#Because two of us!! LOVE the games. And our excited was contagious to them enough for that. What the hell | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

broadstbroskis · 3 years

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our love lasts so long | william nylander

a/n: oh hello!! am i here with yet another childhood friends to lovers fic?? why yes, yes i am. one (mildly) based on a taylor swift song, as the title would suggest (seven, a underrated folklore BOP)? yes again. the biggest of shoutouts to anyone who let me talk about this over the past few days but especially to @brockadoodles who listened to many many things and to @danglesnipecelly for reminding me about my childhood friends to lovers brand

word count: 7k

-----

The girls are being mean to her.

They’re older than her, a lot older than her, like already in grade school, and they all have friends here already, because they’ve all been here for a while. Noah frowns. It’s not her fault her daddy just got sent here. Florida’s too hot anyway; she still doesn’t understand how this ice rink even stays cold!

She shuffles her feet along. The Christmas songs are loud and there are a lot of people here but Daddy promised he’d take her around really fast after he finished working on shooting the puck with Jake. She just has to be super patient-she thinks that’s the thing Mommy always tells her to be-while she waits and then Daddy will play with her and those stupid girls won’t even matter.

(And yes she can use that word; she just can’t tell Mommy.)

The ice feels funny, not like she’s used to back at home in Canada, but before Noah can start to look for her Mommy to ask her, someone crashes into her and they both end up on the ice.

The boy who flew into her isn’t crying so Noah sucks her lip between her teeth and fights back her tears. “Hey!” He whines over to someone and then says something she can’t understand.

“Hey!” She whines and shoves him. “You’re s’pposed to say sorry when when you hit somebody!”

“I know!” His eyes widen. The blue is a pretty blue; it’s like the ice and Noah likes it. “My sister pushed me first though.”

“Oh.” Noah says. Jake is always pushing her around and he never gets in trouble for it. It’s not fair. “Well she should say sorry to you then.”

The boy nods in agreement, his blond hair flopping everywhere. “Yeah but she’s older so she thinks she doesn’t have to do anything she doesn’t want to.”

Noah scowls. “So does Jake.”

The boy’s face lights up. “Well then we should be friends and we could fight them together!”

Someone else who’s going to help stop Jake from shooting pucks at her? Deal. “Okay.” Noah grins. “I’m Noah.”

He smiles back. “William.”

-----

Willy’s at practice when he hears about the trade, the one that’s bringing Barrett Evans to the Blackhawks, and he hears it mostly because the boys think it means Jake Evans is going to join their team.

Willy’s playing a couple years up here, and there’s an argument going on during practice about if Jake’s doing the same; if he’ll join their team, how soon he’ll be able to get there if he is. That they’re more excited about the potential of Jake Evans joining this team than any discussion of his dad joining the actual Blackhawks is one of the reasons Willy likes this team so much. They’re all chill; no one cares what his dad does or where he plays.

He’s just another one of the boys.

In about a week they find out Jake is joining their team, his mom quickly setting up a carpool to the rink with Willy’s, who is more than eager to agree, with the new baby taking up (in Willy’s opinion) too much space and time.

(What’d they need another sister for? Wasn’t two enough?)

Jake comes with two sisters of his own, another baby just like Willy’s sister, and then, even better, a dark haired girl that Willy only remembers from pictures and dreams, but a face that he recognizes instantly.

“Hey.” He taps the glass in front of where she’s sitting at his practice, writing something- probably homework. He’s supposed to do his in the car on the way to practice, Mum says so, but he never does, because he hates doing it, and like really, what’s the point if he’s going to be a famous NHL player anyway?

Noah looks up, a little annoyed, but then her face breaks out into a smile when she sees it’s him. “William!”

“Willy.” He corrects.

She pulls a face. “Ew, like a wet willy?”

“No,” He laughs. “Like my name!”

“That’s dumb.”

“No it’s not!” It’s what everyone calls him.

Noah’s still frowning at him. “Yes it is, Will.”

“No dumber than the ark you’re named after.” He counters. If she’s going to be like that, he can play too.

“At least I get cool animals on mine.” Noah huffs and then turns away from him, like she’s mad.

“No hockey on it though.” Willy says and she turns back to him just to roll her eyes at him. “Not really worth it then, yeah?”

“You’re the worst.” Noah says, but she’s back to facing him and smiling again, showing off a couple missing teeth. “Don’t you do anything else?” He shakes his head, grinning. “That’s gonna change because I’m not playing hockey with you all the time.”

“Well I’m not playing dolls with you all the time.” Will says quickly. He has to do that enough with his sisters; he’s not doing anymore of it.

She rolls her eyes. “Stupid boys.” She mutters and goes back to her work.

“What does that mean?” Willy demands but before he can get an answer, his coach is calling them all back to practice and his break is done. He’s just going to have to bug her at the game tonight.

(He does bug her at the game that night, but she annoys him right back, and by the second period, they’re laughing and grinning, friends once again).

-----

“Ok, but did you lose Alex or just like, misplace him?” Noah looks around her, searching for a head of blond hair in the crowd of people rushing around them in the mall.

“What’s the difference?” Will hisses, using her shoulder to stand on his toes, head turning as he searches for his brother.

“Like, are you actually asking because of a two language thing or are you just being a jerk because we lost your brother?”

Will glares over at him and drops down flat on his feet again, swearing as he does. “Mum’s doing to kill me.”

“Why?” Alex asks, reappearing suddenly with a soft pretzel in hand, and Noah screams, throwing her arms around him. “What happened?”

“We hate you.” Will says and Noah nods in agreement. “That’s what.”

“What’d I do?” Alex protests.

“Disappeared!” Noah cries. “With no warning.

“I told Will I was going to get a pretzel.” He defends. “He can’t listen and that’s my fault?”

Will reaches out like he’s going to pull his brother into a headlock-or worse, Noah’s not going to risk the two of them going at it like they do in their basement here in public-so she reaches out and grabs his hand, intercepting him before he can even make it to just ruffle his hair, or something. “Come on, Alex.” She teases, even as Will drops his jaw at her for stopping him. “We both know Will hears what he wants to hear.”

Alex laughs, looking as pleased as she knew he would, but Will’s jaw remains dropped. “Screw you” Will says, and because she’s still holding his one hand to keep it from going for his brother, she’s defenseless against the finger he pokes into her most ticklish spot.

“Stop!” She squirms away, or tries to- he won’t let go of her hand. “Will! Let go!”

He stops poking her side, but squeezes her hand and grins. “Nope, you chose this; now you’re stuck with me.”

“Your hand is sticky!” She whines.

“I was testing tape.” Will grins, swinging their hands widely. “Now yours can be sticky too.”

Noah looks down at their hands, joined and still swinging wherever Will moves them. She hopes that’s all that’s on them but you never know with the DC Metro.

-----

There’s a girl giggling behind him.

Willy turns and she stops, but as soon as he turns back, she’s giggling again and this time, so is her friend.

He tugs at the blazer of his uniform, looking down at his shirt. Is his tie done funny? He’d gotten called out for that last week. But it looks fine, just like everyone else’s did earlier. He pulls out his phone. Hurry up. He sends Noah, watching the dots appear on his screen, like she’s texting back, but then she appears, right in front of him. “Finally.” He grabs her and tugs her away from this school, those girls, even more of them giggling at him.

Willy wipes at his face. Maybe there’s something on it? But nothing comes off on his hand and he frowns harder.

Noah’s biting her lip, like she’s trying not to laugh, and it only works for so long. “She has a crush on you, dummy.”

“Oh.” Willy says blankly, trying to sneak a look back at the first girl.

“Oh,” Noah parrots. “Honest to god, Will, it’s a good thing you’re pretty.”

“Hey!” He forgets all about the girl, in favor of knocking his shoulders against hers-not hard enough to send her falling into the dirty snow of this New York suburb, but hard enough to make her laugh. “I’m athletic too!”

Noah bursts into laughter, this loud thing that’s bright and contagious and only serves to make Willy join in with her- not that he’s trying hard to stop himself. He’s always laughing when she is. “Sure bud,” She pats his arm. “You tell yourself that.”

-----

“Iced tea.” Noah hands a cup over to Will and then slides down so she’s sitting next to him, dangling her feet in the pool. It’s really too cold to go in, but that hasn’t stopped Will, who’s been swimming all afternoon on and off- and it hasn’t stopped him from pulling her in with him.

“How much sugar?” Will asks demandingly, as she rolls her eyes, like he’s not already taking a sip.

She’d normally answer with a snarky comment, just because he deserves it. But the nostalgia’s setting in; it’s been hitting her at random moments all week, and she’s inclined to just be nice to him, leaning against him as she says, “Come on, like I don’t know how you like your iced tea by now.”

Will sighs dramatically, taking her weight and pressing back against her. “Guess I’m going to have to make my own coffee now too, huh?”

“Two creams, one sugar.” Noah reminds him gently and he laughs, but it sounds kind of hollow, not at all like the honk that usually sends her into fits of giggles right along with him. It’s quiet after he stops, the only sound the pool filter a few feet away and the crickets just starting to chirp, and she hates the silence. In all their years of friendship, they’ve never been quiet people, never had to do an awkward dance while they figured out who they were each time they met. They fell right back into easy friendship, laughing and giggling, dragging each other into their favorite things and places, until one of them was leaving.

It feels different this time. “Are you really leaving?” There’d never been a doubt in her mind when her dad left DC that she’d see Will again. Maybe not for a few months, maybe not for a few years, but the day would come.

“For now.” Will shrugs. “I’m sure we’ll be back.”

“It’s Sweden.” Noah says quietly. She doesn’t have that same feeling this time. Sweden’s their home. Why would they leave?

“It’s hockey.” Will says, like hockey, Sweden, and home- they’re all interchangeable.

And maybe they are; hockey- the people Noah meets because of her dad’s team, the friends she’s made, Will, his family- hockey, as a concept, has been more of a home to her than any of the houses she’s known, than these temporary places she embraces every two years or so.

But she’s been around long enough to know what comes after hockey and it’s the only thing that changes home. The offseason home becomes the main home. Dads start picking up carpool duties and volunteer coaching positions. The spotlight shifts to the kids and their dreams.

It’s hockey and it’s Sweden and it’s home and whether they’re all different or the same, Noah knows this is the last time she’ll be seeing Will.

-----

Willy has minimal complaints about being a rookie, even if Reemer and Naz think he should have more.

He’s, like, the definition of living the dream. He’s got a sweet apartment that he shares with one of his best friends. He’s on a dream line with two more of his best friends and they’re absolutely tearing it up.

His team’s incredible, even if they’re a bunch of assholes sometimes (Willy is too sometimes, he admits), but they’re fun and they’re funny and they like to let loose and have a good time, for as often as they’re really fucking serious about the goal they’re all there for.

Like today. Practice had been brutal and then there’d been a lift before a video session, but there’s nothing on the schedule for tomorrow so there hadn’t even been a question of if they were going out that night. Suggestions for where had been tossed out the second practice ended.

It’s a good night, things are going well and drinks are flowing (as they should be) and then Matts rolls back to the table, weirdly dejected after coming back from the bar trying to talk up a pretty girl, and he takes his chirps with as much grace as the worst loser Willy’s ever met can, but Willy looks over and he knows that girl. He’d recognize those eyes anywhere, even if her hair is longer and maybe darker? So he gets up, even as Matts calls after him, “Fuck you Willy,” and the rest of the boys laugh.

He leans his weight against Noah, laughing at the look on her face when she realizes it’s him. The annoyance leaves her face pretty quickly and a smile slides right in its place, like she’s waiting for him. “Matts is pretty annoyed you turned him down.” He teases, bypassing hello altogether.

“Yeah well,” She huffs and it’s like she’s trying for annoyed but Willy can see the smile that she’s hiding. “Matts needs to learn that just because he’s a big shot hockey player doesn’t mean every girl is going to drop into bed with him at the sound of his name and a free drink.”

“He’s a lot nicer than that.” Willy defends. “Usually. I didn’t mean it like that.” Because, well, Matts can be an asshole, but it’s not about bringing a girl home.

Noah looks at him skeptically. “I’ll take your word for it.”

“Yeah, I’ve never led you astray before .”

She bursts into laughter. “Yeah, okay.” The sarcasm drips from her tone, even through the laughter.

Willy pokes her but it only makes her laugh harder. “Name one time.”

“Sledding in DC, winter skate in New York, ditching school to go to the mall that one time in Westchester, taking the train into-“

He covers her mouth. “I said name one.”

When he removes his hand, Noah’s grinning up at him, and suddenly he realizes what’s different. It’s not her hair (which is darker, he’s sure now that he’s up close), or her smile (still bright and laughing), or her eyes (bright and green and unforgettable). It’s the oh fuck running through his brain, because he’d definitely take her home.

-----

Falling back into friendship with Will is easy; it’s pretending Noah doesn’t want more that’s hard.

It’s always been easy to be friends with Will. She can’t remember a time when they didn’t click, when things felt weird or uncomfortable between them.

But that was before he started dragging her everywhere around Toronto- to the greatest restaurants she’s ever eaten at, to the Christmas Market, to breakfast on Thursday’s every week he’s in town because he knows that she doesn’t have class until the afternoon.

The flutter in her stomach is so unfamiliar, something so unassociated with Will, that it takes her a while to place it. And of course he’s doing something so normal, so innocuous, so casual, it shouldn’t even register on her radar. He’s buying coffee, for Christ’s sake!

But he’s remembering that she likes oat milk in her iced coffee, even though she hasn’t really actually told him that; it’s just the order she always gives when they go for breakfast. And he’s ordered her a size up from what she usually gets, without her even asking, just because she’d mentioned being up late last night with homework.

“Here!” Will chirps happily, passing her the cup grinning, and there’s that flutter again, deep in her stomach, and it’s that, that small gesture that means so much, just knowing that he’s looking at her enough to know that she needs this extra large iced coffee with oat milk without even being told, that tells her what this feeling is.

This is a crush.

“Thanks.” She’s gonna tamp this baby down and fast. Why is she even crushing on Will at all? It must be, like, the years they’ve spent apart; she’s been desensitized to him or something. Suddenly, his hair’s all beautiful and his eyes are pretty and shit. Unreal.

“You’re welcome,” Will smiles. “But I didn’t just get this for you just because you look exhausted.”

“Is this a bribe?” She demands.

Will laughs. “Kind of.” She side-eyes him until he caves. “We’re all going out this weekend after the game and the team wants to meet you.”

“Oh.” She says, surprised. “That’s it?”

“You were expecting worse?”

She nods. “Much.”

“Well, nope.” He pops the ‘p.’ “Just gotta come hang out with me.”

“Ugh.” She complains. “Maybe that is worse.”

“I bought you that coffee. I’ll take it right back.” Will threatens.

“Never.” Noah cradles it close to her chest. “Not allowed.”

Will’s watching her, smiling, like he already knows she’s going to say yes, but he says anyway. “So you’ll come?”

“Of course, I’ll come.” It really wasn’t even a question. She would have come even if he hadn’t bribed her with the most amazing coffee she’s ever had to drink, but he sweetened the deal with that, so that’s how she finds herself slipping into the VIP section of a club on a Saturday night, eyes scanning to find him.

It’s not too hard to spot him and she soon finds herself sliding into a group of teammates and significant others, fighting back a laugh at the look on Auston Matthews’ face. “Hi!” She drapes herself over Will’s back, actually laughing at the look on his face and clinging tightly to make him work at pulling her off.

“God, you’re a pain.” He announces, finally tugging her around.

“Always.” Noah laughs, because this is easy, this is normal. Teasing Will just like always. “It’s what I strive to be, a thorn in your side.”

“You don’t have to try.” She miscalculated this gravely. He’s in the perfect position to dance his fingers into her most ticklish spots. “You just are.”

“Are you going to introduce us, Willy?” Someone asks dryly, one of the guys across from them. “Or just stand there pretending the two of you are in your own little world?”

Will’s cheeks flush-something unusual for him, he’s never embarrassed- but he says, “This is Noah.” Simply; like everyone should know who she is to him just from that alone, and it kind of seems like they do. A bunch of their faces light up and a few of them lean into each other and start whispering together. But she doesn’t get a chance to ask him what he has said about her, what kind of talk he’s been talking, before he’s listing names off of everyone around them, like she’s going to remember all these people.

There’s immediate chatter from almost everyone around her; it’s as if each one of them have been dying to meet her for a different reason. “Willy’s kept pretty tight-lipped about you.” Connor-James-Matt?-She’s already forgotten every name Will’s told her- says, almost too casually. “How long have you guys been seeing each other?”

“Before or after you turned Matts down?” Someone else adds eagerly, even as Auston groans, a little embarrassed.

Will’s fighting back a laugh next to her and she wants to kill him, honestly, she really does. But she settles for the next best thing, plastering her hand over his bicep, playing up a part that she isn’t. “Oh, you know. Fifteen years, on and off, right, babe?”

“Fif-what?” That’s Naz that’s narrowing his eyes at them; she’s pretty sure.

And now Will loses it, at either that, or the faces the rest of his teammates are making, and she pulls her hand away, laughing right with him. “What the fuck?” Tyler says flatly. “You really are just friends.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying!” Will insists.

“He’s a terrible liar.” Noah says. “You’d know right away. His face gets all-”

“Nope.” Will pulls her away. “Think it’s time for a drink, don’t you?”

“Gets all what?” Someone calls. “All what?”

She winks over her shoulder; she’ll get back to him later.

Noah doesn’t get around to him until much later, dragged to the bar with Will and then out dancing where they’re joined by a few of his fellow rookies. There might be times when they all go out looking to pick up, but this clearly isn’t one, every one of them out doing each other in the most ridiculous ways (Mitch wins; Mitch wins every time).

She gets back to the table a while later, when she’s dying of thirst and Will’s gone to the bar for refills, but it’s been long enough that she’s kind of forgotten she’s somewhat on the hot seat in this group. No one pounces immediately, but two of them- Morgan and Jake- move away from the team’s argument about a podcast they’ve been listening to and slide closer to her.

“So what’s the tell?” Morgan asks and Noah frowns for a second until she remembers earlier, laughing and declining. “Fine, sure. I admire the loyalty, I guess.”

“It’s too easy for him to return the favor.” Noah laughs.

“Ok, so you’ve known Willy,” Jake says slowly, like he’s trying to calculate in real time. “For 15 years now?”

Noah nods. “Since we were four. Our dads got traded to the same hockey team and,” She shrugs. “Then again, and again, and again.”

Morgan kind of lights up, like this is the best news he’s heard all day. “What exactly was Willy like as a kid? Like has he always slept this much on any flat surface available? Or is that a weird thing he picked up in Sweden?”

“Always.” She laughs and then shrugs again. “I don’t know, I think he’s a lot like he is now. I don’t-I don’t think much has changed.”

And before she can even say anything else, the man himself is slipping in beside her, carelessly throwing his arm over her shoulders and gluing himself to her side. “Don’t talk to them.” Will demands. “They won’t have anything nice to say about me.”

“Rude.” Jake throws a wrapper at him, and it tangles in his hair but Will just shakes it out.

“Actually they’re asking me about you.” She tells him and he gasps dramatically.

“Don’t talk to them.” He demands again and she laughs.

“Why not?”

“I don’t want you ruining my image.”

“What image, pretty boy?” Morgan drawls, and Noah just laughs as Will retaliates by throwing the straw wrapper back at him but he doesn’t leave her side after that, remaining a comfortable weight pressed against her for the rest of the evening.

She doesn’t hate it. Stupid crush.

-----

“Happy Birthday.” Willy slides the gift across the counter but Noah doesn’t even reach for it, still looking down at the textbook she’s highlighting. She’s new-semester stressed still, the kind of stressed where her hair is constantly up in that bun for a few weeks and the bags never seem to leave her eyes. He can’t wait for another week or so, when she’ll finally crash and sleep for like, two days, a break she’s in desperate need of.

“What is it?” She asks skeptically and like, sure, the wrap job’s a little sketch, but Willy did it himself, no help from Mum or sisters. She should be, like, proud of his job mediocrely done.

“Was I unclear?” He asks, and she gives him a look, reaching for it with an eye roll.

“My birthday was last month.” She reminds him. “You sent me flowers.”

Willy knows. The flowers had been a placeholder because he’d wanted to be with her when she opened her real gift, to see her reaction, watch the smile grow over her face when she sees what’s in the box. “That was never your whole gift.”

She smiles. “It could have been! It was just nice to know you were thinking of me.”

Willy stops just before he says something stupid, like that he’s always thinking of her. He hasn’t stopped thinking about her since they reunited last year and he probably won’t stop thinking about her, even after she finishes up with school and figures out her next step. It seems inevitable that fate will follow its same path they’ve travelled their entire lives, and they’ll end up crossing paths three times a year when Willy travels to whatever city she ends up in, knowing before they even meet for dinner that it’s not enough time, never enough time.

Instead he smiles and nods. “Come on, I’d never miss your birthday. Even if we have to celebrate late.”

Noah laughs. “Fair.” She says, finally reaching for the gift he’d laid out for her. And he knows what she’s going to find first, but that doesn’t change how nice it feels to know he nailed it when she opens the box of Swedish candies he’d brought back, a box of all her favorites. “Ohh!” She immediately pops one of her favorite chocolates into her mouth. “I don’t even care what the other thing is; this is amazing. Thank you!”

Willy laughs, kind of nervously. “At least look at it before you decide to stick it in a corner and never look at it again.”

She’s already pulling it out, peeling back the corners of the wrapping paper, and then looking up at him when she realizes it’s a jewelry box. He smiles encouragingly, feeling like he barely manages to get a full smile up before she’s opening, and then it stretches out fully in relief when she gasps. “Will.” She says finally, looking up at him, mouth opening and closing repeatedly.

“Do you like it?” He asks hesitantly. He’d bought it on the spot the moment he saw it, the green of the peridot the exact shade of her eyes and her birthstone-or at least, it was, according to his sister. The necklace itself, a delicate chain dropping into a teardrop stone, this easy beauty that he couldn’t help associating with only her. It’d felt too perfect to pass up.

“I love it.” She says immediately. “This is-it’s-it’s perfect!” She gets out finally, and Willy breaks out into a smile, watching her lift the chain up to her neck. “Will you-” She breaks off, looking at him expectantly.

“Oh!” Willy gets it now, stands up to step behind her and gently takes the ends of the necklace. “Yeah, of course.” Noah lifts her hair and for a moment all Willy can concentrate on is the whiff of peach he gets suddenly. He fumbles the clasp for a second before he finally gets his shit together. “Why does your shampoo smell so good?”

She laughs, letting her hair tumble down again- another burst of peach to his nose- and turns to face him. “I switched it this summer. It’s nice, isn’t it?”

Nice? Maybe it’s because he spends all his time in a locker room with 23 other dudes, but it’s the best thing he’s ever smelled. He feels weird, knows it’s so not friends to want to pull her into his arms, just so he can hold her close and breathe in that smell, so he just nods.

“Yeah.” Willy says and his eyes are immediately drawn to her smile, to her fingers dragging the teardrop along the chain, and he- he flickers his eyes back up before he can go any lower. “It’s nice.”

-----

“You ready yet?” Will picks up his wallet off his island, where Noah’s been sitting for the last hour trying to tweak her resume one last time before submitting it to another job interview. “I’m going to miss my flight.”

“I’m going to kill you.” She says flatly. She’s only been calling that concern out to him since she walked in the door.

Will grins, throwing his arm around her shoulders and tugging her close into his side. If they weren’t about to spend the entire summer apart, maybe she’d fight it more, afraid that she’s taking too much from him to satiate her more-than-just-a-crush. But Will’s pulling his stupid Sugo hat on his head with the hand that’s not squeezing her close, and he’s about to leave her for four months, fresh off the devastation of the Bruins loss, so she curls in, greedily taking anything she can from him. “Save some cap space,” He hums. “If you did.”

“Oh my god.” She shoves him away. She takes it back. She takes it all back. She feels absolutely nothing for him; he’s the worst human she’s ever met.

Will pulls her back in and his arm stays around her the entire walk down to his car, when he only removes it so they can pack his bags in and then slide in their seats. As soon as he starts it and gets on the road, he reaches over again, just resting his hand on her knee.

“I can’t believe you’re just going to let me drive your car all summer.” Noah says, so she doesn't say something she regrets instead, like I love you, or worse, something about his hands and where else he can put them.

Will glances at her briefly before turning his attention back to the road and Noah’s already grinning before he responds. “Don’t make me regret this.”

Shifting in her seat to better face him seems like a good idea until she actually does it and it means that his hand just moves further up her leg. She has to stop herself from looking at it, his fingers on the skin of her thigh. “You’ll still have a car when you get back.”

“The same car?”

“Maybe with a dent or two in it.” Noah teases, mostly just to annoy him. It works; he flickers his eyes over toward her in a glare. “I’m kidding.”

“You better be.”

“I’d totally get it fixed.” She continues, smiling when Will laughs. “Pristine condition. You’d never know.”

“Just how I want it.” He pulls up to departures and puts the car into park, so they can both step out; him to fly out and her to switch sides, meeting at the trunk. “Please don’t crash you or my car.” He says softly, pulling her into a hug.

“Please come back soon.” She counters, muttering the words into his chest.

It’s apparently not as quiet as she’d intended. “Wedding season.” He squeezes. “I’ll see you then.”

But that’s not what she meant at all. Noah doesn’t want him back for a weekend or two. She wants dry ink on a contract, locking him in to Toronto.

-----

When the start of the season comes around and Willy’s contract still hasn’t been signed, he can’t say he’s surprised to get a Snapchat from Noah, featuring her, Auston, and Mitch all pouting.

“Come on.” He frowns at her, when they’re facetiming later that day- well into the night for him, actually. “You know why I’m doing this.”

She pouts again, even though she’d been smiling only seconds before. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it. Why can’t you be in a standoff with management from here?”

“Why can’t you come work from home from here?” Willy counters and she actually huffs at him, but changes the subject.

When his holdout continues to last though, she does, finally, agree to come work from home from his place in Sweden, at least for a little, and Willy has to physically stop himself from fistpumping in excitement. It’s been too many months of seeing just her pixelated face through facetime, of conversations broken up by timezones, and late night calls that make him want things he knows he can’t have.

It’s only a few days later but it feels like forever by the time that Noah is throwing herself into Willy’s arms the second that she exits the Stockholm Arlanda airport, and it’s only years of core stability training that don’t send them both flying to the ground.

“How’s my car?” He teases, because it’s been a lot longer than the four months he promised and he just wants to see her smile, in person, without a lag from their stupid iPhones.

It works. “1 door left.” She chirps easily. “Don’t worry, Auston’s helping me fix it.”

“I’m sure he is.” Willy says darkly, because it was really no secret Matts still thought she was gorgeous, even if Willy was sure he’d never actually do anything about it. Pretty sure. At least 50%.

Noah laughs. “You’re hilarious.” She pats his arm a few times and pulls away to get in the car, but he wants to know about what. About Matts? It’s a legit concern, he feels. Maybe he’ll just fire off a text to Matts, just to be sure. “Will?” Noah’s leaning out of the passenger side. “Are we leaving or are we going to spend my whole trip here at the airport?”

“What if we are?” Willy shoots back, but he makes his way to the driver’s seat.

“If it meant that you were coming home?” Noah gives him a small smile. “I don’t think I’d even be mad.”

Willy gives her a tight smile. “Not yet.”

“Is it-” Noah makes a noise and then continues anyway. “Are you going to come home?”

“I want to.” She knows this; they don’t talk about his contract situation often, but they do, occasionally. “You know that.”

“Yeah.” She says softly. “I just-it’s getting close, yeah?”

Yeah, it was. The deadline was creeping closer and closer, with still no deal. He didn’t...love that, he’d say that for sure. He wanted to be back with the boys, playing; was ready to be back with Noah, for any time she’d give him. “Yeah.” He says, and then switches the topic completely, because he doesn’t want to think about what he’s going to do if this is the only time he gets with her until next fall. “You want to go to dinner with my family tonight?”

Noah’s eyes light up. “Yeah, oh my god!”

Willy laughs and takes the next exit on the highway, instead of driving further into town to go to his own place. Dinners with his parents and sisters is usually a quick cure to any spiraling thoughts about the signing deadline, and having Noah there today is even better. She’s a comforting weight against his side; a laughing presence with his mum as they gang up against him; a friend to his sisters after dinner, as they sit curled together in a corner of the living room whispering secrets and waving him away when he gets too close.

It’s a lot of things Willy doesn’t let himself think about, doesn’t let himself want, because Noah’s never given any hints she wants the same. And she’ll always fit with his family, because she grew up with him, with them, but one day she’ll find another guy who she just seamlessly fits into the side of, whose family she can easily laugh and joke with, because she’s that charming and friendly and nice. How could anyone not love her?

“I remember your sisters begging me to braid their hair at games all the time.” Noah says fondly, once she leaves their circle of secrets to come back to him. “God, I can’t believe how old they all are now.”

“Don’t remind me.” Will says darkly. His youngest sister just announced she has a boyfriend, her first boyfriend; he hates it the most.

Noah cackles, as if she knows what he’s thinking about, which, well, maybe she does, after the last hour. He doesn’t even want to know what they said about him (except he does, he really, really does). “If you promise to be nice to him, maybe she’ll let us go one a double date with them before I leave.”

Willy about blacks out when he hears her mention the word date and he’s pretty sure it shows on his face. “Really?” It’s the only word he can get out. Everything is wonderful; thank God, thank Jesus, thank who-fucking ever. This is the greatest-

Noah laughs. “Well I don’t think she’s going to let you meet him by yourself!” She nudges him with her shoulder. “But we could all go to dinner together!”

He takes it back. Everything is terrible and this is not even close to the greatest day ever.

They end up going for dinner with his sister and her boyfriend anyway-whatever, it’s fine.

“He was more than fine.” Noah protests, when they’re walking back to his place from the restaurant. It’s her last day here and Willy’s trying to soak up every bit of her that he can, so if that means walking to a restaurant in the cold, then so be it. “He was really nice!”

“He was, like, moderately nice, at best.” Willy pulls a face.

“Don’t be that guy.” She shakes her head at him. “You know what guy I’m talking about.”

“Yeah.” He sighs.

She nudges him. “You know, if you came back to Toronto with me, you’d never have to see him. Out of sight, out of mind.”

He wants to. He wants to so badly. He just...can’t. “You know I can’t.”

“But I don’t!” Noah says, frustratedly. “I don’t know why you can’t at all. You want to be there and they want you there. I don’t fucking get this!”

“Money. Terms.” He shrugs, sounding a lot more casual than he feels. “My agent’s taking care of things. That’s what he’s here for.”

“Well maybe it’s time to take care of things you want for yourself.” Noah mutters.

“What?” Will asks; he’s sure he heard her, but the bitterness is really unlike her.

“Nothing.” Noah curls into him and Willy wraps his arm around her shoulders without question. “Just cold. Left or right to get home?”

-----

Will’s text comes through in the middle of the afternoon, that they’re just ironing out the fine details and that he’ll be on a redeye that night.

You don’t even need to buy me a Christmas present this year. Noah sends in response. Best gift ever.

When he doesn’t respond, though, she gets a little concerned. He always sends something back, always, whether it’s just a little emoji or some kind of quip, and that was prime for the taking. Call me at the airport? She follows it up. Do you need a ride when you get here? I still have your car.

Matts is grabbing me, going right to practice and meeting w kyle. Catch up later.

She actually startles at the response. He’s never, never been so short with her. It’s not even that the response itself was rude; it just...didn’t even feel like him. It feels like he’s pushing her away and the only thing she can think of is that he is. That he’d realized how she’d clung to him in Sweden in departures, the way she hadn’t been able to stop herself from running her hand down his back before pulling away, and he’d connected it to the fact that she’s definitely in love with him and was pulling away.

It’s the worst thought she’s had since she realized he was staying in Sweden for a while. She’d drunk a bottle of wine then to cope and she does the same now, but then she’s only more cranky the next morning when she’s still over thinking and she has a headache.

The knock on her door only makes her more annoyed, at least until she opens it and sees Will standing in the hallway. “Hi.” She breathes. She’d pictured him coming back to Toronto so many times, and look, she knows she doesn’t need to impress Will, who has seen her at her best and worst, but not once was she wearing sweats and the biggest sweatshirt that she owns.

“Hi.” Will grins and she’s about to tell him to come in, but then he’s cupping her cheek and ducking down and it’s like time stops as he kisses her.

Noah can’t quite believe she was ever scared that Will didn’t love her. She doesn’t need him to say it, but he’s the one to pull away first, resting his forehead on hers, and they’re the first words out of his mouth. “I love you.” He kisses her again and god, she could do this forever. “You told me if I want something, to just take care of it myself, and I’m doing it. I don’t want to sit back anymore and let someone else love you. I love you.”

Will brushes his thumb over her cheek and Noah tries to gather a thought, any thought after a kiss that turned her brain to mush. “I don’t know when I started loving you,” She says, smiling when she sees the grin grow across Will’s face. “But I think it was before I even know what love was, and I don’t ever want to stop.”

The next kiss is the worst one yet, the smile still on his face (and hers), but that’s okay, Noah muses. They have time.

#william nylander #william nylander fan fic #william nylander fanfiction #william nylander imagine #hockey fanfic #hockey imagines #nhl imagines #nhl fanfiction #nhl fanfic #my hockey fics

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ohheyitsokay · 3 years

Text

just us

Pairing: Jack Daniels (Agent Whiskey) x (f) reader

Wordcount: 1.9k

Warnings: discussion of not wanting children, brief mention of trauma (the accident), brief mentions of sex, generally sweet and cozy

Summary: Jack and you both grow into what you want (and don’t want?) for the future

Notes: Okay so this WILL NOT be everyone’s cup of tea - that’s fine. There’s enough breeding kink in this fandom for everyone else, I just wanted to explore... not wanting kids, definitively, and one way that journey could look. Obviously, this is an incredibly personal topic, and there’s no way this one snapshot could possibly be perfect, so please just keep that in mind!

Years ago, you met Jack volunteering with low-income students after school. Your friend, who was running the program, roped you in, and you were glad to have other helpers.

He was surprisingly good with the kids. They loved his accent and his hat and the silly expressions he made. Still, in-between his ridiculous stories, he always pushed them to do their best and was persistent in pursuing their success. Unlike some of the other volunteers, he didn’t seem to have any agenda and his selflessness was contagious, and you told him so. The bus had just left, and you finally had the chance to talk to him- you couldn’t help but be honest.

He shrugged his broad shoulders, watching the kids wave through the windows, even down the road.

“I just want them to get their chance to succeed, ya know?”

You did. Gently, you reached up and squeezed his shoulder, and his brown eyes met yours for the first time.

“Thank you,” you said before leaving to go clean up. You hoped he could hear the sincerity in your voice.

The next time you volunteered at the same time, he stayed back to help you clean. He was silent at first, but then he began to talk to you, asking real questions and giving you real answers.

The friendship grew fast, one of the ones where you could feel in your bones how close you’d be. You moved from laughing with the kids as you gave him the tiniest portion of snack, to him driving you home sometimes.

And for the first few years, the two of you really were the best of friends. Lemonade and long drives together became game nights and movies with groups. You’d help him text when he got too flustered, he reminded you that all men were giant boys sometimes. He told you about his past, about the accident and wanting to heal from that, and what he was working on. You shared the skeletons in your closet, you fears and hopes and dreams. You became each other’s constant, as you grew, always cheering the other one on and sharing just the right words at the right time.

Then, after a long, terrible day, he drove over to your house with pure, kind-hearted intentions and ended up kissing you.

“The rest, as they say, is history,” you finished.

Jack’s boss was grinning, along with his wife.

“How adorable!” she cooed, squeezing her husband’s hand.

You and Jack had been together for years now, and recently moved to a small town so he could be closer to his mama. This branch of the statesman was a lot more casual, so you were over at their house with some other couples, barbequing in the backyard. In many ways, you loved the little southern community but it was times like these that you felt like you were pulling teeth.

Jack was so high-profile, and bless his heart, he loved to show you off. It was sweet that his boss let him off early sometimes and the local florist knew your date night, but honestly, people in this town were so invested in your relationship it gave you anxiety. Everyone wanted to hear your story, to be in the know, worst of all: ask about it. So it was unpleasant, but not a surprise when the lady continued, asking, “So how many kids are the two of you going to have?”

Her eyes glimmered with expectation, completely unaware at how you were fighting not to grimace at her intrusion.

Jack looked at you, his hand instinctively finding yours. His thumb rubbed your skin softly, as if he was trying to press his support into you. It worked, in it’s own way, and you collected yourself, smiling because you knew she meant well, and because you had practiced.

When you were younger, if and when it came up, you hadn’t been attracted to the idea of children like some others were. You had thought, or maybe trained yourself to say, maybe someday, but not right now. Because for most people, that was enough. You knew logically, that some did change their minds or grow into it. Sometimes you had hoped that would be you.

Now, you didn’t even offer that, just making a joke and guiding the conversation in a different direction. You played your part well, continuing to chat as you ate, being as delightful and adorable as you always were.

Jack knew, of course he did. After that very first night, when he had kissed you, you had been honest with him. motherhood was not your purpose, passion, or dream. He loved you then, and he loved you now, you reminded yourself. He had loved you through the time you’d talked about it again, when he told you that you were his soulmate. Still, before, you had always left it on the table. Maybe someday, in the future.

He watched you closely, watched your eyes when you laughed at the questions, felt you hand in his when you were in the spotlight.

Jack adored you with every fiber of his being. He loved waking up with you in his arms, and falling asleep to the rhythm of your heart. He liked the way your eyes met his and spoke volumes, and how you knew what he was going to say and let him say it anyway. Sometimes he thought he would stop time itself if it would keep you from being hurt.

So now, he shifted closer and closer to you, invading your space until he could share his warmth with you. Your hands left each others so he could wrap his arm around you, and he tried his best to use himself to make a little safe haven for you. He would do anything to create a bubble so you could breathe.

Your eyes found his, and you leaned into his warmth. No words were offered but he knew he had done a good job when he could feel some tension slide off your shoulders.

Still, over the next few days, the conversation haunted you. It felt like a pin, pricking your mind and heart in quiet moments. You ignored it, what else could you do? It was a familiar feeling, and you knew sooner or later, it would go away. After all this time, hadn’t you made your peace with it?

It was almost completely gone, one night, as you lay with Jack, skin to skin under the sheets. He’d be silent for awhile, in what you could only assume was one of his rare, post-sex dazes. He murmured again and again how much he loved you before it faded off and he had settled for holding you close.

“Sweetheart?” he said suddenly, pulling your attention back to him.

“Yeah, Jack?”

“One of our friends from home is pregnant, I forgot to tell you she called yesterday.”

You felt liked the world was spinning. Why was be bring this up right now?

Somewhere far away, you heard yourself make a happy noise and say that was exciting for them.

Your lover’s warm arm pulled you closer, back onto his chest.

“That’s gonna be one helluva cute baby,” he added. You agreed, but had no idea what to do or say.

Was he trying to tell you he was thinking about kids? About babies?! You were full on panicking now.

Had this, plus the questions from before finally pushed him to reconsider?

“I’ve… darlin’, I’ve been thinking a lot about kids lately,” he whispered into your hair. There was something about his tone you didn’t recognize. You were tense, unable to move away, respond, be normal at all. Of course, he noticed.

Jack half sat up, moving you so he could face you, his arms still holding onto you with purpose.

“Wait- shoot, dang it, I should’ve said that differently,” his eyes were boring into yours. The whole time you’d known him, you hadn’t been able to look away from him when he was baring his heart for you like this. This was Jack. He has never, would never hurt you. You trusted him with your whole life.

Several deep breathes and a quick kiss allowed your heart to calm, and you eyes told him it was okay for him to go on.

“I have been, sweetheart, but not like… that, I – well, I,” he seemed to be struggling, the tiny lines between his eyebrows deepening. You waited, hands finding his skin and mimicking the comforting movements he always did on you. All the while you were reminding yourself that listening to him would always be better than interrupting or assuming.

“I just wanted to tell you, the longer we’re together, how much I like it,” he said, finally, words rushing out of him, “How the more I think about it, how much I sort of want it to just stay like that.”

Your heart was racing now for a whole new reason.

“When I think about other people’s kids, they’re cute but… I don’t need one,” he said, and you noticed the more he talked, the more he relaxed, too. “You could be a fantastic mother, I know you could, if you ever want that,” he added, and you smiled, shaking your head just slightly.

“I guess I’m just selfish, love,” he finally seemed to conclude, having pushed and been fully vulnerable with you. He sank down next to you again, saying, “I want you all to myself. I want to take you on adventures and change the world with you and just have you be all mine, all the time.”

You still couldn’t speak. The world wasn’t spinning anymore but it might as well have been upside down. All your fears - that he was hoping you’d just change your mind, that you were holding him back – were wrong. On his own terms, in his own way, and in his own heart Jack Daniels had flipped to the same page as you.

Never in your life had you expected this, even considered this a possible outcome. It was almost too good to be true.

You had to ask, just one more thing.

“Jack, what about…” you swallowed, clinging to him. “What about… before?” You didn’t need to explain. What about her, and his son? Before the accident? What about the time you’d met, and he was pouring into the futures of children?

Jack was still for one heartbeat, two, and three. Then his hand moved from your waist to touch your cheek, his large palm enveloping it. You hadn’t realized there was a tear until he brushed it away with his thumb. There was tenderness in his eyes as he held you.

“Just us,” he whispered, before kissing you, “that’s all I need.” His eyes were honest, and for the first time in your life, you felt fully seen.

“Just us,” you said back, as vulnerable as he was.

The two of you held each other then, basking in the moment of pure, raw love. You allowed yourself to sink fully into the mattress, pressing together like you were just falling for each other for the first time. In some ways, you were. Everyone has a different story, and you two had just written another chapter in yours. Jack laughed then, a beautiful, free, almost giddy sound.

Relief had sunk into your bones, the two of you finding something in each other that you’d never had before. The feeling you’d had when you first met - the one that sunk into your bones - promising you two would be close, came into your mind. You considered it, realizing it was more than right, knowing you both before you even knew yourselves.

Jack kissed your hairline, still letting out small burst of quiet laughter. His voice was filled with joy as he asked, “Can we get a dog, though?” and you laughed too.

“Yeah,” you said, and he was kissing you, smile almost too big.

taglist:

@fangirl-316 @scribbledghost @0celestialbitch0

#agent whiskey x reader #agent whiskey x you #jack daniels x you #jack daniels x reader #kingsman #maybe i don't know people #Also i wrote this pretty quickly in comparison to some other works so sorry about the writing. hopefully ill rewrite it at some point #alternative title:#pouring one out for the girls with a different happily ever after

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renegadewangs · 3 years

Text

Van Zieks - the Examination, part 7

Warnings: SPOILERS for The Great Ace Attorney: Chronicles. Additional warning for racist sentiments uttered by fictional characters (and screencaps to show these sentiments).

Disclaimer: (see Part 1 for the more detailed disclaimer.) - These posts are not meant to be taken as fact. Everything I’m outlining stems from my own views and experiences. If you believe that I’ve missed or misinterpreted something, please let me know so I can edit the post accordingly. -The purpose of these posts is an analysis, nothing more. Please do not come into these posts expecting me to either defend Barok van Zieks from haters, nor expecting me to encourage the hatred. - I’m using the Western release of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles for these posts, but may refer to the original Japanese dialogue of Dai Gyakuten Saiban if needed to compare what’s said. This also means I’m using the localized names and localized romanization of the names to stay consistent. -It doesn’t matter one bit to me whether you like Barok van Zieks or dislike him. However, I will ask that everyone who comments refrains from attacking real, actual people.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Back to the second game we go for The Return of the Great Departed Soul! (Part one, this is another two-parter case)

Episode 2-3: The Return of the Great Departed Soul

So now, chronologically, six months have passed since The Unspeakable Story. Susato returned to Japan at the end of the first game and hasn't returned yet. Ryu was reprimanded for all the perjury and the questionable McGilded defense, so he had his right to stand in court revoked for now and instead had to focus on studying English law some more. He's done so quite patiently and now he feels he's ready to return. He just needs to get Stronghart's permission first. Meanwhile, the Great Exhibition is happening in Hyde Park, pulling in visitors and scientists from all over the world. Exciting! (S)Holmes hands Ryu a newspaper with an article on the exhibition, talking about how the brighter things shine, the darker the shadows cast behind them. By now, Ryu is fluent enough in (S)Holmes speak to know this means he should flip over the newspaper. There, we find an article of an entirely different sort.

So not only was Van Zieks apparently attacked, Ryu shows horror and concern at the notion. No hard feelings from our wholesome boy! (S)Holmes explains that London's finest criminals often find ways to get acquittals from trials through bribery, threats, sham witnesses... We saw this in McGilded, of course, so we know all too well how dangerous that can get. But since the Reaper and his curse are immune to such tactics, when a ringleader or fellow ends up being 'taken' by the curse, retaliation can occur. So it's established that this isn't the first time Van Zieks has been attacked by a group of thugs. Fortunately, Van Zieks is an “accomplished combatant” who doesn't take these attacks lying down. Unfortunately, the thugs were carrying guns this time. Uhoh.

This warms my heart, it really does. Van Zieks has been a terrible scumbag, but Ryu doesn't think he's gotten his comeuppance at all. He's genuinely concerned for this man and intends to find out more about his condition. So since he was planning to meet with Stronghart and ask for attorney permission anyway, it's the perfect opportunity to also ask about Van Zieks! Iris decides to tag along because she wants to visit the Great Exhibition. Let's shove the newspaper in Stronghart's face as soon as the game allows it.

The phrasing of “number one prosecutor” is interesting, but then... We never learn of any other (living) veteran prosecutors in this country, so of course Van Zieks would be number one. Stronghart says there's no need for concern; Van Zieks would not be so easily dispatched. Street ruffians are no match for him, since he's a very capable fighter. Seems like that sword he carries around isn't just for show after all. As for why he was attacked this time... Well, a month ago Van Zieks prosecuted a leader of a criminal organization. Nice to know he didn't just return to retirement and instead got back to work like a normal person without cherrypicking his cases based on what Ryu's doing. The defendant was acquitted, no doubt thanks to large sums of money being shifted around behind the scenes, but he still met a dramatic end just yesterday during an accident at the Great Exhibition. The man in question was Odie Asman, and the one now being detained on suspicion of murder without a defense attorney is Professor Albert Harebrayne. Albert's case has just been assigned to Ryu, so we're sure to find out more about Asman as we go. As as final touch, Ryu asks Stronghart why he continues to use Van Zieks as a prosecutor. Since the criminals are becoming fearful of the curse and attacking him, it's dangerous to Van Zieks himself. Stronghart explains that he has two reasons: Firstly, Van Zieks is the best prosecutor in the capital, bar none. And secondly, any deaths that have occurred outside the courtrooms after his trials have nothing to do with him. (S)Holmes alluded to the same thing, saying that Van Zieks had a rock-hard alibi for each and every mysterious death.

“So he will continue to prosecute on behalf of the Crown. ...Unless he wishes otherwise, of course.” With that, Stronghart admits he needs to get going since he's already 11 hours late to his next appointment (fsdkjfls). Ryu asks where he might be able to find Van Zieks and is told to head to his office. So even after being told that Van Zieks is just fine, Ryu is still concerned and wants to discuss the matter with the man himself. Let's gooo! Naturally, the first thing out of Van Zieks's mouth when he catches Ryu and Iris in his office is to wonder what the heck they're doing here.

So there's several things of interest in the office, with the game automatically addressing the biggest one: Van Zieks has an apprentice now! It's a mysterious, rigid dude wearing a hood and a mask who is absolutely not familiar to us, nope. We don't know him. Gosh, what a mystery. Van Zieks doesn't seem to know who he is either, instead just referring to him as his apprentice and nothing more.

Ryu sees this as an opening to ask about the attack on the Reaper that was in the newspaper. Van Zieks admits that he too is very interested in the true identity of the Reaper. “Assuming, that is, such a fabled fiend genuinely inhabits our great courtrooms.” The conversation halts for a moment so we can examine the office and this is the best opportunity for humanizing traits we've gotten so far, so LET'S DO IT! The enormous portrait in the back is the first thing to peek at.

Iris says whoever painted it exaggerated the subject's handsomeness, which in turn is reminiscent of Napoleon ordering the painter to make him look more attractive. That's super vain and not an attractive quality in a person at all. I laughed the whole way through that bit of dialogue and Van Zieks, who was in earshot the entire time, gets his feathers ruffled.

When Ryu asks who it is then, Van Zieks doesn't reply. BACKSTORY ALERT! Examining the chalices and bottles on the left leads to Van Zieks explaining the hallowed bottles are filled with the finest grapes from the finest vineyards he visits (so it is grape juice!!!) and he personally oversees the chalices being made by the finest crystal craftsmen in the world. Right, so not only is he filthy stinkin' rich, he's a perfectionist. Iris points out that Van Zieks throws the chalices and bottles around like they're worthless, to which Van Zieks says:

“Before you open your mouth next time, you should consider the poor artisans whose work you defile.”

As it turns out, passive aggression is contagious now. Ryu replies with a “So it's my fault? Silly me! How could I ever have thought otherwise?” and honestly I love that he's got enough guts to say this out loud. Our boy is growing a spine. Examining the wine casks has Ryu and Iris theorize about how there might be dead bodies in there, which once again ruffles Van Zieks's feathers.

Snrk. Examining the big diorama in the middle of the room has Ryu and Iris wonder whether Van Zieks can't go to the Exhibition in person and this is his way of dealing with that, which has Van Zieks snap that it's obviously an investigative aid. He even has pets of sorts in his office, in the form of a couple of bats hanging from the curtains. Alright, so the game's definitely humanizing this poor man now. No matter how many crazy stories Iris and Ryu come up with about him, there's usually a very innocent explanation to debunk the eerie myths. Something particularly interesting happens when Ryu shows Van Zieks his defense attorney armband. Van Zieks asks what the reason is for showing it to a British prosecutor, to which Ryu admits that he doesn't quite know. Van Zieks is silent for a bit, then says that he understands. “There's merit in reminding yourself of who helped you become what you are today.”

As he says it, he reaches for his prosecutor's badge and if you're aware of the backstory, you'll know he's thinking of Klint. More importantly, this conversation puts Ryu and Van Zieks on the same level. Ryu is always thinking of Kazuma, who 'helped him become who he is today' and the armband signifies this, along with the sword. Similarly, Van Zieks lost someone very close to him and he's walking the path of prosecutor in his brother's memory. Ryu thanks Van Zieks for understanding and it's very significant that Van Zieks understands in the first place. Remember, in the first game he was under the impression that a Japanese person could never understand a British person and vice versa.

Showing Van Zieks the newspaper article has him looking a bit embarrassed, pointing out that a reporter must've been nearby and he'd been careless to let himself get photographed. Either way, all the thugs responsible have already been apprehended. The investigation into Odie Asman's activities meant that their arrests were already imminent anyway, and some hoped to kill Van Zieks before that happened. Much like McGilded, Asman used his wealth to buy his way towards an acquittal in court, but “he got his comeuppance in the end.” Which is strange, right? Very suspicious. Van Zieks asks whether Ryu believes he has some sort of divine ability to make an accident like that happen. Ryu admits that would be far-fetched, and thinks to himself that even if Van Zieks were the Reaper, he'd have to be innocent of this particular death. We also learn that Van Zieks is familiar with Professor Harebrayne, the suspect in the Asman incident. When told that Ryu will be taking on the defense, Van Zieks is shocked.

Van Zieks goes on to explain that he knows Albert quite well. They were at university together. While he's lived in Germany for quite a few years, Albert is actually from a respectable British family. And despite Albert being in the science faculty and Van Zieks in law, they got along quite well. Now he's in pretty hot water for that Asman accident.

Hm. I don't quite know what to make of this reaction. I think what's going on here isn't that Van Zieks is rattled because Albert is being defended by a Japanese person, but because he's being defended by a rookie attorney who was just disbarred for six months for accidentally encouraging perjury, false witness and crime scene tampering in a court of law. Yes, Ryu has won his trials every single time, but it came at a price. Aside from this, there's one other thing Van Zieks knows about Ryu: he'll pursue the truth, no matter what. This means that if Albert indeed didn't succeed at inventing teleportation, it'll be revealed in court because exposing shams is Ryu's whole deal.

We learn that Van Zieks will be the one to prosecute Albert tomorrow, which is curious to say the least. Ryu wants to know why he'd do something like that, with Iris pointing out that so long as the Reaper is the prosecutor, Albert is doomed. Van Zieks replies that he's a Crown prosecutor and a mortal like any other; he's no demigod. In other words, he doesn't believe the curse to be a real curse. Iris points out that everyone who's been prosecuted by Van Zieks has died (which is already objectively wrong), to which Van Zieks replies that he usually prosecutes the vilest wretches of society.

… Harsh. Ryu points out that Soseki wasn't a vile wretch though, with Iris chiming in that Gina's also turned her life around and she's working very hard now. Van Zieks admits that things have changed ever since meeting Ryu- which of course has to do with Van Zieks's need to face Ryu in court even in mediocre trials rather than pursue his usual corrupted targets- but the point is that if any of those vile wretches died in mysterious circumstances, it was “at the hand of their own kind”, not Van Zieks's. So basically, he believes that they were killed because they were dubious people engaged with dubious activities, not because of the Reaper's curse. Not only that, but ever since the rumors of the Reaper began, the number of serious crimes in London has decreased significantly. Even the most hardened criminals can be made fearful of their lives. Therefore, if his pseudonym of the Reaper can serve a useful purpose, he'll “adopt it gladly and with honour”. Ryu repeats that which he already told Stronghart; that it's putting Van Zieks in danger.

He really is a prosecutor on the edge with nothing to lose, huh. So what Van Zieks is basically saying is that he doesn't care if he dies, so long as he spends the rest of his life serving the 'useful purpose' of carrying the Reaper moniker to intimidate the vilest of society. But is that really all there is to it? (Spoilers: It's not)

There's a bit more talk about the mysterious apprentice here, with Van Zieks explaining the man was placed in his care under Stronghart's orders. He's wearing a mask on Stronghart's orders and also doesn't speak to anyone from outside the office on Stronghart's orders. HM. Van Zieks claims that Stronghart isn't one for “meaningless follies”, therefore he must have a good reason. This implies that Van Zieks believes in Stronghart's judgment almost blindly. To round up the conversation, Van Zieks asks about “that Nipponese man. The one arrested twice in succession six months ago. With the stoop. And the moustache. And the jitters.” Looks super offensive at first glance, but I gotta admit, after six months I wouldn't remember Soseki's name either. Better to describe him than to guess the name and get it wrong. Still though, just because it's not super offensive doesn't mean it's not offensive. Just saying “the one you defended six months ago” would've done the trick. Either way, Ryu says he's doing just fine and a letter from him arrived by post just the other day.

So this is interesting. Earlier, Van Zieks claimed in his own words that he doesn't believe in the curse and those who died had it coming to them, but he's still inquiring after Soseki. Perhaps not so much because he's worried about Soseki himself, but because he's curious whether this man has successfully escaped the curse so far. He would know that for a fact about Gina, but the only way to verify Soseki's status is to ask Ryu about it.

Time to leave this glass cage of exposition and meet the defendant in person! Albert spouts a whole lot of dialogue about how his machine is treated differently depending on whether the case is treated as an accident or as murder. If it's murder, it can be examined up close and that's what Albert doesn't want. It has to be treated as an accident so that it'll be protected from prying eyes through The Special Dispensation for Scientific Equipment Act (wow that's a mouthful). Of course, that's not entirely what we're interested in. Let's ask about his friendship with Van Zieks! Ryu asks what he was like back in his university days and the answer surprises him.

HAH, wonderfully written exchange, this one. Albert goes to describe him as “the little darling of the Van Zieks family, with all its great aristocratic origins”. So Van Zieks has some very noble blood in him. We could've already guessed this from his title of Lord, but apparently it's a bit more serious. I could derail here with wild theories about his family originating from the Netherlands and having migrated to the UK around the time the first king of the Netherlands, Willem I van Oranje Nassau, rose to power in 1813. Willem changed the way nobility works to some degree in the country and not all noble families would've agreed with his way of doing things. But anyway, point is, Van Zieks is a big shot. Albert says that it was kind of a shock to him when he came back to Britain and discovered 'what Van Zieks had become'. He heard that there was 'a very big event' that completely changed Van Zieks after his graduation, but doesn't know what it was because he was already in Germany at the time. So here we have some more traces of that backstory and we have enough pieces to start sticking some things together. We know Van Zieks was once betrayed by a friend and we now know he was a very modest, pleasant gentleman when he was young. Whatever happened must've been very harsh indeed to turn him into such a sour lemon. Either way, Albert doesn't seem to know yet that Van Zieks will be the prosecutor and Ryu doesn't have the heart to tell him.

So let's investigate the crime scene! Here, it's confirmed that Gina Lestrade is indeed just fine and now in training to become a detective with Gregson. Cute! So eventually we get to talk to Gregson about Van Zieks and how he's acquainted with Albert. Gregson is overdramatically shocked to find out that the two of them are old buddies.

Remember when Van Zieks took a five year hiatus and nobody had to mysteriously die from the Reaper's curse? Those were the days, eh Gregson? Now he's even prosecuting his own friends willy-nilly. Gregson states he has no idea what goes on in Van Zieks's head (a sentiment we've heard before in 1-4) and goes on to bring up the newspaper article about Van Zieks being attacked. When told that our good old pal the Reaper is just fine, Gregson utters a very uncomfortable “glad to hear it” which honestly had me wondering whether he'd preferred Van Zieks to die.

Up until a certain someone gets killed and stuffed into a suitcase, I'd reckon. Gregson says that Van Zieks is a top class prosecutor, but not even he can always push the right verdict through. “Sometimes justice can't win.” Gregson explains that naturally, Scotland Yard suspected Van Zieks at first and assumed he was taking matters into his own hands. There was a very thorough investigation and the outcome was that Van Zieks was in no way related to the mysterious deaths. So that's three people now who all insist Van Zieks couldn't possibly have committed the murders. Gregson says he's willing to stake his reputation on it, even. Of course, Gregson would know for sure, wouldn't he? But the narrative is telling us over and over that Van Zieks himself isn't the Reaper, with even Van Zieks himself implying he'd like to know just who the Reaper is. There's a conspiracy happening that Van Zieks is the centerpiece of, with the narrative really pushing the mystery aspect of it. The writers want us to care about the truth of the Reaper for sure.

OOOH that's meta! Ryu, being nosy and overly invested in Van Zieks's life, asks Gregson whether he knows about the 'incident' which changed Van Zieks after graduation.

Okay he clearly knows. Even a first time player can tell from this single reaction that Gregson's lying. The mystery thickens! At the end of the conversation, when Gregson's gone off, Iris recommends asking (S)Holmes about it instead. Safe bet, since (S)Holmes continuously knows more than he's letting on. To the house of wax we go! When asked about it, it's clear that he does know something (and is described as suddenly clamming up), but before he can explain there's a distraction in the form of Madam Tusspells and we have to sit through a mostly-unrelated Joint Reasoning segment. It leads into a conversation about a mass murderer known as the Professor. Ten years ago, there was a series of murders which rocked the capital right around the time Van Zieks graduated from university. Five people were killed before the man was caught and executed. This fifth victim was Klint van Zieks, Barok's older brother.

I really, really dislike this phrasing because Van Zieks was already studying law to begin with. He'd just graduated as a prosecutor; his brother's death had nothing to do with him pursuing that path. Anyway...

OOOH that's meta! So remember way back in the first essay when I said the backstory is optional? Well, here it is. The Great Ace Attorney is going all in for it. It's being tied to the ongoing plot, just as pretty much all the main prosecutor backstories are. Edgeworth's backstory is tied to Von Karma being the final boss, Godot's backstory is tied to the Fey lineage, Klavier's backstory (I say this lightly) is tied to Phoenix's disgrace... Now Van Zieks's story is tied to the serial killer who ruined so many lives a decade ago. And technically, we already have all the puzzle pieces we need for the next twist; we know Van Zieks was betrayed by a Japanese person who was his friend. So really, we can now say with absolutely certainty that the man arrested and executed back then was a Japanese buddy of Van Zieks.

The investigation segment is pretty much over, but the game has one more scene for us. This is something Ryunosuke won't witness, but the scriptwriters deemed it so important that we're ignoring Ryu to focus solely on the two characters involved. And cutting away from our main character is something that usually doesn't happen in Ace Attorney. Even when characters like Phoenix or Ryu are out of commission for whatever reason, a new 'main character' takes over for a second and we see everything from their point of view. I can think of only one other scene viewed without Ryu there, which happened in 1-5 just before Susato had to leave London. So what we have here is a very private moment between Van Zieks and Albert.

AWWW... The scenes in the office were great and all, but this right here is perhaps the most humanizing exchange we'll ever see with Barok. The reason for that, I think, is precisely because Ryu isn't there. He's alone with an old friend now, which means he can let his guard down more than he usually would. Even so, it's worth noting here that he doesn't look directly at Albert. He stands with his back to him the entire time and I'm certain this is intentional, because they could just as easily have rotated him into that sideways view that's often used in dialogue and courtroom scenes. He made his way down to the gaol to speak with his friend after ten long years, but is reluctant to look right at him. The conversation itself feels rather distant as well. Albert is delighted to see Van Zieks, but the sentiment isn't returned vocally. Van Zieks points out that they're meeting again “in prison of all places” and that the court will decide Albert's fate tomorrow. When Van Zieks raises a warning, Albert says he already knows his friend will be prosecuting and doesn't appear bothered at all at first. He does try to raise a question in the form of “Are you really...?”, but ultimately drops it and says that he knows Van Zieks has his best interests at heart. Van Zieks says he wouldn't entrust the trial of his friend to anyone else, and Albert thanks him for that. So my first guess upon taking in that dialogue is that Albert wonders for a brief moment whether Van Zieks really is the Reaper/really is cursed, only to shake it off because he considers the man his friend. Van Zieks seems to know it's risky to prosecute Albert, but deems it more important to handle the case himself than to let someone else do it. This, as we learn later, has to do with the Special Dispensation for Scientific Equipment Act and the protection of Albert's scientific secrets.

Next day, we're at the Old Bailey! In the defendant lobby, Ryu is once again told by Albert that the true goal to aim for in this trial is to protect his scientific hypothesis. So hypothetically speaking, the ideal outcome here would be to prove the death was accidental and that the kinesis was a success at the same time. (S)Holmes and Iris don't believe Albert's theory to be sound though, instead saying it couldn't possibly be done. In the courtroom, Ryu faces off against Van Zieks once more for the first time in six months! The judge is quick to point out that Odie Asman is a name familiar to him; a man who was prosecuted only a month ago by Van Zieks. When he asks whether this death is the work of the Reaper, Van Zieks instead describes it as “divine retribution”, but also “a direct result of the actions of the accused, Professor Albert Harebrayne”. The prosecution asserts that the instantaneous kinesis demonstration was a success. He himself can't say for certain whether it's a sound theory, but it's being investigated by the British government since it was deemed to have potential and the prosecution's case aligns with the notion that there was indeed instantaneous- You know what? Let's just call it teleportation. That's easier to type.

Unfortunately, Van Zieks doesn't want to follow the accident angle. Instead, he outright accuses his old friend of murdering Asman using the totally-functional-teleportation-machine-which-totally-worked to be the sole benefactor of a scientific grant. Harsh. Very harsh. I don't entirely understand why he didn't pursue the accident angle instead, but then, I don't quite know enough about law. My guess is that as the prosecution, he's not allowed to. Scotland Yard found enough evidence at the scene to substantiate a murder plot, especially that damning screwdriver that Ryu so graciously handed to Gregson, so that's what the prosecution has to go with, maybe? It's up to the defense attorney to debunk that down to an accident, then, so in essence Van Zieks is counting on Ryu to 'defeat him' and prove the murder aspect wrong. It would align with the conversation Albert had with Van Zieks in prison, where he said that 'it was a terrible accident and the young Eastern man acting as his defence assured him that he can prove it'.

So speaking of that screwdriver, Albert tries to discredit it himself by saying that if he had stabbed Asman on the stage, there would've been a whole lot of blood. Van Zieks pours himself a glass of wine and 'congratulates' his friend on a good rebuttal.

“Here's to you, Albert!”

Albert laughs it off sheepishly, saying he's nothing compared to “Barok” (awww, first name basis), but a chalice is immediately flung. Van Zieks says Albert neglected to mention one crucial possibility, which is that the lack of blood is explained by the notion that the screwdriver remained in the victim's chest to plug the wound. Therefore, since the demonstration was totally a success, the screwdriver was teleported along with the victim. Ryu thinks to himself that he had no idea the victim had been stabbed and wonders whether Van Zieks kept that information to himself to keep the upper hand on purpose. This whole thing jars me a little, because the screwdriver is brought up relatively early in the trial during the very first cross-examination. Is not mentioning it during the opening statement and waiting for Gregson to bring it up three minutes later really the same as 'keeping it to himself to gain the upper hand'?

Either way, Ryu counters, saying that the screwdriver was found at the stage and therefore didn't teleport at all, with Gregson serving as an official witness to this location. It's pretty clear from the next dialogue that Gregson never told Van Zieks where that screwdriver was found.

“That you contravened the Special Dispensation for Scientific Equipment Act?”

Gregson is immediately up in arms, but it's fine. There was no investigation needed to find a screwdriver lying in plain sight. So now Ryu decides to tighten the screws. He claims that if the prosecution can't explain the inconsistency (the screwdriver being found on the stage but no blood being there so clearly it must've plugged the wound), the testimony is unreliable. Van Zieks doesn't reply and Ryu thinks to himself that he looks stumped, but uh...

He just looks annoyed to me. The person to object next is not Van Zieks, it's Albert. He says that metal can't be teleported with the machine, so it only makes sense the screwdriver stayed behind and there's no inconsistency at all. Van Zieks suggests: “Clearly we should hear the accused's explanation. … Or should I say, this brilliant scientist's explanation?” And I think here in these two sentences we have the crux of the issue. Albert wants to be treated as a legitimate scientist above all else. Even if that means he's branded a murderer, so long as his hypothesis is protected and the confidentiality stands, it makes no difference to him. This was likely discussed with Van Zieks the night before as well. Albert is apparently willing to die for the sake of his scientific principles and... Well. I'm sure Van Zieks can understand. He's willing to die for the sake of serving the Reaper purpose. In a way, this means the defendant and the prosecution are in cahoots together, which is another first in Ace Attorney history. The two of them are fighting to keep the hypothesis of teleportation intact and if Ryu manages to prove that it was an accidental death, then great! Unfortunately, the second that screwdriver was discovered, the chances of that became slim to none. It was murder, plain and simple. On a sidenote, I found this little gem:

I'm counting this as humanization, because the underlying sentiment here is that despite his haughty better-than-thou attitude, Van Zieks is still friends with someone so very scatterbrained, his name is forgotten sometimes. Even Ryu is taken aback by the purity of the friendship.

Heh heh... Time to cause some more havoc by informing the court that Asman's metal-rimmed glasses were still on his face and since Albert already said metal can't be teleported, his hypothesis is a load of tosh. The jurors go up in arms about it, saying the machine should be stripped down and examined. The game gives Ryu the option to either raise an objection or 'wait and see', but this is another one of those fake choices. Waiting and seeing just leads to a bit more dialogue between the jurors before Ryu steps in of his own accord. He says Albert would have no reason to build such an elaborate fake machine and put on a public display for murder, but Van Zieks counters with the very good reason: Money. The jurors are even more outraged, calling him a fake scientist who's only in it for the guineas, and Albert begs them to believe that his science is built upon a sound hypothesis. Van Zieks comes in to 'save the day' (sort of).

“The fact remains that the victim was transported instantly to the Crystal Tower. Which means that the experiment... was a success.”

And I gotta say, this next bit is just very enjoyable to me. The way it's written is so great.

HEH HEH.... Van Zieks has some more witnesses to summon who saw the incident from some 'very special seats', but let's end the essay here for now and pick it back up next time!

#dgs #dgs spoilers #tgaa #tgaa spoilers #barok van zieks

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littl3one · 3 years

Text

winx, in a relationship

winx girls in a relationship - headcanons! bloom, stella, flora, musa, tecna, aisha/layla

bloom

- wouldn’t be the first to confess. like, no. never.

- is pretty committed in a relationship, although she’s quite petty

- bloom is strong, so her s/o wouldn’t have to protect her too much, although she sometimes put on an act to get their attention

- she is a sucker for them and always tries to be their center of attention, because she doesn’t like her s/o to think about other girls or something

- bloom would be one of the most jealous winx club members

- would be very clingy- and she would care for her s/o a very lot

- she wouldn’t want to hide her s/o. like, she would be very proud to be the gf of them and would present their relationship

- bloom would trust them over anything tho and she wouldn’t be ashamed in front of them, like for anything

- spending time with her would be fun and great!!

- she wouldn’t mind doing nothing but eating stuff and laying around, although she would be also happy to do something more exciting

- pretty classy gf

stella

- oh god lord

- she would always dress up for her s/o even if it were the simpliest things you were doing together oof

- she would always want to go shopping or her s/o to rate her outfits

- it would be cool, but she always wants do to something cool and extra with them even if they really weren’t in the mood

- she’s f ing witty-sassy and so sarcastic it’s hilarious

- she always knows how to brighten the mood and she’s always there for her s/o

- she is joking around with her s/o a lot and doesn’t mind them if they’re flirty, as long as they pay enough attention to her

- although, she doesn’t mind them being flirty, she is the most jealous one and tends to throw a fit if she thinks another girl or boy is going too far

- she would call her s/o stuff like: my sun, starshine, babe

- if the two can’t see another often she appreciates at least hearing their voice on a call

- would love to shower them in compliments, but only if they’re being returned

flora

- she’s sooooo cute

- like, her s/o would absolute adore her

- she would love to show them around and tell them facts about certain plants and flowers

- her s/o would probably know so much about nature already because she explains so good her passion is quite contagious

- cuddles are her thing

- or holding hands

- she loves those actions you can do in public without really being ashamed

- she would think of nicknames for her s/o in connection to flowers

- would do everything with them and is so commited

- she would always search for acceptance in them and hates if they’re getting into an argument, which isn’t really happening often

- she would never trade them for anything and everyone notices

musa

- sharing earphones with them is quite her sign of affection

- she would create so many playlist one named: ‘our relationship’ the other would be ‘us’ then ‘our first date’ like oof

- but she would most likely create a playlist for her s/o only

- loves them truly, but is bad at showing it

- pet names are kinda classic like baby or darling

- isn’t very dramatic but also talks her mind, if her s/o does something stupid

- she isn’t very jealous, just when it’s about her music or music in general

- hates to admit when she lost an argument

- but also isn’t the person to get into an argument about everything

- she likes to do simpler things with her s/o, because she doesn’t think it’s very important to do much to have a good time

- cuddling >>>>> kisses

tecna

- your discord chat >>>>

- tecna rambling about her s/o on a random server

- gaming till 4am *heart eyes*

- soo glad to have her s/o doing that stuff with her

- she loves talking to her s/o

- most likely would fall asleep on a call

- hates when she does, but she does

- when they meet, she is down for anything simple

- like sitting, baking, watching a movie or anything like that

- tecna is like a best friend but at the same time a girlfriend

- it’s great and she is the least dramatic in the group as well

- she wouldn’t throw a fit for anything but real shitty stuff so you good as long as you know how to treat a human

layla/aisha

- wow well someone got themselves such a good gf

- she would do anything with her s/o and she lives for going on adventures with them

- it could be the most stupid thing and she would do it

- they would take so stupid pictures

- and everytime something stupid happens, one of them always has it on camera

- they have photoalbums on their phone for themselves and their shit

- it’s filled with about 3031 photos and 203 videos oof rip phonestorage

- they have even social media spam accounts for their bullshit

- it’s hilarious to watch them and to follow them on their social medias

- couple goals

- everyone loves them and wouldn’t think they ever have a reason to break up with another

#winx #winxclub #winx club #winx headcanons #winx club headcanons #winx club writing #winx writing #winx bloom #winx stella #winx flora #winx musa #winx tecna #winx layla #winx aisha

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writtenbynightlock · 3 years

Note

Hi! Idk of request are open rn.. but could you do a hinata x reader angst? Where hinata walks in on kageyama and y/n in a position where it looks like they were cheating. But in reality it was nothing like that at all! So hinata gets very mad and says really hurtful things to them. Then word gets around school and people start to bully y/n and kags. However hinata doesn’t care. He never stood up for y/n. Then due to bullying going to far y/n loves school. That’s when y/ns best friend yams goes up to hinata and shows him the video where in fact they were not cheating. But it’s too late. Hinat already lost her. Sorry if the request is too long btw!!

Misunderstanding | Hinata Shouyou x Reader

Note: Requests are open 💌 Please be informed here

Masterlist

Warning: Timeskip spoilers

Tagging: @shoyosbitchh (thanks for the request love)

“Do I really have to do this?”

“Yes” you answer as you fix Kageyama’s jersey jacket.

“What am I gonna do again?”

“All you have to do is answer my questions. After this segment, I will film you in action with Shoyo. Are we ready, Yama-kun?”

You ask your classmate and the captain of the Karasuno Men’s Volleyball Team, Yamaguchi Tadashi, waiting for his go signal as he was in charge of the camera. You were in your third year in Karasuno High. You are an active member of the journalism club and your specialty is sports writing. You and Hinata have been together since your second year. It all started when you’ve done a coverage of the Karasuno High Men’s Volleyball team ever since the crows were finally taking flight in the Nationals. Pretty much to say you are close with your batchmates involved with the sport which made your job a bit easier.

You were currently working on a special ad for the team that will be on air in the campus as a way to show support and acknowledgement to the seniors who will be having one last fight --- Yamaguchi Tadashi, Tsukishima Kei, Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyou. In thanks to the manager, you will be also adding a special segment to the woman who’s always been there with the crows, Yachi Hitoka.

“Camera is rolling in 3..2..1..”

As Yamaguchi gestures for you to start, you have him a small nod and put on your game face on.

“Hello Karasuno High! The much anticipated Spring Interhigh tournament is fast approaching and our crows will be taking flight once again. With the excitement to the world of volleyball, our players have quite gained quite a few fans. Here I am with the famous King of the Court, the Karasuno Men’s Volleyball Setter, Kageyama Tobio.”

During the interview segment, things went smoothly due to Kageyama being straightforward with his questions much to your relief. You were glad Yamaguchi was also there to help you. Usually, Yachi is the one who helps you with your journalism when it comes to the team but she had a meeting with Takeda sensei, explaining her absence.

After the interview, it was time for you to do the final segment which was getting to film the iconic duo in action. You told Kageyama to change into his volleyball uniform, with the setter obediently following your instruction.

“Thank you so much for helping me, Yama-kun. Your segment yesterday with Tsukki is great too! I’m very excited to edit it.”

Yamaguchi blushed at your compliment, making him scratch the back of his head in a shy manner.

“You’re really making it hard for us to graduate, (Y/N)-san. This will be your last feature too, is it not?”

“Yup”

Yamaguchi smiles as he saw the gleeful expression on your face. He admired your determination in making the video possible as a tribute to them. Yamaguchi’s sense of determination in leading the team to Nationals has boosted but there was one question bugging in his head.

“(Y/N)-kun, you are a sports writer, right? I don’t recall them doing this extent.”

You stopped what you were doing and looked at Yamaguchi, giving him a sincere smile --- your mind instantly filled with the ray of sunshine that is currently in your life.

“You don’t know how proud I am on how far you all have come. You five were part of the flightless crows who worked hard to spread its wings again. You were there when people would underestimate the team but you all proved them wrong, along with our seniors who graduated also. We all keep moving forward and now, you are your juniors senpais, helping them keeping the crows to keep flying. Not only that, I am so proud of Shoyo. He’s one of the main reasons why I’m motivated to do this. I’m always here to support Shoyo and to all of you --- no matter where we go after we graduate.”

After your speech, your eyes widened as you Yamaguchi’s eyes were watery and he was sniffling, making you panic a little.

“Y-Yams, are you okay?”

“Don’t look at me, (Y/N)-kun! That was so beautiful- wait I’ll be right back!” says Yamaguchi as he hurriedly went to the nearest bathroom --- not wanting for you to see him bawl his eyes out. With a soft chuckle, you turned around to see Kageyema already in his attire and was now setting up the net. Deciding to help, you went to him and gave him a hand.

“What do you need?”

“Could you hand me that screw over there?”

With a nod, you went to the tool box, grabbing the screws Kageyama.

“Do you think Shoyo will go far with volleyball?”

You ask out of the blue, avoiding eye contact with Kageyama as you just stared at the net. It’s not that you doubt Shoyo’s skills but it is a scary world out there. There will be people who will look down on him for different reasons. You just worry. You care for him so much. You admired how Hinata was able to use the mean comments against him as his motivation for him to improve his skills. His positivity and bubbly personality is contagious. He never fails to make you smile when you’re feeling down.

As Kageyama finished the net, he gave you a smirk.

“If that dumbass doesn’t slack, he will. If he does, I’m definitely getting ahead of him.”

A grin made its way on your face. What more could you expect from Hinata’s partner in the court?

As the two of you waited for Hinata and Yamaguchi to come, you and Kageyama had talked a bit about college plans. As the two of you converse, you suddenly noticed something crawling on Kageyama’s jersey shirt.

“Kageyama-kun, there’s something on your shoulder” you say, pointing at it. At first Kageyama was confused to what you meant but when he finally took a look at it, it was spider --- making his eyes widen and panic, letting out a manly shriek.

Kageyama was all over the place, jumping and swatting it away --- to the point where he tried to take the shirt off.

“Kageyama, calm down!”

“It’s on your head!”

“It’s back on your shirt!”

Kageyama felt chills, the hairs on his skin rising as he felt it crawling the back of his neck. The next thing you knew, with Kageyama’s head covered with the shirt that was taken off midway his arms, the setter stumbled onto you, making the both of you fall on the ground with Kageyama on top. Your eyes widen at how close your and Kageyama’s faces are, the setter not able to take in what just happened.

“Get off!”

“Can you help me put my shirt back on? I-if you don’t mind. My hands are sort of restricted” says Kageyama, pointing out that his arms were trapped in the sleeve holes. You sigh and grabbed the hem of his jersey shirt, attempting to pull it down back but the both of you suddenly heard the gym doors open.

“(Y/N)?!”

Hearing an all too familiar voice, you quickly shove Kageyama off of you, sitting up from your spot to see Hinata who froze by the gym doors as he stares at you and Kageyama with wide eyes, his heart beating so fast in his chest.

“W-were you cheating on me?!”

“No baby! It was just an accident-”

“An accident?! It looked like you were taking off his shirt! I can’t believe you’re cheating on me with Bakageyama!”

“No, Shoyo! It definitely doesn’t look what it looks like at all!”

“I trusted you, (Y/N)!”

Tears were starting to form in your eyes, getting a bit angry and frustrated that Hinata wasn’t letting you explain your side. Kageyama noticed this and decided to step in --- defending the both of you.

“Boke, Hinata, boke! Why would I even do that to your girlfriend?! Let us explain what happen-”

“No! I’m so hurt, (Y/N)-chan! You’re the first girl ever that made me really happy but this is how you treat me? Is it because I’m not tall enough?! Is this how you repay my loyalty to you? You’re so heartless! You seem so faithful to me but behind my back, you’re a different person.”

“S-Shoyo-”

“Don’t call me that anymore. I don’t want to see you anymore. We’re done.”

With that, Hinata left the gym, leaving you and Kageyama all alone. You wanted to run after him but you lost your strength and collapsed on the floor, your gaze lingering at the gym doors, tears rolling down your cheeks.

Kageyama panicked a little, not knowing how to comfort you but he just stood beside you and patted your head as you were hugging your figure, too hurt by Hinata’s words.

“That dumbass doesn’t know how to listen.”

“What am I gonna do, Kageyama-kun?”

Kageyama glances at you, a frown on his face. He knows how much you care for Hinata. He can’t help but feel frustrated also being in your position. He also felt bad to what just happened.

“I’m sorry-”

“Don’t apologize, Kageyama. You did nothing wrong. Hinata just misunderstood.”

“That runt will regret for letting you go. I mean, who else could keep up with him?”

As you wiped your tears, you stood up and grabbed your things, heading towards the gym doors.

“I think we’ll call it a day. I’ll message Yams that our filming is finished. I’ll just ask another sports writer to cover you and Hinata’s segment. I don’t think I can face him for awhile.”

Kageyama frowns as he saw your eyes tearing up again but he just nodded, not wanting to press any buttons even further.

“Okay. Get home safely.”

With a sigh, you left the gym heading home, feeling all too drained and hurt. You can’t believe Hinata was able to say those hurtful words to you. In attempts on calling him while walking home, you let out a frustrated groan as he already blocked your number.

“Oh Shoyo. It was all just a misunderstanding.”

Days had passed ever since the incident and break up with Hinata. Word got around fast. You and Kageyama had been the talk of the town as cheaters, making you lose your appetite. People were sending you dirty stares for even daring to cheat on such a pure soul.

There was one time when you ate at the school cafeteria with Yamaguchi and Tsukishima and a group of girls suddenly went to your table, snickering at you and called you a slut. Between Yamaguchi and Tsukishima, it was Yamaguchi who was full on beast mode, defending you.

“Don’t waste your time with these fools, Yamaguchi. They just don’t know how to mind their own business” says Tsukishima as he shakes his head in annoyance. You told Yachi, Yamaguchi and Tsukishima the whole thing. Yachi felt really bad at what happened. She was the one also who keeps comforting Hinata. Tsukishima was in charge of breaking apart Kageyama and Hinata whenever the two started to argue, much to his dismay but he just wants the team to be peaceful and focus on their practices and official games.

Not wanting to eat anymore, you grab your bag and stood up, making Yamaguchi and Tsukishima look at you with worry.

“Where are you going, (Y/N)-san?”

“I’m just gonna go get a breather. I’m not that hungry anyway. See you later” you say with a solemn look on your face then left the cafeteria.

“What are we gonna do, Tsukki?”

“I don’t know. Don’t involve me in their quarrels. It’s tiring.”

Yamaguchi sighs but then he remembers that he left his camera in the gyms while he was in the bathroom. When he returned to the gym, his camera was already battery drained. In hopes to resolve this mess, Yamaguchi checks the contents to see of the camera was still rolling. Much to his relief, it apparently recorded the whole thing. He immediately showed this to Hinata, finally clearing all the misunderstanding.

Hinata regretted on how he acted. He felt his heart breaking even more. He needs to apologize for his wrong doings but it was too late. The twinkle in your eyes as you see him weren’t there anymore. His words really hurt you and you’ll have a difficult time in trusting him again. The bullying around the school made you feel even more damaged.

You told Hinata its best to cool off from the relationship. You needed space. You need to focus on yourself now. You just wanted to forget the words that come out from his mouth.

It was over.

Hinata Shoyo. You were my sunshine, my only sunshine. You made me happy when skies are gray --- but now, the skies weep with me.

#hinata #hinata x reader #hinata shōyō #hq shoyo #shoyo hinata x reader #haikyuu!!#haikyuu #haikyuu imagine #haikyuu angst #shoyo hinata angst #hinata shoyo angst #hq x reader #hq angst #haikyuu scenarios #hinata shouyo imagine #hinata shouyou #shouyouhinata #hq oneshots #haikyuu oneshot

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elisaphoenix13 · 3 years

Text

Road Trip (Ch.2)

All it took was one sign. One sign to get his kids to talk over each other and beg Tony to take the next exit to the county festival and that's what he did. What was the sign? The top part of a ferris wheel. That he didn't even see until he drove another mile. The excitement was so contagious that even Lucy squealed happily and Tony really had no choice after that. It was a good excuse to get out of the car and spend some time doing something else besides getting uncomfortable in a cramped car.

He just knew the kids would be getting back in the car later with too much sugar in their systems. Tony doubted Stephen would stop them as long as they didn't consume enough to give themselves stomach aches. The second he parked, the older kids started unbuckling and climbing out of the car to stretch and let Athena out.

"Hey, hey, it's not going anywhere you guys." Tony says as he turns off the car.

"It's not that." Thomas makes a face.

"I think Lucy got a little too excited." Cassie laughs and Tony sniffs.

Oh yeah. The car didn't smell like that five minutes ago.

"Oh dolcezza. You are your mother's daughter." Tony sighs.

"Excuse you?!" Stephen says as the kids cackle.

"You know I'm kidding. I'll change her." Tony laughs as he gets out of the car and walks around to join the kids at the side door.

"You wouldn't have had a choice." Stephen grumbles, getting out and taking the wallet Tony hands over to him. "I'll go buy the tickets."

As Stephen walks away, Athena dutifully follows him, and Tony digs Lucy out of her car seat after laying down the portable changing pad on the floor of the car. Diana and Valerie had climbed out beforehand and went to stand with either Cassie or William and from what he could catch from Diana's excited rambling, she already had plans on what she wanted to do. The kids would probably split up a little but he knew Diana and Valerie would be safely supervised so he wasn't worried about losing any kids. Tony was still a little surprised that Valerie was okay with the idea of staying with William, but it was good. Her attachment to the younger twin was (very) slowly helping her not rely on Stephen's presence which would be extremely helpful when she was old enough for school.

Tony had a feeling Diana and Val would eventually be pawned off on Tony and Stephen so the teens could do their own thing without having to worry.

"Okay, Lulu." Tony says as he picks up the freshly diapered infant and holds her against his shoulder. "Let's go find a trash can to dispose of your biological warfare."

"There's one by the entrance." Stephen says as he approaches them again and holds out the tickets and some money for each of them. "Don't give yourself stomach aches and keep an eye on your sisters. We'll get together for lunch around 2."

"Thanks Mom!" Harley says and the kids grab their tickets.

All except Valerie who looked confused when Stephen didn't have one for her.

"You don't need one darling." Stephen says with a smile. "You get to go in for free. Are you going to be with William?"

"Yes Mama."

"Okay. Be good for him."

"She always is." William says and picks up the toddler. "Come on. We'll go see if they have face painting."

Tony chuckles as the kids take off, shouldering the diaper bag before closing and locking up the car. He and Stephen head for the entrance as well, and only then does he notice Athena with her service vest on. Probably a good idea. It was unlikely pets were allowed, but they weren't going to leave her in the car, so the vest would let her in with no questions asked. She was legally licensed as a service animal anyway. With how much their family had gone through, anxiety and PTSD were unfortunately a part of their lives. At the very least.

But they had a good handle on that so the worst case scenario would be that they really did lose a kid in the chaos, and Athena would be able to sniff them out.

"I need to dispose of the evidence." Tony reminds Stephen, and the sorcerer chuckles.

"Right over there." Stephen motions with his hand, and waits for Tony to come back before saying, "we probably should have all put some sunscreen on."

"I think there's some in the diaper bag. We'll snatch the kids as we see them and apply it with a mop."

Stephen snorts. "I think we should ban Lilo and Stitch for a while. There have been too many references."

"What are you talking about?" Tony asks.

"Stupid head, Pudge, applying sunscreen with a mop--" Stephen says while ticking off his fingers.

"Two of those were Diana." Tony points out.

Stephen chuckles as they walk through the front gates of the fair and they both kind of reel back from the amount of noise they walk into. Even with seven kids and living in New York, some things just couldn't fully prepare them for the variety of noises the fair had. Carnival rides, kids screaming, those people at the rigged games trying to attract a sucker out of their allowance...and it all fascinated Lucy. Well, her fascinated look consisted of looking over Tony's shoulder while drooling on it, but she was unbothered. Not even the sudden noises startled her. She did have six older siblings that were pretty noisy.

"Just a second." Stephen suddenly says and Tony rolls his eyes when the sorcerer seems to grab Thomas out of thin air. "Sunscreen please."

"I'm too fast to get sunburned." Thomas says.

"Did you get that idea from Pietro? That's not how it works." Stephen huffs and takes the diaper bag from Tony to place it on a nearby empty table and dig out the sunscreen.

A full thing of it to Tony's surprise. Though he probably shouldn't have been. Stephen was on top of things like that and it still amazed him that the sorcerer could keep up with that kind of stuff. Stephen really was a mom...or maybe his eidetic memory had a hand in it? Maybe both.

"Thank you." Stephen says once Thomas is finished. "Send your brothers and sisters our way if you see them."

"Okay, okay!" And Thomas was gone in a flash.

"You know, just last year, he and William would have cowered at the thought of sassing you." Tony says as he sits down at the table.

"I'm glad that's not the case anymore." Stephen says as he squirts some sunscreen into his hands, then starts applying it to Lucy. "Can you get her hat out of the bag?"

"Yup."

Tony grabs the bag, doing his best to dig through it with one hand, and finally gets his hand on a yellow sun hat with bears. He immediately places it on Lucy's head and helps rub in the rest of the sunscreen on her face.

"I don't remember buying the hat."

"That's because it's from Pepper." Stephen says.

"When did she give it to us?" Tony asks, kissing Lucy's cheek when she's properly protected from harmful sun rays.

"I think you were in the lab with Thomas figuring out something with his suit."

"Oh yeah."

It took a little while, but they eventually got a hold of all of their kids to apply the needed sunscreen, William and Valerie surprisingly being the last. As William promised, they had found a face painting stand and now the little girl's cheek had a group of stars on it. William even helped carefully apply the sunscreen so it wouldn't ruin the paint but she would still be protected, and then they were off again. It really made Tony and Stephen happy to see a teenager willing to spend time with a two year old for so long. But then again, Valerie was almost always so well behaved and adored William almost as much as her mother. Tony wondered if Lucy would follow one if the older kids like a duckling when she was a little older too.

"Tony!" Stephen exclaims. "Don't give her that!"

Tony looks at Stephen and smiles. He had gotten up to buy some cotton candy and came back, giving Lucy a tiny piece. No bigger than the nail on his pinky finger. Of course she loved it and opened her mouth for more…and of course Tony obliged her.

"It won't hurt her. It'll dissolve and I'm not giving her anymore." Tony brushes him off and holds out the cotton candy to Stephen.

"What are we going to do about lunch?" The sorcerer sighs.

"Uh... the closest thing to healthy I've seen were burgers or corn dogs." Tony replies, looking around.

Stephen grimaces. "Not the greatest choices but the kids won't want to leave to find a diner."

Tony snorts. "They'll be fine."

"Hey, Mom!" Peter walks over with an enormous teddy bear and sets it on the bench next to Stephen, with Cassie and Diana close behind. "Got you something."

"Are you taking lessons from your father? I heard about the rabbit from Pepper." Stephen rolls his eyes.

"I'm kidding. Lucy can have it." Peter laughs and leans over the table to grab the baby's foot. "She doesn't have one yet right?"

"If that thing falls in her, we'll never find her." Tony says as the other four kids finally join them, and he hands his wallet to Peter. "Hamburgers or corn dogs. That's what you guys have to choose from."

"Hamburger." All of the kids say in unison and Peter shrugs.

"Makes that easier for me."

He kisses Cassie's cheek as he turns and grabs Thomas's wrist to drag him along to help, and the rest of them sit down and wait once Harley and Cassie pull a second picnic table closer. Peter knew how everyone liked their burger so their lunch arrived pretty quickly without Thomas running it over. Both boys came back with their arms full of burgers and then made a second trip to bring cups of lemonade for everyone. They ate their lunch with loud conversation to be heard over the noise of the fair, and then when they were finished, the older kids (sans Thomas) took off again to do their own thing. Diana was content to hit the games with Thomas for a little while, and Valerie was happy to stay with her parents and sister.

"You've got some ketchup." Stephen mumbles and wipes Valerie's cheek with a napkin. The unpainted one. "How's your hamburger?"

"Yummy."

"Did you have fun with William?"

"Uh-huh. Took me up there!" She points at the ferris wheel.

Stephen and Tony smile as the sorcerer digs out Athena's bowl and places it on the ground before filling it up with some water Harley had gotten from a food stand before he left with William. Of course they had fed her too, but Stephen had to discreetly retrieve her meal through one of his gateways since there wasn't a good chance of finding some decent meat at the fair. Stephen sort of spoiled his wolf.

"We'll give them a couple more hours to enjoy the fair before we hit the road." Tony says. "We need to find a place to stay the night."

"There's a hotel in town. We can let the kids stay until they're either ready to go or it starts to get dark." Stephen says.

"It'll give them time to digest all the crap they ate today, I guess." Tony nods. "Works for me."

"Maybe we'll find somewhere decent to eat for dinner. Some place that sells salad." Stephen says and Tony laughs.

"Sweating grease over there Duchess?"

"I feel disgusting."

"You get first dibs on the shower." Tony cackles. "No matter how many rooms we end up with."

"Watching the kids eat those hamburgers…" Stephen rubs his eyes. "I need to eat five salads."

"Might as well get one of those deep fried Snickers bars then."

"They have that and you're telling me now?!"

Tony laughs again when Stephen gets up from the picnic bench to go searching for a stand that made his chocolate treat. They were at the fair so it only made sense to join in on eating ridiculous amounts of junk that would possibly clog their arteries and make up for it later with salad for dinner.

"Get me one too!" Tony calls after him.

#stephen strange #ironstrange #supremefamily #tony stark #mama bear stephen strange #mama bear au

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remuswriting · 4 years

Text

next to you; u. keishin

Summary: Keishin Ukai wants to play with Y/N L/N no matter how hard he has to work for it.

Pairings: Keishin Ukai x Male! Reader

Warnings: Swearing and fighting

Word Count: 4,571

Notes: I’m not sure if what this is in terms of angst or fluff. I just wanted Ukai to get some more love, so I wrote him to be in high school. Like all my other things, I’m going to add that I’m new to writing reader inserts, so they may not be all that good.

*****

Y/N always glided down the court as if he could fly, and everyone watched him in awe. He was beautiful with the way he played, because he made everyone else feel so alive that they couldn’t help but want to grow as players or maybe even join volleyball. The ace should do that though, he should motivate others to thrive.

“Give it to me, Koichi-san!” Y/N called out, and the setter set it perfectly to where the h/c haired boy seemed to be flying. It the ball smashed into the ground, no blockers being able to touch it, and he grinned over at the setter. “Hell yeah!”

Keishin watched him from the sideline in awe, like he always did. The boy who flew around the court was something the buzzcut boy wished he could have. Whether it be in volleyball or in friendship or in love; he wished he could have him. Y/N’s smile brightened up the court, and everyone seemed to get even more motivated to do their best.

“I wish I could just play in a game so I can play with L/N-san,” Takinoue said, and some of the players around him agreed.

“He forces everyone to play harder,” Tamura said with a slight sigh. “It could be kind of exhausting to keep up with him.”

“Wouldn’t that be the thrill of it all?” Takinoue asked, excitement slightly in his voice. “You get to see how hard you can actually fight, because he will make you fight.”

Even though Keishin didn’t say anything, he agreed with his friend. Y/N forced people to fight on his level, because when everyone was with him; Karasuno was unstoppable. He had heard his grandfather say how it almost like a miracle to get the outside hitter, because no one flew like he did.

“Don’t give up now!” Y/N screamed at a player that Keishin couldn’t distinguished. There were five other people besides the spiker, so it was hard to realize who was being scolded. “When we win, then you can give up, okay?”

For a second year, the h/c haired boy acted more like the captain than the actual captain. When he looked over at the sidelines, e/c eyes catching Keishin’s brown ones, the setter felt a chill run down his back; the look in his eye could nearly be considered murderous.

Sometimes everyone wondered if Y/N would murder someone to win, and their coach once said it showed that at least someone was dedicated. Even if people knew this, they still wanted to play next to the h/c haired boy to feel the adrenaline he gave.

*****

It was a Friday when Y/N sought out Keishin during lunch. His hands were on his knees as he panted as if he had just ran a marathon. When he looked up at the buzzcut boy, Ukai was sure he would never forget the look in his eyes; desperate and hungry for something that would take the setter a while to fully understand.

“Set to me,” Y/N said as he stood up to look at the other in the eye. “I want to see how high I can fly with you.”

Keishin had been working hard, had even been complimented by his grandfather (who had even once said the only thing he hated was grandson) and everyone had been seeking him out to practice with. He just never expected their beloved ace to be so determined to practice with him as well.

“What if I’m not as good as Fujii-san?” He asked, and the outside hitter chuckled as he shook his head.

“Doesn’t matter who’s better; matters who makes it feel right.”

Ukai had been a spiker once, because he had to be, but it never appealed to him. He didn’t have the same rush that he hot when he saw someone perfectly spike the ball he set.

He noticed how Y/N’s eyes shined as if he had won the lottery every time he spiked one of the setter’s sets. His smile was always so big and contagious that the buzzcut boy found himself smiling too.

“Again,” Y/N demanded, something he did a lot. “Make me fly higher, Keishin.”

“Okay, L/N-san,” he said, his cheeks bright red and the spiker grinned at him as if he had been invited to be on the National Men’s Volleyball Team.

“Call me Y/N.” The spiker chuckled slightly. “It’s only fair, right?”

“Yeah, it’s only fair,” Keishin breathed out. “Now let’s make you fly higher.”

*****

Keishin wasn’t exactly the person who was used to setting to Y/N during practice matches. The beloved ace had been paired up with Fujii since their first year, because they could do attacks that the buzzcut setter could only wish of doing. When he did become used to setting to him during practice matches, they became unstoppable.

He’d watch Y/N stare at his red palm after a particularly strong spike before he’d clench his fist and look up at the setter. His eyes were desperate and hungry like the first time he had asked the other to set to him. Keishin felt so much pride that he never wanted any of it to end. He wanted to stay on the court with Y/N.

“You give Koichi-san a run for his money at times,” Y/N said as they took a break, only for the setter stared at him in confusement only for the h/c haired boy to chuckle slightly. “Don’t look at me like that and just take the compliment.”

Coach Ukai noticed the obvious connection between the two and moved Keishin to be a starter who was switching in and out with Fujii in games. The ginger always glared at the other, because everyone wanted to fight with Y/N, even if they never said. Or even refused to admit it.

“Don’t try to make a move on him,” Fujii said when the two setters were in the club room alone. Keishin wasn’t exactly sure what he meant by the statement. “It’s easy to get caught up in the way he acts when he’s on the court, but he doesn’t give a damn off it.”

“Why do you care what I do and what I don’t do?” Keishin asked as he stared over at the other, who gave him with an annoyed look.

“We all keep getting our hearts broken by him,” the ginger said as he ruffled his hair slightly. “We get our hearts broken without even realizing we were in love with him.”

The buzzcut boy froze, because he wasn’t in love with the h/c haired spiker. Admiration and love were two separate things, and he definitely wasn’t in love with L/N. The silence was filled by Fujii chuckling at the other.

“Don’t worry, you’ll realize it soon enough.” The other setter patted Keishin’s shoulder firmly. “You never know, he could fall in love with you too. He’s quite unpredictable.”

Keishin didn’t process Fujii leaving and that he was alone in the club room. He stared at his cubby with a frightened expression. He couldn’t be in love with Karasuno’s ace, because he was straight; they were both straight. There was that feeling he got in his stomach when they shared smiles after a particularly good spike. Or the way his heart clenched whenever Y/N wanted to eat lunch with him, especially when the spiker took him to the roof because “it’s the best place to eat obviously.”

He wasn’t in love with him and Y/N wasn’t going to be able to break his heart.

****

Keishin was taken off the court during a practice match, but this time it wasn’t like their temporary switch outs they had been doing. His grandfather had a stern look on his face, one that the buzzcut boy had only seen him give to other people when he gently scolded them.

“Keishin,” his grandfather started, and their male manager looked scared. “What’s wrong with you today?”

“What do you mean?” The setter asked, because he really didn’t know. He felt fine, and all of his sets to the spikers were fairly solid.

“You’re not able to keep up with L/N,” coach said calmly, which made it even scarier. “He demands his setter to reach his breaking point faster than he reaches his. You’re too close to yours and we’re barely halfway through the first set, so you started to falter.”

His grandfather could be right, probably actually was, but Keishin had no idea. Maybe he had started to be more cautious because the spiker had been feeling good today. When he felt good, the entire team was required to feel good too; it was how they won.

“Sorry, sir.”

“You’re out for the rest of the match,” Coach Ukai said, his grandson gritting his teeth at the statement. “Go watch Fujii and see how he’s able to keep up with L/N.”

When he went to where the rest of the benchwarmers were, they all looked at him so confused. He always sat on the bench next to their coach and manager. They all let him go behind them, crouch down, and watched him muffle a scream into his hand. He deserved to be on the court, even if he apparently couldn’t keep up with the spiker right now. Keishin would fight harder if it meant he could be on the same court as the other boy.

“Hey, you okay dude?” Takinoue asked as he approached him, and it seemed like he was the only one confident enough to do so.

“I’ve been taken out for the entire game,” Keishin said, and his voice sounded so at ease but his body language was so aggressive. The bleach blonde middle blocker gave him a look of understanding.

“You won’t be fighting next to L/N-san,” the middle blocker said. “You’re used to him by your side, hitting every set you do.”

The buzzcut boy didn’t make a comment, because he didn’t know what to say. It was true that it fucking sucked to not be on the court with Y/N, but it was more than that at the same time. He had started to work so hard to keep up with him; volleyball and school was all that he was he did so he could stay on the court. Was that what he was supposed to say? Was he supposed to admit that he wanted to be next to the outside hitter so badly that it killed him to have to sit out.

“Koichi, stop throwing the ball so fucking high!” Y/N screamed, causing everyone to look over at him as he got into the other’s face. “Just do it how Keishin does it, because I can actually hit it.”

“You hit that one though!” Koichi screamed back. “So, stop acting like you can’t.”

Coach Ukai had to call for a timeout and L/N refused to calm down. He screamed about how tired he was of Koichi trying to dictate how every spiker should play when they all weren’t the same person.

“Stop bitching and just hit the damn ball,” Koichi snapped, and the h/c haired boy looked over at him with a murderous expression.

“If we weren’t doing a match right now, I would’ve fucking decked you already.”

“Calm down right now, you two!” Coach Ukai yelled, and the two boys immediately became quiet. “Do I need to bench you, Y/N? Or are you going to behave?”

E/C eyes looked down at the ground before they looked back up at the older man. They held anger, resentment, and something else that no one knew what it was. Keishin knew the ace just wanted to play; wanted to win. He had told him that, confessed how he knew what he wanted to do on the court and he would fight until he no longer could to get there.

“Sorry, coach,” Y/N said softly. “I’ll calm down.”

He had to put his anger and preference aside so he could keep fighting; keep being on the court. When the timeout was over, L/N became a different person on the court. He encouraged Koichi and the rest of the players on a new level.

“He just wants to stay on the court and fight.”

****

Keishin found Y/N practicing in the gym alone every night after practice. The setter had been made the person to kick the ace out, because everyone said he had a way to get L/N to listen. He was fine with making the other second year leave, but no one realized that.

His brown eyes followed the spiker as he did jump serves, determined to make them service aces. Y/N was always growing and the setter wondered if he would ever stop. Part of him couldn’t actually comprehend the idea of the outside hitter not being able to improve when all he ever saw was him improving.

“Oh, Keishin, it must be time for me to leave if you’re here,” the h/c haired boy said with a sigh and a nervous smile. He never acted like this before, so what was going on?

“I can give you a couple more minutes if you’d like,” Keishin said as he leaned against the gym wall. “I’d join you, but I’m pretty exhausted after today’s practice.”

They had to run up the mountain near the school, because their endurance wasn’t good enough according to his grandfather’s opinion. Somehow the spiker in front of him didn’t seem to be tired in the slightest, and he was jealous of the energy he had.

“I’m done, so don’t worry,” Y/N said as he put the volleyball he had using. “It must be annoying for you to come get every night.”

“Well, you wouldn’t be our ace if you didn’t practice like you do.” Keishin paused as he looked from the floor to his teammate. “I don’t find it annoying; if I did, then I’d make someone else come get you.”

“Then why have you been acting like you no longer want to be on the same court as me?” The h/c haired volleyball player asked with a tilt of his head. “You even got yourself benched at the last practice match. Do you want to be a bench warmer again?”

Keishin didn’t move or talk, because he didn’t think the other would read so much into this. It made sense for him too, because Y/N had always been the person to somehow read people fairly well but let them still have their secrets. The setter wondered if maybe the other knew he was starting to fall for him. There was no beautiful explanation as to why, but just the fact it felt good to be near the other and he liked how the spiker laughed as well.

“Is it true you keep breaking our teammates hearts?” Keishin finally asking the question he had wanted to for weeks. Koichi’s words had clung to him as if they were clothes soaked by the rain.

“I wasn’t aware of doing that, so it must be unintentional if I was doing it,” Y/N said, his voice casual but eyes held a kind of vulnerability that scared the setter. “Only one person has confessed to me, so I guess I’ll take credit for that one. Is there a reason why you’re asking?”

“Someone warned me you’re too different off the court to actually fall in love,” The buzzcut boy said, and e/c eyes trailed his face as if he was searching for honesty in his features.

“I guess you could say I am two different people; one person on the court and another person off the court, but you need to be when it comes to sports,” Y/N said before he sighed, obviously not enjoying the conversation.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, on the court, I know what I want and how I’m going to get it, but it’s different off the court because life isn’t made up of certain plays and combo attacks.” The ace walked over to the other to lean on the wall next to him. “I also don’t demand attention like I do on the court. I don’t want to be seen unless there’s a volleyball in my hand.”

“Is that why you break hearts? You don’t know what you want off the court, so you don’t know you want them,” Keishin said as he turned to face the other and noticed how there was little space between them. Maybe a foot, but that seemed so small when Y/N was next to you.

“I imagine I break hearts because I don’t want them,” Y/N said as he chuckled softly. “I know what I want, but I don’t have a play on how to get him to really notice me. It’s different when someone sees me as the person I am on the court, but not as the one I am normally.”

“You shouldn’t need a play to get him to notice you. You are kind of hard to miss.”

Y/N pouted as he pushed at the other’s shoulder. Blush covered his cheeks and Keishin wanted to laugh. He wanted to laugh because Koichi had probably wanted at this at some point, but never did. Or at least never had according to the setter’s knowledge.

“Are you insulting me, Keishin?” The spiker asked, his pout only growing more and more.

“No, it’s a compliment, dumbass,” the setter said, only to get another shove at his shoulder from the nickname. “Sorry, let me say it again; it’s a compliment.”

“Well, if you keep complimenting me, I’m going to fall more in love with you.” The buzzcut student choked slightly at the comment. This was actually unexpected. “That was a bit forward, sorry. I guess this is a confession, even though you most likely don’t like me the same.”

“No, I do like you,” Keishin said as he scratched his neck and looked away from the other, not sure what to say. “It’s just kind of weird to like guys, since you’re the first one I’ve ever liked.”

“That’s okay, I’d never force you to do anything you don’t want to,” L/N said, and even though the younger Ukai didn’t know if he believed him.

You force me to my limit every time we play together. You force everyone to play as hard as you do, even though all of us struggle to. Even though you know you demand attention on the court, do you know how much?

“Fujii told me I was useless to you now because I had been taken off the court,” Keishin said as he looked back at the other. “Told me that it was just heartbreak waiting to happen.”

The buzzcut boy had partly agreed with the ginger setter. Y/N had always seemed like the kind of person who refused to play with someone who wasn’t valuable to the team. He had acted like that with Keishin for the last year and a half, so why wouldn’t he act like that again?

“Koichi is just mad I rejected him as a setter and a boyfriend, so don’t listen to him,” the other said as he tilted his head to touch the gym wall. “Tell me, what do you want to do? About this, not anything else because this is the topic at hand.”

The setter chuckled at how the other clarified, obviously nervous. He wasn’t sure if he had ever seen the other nervous, because Y/N was always confident in everything he was doing. Or that he had seen. The spiker always gave his all and it made him seem like he was overflowing with confidence.

“I’m not sure,” Ukai said softly. “What are our options.”

Well, there’s dating or just being friends. I’m fine with either. Whatever makes you comfortable.”

Maybe Y/N really was different off the court, even though he had slightly already known that. Eating lunch every day with someone for two months made it obvious who they really were, even if it was just barely. It was so weird to think he wanted others to be comfortable when he was the person who forced others to do what he wanted.

“We can date,” Keishin said slowly. “I just don’t know if I want to be public about it.”

Y/N reached out and touched his shoulder, comforting him, and smiled at him.

“That’s fine,” he said, his smile so soft Ukai could feel it as if a feather touched him so delicately. “We can work up to it, okay?”

“Okay.”

Y/N dropped his hand and walked away before he turned to the other and clapped his hands. He then grabbed the container holding the volleyballs with an expectant look. The setter walked over to him and helped him put them all up.

“Let’s leave now,” the outside hitter told him, and he nodded before he grabbed the other’s hand for a moment before dropping this.

He was dating the ace of Karasuno and it was kind of crazy to him.

*****

It was 5 am when Keishin gets a call, and he grumbled slightly until he saw the caller ID. He ran a hand through his bleached hair, shocked at seeing the name on his phone. The coach answered it, realizing it won’t answer itself.

“Hello,” he said, voice groggy and rough from being woken up. There was rustling on the other side of line.

“Shit, I woke you up didn’t I?”

“Yeah, but I needed to wake up soon anyways,” Keishin said, wishing he could see the person calling him. It had been years since they had seen each other, and the blonde missed the other.

“If you say so. I didn’t mean to though; I just forget Japan and the United Kingdom have different time zones.” A chuckle from the man on the other side of the line filled the coach’s ears. “I do have a reason why I called though, but I can call later if you want me to.”

Part of the blonde setter wanted to tell the other to call him later, because that meant he would get to hear his voice even more than he would if he didn’t. That was stupid, because he imagined the other had things to do most likely.

“No, it’s okay, Y/N,” Ukai said, the name felt weird to say since it had been so long.

“I found out through Yukinari that you’re the new coach of Karasuno,” Y/N said, and his voice seemed awkward, but it was probably because he lived in London now. “Were you planning on never telling me?”

“I was conned into it by the brat players,” Keishin said, and he knew that he was starting to love coaching the Karasuno team. “You never told me you finally published your novel.”

“My novel doesn’t mean shit compared to Karasuno going to nationals.” More rustling on the Y/N’s side, making the blonde wonder what he was doing. “Also, those first year’s quick attack is fucking insane.”

“You’ve seen our matches?” Ukai asked, not hiding the shock in his voice and the old outside hitter laugh slightly.

“Of course, I have. Makoto downloads the recordings they take at the tournaments and emails them to me.” More rustling and a sigh. “Katherine, I’m on the phone. Stop rolling around my bed. Sorry, my roommate is annoying.”

The rustling had been from Y/N’s roommate though. The old setter smiled, remembering how annoyed the other would get whenever he got on his bed. Always told him that his bed was a place for sleep and homework, not moving all over the place.

“No worries. So, you like our freak duo? Anything else the beloved ace likes from Karasuno’s national qualifying team.”

“Your ace, I think it’s Asahi, is crazy powerful. I wish I had been powerful like him. Also, that captain of yours holds the ground down so well, your grandfather would’ve loved him on his team. He would’ve loved all of them, especially your libero.”

Ukai wanted to say how it was the team that would’ve been able to keep up with Y/N; the team he deserved. He wanted to tell him how he had been so much more powerful than Asahi may ever be, but the other would only ever deny that. He denied every compliment after his ACL injury that took him out from the second half of their first set to the rest of the year. They lost and his grandfather always said it was because none of them had the drive or fire to compete without the injured outside hitter.

“I’m going to come to nationals,” Y/N said and it made Keishin choke on his own salvia. The h/c boy had been in Japan for nearly 10 years now after he moved to the United Kingdom to study abroad and then never came back. “Is that okay?”

“Of course!” Ukai exclaimed a little too loudly, excitement getting the best of him. “Maybe you could show them a few things.”

“I can try, but I’m really rusty. I’ll be in Japan for two weeks though. I can get work done there too, so it’s not a problem.” Y/N chuckled softly and Keishin could basically see him shaking his head. “I’ll also get to see you, so that’s a plus.”

Even after their breakup in their third year, Y/N was always flirty and somewhat affectionate with him. The blonde man assumed it was because the other didn’t want to actually breakup but being around someone so into volleyball when he couldn’t be was something that he just wasn’t able to do. Instead he had started writing, forced his ex-boyfriend to read everything he wrote, and ended up studying abroad in the United Kingdom for creative writing.

“It will be nice to see you,” Ukai admitted with a sigh. “You’ll have to talk to everyone we went to high school with though.”

A groan was heard on the other side of the line. Of course, the once beloved ace of Karasuno didn’t want to talk to anyone he had once played with.

“There was something else I wanted to tell you, still volleyball related, but not nationals,” the h/c haired man said, avoiding hearing who would be at nationals that he’d have to talk to. “Your freak duo, it’s Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shouyou, right? I can’t remember who plays what position though.”

“Yeah, Kageyama is the setter and Hinata is a middle blocker, but mainly spiker,” Keishin said, unsure of what the other was about to say. “Why?”

“In a way, I was like Kageyama and you were Hinata.” A laugh that wasn’t Y/N was heard on the other line, which made Ukai assume it was Katherine. “I controlled the court like Kageyama does, but you were free like Hinata is. We made a really amazing team.”

“No, you’re wrong. You’re both of them and I bet you’ll see that when you come to nationals.”

Y/N chuckled slightly before he let out an irritated sigh. There was muffled talking and then a groan.

“Sorry, babe, I have to go. Katherine is complaining about being hungry. See you soon, okay?”

Ukai’s heart fluttered at the pet name he hadn’t heard in years. It made him feel stupid really to still be so affected by someone he hadn’t had real contact with in so long.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Me neither.”

The call ended and Keishin let out a deep breath as he grinned.

Y/N was coming back to Japan.

#ukai keishin #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu x male reader #haikyuu fic #ukai keishin x reader #ukai keishin x male reader #male reader insert #male reader

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everlarkbirthdaygifts · 4 years

Text

Happy Birthday, alepaolvi!

Apologies for the delay on your birthday gift, @alepaolvi! We hope you had a wonderful day on October 2, and got exactly the presents you were hoping for! To bring your party back around, the lovely @norbertsmom has written a story just for you!

Author’s Note: Happy belated birthday, @alepaolvi. Sorry for the delay. I hope you enjoy your arranged marriage fic with a jealous Gale. This is set in Panem au. The revolution happened a few years before it did in canon. You may notice several lines are taken directly from the book, and tweaked to fit this new timeline. Special thanks to my bestie, @mega-aulover for her help. Rated T.

A Different Kind of Reaping

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When I wake up, I reach out for Prim but find the other side of the bed is empty. Prim has her own bed now, but sometimes I forget we’re no longer in the Seam. I prop myself up on one elbow. There’s enough light in the room to see that she’s not in her bed. Of course not. She’s been so excited to help me get ready for today. I’m sure she and mother are up prepping my clothes and making breakfast.

The two of them are so alike, with their blond hair and blue eyes and perky attitude. At fourteen, Prim is fresh faced and as lovely as the primrose for which she was named. My mother is still beautiful, if not a little weary in her grief at the loss of my father. Even seven years later, his absence is still felt, especially today.

I get out of bed and pull on trousers, a shirt, and tuck my long dark braid up under a cap. I slide my stocking feet into my leather hunting boots and grab my bow and sheath of arrows along with my foraging bag.

On the table is a feast fit for celebration: eggs, bacon, toast, and orange juice. All luxury items just a few years ago, before the war. Now a gift to me on my reaping day.

Reaping day is so different now. Before the revolution, reaping day was the day all district children between the ages of twelve and eighteen had their names put into a drawing. In punishment for the failed first uprising, each of the twelve districts had to provide one boy and one girl, called tributes to participate in the Hunger Games. The twenty-four tributes would be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena to fight to the death. The last standing tribute won.

“Sit down for breakfast, Katniss,” my mother says. “You’ll need your energy today.”

I set my hunting gear down and sit, loading up my plate and tuck into the meal. I want to go out into the woods one last time before the ceremony. Who knows if I’ll be able to go back out after today?

Prim plops down in the chair beside me. “Are you excited, Katniss?” she asks as she loads up her own plate.

“Um,” I hum around a mouthful of food because I really don’t know how I feel. “A little scared, I guess.”

When the revolution was won by the districts, the Hunger Games were abolished. But soon after it was discovered that the population was critically low, and at risk of extinction after all the loss during the war. The new senate that ruled the country with one representative from each district, came up with a plan to help repopulate the nation: arranged marriages.

They decided to reclaim the reaping day as a day to bring new families together. That first reaping day after the war, men and women eighteen and older were matched to form new families. I wasn’t old enough then, but I am now. I don’t know how I feel about having my future decided for me.

I think back on all of the questionnaires we had to complete in our last month of school. We also had to list the names of those we would be happy to be matched with. We weren’t allowed to leave it blank, so I wrote down the one name I secretly wish for, but I’m sure I won’t get.

I may not even be matched this year. Not everyone is matched in their first year, so they have to go through it again the next year. Special deferment was granted for those who fought in the war to put off their reaping a year or two.

“Leave your sister alone, Primrose. She has a big day ahead of her,” mother says as she joins us at the table. She pours herself a large mug of coffee and cups it with both hands, holding it under her nose to breathe it in. She closes her eyes before taking a sip.

I’m the first to finish and get up to leave. “Thanks for breakfast,” I tell them as I grab my gear and head toward the door. I’m in a hurry. My old hunting partner, Gale Hawthorne is back in the district today. I haven’t seen him since he went away to fight in the rebellion. After the fighting was over, he stayed in the military and moved to district three so he could study under the victor Beetee Latier.

“Don’t forget your cheese,” Prim says as she gets up from the table and hands me a perfect little goat cheese wrapped in basil leaves. It’s been a tradition since she started making goat cheese to give them as gifts on special occasions.

“Thank you,” I tell her with a hug as I pocket the cheese.

“Don’t stay out too long, Katniss,” mother says. “You need to report to the Justice Building by one thirty. We need time to get you ready.”

“I won’t,” I tell her as I slip outside.

Our part of District 12 is the merchant quarter. My mother and Prim run the apothecary, but we didn’t always live here. I grew up in the part of the district nicknamed the Seam, where the miners live. The apothecary had been vacant since my grandparents died when the mayor’s mansion was bombed at the start of the revolution. After the war, my mother applied for and was granted permission to take it over.

As I’m skipping down the back steps, I look over to the bakery next door. Peeta Mellark is walking toward the trash bin with a bag in his hand. He looks up at the sound of our door closing. “Hey Katniss,” he says with that contagious smile of his. “Heading out to the woods, I see.” He nods to my hunting gear after placing the bag in the bin.

“Yep,” I tell him with a smile of my own. “Gotta catch dinner for tonight.”

“Ooh. Wild game, that’s one advantage you have over the other girls in the reaping today,” he says, crossing his arms as he leans against the small fence that divides his yard from mine.

“Whatever you say, Mellark,” I tell him, shaking my head. He’s always teasing me about how different I am from the other girls who live in town. Not because I’m from the Seam, but like I’m some unique creature he’d never encountered before.

As I walk down the path I wonder who Peeta will be matched with. He’s such a kind person. He was the only person to help me and my family after my father died. He gave me bread that helped us survive and gave me hope to go on. I’m sure he’ll have no problems finding a match today. Lots of girls will be hoping to be the next baker’s wife. Peeta lost his mom at the start of the war. She was one of those lost in the bombing of the mayor’s mansion.

Even though there’s an entrance to the wood close to home, I make my way through town toward the Seam to the entrance by my old house. It makes me feel closer to my father. That’s where he would take me into the woods when I was a child.

The streets of the Seam are empty today. Usually, the workers would be out heading to their morning shift at the mines or the medicine factory, but the ceremony isn’t until two. Might as well sleep in if you can.

Our old house was almost at the edge of the Seam. I only have to pass a few gates past it to reach the scruffy field we call the Meadow. The barbed wire loops that used to top the high chain-linked fence that separates the Meadow from the woods are gone. The fence remains to keep the wild animals out of the district, but gates have been installed at several locations around the perimeter to allow citizens access to the woods.

As soon as I’m in the trees, I look around for signs of a threat, like packs of wild dogs, bears, venomous snakes, or rabid animals. Inside the woods they roam freely, but there’s also food if you know how to find it. My father knew and he taught me some before he was blown to bits in a mine explosion. There was nothing even to bury. I was eleven then. Seven years later I sometimes still wake up screaming for him. But since Dr. Sidney, the head doctor, came to the district after the war, I’ve learned how to deal with my grief. My nightmares aren’t as frequent. Dr. Sidney helped my mother as well. She no longer lies in bed staring at the walls.

Before the war, trespassing in the woods was illegal, and poaching carried the severest of penalties, but the woods belong to us now, the citizens of District 12. Still, most people aren’t bold enough to venture out unarmed. My bow is a rarity, crafted by my father along with a few others that I keep well hidden in the woods, carefully wrapped in waterproof covers. If my father was still alive, he could have made good money selling them, but before the rebellion, if the officials found him selling weapons, he would have been publicly executed for sedition. Which is kind of ironic since the mine explosion that killed him was one of the catalysts for the rebellion.

We were never prosecuted for poaching back then because most of the Peacekeepers had turned a blind eye to the few of us who hunted. They were as hungry for fresh meat as anybody. Now we get food shipped in from other districts regularly, and I can sell my game openly to the other merchants at their back doors, and at my booth in the open-air market called the Hob.

In the woods waits my hunting partner Gale. I feel myself relaxing and quicken my pace when I think about seeing him again. I only got a quick chat with him yesterday when he arrived, mobbed by his family. He asked if we could meet up to hunt this morning like old times. I climb the hills to our rock ledge overlooking the valley. A thicket of berry bushes keeps it hidden. The sight of him brings on a smile. We used to be the best of friends before he went away.

He looks different than I remember. Not just older; he stands different, ridged and yet alert as if he is waiting for an attack from a wild lone wolf. He’s wearing gray uniform pants, and a faded black shirt. His eyes are sharper; they scan the area, before settling on mine.

“Hey Catnip,” says Gale. He knows my real name, but I had whispered it when we first met so he thought I said catnip. It stuck as a nickname even after all this time.

“Look what I shot,” Gale says as he holds up a loaf of bread with an arrow stuck in it. I let out an uncomfortable laugh. It’s fine bakery bread, the kind used during a toasting ceremony.

I’m not sure if he’s trying to impress me with what he can buy with his fancy new job, so I take the bread in my hands. I pull the arrow out and hold the puncture in the crust to my nose, inhaling the fragrance that reminds me of the blond haired, blue eyed son of the baker.

“Mm, still warm.” He must have been at the bakery at the crack of dawn to buy it. “Prim gave us cheese,” I tell him quickly as I pull it out of my pocket.

“Thank you, Prim,” Gale says as he pulls out a shiny knife from a sheath on his hip. I watch as he slices the bread. He could be my brother, same straight black hair, although his is cut short in a military style, same olive complexion, we even have the same gray eyes. We’re not related, at least not closely. Most of the families in the Seam resemble one another this way.

That’s why my mother and Prim, with their light hair and blue eyes used to look out of place when we lived in the Seam. They were. My mother’s parents were merchants. They ran the apothecary. That’s why she got it after the war. Now I’m the one out of place. I have the look of the Seam, but I live in town.

My father got to know my mother because he would collect medicinal herbs and sell them to her shop. She really loved him to leave her home for the Seam. Back then, the homes in the Seam were nothing more than shacks really. We had to boil water from the spigot in the yard if we wanted it hot. After the war, all of the squat gray houses in the Seam were replaced with new homes that are well insulated with running hot and cold water and reliable electricity.

Gale spreads the bread slices with the soft goat cheese, carefully placing a basil leaf on each slice while I strip the bushes of their berries. We settle back in the nook in our rock. I don’t eat much, since I already had breakfast, but it’s a nice treat. Everything would be perfect if all this day off meant was roaming the woods with Gale for a casual family dinner tonight, catching up on how our lives have changed since the war ended, but instead it feels awkward, like I’m here with a stranger instead of my old friend Gale.

“What’s it like in District 3?” I ask quietly to break the awkward silence between us. It was never like this before. He would rant about the unfair treatment the citizens endured, and how we should rise up against them. But now that the revolution is over and won, we don’t really have much to say.

“It’s alright, but I’ll be moving to District 2 after the ceremony. You’ll love it there. Mountains bigger than these. Lots of woods to hunt in.”

“Why would I want to go to District 2?” I ask. The idea is preposterous. I can’t leave my sister. Before the war, the fantasy was to run off, and live in the woods, but this conversation feels all wrong now. There’s never been anything romantic between Gale and me. When we met, I was a skinny twelve-year-old, and although he was only two years older, he already looked like a man. It took a long time for us to even become friends, to stop haggling over every trade. Then he went off to war and moved to District 3 as a hero. His hero status gave him the option to postpone his reaping until this year.

Gale’s good looking, strong from his time as a soldier, and he has a good job in another district. He will be a desirable match at the reaping today. I don’t know why he would want me.

“Forget it,” he snaps.

I let out a breath and ask, “What do you want to do, hunt, fish, or gather?”

“Let’s fish at the lake,” he says. “We can leave our poles and gather in the woods. Get something nice for tonight’s betrothal meal.”

Tonight, after the reaping, everyone is supposed to celebrate, but I’ll be betrothed. I’ll be spending time with my intended. He and his family will come to my house so we can get to know one another. Does Gale hope it will be him?

We fall into the comfortable silence I remember from hunting with him before he left. By late morning, we have a dozen fish, a bag of greens, and best of all, a gallon of strawberries.

On the way home, we swing by the Hob and trade half the fish and greens for fresh vegetables. Greasy Sae gives us a nod as we walk by. Even with the beef and chicken coming in from other districts, her wild game soup that she calls beef is always a hit. The customers around her booth are talking away about today’s reaping.

When we finish at the Hob, we go to the back of the mayor’s home to sell half of the strawberries. The mayor lives in a modest house not unlike the others in the district. After the war, the residents of the district realized that the old mayor’s mansion was just another tool the Capitol used to keep us in the district divided. The poor people of the Seam resented the wealth the mayor and the merchants had. So when the mayor’s home was rebuilt, he had it built the same as all the others.

The mayor’s daughter Madge answers the door. She was in my year at school, and my closest friend since Gale left. Her everyday outfit has been replaced by an expensive white dress, and her blonde hair is done up with a pink ribbon. Clothes fitting for the betrothal reaping.

“Pretty dress,” says Gale.

Madge shoots him a look, trying to see if it’s a genuine compliment. He used to antagonize her when we were younger, but now that he’s been gone for a few years it’s hard to tell. She presses her lips together and smiles. “Well I have to look nice for my reaping today, don’t I?”

“I’m sure you’ll have the match you want,” Gale says with a scoff.

Madge’s face has become closed off. She puts the money for the strawberries in my hand. “Good luck, Katniss.”

“You too,” I say, and the door closes.

I turn to Gale, “What did you mean by that?”

“Her father’s the mayor. People in power can influence the outcome of the reaping,” Gale says.

Madge’s father isn’t just the mayor. He was quite influential during the war. He was able to convince the residents of District 12 to join the revolution by bringing in Annie Cresta. Then he became our district’s liaison with the rest of the rebels.

Annie Cresta was the last Victor of the Hunger Games,and the spark that started the rebellion. She won the summer after my father died in the mining explosion. During her interview, after winning her games, she started screaming about her father and brother who were lost at sea with a whole ship full of fishermen just before her games. The Capitol played it off as her going mad. But during her victory tour she was more subdued, she would compare her district’s loss to the loss each district had suffered from a tragedy that same year.

The rumors started that perhaps the mine explosion that killed my father wasn’t an accident, but a sabotage to take out the rebel miners who had been planning an uprising. While in District 11, she talked about the silo collapse, in District 10 the stampede, and so on until she had rallied half the country behind her. Before her tour reached the Capitol, District 13 re-emerged from the ashes to sweep her off to be the face of the rebellion.

District 12 was one of the last districts still neutral to the rebellion even though the mayor tried to get our residents involved. He asked Annie Cresta to come back, to rally us to join the cause. Most of our Peacekeepers were recalled to the Capitol to fight off the uprisings in other districts. Those who stayed behind were sympathetic to the districts’ plight. The residents of District 12 wanted to wait out the war. If we didn’t join in, nothing would happen to us.

After the rally, while most of the residents of the district were at home debating why we should join the rebellion, the mayor hosted a dinner for Annie with the most influential Merchants and Seam residents. After the dinner was over, the mayor, his daughter Madge and a few others were seeing Annie off to her hovercraft back to District 13 when the mayor’s mansion was bombed by the Capitol. All those still inside were killed, including the mayor’s wife, his staff, my grandparents and many others.

The rally that day, along with the bombing that took out the mayor’s mansion, is what finally convinced the residents of District 12 to join the rebellion. We couldn’t stay neutral. The war came to us. Gale, among others old enough, went off to fight in the war. Not everyone came home. The baker’s oldest son died. Gale stayed in the military.

As we walk back toward my house, I glance over at Gale, still wondering why he came home this year. He could have participated in the reaping in his new district. I hope he didn’t come back here for me.

Gale and I arrive at the divide between the Seam and town and split up our spoils.

“See you in the square,” I say.

“Wear something pretty,” he says flatly as he walks towards his mother’s house in the Seam.

When I get home, Peeta is in the yard next door, feeding the pigs. “Hey, Katniss,” he says. “Good day hunting?”

“Yep, got some fish and greens for tonight,” I tell him.

“I’ve got a few recipes you can try out on your new family if you want?”

“Sure, that last one with the nuts was nice.” Curious I get closer. “So are you ready?”

He stops feeding the pigs. “I’m nervous,” he confesses.

“Nervous?” Peeta has nothing to be nervous about. He’s good like my sister Prim. Any of the women today would be lucky to have him.

“Well, what if the girl they pick for me doesn’t erm,” his face turned pink. “Well, like me.”

What he is saying is impossible.

“My parents didn’t have the best marriage, you know.”

I nod. I can see why he would be anxious. His parents did not get along; they hated each other but miraculously, had three boys.

I wish I had the words to be able to tell him that he had nothing to worry about. But nothing comes.

"Listen, I'll see you at the reaping. I've got to get ready. Don't want to scare my bride away by smelling like a pig pen."

I shake my head and laugh. When I go inside my mother sets aside her knitting and jumps up from her chair. “There you are,” she says as she helps me remove my hunting gear. She hands my bag to Prim and ushers me into the bathroom. “Get yourself a shower. You need to start getting ready.”

I scrub off the dirt and sweat from the woods and wash my hair. When I’m done I find my favorite dress from my mother’s collection laid out on my bed. A soft orange, with white lace insets near the collar, and a tie at the waist. “Are you sure?” I ask.

“Of course. I’ll fix your hair,” she says.

After I’m dressed, I sit at the vanity as she towel dries my hair and I watch as she braids it up into a crown on top of my head. I hardly recognize myself in the mirror.

“You look beautiful,” says Prim in a hushed voice.

“And nothing like myself,” I say as I hug her. Things are going to be so different after the reaping today.

Prim and mother get dressed. We have a quick lunch and then it’s time to go to the Justice Building to check in.

As we head toward the square, we are joined by others headed that way. Attendance is not mandatory like it was for the Hunger Games reapings, but most people show up anyway.

Mother and Prim hug me goodbye when I go into the Justice Building. After checking in, I’m ushered into the women’s waiting room. I find Madge and join her at the refreshment table.

At precisely 1:45, our escort, Effie Trinket, comes into the room. Miss Trinket was on track to be an escort for the Hunger Games, but she was actually a rebel working inside the system to help bring it down. After the revolution she became our escort for the betrothal reaping. Her bright pink clothes and makeup, while much more flamboyant than what those of us in the district would wear, is nowhere near as garish as the makeup and outfits worn by our last Hunger Games escort.

“Ladies, it’s time to follow me out onto the stage,” Effie says and we all line up to follow her out.

As we go out onto the stage, a cheer begins to rise from the crowd gathered in front of the Justice Building. Effie escorts us to the several rows of seats arranged on the left side of the stage. Madge and I sit next to each other.

Once we are all seated, Effie goes back into the building, but comes out a few minutes later followed by the group of men for the reaping. She escorts them to the seats on the right side of the stage. They are all wearing their best suits. Peeta gives me a wave before he sits in the second row. Gale sits in the front row in his military uniform.

At precisely 2 o’clock, Mayor Undersee steps up to the podium and begins his speech. He talks about the history of Panem: the dark days, the first failed rebellion, the 70 years of the Hunger Games, and then the revolution that freed Panem. He talks about how we have to rebuild Panem, the population lost from the Games and the war. Which brings us to today, the Betrothal Reaping. He then introduces Effie Trinket.

“Welcome, welcome,” Effie says. “It’s such an honor to be here, to help bring together the families who will be the future of our country.” She goes on to explain how the selections are not random. The answers we gave in the surveys taken during school, as well as our DNA were used to determine the matches. “Now, onto the pairings!” she says, and with a flair of her hand pulled out a stack of envelopes.

She plucks the first envelope from the stack and calls out, “Delly Cartwright!”

Delly jumps up from her seat, and quickly walks up to stand next to Effie. Delly is practically vibrating in anticipation. I wish I could be that excited. I just hope I get someone I can stand.

“And your match is,” Effie pauses dramatically, “Thom Davison!”

Thom, one of Gale’s old classmates who didn’t get matched in his previous two reapings, looks around bewildered. He gets a nudge from the person sitting next to him before he gets up and walks up to the podium to formally meet Delly.

Delly and Thom are ushered to the back of the stage where they stand next to each other whispering, with big smiles on their faces. I guess that means they are happy with that match.

“Very good,” says Effie. “Our next match is the mayor’s daughter, Madge Undersee.”

I squeeze Madge’s hand and she stands and gracefully walks up to stand next to Effie Trinket.

“And your match is… the local hero, Gale Hawthorne!” Effie exclaims. A quiet murmur goes through the crowd. That pairing was unexpected. I think everyone expected me to be paired with Gale, but I know it would have never worked out, we’re too alike.

Gale doesn’t look very happy at his selection, but stands and walks up to meet Madge. They stiffly shake hands, then walk back to stand next to Delly and Thom. It’s quite the contrast between the two pairs.

“Wonderful!” Effie says with a little too much enthusiasm. “Next up we have, Katniss Everdeen.”

I stand up slowly, then stiffly walk to stand next to the podium.

“And your partner is… Peeta Mellark,” Effie calls out.

My eyes go wide as I think, Oh, it’s him, my neighbor, my friend. The boy, no man, I correct myself, who saved my life and gave me hope. The man who reminded me that I was not doomed. The man who’s name I wrote on my questionnaire. I feel a smile come across my face as I watch Peeta get up and walk toward me. The smile on his face matches mine.

When he reaches me we stand and stare at each other for a moment before Effie Trinket clears her throat. “Go ahead, shake hands,” she urges. Peeta's large warm hand engulfs mine, and he gives me a reassuring squeeze. “Go ahead,” she tells us, nudging us toward the back of the stage.

When I drop Peeta’s hand, I feel the loss of warmth immediately, but I feel his hand at the small of my back as he escorts me to join the others. “Told ya I’d see you at the reaping,” Peeta whispers in my ear, and I can’t help but laugh. After that, I’m in a bit of a daze and miss most of the remaining matches.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Effie dismisses the few remaining people who didn’t get paired up and calls the matched pairs to the front of the stage. Delly and Thom lead the way, arm in arm. Madge and Gale walk stiffly side by side. Peeta takes my hand and leads me toward the front of the stage, and the couples behind us follow suit. When we are all lined up, Effie calls out, “District 12, I give you your new couples. Please join us in the reception hall for family introductions.”

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

That’s the end of part 1. This will continue as a work in progress.

A few notes: Dr. Sidney is named after Dr. Sidney Freedman from the final episode of the TV show M*A*S*H. He helped the main character work through his PTSD. Thom Davison is named for Dave Thomas of Wendy’s fame, who seemed like such a sweet man. The character Thom in canon is only mentioned a few times, but he is such a great guy. Gale’s friend who helps carry him back after the reaping, and then after the war Thom comes back and takes on the task of clearing away the debris so the district can rebuild.

#everlark #everlark fanfiction #everlarkbirthdaydrabbles #everlarkbirthdaygifts #fan fic #by norbertsmom

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adenei · 3 years

Text

Day 27: January Writing Challenge

Adventure

“Where are we going?” Lily said with child-like laughter as James was pulling her down the streets of London.

“You’ll see! We’re almost there,” James said with a grin on his face.

James was taking Lily to a muggle fun fair. They’d been dating for about a year now, but most of that time was spent during their seventh year at Hogwarts. Now that they’d graduated, he could finally take her on dates that weren’t in Hogsmeade.

He wanted to learn more about muggle ways, and show Lily that her life and experiences in the muggle world were just as important as those in the magical world. James was determined to show her that he loved and accepted all of her no matter what. Especially since people were becoming colder towards her as Voldemort’s power grew.

“Ah, here we are!” He said as they came up to the entrance of the fun fair in downtown London.

“I haven’t been to one of these since I was young!” Lily said with a wide grin on her face. “How did you even know about these?”

“Sirius helped me. He remembered coming across them now and then when he’d escape Grimmauld Place on summer evenings. I thought it might be fun to check one out; see what all the fuss is for.”

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Lily said as they switched roles and she pulled him toward the admission booth.

Lily’s excitement was contagious as they weaved their way in between the crowds of people. James could see how this was popular , even if he didn’t have the damnedest idea of how anything worked. He was glad Remus had reminded him to transfer his gold to muggle money, as they spent a fair share on games that included the ring toss. James made a valiant effort to win Lily one of the giant stuffed animals, but only managed to secure a tiny plush bear that he was pretty sure could fit in his back pocket.

They transitioned over to the rides next. “Why does everything have to spin?” James asked her as he noticed a common theme among the rides.

“I don’t know. It’s not something I’ve given much thought,,” Lily said as she looked around. The bumper cars don’t spin!” Lily said as she dragged him in line for that next.

After they exhausted most of their tickets on the rides that looked least likely to break down while they rode them, James and Lily moved onto the food. James was blown away by the options. Lily insisted they get burgers and chips before splitting a waffle with ice cream and some candy floss.

“Why did you let me eat so much?” Lily complained as they were meandering down the midway.

James laughed, “You were the one who insisted on ordering all of it! Don’t try and blame that on me.”

“Fair enough,” she said with a smile. “Is there anything else you wanted to do?”

“What about the ferris wheel?” James suggested.

“You mean the one we were placing bets on when it would break down?” Lily asked as she raised an eyebrow at him.

“Yes, but we have magic on our side if something does happen,” James leaned in and whispered in her ear. Lily still looked wary. “Come on, Lils, it’ll also use up the last of our tickets.”

“Fine,” Lily said in a voice that reminded James of their pre-dating days.

Everything was running smoothly as they got in line and boarded their cart. The giant wheel spun around a few times before it stopped when they were at the top of the ride.

“Lily,” James said as he turned towards her.

“Hmmm,” she responded, still gazing at the view before them.

“I—” James started, but then he paused. He rarely got nervous, but right now, he could practically feel his heart pounding out of his chest as he tried to stop his leg from shaking.

“You aren’t nervous, are you? We won’t get stuck,” she said through a chuckle.

“What? No, I—oh, sod it,” he said as he reached into his pocket for the small box.

“James,” Lily said through a sharp inhale. “What is that?”

“Lils, I know this seems like maybe we’re moving too fast, but just hear me out, okay? Every day since I met you, my life’s felt like an adventure. There’s never been a dull moment, and I love how you can put me in my place and keep me guessing at the same time. I know that things are uncertain because of You Know Who and the war, but I know that no matter what, I want you there beside me. So, despite knowing there’s a good possibility you might say no, since it took two years to get you on a date, will you marry me?”

James opened the box and looked up at her. He was half expecting her to have some witty remark. To his amazement, though, her eyes were glistening with tears and her face wore an expression of shock as her head was moving up and down ever so slightly.

“Is that what I think it is? Are you saying—”

“Yes!” she said, her voice slightly higher than normal.

“R-really?” James asked in astonishment.

“Yes, I will marry you, you dolt!” Lily said as her face broke into a wide smile.

James swiftly took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger. He leaned in to kiss her just as the ride began moving again.

“I had no idea,” she said when they finally broke apart.

“Well, that was the plan, wasn’t it?” James said with a smirk.

The ferris wheel slowed to a stop and they disembarked and walked down the exit aisle. When Lily looked up, she saw Marlene, Sirius, Remus and Peter waiting anxiously across the path.

“Well?” they asked impatiently.

Before Lily could even hold up her left hand, James shouted, “After six years of pestering and one year of dating, I am going to marry Lily Evans!”

There were cheers and shouts and Lily and James were soon wrapped in a bear hug by their friends. It was the perfect end to a perfect date.

#jily #james x lily #james potter #lily evans #31 days of January Word Challenge

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the-curious-butterfly · 4 years

Text

Slumber Party (Part 1)

(Let’s have a little fun with our fluff shall we)

Ask anyone and they’d tell you Eda was a powerful witch, a force to be reckoned with, and downright terrifying when she’s mad. Someone like that could not be tamed, she was wild, she was free, she was wearing an apron and covered in flour.

Truly horrifying, and perhaps just a little on the unexpected side.

Now on the question of how she got into this predicament in the first place. It was simple really. Earlier that day Luz expressed that she’s never had a slumber party, well there was the Moonlight Conjuring but she meant just a typical slumber party without any of that other stuff. And Eda, for some unknown reason that even she herself couldn’t fathom, suggested that maybe it would be okay if Luz wanted to have one.

Cue the young girls squeals of excitement, a little extra dose of that parallel arm thing, and here she was. In the kitchen making cookies for her kid and a few other young witchlings. Why? Well because Luz wanted them of course. Just don’t tell anyone for she still has some semblance of a reputation that she wants to maintain. But gosh darn it why was it so hard to say no to that kid or refuse her anything. Not only that but she was going out of her way to do things without even being asked.

It wasn’t Luz who suggested the slumber party. And Luz didn’t actually ask for the cookies nor was it said that she had to make them, she could have gone out and bought some after she overheard her kid mention them. Just what the heck was going on with her lately.

Before she could continue on that reputation shattering train of thought King came bounding into the kitchen and onto the counter. “Are those cookies I smell?”

She had to smack his paw away after setting the tray down on the counter. “These aren’t for you they’re for the kid, last I check you weren’t one.”

King glared at her as he stomped his little foot. “Demon’s can still enjoy cookies too. As king I demand you give me one!”

Eda rolled her eyes at his antics “sure pipsqueak, keep pretending you’re in a position to make demands.” Her smile was smug but instead of the reaction she expected he looked away and asked for one, even going so far as to say please. And she just didn’t have it in her to refuse, or at least not anymore, what was happening to her.

“Alright just one, the rest are for the kid- at least wait till they cool down!” But it was already too late, he had reached for one and ended up burning his paw which he proceeding to stuff in his mouth as he hopped from one foot to another.

She would have made more comments if it wasn’t for Luz popping up right next to her, effectively startling the witch. “Oooo cookies!” oblivious to King’s predicament the girl also decided to reach for one which I’m sure you can imagine what followed. It took all the strength Eda had not to bang her head against something.

It could have been anyone, literally anyone, but these are the two she got stuck with.

While King continued to cry over most likely nothing, Luz composed herself much faster for she gave Eda a grateful smile. “Did you make these?”

“Yeah, I overheard how you said they were great for parties.” Eda crossed her arms and looked away during her reply. It’s not like it was a big deal.

“Thank you, Eda!” Oh no, here comes another one of those hugs. ‘You know you like them, stop pretending you don’t’ Shut up brain!

“Willow, Gus, and Amity are going to love these!” The young girl’s enthusiasm was contagious as she helped to get the cookies onto a plate before taking them into the living room and setting them on the coffee table. Eda followed to find her living room decorated with pillows and blankets strewn about. On the couch was a huge bowl of popcorn and a few of King’s stuffed animals minions were already sitting there.

“Luz said they could partake too!” The little demon added cheerfully from behind her before climbing up on the couch to grab hold of his favorite minion, Francois. “Tonight we shall make our plan to take over the Isles!” King held the stuffed rabbit over his head as he laughed evilly but quieted a bit when he felt someone petting him.

“No world domination tonight, you little peach, just friends and fun!” His evil laughter turned to cute giggles as Luz picked him up to sit on the couch with him in her lap.

Eda hadn’t realized how soft her expression became until a knock at the door broke her out of her trance. “Some guests have arrived, hoot hoot.” Hooty declared as the door opened on its own. ‘No ****’ was what she wanted to say but there were children present and also this story has a rating to keep.

She crossed the room to find Willow at the door standing between her two dads. “Good afternoon, miss Eda.” The young girl smiled warmly at her and Eda couldn’t help smiling back before directing her attention towards the kids parents.

“Thank you for allowing WIllow to stay over.” commented a dark skinned man with a rather bushy beard. For some reason Eda wanted to ask if he was able to hide things in it too but decided against that. “Willow’s been so excited, it’s not often she gets to do this.” Added the other nerd-looking one with the glasses.

“Dads!” Willow cried out with more than just a hint of embarrassment.

“Sorry sweetie, you know we’re just as happy as you are.” Seems Luz wasn’t the only one who was missing out on a lot. Eda once again smiled at the witchling as she pointed behind her. “Luz is already waiting on the couch, if you’re not careful her and King might finish off all the snacks before you even have a chance to have any.” Well mostly King, Luz would be more preoccupied with being a good host.

The young witch giggled “Thanks again, miss Eda!” She chirped before moving past the older woman to join Luz on the couch. Eda watched her go with a content expression on her face before turning back towards Willow’s dads. The one with the beard was already writing something on a piece of paper.

“If you need anything, anything at all, feel free to scroll us.” Bushy beard handed her the paper while glasses continued talking. “She has this medication she needs to take, she’s usually very good at remembering but could you see that she does just in case?”

“You know what it’s like with kids, when they’re having fun it’s easy to forget everything else.”

For a moment she was taken rather aback with the situation she founded herself in but was quick to compose herself as she shot them a genuine look of understanding. “Of course I will, I promise she’s safe under my roof.” She was simply saying what she would want to hear if it was her dropping Luz off at someone’s house.

It seemed to be enough though for the smiles they shot at her were bright and warm. “Thank you very much, despite your reputation you really are a good person like Willow said.” And just like that the world had to prove she still had heartstrings. How dare that kid spread lies about her.

After waving goodbye, Eda closed the door only for another knock to be heard what felt like seconds later. Since she was right there she opened it herself this time before Hooty could swing himself open and most likely hit her in the face. She wouldn’t be able to guarantee safety under her roof if there wasn’t a house anymore.

Gus stood with his reporter dad and waved rather excitedly at her. “Hi Eda, are Luz and Willow here?” Before Luz she would have found him exhausting but the girl was way worse so she was numb to it now.

“Nope, you just missed them.” She crossed her arms and gave him a toothy grin to which he responded by deflating just a bit. “Of course this would happen.”

The older witch chuckled. “I’m just messing with you kid, go on in.” Eda moved aside to let him pass which he did, rather loudly. She wondered if she was actually gonna get sleep tonight. Then she realized she was allowing a bunch of kids to stay in her house for the night. So no, most likely not.

She heard someone clear her throat before realizing that oh yeah, Gus’ dad was still there. “Thanks for letting him stay over, and uh nice to see you didn’t get petrified.” Oh man he was just as awkward as his son.

“Um, thanks? Is there something else you wanted or can I shut the door now?”

“Yeah, sure. I’m going now, sorry about that.” So that’s where the kid got it from.

She was at least able to make it across the room this time before the door swung open. Hooty didn’t even wait for the knock this time as three kids were left standing with their fists held out.

Two of them, the clearly older ones, laughed. “I’d love to have a door like this someday.” The older girl commented while her brother nodded. “Just imagine all the stuff we could pull off with one.” he added.

The smaller one in the middle frowned as she crossed her arms. “See if I ever visit you.”

“Of course” her older sister began in a singsong voice. “You’d only put up with this kind of torture if it was for~” This prompted a rather red faced Amity to quickly cover her mouth before she said something she’d regret, causing the boy and even Eda to smirk as she made her way towards the door.

“Hey kids.”

“Hi Eda!” The twins said in unison once Amity let Emira go. “We’re just here to drop off our precious baby sister” Emira commented as Edric patted their, growing increasingly frustrated, little sister’s head.

“I could have walked myself.” The witchling growled out but her expression completely changed, which did not go unnoticed by any of the three, when she saw Luz approaching the door.

“Amity!” The human cried out happily as she greatly encouraged the young witch inside. “Hurry, we were just about to start playing a game!”

“I-I’m coming, just hold up already.” Her tone feigned annoyance but in truth she was very happy with any attention from the human. It was adorably amusing.

“So” Emira smirked as she acknowledged the other two with her again. ”Who wants to make bets that something will happen tonight?”

“Psh, together in a house at night? If something didn’t happen I’ll be amazed but also greatly disappointed.” Eda stated before adding. “You’re on kid!”

After all the bets were placed the twins waved goodbye and Eda could finally close the door without worrying about any more guests needing to show up.

Knock knock.

Or so she thought. “Kid, how many people did you invite?”

Luz looked up from their game to count on her fingers. “Let’s see just Willow, Gus, Amity, and-”

“Hello, sister.”

Of all the people Eda expected to see standing there Lilith was not one of them. Heck she would have expected even that Boscha girl more than her own sister. True things were slightly... better, for lack of a better word, between them but now that she wasn’t in the coven she tended to keep to herself in the tower behind their house.

“What are you doing here, Lilith?” She didn’t intend to sound mean or anything, just surprised.

“The human, Luz, invited me to your ‘party’ as she called it.”

Eda looked towards her apprentice with an expression that conveyed she wasn’t mad just, confused and maybe slightly sad. “Why?”

As Luz considered what she’d say for a moment her group of friends watched and waited for her explanation to which she finally just shrugged. “I guess I just thought, it’s been some time since everything happened, why not take little steps towards making things better.” Eda and Lilith considered what the girl had to say as she continued. “Whether we like it or not Lilith is gonna be with us now. She’s powerless she can’t go anywhere else. It took awhile and I still don’t know if I forgive her... But I think it’s okay to start letting her back in little by little.”

Silence ruled the house as Lilith looked towards the human gratefully, so that’s what her younger sister saw in her. Finally Eda turned towards Lilith with a sigh. “Luz is right, you’re welcome to stay if you wish.”

“Perhaps for just a little while, I won’t overstep my boundaries.” They gave each other small smiles before Eda directed her towards the couch. She then fixed her kid with a stare as she held the door open. “Now is there anyone else I have to worry about? Did you invite the emperor too?”

“Well” Luz joked causing Eda to roll her eyes. “Kid, if it wasn’t for all these people I would have thrown you outside by now.”

“Nah, you love me too much.”

“A fact I’m starting to regret.” The others chuckled at the Owl Lady’s comment as she closed the door, finally.

Walking over towards the group she saw Luz rise up from her spot with a start. “Oh gosh, I forgot the drinks.”

“Hey kiddo, it’s okay I’ll get them” Eda ruffled Luz’s hair. “You just have fun with your friends.” To that Luz wrapped her arms around Eda’s neck and nuzzled against her cheek with a “Thank you!” She was always dramatic with her appreciation that way. But instead of complaining Eda held her back for just a moment before letting go and dropping her on the floor. “Affection, gross.”

“Just you wait, one of these days I’ll get you to stop pretending that you don’t like it.”

“Sure kid, whatever you say.” Eda turned to her sister with a slightly cautious look. “Would you mind helping me?”

“Not at all.” Came the quick reply as the two older women made their way into the kitchen leaving the kids, and King, alone.

Most had soft smiles on their faces as if they just saw the cutest thing ever. Amity’s face was the same as ever but there was a bit of red to it, she was the only one not looking in Luz’s direction.

“Okay, now who’s ready for truth or dare?” Luz asked, to which Gus responded by raising his hand and asking what that is.

#the owl house #eda clawthorne #luz noceda #toh king #gus porter #willow park #amity blight #lilith clawthorne #just a hint of #lumity #written by The Curious Butterfly

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come-on-shitty-boys · 4 years

Text

//new beginnings. bokuto koutarou//

Warnings: some mild swearing.

Word Count: 1.5K

Notes: i straight up said, “forget my french paper. Papa bokuto and his owlets.”

*Part 2 to Next Chapter*

“Alright, do you three think you can handle this box? It’s kind of heavy,” Bokuto asked, picking up one of the final boxes from the back of the moving truck.

“Yes, Papa!”

“Okay, you three. Show me your big strong muscles first. I gotta make sure you’re strong enough.” He lifted his arm, flexing his bicep to show off his toned muscles, flashing his kids a bright smile.

The triplets all raised their arms, copying their father’s pose to prove that they were more than strong enough to carry your box of clothes into the house. Bokuto hummed as he looked at them, nodding slightly at the sight of their five year-old noodle arms. “Dang, you guys must’ve been working out. You look stronger than me! Okay, can you take this box into Papa’s room?” He asks, leaning down to hand the kids the box.

Three heads nodded vigorously as they grabbed a hold of the box and cautiously started carrying it in the house. “Woah! Is your dad making you guys do all of the work?” You ask, laughter etching into your voice as you step out of the front door to get another box.

“Yeah!” Koujirou huffed.

“Well, that’s not very fair. Why don’t you just set that one down there and go take a break? We can make your dad carry it the rest of the way.”

They don’t have to be told twice. The box is dropped without a second thought and the triplets are racing inside to feel the relief of the cool house. “You know, I’m pretty sure child labor is illegal,” you tease, picking the box up from the ground.

Bokuto rolled his eyes, tucking the final box from the moving truck under his arm. His hand reached out to ruffle your hair, pushing your head away playfully as he approached you. “Oh, come on, one box wasn’t going to kill them. Besides, did you see their muscles? They take after their dad for sure.” He beams brightly at you, holding his arm out so you feel his muscles flex and relax under the fabric of his t-shirt.

You simply hum, pushing the door open for the both of you. There were piles upon piles of boxes strewn throughout the living room, the most obvious sign of the laziness that overcame you half-way through your move-in. It still felt so weird, knowing that your apartment was now sitting completely empty and would remain that way until your lease was up, but it was worth it. You were taking big steps in, not only your life, but your relationship with the man you loved. To be frank, it scared you. It had only been a few short months since you first met Bokuto’s children and now, you were moving in, becoming an even bigger part of their lives. It was one thing for you to spend weekends over, to sit up in the stands with the kids during MSBY games, to sit and laugh with them for short periods of time. But, to be with them full time? It had your heart racing with anxieties.

You didn’t know how to be a parent, let alone how to be a parent to children that weren’t even biologically yours. What if they didn’t want to listen to you? Would they just see you as some glorified babysitter who just happened to be living in their home? There were a million questions running through your head. Would your maternal instincts ever kick in or would you constantly be in a state of not knowing how to handle what was going on around you?

One by one, boxes had been carried to their respective rooms and their contents were slowly but surely put away. The triplets had had their eyes trained on the television as brightly colored cartoons rolled across the screen ever since they were released from their moving duties. And now, as you sat on your now-shared bed, unable to find the will to finish putting away your clothes, everything felt so wrong. You shouldn’t be here, not yet, at least. How were you supposed to take care of three little kids when you could barely look after yourself? The shirt in you had been folding became balled up in your fists as all of those doubts clouded your mind. You had been moved-in for less than a day and you were already on the verge of your breaking point- what an impression.

“You’re stressed,” Bokuto states simply, eyeing you from the doorway. His hair sat messily against his head, droplets of water dripping down onto his shoulders, an indicator of his recent shower.

You meet his golden irises that somehow look even more radiant in the low lighting of the bedroom, melting your heart the same way that they always did. You just shake your head. “No, I’m fine, Kou. Don’t worry about it.”

The bed shifts behind you as he takes a seat, pulling you back into his chest. “Too late. What’s on your mind?” His fingers trail delicately up and down your arms, sending soft shivers throughout your body.

“How did you become a dad?”

His fingers stop and you can feel his chest shaking with laughter. “I think someone needs to go back to sex ed.”

“Ha ha, very funny, Kou,” you tease, reaching behind you to playfully smack his arm. “I mean, how did you know how to be a dad? Did you always just know?”

He snorts slightly. “Hell no. I spent the first six months of their lives barely being able to tell them apart. You really think I knew how to be a father?”

“I don’t know. . . You’re so good with them and it’s really obvious that they love and look up to you. What if I’m not able to be a good mom to them?”

You can feel your body relax as his long fingers move towards your hair. If you were able to see his face, you would’ve seen the most beautiful smile to ever grace his features cross over his face. “Y/N, if I thought that you weren’t going to be a good mom, I wouldn’t have asked you to move in with us. Hell, I wouldn’t have even introduced you to them. It’s scary. Trust me, I know, but I promise, one day, it will all just click and you’ll know exactly what to do. But, when I see you with them,” he pauses, unable to stop the grin that overwhelms him as he speaks, “I realize that this is what’s been missing from our little family. Madori’s been missing someone who actually knows how to braid her hair. Fukurou needed someone who could ease him out of his shell better than I ever could. You’ve taught Koujirou so much! Damn, that kid was obsessed with dinosaurs before you came in, but now that you’re around, answering his questions a hell of a lot better than I ever could? He’s going to be one smart kid. But, me? I’ve been looking for someone who could make me as happy as those little shits do. I never thought I would be able to find it, but then you just, quite literally, came crashing into my life-”

“You ran into me, don’t get it twisted.”

“Wow, here I am, trying to be sentimental and you get caught up in the specifics,” Bokuto sighs, resting his chin on top of your head. “As I was saying before someone interrupted me, if I didn’t know that you would be the perfect fit for us, we wouldn’t be here right now. It takes time, but I’ll be right by your side the entire time. We’re starting something new and beautiful and I can’t wait to see how the rest of our life unfolds.”

Silence fills the room as you stare at the ceiling, captivated by the blades of the ceiling fan spinning in their predestined circle. It’s boring, living life in that straight-forwarded, molded way, but it was always the life that you thought you’d be living. You believed that it was always: fall in love, get married, have children. But, you had been given an alternate route to your story. One that had children already in the mix when you fell in love, but he was right. It was new and exciting, but more than anything it was beautifully yours. It was a story that was unique to the two of you and one that you couldn’t wait to continue.

“Hey, Kou?”

“What’s up, babe?”

“I can’t wait to spend my life with you.”

That contagious smile spread over his lips all over again, grey locks tickling your cheek as he nuzzles his nose against your shoulder, planting loving kisses against your skin. “I’m going to make you happy, I promise. And all of those worries about being a part of their lives? We’re going to make them go away. Together, okay?”

{Taglist because I literally always forget when I initially post: @nicka-nell @moncymonce @nekxrizawa so you can have the sweet sweet Kouddi content}

#haikyuu #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu!!#bokuto x reader #bokuto #bokuto koutarou #koutarou #bokuto fluff #haikyuu fluff #haikyuu imagines #x reader #imagines #domestic #papa bokuto #he will always have my heart and soul byeeee #it's also like four am and i crave death #and sleep #but mainly death

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monaownsmyass · 4 years

Text

It’s Complicated/Uncomplicated - Part 2/2

Requested fic by @ineedskyecrandall (if you have any fic ideas or requests you’d like me to write, you can leave me an ask!)

Book: My Two First Loves, (after) Chapter 38

Pairing: Ava Lawrence x MC (Emma Price)

Genre: Fluff

Rating: G, none

Word count: 4,152 (she’s a long one)

A/N: Continuation of Part 1! Ava and MC go on their first date. QUESTION: do you guys prefer shorter or longer fics? Pls lmk. Also I’m pretty sure I chipped my nail polish while writing this so I hope y’all enjoy 😂

Tag list: @ineedskyecrandall @kamilahsayeet2063 @avalawrencefl @lovekamilahsayeed @thequeenkamilahsayeed @midnitesteph (lmk if anyone would like to be included or removed in my next fics.)

I woke up to a text from Ava.

'Rise and shine, you sleepy sloth! I hope you had a good night, here's something to brighten your morning! Xoxo'

She attached a cute cat gif stretching its paws and yawning as it wakes up from it's sleep.

I shot her back a quick reply. 'Morning, babe! Thanks for the adorable cat gif, I can't wait to see your gorgeous face later today <3'.

I may have just woken up but I just knew that today was gonna be an amazing day.

The hours leading up to my date with Ava was a blur. I was wrecked with excitement and anticipation. Mackenzie noticed me on edge and I explained my dilemma to her. She didn't seem that surprised when I came out to her as bi and told her I had a date with Ava.

She just rolled her eyes and said, 'Finally!'.

Two hours before our date, I begged Mack to help me find the perfect outfit. I paced up and down my room, trying on my entire wardrobe and still not being able to settle on anything.

"Oh my god, Em, calm down!" Mack exclaimed in frustration. "It's just Ava! She's seen you at your absolute trash bottom!"

"I know! But it's different!" I defended. "It's like an actual date this time, y'know?"

"You went out for dates with Noah and Mason recently and you weren't walking up and down your room like an agitated child that just shat their pants and is too afraid to tell their parents." She squinted at me. "You like her a lot more than the both of them, don't you?"

"I- what? Mack, no. I mean, I'm not sure. I haven't figured it out yet."

She sighed and stared at me dead in the eyes. "Look, I know you like both boys but I think even you have noticed that you're more drawn to Ava. Shit, you just told me an hour or so ago that you liked her and I can already tell just by looking at you now." She waited for me to process her words before speaking again. "You aren't gonna destroy Mason's or Noah's life if you chose to be with Ava. They're big boys, they can handle the rejection."

Her words struck a chord in me. I have noticed that ever since Ava kissed me I haven't been able to think about either Mason or Noah. When I kissed both of them, I was constantly worrying about the other but with Ava, it was only her that occupied my mind.

I looked away then back at my sister. "I... I think you're right. But I'm just gonna have this date with her before I come to a conclusion."

She waved her hand at me. "Yeah yeah, you do that, but I bet you fifty that you'll agree with me."

"No way am I agreeing to that bet," I scoffed.

"And why not?"

"...'Cuz I'm pretty sure I'll lose."

~•~•~

After over an hour, I finally decided on a cute outfit and waited for Ava in my living room. I was fidgeting with my fingers while Mack made fun of me, teasing me about how nervous I was but I couldn't even focus because it was true; I was mortified.

Ding Dong!

"Ahh!" I shouted in surprise.

My sister just laughed at me and moved to answer the door. "Chill, your girlfriend's here."

"She's not my girl-" I started but stopped mid-sentence when I saw her walk into our hallway.

She may have not been my girlfriend just yet but god, I wish she were.

"Ava," I whispered, speechless. "H-hey!"

"Hey yourself, babe!" She came up to me and wrapped me in a hug. The pet name caused a rush of heat to my cheeks which I was sure she felt when she kissed it. We've always called each other by pet names, 'baby', 'babe', 'darling', 'sweetheart', 'jerk' or 'weirdo' even but this time, it felt different. Different in a good way.

She pulled back slightly as her eyes traveled up and down my figure. Her gaze set my body on fire. "You look amazing!" she complimented. "You're so pretty."

I blushed. "Thanks." I gave her a once over and felt my breath hitch. "You look really hot," I blurted out without thinking and immediately slapped my palm against my mouth.

She burst out laughing, the sound filling me with delight despite my embarrassment. "Thank you, Em." She lifted an arm and it was only then that I noticed that she was holding a bouquet of flowers. "Um, these are for you."

She knew I loved flowers. I accepted it, starting to get a little teary eyed. This was ridiculous! We haven't even stepped out of the house and I was already overwhelmed with emotions. It was a gorgeous bunch of yellow roses with red petal tips. I immediately recognised the meaning behind the colour and the tears started to trickle down my face.

"Ava," I lunged at her, wrapped my arms around her neck and burying my face in the crook of it. "You seriously didn't have to."

"But I wanted to, I wanted to do this right," she laughed and hugged me back.

This moment would've been perfect if it weren't for Mackenzie clearing her throat from the living room couch.

"Okayyyy, I guess this is my cue to leave," she awkwardly excused herself and made her way upstairs. "Bye, lovebirds! Stay safe! Don't do anything stupid and don't forget to practice safe se-!"

"Mack!" I exclaimed, cutting her off but hurling a pillow from the couch at her.

My face was flushed with heat once again from Mack's comment but Ava just let out a good-natured laugh, obviously finding the whole ordeal amusing.

"C'mon, Em. Let's go," she said.

I excused myself to place the bouquet into a vase before walking to her sedan. She opened the door of the passenger seat for me before closing it and entering the driver's side. This girl was too sweet, I swear she'd be the death of me.

She started the engine and started driving away from my house.

"So, where are we going?" I asked.

"And why should I tell you?" she teased.

"Uh, because I'm in your car and I don't know where you're taking me? That's basically kidnapping!"

"It's not if you entered on your own free will!" she giggled and I couldn't help but laugh along with her. Her laugh was contagious and it made my heart flutter.

I didn't have to wait long to find out our destination. It was a small, quaint ice cream parlour. The same ice cream parlour we went to on our first hang out together. We hadn't been back here since and the sight of the shop made me nostalgic.

We entered the shop and it was just as I remembered. It was quite and calm. A much different ambience from the outside world. We walked up to the display freezer and stared at all the different options.

Ava turned to me. "Okay, so here's how we make things interesting, we order a random ice cream we haven't tried before, no trying the flavours beforehand."

I gave her a look. Leave it to Ava to find a way to spice things up. One thing I can say for sure was that my life would definitely be boring without her.

"So, what would you like?"

"Um, I'm not sure." One particular ice cream stood out to me though I wasn't sure it'd be my cup of tea. "I kinda want to try the Maple Bacon Ice Cream but I don't know if I'll like it."

"First of all, that's the whole point of this! We won't know, it's a game of luck. Second of all, you haven't tried Maple Bacon before?" she asked incredulously.

"And you have?"

"Of course! Who hasn't?"

"Ava, that's not a regular ice cream flavour, weirdo."

"It is in my house...," she muttered as she pouted, eyebrows furrowing. I couldn't help but giggle at how cute she was being. "What if we share it? Since you're too chicken to actually get a whole scoop for yourself."

"Hey! That's not true!" I protested but she was right on some regards. I didn't want to waste it if I didn't like it. "But since you insisted, sure, I guess."

"Don't pretend you're not relieved that I offered to share," she smiled teasingly at me.

After much persuasion, I finally let Ava pay for the ice cream and we found an empty booth in the corner. It was far away and secluded enough from the other patrons to give us some privacy.

We sat across from each other with the cup of ice cream in between us. I noticed that they only gave us one spoon. We've shared food and cutlery before but this time, it made me nervous.

"They only gave us one spoon," I pointed out.

"So?" Ava questioned. "We've shared before, here!"

She scooped up some ice cream and brought it up to my lips. I looked at her and cautiously leaned forward to let her feed me. I saw her gulp as I accepted the ice cream.

She shook herself out of her daze and asked, "How is it?"

I licked my lips and gave her a smile. "It's actually really good!"

"See? You should listen to me more often," she bragged.

"Yeah, yeah, now let me feed you instead, it's only fair."

We continued to feed each other, giggling and laughing every time we smudged ice cream against the other's cheek. At first I did it by accident but Ava wasn't having it so she did it back to me on purpose.

We were attacking each other with ice cream, almost screaming at one point and only stopped when we noticed the ice cream server glaring at us.

We quiet down, trying to hold in our giggles and I couldn't help but get distracted by Ava. I saw her mouth moving, saying something but I wasn't listening. Last night was the first time I really got to look at her but right now, in the daylight, I could see every detail of her face that I missed under the dim streetlight. And now that I know my feeling weren't entirely platonic, I could properly appreciate them.

Her perfectly shaped eyebrows, her almond eyes that were a beautiful shade of chestnut brown, accentuated by her eyeliner and mascara and her soft lips that were painted in a darker shade of red today, perfectly complimenting her features. Her gorgeous hair, her high cheekbones, her strong jaw, her freckles. God, her freckles. They scattered all over her cheeks and nose making her look absolutely adorable. All these combined together to make the absolute masterpiece that was Ava.

I've always liked her freckles. I liked how prominent they were in the summer and I knew sometimes she was insecure about how obvious they were but I've always thought that that was ridiculous. If anything I thought it made her look extremely pretty. Not that she isn't without them but there was something about them that caught my attention.

I was broken out of my reverie when I say Ava waving a hand in front of my eyes.

"Hellooo? Earth to Emma?" she said, laughing. "You completely blanked out, what are you thinking about?"

"About you," I replied without a second thought.

I saw her looking a bit flustered and blush a little but she countered back. "Oh? And what about me?"

"I was just thinking about how stunning you look," I admitted.

She bit her lip. "We've known each other for years, you know how I look like, dork."

"Yeah, but I've never gotten a chance to properly look at you and appreciate your face. You're so breath-taking."

I moved to slowly cup her face in my hands and I felt the warmth from her cheeks. I saw her let out a shaky breath and close her eyes for a while before looking back at me. My own heart was doing flips. She smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Okay, you flirt," she joked.

We talked as we finished up our ice cream. Well, I ate most of eat but on our way out I bought one for Ava since I felt bad for stealing most of it. We walked out of the shop, passing the cone of ice cream back and forth to share.

"Where to next?" I asked her while licking the ice cream.

"Just keep walking, we'll be there soon," she replied while reaching out to take the ice cream from me.

I shook my head at her refusal to tell me but I complied. We walked down the sidewalk, shoulders brushing ever so slightly every now and then. I felt her hand ghost over mine a couple of times before I looked up at her. I could almost sense the conflict going on in her head. I silently giggled to myself before grabbing her hand, interlocking our fingers together.

Just like she did the night before, she looked at our hands and then into my eyes. I saw a twinkle in them as she gave me a shy smile.

"Thank you," she spoke softly.

I gave her hand a squeeze in response as we continued to walk down the street, hand-in-hand and sharing the ice cream.

I loved the way her hand fit in mine. It felt different from Mason's and Noah's hand. Their's were slightly calloused, maybe from playing football, and much bigger than mine. I liked the way their's made me feel protected and secured.

However, Ava's hand, while just as strong, was smooth and smaller. It felt comforting and familiar, like someone you've known for a long time who'd always be there even on your worse days. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer this over their's.

"I like holding your hand," Ava spoke out. "It's nice."

I let out a small chuckle and nodded. "I was just thinking the same."

We walked a few more steps before Ava announced, "We're here."

She brought me to a park that was filled with trees and flowers. The park wasn't too crowded but there were a decent amount of people minding their own business. Being autumn, most leaves on the trees were a fiery yet serene combination of red, orange and amber. We walked down a pathway lined with the trees and covered with fallen leaves.

"The scenery is amazing!" I stated in awe. I looked around to take in the view and turned back to Ava to only see her gazing at me.

"So are you," she added. I don't know how many more times she was going to make me blush but I wasn't complaining.

After walking a little more, we spotted a bench. We finished up the ice cream and threw the wrapper and tissue into the trash can nearby before I pulled her by the hand to sit.

She sat a few spaces away but I scooted closer to her. I took her hand in both of mine and placed it on my lap, caressing it. We've always been physically affectionate with each other and I'm not going to allow that to change now. I still wanted her to be comfortable around me despite our recent revelation about our relationship.

Once I saw her relax a bit, I placed my head on her shoulder. I could tell her heart started to race and I had to admit that her nearness was making my heart do the same. The smell of her perfume wafted up to my nose and made my mind hazy. I was finding it hard to focus on anything else with her so close to me. But the again, why would I want to focus on anything else?

I closed my eyes and heard her speak. "I don't think you know how painful it was seeing you with Noah yesterday at homecoming. I kept trying to tell myself that it wasn't my place to be jealous but I couldn't help it. I'm sorry."

"If it makes you feel any better, even though I was with Noah, I couldn't stop myself from staring at you," I confessed. "When I saw you, I thought I was looking at an ethereal being, you didn't look like you belonged on earth, let alone at some crappy high school gym."

She lets out a radiant giggle and I felt her shoulders shake in laughter as I continued, "I realised last night that it's been like this for some time now. I hope you know that this has been long time coming, it's not just some fluke thing that happened last night."

She wraps an arm around my waist, letting it rest against my hip. "I get it, I feel the same way. I've liked you for some time now but it was time I finally admitted it to myself."

I swallowed, holding back the tears that were threatening to spill. Hearing her speak like that made me indescribably happy. "Yesterday, at the dance, I was secretly hoping you'd cut in and ask me for a dance," I confessed.

"I was hoping you'd ask me!" she revealed and we both laughed.

Ava gently nudged me off of her and stood from the bench. I looked up at her, puzzled. She stretched out an arm, offering it to me. "Since I didn't get to ask you for a dance yesterday, I'm doing it now. Would you like to share a dance with me, darling?"

I giggled at her antics. "Ava, we're in the middle of the park! People will think we're mad!"

"I don't care about them, only you. Do you care?" she challenged back.

I didn't have to think twice about my answer. "When I'm with you? Never have and never will."

I placed my hand in hers and she brought it up to her lips kissing it before pulling me up to her feet. I crashed into her, laughing and holding onto her to stabilise myself. She chuckled along with me and guided us a few paces away from the bench. She positioned a hand on my hip and the other still clutching mine. Instinctively, I brought one hand to rest on her shoulder.

"There's no music," I stated.

"Looks like we'll just have to make our own."

Ava began humming a random tune and we started spinning around as if we were ballroom dancing. We stepped onto the grassy area as my laughter and Ava's humming increased in volume.

She twirled and dipped me. She placed both her hands on my waist and lifted me, spinning me in circles as I giggled uncontrollably. If anyone was staring, I didn't notice or bother. All I cared about was that I was in Ava's arms and I felt like I was flying.

She set me down and we both just looked at each other, smiling wider than we've seen each other grin before. I pulled her into me to hug her, resting my cheek against hers. Our heavy breathing and racing hearts began to subside. I moved back slightly in her arms to still see her smiling at me.

She looked back at me and seeing her so happy made me ecstatic in return. It made my heart sing to know I'm the reason for her happiness. The way she was looking at me made me feel important. It made me feel as if I was the best thing that's ever happened to her and it was then that I knew that the feeling was mutual.

Her mesmerising eyes gazed into mine and I thought back to last night, right before we kissed. I really wanted to kiss her then and I wanted it again now.

As if she could read my thoughts, she leaned in closer to me. Inches before her lips met mine, she stopped, hesitating if she should close the gap between us. I could feel her heart start pounding in her chest again against mine.

"Kiss me, Ava," I whispered, quietly enough so only she could hear.

She placed a hand behind my neck and tugged me into a kiss. Our lips met and it felt just as spectacular as last night's. I grabbed onto her harder, not wanting to let her go in case she pulls away but by the way she was clutching onto me made it clear she wouldn't dare dream of it.

Kissing Ava felt like the most wonderful thing in the universe. Mason and Noah were great kisser but even they couldn't even begin to compete with Ava. The small fluttering feeling in my tummy whenever I kissed them was nothing compared to the overwhelming sensation I was experiencing right now. Electricity was surging through my body, energising my entire being. It was entirely intoxicating. It was other-worldly.

I've never understood why people referred to their significant others as their weaknesses because right now, kissing Ava, I felt more alive than I ever did. She wasn't my weakness, she was my strength and...

Did I just refer to Ava as my significant other?

Like all good things, it had to come to an end. But it wasn't by choice, though. So enraptured in the kiss, I leaned further forward, causing Ava to lean back until she stumbled backwards and tripped over a rock. She crashed to the ground, taking me with her.

"Oof!"

"Ouch!"

We looked at each other and burst into a fit of laughter.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" I asked her in between giggles.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she replied in a similar manner.

Ava was flat on her back and I was still on top of her as I buried my face in the crook to muffle my laughter. Ava tossed her head back, still laughing.

After a while, the laughter died down and I lifted myself to look at her once again. We couldn't help it. We started giggling madly, so much so that I let out a snort that only made us more hysterical.

"Oh god, I can't breathe," Ava wheezed.

It took us at least a good three minutes to fully calm down. I rolled off Ava and laid beside her.

"C'mere," she said and pulled me closer.

I rested my head on her shoulder and draped an arm over her torso. She wrapped an arm around me while our legs intertwined. She was staring at the sky as I closed my eyes. It's amazing to think that just the day before yesterday I was worried about choosing between Mason and Noah but now, it's never been clearer that there was only one person for me. And ironically, it was neither of them.

Being here with Ava made me recognise that the reason I couldn't choose between either of them was because my heart already belonged to someone else without me even realising.

We stayed like that for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's presence when I finally broke the quite.

"It's crazy how so much can change in a day." I said softly. "I admit, ever since day one, I would catch myself looking at you. I thought I was staring at you because that's just what people do when they find beauty in something. I know now that while that's true, there's more to it. And it's because I like you, Ava. I really like you. It might have taken us years for us to get here but I wouldn't have had it any other way."

I felt her hold her breath for a while before slowly exhaling.

I spoke again, "I think I'm gonna call it quits with Noah and Mason."

"Are you sure? That's pretty fast."

"I've never been more sure. I can't help but compare how much better everything feels with you. I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend yet, we don't have to rush it, but why lead them on when I already know you're the best for me. You, Ava Lawrence, are my first choice."

I opened my eyes. I still couldn't see Ava's face but I felt her inhaled deeply before gently, tenderly uttering, "You are my first choice too, Emma Price."

I felt the joy bubbling in me at her words. I smiled and let out a contented sigh.

I gave her a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "My feelings were never complicated, I was just to blind to see them for what they actually were." And it was true.

I couldn't help but think how glad I was that I didn't take on Mackenzie's bet. She was right. It always was and always will be Ava.

She may not have been my first love but she was my soulmate.

(More fics!)

#ava lawrence #ava x mc #mtfl: ava #ava mtfl #mtfl #my two first loves #noah harris #mason jennings #choices: mtfl #mtfl choices #choices #choices: stories you play #pb #pixelberry #mtfl fanfiction #choices fanfiction #the amount of googling i had to do for this fic lol

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bordeleaubeau · 4 years

Text

when worlds collide - ryder donovan

chapter three wc: 5635

ryder looks around the group of you, his eyebrows furrowing. “well, my car can only hold four. five if we really squeeze. so i think me driving is out of the picture.” ryder says, since there was six of you and it wouldn’t make sense to make only one person drive by themselves.

“i can drive ken, that’s not a big deal,” logan says, a shy smile on his face as he looks at ryder, the two of them exchanging a quick look as kennedy blushes.

“we can ride with the two of you,” ricky adds, looking over at logan, immediately causing your heart rate to start to pick up. “and then ryder, you can drive y/n?” he suggests with a smile, giving the two of you a quick look that you try to ignore, but you can’t.

next to you, ryder is smiling. “that’s not a problem.” and for a second, you swear you could see his cheeks tinted pink. “right, y/n?” he nudges you gently in the side.

“right, ryder.” you confirm with a smile identical to the blond’s. it was clear to anyone, and as josie had stated before, clear to even a blind person how hard the two of you had fallen for each other in such a short amount of time. call it fate, but there really was something about being paired with ryder that set off fireworks.

“all right, so old chicago? that sound good to everyone?” logan asks, and immediately everyone is in agreement, causing logan to nod. “great. head out, gang.”

the six of you all walk out of the rink, saylor’s baby carrier in your left hand as ryder walks alongside you. there’s a goofy smile on your face, one you can’t quite contain for reasons you couldn’t really say. logan and ryder had parked right next to each other, and you watch as kennedy looks at you with a face of pure excitement as she gets into the passenger’s seat of logan’s car. josie gets in the backseat along with ricky, leaving you to walk to the passenger’s side of ryder’s jeep.

“here, i’ve got it y/n/n,” ryder says, opening the passenger door for you and taking saylor from you. you thank him quickly before he shuts the door for you, leaving you to lean back in your seat and let out a sigh of bliss before he opens the backseat to put the carrier in.

a few seconds later, the driver’s side is opening and ryder is sliding in, a sweet and contagious smile on his face. “you ready to go?”

“does it not look like i’m ready to go dono?” you giggle, referring to the fact you were already buckled in and more than ready to leave, considering the fact logan was already halfway out of the parking lot.

“no it does. i was just making sure with you, that’s all,” he shakes his head slightly before buckling up and turning his key in the ignition. you reach forward, turning on the radio and switching on the country station. “my kind of girl.”

“shut up donovan,” you laugh, leaning back in the seat with a smile on your face. “you’ve put willy on all these different artists, it’s all i hear coming from his bedroom now. so thank you for that.”

“i’m not even gonna apologize. willy loves me,” he teases, but it’s true. willy looked up to ryder in every way possible, and it didn’t help that they were almost carbon copies of each other.

“whatever, just drive, dono. i’m starving.” you roll your eyes playfully as you complain, and in response ryder finally starts to pull out of the parking spot and onto the main road. “you know, you played really well, ryder.”

ryder shrugs slightly, his head turned to the left to make sure the turn was safe. “wasn’t anything special, y/n. just played the game. but what did i tell you? we were gonna beat your dad’s ass.”

“i’m sorry, do i have to repeat myself?” you giggle, shifting in your seat so you’re facing ryder. “you were the superstar tonight, dono! you had, what, three points? and the game winning goal, that was absolutely gorgeous, by the way.”

ryder lets his shoulder’s shrug smugly, “just another game for me, sweets. nothin’ out of the ordinary for me,” ryder mumbles, head turning as he checks the road before making a turn.

“you know, you were cute before you got cocky.” you grumble, turning back in your seat so you’re facing the windshield once more, arms crossing over your chest.

out of the corner of your eye, you can see a smirk growing on ryder’s face. “you think i’m cute.” you open your mouth to object, but ryder beats you to it as he turns his head to look at you when he gets to the red light. “y/n l/n thinks i’m cute.”

“i do not!” you exclaim, already starting to feel the blush forming on your cheeks. ryder gives you a quick glance, an amused look on his face along with his eyebrows raised. “okay fine. but come on! can you even blame me, dono?”

ryder chuckles, “i dunno if i can, y/n/n. the only thing i’ve got going for me is hockey and that’s about it.” your mouth drops open and ryder starts to laugh harder. “what?”

“you did not just say that donovan. but i'm keeping my mouth shut, because i’m not gonna say something stupid.” you fold your arms over your chest once more and ryder just shakes his head with a playful scoff. you let the voice of morgan wallen’s whiskey glasses take over the comfortable silence between the two of you, ryder quietly singing the words here and there. and being honest? it was absolutely adorable.

a short few minutes later ryder pulls into the parking lot where logan’s truck was already parked. “do you think we should bring saylor in? she’s been quiet, so what are the odds she’ll go off if we leave her in here?” ryder asks, glancing over at you before looking in the backseat at saylor.

“i think we just take her in, rydes. it’s gonna be dead in there anyway, so we don’t have to worry about people looking at us weird, and i’d rather we not risk the potential of messing up our grade you know?” ryder nods along with you as you speak and you smile before the two of you get out of the jeep, you then going to the back door to grab saylor out of the seat.

“lemme take her,” ryder nearly whines, hands reaching out with a grabbing motion. you giggle and shake your head at the eighteen year old boy, but nonetheless you hand him the baby carrier with a smile on your face.

“better now, dono?” ryder gives you a satisfied smile and you shake your head once more. that boy was perfect in more ways than one and it was going to be the absolute death of you.

ryder holds the door to the diner open for you and you walk in with a stupid grin on your face, praying he can’t see your face in the reflection of the glass. but when the two of you walk into the seating area, you see the four of your best friends sitting in a ‘u’ shaped booth in the corner of the diner.

kennedy is the first to see the two of you approaching them, and there’s a silly yet cute smile adorning the lips. if you were closer, you’re sure you would’ve heard her giggling quietly under her breath. “there you guys are!” she exclaims.

“we were starting to think you guys ditched us,” logan speaks, eyes fixated on his best friend with his arm wrapped around ken’s shoulders. “glad to see you didn’t.” he smirks at ryder, and out of the corner of your eye you see ryder roll his eyes.

“we took the long way, we were jamming,” ryder says, stepping out of the way so you can slide into the booth before him. he slides in right next to you, placing saylor to the left of him.

you try your absolute best at ignoring the looks kennedy and josie are giving you. you weren’t even aware that you took the ‘long way’ to old chicago, but apparently you had. your cheeks are flaming hot and it’s a miracle no one had pointed them out just yet.

but even if someone was going to, you’re saved by the waitress coming up. she’s an older lady, but nonetheless she’s got a sweet smile on her face as she approaches the six of you. “good evening you guys,” she grins. “my name’s lucy and i’ll be taking care of you kids for the night, can i start you guys off with some drinks?”

you all go around the table reciting your quick drink orders. you order a shirley temple, earning a chuckle from ryder. “what?” you ask, turning to look at him.

“nothing, y/n,” ryder shakes his head with a smile. after lucy walks away, saylor begins to cry, and in an instant ryder is reaching over and grabbing her from the carrier. while he takes care of the doll, you turn to the remainder of your group.

“you two played incredible tonight!” you exclaim with a smile to ricky and logan, both who are quick to turn bashful as if they hadn’t already heard it from josie and kennedy. and as if they don’t already hear it after almost every game they play in.

“thanks y/n/n, but chances are we couldn’t have done it without willy, you know that right?” ricky asks and instantly your eyes are rolling. “what’s that look for?”

you shrug quickly, “i just feel like you guys don’t give yourselves enough credit all the time. yeah will may help here and there but he’s not the sole factor why you guys win, he was super hyped up tonight because of playing against our dad, so that helped a lot. you guys are too hard on yourselves.”

ricky and logan exchange a look between one another, ryder adding into the mix when he finally looks up from saylor who stopped crying. “ryder, where’d you find this one? i like her.” logan smiles teasingly at you and you roll your eyes.

“definitely haven’t been around you guys before or anything,” you let out an exaggerated sigh. willy had begged you to stay as far away from the team as you could, and of course you respected his wishes. you couldn’t have asked for a better relationship with your little brother - and you weren’t going to mess it up when he had gotten a spot on the team after all his hard work. you weren’t going to have all of those boys tease him.

but now? yeah, you weren’t so sure you could keep that promise.

“she’s been here all along,” ryder chuckles from besides you, saylor now back in the carrier and his elbows now resting on the table. “something tells me our boy willy had something to do with that though. any of the other girls with brothers on the team are all over us, but y/n isn’t like that.”

you give ryder a side eye, your friends at the table chuckling as you do so. “ryder, even if willy didn’t tell me to stay away, i wouldn’t be all over you guys. i know what personal space is bud. but you’re right, willy didn’t want me hovering over him and you guys. he didn’t wanna be like the other guys, getting teased about their sister being easy or whatnot. besides, i’m not even like that to begin with.”

“she’s got a point,” josie points out from where her and ricky are both sitting next to each other. “did you even like hockey boys before ryder was in the picture?”

you can already feel your cheeks burning red at her comment, and if you had already ordered and gotten your food you were sure a fry would’ve ended up hitting her face or in her hair. “ryder had absolutely nothing to do with that. i always liked hockey boys.” you grumble, but even you knew you were lying. it didn’t help that the boys from your dad’s team were almost always chasing after you - and everyone knows the notorious stories about hockey players leading girls on. lucky enough for you, you had never fallen for their trap. but you had slowly strayed away from the idea of dating a hockey player.

“well ouch,” ryder feigns hurt as he presses a hand against his chest. “right to the heart, huh y/n/n?” he teases and you give him a mocking smile in return.

“get over it dono. not every girl is willing to drop to her knees for you, and it’s time you realize that.”

ryder’s head immediately snaps over towards ricky and logan, who are both pretty much laughing their asses off as ryder’s mouth is dropped open. you bite your lip to prevent a laugh from coming out, but even josie and kennedy are looking at you in pure shock.

“i was not expecting that from you tonight,” josie chuckles, a look of pure amusement on her face. you shrug, sitting back in the booth and looking over at ryder, who still looks absolutely flabbergasted.

“okay i’m sorry, but i’ve met too many egotistical hockey players in my life. my baby daddy is not going to be one of them.” finally, ryder snaps out of it, shaking his heart slightly as he lets out a soft chuckle.

“jesus, where have you been all my life.” he groans out, head falling back against the leather of the booth.

lucy comes back with all of your drinks, causing ryder to pick his head up from the booth. you all claim your drinks, lucy then starting to take all of your orders. you go for a chicken tenders basket and french fries, ryder with a cheeseburger, and kennedy and josie both go to share a basket of fries while ricky and logan both order pizza roll ups.

ryder’s left hand goes to grab his drink, his left arm reaching around the back of the booth so his arm is resting over your shoulders. you look up at kennedy, her eyes wide as she looks from ryder’s arm to your face, and then to his. “ew, rydes. did you even shower dono? you smell disgusting!” you tease, followed by a small giggle as your nose scrunches up in fake disgust - of course you knew he had showered due to his damp hair.

“i did actually!” ryder defends himself, a look of hurt spread across his face as your friends at the table are laughing. “you know who you should be asking? your brother. i heard he had a hot date tonight. anyway lo, i showered, right?”

ryder looks to logan, whose eyes are wide. “don’t answer him, lo.” you turn to ryder. “what the hell do you mean my brother had a date tonight?”

ryder looks confused more than anything, his eyebrows furrowing together as he looks down at you. “your brother has a date tonight, at least, that’s what he told us. right boys?”

you look from ricky to logan, who are both nodding timidly, too afraid of your reaction to fully commit to giving you an answer. “with who?” kennedy nearly screeches from across the table. “and he didn’t tell us, y/n/n?!”

“good question, ken. i think just another freshman girl.” ryder glances around the table, suddenly realizing his mistake. “i wasn’t supposed to tell you that, was i?”

you frown. you can’t help it, either. william had always told you everything and he had promised you that whenever there was going to be a girl in his life he’d end up telling you about it. apparently that didn’t matter too much to him anymore though.

you huff, letting your head fall down onto ryder’s shoulder without a second's hesitation. ryder can’t help the smile that forms on his lips - a completely stupid, smitten one - as you frown at kennedy across the table. “you’ve got to be kidding me.” you grumble, reaching at the table and grabbing the wrapper for your straw and beginning to tear it to shreds.

“our little willy is growing up,” kennedy’s voice cracks along with raising a few octaves as her head then leans on logan’s shoulder, a shy smile forming on his lips as well.

ryder’s fingers brush along your shoulder, just barely massaging your fabric covered shoulder. “we could go crash their date, you know. i think he said they were going to little angie’s. it’s not that far.”

“could we actually?” you look hopefully up at ryder, your head then turning to look at the remaining four, who are all shaking their heads frantically leaving you to heave out a sigh.

“y/n, don’t. as much as we know you want to, let the kid live a little, okay? it’s not the end of the world if he goes on one date.” ricky defends willy, allowing you to lower your eyes at him. ricky’s hands go up in defense, his gaze wavering from yours.

lucy comes back out with your food orders and lucky enough for the boys, the conversation dies down as you all eat your food in a comfortable silence. you pick at your french fries, your eyes glancing over at ryder every few seconds and you silently pray that the gesture goes unnoticed.

“so rydes,” you clear your throat, reaching for another fry from your basket. “i met your sister.”

you look over to gage his reaction, and immediately ryder freezes. he turns his head to look at you. “which one?” he asks carefully, like he’s treading on thin water.

“clara.” the color drains from ryder’s face as he hears his little sister’s name - the same little sister he would tell everything to. the same little sister that had the biggest blabber mouth there could ever be. and now, he was starting to regret all his decisions.

“she uh,” he clears his throat. across the table from you two, your friends are all watching and listening intently. “she didn’t say anything, did she?”

you give ryder a look, your eyebrows furrowing as you let out a small chuckle. “like what exactly, rydes? we just walked and talked. she asked me about my sweatshirt. i bought her a slushie, walked her back to her seat.”

“oh. nothing.”

but now you’re intrigued, of course. you turn in your seat so you’re facing ryder more, “ryder, what?” you press further, enjoying watching as his cheeks turn a dark shade of red. ryder just shakes his head. “ryder donovan.”

“it’s nothing bad! don’t worry about it, y/n/n,” he glances up at you for a second, the little spark in his eyes setting off a million butterflies in your stomach as your start to feel a blush of your own start to form on your face. there’s a cute smile on his face that he’s trying his hardest to bite back, but it’s nearly impossible. you can still see it.

while his smile is small, yours is wide. ryder is doing anything and everything he can to not look at you after that, so you poke him in the side, a sweet smile on your lips. “she’s really sweet, you know. she reminds me a lot of you.”

his smile then turns into a smirk, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. “well, i did teach her everything she knows.”

“oh really now? because you’re such a charmer, huh dono?” you raise your eyebrows at the blonde boy next to you, intrigued by the sudden confidence boost that took a mere 2 seconds.

ryder chuckles before he grins, eyes finally raising to meet yours. his cheeks have finally returned to their normal pale color, “i am a charmer, i’m happy you noticed, y/n/n.”

“i never said you were a charmer.”

ryder hums, “so i guess that means i gotta try that much harder, huh l/n?”

you feel kennedy’s boot clad foot hit your shin, and you’re sure by the end of that night and by the time you’d be home you would have a nice sized, purple bruise on your shin. “what do you mean, ryder?” you play dumb, a knowing smile on your face.

a soft scoff escapes ryder’s lips, his fingers beginning to tear at the white napkin that sat in front of him. “wouldn’t you like to know, y/n?” he glances at you. you feel your stomach do flips at such a simple gesture, but you can’t even help it. you had fallen, and you had fallen hard. in a matter of 48 hours.

“come on, dono, tell me,” you whine slightly, your hand reaching out to rest on his muscular bicep. ryder glances down at your hand, and suddenly he’s beyond thankful you couldn’t feel his heart beating, because it felt like it was ready to beat out of his chest.

finally, ryder looks up at you, a soft smirk on his face, “i dunno, i think i’d rather make you wait.”

“what’s the fun in that?” you groan, a pout forming on your lips as you pull your hand away from ryder’s bicep to cross your arms over your chest.

“keeps you on your toes, baby mama,” he smirks, accompanying his statement with a quick wink. now it’s your turn to blush and you turn so you’re facing forward once more, your arms crossing over your chest trying your hardest not to smile. ryder nudges you, a smile of his own on his face. “what’s that for, y/n?”

“you’re being mean,” you grumble, once again feeling the kick to your shin from your best friend. you tear your attention away from the table to glance and her, and her entire face is lit up like a billboard. kennedy parkland - the hopeless romantic - knew exactly what was unfolding right in front of her.

“oh, so that’s why you’re smiling?” he teases you, and equally as teasing smile on his face that you can see out of the corner of your eye, because you kept your eyes fixated on your best friend.

you jut your lip out, throwing a quick glare to him. “no, but i’m keeping you on your toes by not telling you, right dono? you’re the one that started this, you know. if you just told me in the first place, maybe we wouldn’t be having this issue!”

“sorry to break it to you sweets, but there’s some things you don’t have to know. and this is one of them.” there’s a smirk on ryder’s lips as he reaches for one of your fries from your basket, and you can’t help the huff you let out.

“you know, i really don’t like you right now, dono.” you mumble, smacking his hand away from your food.

“oh, ‘right now?’” he mocks you, a stupid grin on his face. “so you normally like me?”

“no!” you gasp. you see the slight look of hurt flash across ryder’s face, and you can’t help but sigh. “well, yes? no? i don’t know!” you let out a sigh, feeling heat rush to your cheeks as everyone at the table now turns to you. and not one of them knows what to make out of the situation - besides kennedy, of course.

ryder’s head then tilts to the side slightly, an entertained smile on his lips, clearly enjoying how flustered you were. “if i’m being honest, i just wanted to see you blush again.” your eyes roll immediately as he finishes his sentence.

“you are the worst, ryder.”

“yeah, i know,” he smiles, his hand that’s around your shoulder playing with the fabric of his sweatshirt that you have on. there’s a dumb smile on your face, but that’s wiped clear off your face when you feel your phone buzz from your pocket.

william: you went out with ryder?

y/n: you went out with a girl? read: 10:02pm

“look at this!” you exclaim, shoving your phone in ryder’s face. his eyes widen for a split second at the sudden moment before he’s grabbing your phone from your hand. “who does he think he is!”

ryder’s nose crinkles, eyes glancing back and forth from your eyes to your phone screen. “a teenage boy?” he guesses, voice raising a couple octaves.

you let out a sigh, “rydes you don’t get it.” you grumble, taking your phone back from his grip to slide it across the table for the other for to read. in his seat, ryder shifts so he’s facing you, his tongue darting out to wet his lips.

“you’re right, i don’t. wanna explain it to me?”

and there were those damn butterflies again.

everything the kid did had your heart racing and your cheeks burning pink. and he was having a hell of a lot of fun with it, too. “it’s just -” you sigh, leaning back in your seat. “he used to tell me everything. even when he was in middle school. i just thought he would have told me about this, you know? will’s never even been on a date before.”

“kinda like how you told him you were going out with me?” ryder’s eyebrows raise and you falter slightly. he sort of, kind of, had a point. but not really.

“but that’s different!” you proclaim, “he’s out on a date. we’re out with friends. besides, he knew i was going out tonight. i thought he was going home with our mom.”

“maybe he’ll tell you about it in the morning, but from previous experience as a fifteen year old boy? there was a time when i stopped telling shay everything.” ryder rubs your shoulder comfortingly, leaning down to give you an apologetic look. he really did feel bad - anyone on that team knew how close you and william were.

you just shrug, “okay fine, i guess you’re right, i just wasn’t expecting it,” you mumble, completely defeated.

“i know you weren’t y/n/n, and i’m sorry it happened but he’ll come around to telling you everything again. i did with shay, and vanessa,” he tries to reassure you, voice soft as he talks to you.

“ryder does he ever tell you things?” you blurt out. you couldn’t help it, either, you knew william absolutely adored ryder in every way possible. he idolized the kid, even. he was so excited when he was finally able to play with him, let alone be his linemate.

ryder’s eyebrows furrow, “what kind of things? because willy just about never shuts up when he’s talking to me. not like i mind, though.” he lets out a soft laugh, one that finally puts a smile on your face. “there’s that smile, pretty girl.”

“i dunno, just,” you have to fight through your smiling lips and blushing face, “things you’d tell shay? or i guess things you wouldn’t tell shay. things he’d only tell a teammate, maybe.”

“he hasn’t yet, but i’d he does do you want me to tell you? but you have to keep it a secret. i don’t want willy turning on me.”

you nod, “if you don’t mind? and don’t worry. he’d never turn on you. me, maybe. but never you.” you give him a smile and ryder nods, giving your shoulder a squeeze. “thank you rydes.”

“of course, any time, y/n/n.”

logan clears his throat from across the table, “well, are we all ready to head out?” he asks, looking between the two of you. “cause i think we’re all ready. i’ll just head to the front to pay and we can go.”

“yeah i think so.” ryder says, then glancing over at you. ryder starts to dig into his pocket for money, and so do you seeing as everyone had already given logan their money for their share. you go to give logan your ten, but ryder swats your hand away, handing logan a twenty. “don’t worry about it.”

“thanks, rydes,” you mumble quietly, your cheeks an undeniable pink color as the six of you then all start to get out of the booth. ryder sticks his hand out for you to take, and once you’re fully out of the booth his hand then travels to the small of your back, free hand grabbing saylor’s baby carrier.

you all bid your goodbyes, ryder leading you out of the diner, the two of you falling into a comfortable silence as you walk to ryder’s jeep. you follow the same routine from earlier, ryder opening your door, you thank him, and then he puts saylor in the backseat before getting into the driver’s seat. but before you say anything to the boy, you feel your phone vibrate and you pull it out of your pocket.

william: i thought i told you to stay away from my teammates y/n.

you swallow hard, leaving the message on read and stuffing it in your pocket once more. “rydes?” you ask, leaning all the way back in the seat so your cheek is pressed against the leather to look at him. ryder hums in response, turning the radio on before turning to look at you. “thank you.”

“for what? we were just having a night, y/n/n. you are my baby mama after all, it’s the least i can do.” the two of you sit there, music from ryder’s phone automatically playing from the bluetooth.

you let out a soft laugh, “‘m not just talking about paying for my meal. i mean everything. talking, the ride, reassuring me about william. it means a lot, rydes. especially knowing will has someone like you in his life.”

ryder puts his car in reverse, looking over his shoulder as he starts to pull out of the parking spot. “of course. i love willy, you know that. i’d do anything for the kid. and i love being that person for him you know, and i’m gonna keep my word i promise. if he says something to me i’ll report right to you, got it?”

“got it,” you smile, letting out a blissful sigh as you look at the blond whose eyes are trained on the road in front of him. “you know where i live, right? just from picking will up and dropping will off?”

ryder nods, confirming your suspicions. “yeah, you guys are only like, ten minutes away from us. it’s not too far at all, not a problem either. speaking of, what do you think about me picking you up in the morning?” ryder asks, glancing over at you. but he quickly rushes out, his words blending together, “i just feel bad if you have to drive and bring saylor to school, you know? that’s all. i’ll drive will, too.”

“you don’t have to do that, you don’t have to do that at all,” you shake your head at him, but ryder sends you a quick smile.

“i told you, i don’t mind. i promise you that y/n.”

you let out a sigh, and ryder smiles knowing he’s got you exactly where he’s got you. because you’re gonna give in. “okay, okay. but that also means you need to stop for caribou in the morning, got it dono? will and i get it every morning.”

“anything you want, you got it.” you smile at him, letting your eyes linger on him for a minute too long. but before you know it, ryder is pulling down your street and then unfortunately, up your driveway. but you didn’t want the night to end.

“thank you rydes,” you thank him again, going to unbuckle your seatbelt and get out of the car, but ryder’s hand stops you.

“you really think i’m gonna ask you to my game, take you out for dinner afterwards, and not even walk you up to your door? what kind of guy do you think i am, y/n?” you can’t help but laugh, but nonetheless you nod.

“okay, okay, what are you waiting for then?” you don’t have to say another word before ryder is unbuckling besides you and getting out of the car.

slowly, and noticeably so, the two of you take the short walk up to your front door, the ten second walk being drawn out to nearly thirty seconds with how slow you were going. but when you finally reach the door, you turn around with your back pressed against it to face ryder.

“really, i mean it. thank you for tonight, ryder. i had a lot of fun.” you admit quietly, your eyes meeting his, and even in the dim light of the porch light you can see the soft smile on his face.

“i had a lot of fun too, y/n/n. we should do it again sometime.” and once again, even in the dim light you can see the blush on his face. the two of you continue to stand there quietly looking at each other.

“goodnight, ryder.” you whisper.

“goodnight, y/n.” ryder whispers right back at you, but neither of you move. you don’t move to open the door, and ryder doesn’t take his hand away that’s resting besides your head. and slowly but surely does he ever so carefully start to lean down.

chapter four

#ryder donovan #ryder donovan imagine #nhl #hockey #nhl hockey #nhl imagine #hockey imagine #jack hughes #spencer knight #alex turcotte #vegas golden knight #vegas golden knights imagine #wisco hockey #wisco hockey imagine #wisconsin hockey #wisconsin hockey imagine

198 notes · View notes

dreamydarkblue · 3 years

Text

this letter is a riptide in the ocean

|randomscenarios I

rating: T

warning: swearing

word count: 1917

tagging: @lasswithumor @ravenadottir @bubblelaureno @ariendiel

notes: memories are weird, they hit you when you least expect them. and inspiration is the same, but they fuel each other. opening up is hard, but through a nameless letter that will never be sent is easier. imagination runs wild. for the music suggestion, the cut that always bleeds by conan gray.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey you,

It's been quite long hasn't it? I am sorry I don't have the courage to do this rightfully, and not like a coward hiding behind a letter. I am sorry. But you know I have never been like that, I could never be like you. Even when we first met, I was hiding behind my mother's legs.

Oh, I was so nervous, I never liked new places, you know it. We were living in the city, in the poorer area, and then we went to your family's house. It was huge, everything was too big. Why did you guys have an elevator in your house, weren't those for corporate buildings? And then you guys were intimidating too, I mean you were nice, don't misunderstand my words but you can understand where I am coming from, right? Your dad was a big name and your mom was a successful business owner. Then you had everything, the looks, the charming and kind personality, the brains. How could I not hide behind my mother when you guys were everything we were not? Everything that we could never be.

And then I still remember how you welcomed me, I could never forget those memories even if I wanted to. And trust me sometimes when I felt alone and like crying, those were the only ones that I couldn't shake off. You shared your toys with me, gave me a tour of the house and even shared little secrets only you knew. I felt special that day, like you liked me. But I never tried to ask if it was like that, it would be a foolish thing to do. I didn't want the disappointment of it not being true and it was rather silly.

Of course you didn't like me, it was out of kindness that you were doing that. Even if you did, we were young children back then. Any feeling you felt, you didn't know what it was. I still have that yellow plushy you gave me. It feels nice thinking about it.

That happened the second time we were there, I was much calmer. Still a bit too excited but who wouldn't be, when it was so different from what I knew? We had dinner together and your mom made one of the best pasta I have ever eaten. Then we walked up the stairs to your room, and you challenged me to lift the dumbbells sitting in the corner. Of course I couldn't lift the ones you suggested but, I wasn't going to back down just because it was impossible...

That sentence does summarize my personality well, don't you think?

Well, after my numerous tries I finally did lift them, just a little. But it was a win for me, and I still remember your laugh. It was contagious, I loved it so much. I even put myself through that just because I knew the silliness would make you laugh.

I miss those days, now all I can do is imagine.

And after that whole thing, you prized me that yellow plushy that now sits in one of the boxes I put away in a corner. I can't bear seeing it, it actually makes me cry and you know how hard it is for me to cry. But I love it so much. It's so stupid, that it makes this happy to think about but it does. It's about the only thing I have that is not memories.

And then we stopped hanging out, and all I had was my unknown feelings and that damn plushy. I was too young and dumb to be upset about it, but I knew I was sad. I knew it hurt in way I couldn't comprehend.

I missed you a lot during those years. Whenever someone talked about you, suddenly I was in the room, listening attentively. And whenever my mom and aunt joked about you and I, I didn't show it but it was too much. It made me happy to know I wasn't the only one having those thoughts but it hurt.

It hurt to know that I would never have that with you, when you were the only person I wanted it to be with. It hurt to know that we probably became strangers, and you didn't even think about me. It hurt to know that even if we did meet again, you wouldn't like me.

I lost that innocence, maybe you liked me because of it. Anything I had was less than what you deserved, and I didn't like how I looked, how I talked, how I was too nervous to be something.

Those thoughts always made me mad that I felt like that, because I wasn't some dumb bitch that lived in a dream, and didn't realize how impossible it sounded. I knew it was impossible, that's why it made me mad. I wasn't in control, I couldn't stop myself from feeling like that. And that was angering me.

After some years of denial, I kind of forgot about it. Yeah, I did think about you whenever I heard the word first crush, but still it was better. And then you fucked up.

My aunt and mom decided it would be a good idea to visit your mom. And me being the dumbass I am, I decided to go along with them. Maybe you would talk to me again, maybe you would say hello. Even just seeing you would be enough for me, I was desperate more than I realized.

We sat in the living room, except you. You were in your room, and I can't blame you for it. You probably would have been bored just like me, and it was better to play games with your friends. You never saw me doing it but I was trying to impress your mom. And you too, I brought a book with me and read it. So silly, I know. You probably would have laughed if you knew my intentions then. But still, you didn't get out of your room, probably because of the things I listed. I understood that but I never understood the way you acted when we ate dinner together. Why were you so cold and snarky? I said something to your sister and you acted like you didn't want me there.

Was I too annoying? It's hard to remember now, maybe I acted too bratty, maybe I was too weird, maybe I tried too much. But it didn't matter, I got the answers to my questions.

I was right to be angry with myself, I was right. We would never be something other than old acquaintances. I was right to not like my self, not like how I look, not like the way I acted. But you hurt me a lot, you asshole.

Did you know that I held back my tears in the car ride back home, because I couldn't explain why to my mom if she asked?

Did you know that I still can't wear the things I wore that day without something in me breaking?

Did you know the things I wrote from that, how many pages you are written on, how many songs I feel you through, how many movies I dreamt us in?

And I felt so stupid, I still do, and I don't think I will ever not feel like that. My non-existent confidence is the evidence you need. I see myself in the mirror and think if you would like the reflection. I sometimes act a different way and your words from the silly chat we had rings through my head. You are like a cloud looming over me and I don't know if it will rain.

And then you became worse. I had forgotten about it, moving on from the silly crush you were but then you reminded me.

My mom came back from a visit to your dad and I wasn't going to ask about you, I promised to myself. I wanted to, so bad, and because of that I didn't.

But fuck me, you talked to her about me. You asked her how I was doing it and how was school going. How I could go to that school that I wanted. I don't want to believe my mom, and the fact she says she didn't start the talk about me. I don't want to feel helpless again and believe that you still remember me. I know that if I do, it will be a long time until I get back up again.

Still, every time I go back to you. And your beautiful black hair and eyebrows. Your eyes were such a beautiful brown, and I hate my brown ones, for they could never be like that. Your hand were so soft and the time I held them, I didn't know how much I should have been thankful. And I still go through the phone your mom gifted me. It had your photos in it, the only ones I could hold onto.

And this whole quarantine thing happened, everyone decided to talk through zoom. And our parents suggested it too, I hated it. I hated how I immediately thought about you and how I got sad because you probably wouldn't show your face. Two could play that game, and I didn't want to show mine because of other reasons already.

Then you once again surprised me, talked to my parents and asked about me. I don’t know why you did it, maybe because you didn't see me and wanted me to suffer because of it. Maybe it was genuine curiosity or it was just kindness, nothing that should be thought after this much. But of course I did. And I even got closer to the screen so I could see you, risking myself getting exposed.

You looked amazing, just as I remembered but much more mature. Is this what soulmates were, would that be reaching too far? Because every time I start about forgetting you, something reminds me.

I am still hopeful and you would probably tease me about it. But I can't lie to myself anymore, I lie to everyone else and that includes you. It hurts to know that I will never be enough. I can't be happy and hopeful, either, because I know how it ends.

It ends with me dreaming about us, dreaming about your arms around me and your face close to mine.

It ends with me thinking of you as I sleep, trying to see you at least through my subconscious.

It ends with me doubting myself and trying to feel emotions when someone asks me why I act like that.

It ends with me writing a letter addressed to you even though no one other than me will ever see this.

I hope you get the things you want from life, I hope someday we can meet again. And if we meet again, I hope I impress you.

I miss you, F.”

I wrote the last line as I held back a storm. I folded the paper, put it in a letter and hid it in a drawer.

That was my sorrow story, every night to feel undeserving of love. Feeling like a joke whenever my friends said someone might like me. Feeling your eyes on me even though, we haven't been in the same room since 6 years ago.

Your cloud loomed over my head and I welcomed the rain.

#this letter is a riptide in the ocean #randomscenarios #thank you so much for reading #let me know what you thought if you want to

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multibug · 3 years

Text

i'm out of my head and i know that you're scared (because hearts get broken)

chapters: 19/? (chapter one is a prelude from my love square fluff series and is included) words: 51,441 relationships: adrien agreste/marinette dupain-cheng, alya cesaire/nino lahiffe tags: Alternate Universe - No Kwamis, Chatting & Messaging, Long-Distance Friendship, Identity Reveal, Slow Burn, Influencers, Aged-Up Character(s), Human Kwamis, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Lila Shakes Things Up summary: ren from ren and stimpy: think its the opposite u furry lookin ass

right chat: Rena, nooo!!

ren from ren and stimpy: rena yes

or, Adrien is a streamer on top of his modeling job, with the help of his long-distance friends Ladybug, Carapace, and Rena Rouge. Shenanigans ensue, and the masks they’ve hidden behind for years begins to break.

“You’re telling me that some bitch—”

Nino sputters out a mildly horrified laugh. “Alya!”

A strand of hair is tucked behind her ear by said snapback-clad boy and she huffs loudly. “What, Nino? It’s not as if I’m wrong. As I was saying before you rudely interrupted me, she stole my identity?!”

“Yeah, we only realized she wasn’t you when the two of you returned from your trip and messaged us,” Adrien supplies helplessly, shifting to tuck a leg under him.

Alya gives both him and Marinette the stink eye, though Adrien’s sure it’s just a test if he knows her well enough. “How could you ever think someone like that was me?”

“To be fair, Als,” Marinette starts off, voice gentle as she scooches closer to Adrien to lean against his arm. “We didn’t really get to talk to her. I tried messaging her on Discord and on Twitch, but she kept claiming she was busy anytime I reached out. I figured you were just upset over the breakup originally and needed your space, you know? I didn’t want to push it.”

The redhead’s harsh exterior fades, and they’re left with a sad one instead. “Yeah, it’s just bizarre that she’d even want my account? Is she that obsessed with sunshine over here?”

“Hey! Don’t say that.” Adrien’s cheeks flush a deep shade of red, which has Marinette pinching them. He grabs her hands and huffs. “Hey to you too!”

Marinette’s laughter is contagious. “Hey, what’s up?”

Alya raises an eyebrow in Marinette’s direction and leans in to whisper into her ear. Whatever Alya says has Marinette’s cheeks burning a bright shade of pink that travels to her neck and parts of her shoulders. She quickly removes her hands from Adrien’s, yet stays tucked against his side.

Both of them blinking over in Adrien’s direction has him believing it had something to do with him.

“Whatever the case may be,” Adrien begins, flicking his hair out of his eyes. He’s not thinking about those last few seconds. Nope. “We need to be smart about this, Ren—Alya. She has your account right now and has all of our subscribers like putty in her hands.”

“Adrien’s right. If we go about this the wrong way, they might think we’re lying, and we do not want for that to happen,” Nino chimes in, resting a reassuring hand on Alya’s shoulder as she begins to close in on herself.

“It’s weird seeing you be reasonable,” Marinette comments idly, her hair splaying out over Adrien’s arm and shoulder.

Nino hums. “Only when it’s needed.”

“That’s a good way to live.”

“Yeah, I try.” Nino flips his non-existent long hair over his shoulder.

“So what do we do?” Alya’s voice is soft, nowhere near as confident as the girl they know.

Marinette sends her a reassuring smile. “Max is working on getting the account back as we speak. Going through the conventional means won’t work, but if anyone can do it, it’s Max.”

“He said he’d call once he has the account back, so instead of sitting around all day like plebs, I’ve planned us a little adventure.” Nino’s lips curve into a smirk that excites Adrien. “Get dressed, lads and ladettes. We’ve places to be, things to see!”

“Do you have any idea what he’s got planned?” Marinette asks both Adrien and Alya as Nino disappears into the guest room to supposedly finish getting ready.

A light breeze travels in through the screen door of the balcony. It’s chillier than it’s been the last few days, though not nearly as cold as Paris is during this time of year. Birds still flock regularly on Marinette’s balcony, a few residing today with the leftovers of what she’d given them earlier.

Adrien loves it here.

(Marinette definitely isn’t the main reason, no. He wouldn’t admit it to himself if he was paid to.)

“No idea,” Alya replies with a shrug, a far-off look in her eye. “I’m going to go get dressed.” As soon as the look had appeared, it vanished, and she follows Nino to change.

“We have to keep an eye on her,” Marinette whispers, a bit too close to constitute a reasonable amount of personal space, but Adrien isn’t complaining. “I don’t like seeing her like this.”

His heart warms at how caring she is. “You’re too nice, Bug. She’ll be okay, but we’ll be there for her if she needs us, okay?”

He hopes his reassurance is enough to quell her worries.

It does seem to be enough, and a huge smile breaks out on her face. “Thanks, Adrien. You’re the best.” She leaves him with a quick, slightly wet kiss on the cheek and scurries out of the room with a giggle, much to Adrien’s amusement.

He raises his eyebrows with a smirk, shaking his head fondly. If that’s how she wants to play, then so be it.

Game on.

— — —

PANINI: gamers im taking the ladies out today if you guys want to come, let me know and i’ll dm you the details

Banana head: NINO, YOU IDIOT. I’M NOT A LADY. Who changed my name? I will end you.

chlo: rmbr u rmbr right?

Banana head: Chlo, I swear to all that is holy. Don’t tell that story.

chlo: how much?

RENegade: is sHE ASKING FOR SEX???

marimba: SEX???????? wheRE?????

chlo: GOD NO I’M A LESBIAN WHAT THE FUCK

Kagami: Lesbian, huh? ;)

chlo: kagami stfu is2g

Kagami: ;)

chlo: ANYWAYS how much money, adri

Banana head: You want another Louis Vuitton bag, don’t you?

chlo: IT’S THE NEWEST OF THE SEASON AND THEY WON’T LET ME HAVE IT

Banana head: Sigh. I’ll see what I can do.

chlo: thanks bitch! you’re the bomb bomb dot com bomb diggity someone take away my phone

Alix: hey, @Carapace, what time are you guys going out? rose, juleka and i are about to see a movie but if it’s after that, we can meet up

PANINI: we were gonna head out before the rain hit so in like five minutes

Juls: drat we can just hang out another time then :( have fun guys!!!!

marimba: YOU TOO JULES I LOVE YOU BITCH

Juls: I AIN’T EVER GON STOP LOVING YOU

Alix: BITCH

Banana head: Best meme. 10/10.

luka: how can you say that when the chicken nuggets meme exists

marimba: I ONLY HAVE 69 CENTS!! GOOD MEME!!!!!!

luka: see even marinette knows

marimba: haha it has 69 in it haha haha ha

Banana head: You’re such a child!!!!

marimba: COMING FROM THE MAN WITH THE NAME BANANA HEAD WHERE’S CHLOE I’LL GET HER THE LOUIS VUITTON BAG IF IT MEANS HER TELLING THE STORY

Banana head: I’M KIDDING. I’M KIDDING!!!!

marimba: that’s what i thought :)

PANIN(o)I: y’all better be ready we leaving now let’s GO

RENegade: I’M COMING BITCH CHILLLLL

marimba: wITHOUT ME????

Adrien’s been ready for a bit, but he doesn’t mind waiting.

He decided on wearing a pair of black jeans instead of shorts, just in case it rains while they’re out, and a black sweater with a thick jean jacket. His hair is a dark brown shade, still lightening at a slow rate, though he doesn’t mind it much at this shade.

He wouldn’t dye it again to match, but he’ll let it fade as he’s enjoying the brunet life.

Marinette’s bedroom door squeaks open and she appears through the door, dressed and ready to go.

And wow. No one should look that good, and she pulls it off so easily.

Her bangs frame her face like curtains, her hair just past shoulder length from being straightened. Her bright blue eyes blink amusedly at him, lips arching into a smile.

The only makeup he spots is on her lips, a lip gloss that makes her lips look super kissable. “Problem, Agreste?”

Laughter bubbles out of his lips, and he averts his eyes. “None, Dupain-Cheng. Just admiring your beauty, is all.” Lying won’t help his cause, so he might as well be honest.

She rolls her eyes, hard enough to hurt, yet her cheeks give her away. “Sure, whatever you say!”

His eyes flash over her attire. While she’s not dressed up by any means, the outfit she chose suits her so well.

Wait. Is she trying to kill him?

With the impending rain and whether they’ll end up caught in the crossfire, she’s chosen a black baggy sweater, denim jeans with large holes around the knees with fishnet stockings underneath, and black old-skool vans.

And to top it off, she’s wearing his merch. His Chat Noir sweater that’s completely black, with white lettering in the center that says, “I’m the Chat’s meow”. He hadn’t noticed at first, been too preoccupied with, er, other things—her lips—and he’d lie if he said his face didn’t get slightly hot at seeing her in person in his merch.

“I thought you only bought the sweatpants, Bug?” He asks offhandedly, eyes averting from her for a second time.

(He has no idea the nickname brings another bout of red to her cheeks.)

“Shut up or I will take it off right now—”

“Oh, please d—”

She’s in front of him in a second, her hand firmly covering his mouth with a menacing look in her eyes. “Adrien Agreste, if you continue with that sentence, I will murder you and I won’t tell anyone where I hid your body—”

Adrien bursts out laughing the best he can, and it sounds so bizarre with her hand muffling it. His own hand finds her wrist and wraps around it, gently prying it away from his face. “Bug, please, you’re going to kill me!”

“You’re not wrong about that,” she affirms with her eyes narrowed. She allows him to keep hold of her wrist.

“I was kidding,” he murmurs, eyes locking with hers as he brings her wrist to his lips and presses a light kiss to her skin. With how close she is, he can feel her breath hitch, so he sends her his best smile. “I would never want to make you uncomfortable.”

Marinette’s head tilts to the side, face softening. Her free hand finds his cheeks and she squeezes them gently. “You’ve never made me uncomfortable before, and you haven’t now. I was kidding as well.”

His eyes brighten. “Oh, so that means you—”

“You’re absolutely hopeless!” Her forehead drops to his shoulder as she whines loudly.

“There, there,” he says, hand wrapping around her to pat her back. “You’ll be okay, Bug, don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

She’s warm, so warm against him that his jacket feels stifling, and he tugs her closer, enjoying—savoring this moment with her. He doesn’t have many days left in Nice, and he wants to cherish every second he can.

There goes his heart again, pitter-pattering away, following hers like a lost puppy.

If only she knew.

#adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #alya cesaire #Nino lahiffe #streamer au #mine #miraculous fanfic #miraculous ladybug #i finally wrote it!#its' finally posted!!!!!!!!!!!#AAAAAAAAAAAH #i hope you guys enjoy #this is only part one of two tho :p #also this is not beta'd #ill probably fix it later but i aint give a FUCK #ladynoir #but unconventionally

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