be shooting him a look that screamed I-told-you-so. As if on cue, McGonagall cleared her throat and said in a triumphant voice, ‘Well Severus, what have I been saying? She clearly fancies you too, just ask her out, for Merlin’s sake!’

Severus shot her a hard look that said drop it. ‘Y/n fancies me no more than she does Albus,’ he deadpanned, boredly glancing down at a copy of The Quibbler that lay on the coffee table. Even as he said it, though, his heart beat faster and he wondered if that were entirely true. There definitely had been some sort of spark between you just now.

‘Well I think you’re wrong,’ Minerva started towards the door, ‘and Albus does too!’ she added, pausing by the couch. ‘Severus, all I’m saying is that you never know until you try,’ she gave him a hard thwack on the shoulder with the rolled up Prophet, ‘and you’d be a blithering idiot not to!’ With that, she swept out of the room, leaving Snape to brood in silence.

The feast had been a success, and as you headed down to the staff lounge for the annual Halloween staff party, you were overcome with a bubbly feeling of excitement. You planned on talking to Severus about your interaction earlier, and depending on how strong an influence the firewhisky had, even mentioning your feelings to him. The lounge was decorated with miniature pumpkins and tiny bats fluttered around the ceiling. You grinned and made a beeline towards the refreshments, pouring yourself a generous amount of firewhisky, before striking up conversation with Filius. Severus had not yet arrived, he was probably still patrolling the dungeons. You had left your post a little early, and a brief twinge of guilt was washed down by a large sip of firewhisky. The drink had started to take its effect, a warm buzz filling you up as you finished your conversation with Flitwick and walked, a bit tipsy, towards the couch. You flopped down and saw Albus was occupying the chair adjacent to you and you decided to chat with him.

‘Hello Albus, happy Halloween!’

‘And the same to you, y/n,’ he raised his cup to you, a knowing twinkle in his eye. ‘Minerva tells me you and Severus had an interesting interaction earlier,’ he looked at you with a hint of curiosity etched into his lined face.

You downed the last of your drink before speaking, a small blush creeping onto your cheeks, although whether it was because of the firewhisky or the mention of Severus, you didn’t know. ‘Ah, yes. He and I enjoy our jokes,’ you replied nonchalantly, but somehow you knew that the coffee was not what Dumbledore had been referring to.

‘Hmm,’ was all he said, his eyes trained on something behind you. You threw a tentative glance over your shoulder and saw Severus being talked to by a rather jovial Hagrid, a look of absolute contempt on his face. You smirked and turned back to the headmaster, ‘speak of the Devil, huh? Excuse me Albus.’ His eyes twinkled and he inclined his head, but did not say anything else. You got up and bounced towards Severus and Hagrid.

‘Hey Hagrid, mind if I borrow this moody oversized bat from you?’ You motioned towards Severus.

Hagrid squinted down, as if he was confused. ‘Wha? Oh yeh mean Sev’rus?’

‘Oh! That’s who this is?’ Snape shot you an angry glare and you smirked back.

‘Yeah, I reckon you can talk to him.’

‘Cheers!’ You grabbed Severus by the hand and dragged him towards the couch.

‘Oversized bat?’ he deadpanned as he sat down next to you, rather rigidly.

‘Oh come on Sev, I’m just messing around!’ You flopped drunkenly onto his shoulder and giggled. You had suddenly come up with a great plan to act way more drunk than you were. He shot you a sideways glare but did not push you off of him.

‘A little tipsy, are we?’ A sardonic smile flashed across his face.

‘Just a teensy, weensy bit,’ you giggled with false inebriation.

‘Merlin save me.’ Snape rolled his eyes, but he still had an amused look about him. Just as you opened your mouth to bring up this morning’s event, Albus’ voice rang out over the chatter. He was standing next to Minerva, looking as though he had just finished a conspiratorial conversation with her. McGonagall wore a composed look of satisfaction as Dumbledore began to address the staff. ‘I have just now had a rather peculiar idea,’ he blue eyes sparkled excitedly in the dim room, ‘I believe it would be beneficial if we played a game as a staff. To bond.’ He had a warm smile on his face, ‘so if you would all please circle up around the coffee table and I will explain the rules.’

You and Severus remained seated as the rest of the staff gathered around. A low groan of annoyance escaped Snape’s lips and he began to stand, clearly keen on escaping the impending game. ‘Now, now Severus, everyone should play,’ Albus called out merrily as he settled himself on a pouf between Minerva and Hagrid (who looked obtrusive). Snape gave a resigned sigh, shot you an irritated look and crossed his arms like a frustrated teenager.

‘The rules of this game are simple, and I am sure many of you have played it in your youth. It’s called Kiss the Card, rather similar to the Muggle drinking game of Suck and Blow. I will start with a Chocolate Frog card on my lips and pass it to Minerva, who will then pass it to Filius and so on, all the way around the circle. Whenever anybody drops the card, they have to wear a Chocolate Frog on their head for the remainder of the evening!’ A collective burst of laughter erupted from the staff at this. ‘Shall we begin?’ Albus pulled a card out of his sleeve and sucked it to his lips, passing it to Minerva. You watched, amused, as the card made its way around the staff, slipping once between Sybil and Argus, but still well on its way towards you.

Suddenly you realised that Severus would be passing the card to you, and your stomach lurched. You were going to be pressed close to him, and taking a card from his lips. Gosh, just the thought gave you butterflies. He seemed to have realised this too because he kept glancing nervously at you, despite his unamused expression.

Seconds later, the card was being passed from Pomona Sprout to Severus, and you watched with bated breath, half hoping they’d drop it, half hoping they wouldn’t. Although Snape seemed extremely reluctant, he had managed to take the card from Sprout and was now turning to face you. You locked eyes and a flash of heat ran through your body. Severus’ eyes were glittering and he wore a nervous scowl, card still attached to his lips. You composed yourself and leaned in close, still fixated on his eyes. The card was inching towards your lips and you parted your mouth slightly, ready to receive it from him. It all happened in a heartbeat, just as you felt the card skim your lips, you saw Minerva shift in your seat and the card dropped down as if by magic. It fell in slow motion. Severus stopped moving, but you continued to lean in and press your mouth against his, almost instinctively.

For a moment, everything froze. You felt Snape go rigid. Your heart was pounding. Then, with certain reluctance, he kissed you back. You melted in to him, lips locked for what felt like eternity; you could feel him smirking against your mouth. You pulled back from him a grin stretched across your face, and glanced around the room. Everyone was watching you with shocked expressions, everyone except Minerva and Albus who were smiling mischievously.

‘Ah, brilliant, what a way to end the game!’ Dumbledore reminisced, and gave you a quick wink before continuing, ‘but now, the frogs.’ He waved his hand and two Chocolate Frogs appeared hovering over your and Severus’ heads. You shot him a rueful smile as he glared up at the candy animal.

‘I really don’t think this is necessary, Albus,’ said Snape, frustratingly trying to swat the frog away.

‘Oh, but those are the rules of the game, Severus,’ his eyes were twinkling again, ‘now, back to the normal merriment of the party! Pip pip!’ Nevertheless, Albus waved his hand and the frogs disappeared, thankfully. Moments later, everyone dispersed, still smiling and delighted by the fact that you and Severus had just kissed. You were too.

A shadow loomed over you, stirring you from your thoughts, and you looked up to see Severus staring down at you, lips pressed together seriously. He jerked his head and spun around, stalking into a dark corner of the room. Tentatively, you got up and walked over to him, hands shaking. He was going to say that you shouldn’t have kissed him and that you could only be friends, you just knew it. And yet, as you approached him, his eyes were dancing passionately, and his hands were clasped nervously. He began to pace back and forth silently, you just watched him, the tension between you two building with every second. Finally, he stopped and whipped around to face you, opening his mouth to speak.

You cut in before he could utter a word, ‘Sev, I’m sorry I kissed you. Please don’t be angry with me.’

‘Angry?’ His eyes shifted between his hands and your eyes as he continued, ‘did Minerva put you up to this? Or was it Albus?’ His voice was calm and almost bored sounding, but his eyes were glittering. You looked at him, now very confused.

‘No, of course they didn’t. Why would they?’ You stepped forward and touched his hand, taking a deep breath before continuing. ‘Listen, Sev, I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time, and I guess the cat’s out of the bag now,’ every muscle in his body froze except his lips, which were pressed taut. ‘I,’ you took a deep breath, ‘have feelings for you. And I think I have for some time now.’ You exhaled and looked away from him, withdrawing your hand. Waiting for him to call you foolish and mock you, you were surprised when you felt a hand reach for yours. Looking up, you saw Severus step forward, a very grave look on his face.

‘Y/n,’ he began, voice unwavering and serious as ever, ‘are you certain? I think at this moment it’s imperative for you to be honest.’ You couldn’t speak so you nodded vigorously.

He exhaled and tugged at his robes before going on, ‘Really?’ An unidentifiable emotion flashed across his face, but the next second he closed his eyes and scoffed. ‘I can’t believe I am saying this, but… so do I.’

Snape’s words hit you like a wave and an intoxicating combination of joy and relief washed over you. ‘How could you have hidden that from me, Sev? I can usually read you like a book!’ You gave him a playful smack on the chest, and he seized your arm instantly.

Severus tutted, ‘now, now, violence is not tolerated here at Hogwarts. Surely as a professor, you would know that, y/n?’ He tugged you close to him, breath hot against your face, ‘and you underestimate me. I am, as you know, an esteemed Occlumens and I-’

You cut him off before he could go on making excuses, ‘you were embarrassed, weren’t you?’ Snape’s eyes hardened and a playful sneer appeared on his lips. He opened his mouth to speak, but you cut him off again, this time with a kiss.

You spent the remainder of the evening lounging on the couch in each other’s arms, talking and laughing. Severus, initially a bit reluctant about the publicity, relaxed after a few rounds of drinks. In a corner, unnoticed by either of you, Minerva and Albus were celebrating.

‘Well, Minerva, I’d say we are quite the team,’ Albus chuckled, raising his glass.

‘Indeed, we are. Good idea, the game.’ McGonagall inclined her head at him.

‘Ah, yes, I was quite satisfied by that stroke of brilliance, but that’s nothing compared to your subtle wandwork that caused the card to fall. Very nicely done.’ They locked eyes and laughed heartily.

The party went on into the night, everybody very happy, indeed.

#severus snape #snape #snapedom #Pro Snape #snape fluff #severus x reader #snape imagine #snape x reader #hp fanfic #halfblood prince

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scapegrace74-blog · 4 years

Text

Lost Kitten

A/N Another fic in the Metric universe. This story takes place in 2016, so after The Beginning and Breathing Underwater, but long before Lazy Dancer and Calculation Theme. Previous fics are available on my AO3 page.

Oh, and the song by Metric that inspired the title and a few lines is here.

December 7, 2016, Brick Lane, Spittalfields, London

It was pissing rain in that persistently dreary way perfected by London. Scottish rain at least had the decency to change its speed and trajectory every few minutes, but this was perpendicular monotony. Jamie tugged his coat collar towards his jaw and leaned into the night, looking forward to a warm shower and a dry bed once he got home.

He couldn’t say what instinct caused him to raise his gaze at that precise moment, but Claire Beauchamp was walking towards him when he did. Even swathed in a black pea coat, singular eyes cast on the slick cobbled street, she was unmistakable.

They’d crossed paths a few times since his aborted revelation at the hospital the previous year. Twice at the same pub where they’d met (a meeting she still didn’t remember) and once at a charity fundraiser for Crisis UK. He wouldn’t say they were friends, but they were more than passing acquaintances. By his estimation, that formed sufficient grounds to greet her, rain be damned.

“G’d evenin’ tae ye, Nurse Beauchamp.”

She stopped and peered at him through a curtain of curls, corkscrewing madly in the damp air. Her expression was a mixture of consternation and woe, calling to mind a lost kitten he’d found hiding in the barn at Lallybroch once.

“Hello, Jamie. I didn’t see you there. Lovely evening, isn’t it?”

“Oh, aye. Perfect for a wee ramble in the neighbourhood. Are ye on yer way home from work, then?”

A taxi hissed past, and they both stepped to the edge of the street where a closed shop awning provided poor shelter.

“I would be, were it not for my own idiocy,” Claire responded.

“Lost, are ye? Weel, ye follow the lane until Heneage, then take a left...” he teased, amused by her disarray.

“Very droll. I haven’t lost my flat, only the keys to... wait a second. How do you know where I live?”

It was Jamie’s turn for discomposure. He hadn’t meant to invoke that first night, when a drunken Claire had captivated him, but he’d slept with her friend instead.

“I, err...” he could feel warm blood pumping against the chilled skin of his cheeks.

“Right. Geillis.”

They both cleared their throats and peered off into the gloom, but neither made any attempt to leave.

“Speaking o’ Ms. Duncan, canna she let ye in? Tae yer flat?”

“She’s out on the town with her latest suitor. I don’t expect her back before dawn, if then.”

“Ah.” A rivulet escaped one of his curls, dampening his under-jaw.

“Sorry,” she interrupted his thoughts after some moments.

“Wha’ for?” He’d been trying to locate his misplaced courage. Perhaps it had run off with Claire’s keys.

“For mentioning Geillis’ new man. I know you and she...” She made a vague gesture with her gloved hand.

“Nah. Dinna fash. I was only thinkin’... Did ye wanna come home wi’ me?”

Before he could continue she took two steps backwards into the lane, her face transformed by astonished anger.

“I bloody well think not, Jamie Fraser!”

“That wasna what I was implyin’ at all!” he jumped to explain. “What kind o’ man do ye take me for? I was merely offerin’ a warm, dry place tae wait out the night, but ‘ave it yer way, ye obstinate woman! G’night tae ye. Claire.” He pronounced her name with as much rancour as he could inject into a single syllable.

Truth be told, it was himself he was angry with. He’d made a right mess of the situation each time he crossed Claire’s path, regardless of his intentions. Perhaps he should take the universe’s advice and leave her well enough alone.

“Jamie,” her voice called from where he’d left her, standing in the rain. Despite himself, he stopped and turned. Her arms hung loose at her sides like a grieving Madonna. The streetlight reflected off the raindrops caught in her hair, making them glisten like diamonds. It didn’t matter what she said next; he wouldn’t be leaving her here.

“I’m sorry."

***

Jamie’s flat was in a converted warehouse just off Commercial Street. A wall of windows overlooked a concrete lot dotted with parked food trucks and picnic tables. Water cascaded down the gritty glass, obscuring the view.

“Is your flatmate away?” she asked as Jamie opened the lights and began noisily preparing the kettle for tea. It was after midnight.

“Aye, inna manner o’ speaking. He moved back tae the Midlands, where he’s from. Couldna stand livin’ in London. Do ye take anything wi’ yer tea, Claire?”

“Honey, if it’s no bother. Otherwise, black is fine.”

She looked around the open living area. There was a comfortable-looking couch facing a flat screen TV mounted on the wall. Several gaming console controllers shared the low coffee table with a stack of magazines. A large metal shelving unit took up the opposite wall next to the kitchen, holding groupings of books, picture frames and the occasional potted plant. Christ, there was even art on the walls. What kind of bachelor lived like this? She’d been expecting empty take-away containers and hastily concealed porn.

“Will you stay on here?” she asked, curious. “It’s a lovely space, but I can’t imagine it’s cheap.”

“Ach, no, it isna. I’m in the market fer a new flatmate, if ye know of one. There’s usually a lad at the station lookin’ fer lodging, but I find I’m gettin’ particular in my auld age. This last one snored somethin’ fierce, so as he always reminded me of a con-”

“... congested hippo,” Claire finished for him, startled. Jamie stared back at her until the whistling kettle broke the silence.

He returned from the kitchen with an earthenware mug in each hand. Taking a long sip, she smiled at the saccharine kiss of honey. Jamie sat at the far end of the couch and watched her through the rising steam.

“Ye remember meeting me, then?” he asked cautiously.

“Not until that very moment. You wanted my beer,” she combed her mind for the buried memory. “I made you beg. God, I was an absolute ass,” she grimaced.

“Aye. Ye were. But under the circumstances, ye deserved tha’ lager more than I,” he conceded.

“You were pretty ungracious in defeat, from what I remember.”

“Tha’s constitutional, no’ personal.”

They both smiled, then turned their attention to their tea. Jamie eventually offered her the first shower. Once clean she changed into jogging pants so long they encased her bare feet in warmth and a worn cotton t-shirt that slipped off her shoulder like a caress.

The second bedroom was bare except for a single futon. Jamie had lain out a duvet and spare pillow while she showered. Exchanging awkward goodnights, she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

***

The strobe of lightning woke her from within a dream. She counted to nine slowly before the old bones of the city shook with answering thunder. London seldom experienced thunderstorms, but she’d loved them as a little girl travelling abroad. Snuggling under the covers, she listened for the approaching crescendo.

A bright pulse lit the doorframe, now filled with a towering shadow.

“Christ, Jamie, you fucking scared me! What are you doing?”

The shadow shifted, but didn’t reply. She knew it was him. She’d recognize those shoulders anywhere.

“Jamie?” she asked more tentatively, wondering if he was sleep-walking.

“Go back tae sleep, Claire,” he murmured.

That wasn’t very likely to happen while she was being observed so intently. Something about his voice sounded off. Strained, like he was speaking around a clenched jaw.

She rose and approached him slowly, assessing the situation. Another flash, followed shortly by a deep snare drum-roll. This close, she could see the terror in his blackened eyes. She’d treated enough shell-shocked soldiers to recognize the signs.

“It still haunts you, doesn’t it?” she asked during the next lull.

“Aye. No’ all the time, mind. Bright flashes. Sudden loud noises.”

“So, pretty much every shift you work as a firefighter,” she remarked.

He chuffed. “Pretty much, yeah.” Then continued, subdued, “I’m sorry, Claire. I didna mean tae scare ye. I jus’ thought if I could see ye sleepin’, I would ken I was fine.” He shook his head. “Tha’ doesna make any sense.”

“It’s alright. Let’s go into the other room. Perhaps there’s something I can do to help.”

Sitting facing each other on the couch, Claire led Jamie through a meditation exercise she'd learned in Afghanistan. Counting upwards from one to ten, he touched his thumb to the end of each finger in turn, taking a deep breath for each number. Then slowly back from ten to one, reversing the sequence. Outside, the storm began to abate, and inside as well. By the time the skies were quiet, they were both dulcet and calm, eyes smudgy with sleep.

“Thank ye, Claire. Truly.” He stood at the threshold of her room.

“Think nothing of it. It’s the least I could do, after you brought me in out of the rain. Goodnight, Jamie.”

“G’night. Claire.”

This time, the door remained open.

#my writing #outlander

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talkfastromance4 · 4 years

Text

I Will Wait for You--Michael Clifford (Running Back to You Part 2 wwii au)

Here’s part 2! So sorry it took so long to post, I started writing it but then changed the dynamic halfway through so this would be Michael’s point of view. I can do a final part in Luke’s perspective and to wrap it up, so please let me know! :)

A/N: “lovie” is reader from Running back to you:)

Running Back to You

Word Count: 2.6k

Warnings: slight trauma from nightmares, not too major, implied smut

Masterlist

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. *copyright is listed below*

• • • •

Michael jerked awake. A choked gasp escaped his lips as he took in his surroundings, he could still hear the echo of the bomb that went off in his subconscious, leaving his ears ringing. He blinks as hard as he can, recognizing the shadows of his new apartment he rents then panics when he can’t see through his left eye.

The memories come fast as flashes. The grenade that sent him flying from Luke. Flash. Immense pain that soon disappeared on the left side of his face. Flash. The doctor telling him his eye is gone. Flash. Staring at his reflection in the mirror for hours trying to adjust to the bare, sunken in skin where his eye used to be. Flash. Being half in the light and half in the dark for the rest of his life.

He’s thankful he just lost the eye, he’s thankful every day that he’s still alive but it’s taking him a lot longer to adjust than he thought. Swinging his legs over the edge of his bed, he snatches up his eye patch and slips it over his head. He presses down on the edges making sure it’s secure before pushing off the bed and pushes the curtains open.

It’s almost dawn, the burning orange and brilliant pink sky greet him in good morning over the waves of the ocean. Michael cranes his neck to the right and he can just see Luke’s new house. Guilt creeps up Michael’s neck, he hasn’t spoken to Luke in three weeks. He felt embarrassed to see him and confront him with the truth after they left the train station.

After meeting his girl and new daughter, Michael was desperate to see his own dame, Peg. After assuring Luke that Michael would be fine getting to her house on his own, he was filled with nerves once more. Still in his uniform, Michael stepped heavily on her front porch steps then knocked twice and rang the doorbell.

He twiddled the brim of his hat, breath shaking as he waited for the door to open. There’s a commotion behind it, then he’s looking at Peg. Her golden hair pinned up with a barrette made of pearls, she’s prettier than he remembered. Her eyes widened as she took him in, Michael noticed her gaze linger on his eye patch.

“Hi Peg,” he sighed unsteadily, still twisting his hat, “I’m sorry I didn’t get to write. After the liberation and between my surgery I didn’t have time to write to you.”

“That’s…that’s okay, Michael,” she said quietly still staring at his patch.

“I know it’s a lot to get used to, I’m still getting used to it myself,” he chuckled touching the protruding fabric. “But the rest of me is still here, I’m home. Don’t I deserve a hug?” he was half joking the last bit but after witnessing Luke and his girl embrace so tightly back at the station, it left him in uneasiness that Peg didn’t react the same way.

“Oh…yes,” she said then wrapped him in a loose hug.

Michael could only get a small whiff of her lilac soap before she pulled away too quickly. Something was wrong. Has she already decided not to love him anymore because of his eye?

“I’m sorry—”

“Who’s at the door darling? Dinner’s getting—oh, hello,” a man appeared behind Peg. Tall as Michael but with slicked back black hair and a crisp suit.

Michael understood everything. Why Peg seemed so uncomfortable, why she didn’t jump into his arms like Luke’s girl did. She’d already moved on and left Michael none the wiser.

“I’m Chip, who are you sir? Thank you for your service,” Chip held out his hand, but Michael didn’t take it.

“Why don’t you tell him who I am, Peg?” Michael said in a clipped voice.

“Chip this is Michael, he’s my—he was my—”

“We were seeing each other,” Michael added in, his anger rising over the hurt he was trying to push down. “Clearly I didn’t get the memo it’s over while I was halfway across the world.”

“I thought you were dead,” Peg tried to reason, her eyes filled with tears. Chip stood there awkwardly during the exchange.

“Couldn’t wait to get actual word before you found someone to cure your broken heart?” Michael shook his head and turned from the door. He ignored Peg’s voice begging for him to come back, to let her explain but Michael kept walking.

He’d wanted to go to Luke but after witnessing his perfect reunion with his girl and new baby Alice, Michael felt ashamed. He felt subpar compared to what Luke had and it gnawed at him in the worst way. He read the letters Luke sent but didn’t reply to them. The guilt pressed on, but his nightmares pressed harder.

Michael changed quickly into dark slacks and a buttoned shirt; suddenly his apartment became too suffocating. He walked along the street, breathing in the fresh ocean air until he stopped at The Comfort Diner, his new favorite spot.

He’s thankful for it because it opens early and doesn’t close until extremely late in the evening. So, whenever he can’t sleep because of the nightmares, he finds himself in one of the red chairs at the swirling counter and orders the same thing. A strawberry milkshake and a burger with fries.

One of the waitresses, Cherry, always took his order with a kind smile. He likes Cherry because she never gawked at his eye patch but treated him like any other customer. Michael told her what happened with Peg and she offered her apologies and even called Peg some very rude names for what she did.

She’s also incredibly beautiful.

Michael is shocked and frozen in the entrance when he spots Luke sitting at Michael’s usual place. There’s already food in front of him, and Cherry stands nearby with a book propped open next to the register.

“Hi Michael,” Cherry greets cheerily. She bookmarks her place then skips to where Luke is sitting. “Your buddy here said you’d show up this morning, and he’s right. Can I get ya a coffee?”

Michael’s eye darts between Cherry and Luke, who is also staring back at Michael. His expression is unreadable as Michael shuffles to his chair. He sits down heavily then nods to Cherry. When she disappears behind the kitchen door, Michael glances at Luke.

“I’ve been waiting here since half past four,” Luke says, his finger circling the rim of his own coffee mug. “Cherry and I got to talking because my nightmares leave me awake and she said a fellow soldier frequents here with the same type of nightmares. Funny how it’s my best friend who lives just a few minutes from here and a few blocks from me.”

“Luke, I’m sorry. I—”

“Why didn’t you tell me what happened with Peg?” Luke cuts him off, his eyes piercing Michael’s green. “We fought the same war; we see the same nightmares and we could have helped each other all this time. Lovie told me to give you space, let you cope but after two weeks I didn’t know if I’d see you again.”

“I felt embarrassed,” Michael confesses. “You have the picture-perfect life and I’m damaged and loveless. I didn’t want you to see me as weak.”

Luke rolls his eyes. “You aren’t weak at all, Mike. Don’t disappear on me again, yeah?”

Michael nods and accepts Luke’s pat on the back just as Cherry bristles out with a steaming mug of coffee.

“Milk and sugar’s already in there for ya,” she smiles.

“Thanks Cherry,” Michael sighs and accepts the hot liquid. It helps ease his tangled thoughts; it quiets the buzzing.

Luke watches her skip back to her place at the register, opening her book once more then squints his eyes at Michael.

“What?”

“Cherry’s quite the dish and she clearly thinks you’re good looking as well. Ask her on a date.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Why not? Are you still hung up on Peg? What she did was horrible, you don’t deserve that, and she doesn’t deserve you feeling this way.”

“What nightmares do you see?” Michael asks taking a sip of his coffee while also trying to deter the topic of conversation.

“Everything. The bombs, the towns…that officer’s family,” Luke finishes hollowly. “I wake in a cold sweat every night.”

“I see them too. But I mainly relive the bombs, and when I wake up, I forget my eye is gone. I have to process that loss all over again…do you wake lovie up?”

“Sometimes, but that’s when I’m…screaming,” Luke gulps. “I forget where I am sometimes but when I hear her voice…I know I’m safe.”

“I’m glad she’s your safe space, Luke. And I’m sorry for disappearing, I promise I won’t do that again. Solitude is worse than I thought.”

“It’s the beast in you, yeah?” Luke grins and they’re back to normal. “Come out with me and lovie tonight. There’s a dance club near the boardwalk that always lingers to the beach.”

“I’m not much of a dancer,” Michael shakes his head.

“Neither am I. Hey Cherry, do you like to dance?” Luke calls over. Michael is horrified but Cherry is radiant.

“Sure, I do!”

“Meet us at the Nostalgic Club say about eight o’clock?”

When Luke and lovie came to retrieve Michael for a night of dancing, Luke made him change into his uniform. Apparently, it was a special night for those who served, a welcome back home soirée.

“Cherry’s one lucky lady,” lovie smiles at Michael when he comes out in his uniform.

The nightclub is already hopping when the three arrive. A jazz band plays loudly and exuberantly onstage while couples are jiving and flipping over each other with the music. There are indeed a lot of men in uniform, and a few ladies as well. The atmosphere is buzzing, and Michael lands his eye on Cherry who’s wearing a pearlescent dress, her hair pinned exquisitely atop her head. She’s breathtaking.

The group cross the dancefloor to a smiling Cherry and Michael feels self-conscious. How is he supposed to dance with her looking like a vision? He’s surprised he didn’t trip over his feet already.

The girls are introduced and soon they all have drinks in their hand, feet tapping to the music. It’s not long after that lovie pulls Luke to the dancefloor, the pair stepping in time with the other couples easily. Michael and Cherry exchange nervous smiles.

“You’re not a dancer, are you?” Cherry asks kindly.

“Not the fast-paced kind, no,” Michael chuckles watching her sip her kiddie cocktail.

“Do you want to head out to the beach? It’s a little stuffy in here,” Cherry scrunches her nose up in an adorable way.

Michael is quick to agree, leading her outside with his hand on the small of her back. Once they reach the beach, they sit on the cemented steps along the perimeter of the sand. Michael sets his hat next to him and Cherry sits a little close, he can smell her perfume. It’s floral and fruity, almost like strawberries.

They sit in silence watching the waves crash upon the shore, the moonlight glittering the spray. The music can still be heard along with laughter and chatter. It’s a comfortable sort of silence.

“Michael?”

“Hm?”

“What happened to your eye? I know I’m prying, but I’ve heard talking about it helps and I’m willing to listen. If you’d like to, that is.”

He looks at her with his good eye, he desperately wishes he could see her without the feeling of being half in darkness. He can tell she’s genuine in her questioning.

“It was a grenade,” he starts quietly, “we were walking in the street of a small town. I have no idea where it came from. All I remember is being flung away from Luke and everything went black. When I came to, everything was…red and black and blurry. My ears were ringing but Luke was talking to me…I think I was running on adrenaline. Sometimes it feels like it’s still there.”

Cherry grabs his hand, lacing their fingers together.

“That’s what my nightmares are about. In my dreams I can still see, then the bomb goes off and I’m back in this weird…dark and light space.”

“How often do you dream of that?”

“Nearly every night,” he sighs, he gives her hand an involuntary squeeze.

They’re silent once more, Michael hopes he hasn’t scared her off. They listen to the big band play, more swing music and then it switches to a softer ballad, one that Michael likes. The familiar trumpet croons into the late summer night, and the lead singer’s voice starts the rendition of Harry James’ ‘It’s Been a Long, Long Time.’ Michael stands to his feet, pulling Cherry up with him.

“This, I can dance to,” he smiles. She returns his smile and fits into the curve of his arms perfectly. They sway in the sand and Michael starts to sing softly in her ear, “it’s been a long, long time haven’t felt like this, my dear since I can’t remember when…”

“You have a lovely voice,” Cherry sighs and hums along with his singing.

The song comes to a close, Michael stares down at Cherry as she stares back at him.

Kiss me once

He leans down and gives her the faintest kiss.

Then kiss me twice

He pulls back and looks at her once more, she gives him a gentle nod, so he kisses her twice.

Then kiss me once again

It’s only a fraction of a second that he pulls back before he presses his lips to hers for good. They kiss and dance under the moonlight until Luke and lovie find them.

It’s their twelfth date and it’s ended at Michael’s apartment, the record player playing their song as they kiss silently on his couch. Their fingers worked on buttons then Michael hoisted her onto his lap, his fingers slipping beneath the skirt of her dress. Cherry’s fingers scratched up his sideburns and into his hair. When she meets with the strap of his eye patch he freezes.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she pants removing her hand quickly.

“No, it’s—it’s okay,” he swallows harshly, his green eye focused on her. “Do you…do you want to see what it looks like? It usually starts to hurt around this time, the fabric digs into my skin.”

“Only if you’re comfortable,” she nods leaning back.

Michael lifts his arms and removes the strap from behind his head, then lifts the patch off his face. The skin is sunken in and folded over a little in the center, but the circumference is smooth. Cherry lifts her fingers then pauses midair, eyes shifting to Michael who nods giving her permission. She touches the skin delicately.

It’s plush yet tough at the same time, Michael sighs at her caress.

“What do you think?” he asks.

Cherry looks into his eye then cradles his face in her hands.

“You’re the handsomest soldier I’ve ever seen,” she smiles then attaches her lips to his.

Being vulnerable in front of Cherry filled Michael with a new form of confidence. Soon, both were bare in the most intimate way, their bodies joining as one. Fingers locking and unlocking as pleasure rippled through them. They declared their love at the same time and when the moment of euphoria passed, Cherry kissed the space of skin.

“The beauty fell in love with the beast,” he whispers on her neck and her giggles drift into the night.

• • • •

Copyright talkfastromance4 © All works is intellectual property of the author. All rights reserved. Any redistribution or reproduction or any part or all contents in any form is prohibited. You may not, without written expression and consent from the author, distribute works amongst other social media platforms

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