#Four Gathered on Christmas Eve | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

reese-tasteslikepepsicola · 9 months

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POST-OUTBREAK JOEL MILLER X FEM!READER

Joel feeling insecure about the large age gap you guys have

Warnings:

Large Age gap (reader is 28, Joel is 56), baby Ellie makes an appearance (ugh I love Bella Ramsey), lack of communication, hints to making out+Kissing+Sex, insults, body pain, crying.

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• Joel first laid eyes on you when he and Ellie arrived to Jackson to settle down permanently.

• Tommy was giving Joel and Ellie a tour while you were taking a group of kids out of the Jackson daycare for a walk to the small playground.

• When Joel spotted you, he couldn’t help but stare at you and feel content watching how gentle and patient you were to the kids you were leading.

• Your warm smile that you flashed him when you caught him staring had him jump out of his daze and clear his throat, turning his attention back to Tommy’s voice.

• Ellie caught notice and nudged Joel’s shoulder, smirking and whispered, “Were you just staring at that pretty woman, Joel?”

• Joel had rolled his eyes, “I wasn’t”

• Ellie kept teasing him after that, making kissy faces to piss off the old man.

• The second time he saw you was at a Christmas gathering in the bar, strictly held for the adults a day before Christmas Eve.

• Tommy had brought you over to where Joel had been sitting on his own in the corner.

• “Joel, this is Maria and I’s close friend, Y/N. Y/N, this is Joel, my brother. He just arrived to Jackson earlier this week with his girl, Ellie”

• Joel thought you were so much more beautiful up close. You looked so much…younger, up close. Not even a wrinkle in sight.

• You had to only be 27 or 28 years old.

• When you both shook hands and you stared at Joel with so much genuine interest in your eyes, wanting to know about him and asking him questions, his seemingly cold heart had turned so much warmer.

• The conversation between you both flowed so freely and smoothly that you barely even noticed Tommy had removed himself from the conversation to go work the bar.

• After that night at the bar, you edged your way slowly into Joel and Ellie’s life, baking them cookies and lending Ellie your comics, and having them over for dinner alongside Maria and Tommy.

• Skip to four, long months after Christmas Day, you and Joel were an official couple.

• Joel had his doubts about becoming a couple due to how much older he was than you, and also hadn’t felt the touch of a woman since Tess, yet he kept it to himself knowing that if he tried to talk to you about it he’d feel vulnerable and all mushy. Joel didn’t do that kind of stuff.

• So he kept it in, even though it was itching to come out when the judgmental stares from people around town increased whenever you both would show public affection.

• He almost opened up to you about it one night when the Tipsy Bison Bar was gathered with people all around Jackson who had threw an anniversary party for Maria and Tommy.

• Joel was actually enjoying himself, having his beautiful girl on his left arm and a cold beer in his right hand.

• A slow song had came on and Joel brought you to the small dance floor where all the other couple were slow dancing with their loved ones.

• Your arms were wrapped around his broad shoulders and his strong arms wrapped around your waist.

• Joel was so happy and relaxed to have you in his arms and swaying gently to the slow Elvis song in the moment, that he wasn’t even focusing on anybody who was possibly staring at you guys with questionable faces.

• It was when Joel’s cold beer bumped your bare skin where your shirt lifted up, and you squealed, wrapping your arms around him tighter,

“Jeez, Joel! It’s so cold!”

• He did it again out of amusement and was letting out soft laughs,

“Can you get the bartender to refill it for me, baby? Please?” He asked, planting a kiss on your forehead.

• You happily took it from him and he watched you teasingly sway your hips dramatically when walking away from him, knowing that it always made him blush and laugh at your joking attempt at being sexy.

• He watched you from where he was standing, you were waiting for the bartender patiently, occasionally turning around to give him a grin.

• All the alcohol Joel had been drinking that night caught up to his bladder, so he had went to use the bathroom.

• You finally got the bartender to fill Joel’s bottle, and before you could start walking back to where Joel was supposed to be on the wooden dance floor, a man, around your age had tapped your shoulder.

“Uh, Hi? Can I help you?” You looked at the man who had short black hair and a nose ring with a confused look on your face,

“I’m usually not this forward but, you are one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen here”

•You were used to men complimenting you around Jackson, so you just politely thanked him and looked around for Joel, not seeing him on the dance floor or sitting on any of the bar stools. Hoping he would walk away,

“You work at the Jackson Daycare, right?” You wanted to cringe at his attempts at small talk,

“Uh, yeah! I do” You didn’t ask him a question back, wanting him to get a hint that you weren’t interested in engaging in any broken flirting with him.

• He still wasn’t getting a hint, and Joel still was no where to be found,

“I have to ask pretty girl, are you seeing anyone at the moment?”

•You wanted to cringe again. ‘Pretty girl’ only sounded nice coming out of your boyfriend’s gruff voice.

• Speaking of your boyfriend, where the hell is he?

• There was a small line for the bathroom when Joel went, so it was taking longer than he thought it would.

• You looked at the man and gave him a tight lipped smile,

“I am, actually. I’m with my boyfriend” You responded to him.

• The young man looked around,

“And where is he? I don’t see him” You wanted to punch the cockiness out of him.

• That’s when Joel had came up behind the both of you,

“I’m right here”

• The tension released from your body when you heard your man’s voice,

“Hi” You kissed Joel on the cheek and slightly stood behind him, grabbing his arm to try and lead him to sit down. He wouldn’t budge from where he was now towering over the younger man,

“There a problem, young man?” Joel asked, cocking an eyebrow at him.

• The man had laughed in disbelief,

“This grandpa is your boyfriend? Wow, unbelievable”

• You gave the man a dirty look and continued to tug less gently on his arm,

“Joel, c’mon. He’s not worth it”

• The man scoffed and stared at you,

“I’m pretty sure I’m worth more than this old fuck, bitch”

• That’s when Joel shoved the guy into the wall and clenched his fists,

“Joel, seriously! Let’s just walk away!”

• Tommy and Maria had rushed over to break up the two men, talking to them both, but their voices sounded blurry to Joel’s ears.

• Your face was becoming hot out of embarrassment due to the eyes from everyone in the bar all on you.

• You placed the beer on the bar counter and grabbed you and Joel’s coats from the hanger and walked over to him,

“Let’s go home, okay? It’s getting late, baby”

• Joel didn’t answer you, instead just taking his jacket out of your hands and walking ahead outside,

• Joel was quiet the whole way home. He wasn’t slipping his hand into the pocket of your jeans and giving you drunken kisses like he usually did on these nights.

• When you both got to his and Ellie’s house, he was still quiet.

• Though, he was being loud with his actions. Tossing his jacket to the side, kicking his boots carelessly off the carpet, and stomping up to his bedroom upstairs.

• Ellie, who was sitting on the lazy boy chair reading one of the comics you gave her, looked at you with a confused look,

“What’s up his asshole tonight?” You shook your head and rubbed your forehead,

“He got into a small fight at the bar. Nothing too serious” you said. Flopping down on the couch with a tired sigh,

“If it wasn’t serious, why is he acting like some fucking kid who got told he wasn’t allowed some candy?”

You laughed and shrugged,

“I really don’t know, honey. I wish I did”

• And it’s true, you really don’t know why that situation at the bar made him so angry.

• You knew Joel to be strong and get over his shit easily.

• Joel had been quiet and less affectionate for the next few days after that.

• The comments the much younger man made about Joel’s age really fucking got to him.

• Also the fact that the guy had the audacity to call you a bitch.

• What the guy said was getting to Joel’s head…what if a younger man was more worth your while? A man that didn’t groan and grunt when he sat down or up, a man that didn’t need massages before bed every night because of his constant aching bones, a man who was not old enough to be your dad.

• Joel was feeling insecure.

• Joel had finally opened up to you about it when you guys had the house to yourself.

• He had finished showering, a much needed shower after helping Maria clean the barn all day.

• When he walked into the bedroom, you we’re sitting pretty on the flannel sheets of the bed, a white night gown that Maria gifted you for Christmas draped over your body and a big smile on your face.

• Even though Joel had been in a foggy mindset since that night at Maria and Tommy’s anniversary party, looking at you never failed to make him crack a smile.

• He sat down on the bed, grunting when pain shot up his aching back,

“You okay, baby?” Your warm hand rubbed his shoulder, soothingly.

• Joel just nodded,

“I’m alright. Don’t worry about it”

• You frowned when it seemed like he didn’t want your touch.

• When he laid on his back, you, out of usual routine, straddled his lap, hopefully to have sex.

• It had been coming up on a week that Joel had barely touched you. Always wanting to to just head straight to bed,

“Sorry, sweetheart, not tonight. I can’t” Joel patted your bare thigh, signalling for you to lay down beside him.

• You became embarrassed, biting your lip and awkwardly getting off his lap,

“Oh, okay”

• Joel felt his heart slightly crack at the confusion and hurt in your voice.

• He wanted to so bad tell you how he felt, but he too felt embarrassed to mention how he had been stuck up all week because of the comments that guy made.

• He was hoping the problem would slowly solve itself.

• He looked at you when you sat up on your knees beside him, facing him who was laying down with one of his arms tucked under his neck,

“Joel, why have you been acting so weird with me all week?” You were chewing on your nail, staring at his face trying to study him.

• Joel felt his stomach drop. Oh god, here we go. He cleared his throat,

“What do you mean, baby?” He rubbed your knee with the hand that wasn’t behind his neck,

“You’ve been distant since that night at the bar. You’ve barely touched me or even seen me all week. Your just, distant. Ellie and Tommy see it, too” You placed your hand on top of his that was resting on your leg.

Joel sighed and stared up at the ceiling. He couldn’t hide it anymore,

“I didn’t like what that man said the other night” you remained silent, waiting for him to continue,

“He was right. I’m an old man, and I’m way too old for you. I see the way people stare at us in public, the judgmental looks and shit. They practically tell me that I don’t deserve ya. You deserve a younger man who has energy and active bones. Who can fuck you more than once in one night”

You wanted to cry hearing him degrading himself like that,

“Joel, I didn’t know you felt that way. How long?” Joel looked up at you,

“Before we even dated, sweetheart. It’s embarrassing, I know” You shook your head and straddled him, planting your hands on his chest,

“It’s not embarrassing. I’m sorry you felt that way for a while. I love you so, so much. If I wanted a younger man I would have already been with one of them by now, but I chose you. I chose you because your strong, you care about the people you love, your extremely handsome and make me feel like the only girl in the world” Joel could feel his neck and face getting red at your words,

“Joel, baby, please tell me when you are feeling upset about these kinds of things. I’ll only know how you feel if you talk to me” You combed your hands gently through his grey hair, looking down at him with so much love in your eyes it almost made him tear up,

“I love you” He reached his hand up to your cheek, rubbing it,

“I love you, too” You whispered. You pressed a kiss to the pad of his thumb while staring down at him. He pressed his thumb in between your lips, slowly pushing it in your mouth. You accepted it, and sucked on it slowly. He groaned and closed his eyes,

“Sweetheart, I really wanna make love to ya right now but my back is just so fucking sore” You slowly pulled his thumb out of your mouth,

“Don’t worry about that. Just lay back and let me take care of you, Joel. My Joel” Joel moaned at that, his big hands going to grasp at your hips, slowly pulling your nightgown up.

This was going to be a long night.

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kwanisms · 5 months

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Stranded for the Holidays Collab

➮ a stray kids & ateez writer collaboration

The holidays are typically about family, friends, and gatherings but sometimes it also means inclimate weather and forces beyond our control running amok and ruining what's meant to be a joyous time. So here are 16 stories about being stranded during the holidays brought to you by 9 amazing writers; @anyamaris , @millennial-fangirl , @twisted-tales-of-all , @yoonguurt , @kpop-stories-21 , @staytinyville , @skyechild , @stardragongalaxy , & myself.

index

❅ Swiss Holiday by Booki

➮ best friend's brother!Yunho × f!Reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 21.4k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: All throughout her formative years, Y/N has always harbored a bit of a crush on her best friend’s brother, Yunho. Having not seen him for years, she doesn’t expect those feelings to come back when she joins the Jeong’s on a family trip to a cabin in the Alps for the holiday. When she meets Yunho and his girlfriend, she’s hopeful that she can finally move on.

❅ Read Now

❅ Purrfect Company by Anya

➮ cafe owner!Minho × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 6.7k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Working at a cat cafe has its perks, but your sarcastic boss Minho is definitely not one of them. Despite it being the holidays, you have no one to spend it with so you’ve volunteered to take the shift at the cafe on Christmas eve. A power outage and a surprise visit from your seemingly rigid boss has you discovering things you’d never have known otherwise. Maybe Minho has a softer side than you’d realized.

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❅ Room 25: a Christmas Love Story by Liz

➮ idol!Changbin × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.6k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Changbin is enjoying his Christmas break from Stray Kids and life. He checks into a ski resort. He runs to an old hometown friend. Who is working at the resort. One can surmise it turns into a Christmas romance.

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❅ Bittersweet Holiday by Sar

➮ Hongjoong × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.7k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Christmas has always been yours and Hongjoong's favorite holiday. After all, it was on Devember 24th four years ago that the two of you became husband and wife. But this year is different; not only will it be the last one you celebrate with Hongjoong, it will be the last one you celebrate period. And you can't think of a better place to be when things happen than snowed in with your husband at your family's mountain cabin.

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❅ Just as the Kids Predicted by Jay

➮ Jeongin × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 6k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: When the new student mentor catches first-grade teacher Mr. Yang's eyes, he tries to keep his crush to a minimum. However, then they get too drunk at the annual holiday party and confess their feels for him as he drives them home, he begins making moves, and a snowstorm during a staff-only workday helps them move things along even faster.

❅ Read Now

❅ This Isn't Grey's Anatomy by Kay

➮ Seungmin × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 4.8k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Working the night shift at the hospital has always been easy for Y/N because most often than not, everyone eas asleep and there wasn't much she needed to do. However, when she gets Seungmin as a patient because he has bronchitis, her chill nights were anything but chill. With the heating system working slowly, there was only so much blankets could do to heat up the body.

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❅ Crafting Christmas by Sky

➮ single dad!San × f!Reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 15.2k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: a failed relationship and an ailing mother forces Y/N to move back to her hometown, despite not wanting to. She knows in her heart that everything will be the same as the day she left. Nothing ever changes in a small town... except when it does. A new neighbor, a new hardware store, and two new additions to two will bring the holiday magic into Y/N's life. The question is, will the magic stay or will the Ghost of Christmas Past ruin everything?

❅ Read Now

❅ Home for the Holidays by Mio

➮ Seonghwa × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 4.7

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Seonghwa comes gome early the day before Christmas Eve to surprise you, and with the roads being closed to all the snow you were not expecting anyone at your door at 9pm.

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❅ Naughty or Nice: a Complicated Christmas Story by Liz

➮ Mingi × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.5k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Mingi and you broke off a week before Christmas and was due to get the rest of his stuff on Christmas Eve. Was he being cruel in picking it up on that day, both his and your favorite holiday. Or was he trying to get back together? Either way, you would get your answer since you're now snowed in.

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❅ Snow Stars by Haru

➮ Wooyoung × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: On vacation for the holidays, a break from all the busy times have left you feeling under the weather. What better way to warm you up and get better than the brightest star in your heart?

❅ Read Now

❅ A Boyfriend for Christmas by Sar

➮ Jisung × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 2.6

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Telling your parents you had a boyfriend always kept them off your back about settling down. Now that they're coming up for Christmas, your lie is about to be exposed and you begin to panic. Luckily, Fate takes pity on you and has you running into a cute barista who captures your heart immediately.

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❅ Frauds and Festivities by Jay

➮ Jongho × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 5.3k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: You and your boyfriend have been drifting away for the past couple of weeks. It's god-awful timing though, as the planned holiday trip with your friends creeps around the corner. After deciding to stick it out through the holidays, you manage to get on each other's nerves more than ever before, but you must keep up the act.

❅ Read Now

❅ Less Than Perfect by Anya

➮ boyfriend!Yeosang × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 10.5k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Your boyfriend Yeosang has planned the most amazing vacation for the two of you over the Christmas holiday. While the journey starts out fine, you both find yourselves in a small town with car troubles and no mechanic to fix it because of the holiday. What should have been a perfectly planned vacation turns into everything going wrong, or so your boyfriend thinks. It could just be that perfect isn’t what you’re looking for.

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❅ the Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Sky

➮ Chris × f!Reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 9.6k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Christmas this, Christmas that. The "most wonderful time of the year" is not how Y/N would describe it. Sure, it used to be a magical time full of happiness and love, but she let that belief go years ago. Christmas is all about how much money you spend on someone and making yourself look good to outsiders. Snow is wet and everything is cold during this time of year; makes everything gross. Her best friend is tired of have the Grinch as a roommate, especially when he remembers what it was like when she loved Christmas. This year he finally decides that it's time to bring the magic back into her life. And maybe that magic will bring a little love with it.

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❅ Ghost of the Past by Booki

➮ ex!Hyunjin × f!Reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 20.1k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: Y/N never expected to run into her ex again, especially not at a holiday party of all places. Nor did she expect for him to offer to drive her home when her ride bails on her. She definitely did not expect Hyunjin’s car to get stuck in the snow and for them to have to spend the night at an elderly couple’s house where they, unsurprisingly, have to share a room and even more unsurprisingly, there’s only one bed.

❅ Read Now

❅ Holiday Warmth by Haru

➮ Felix × reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 1.1k

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: after bring snowed in from the winter storm and your friends in neighboring cabins, what better way to pass the time as the countdown to Christmas is near.

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#16 days of smutmas 2023 #stray kids scenarios #stray kids imagines #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids fanfic #stray kids angst #stray kids fluff #stray kids smut #stray kids x reader #ateez scenarios #ateez imagines #ateez fanfiction #ateez fanfic #ateez angst #ateez fluff #ateez smut #ateez x reader #stranded for the holidays collab masterlist

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pedgito · 4 months

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𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐌𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐒 ╳ SERIES MASTERLIST

Chapter Five: Christmas (Week Four)

Chapter Summary: The end of your vacation with Joel is lingering in the distance, spending the final few days sharing as many moments as possible until your final day, which might not be the end of you and Joel, but it definitely feels that way.

Chapter Warnings: (6k) : no outbreak, consensual somnophilia (talk mentioned in chapter), oral (f & m receiving), joel being vulnerable, the most sappiest and deeply emotional sex you can have with a man you've only known for a month, unprotected piv, bittersweet goodbyes

The days leading up to Christmas are slow and cherished. With the looming end of your shared vacation not far off, it feels like each moment is precious. A story that could be shared a million times, but something you craved to keep close to your chest.

Joel always looms near, a step or touch away. He eventually found the courage to sift through your stash of books, picking something old and worn away and relaxing himself on his own couch while you took up the other, a mutual moment of quiet bliss.

You bug him with random questions more often now, curious to gather as much stuff about him as your brain could manage and he often did the same, whether out of courtesy or not.

His favorite color is green, occasionally blue. He likes the softer purple…lavender, he thinks? But, that’s only because Sarah does.

He doesn’t think he’s much of a cat or dog person, but he always ends up feeding the stray animals around his neighborhood—again, something he picked up from Sarah.

He carries her with him everywhere and smiles at every mention of her name. It’s beautiful. And you feel the lingering bittersweetness around it all, knowing that he didn’t get to see her nearly as much as he wanted.

“What’s your favorite animal?” He asks a few days before Christmas, stirring the sugar into your coffee before shoving it into your waiting hands.

“Uh—wolves?” You sound unsure, but you nod more confidently, “Yeah, wolves are cool. What about you?”

“Horses.” He answers simply, “You ever ride one?”

“Given I’ve lived in Austin for so long, you would think so–but no.”

He almost has the inclination to invite you, but then he remembers.

You won’t exist to him outside of here. And he to you.

“You gotta change that, darlin’.”

“I’ll try.” You answer with a smile, sipping gingerly at the steaming cup of coffee.

Joel likes his time to himself too, unlike yourself. Being alone here felt off, weird—considering you went into the trip with idea that you would be completely alone, it was almost too lonely when Joel would sneak away or take a drive into town. You never questioned it, though. Sometimes he’d leave to call Sarah, even if the call didn’t actually make it through. Sometimes he’d leave to pick up more coffee that he would eventually run through because he wasn’t a one cup a day type of person.

He was more like a five or six. Seven on the days that seemed too dreary and long. It couldn’t be good for him, but he knows none of this is either. The sex, the growing affection toward a stranger that he would eventually have to leave behind, the underlying attachment to you.

It’s Christmas Eve when Joel rolls over in bed and throws out the idea of having breakfast in the small town a couple hours away, just for a change of pace.

He doesn’t explicitly try to make it seem like he’s asking you on a date, but it feels that way. The shyness he hides behind a few clears of his throat, turned over on his side in the bed that he had very savagely fucked you in the night prior, thighs still aching from the way he gripped your skin and forced you open.

It’s a stark difference from the gentle man in front of you and that’s what you loved about him.

And the moment the thought slips from your mind you feel your heart stop, the idea of loving someone so new—who didn’t have any intention of seeing this through, nor did you. You try to batter it down to the intimacy you’ve shared, that Joel was just a likable guy underneath all the disdain and grumpiness. People loved him and that didn’t have to be a huge thing, still, it terrified you.

The restaurant he takes you to is small, but filled to the brim. Small families, older couples, all hammering away at their early morning breakfast while you and Joel ordered your own, feeling like this was a peek at what could’ve been.

Joel knows he can’t have you.

You’re younger, naive—life left to live that didn’t include him. You needed to make mistakes, follow the goals you had set for yourself and that ultimately, he would be the type of person to bog you down.

He rubs at your extended hand tenderly where it lays on the table and for a moment, you try to pretend this is something real and not a fantasy you were both allowing to play out.

Christmas is something else entirely.

Joel had stayed up into the late hours the night prior, something you couldn’t be bothered to take part in, hearing him sneak into the room well past midnight. He didn’t sleep well often, noticing how often he woke up in the middle of the night and walked the halls, paced, thinking about whatever was ailing his mind. You’d count the footsteps and wait, playing asleep when he’d crawl back into bed and wrap himself around you.

He’s sprawled out on his back this morning, face buried into the crook of his elbow that was slung up high by his head, snoring softly. His other arm slung loosely against his chest, fingers curled into a soft fist.

You remember the brief respite you both had about situational opportunities—outright admitting to him that you were okay with him fucking you awake, which should’ve surprised him but it didn’t. It took him a while to admit it himself, but after a night wrapped in the sheets together he allowed himself to open up a little more freely.

“Are you into anything?” You ask softly, “Like, is there anything that just makes you go—oh, fuck yeah.” You mimic him lamely toward the end of your sentence and he laughs softly, shoving a gentle hand over your mouth.

“You tryin’ to make fun of me?” Joel asks playfully. “But, no—I don’t know. I guess I like things…a little rough. Maybe that’s more one-sided—”

You coyly shake your head, the edges of a smile framing the corners of your mouth.

“Alright,” Joel notes, “Uh, that thing you said about,” Joel clears his throat once, “fuckin’ you awake, don’t think I’d mind that either.”

“Joel.” You gasp scandalously, soft and quiet.

Which lends to the position you’re in now, slowly moving the blanket down his thighs and revealing his tanned skin, left in a worn out black shirt and a matching pair of briefs that held snug to his body, soft cock lending a beautiful outline in the cotton material.

You sneak between his legs quietly, one leg hiked up slightly as he stretched out, unbeknownst to your lingering presence as you press your mouth against the outline of his cock, fingers running teasingly over the waistband as he stirs slightly, still deep in a heavy slumber. He hums a soft noise and turns his head away.

Feeling the warm heat of his skin through the fabric, you crave a real touch. The heady smell of him, mixed with his fresh body wash and remnants of cologne from his jeans just a few feet away. It’s addicting, intoxicating, driving you to near madness.

You slowly pull his underwear down, far enough that you can settle the waistband underneath his balls, a soft and light touch as you trail your fingertips over his shaft, exploring carefully, watching for any signs that he might wake up soon.

He doesn’t move an inch.

But, you know it won’t take much.

You give a few slow, experimental tugs before slotting your mouth over the side of his cock, tongue dragging a long line down his shaft and fitting himself in your mouth, repeating the process a few times before you start to feel him harden underneath your tongue, smirking at how quickly things go from calm to feverish.

“Jesus,” Joel murmurs from above, his hand finding your head and cradling the back of it, urging you to keep going, holding him as deep as you can until you feel the burn and gag, eyes watering at the sensation, “fuckin’ Merry Christmas to me, huh?”

You snort softly, allowing yourself to settle more comfortable as he slowly awoke, rubbing his palms into his eyes and blinking away the blurry morning haze, groaning lowly when you take him just a little too deep, the tip of your nose nudging the base of his groin, the stubble tickling your nose.

You could do this for hours, really—solely to hear the quiet and muffled reactions Joel tried to keep to himself, slowly losing his grip on reality as you pick up your pace, hand covering what your mouth couldn’t reach when you intensify the pace, dragging your tongue around the tip of his cock until he shutters underneath you, using the grip on your head to hurry up your pace, knowing he was already near the edge and allowing you the courtesy of a warning when he did feel the urge to come, but he’s tapping your chin and you’re not moving.

“Baby, I—” Joel doesn’t get another word out before you double-down, eyes flicking up to look at him while he falls apart, eyes nearly rolling back at the intensity of heat he feels as he comes down your throat, allowing you eagerly swallow every last drop, pulling off with a soft pop, grinning at him salaciously.

You hum softly, climbing over his lap until your noses touch, staring into his wide eyes with an unrestrained adoration for one another.

“Good morning,” You say quietly, “sleep well?”

“Got a few hours in,” Joel admits, “I’ll manage. Nothin’ a few cups of coffee can’t fix.”

“Uh huh.” You mock playfully, moving slightly so Joel can readjust his underwear.

“I gotta take care of somethin’ first, though.” Joel tells you, rising up slightly, his touching prickling your thigh, “If you don’t mind?”

“Wha—Oh!” Joel flips you onto your back without much resistance, gaining the upper hand with the surprise of his movements, tugging at your bottoms with his eyes trained on your expression, grinning with a giddiness that was only reserved for him.

Joel doesn’t give you time to adjust either, bottom half free of all clothing—he gets his palms under your thighs and pushes them up, nearly folding you in half as he dives into your pussy, mouth wasting no time to latch onto your clit, the glorious dig of his nose as he licks a long stripe down the seam of your cunt, ravishing after last bit you had to offer, not sparing any expense.

You’re white-knuckling the sheets before you feel Joel reaching blindly for your hand, moving it into his hair and silently asking—begging—you to take hold and use him to fulfill your own selfish needs. You card your fingers through soft curls, the slightly aged brown that was sprinkled with grays and you tugged, guiding his face against your cunt greedily. He sucks on your folds briefly, oversensitive now with how turned on you were, clit swelling underneath his tongue.

“Jo—Joel,” You gasp, “fuck, that’s—right there—”

“Yeah?” He says, muffled against your cunt, the vibration of his bravado doing nothing to ease the urge to come, quickly creeping up on you with how intense he’s set the pace, determined to get you off in record time, speaking in spurts as he dipped his tongue inside of you, fingers squeezing at your thighs when he feels your hole flutter around his tongue, so close to coming you might cry, “Shoulda’—been doin’ this the whole fuckin’ time. Never would’ve let you leave—leave this goddamn bed.”

“Oh–fuckfuck,” You stammer, legs shaking as you feel yourself tip over, coming with a loud sob, tears brimming your eyes from how forceful you feel it, Joel not stopping even when you’re well-past finished, “Joel—Joel, please—”

“Gotta clean you up, baby.” He murmurs against your cunt, the soft sting of his stubble as it burns your inner thighs but keeps you conscious, otherwise you would’ve given up right then and crawled back into bed—screw Christmas, this was better. Joel would’ve stayed in bed all day if you asked. But, he’s pulling back eventually, nurturing the achy muscles in your hips with a tender rub of his fingers, mumbling a quiet apology.

You smile softly, allowing him to pull you upwards, tossing your clothes in the direction of your lap, trying to desperately to calm your rapidly beating heart and how nonchalant this man was acting after he’d had you bent in half and coming within just a few minutes.

“You stay put,” Joel orders, “I’ll be right back.”

….Okay. You slip your bottoms back on, sitting comfortably on the bed, legs tucked to the side and your fingers pulling at a lose thread in the stitching, hearing his descending footsteps going to god knows where—but there’s only a few seconds before he’s returning, something small tucked behind his back.

“Joel,” You scold, “What the hell did you do?”

He had that smug look on his face, walking toward you slowly.

“Close your eyes,” He tells you and you do so, feeling the dip of his weight as he sat on the mattress a few moments later, “Alright, open ‘em.”

You open them slowly, peeking through one eye at first before braving another, eyes searching his face before the flick down to the small figurine in his hands—a wolf carved out of wood, nothing too intricately detailed but the shape and idea was there.

This motherfucker.

You look up at him, brow furrowed in anger. Not specifically at him, but that he was trying to surprise you with something when you had nothing to offer in return—deadset on the idea that something like this was too personal, too connected. If he gave you this, it was something you would keep with you forever, a constant reminder of him.

You weren’t sure you could handle that. Still, you noticed the worry in his face, the lines in his forehead creasing as he noticed your distaste before it quickly fades.

“Joel,” You sound sad, pinched as you look over at him, hands cupping his own as you take the figurine from his hands, “—it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Joel knows it’s genuine, watching your bottom lip pull between your teeth as you nibble at the flash lightly.

“It’s too much, isn’t it?” Joel asks, trying not to seem offended.

He wanted to do something nice. Anything.

He didn’t know how to thank you, feeling like anything he could say would pale in comparison to such actions as gift giving or gratuitous morning oral.

“I just—I didn’t…get you anything.” You tell him, rubbing a thumb over the wolf’s head and wooden snout—it was around the size of your palm, a perfect fit if you held it outstretched. You already had a place in mind of where you would keep it.

“I didn’ expect you to, darlin’.” Joel assures you, “I needed somethin’ to distract me last night so I made it. You ain’t gotta keep it. If it’s too much.”

“No, no—” You swiftly assure him, clutching it to your chest.

It was in your possession now. It was yours to keep.

“Can I be honest with you?”

Joel seems fidgety, rubbing the thumb on his opposite hand over his knuckles, wringing his fingers together nervously.

“Not that there’s an obligation,” You remind him, “but yeah, of course.”

“I’m just—real glad this happened,” Joel admits, staring down at the duvet intently, avoiding your gaze. You touch his palm, slowing his nerves down to a dullness that he could barely feel, “I thought you might like it, but I really don’t expect nothin’ in return.”

He was used to it, but that wasn’t the point.

You squeeze his hand before pulling him into a gentle hug, giggling softly as he slings your legs off to the side over his lap so he can hug you fully, burying his face into your neck and inhaling slowly, a gentle rock back and forth as you both enjoy the silence.

“I came out here to be alone—I know you did too.”

You nod, fingers running gently along the tip of his spine, right into the beginnings of the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling back to look at him.

“I’m glad you were here,” You tell him, “No matter how much we wanted to murder each other that first night.”

Joel snorts at the fading memory, “Shoulda known then how much troubled you be.”

“Oh, so much trouble, Joel.” You counter, “You have no idea.”

And he wants to.

You both share a simple, chaste kiss that doesn’t linger. A solid thank you.

Thank you for being here. Thank your being you. Thank your for sharing this space.

Thank you for saving me.

Much of the day is spent tucked under Joel, watching a melody of Christmas movies he bought when he went to town a few days prior—old classics and new, fresh snow pelting the front windows and two steaming mugs in hand.

Joel opted for coffee, of course. You, a sweet hot cocoa loaded with mini marshmallows and cinnamon. Joel couldn’t help but grimace with every handful you topped on.

But, he also said something that had stuck with you well into the day.

“We’ve already been over this,” You scold him, “stop judging me.”

“You and Sarah would get on real well,” He says around the edge of his mug, “—that sugar intake is ridiculous.”

It stalls you for a moment, brain short-circuiting at the mention. Really, it shouldn’t matter. It was a simple statement that meant nothing and Joel, to your surprise, doesn’t even seem phased. Which—it’s a good sign. But, it still stings.

You wish attachments didn’t eat away at your mind, body, and soul. But, they did.

And you were so fucking attached to Joel it could kill you.

You force on a smile, stirring the hot cocoa with a spoon.

“Says the guy who drinks like twelve cups of coffee a day.” You argue, “A day.”

And Joel’s tendency of touch has only worsened as your time together waned, feeling and knowing that you would slip through his fingers—he’s holding onto this for as long as he can, knowing that once you both go your separate ways, this would all be for naught.

It’s nearing night by the time you both crawl into bed, sun already set for the day and sky outside dark, quiet aside from the occasional creak of the house.

“Any plans when you get back to Austin?” You ask lightly, trying to cut through the silence.

Joel’s gaze was ever-present, eyes examining you carefully.

“Just workin’,” Joel answers simply, “Nothin’ different than usual.”

You want to ask him to visit you, to spend time with you when you get back to Austin. But, you bite your tongue—afraid that whatever you’ve created her would crumble on the outside, the safety bubble of this sanctuary keeping you both together.

Joel asks instead—maybe not outright, but you can see the look in his eyes. Hopeful, for once. He quickly covers his tracks with, “I’m not sayin’ it’s a good idea, but if we run into each other it wouldn’t be the worst thing.”

But, knowing him—he’d have to explain that at some point. He could lie, that was always an option. Though, it didn’t seem like Joel was all that good at it.

‘I don’t think so either, but—”

Joel nods, reserved, “I get it, darlin’. I’m just sayin’, if I run into you ‘m not sure I could just ignore you.”

“And I’m not sayin’ I want you to—“ You sigh softly, attempting to mince your words so they don’t come out wrong or harsh, rather just indifferent, “but this,” your fingers wags vaguely between you both, “I think you and I know that it wouldn’t go over well outside of here.”

Public perception, the major differences in your stages of life, different experiences—it felt impossible. Not to mention, there was so much about Joel you didn’t know and it was scary.

You trusted him deeply, but only with what he’s willing to share and vice versa.

This is all like a fever dream—a few more days and you’d be thrusted back into your normal life at the bookstore six days a week, living your dreary life out minute by minute.

“Then let me have you here,” Joel says lowly, tone lingering with a softness, his hand cupping you cunt hesitantly, waiting for your cue, “while I still can.”

You nod earnestly, chewing at your bottom lip as you lifted your leg over his, attempting to curl your body around him, pulling him closer and in turn wrap him around you, both of you so intertwined you weren’t sure where either of you started or ended. You blink away the slightest sting of tears and kiss him, so hard he makes a muffled mmph sound at the pressure, but reciprocates it all the same.

He soon forgets moving things along quickly, deciding that this would be the time he could really allow himself to revel in it, pick you apart and put you back together again and give you all the attention you were yearning for in the moment. His hands slide around your cheeks, cradling your face gingerly as he kisses you back, slowly shifting until you’re under him and he’s got his thighs wedged under your legs, essentially barricading you beneath him, fleeting presses of his lips to your cheek, collarbone, down your chest and back up again, returning the action to him when he wasn’t so dead set on leaving you breathless, tongue licking into your mouth and your teeth clashing briefly as you both dove in a little too eagerly.

Your hands fist into his shirt as they trail down his chest, pulling and rising until he gets the idea and slips the fabric over his head, palms flatting against his skin, blunt fingernails against his skin as you sigh into his mouth, his thumbs rubbing the memory of his fingerprints into your cheekbones with how tenderly he’s holding you, stopping briefly to rest his forehead against your own.

“Are you okay?” You ask quietly, though the words are deafening within the space, breaking the silence that had fallen over. “Joel—”

“Yeah—” He answers eventually, pulling away briefly to examine your face. You slowly allow your hands to find his face, fingers rubbing along his jaw, the scratchiness of his grown out facial hair and the way he swallows tensely under your touch, shrinking from your admiring gaze, “I’m okay.”

This feels like more than what this cabin can handle.

Maybe not love, but there was a line and it was being blurred. And if one of you hasn’t crossed it, this would be the moment.

You nod slowly, pulling at his wrist gently to guide it down abdomen and toward your underwear, his fingers rubbing gently over your cunt for a brief moment before you speak, “Then touch me—and stop thinking, please?”

Joel shuts his mind off and allows his heart and body to take hold, nodding slightly as he applies pressure, fingers rubbing into the growing wet spot between your legs, eyes locked on your face as you expression grows faint, eyes falling closed at his touch.

“Hey, hey—” Joel calls out softly, “keep those eyes on me.”

You laugh airly, bottom lip pulled between your teeth as Joel slips his fingers beyond the fabric, aiding in the pull of fabric down your legs, disappearing somewhere under the sheets.

“You mind if I—” Joel nods toward where his fingers are leisurely working away, fingers running playfully along the seam of your cunt.

“You’re really fucking asking me that?” You respond, exasperated at him dragging things out, though he knows the response holds no anger or frustration.

His chuckle is enough of a sign that he finds it entertaining how worked up you already were, descending the bed as he shoved the sheets away, spreading himself out comfortably between your legs as he moved them over his shoulders, your hands gripping the sheets were pried away and intertwined with Joel’s own fingers—it feels so wholly intimate you want to melt away, but the thought is interrupted as his tongue dips inside of you, hole fluttering at the touch.

“Hu-Oh—” You sigh shakily, squeezing his hands as he laps at your pussy, tongue flattening out as flicks at your clit, sucking gently before swiftly guiding your hands into his air, ultimately deciding that this pace was far too torturous for not just you, but himself. “Jo—Joel—”

“Shhh, baby,” He soothes you, gripping the underside of your thighs like he has before, but only lifting them up enough to allow him some actual leverage, asserting himself as buried his face into your cunt and directed all his focus on your aching clit, his eyes locked on your own all the while. Your mouth drops open in a desperate whine, yanking firmly at his hair and causing Joel’s eyes to roll back slightly.

And you wish you could say you held out, that it didn’t take some expertised flicks of his tongue and his suckling at your clit to have you gushing against his mouth, coming with a moan that rips from your throat unexpectedly, leaving you both breathless as Joel pulls away.

If you both had any patience you’d allow a moment to speak, let the moment of reprieve flow in and break the obvious tension, unspoken and wading just below the surface.

Instead, Joel’s restraint breaks free.

He shoves his underwear down his hips and you could’ve swore they disappeared into thin air before Joel is slotting himself between your legs, sliding into with one fluid push of his hips as he leans over you, moaning into each other’s skin as you wrap around one another again.

The intimacy is overwhelming. But, in the way that it makes your entire body go hot, blocking out everything but Joel and the soft grunts of pleasure he was attempting to keep at bay.

Strangers didn’t love like this.

But, you weren’t strangers anymore.

“Joel, hey,” Your voice is featherlight and sweet, rubbing at the back of his head as he pulls back, lips in a defined pout as he look at you, fucking into you at a pace that is agonizingly slow but necessary, “I like hearing you—no holding back, okay?”

It does Joel in completely, his arms scooping up behind your shoulder blades to haul you into his lap, a brief moment of tangled limbs as you adjusted yourself while he leaned back, calves tucked underneath him but his legs splayed wide enough that you sat comfortably, your hand guiding his cock to slip back inside of you with ease, your bodies connected at every possible point.

“Fuck—baby,” He swears, his mouth pressed into the point where your neck meets your jaw, aiding the slowly increasing rock and bounce of your hips, “like that–gonna need you to give me ‘nother one, alright?”

Baby, baby, baby.

You were addicted to the way it sounds falling from his lips—how he means it.

You nod, though blindly, eyes squeezed shut as you don’t feel far off from another orgasm, so wholly turned on that it seemed impossible.

Joel had a way with you, like years of exploring and learning and knowing all wrapped into a few weeks—this stuff was kismet, meant to be. It had to be that way. There was no other explanation for it.

“Answer me.” Joel urges, sounding more composed but still strained.

“Yes—yes,” You answer without hesitation, “I’ll try.”

Joel laughs softly, nipping at your jawline, pistoning his hips at a speed that had your arms gripping him tighter, “Hmm—no try, darlin’. You will.”

You squeal as Joel quickly switches positions again, laying out on your back while he settled between your legs in the same position, hooking your knees over his hips as he guided himself into you seamlessly, guiding your hand toward your cunt wordlessly.

Oh—he wanted you to come with him.

And he wanted to enjoy watching you–he does, while you did it and came apart around him, cunt tightening around his cock so snug it pulled the air out of his chest, your fingers working tirelessly over your clit, moaning loud and drawn out.

“So fuckin’ wet, baby—” He grunts, if the soft squelch was any indication. In any other situation you were sure you’d be mortified at such a callout, but Joel manages to ignite that fire in your core, squeezing down on him with his words, “Yeah—like how good I make you feel?”

You nod wordlessly, but Joel doesn’t accept that.

You can see he’s almost there, his hips faltering slightly as his brow pinched together.

“So fuckin’ good, Joel.” You tell him, “No fuckin’ idea how good you make me feel.”

Joel pulls out swiftly, jerking himself with a stroke before he’s coming over your bare cunt, nearly allowing himself a slip-up with how lost in his mind he was. He collapses on you immediately after, uncaring as your bodies mix with his cum, cradling Joel in your arms as much as he allows, your breaths melding together after time.

This was different.

Joel carefully cleans you up when he finds the energy to move before allowing you to take a quick shower, a pair of his own spare pajamas waiting on the bed for you as you switch turns, him disappearing into the bathroom as the door clicks shut.

When he returns, you curl against each other instinctively. There were no words to be shared, no looks to be stolen, but a silence you both found comforting.

You were going to miss Joel and it felt terrible.

But, Joel was going to miss you and that devastated him.

You fall asleep long before Joel, who sits up thinking off all the reasons he wouldn’t have to let you go, knowing you were already slipping through his fingers.

The rest of your vacation is bittersweet, a few days of cleaning and tidying up the place, but also of endless talks—attempting to absorb as much about each other as possible.

“Bullshit,” You retorted, finger pressed against his chest as you sat beside him on the couch, body halfway turned toward him, “you cannot play guitar.”

“I can, I have,” Joel says matter-of-factly, “You know—I was your age a time ago.”

“I want proof.” You challenge.

“You’re gonna have to take my word, darlin’.” He tells you. “Had a band and everything. We recorded some songs, but they never saw the light of day.”

“No fucking way.”

Joel rolls his eyes, pressing his lips to yours in a desperation to shut you up.

It works.

But, the final night is what has you both clinging to each other with no urgency to let go.

Hours upon hours of mindless conversation, too scared to allow the other to fall asleep in fear that you’ll wake up and you’ll have to face the reality of the next morning.

You were leaving, Joel was leaving.

Separate ways, both of you.

And you can’t remember which one of you caves first, but it isn’t without fight.

Joel packs with a quiet finality, helping you lug your bags into his old truck too. He seems troubled, distant, worried about you and far, far more.

You want to comfort him, but you fear it will only worsen things.

Joel promised to drive you back into town after enough deliberation, unwilling to let you go just yet and stretching out the time he had with you—driving you far enough that you could order car service to get you to your apartment in Austin, just inside the city and away from the suburbs.

But, the brief moment you have before he leaves you is something that engraves itself into your mind, lingers for long, long after you leave him.

Joel kisses you fully, tenderly—well beyond anything without meaning. He’s kissing you with everything he has to offer, feeling like you might lift off your feet at how full of love it makes you feel, gripping his wrist to hold him near as he cradles your face.

“Can’t let you go.” He says quietly, so quietly you almost don’t catch it

“Hey,” You lean into his eyesight, pulling his gaze to your face, “It’s okay.”

He doesn’t understand how you seem so calm, despite how broken you feel inside.

But, you do know one thing—as someone who spent an entire holiday with a complete stranger who you didn’t just come to befriend but to care about—that anything was possible.

“If it’s meant to happen, we’ll find each other again.” You tell him, eyes full of hope.

Joel laughs softly, though bitterly. He pulls you into a tight hug and sways, soaking in the final moments of you and how you feel, the soft hitch of your breath as he squeezes you gently, giggling in his ear.

“Gonna miss the hell out of you.” He admits.

“Me too, Joel.” You tell him honestly, “Seriously.”

Joel wasn’t sure how he could recover from something like this, but he would try. He’d push it down deep and go on about life, forget all the good and drown in the awful, like he usually did.

“I’m gonna get your money back,” He jokes weakly, “for the cabin—just give me a few weeks.”

“Joel, it’s okay.” You tell him through a subtle blinking of tears, but Joel notices, wiping them away silently as you pull back to look at him. “Best fuckin’ money I’ve ever spent.”

“God, how are you real?”

You hum softly, “Well, maybe I’m not. Maybe you did just imagine me up.”

“For my sanity, I hope to god you’re real, darlin’.”

It’s a lame joke, but Joel feels the need to reiterate it.

The car pulls up shortly after, allowing you to give him one last nearly suffocating hug before he finally lets you go, despite how badly he wanted to hold on.

“Goodbye, Joel.”

“I’ll be seein’ you, darlin’.”

Maybe he only meant it as a hopeful utterance into existence, that if putting it out there it would somehow come true. But, Joel knew it to be true. This wouldn’t be the last time and he felt that to his core, watching your bittersweet wave as you climbed into the car, bags all packed in the trunk courtesy of the driver.

You had hope too.

And only time would tell.

(Guys, there's an epilogue (coming December 30th). Please don't yell at me lol. I promise this isn't going to end on a horrible note and you won't want to hunt me down)

#joel miller #joel miller smut #joel miller x reader #joel miller x y/n #joel miller x you #joel miller fanfiction #tlou fanfiction #tlou fic #the last of us fanfiction #pedro pascal characters #pedrostories #my writing #MMITW

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watermelonsugacry · 1 year

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Hii! I don't know if i didn't check properly if you had written it, but when is their weddingggggggg, are the 1d members invited or is it an intimate gathering!?!?!?! i need to knowwwww!

Forevermore

A/N: SINCE 2010 ficmas day 5! sorry for the super late post again, im so bad at this lovies 😅 but she's finally here and probably one of my most favorite chapters in YNrry's story!!

SUMMARY: YN and Harry finally (and secretly) tie the knot in her hometown surrounded by their closest friends and family on their anniversary. Here is where they reminisce a couple of Christmases back when they officially became a couple along with some unexpected circumstances. (8.7k)

GENRE: 1dbandmember!yn

SINCE 2010 masterlist // ficmas 2022 masterlist

"YN!" The couple looks up towards the front door to see a very excited Penny on the porch. The two bark out a laugh as they see the woman with her hands in the air, her hips shimmying from side to side before making her way down the porch steps. YN meets her step mum halfway and they join each other in a tight warm embrace.

After YN and Harry wrapped up their last shows of the year for their world tours, it was time to pack their things and fly over to Doncaster for their small, secret wedding. They’ve done their best acting work yet in keeping their engagement away from the public eye for almost a year and it was finally time to fulfill their promise to become husband and wife on their anniversary.

After some careful planning, the couple ultimately decided to have their wedding at the Tomlinson’s family home right in the backyard with a few selected guests outside of their immediate family members.

"Hey mum," YN mumbles into the older woman's shoulder.

"Oh, it's so good to see you, my baby," Penny reaches out, gripping Harry's wrist to pull him into the group hug as well. YN’s stepmum has so many wonderful and cheerful qualities about her but the one thing that Harry loves the most about the love of his life's mum is that she never fails to make someone feel so welcomed.

"Ugh, you're here. You both are finally here. And you mister," Penny pulls back to shove a playful finger at Harry's chest. "I haven't seen enough of you in a hot minute."

“Been a bit busy with work and everything but never too busy for you, Pen,” He gives the older woman a charming smile. Penny squeals and pinches at Harry’s cheek.

“Yeh too sweet, can’t get enough of you!” Penny hooks her arm through with her daughter's and walks back towards the grand house, "Harry leave those bags there in the car. I'll have Louis and the boys come out and help you with that so if I see you carry them inside I'll smack yeh. Come on!"

As they walk up the rest of the gravel driveway, Harry can't help but think back and reminisce on the night he took YN to his mum's house for Christmas almost four years ago in 2019.

...

Harry opens YN’s car door as she carefully tries to take off her seatbelt while simultaneously trying to keep a homemade cookies bag from toppling over.

While YN spent Christmas Eve/Louis’s birthday with the rest of the Tomlinson clan, aka her family, she couldn’t possibly deny Anne invitation to spend Christmas day with the Styles. It was a new experience for her spending this holiday away from her family, but she was more than happy to comply with her best friend’s mom’s wishes.

After spending two months in Malibu earlier in the year, and after having having a much needed talk with Harry about their feelings for one another, they’re still trying to navigate how to go through with their acts of devotion towards one another. As much as it hurt the both of them to end their relationship once more, they decided to do the healthy thing for once and focus on themselves and their mental health first before pouring out everything they have toward someone else.

It turns out that their crisp trepidation was too heavy to simply shake off so quickly.

Their friendship, however, could never be tossed aside.

When she closes her door with her hip, she can hear Harry close the backseat door and he holds the Christmas gifts they brought for the Styles family. Anne’s house reminded YN so much about her stepmum’s home: a tiny little cottage-like home with a vast amount of greenery surrounding the area. It instantly brings a smile on her face and makes her feel at home being away from home.

“Hey um,” YN looks up at Harry as they walk up his mother’s driveway. “I just want to say that I really appreciate you being here. I know you spend this time with your family so I just wanted to say that it means a lot that you’re here with me. You really didn’t have to.”

“Well, remember I’m only here for Anne,” YN jokingly reminds her friend.

“M’being serious though.”

“So am I.”

“YN,” Harry stops them as the reach the front door. Due to Harry's hands being full, she takes the liberty to reach out and ring the doorbell. “Look, before we go inside, there's something I need to tell you...”

“I’m all ears.”

“I-”

“YN!” Anne's voice breaks through the space and she’s instantly lighting up from the older woman’s energy. Anne wastes no time pulling her in for a hug while Harry is left hanging in nervousness. “Merry Christmas, hun.”

“Merry Christmas, Anne. It’s been so long,” YN says over her shoulder. She’s missed her so much more than she realized as she almost gets emotional at her embrace.

“Too long. It’s a crime that Harry doesn’t bring you along when he comes home,” The two women look over at Harry but YN notices how he quickly puts a smile on his face. She slightly furrows her eyebrows at his actions but before she can fully question him, Gemma comes out from the hallway and walks towards the three of them.

“Hey you,” Gemma immediately wraps her arms over YN’s shoulders.

“Hey Gem. How’ve you been?” The two of them sway quickly back and forth for a second before pulling away.

“Great now that you’re here. Hopefully my brother hasn’t been giving you much trouble,” Gemma says while nodding her head to Harry. When she looks back at Harry again, she sees his mum helping him with the gifts they brought. He looks up at her again as well and smiles a closed lipped smile, they kind where his dimples don’t dig into his cheeks in the way she likes.

What’s up with him?

“Never. Oh—” YN quickly remembers the big ziploc bag in her hand. “Me mum made cookies earlier today and she wasn’t gonna let me come over here without bringing you all some.”

“Aw, you all are too sweet. I love that pretty Penny to death,” Anne gushes as she takes the bag from her extended hand and beckens YN and her son to come further into the house. “Make yourself at home, YN. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the family and later we have some games we’re going to play. So bring your A-game, the Styles are very competitive—not like you don’t already know. Especially these two,” Anne points to her two children.

“Well m’not one for losing either, Annie, so they better have their guards up,” YN smirks and the two women pretend to be baffled before they all break out into chuckles. “And I will, thank you.”

When Anne and Gemma both walk and disappear further into the home, YN turns to Harry and begins to take off her shoes. “You alright, babe? You look a little pale,” She puts the back of her hand to Harry's forehead just to make sure. Harry shakes his head and softly grasps her hand in his.

“Yes...well maybe? I dunno, really,” He lets out a nervous chuckle and it only makes her more concerned. “I just need to let you know that—”

“Uncle Harry!” A little boy YN recognizes to be one of Harry’s few nephews comes running up to the two of them and Harry is quick to put a bright smile back on.

“Hey, look at you! You’re so big now,” Harry wraps his arms around the back of the boy’s legs and lifts him up. “You’re a full-fledged adult now, aren’t yeh? Look at that mustache on your lip. See that, babe?”

“Oh yeah,” YN plays along with Harry’s teasing. “Might need a trim soon, for sure.”

The young boy laughs when Harry wiggles his fingers under the little boy’s armpits before setting him down. Soon after, the little boy is dragging his uncle further into the house and into the living room announcing how he needs to show him all of the new toys Santa brought him last night. When Harry gives her a shrug of his shoulder with yet another tight-lipped smile as he gets whisked away, she’s left wondering what he needs to tell her so badly.

...

When Harry trails behind his fiancée and her mum inside the Tomlinson house, the sound of chatting and commotion fills the spacious living room instantly.

“Aunt YN!” A little carbon copy of Louis comes running to up YN and he tightly wraps his arms around her torso.

“Freddie! Aw you’re too big now, lad. Almost didn’t recognize yeh. How are you, little man?”

Harry happily looks on at how the Tomlinsons come up to hug and greet YN before they get to him. YN can’t help but coo when Lottie carries in her new baby, she does her secret handshakes with each of set of twins and warmly greets the older Tomlinson grandparents. As Harry finishes greeting Lottie’s boyfriend, he fondly looks at how her and Louis give each other a kiss on the cheek before staying in their embrace for a minute longer than she did for the others.

“Why didn’t no one tell me one of my favorite girls is finally here?” Anne quickly wraps her arms around YN as soon as she pulls away from her childhood best friend's hug.

“Should I be offended that my mum hugged my fiancée first and not me?” Harry hurtfully yet playfully asks his old band mate.

“Deeply,” Louis jokes before pulling him in for a hug, patting him heavily on the back. “S’good to see you, man. Ready for the big day?”

“He’s been ready since he was practically sixteen,” Gemma interrupts with a sassy smile. “He’s gonna have to blow the dust off the paper he wrote his vows on from how long ago her wrote them—hey!” His sister laughs when he gives a playful (yet very real) shove to her head.

...

The night has been a blast so far. The Styles family were much like Penny and the Tomlinson’s in how family is at the core of their lives. After getting introduced to the few family members she didn’t know, they quickly accept her like they’ve known her all their lives.

Harry can see just how naturally good she is at everything. She wins over the grumpy grandparents who only seem to smile once a year and now has them doubled over in laughter. She’s a fierce competitor at all of their family games and doesn’t hold back from her brutal skills as she goes head to head with him over a play of some guessing game. When it’s time to set the table, she’s quickly removing herself from her close spot next to Harry to help Anne with anything she needs.

“Well, she certainly seems like a lovely girl,” Gemma says lowly once she’s slid on over next to her brother. “Very companion worthy.” When she sees him start to pinch worriedly at his bottom lip, she gives him a sympathetic smile, “Still haven’t told her yet, huh?”

“No, and neither will you.”

“You’re gonna have to tell her, H. You have to tell one of them or else it’s just gonna blow up in your face,” His older sister reasons. She’s right, and he knows that she’s right.

“I will,” Harry lowers his voice when he sees YN and his mum come out of the kitchen with plates of food in their hands as they go about setting up the dining room table behind him.

It startles him when he feels two hands on his shoulders and he feels a smile creep onto his face when he feels the side of YN’s face press up against his, “Dinner is officially served. Come on, your mum wants you to sit next to her, and I want to sit next to you.”

With a squeeze of his shoulders, Harry feels giddiness zip through him at her comment and ignores the knowing look his older sister gives him as he gets up from the couch.

...

As everyone gets settled in—mums hustling in the kitchen, little ones running every which way, and the older children talking among themselves in the living room—Louis and YN take a moment to sit outside together away from all the chaos. The backyard was essentially all set for tomorrow. As the two sit on one of the couches of the spacious backyard, in front of them sits two sections of seats, a walkway in the middle and an altar made of branches awaits at the end. The arch of the altar is filled with white flowers.

The couple was thankful that the England weather was relatively warm this year as there was barely any snow in sight.

As the two stare out at the set up, YN lets out a sigh, wrapping her arms around her legs and fidgets with the butterfly ring on her finger, “This is kind of surreal, yeh know? Like, after all this time we’re finally gonna do this,” YN huff out a giggle. “Remember when Harry gave this ring a couple of Christmases ago? Feels like ages away."

Louis offers his cigarette to her and she shakes her head to decline.

“That’s around the time he told me he had a crush on you.”

YN snaps her head towards her childhood best friend, “Whot! He told all those years ago?”

“S’not like it was a secret. He practically kissed the ground you walked on. It was pretty fookin’ obvious, love. You know...eh never mind.” Louis shakes his head with a smile and brings the white stick back to his lips, taking a long drag.

“Oi! Y’can’t say that and then not say what you were going to say,” YN pushes at his shoulder.

“I dunno why I even brought it up. Don’t know if I should even tell yeh,” YN raises her hand as a threat to hit his shoulder and he slightly cowards back with his hands raised. “Oi, alright, alright. It’s not even a big deal.”

“Y’making it seem that way though. Y’got me all nervous.”

“Well,” Louis tilts his head back as he blows the smoke out from his lungs. He scratches his eyebrow with his thumb with a sigh, “He’d kill me if he knew I was telling yeh this but...y’mum wasn’t the only one he asked for a blessing to marry you.”

She furrows her eyebrows and tilts her head as she looks to her childhood best friend, her brother.

“Are...are you sayin’ that Harry asked you as well?”

Louis just gives her a small smile and silently nods down to himself, bringing his cigarette to his lips once more.

In the next second, her eyes begin to water at Harry’s gesture. The fact that he went the extra mile to ask her childhood best friend—the man who she sees as an older brother—if he had approval to become her husband makes the love she has for her fiancé grow more and more. She turns her head to look behind her and through the sliding doors that see into the kitchen.

Penny has Harry’s hands working on needing out a tough ball of cookie dough. He listens intently to her instructions as she pours various cookie toppings into different bowls. His own mum rummages around the kitchen as well, helping learn how to make her soon-to-be mother-in-law’s infamous chocolate chip cookies.

It seems as though Harry must not be kneading the dough fast enough as her mum comes up behind him and aids his hands into the mix. YN can’t hear it from being outside but Harry’s face says it all as he begins to laugh at the playful action. His eyes crinkle and his dimples pop out as he lifts his shoulders in a fit of giggles.

YN huff out a small laugh through her nose at the sight and she can’t stop the rogue tears that escape as she falls more in love with the man inside.

“M’happy for you, love,” When she turns her gaze back to Louis, he nods toward the house. “Harry he...he really loves you, YN. He’s gonna be a good husband. And if he isn’t, I’ll kick his arse.”

YN can’t help but let out a watery laugh, wiping under her eyes before snuggling under his extended arm, “I believe you.”

They both enjoy the quietness of the outdoors a little longer until they turn their heads to the sound of one of the doors sliding open.

“Auntie YN,” Freddie excitingly steps onto the porch, his cheeks turning pink by the second.

“Freddie, where’s yeh coat?” Louis scolds.

“Sorry daddy but Grandma Penny said it's time for you to come inside or, or else you’re going to get sick,” The little boy with his father's eyes quickly explains before scurrying off inside.

“You coming inside, Lou?” YN asks, still stuck to his side. He gives her shoulder a squeeze and throws the bud of his cigarette into the grass.

“Let’s go. Yeh know, you’re gonna be having to scold yeh own kids pretty soon.”

“One step at a time, Lou.”

...

It was safe to say that it’s been a good while since YN has had a home-cooked meal and Anne never fails to provide such delicious food—especially now as everyone feasts on their full plates. Harry’s mum sits at the head of the table, her two children sit in the next seats beside her and YN is seated happily next to Harry. As they all eat and chat away, YN puts a hand over her mouth to prevent food flying out from laughter at one of his uncle’s stories.

Throughout the dinner, her and Harry have been acting like they usually would any other time they’re together. Like when they were all sitting on the couch listening to funny (and embarrassing) stories about each family member, YN sat contently under the comfort of Harry’s arm draped over her shoulder. Or after a round of another guessing game, Harry takes her in his arms and gives her a spin after their team’s victory; boasting loudly and planting a friendly kiss on her cheek.

Or like now as YN’s giggly body subconsciously leans over to Harry, he doesn’t think twice about putting a hand on her knee, leaning further into her as he lets out a laugh of how own.

“And when I looked down, it was in my hand the entire time!” His uncle explains the ending to his amusing story and the table goes into another fit of laughter and chuckles. His aunt brings a clothed napkin to wipe under her eyes and playful smacks her husband’s shoulder.

When YN looks to her best friend, they both shake their heads as giggles and chuckles push past their lips. She gives him the smile that always makes his knees weak and he’s never been more thankful to be sitting down at the sight.

Anne looks over fondly to her son and YN next to her and can’t help but wave a hand excitedinly in front of her, “YN, dear. I’m so happy you came over for today. But you’ll have to excuse Uncle David over there, he’s a bit of a jokester.”

“Not at all,” YN dimisses with a reassuring wave of her hand. “My uncle Teddy is the same way. It’s nice to see that humorous uncles run in good families.”

It’s nearly impossible to not be in awe of the woman sitting next to him. She’s just so naturally good at everything, and much like her stepmum, she can always make a person feel welcomed, special even, with just one look.

“I’m just so happy that my son has finally brought his girlfriend over for Christmas,” Anne beams from her seat at the head of the table and YN’s fork squeaks against the china plate. Harry nearly chokes on the glass of wine in his hand and Gemma looks up at her the two across from her with wide eyes. The wind gets knocked out of YN as she failed to notice that he was seeing someone on the side, that she failed to notice the possible woman in the room...but another realization presses down on her chest.

She can feel her best friend tense up next to her and it all makes sense now: Harry didn’t tell his mum that they weren’t together anymore. Harry’s mum was referring to YN.

YN thinks quickly and instead of politely correcting his mum or throwing out all of the questions racing in her mind, she smiles softly at Anne and says, “Thank you for having me.” When she turns her gaze to Harry, he sees him give her an appreciative smile, “M’really grateful to be here with all of you. I’m a very lucky person today.”

“I’m the lucky one,” Harry comments truthfully. He’s so grateful to not only have his best friend over for such a memorable day but for her not exposing him to his entire family on Christmas day. He removes the hand on her knee to bring her hand to mouth to place a kiss on her knuckles and the table looks onto them fondly.

Before Anne can get all teary-eyed over the sight, she puts on a loving smile and announces for everyone to continue to eat up before the food gets cold. As everyone dives back into their own conversations and the room is filled with chatter and silverware claking again, Harry leans over to whisper in YN’s ear.

“Thank you.” YN gives her friend a warm smile like he’s telling her something loving, partly because she feels for him and partly because his mum hasn’t taken her eyes off of them yet, “I can explain.”

“Later,” YN whisper back, interlocking her hand with his. “In the meantime, is yeh nose alright? Looks like wine sky-rocketed out from there from the news," She giggles behind her own glass and Harry falls more in love with her with every passing second.

...

As the night before their wedding day comes to fruition, everyone in the house was sent promptly to bed to be ready for tomorrow—especially the bride-to-be. Penny, Anne, Gemma, and Lottie all shooed Harry away from his fiancé and made sure YN was tucked into bed as soon as possible as she needs her beauty sleep before the most important day of her life.

While Harry was shoved into a room of his own, he couldn’t stop tossing and turning. As excited as he is for the next day to arrive, he can’t seem to fall asleep without his love snuggled up next to him.

As the rest of the house is already in deep sleep, Harry pads his bare feet out of the guest room and makes his way into the kitchen. He knuckles at his eyes and reaches for the handle of the refrigerator.

“Not gettin’ cold feet are yeh?”

Harry nearly jumps out of his skin, quickly turning around to spot his fiancée sitting on top of the dining table. She holds back a laugh around the cookie in her mouth and he notices that she has a steaming mug sitting on the table by her hips.

“Of course not. Been waiting forever for this day, think m’just too excited to sleep,” He makes his way over to her to stand inbetween her swinging legs. “What are you doing up?”

“Same here. Too jittery to wait until tomorrow,” YN keeps her gaze on the mug next to her as she dunks her stepmum’s homemade cookie in the hot chocolate as she bashfully says her next words. “Plus, I couldn’t really fall asleep without you with me so...”

It’s hard for the two of them not to be reminiscent of always meeting up back in the kitchen: from their two month trip in Jamaica, while making his second album in Malibu, when they officially became a couple in 2019—it all seems a little full circle.

"Will you be a good bride-to-be to your soon-to-be husband and let me have a bite?" He nods toward the chunky cookie in her hand with a grin, ultimately deciding that he can't tease her for her sleep comment because it's the same reasons he's up. He leans forwards when she offers him some but scoffs when she swerves it out of the way at the last second and into her mouth.

When she finishes her chewing, he hushes her laugh by pressing his lips to hers. He pulls her in closer by gripping her hips and she happily cards her fingers through his hair. When teases his fingers under the waistband of her sleep shorts, she pulls away with a giggle.

"Harry, baby we can't here," She whispers into the air as he begins to nibble down the side of her neck.

"Why not?" He mumbles onto her skin and the sound of his boyish whinnying makes her smile.

"Because, quite literally, our closest family members are all currently sleeping under this roof. Me mum can walk in on us. Or your mum. Or Louis-"

"They will walk in on us if you don't hush up," Harry points out and it makes his dimples dig into his cheeks when she giggles softly. "Don't you want me, baby?"

"I want you," YN mumbles shyly and it has him quickly bringing his mouth to hers again. She pulls him closer with a tug of his hair and he groans against her, a noise that has her shushing him just the same way he did to her.

They try to keep as quiet as they possibly can but it turns difficult when they can't stop giggling and hushing each other. Especially how she has to dig her face into his shoulder when he tugs their shorts just low enough until her can push inside her or being shushed when he has to stop to move the steaming mug of hot chocolate to the seat. He tells her to be quiet through a chuckle when she goes to lay her back against the hardwood table and she lets out a string of giggles when the table starts to creek from their movements. Her laughs turn into quiet moans and whimpers when he begins to pound into her and he brings his hand over her mouth as they both come undone.

After busting out the disinfecting bottle and vigorously wiping down the table, Harry escorts her back to her room.

“What?” YN questions when he sees Harry give her a lovesick smile, the same kind of smile that begins to tug one on her own lips.

“This is our last night with you being my fiancée.”

She hums out in agreement. It’s at this moment that she realizes that the scary feeling in her tummy for tomorrow isn’t necessarily out of fear, but excitement. All this time she thought she might be second-guessing herself, making herself think that she wasn’t good enough for Harry, that he deserves someone better. But this gooey twist in her stomach is from how giddy she feels, about how much he loves her. He wants her to be his wife, no one else.

She can’t help herself from stepping forward, placing a hand on Harry’s chest to lean up on the balls of her feet to gently press her lips to his.

“Good night, my fiancé,” She mumbles against his lips.

“Fuck, I can’t wait to make you my wife.”

“Until tomorrow, my love.”

He reluctantly pulls himself away from her with a deep sigh, “I’ll be waiting at the altar.”

“I’ll meet yeh there.”

“Good night, lovie.”

“Good night.”

YN giggles at how neither one of them makes an effort to move from their spots.

“You love me?”

She barks out a laugh but quickly puts a hand over her mouth to muffle the contagious sound. He puts a warm hand over the one over her mouth while the other puts a finger to his lips, a dimpled smile already breaking out.

“I can’t stand you,” She teases in a whisper. “But of course I love you. Agree to marry you, didn’t I?”

“Damn right you did,” He boasts, walking backwards down the hall. “Good night, baby.”

“Night,” YN bites her bottom lip to tame her smile and leans her head on the door frame. Before she can get her hand on the door, another giggle comes tumbling past her lips when he quickly makes his way over to her again to give her a loving kiss. He brings her left hand to his mouth to plant a kiss to the ring her gave her before forcing himself down the hall to the guest room.

...

Harry had his explanation ready. It was all planned out a rehearsed to a T, but now as he stands before YN’s awaiting eyes in his mum’s kitchen the next day, he loses all the words he knows.

Yesterday was packed with activities and fun and laughter that it was hard not to pull her away from all that and explain himself. He couldn’t be the cause of her loosing her bright smile as they play another guessing game with his family. He couldn’t be the one to interrupt her laughter while they assembled gingerbread houses.

And the one time he actually had the chance to pull her off to the side, his little nephew pointed out that they were under the misletoe. All of his worrying thoughts came to a stop when she looked up at him with a shrug of her shoulders as his family all had their eyes excitingly locked on them. How could he even think to hesitate when she was so willing and pliable in his hands as he cups her face and presses his lips to hers—their first kiss since they’ve split up a couple of months ago. It was a short and sweet kiss for the sake of his family standing before them but how he wished they were the only ones in the room.

And there certainly was no way he was going to wake her after she falls asleep with her head on his shoulder as the older cousins sit around the living room to watch Christmas movies. When everyone begins to file out of the living room wishin him good night, all he can really do is carefully manuver her so she’s between him and the back of the couch and drap a blanket over the two of them. His heart and the warm feeling inside his chest only grows when she blindly reaches out for him, pulling him close and tucking her head in the crook of his neck.

Now in the cold light of day, Harry has to face the music and explain why his mum thinks the two are still together after already being months apart.

“It’s...look I,” Harry takes in a deep breath. It was already hard enough to proper gather his thoughts at the sight of her alone so it was extremely difficult now under the circumstances. “I didn’t mean to lead her onto to anything, I promise. She was so happy when we were actually together and, and when we broke up, telling her wasn’t necessarily the first thing on my mind. I meant to tell her soon enough and it completely didn’t come to mind that she still thought that way when she invited you over for Christmas. I appreciate you playing along and I’m forever in you debt because of that but, I will tell her. I will tell her today and as much as it will hurt her, I can’t imagine how hard all this is hurting you.”

Harry lets out a deep sigh. He had everything planned and it all came to bite him back in the worst way.

"Hurting me?" YN questions and he's taken back when she gently takes a hold of his chin so his gaze meets hers. "You've been doing the complete opposite. Yeah, this is all a little weird given the situation and I might have been caught off guard but...I miss you. I've missed you for...I honestly don't think I ever stopped missing you. I've been meaning to tell you that I'm ready to be with you, officially, but there never seemed like a good time. And I completely understand if you're not ready to be with me yet or don't want to be with me at all-"

YN is silenced by Harry stepping forwards, cupping her cheeks and pressing his lips to hers.

When he pulls back, he's met with her beautiful eyes that are glazed over in confusion.

"Don't want to be with you at all?" Harry asks in disbelief. "Of course I want to be with you. There's never a day that goes by without me wanting to be with you, YN. I'm ready, I've been ready. No more bullshit or back-and-forth or confusion. I want you, plain and simple."

"I want you, too," YN beams before pulling him back into her.

The two have gone back and forth between being together and not being together over the past two years but this time it feels different, it feels right.

"Well, good morning to you too."

Anne's voice instantly has them pulling apart and taking a step away from each other, like a couple of teenagers caught in an obscene act. Harry's mum smiles warmly at the couple as she goes towards the stove, "Tea, anyone?"

Harry and YN tuck their lips in and one glance at one another has them beaming in embarrassment.

...

"Baby, you have to stop pacing." Penny softly comments from her spot on the dining table as watches her daughter walk back and forth. YN hasn't stopped twisting at the ring on her finger. She's not doing it in contemplation or regretting her decision for this day, it's just a nervous habit she's done ever since she can remember.

"Knock, knock. I’ve got a special delivery from—” Louis peaks his head in from the curtained sliding glass doors and stops in his tracks at the sight of his childhood best friend—his little sister—in front of him.

YN stands before him in her mermaid-style wedding dress. The sleeves are off the shoulder and the length of her dress stops right at the bottom of her feet. Her veils trails behind her and cascades down her back and onto the ground. Her make-up is done naturally and her hair is down and clipped out of her face.

Tears threaten to escape his eyes but he sniffles them back as best he can, “Wow, YN. Yeh look...amazing.”

“I don’t really feel amazing,” YN continues her pacing, holding her hands in front of her stomach as she continues to twist her ring and push down on her fingers with her thumbs. “I dunno why I can’t stop my mind from racing. I’m happy, so fookin' happy right now, but I just can’t stay still and, and I feel all nervous and what if I trip and fall while I’m walking down the isle. This all feels so—”

“Hey, hey. Take a breath alright,” Louis quickly steps over to her and places gentle hands on her bare shoulders. He non-verbally instructs her to take in deep breaths with him: in through his nose and out through his mouth. “S’normal for to feel like this, love. You’re happy and you love him and that’s all that matters. But if you don’t want to go through with this either, I’ll start the car up and we can go down and grab a burger, alright? No one can say anything about it.”

After a couple of breathes, YN opens her eyes and flicker them back and forth between his.

“I, I want to see him. Like, if he can just tell me that it’s all alright, that this is all fine or to just hug him or something...”

“Well, I may not be able to give yeh that, but he did tell me to give you this,” Louis grabs a piece of paper from his inner suit jacket, YN carefully unfolds the paper and nearly cries at the sight of her fiancé’s hand writing.

Everything will be alright, my love. I can practically hear you pacing from the outside the house and please stop twisting at your ring or craking your fingers. Your hands will be in mine soon enough. I’ll be waiting at the altar. I love you so much it hurts. Harry x.

YN huffs out a laugh through her nose at how well he knows her. Harry wasn’t even told what she was doing, surely in hopes to not make him nervous but he knows her like the back of his hand. YN doesn’t even realize how her breathing as calmed down or how less jittery she feels from her anxiety earlier. She doesn’t even realize how big of a smile she has on her face until Louis takes her chin in between his fingers.

“She’s acting like he hung up the moon and stars by the way she’s smiling like that,” Louis jests and YN doesn’t even try her hand at a witty comeback.

“Thank you, Louis. I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for everything you’ve done for me,” She says sincerely. “From when I was a little girl till now, you’ve taken care of me and looked out for me like a big brother should. You mean the world to me and I love you very much.”

With a tight lipped smile, he pulls YN into his arms before she can see his eyes begin to tear up.

“There’s no need to thank meh. I’d gladly do it all over again if I had to.”

The three of them turn their attention to a knock on the sliding glass doors before Gemma steps in with an excited smile, "It’s time.”

...

YN can hear the infamous wedding music begin to play outside and she takes in a shaky breath. Penny puts a loving hand overher daughter's that are tightly gripping onto her bouquet and it instantly calms YN’s nerves.

“Ready, my baby?” She gives her daughter the warmest smile, the smile that’s engraved into YN’s memory ever since she was a little girl. Penny was the only woman her no-good of a father brought home that actually acknowledged baby YN. Penny gave up her free, hippie lifestyle for one of a mother’s and it was a decision, a promise, she continues to fulfill every passing day since. She has been the parent, the provider, and the support that YN needed and YN is forever grateful for the woman standing beside her.

Penny has been more than two parents combined and so after giving her mum a nod, the glass doors slide open and the two woman begin their walk down the isle.

As YN takes her steps down to the altar, she spots the familiar faces around the small number of seats.

She passes by Mitch and Sarah as she’s slightly bouncing their baby boy in her arms.

She passes by the Tomlinson girls—the family she grew up with and calls her own.

She passes some of Harry’s close family members and holds back a giggle when Uncle David gives her two thumbs up.

She passes by the empty seats that were reserved for her two other bandmates who “couldn't make the trip” (an obvious outcome that the couple forshadowed yet still sent out the invitations nonetheless) but she smiles warmly when she sees her favorite blond lad. Niall smiles brightly at her before looking down at his shoes in hopes for her not to see the way he starts to tear up.

She passes Anne and Gemma in the front row, both with loving looks lighting up their faces. Harry’s mum mouths that she looks so beautiful and puts a shaky hand over her heart.

She passes Louis as he watches her with his lips tucked to the side to help stop himself from blubbering like a baby. He has been so calm, cool and collected during all of this but actually seeing his baby sister walk down the isle in her white dress is hitting him like a ton of bricks.

And lastly, she sees Harry standing before her at the end of the altar dressed in a simple yet classic tux, red-nosed and teary-eyed at the sight of his bride. When he meets her gaze, he quickly knuckles away the tears before giving her her favorite dimpled smile. He takes in a deep breath, unable to hold back the sob that racks through his chest.

With glossy eyes, Penny plants a gentle kiss to her daughter’s cheek before reaching out to place YN’s hand in Harry’s. He gives the older woman a kiss on her cheek, as well as a reassuring nod of his head as a nonverbal way of saying that he has her. After stepping up to face one another, Penny takes her place on the other side of the front row and as the ceremony begins, she seats herself next to the empty chair reserved for Jay.

...

“YN,” The officiant turns his attention over to the bride. “You may now read your vows.”

After Gemma hands YN the small piece of paper, she looks up to see her groom give her an encouraging smile.

“Harry," YN takes a shaky breath in and her vision already gets blurry. "Shit. Oh! Fook, I'm sorry. Shit! Ahh wait!" She puts a hand over her mouth as the audience laughs at her antics. Harry’s shoulders shake up by his ears and the outer corners of his eyes crinkle as he laughs.

"I love you," he leans over to plant a kiss on her cheek.

He lets out another laugh when she gives him an uneasy look of disbelief.

"Harry,” She starts again. “I don’t think there are words good enough to describe how much how I love you. You’ve shown me so many things, taught me so much about not only in life, but of myself. Before you, I wasn’t a very touchy-feely person. Now, I cannot go a day without one of your hugs. Before you, I couldn’t stand to listen to stupid love songs. Now, I’m constantly writing them about you. Before you, my world was seen in sepia. Now I see colors I never knew existed. You’re truly me best friend, the love of me life, and my soulmate. You understand me more than anyone else, more than myself sometimes. I can’t believe the day has come when we finish with the constantly changing labels of our relationship and finally settle it with husband and wife. I’ll never get tired of saying how much I love you and I can’t wait to start my forever with you.”

As soon as she finishes reading off of her tiny piece of paper, Harry steps forwards, cups her cheeks and plants a kiss to her lips. A couple of the men in the audience wolf and whistle loudly while the women playfully jab at them to quiet down. YN can’t help but giggle against her love’s lips, gripping onto the hands on her cheek before having to pull away.

“Harry, you may read your vows now.”

After calming his boyish smile, he takes his own piece of paper out of the inner pocket of his blazer and with a deep breath in, he begins to read his scribbled words.

“YN, it feels like I’ve been waiting my entire life to marry you. I knew I wanted you in my life when I first saw you at a Battle of the Bands competition when we were merely fifteen years old but I knew I wanted us to be more when we were put in a band a year later. We’ve gone through so many ups and downs over the past 12 years, and while it may have been frustrating at times, you were and always will be worth the wait. You’re my best friend and I truly cannot express how excited and happy I am to start this new chapter in our lives together as not just bandmates, secret lovers, blurry lines or merely as my best friend, but as husband and wife. I have loved you since 2010, now and forevermore.”

...

“Do you, YN YLN, take Harry Styles to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” YN beams as she slides the wedding band onto Harry’s finger.

“Do you, Harry Styles, take YN YLN to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Harry breathes out a smile, sliding the wedding band onto his love’s finger to finish off the last piece of their ceremony.

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Harry, you may now kiss your bride.”

Harry doesn’t waste another second before he cups her jaw and smushes his lips to hers. He wraps his other arm around her back and YN grips onto the front flaps of his tux, pulling him in incredibly close. He leans her back and he can feel her smile against his lips.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Styles!”

...

“I dunno, H,” YN says, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers. Now that the two can confidently state that they’re officially together now, she’s scared that their relationship will be seen in the public eye. She knows that when they first started their on-and-off relationship two years ago, they kept it very low-key around their friends, in the studio and only later started to show PDA, but only to their close friends. They’ve managed to dodge past the questions and comments about them being an item for years but this was different. They’re officially a couple now.

The idea of going to a new year’s eve party and the fear of someone taking a picture of them while really doing anything can start a massive misunderstanding in their fandoms. The fans just knew.

“Jonny says that the people he invited were cool, only a handful of close friends,” It’s nice to know that Harry was also on board with keeping their relationship in the shadows. They’re very private people and keeping their personal lives out of the lights is something that they would like to keep. Harry grabs her fidgeting hands and holds them to his chest. “I think we deserve to enjoy more of our holiday before it’s over, don’t y’think?”

His words begin to process in her head as he clutches their hands together. His head bends down to kiss her knuckles, his thumb rubbing over the butterfly ring he gave her a couple of Christmases ago, and it almost made her knees give out. His head bobs a little as he moves to kiss each one. He lifts his eyes slightly to meet hers and she sighs deeply knowing he won.

“As long as I can kiss you whenever I want during the party then maybe it won’t be so bad,” She says, trying to fight the smile that creeps on her face. She’s still very paranoid about the party, but seeing Harry’s face light up at the sound of her agreeing was all it took for her to relax.

Harry cups her face in his large hands and pressed his lips to hers. She instantly reacts by putting her hands on his waist and turning her head to the side to deepen the kiss.

This feels right, it feels safe. Now that she’s told him what’s on her mind about their relationship, it’s as if everything seems too good to be true. She feels as if their new relationship is now stronger than whatever they had in the past with them both clear about their intentions, mentally in a better place, and their love for one another already well established.

Harry gently pushes her back until her back is touching the counter. As she feels his tongue slip past her lips, she grips the material of his hoodie around his waist in a silent plea for more.

“Let the girl breathe, will yeh,” Gemma's voice breaks their kiss.

YN feels the blood rush up to her face and she covers her face in Harry's chest. She feels his arms wrap around her shoulders and his chest vibrates as he laughs. YN hopes it's directed toward his sister rather than her red face.

“Oi, you’re just pissed that your boyfriend doesn’t show you the same affection anymore,” Harry says to his older sister.

“Bogger off,” Gemma says with a laugh. “When you’re finished with your little snog fest can you please send her over to the living room. I’m currently losing charades to a seven year old and she’s my lucky charm.”

“I’ll be there,” YN’s voice comes out muffled from being pressed against Harry's chest. Gemma gives Harry a nod and once he gives her one back in reassurance, she spins on her heel and exits the kitchen. "Why does this always happen?" YN asks with a shake of her head, confused about how they continue to get interrupted by their family members and it only makes a laugh tumble past Harry's lips.

...

The married couple sits side-by-side at the end of the long table set up in the backyard. Their mums sit on either side of their children while the rest of the family and friends sit down the line. Fairy lights blanket over the yard and it provides the most beautiful light over the small party celebration.

As the table is filled with the sound of chatter as everyone finishes up the pre-made home cooked meal, Harry has his arm draped over the back of YN’s chair where he’ll constantly lean over to her to whisper something in her ear or where she’ll ask to see his left hand again and hold it against hers to see their matching rings.

Louis gives Gemma a nod across from his spot on the table before standing up from his seat, clearing his throat as he taps a knife against his glass of champagne. The chatter begins to die down and soon enough everyone joins in on tapping their glass.

"This should be interesting," Harry whispers to his bride's ear and smiles when she lets out a giggle.

"Ello everyone. For the people who don't know, m'Louis—" Everyone chuckles since the only people invited were family members and close friends. Penny gives a smack to his arm before he continues. "As the best man, I'd like to give a little toast dedicated to the bride and groom. I've known Harry for over a decade and YN since she was practically in diapers. YN, you're like me little sister than anything. As annoying and frustrating as you can be sometimes—" The table laughs and YN has to resist from flipping off her childhood best friend. "—I love you so very much. Harry, I've witnessed more than anyone here how stupidly in love you are with YN. The amount of times I’ve watched these two idiots deny and hide their love from one another during our time in One Direction was truly excruciating to watch. Niall here can back me up on that. It’s that true, Nialler?” Louis lifts his glass towards their blonde friend who quickly nods his head and making the rest of the guests laugh.

“It was painful,” Niall agrees, leaning over to look at the marriage couple. “It even hurt me sometimes, you know?”

YN playfully rolls her eyes with a smile sitting on her lips while her husband pinches at his lips to keep his embarrassed smile at bay.

“But in all seriousness, seeing first hand how these two and fought and clawed their way through all the shit—” Penny smacks his arm once again at his vulgar language. “Sorry, sorry. Through all the obstacles that have thrown their way, their love prevailed through it all. Harry, I know you'll take good care of my sister...even if she stubbornly claims she doesn't need taking care of.”

The couple’s friends and family all make noises in agreement which makes YN playfully scoff at how fast and willing they all agreed.

“I wish you lot the best and a very happy life together. To the bride and groom."

As everyone lifts their glass in the air, YN can’t help but give Louis a weary smile before blowing him a kiss and mouths that she loves him too.

"Alright, as the maid of honor, I also want to give a toast," Gemma is next to stand. "YN, I've always seen you as a sister and I'm so happy that it's officially offical. I feel that I shouldn’t really welcome you into the family because you’ve always been apart of the Styles family for as long as we’ve known you. Harry, my baby brother," Gemma tilts her head to the side, putting a hand over chest with her lips tucked inwards in hopes to tame her tears. "I'm so proud of all you've accomplished but I'm most happy that you've found your soulmate. You guys were truly made for one another and I could not imagine a more perfect couple."

Harry leans his head towards YN’s and the rest their temples against one another, closing their eyes for a second to live in the incredible bliss they both feel.

With a quick wipe to her watery cheeks, Gemma smiles and lifts up her glass, "You guys are going to continue to have a wonderful life together and yes, I’m calling dibs to be your baby’s godmother whenever the time comes.”

“Oi! Yeh can’t do that,” Louis defends. “That’s for them to pick. And it was gonna be me anyways.”

“I think it’s only fair we get to be the godparents since they’re the godparents of our little one,” Sarah pipes up from the side of the table.

“And what am I?” Niall raises his hands. “A roach?”

As the table begin to get rowdy, Harry waves his hands up while YN just holds her stomach as it begins to hurt from laughing so hard.

“Hey, woah!” He sliences the group. “We just got married, people. We’re not even pregnant. We’re not pregnant, right?” Harry asks his love and it only makes her laugh harder.

“No, no we’re not,” YN pressed the sides of her index fingers under her eyes from the giggly tears that managed to escape. “Oh my word, that was awesome. Gemma, please continue on with your toast before I bust at the seam.”

“As I was saying, we are all so happy for the two of you. You two will have a very happy together. To YN and Harry."

"To YN and Harry!"

"And without further ado, I'd like to invite you two to the dance floor to present your first dance as husband and wife."

And with that, Harry takes his wife’s hand in his as he leads her to the small designated dance area behind their table.

With a click on Gemma’s phone, A Sunday Kind Of Love by Etta James begins to play out of the speakers somewhere behind them and everyone begins to gather around the small area. Their guests pull out their phones to capture the special moment but Harry pays no mind to them as he gently tugs her into him.

YN pulls him incredibly close to her, wrapping her arms tightly around the tops of his shoulders. Harry fully pulls her into him so that there is no space left between them. He digs his face into the crook of her neck and his blunt fingers press into the skin on her shoulders as they gently sway.

All else seems to fade away and it’s just the two of them together as they dance. It all seems so unreal, swaying with Harry—her husband—on their wedding day. Harry’s words the night before were unbelievably true in that he’s been waiting forever to marry this woman.

Like he needs to make sure he isn’t dreaming, he pulls his face from her neck and sure enough, his breath is knocked out of his chest at the sight of her looking up at him like that, with her bright eyes and golden smile. He can’t help himself from leaning down to capture her lips with his, although a little difficult after a while as they can’t keep their smiles at bay any longer.

After all the rollercoaster they’ve been on for the past twelve years, it seemed like this day would never come to be. Yet, as Harry mentioned in his vows, she was well worth the wait as he holds YN—his wife—in his arms.

Thankfully he will never have to let her go as he gets to have her forevermore.

taglist:

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icallhimjoey · 1 year

Text

Over Now

♥ ♥ rockstar!Eddie Munson x Fem!Reader

Summary: In this sequel to "Only Now", you've moved away from Hawkins and it's something you should've done much sooner. It's the best choice you've made, it all works, until Eddie finds your address and stops by for a visit.

CW / disclaimer: 18+, language, fem!reader, smut, angst

Author’s note: a couple of you found my askbox and talked me into this after i answered an ask about Only Now, and with a little inspiration courtesy of @ghostinthebackofyourhead that kickstarted all of this, we find ourselves here. I hope you enjoy!

Wordcount: 9.6K

(find all four parts of this story here)

You wanted days to speed up. Have the sun travel across the width of the sky faster. Blink your eyes a few times and accidentally have a few hours pass you by entirely without you having noticed. If you could, you’d skip a full year. You envisioned yourself a year from now, and she seemed strong. Twelve months would be plenty of time for her to have gathered up enough strength to arm herself properly. She probably didn’t think about it every day. About him every day. She was probably happy. Strong, and successful and happy. You wished every day for time fast forward, just so you’d get to meet her sooner.

"You should leave," you whispered into the dark, hearing the city wake up outside of your windows, the hustle and bustle slowly picking up.

"Not yet," Eddie stated it so matter of factly that you didn't even feel like you could fight it. If Eddie decided to stay, you both knew he was going to stay. Eddie knew it was what you wanted, and Eddie knew you wouldn't fight him on it. But you had to be strong. Find the strength somewhere. Somehow.

At New Year's Eve, a couple of weeks after Eddie had left you with a little note that read "Merry Christmas x", you were doing a round of sharing your resolutions for the next year. You had decided yours on the spot and had blurted it out without having given it much thought.

"I'm going to move out of Hawkins."

And everyone had looked at you like it was the wildest thing they'd ever heard, laughed at you as if you were joking, like they had done when Dustin said he was going to start going to the gym. Not Steve though. Steve had hooked an arm around your neck, pulled you in so he could speak directly into your ear and said, "Coolest resolution of the bunch."

What Steve hadn't anticipated is that a mere two, two and a half weeks later, he'd be stood outside of the apartment building you used to share, ready to say goodbye and wave you off. You'd packed up all your belongings into your shitty car and were ready to get out of Hawins. Just, leave. For ever? Never to return? You weren't sure. You'd see.

“I know you have to leave, but, if you really think about it, what’s another week?” Steve tried, leaning his elbows in your open car window. It was too cold for it to be rolled all the way down, mid-January the temperatures were freezing, but you had something to say to Steve still, and you wouldn’t leave before you’d said it. Could you have told him inside? Absolutely. But it would’ve postponed your plans, and you had procrastinated enough. Years, if you really thought about it. You should've gotten out when Nancy and Jonathan had done, but, you know, you clearly hadn't.

“Shut up,” you completely dismissed Steve’s attempt at another week with you in Hawkins and he let his head drop in defeat.

“I need to say things to you,” you said, and Steve was quick to whip his head back up. You kept your engine running but slumped your shoulders and let your hands fall into your lap as you gave him a little pout.

“No, don’t,” Steve warned you.

“I have to,” you took a deep breath, and before Steve could block his ears with his fingers, you got the words out fast. “I don’t deserve you, you are by far the best friend, too good for this world, I can’t believe I’m leaving you behind- I love you!” all your words blended and built up in volume until you were practically screaming. They weren’t the words Steve was expecting, so when he lowered his arms, you snuck them in real fast: “Please come with me!”

“No!” Steve was too late; the words found his ears without any obstruction, and he waved his arms in frustration as he turned away from your car.

Your play back and forth of you begging Steve to join you, and him very actively avoiding every single talk you tried to have with him about it, had been going since the start. Ever since you dropped the comment that you should probably just get out of Hawkins all together, you’d been saying you should both go. He had threatened you at the start, “Careful, or I’ll do it!”, thinking it would make you stop the bit, but knowing there was a slight chance he’d actually consider it only made you press it more.

Steve took a few steps, circled back to your car, and pretended he was about to take a dive across you, aiming for your passenger seat. Just for a second, you thought he was actually going to go for it, and it made you squeal in panic filled laughter. Instead, Steve just leant through your window, found your shoulders with both his hands, and pulled you in for the most awkward hug.

“I’ll come visit soon,”

“Promise?”

“Of course, idiot.” Steve’s grip tightened. “I promise.”

A fresh start. New beginnings. New surroundings. It was what your mother said you’d needed for years. It was what Steve was hellbent on you getting for years.

You’d done enough scooping of popcorn into buckets at the movie theater, only to sweep up half of it two hours later from under the seats – a dead end job, but easy money made. Enough to pay rent, have a little fun and even save up a little.

You’d saved up enough to get yourself through two months of rent in the city, no problem. The urge to immediately find work wasn’t there, but when you moved into your new, much smaller, apartment above a bar that had a sign in the window that read BAR STAFF WANTED you thought, "Perfect.".

It was late February when Steve got word that Eddie was coming back into town. That’s soon, Steve thought. Usually, Eddie would leave much longer periods in between visits. Maybe they were playing somewhere close, and Eddie would just pop down for the day, he thought, secretly pleased that you’d decided to move away when you did.

Eddie didn’t even seem fazed when he walked up to greet Steve. Didn’t look around. Didn’t do a double take. And then, didn’t even ask, but just smiled and hugged Steve, patted him on the back and followed him inside.

Small talk.

Steve was astounded by the surface level of small talk Eddie made. Has the weather been good? Munson, it’s February. Of course not. It’s been grey skies and wet cold. Has he also been sick? Wayne told him a bug had half of Hawkins knocked out a couple weeks ago. Steve had a cough for a few days but was fine otherwise. Got all his fingers still? Eddie knew Steve liked lighting fireworks with Dustin, Mike, the others, anyone who would still come back from college, from jobs, had time to visit family over New Year’s Eve. Steve showed him all ten.

Then Eddie started talking about tour. The band. The gigs. The crowds. Steve loved Eddie’s stories, could honestly listen to him for hours, but he couldn't give him his full attention. Steve was listening to Eddie through your ears. Watching him through your eyes. It was like everything had to pass through a filter of you before it reached Steve, and it slowly built annoyance.

The last time Steve and Eddie had spoken, just the two of them, had been on the ice. When Lover's Lake had frozen over, Robin had taken you on a slippery, scary ride as she had run off with you and he'd stopped Eddie to ask him, was he even really aware of it? Of what he was doing? Did he ever stop to think what his behavior meant for you? Eddie hadn't appreciated Steve placing full blame with him; what Eddie's behavior meant for you. Not, what you were doing to Eddie.

Steve had told him to at least be mindful. When Eddie had scoffed, had said that he was being mindful, Steve revealed how a couple of months ago he had sat outside of your locked bathroom for hours. Listened to you cry silently in between echoing spasmed breaths and sobs. "Don't put her through that again, man." Steve's eyes shone with sadness. It annoyed Eddie greatly as he watched you and Robin laughing together, holding hands as you carefully made your way back to them over the ice.

Eddie didn't think he was doing anything to you. He was just being nice, wasn't he? Would hold you while you slept. Said nice things into your hair. Held your hand on walks. Squeezed your thighs underneath tables. Kissed you on the couch. These were all nice things; things you wanted, things you didn't shy away from, things you happily accepted from him. This is how you were together. Frankly, how you'd always been together. How much worse would it be if he didn't do any of those things at all? If he grew distant all of the sudden? If he just... stopped?

"Be mindful, s'all." Steve said just before you slid back into earshot.

And Eddie had tried for like, an hour maybe. Steve was a good friend and had come to him with difficult things to say, so Eddie tried. Even if he didn't like it. Eddie tried. Kept a little more distance. Didn't sling an arm around you as you walked back to Robin's car together. Called shot gun so he didn't have to share the backseat with you. Didn't use pet names. Didn't look at you and smiled until his eyes crinkled. And then they'd all felt it. They had all seen your angry glances at Steve. Had felt the mood shift. Had felt the sudden tension in the air. Had felt your complete rejection of whatever it was that Steve wanted for you. He wasn't meant to interfere like that, you thought. So when you'd reached for Eddie's hand when you'd gotten out of the car, Eddie had looked at Steve. Told him, I'm not doing anything, with his eyes. It's her.

So Steve was glad you weren't there. But Steve was annoyed that Eddie didn't even acknowledge that.

"You staying over at Wayne's?" Steve asked once Eddie let a silence fall. Eddie never stayed at Wayne's on his visits, but without prospect of staying over at your place, Steve thought he kind of had to.

"I guess," Eddie shrugged.

Steve waited. Still nothing.

"Speaking of, I should probably head over and go see my old man." Eddie spoke through a stretch, arms all up in the air, fingers interlocked, palms out. Then he sighed deeply and got up, went to get his coat from the hallway as Steve moved their used glasses to the kitchen. "Promised he'd make me more meatloaf since I didn't get to take any with me last time," Eddie joked halfheartedly and smiled at Steve when Steve met him in the hallway. Perfect moment to mention you, Steve thought. Yet still, nothing.

Steve followed Eddie on his way out, then decided he couldn't let Eddie just leave like that. Couldn't let him walk out after pretending you weren’t one third of their- your whole. Steve and Eddie had never been just two. Ever since they'd gotten closer as friends, you'd gotten closer in friends together. The three of you. Joined at the hip. Morning, noon and evening. Sun, wind and rain. Birth, life and death. Past, present and future.

"No? Nothing?"

"Huh?"

"You're not going to ask why she's not here? Come on, man…" Steve said, hoping Eddie would let his guard down, not pull it up more.

Eddie turned his head away, looking down the long corridor of apartment doors, hands in the pockets of his leather coat. Then he clicked his tongue and looked back at his friend in the door opening. "What's there to ask?" Eddie asked disdainfully, flicking his eyes down to Steve’s shoes and back up real quick.

Steve loved Eddie, really missed his friend all the time, and maybe even more so now you had moved away too, but this wasn't cool. Eddie didn't need to be so arrogant, act all haughty around him. They were friends. Two legs of this tripod they formed with you. Acting like you weren’t in the slightest bit important, weren’t an inherent part of them, vested in everything they were and weren’t together wasn’t okay.

Steve pushed his chin up, made his lips disappear and gave a small nod. "Say hi to Wayne for me." and closed the door on him. Eddie could go fuck himself.

When Eddie stepped into the trailer without knocking, Wayne took one look at him and told Eddie to walk back out. Eddie sighed loudly. Wayne used to do this all the time if Eddie came walking in like he owned the place. It would often happen when Wayne had worked double shifts and had left Eddie alone for too long. Wayne would make Eddie walk out and come back in, almost as if he was a polite guest, visiting his uncle for a special occasion. Put him in his place a little. Feel that, even if he was the one with his own bedroom between the two, the trailer was still Wayne's home first.

Eddie knew better than to not do as he was told by Wayne, famous rockstar or not, and stepped back out. He took a second, hand on the door handle still, and then he knocked and waited for Wayne to answer.

"Jus' a second," Wayne's low voice gruntled from behind the door, and Eddie huffed a laugh through his nostrils. Fucker was going to make him wait out in the cold, too.

When Wayne opened the door for Eddie, they grinned at each other and hugged.

"Come on, boy. Eat."

Eddie had been pushing the same bite of meatloaf around his plate for ten minutes, then sighed deeply and explained why he was going to have to stay over on the couch in the trailer that night.

"That why you ain't eatin'?"

Eddie shrugged, mentioned how Steve seemed upset with him about something too, not elaborating on why exactly that was. Wayne didn't push it, and instead focussed on the note Eddie showed him.

"And now she lives in the big city, huh?" Wayne said, reading the address.

"Seems like it," Eddie held the note in between his fingers, like he would hold a cigarette and stared at Steve's handwriting.

"Didn't tell you?" Wayne shoved his empty plate towards Eddie a little, signaling it was Eddie who was going to be doing the washing up. Eddie didn't fight him on it; Wayne cooked, so it was only fair Eddie did the dishes. Picking up the plates, his own barely touched, Eddie shook his head a little at Wayne's question.

"Didn't need to, it's her own life, isn't it? Makes her own choices," Eddie reasoned for himself. He hadn't told you about all the places he'd stayed at to write, to record, to rehearse and to play. Why should you have to?

It would have been nice for Eddie to have known, don't get him wrong. He probably wouldn't have come back to Hawkins so soon had he known you weren't there anymore.

"I never understood it," Wayne sighed, sitting back in his seat as he placed his hands behind his head, elbows sticking out wide. "You kids, not goin' together but holdin' hands all the time anyway," Wayne frowned and shook his head a little.

Wayne knew you and Eddie far surpassed innocent hand holding - walls were thin in his trailer - but hand holding was all the two of you had done openly in front of him. Everything else Wayne had caught, he'd pretended not to have seen or to have heard.

"Nothing to understand," Eddie shrugged.

"And she's not goin' with Steve either?"

"No," Eddie snorted, absolutely unable to even think of you and Steve as a couple.

"Hand me that towel," Wayne joined Eddie in the kitchen.

This was nice, Eddie thought. Just chatting with Wayne, in the trailer, hands busy with an easy task. Just the two of them, like old times. It didn't have the same effect as hanging out with you and Steve had on him, though. But it was nice anyway.

"Wouldn't have time for it anyway, would you?" Wayne said. "Not with all them girls waitin' outside after your concerts," There was a moment of eye contact where Eddie had expected a sly smile from Wayne, something a little playful, but was met with a set of stern eyes instead.

"I better not be hearin' bad things, Eddie," Wayne warned, and Eddie immediately took it to mean something malicious. Like Eddie was taking advantage of every single person that showed him any form of interest. Like it was Eddie’s fault that the band had groupies.

"What do you take me for?" Eddie mentally placed his foot against the gas pedal, ready to absolutely floor it if Wayne was going to say something else he didn't like.

"Don't forget who raised you, now," Wayne stayed calm, his voice not changing tone.

"Are you accusing me of something?" Eddie accelerated.

"Just makin' sure no one has reason to,"

Eddie just looked at Wayne a second before he contorted his face and threw the sponge he'd been scrubbing pots with loudly against the tiles behind the sink. The wet slap was loud and splashed dish soap suds onto dishes Wayne had already dried but had yet to put away. He silently watched his nephew grab his coat, feel around pockets for a packet of cigarettes and step out.

Had Eddie been 16 still, he'd have slammed the door.

Wayne wasn't stupid. He'd seen things on MTV, saw pictures in the magazines and, sometimes, if they were particularly bad, the newspapers. He'd even seen some girls with his own eyes when he'd been to see Eddie 'n the boys play when they'd been close enough for Eddie to put Wayne up on the guest list. He had never seen Eddie give them any real attention, but Wayne knew his nephew.

Eddie just needed to be mindful. Tha's all.

That night, Eddie and Wayne had gone to bed in silence. Eddie had refused to say another word, even when Wayne had sat down in his armchair and had put the TV on. Eddie was all passive aggression, rumbling stomach only adding fuel, and Wayne knew to keep quiet until Eddie would break, say something stupid, something that crossed a line, immediately apologise and then they'd be able to talk everything through. Old routines died hard. That, or Eddie would crack because he had to have been hungry, still.

Before bed, Wayne had placed bedding and one of the better pillows onto the couch next to Eddie before retreating to his own bedroom. Eddie's old bedroom. When Wayne had closed the door behind him, Eddie had looked at it and wished it was his bedroom still. With the same old posters still up, his favourite guitar on the wall and all his other stupid shit strewn around, messing the place up. Making it all his. His own little safe space where everything was so very his. Eddie almost resented his uncle for not leaving it the way it was back then, but knew that would've made no sense.

Eddie found himself on the couch, hours later, middle of the night, not being able to sleep at all. The blinking streetlight from out front illuminated the note Eddie held in his hand in flashes.

Should he just... call?

Could he? He couldn't remember the last time he talked to you over the phone. You never called each other. Not that you'd be able to reach Eddie anywhere - he was always on the move.

You hadn't mentioned moving out of Hawkins the last time you'd seen each other. Maybe he wasn't meant to know. Or maybe, you'd tell him later. Once you'd settled. You couldn't have been gone that long, could you?

Eddie didn't manage to stay until the morning. When Wayne woke up and went to find his nephew to talk things through over breakfast, he was met with an empty trailer. Eddie had left the sheets folded nicely up on the couch, and had left his uncle a little note on top.

"I'm sorry. Took the leftover meatloaf x"

It was busy at the bar. Too busy. It was Thursday, and Thursdays were never this busy. The band playing had done a little promotion beforehand, and clearly, it paid off. You were sure lots of them were friends and family, but you eyed some curious anticipation from what you assumed were strangers too.

It was busy, but work was fun. It was just you and your immediate boss behind the bar together, and you wanted to impress, still. Be quick on your feet. Get lots of tips for the two of you to share later. You'd only worked there for about a month, but you'd learned fast. And it was fun because you seemed to really have a good routine down. There was no bumping into each other - if you were about to reach for a glass, he'd have it ready for you, and if you heard someone order drink from a bottle closer to you, you'd hand it over before he could even ask. Work was busy, hectic, and chaotic, but it was fun.

Most people drank beer. Some would order whiskey. Very, very rarely, someone would ask for something else. You'd barely touched the vast array of liquor bottles that decorated the wall behind the bar. So when someone ordered anything you'd not poured before, your boss would help you, show you once, then keep an eye the very next time you'd do it yourself. But most people drank beer, so you'd gotten used to asking which kind, almost on autopilot, and would point at the different taps with questioning eyes. Until someone didn't ask for a beer, and threw you for a loop.

"Jack and coke, please?"

You heard him before you saw him. The visceral reaction within your body was unreal. Unfair. Maddening, too.

You thought you had it all under full control. You had it all tucked away, squeezed into a small cage, locked up behind bars, keys thrown away far into Lake Michigan, never to be seen again. You'd been so good. Would sometimes go days without thinking of him. Became an expert in occupying yourself, and it really helped that none of your surroundings were reminders here. You had all of his things hidden away in a shoebox, placed it deep into your wardrobe, underneath and behind other items, and you'd tried to do the same with all the memories inside your head. Found a shoebox in there too, placed every single little thing you'd come across into this box and would store it away, somewhere near the back of your head, close to the top of your cervical spine.

And it had worked. You'd done so well.

But the sheer sight of him... the first little glimpse you caught after hearing that voice... It broke that cage wide open. Bars snapped in half, brick walls crumbled down and your heart was free. Free at last. Beating fiercely, almost painfully fast inside your chest. It got to swell again. Gave itself more wiggle room. Grew three sizes and pressed tightly against your lungs which made it hard to breathe. It hurt, but it hurt so good.

Eddie was here.

Have you ever felt your brain short-circuit in real time? Felt fires start from sparks too big upon the sight of someone's smile?

"What... how did you..." There were no full thoughts, and you had no possible way of verbalizing anything coherent in the moment.

"Steve," Eddie shouted over the music.

Your eyes grew, doubled in size. Never. Eddie was lying. Steve would never. Eddie could see your disbelief, your disgust at Eddie placing blame with your mutual friend and knew he had to explain.

"I saw..." Eddie sighed deeply, both hands placed on the bar as he leant forward, eyes closed, about to disclose information he wasn't proud of. "There was a note, with your new phone number and your address. He left it on the side, and I couldn't..." Eddie reached into a pocket, pulled it out and showed you Steve’s handwriting.

"You took it?"

"Don't worry, you know Harrington, he's got it memorized by now."

Like Steve being unable to reach you was the problem here.

"Eddie Munson?" someone tapped his shoulder, recognized him, went in for a hug immediately. "Told you it was him!" you heard someone else call out from the other side. "Eddie!"

Too many things were happening at once and you were unable to process any of them. Eddie was here, under questionable circumstances, and you didn't even have the time to be angry with him, because you were at work. You were at work, and it had been going so smoothly. You'd been on a roll, absolutely in it, you and your boss fully attuned to each other. Eddie ruined it, fucked it all up, but you had to get back to it. There were people waiting, drinks to be served, tips to be collected. But you were kind of... frozen. Almost nonresponsive.

You could only give Eddie confused eyes. Judgmental eyes. What the fuck are you doing here eyes. Came to mess up my life again huh eyes. But mostly, your eyes just held a lot of bewilderment and simple shock. Uncomplicated. Things anybody could read.

An arm holding a drink came into your vision from your left, and your boss placed down Eddie's jack and coke in front of him. A little dazed, you looked at your boss, who gave you a look, eyebrows raised high, not in question, but in let's get back to work, all right.

You looked at the man next to Eddie, who searched for your attention with a hand, was holding money and pointed at the beer tap before holding up two fingers.

"Coming right up," you snapped back into work-mode and smiled. You had to get back to work and pretend Eddie wasn't there. It was too busy at the bar not to. So, you ignored him, tried your best to not let your eyes find him, and focused on the work at hand. Work was busy, and it was fun, you sternly told yourself.

After a while, when the band was done playing, the bar started to feel more like a regular old Thursday inside. There was still enough work to be done, but nothing that overwhelmed you.

“Dude's still here, that okay?” Your boss eyed Eddie who was stood talking to two of the bandmembers. They seemed excited Eddie had seen their set.

You already knew Eddie was still there. You'd watched him all night. Corner of your eye. Peripheral vision. Like your body knew there was danger lurking, and you couldn't not keep an eye out for him.

“I'm working,” you shrugged. “If he wants to talk, he can wait.”

And you silently and secretly wished that he did. Fucking Eddie. What the fuck did he want? You’d last seen him in December, which for Eddie’s terms must have felt like just a week ago. Why had he been over at Steve’s?

“Is um… is he who I think he is?” your boss carefully followed up, making drinks right next to you as you kept busy rinsing glasses.

You gave a small smirk, but didn't answer, kept your eyes down. Eddie had been the talk of the night, obviously your boss knew the dude that seemed to be waiting your shift out was Eddie Munson of Corroded Coffin fame. But the way the two of you had interacted, before the murmur of people whispering his name had started, told your boss you weren’t just shocked to see him because he was Eddie Munson. No, you knew each other. There was some sort of history there, he could sense it, and he silently commended you for only letting some of it show for half a second. The rest of the night you’d been perfect bar staff. No regrets in hiring you.

"Could you... do you think you could get Corroded Coffin to come play a little gig here?" your boss joked, and you couldn't help but huff a laugh through your nose. "Give us a little show? No?" you got a nudge in the shoulder and a playful smile when you looked at him.

"I'll ask, but I can’t make any promises," you said, making your boss laugh loudly. Corroded Coffin played huge venues, had insane mosh pits, full light shows with smoke and pyrotechnics. The bar you worked at fit the genre, sure, but was small. Tiny. They would tear the place down, and if not the band themselves, then definitely the people coming to see them.

“Let me know if I need to kick him out, because I’ll do it. Don’t care what name he carries.” And with that, your boss picked up drinks to carry over to the other side of the bar to whoever ordered them. You silently berated yourself for having waited so long to move to the city. People were nice here. What had held you back so long? The second you thought it, you hated that the answer to that question sat down on a barstool right in front of you.

“So when does your shift end?”

You were prepared for questions from Eddie. All throughout the evening you'd thought about what things you would tell him. What things you’d be honest and up front about, and what things you’d avoid telling him. You didn't owe him anything, but you imagined Eddie had questions anyway.

What you weren't prepared for was the magnetic pulling you felt in your stomach when you saw Eddie standing in the middle of your small, new apartment.

What you weren't prepared for was Eddie kneeling down in front of you as you'd sat down on your couch to take your shoes off.

What you weren't prepared for were Eddie's hands that found the outside of your thighs and used his fingernails to slowly scratch up and down the sides of them slowly as Eddie leant back on his heels.

You kind of couldn't really do anything but watch his hands move slowly along your legs and your breath shuddered as you felt your ribcage expand and tighten simultaneously. You frowned when you recognized where you were emotionally. You were in your bed, in your old apartment still, and had just found that stupid fucking note Eddie left on his pillow. You were back in December in the exact moment where all you could feel was loneliness and the strongest yearning you'd ever felt for Eddie.

And now, Eddie was here.

"Eddie,"

Your eyes locked, but what were you going to follow up with? Ask him why he was there? Ask him why he had visited Hawkins so soon after his last visit? Why he'd taken that note with your details from Steve's place? Were you going to tell him about why you'd left? Tell him about those days after he'd left without saying goodbye, again? You didn't really want to do any of those things. Because Eddie was touching you, and you kind of didn't want him to stop.

You hesitated for too long and saw Eddie's dark eyes move between yours before he sat up on his knees and moved in close. Close enough for your noses to touch, to dance around each other for a brief moment, to move like you were kissing. Close enough for your breath to hitch, throat working, as you saw Eddie's eyes roam your face.

"Can I kiss you?"

Eddie had never asked permission like that before, and you didn't need asking twice.

You only needed to tilt your head a little for your lips to touch, and it could've been soft, and slow, but it was none of the sort. You smashed yourself into Eddie, held onto him, arms winding tightly around his neck to pull him into you and keep him there. You kept feeding pressure as your faces swirled, tongues exploring each other, making sure they recognized each other still. You had to feel as much of Eddie as you could to make sure he was really there. That he was real.

Eddie kissed you back just has fervorous, like he was surprised that you'd granted him permission for it. Like he thought that maybe he had asked a question you would've easily said no to.

Thinking back to what Steve had said, he wouldn't have been surprised if you did.

You kissed each other, inhaled each other and tasted each other until Eddie suddenly noticed how your breathing grew erratic at an alarmingly rapid rate. Your hands started clambering behind his head, then on his back, your touches increasing in desperation. Your lips pressed against his hard and it started to become uncomfortable. Eddie reached for your hands in a bid to loosen your grip and broke your kiss.

"Hey,"

Eddie tried for eye contact, to see if you were okay, but you were quick to dig your face into the crook of his neck, escaped into his hair, and hooked your arms under his to tightly squeeze him. Your pressed your chests together and hugged Eddie tensely. You hugged him like you'd never let him go, clung to him like you were scared he'd get up and walk out, your chest heaving heavily still.

"Hey, are you–" Eddie stopped talking when a sob escaped you and he felt your body shake against his. It startled him for a moment, but it only took a second for him to hug you back.

Emotionally, you were there, in your old bedroom still, alone, blinking tears from your eyes at that stupid note Eddie left on your pillow. Eddie had walked out and hadn't even said goodbye.

"Shh, it's okay," Eddie turned soft, found the back of your head to caress and gently stroked his other hand up and down your back.

You cried, and Eddie was gentle. You cried over Eddie, because of Eddie, and let Eddie comfort you. It was an agonizing loop you found yourself in, realized you'd been in, that somehow also felt like it spiraled down with the weight of everything growing heavier each time. You'd be pushed further down each time. You'd have to rise up higher each time, gain new unprecedented levels of strength each time. It had only been a few weeks, and you hadn't even properly began the painstaking process of putting yourself back together again since you'd last seen Eddie. You had just ran from it. Hid from it.

But now, Eddie was here. He had left you alone in your bed a few weeks ago, but now, he was here.

"You always leave," you spoke through broken sobs, letting out the words you felt were hurting your heart from the inside out.

"I'm here," Eddie softly reassured, his voice kind, but flat, almost void of feeling. "I'm here."

You heard it – lies – and knew he emotionally wasn't here at all, but you could pretend he was. Needed to pretend he was. You could feel him, smell him, taste him and could pretend he was here, just like he said he was.

"Do you want to go lay down?" Eddie whispered after a little while. You had calmed down, but were holding on still, and he'd been sat on his knees in front of your couch too long.

Eddie felt you nod your head on top of his shoulder, and you expected him to move back, away from you, in order to stand up. Instead, Eddie moved your legs to hook around his waist, said, "Hold on tight," before gripping onto your waist and hoisting you up from the couch as you clung onto him.

Lowering you down onto the bed, Eddie got a look at your face and saw the mascara streaks he'd been responsible for. When he wiped a thumb across one, you realised what he was doing and were quick to wipe at your own face with your hands. You were sure that whatever Eddie was looking at, wasn't very charming.

But then Eddie grabbed onto both your wrists, stilled your hands and moved them away slowly. Replaced them with his own. It felt like the least thing he could do, to slightly make it better a little. He licked one of his thumbs like your mother used to do, and used soft strokes to wipe the make-up stains away as you stared up at him. Eddie's touch was careful and tender, and you melted under it, relaxing deeper into your bed.

Eddie didn't have mascara splotches to wipe at, but you wanted to touch his face in the same ways he was touching yours. You reached up, cupped his cheeks, rubbed a thumb along a line in his face and got a smile out of him. Eddie moved his head, kissed one of your palms, then straightened up and looked at your jeans.

"Can I take these off?"

What was with all the asking for permission? It was new. You didn't mind it, but it was... different. You nodded and let Eddie undress you.

He removed your jeans, your socks, your top, your bra too, and you waited for his roaming hands. Waited for his touches, his squeezes, for Eddie to grab at you, with soft or harsh fingers – you didn't care.

Eddie then removed his own T-shirt, and instead of discarding it onto the floor with the rest of your clothing items, he moved it around in his hands, found the neckline and said, "Sit up a little." before helping you put it on.

Eddie dressed you in his own T-shirt, the one he'd worn all day and overwhelmed your senses with all things Eddie. It was the smoothest of moves that caught you entirely off guard, and you had to take the deepest of breaths to not burst into tears again.

When Eddie slipped into bed in just his boxers next to you, you noticed that you were secretly pleased that he hadn't latched onto you the second he'd seen you naked. This was much nicer. Eddie was about to get comfortable on his back, was about to pull you in for cuddles, but you stopped him.

"Lay on top of me,"

Eddie froze a second, covers held up in his hand, facial expression a little confused.

"I want to feel you on me," you felt raw and vulnerable, all up in your emotions and had shared them with him too. There was no use in hiding what you wanted from him now.

"Yea. Yea, okay." and Eddie scooted down a little, found your chest with his head and carefully relaxed until you were pressed down into the mattress by his full body weight.

Eddie listened to your heartbeat, felt himself rise and fall with your breaths and dozed off the very second he knew that you'd fallen asleep as well.

You woke up in the middle of the night when you felt Eddie roll off of you, to get more comfortable, you imagined. He laid down next to you and the loss of his warmth, his weight and his contact made your hand search for his so you at least had something, still. You were needy and clingy and knew it was unattractive and overbearing, but you didn't care. When you found his hand and interlaced your fingers with his, your felt him squeeze a few times which was enough reassurance for you to drift off again.

Eddie woke you up in the morning by placing a hot mug of coffee on your bedside table.

"Morning," Eddie sat down next to you on the bed and leant over you, one arm planted either side of you. He bent over for a kiss, and you groaned, "morning breath," and tried to avoid him getting too close. But Eddie was Eddie, and he held your face to kiss you anyway.

"Couldn't," another kiss, "care," more, "less." and then deeper too. Until Eddie murmured, "You're out of breakfast," and you groaned loudly as you squeezed your eyes shut tightly.

"Yea, I need to get groceries."

"So let's go have breakfast somewhere and get you some groceries."

You still didn't know why Eddie came to visit you. Why he had been in Hawkins, why he'd been over at Steve's. But Eddie sort of behaved in the same way he always did and you were about to plummet into domestic bliss together which you enjoyed far too much to confront him now. You'd get the answers to your questions later.

You found a little cafe to have breakfast at and sat by the window. You let Eddie choose your breakfast from the menu for you, but only because you had just told the waitress what Eddie was going to get. When your plates were put down in front of you, you both looked at the food, then at each other and both reached to switch meals because you'd chosen for each other what you really wanted to have yourselves. It was stupid and it turned you into grinning idiots, sharing dopey smiles as you ate. You missed Steve a little, thought he would have probably made some golden side comments had he been there, but you didn't mention it. Afraid it would ruin whatever it was that you and Eddie had going. Out of the confinements Hawkins held for you, where people had fully formed ideas of who you were as a person, and who you and Eddie were as friends, you got to just be... be yourselves, more. Be a little more coupley, without familiar judging eyes or the feeling you were going to have to explain to someone later that, no, you weren't actually dating, this was just what you were like.

Now, this was just who you got to be, almost without repercussions, and it made you want to up the level of it. Be a bit more of it.

And Eddie let you.

In the supermarket you noticed how flashy Eddie looked compared to every single other person in there. You realised that, when in Hawkins, Eddie definitely toned down this whole look he had created for himself. In Hawkins, Eddie was more the Eddie he'd been in high school, which, for small town terms, was pretty out there already anyway. But here, away from home and away the people that would still probably treat him as the town's freak, Eddie let some of his stage persona shine through in his outfit. Kind of made you feel a little underdressed, almost. He looked more confident, a little more removed from you, and sure, he looked very sexy, but it wasn't Eddie Eddie.

"What's chelse?" Eddie said, squinting at your shopping list. "Is this something fancy we don't have in Hawkins? That us simpletons have never heard of?" Eddie acted like he was the one stuck in Hawkins still, and that you were the one with a broadened worldview. Very obviously, that was clearly the other way around.

"Shut up, idiot. That says cheese."

"Excuse me, where do you keep your fancy chelse?" Eddie asked a teenager stacking shelves whose eyes grew with recognition for him.

"Oh my God, Eddie," you hissed under your breath, but couldn't withhold your giggles as you pulled Eddie along on your way to find some regular cheese.

Back in your apartment, Eddie started putting food away in all the wrong places, so as he placed items into random cupboards, you stood next to him and reorganized everything without saying anything. You just smiled, and when you snuck a look at Eddie, saw that he'd seen what you were doing, because he then placed bananas in the oven and a packet of uncooked spaghetti in the fridge. You were being dumb smiley idiots together and it was so cute, you imagined how Steve would say something along the lines of, "Well, at least you think this is fun." and he'd be so totally right.

"I start work soon," you said after letting yourself fall onto your couch, like you'd just ran a marathon.

Eddie copied you, hair flying as he landed against the backrest, sighing dramatically. Made you laugh.

"You can come sit at the bar, or... I don't know, stay up here, see what's on TV," you didn't want Eddie to leave, yet. You held out a hand and Eddie took hold of you, swinging your arms back and forth playfully.

"I'll have a shower, then call China... see what they have going on," Eddie joked.

"I'll send you the phone bill, so make every minute count," you joked right back, happy Eddie hadn't mentioned anything about needing to leave, about needing to get back to the band. It irked you a little too, unexpectedly, because you still didn't know why Eddie was here.

"What?" Eddie saw you frown as you looked at your hands that were still sort of moving around, drawing shapes in the space between you from your swirling elbows. You decided you were just going to be up front and ask the exact question on your mind.

"Why are you here?"

A beat.

"What made you come visit me?"

You turned to look at Eddie, who was staring at your hands just as you'd been doing.

"You weren't in Hawkins," Eddie shrugged and looked you in the eye briefly.

Your frown deepened, because that wasn't really an answer. It didn't explain anything, but just left you to put dots in places in order to connect them yourself. A dangerous game, because what if you put the dots in the wrong places and made the wrong connections?

"Missed ya," Eddie followed up, said it nonchalantly, Wayne's words echoing in his mind. He moved the hand he was holding up to his mouth to kiss it, easing the crease between your brows slightly.

No word on why he'd been back so soon. No word on what happened at Steve's for him to need to steal a note that held your details. You could imagine, sure, but those could be the wrong dots, and Eddie not elaborating only made you feel like he didn't want to talk about it. So, you didn't press it further, even though you really wanted to.

"Why did you let me in?" Eddie asked.

Oof.

You thought of all the cells in your body that all called out to Eddie at every second of every minute of every hour of every day, and about how having Eddie with you silenced all of them.

"Could hardly turn you away, could I? Leave you out in the cold?"

It was just as much of a non-answer as you'd gotten from him, and Eddie tutted, just about scoffed at you and you saw his brow furrow. You didn't take offense immediately, but were very ready to step into that box if Eddie didn't guide you away from it.

"Why do you... why are you doing this to yourself?"

Eddie instead pushed you straight into it.

"Excuse me?" you couldn't quite believe what you were hearing.

Eddie sat up, let go of your hand, used the both of his to rub his face and then turned his head a little to look at you.

"If it hurts you so much," Eddie started, but you weren't going to let him finish that sentence.

"Me?!"

Eddie just stared, blank faced.

"I'm the one who's doing this?" you challenged him.

"I mean–" Eddie raised his eyebrows and you knew he was going to have several examples ready to throw into your face. You very much didn't need to hear them.

"Why do you think I moved here, Eddie? Why I got the fuck out of Hawkins?"

Eddie just looked at you, and you could almost hear him think "you ran away", and you could feel the stinging of upcoming tears behind your eyes. The frustration of how easily emotion got hold of you again only angered you more, triggering the waterworks even more. You weren't strong enough yet. It hadn't been long enough since you'd last seen Eddie, and now here you were, a weak mess of a girl, about to drive away the person you wanted to keep close the most.

"I can't run away from myself… I can't run away from my past, from my actions, from choices I've made..." you had been able to run away from Hawkins, and so, that was what you'd done. It just hadn't worked as well as you would've hoped, and you realised it didn't work at all now that Eddie was here.

"You did… run away, I mean, didn’t you?"

Eddie said it with so much disdain, like it was the most cowardly thing you could've ever done. Like moving out of Hawkins was the absolute worst possible thing a person could ever do in their lifetime. Like you were faint-hearted. Weak. Spineless.

"You don’t get it." You got up to find the shoes you'd taken off earlier, wiping your hands harshly across your face to rid yourself of tears, annoyed that none of this seemed to touch Eddie at all. "Physically I had to," that was easier to say with you back towards Eddie, who was still sat on your couch. "But you think I can escape my own mind, Eddie? I’m in there, 24/7 - you are in there. It’s all the time, never ending, just... always there. How do I… how am I supposed to…" you started stumbling over words as your lips trembled, starting new sentences before ending the previous ones, thoughts overlapping and spilling out faster than your tears did.

"Hey," Eddie got up, but you were quick to hold out both your hands, palms facing him.

"No. I've got work." you turned around, grabbed a jacket and opened your door.

"Maybe you shouldn't be here... when I get back." and before Eddie could say anything, you stepped out and shut the door behind you.

You worked a grueling shift, and Eddie had been able to hear loud voices and live music thump in your apartment. It was late when you finished work, and you were exhausted, but you'd tried all night to build yourself up. Handed over beers whilst simultaneously mentally stacking bricks to build up walls in order to shield that weak mess of a girl inside, make sure she was still safe in there.

And then, Eddie was still there when you got back.

Hatred knotted in your stomach, because Eddie was still here and you liked it. Relief washed over you when you saw him, sat in the dark, still on your couch, and you wished it had been something else. Not relief. You wished that instead you would've felt ugly things. Mean things, exclusively.

You looked at each other in silence as the door clicked shut behind you and you noticed Eddie seemed sad. However, you couldn't allow yourself to dwell on it. Because feeling bad for him wasn't going to help you. You knew exactly what was going to help you, though.

"Say something horrible to me," you sounded exhausted, voice flat, not enough energy to muster up anything more for him.

Eddie immediately frowned in confusion.

"Tell me I'm your worst mistake," you stepped closer as you let your jacket slide form your shoulders.

"Say something to make me hate you,"

"Baby," Eddie got up.

You winced at the pet name, closed your eyes and breathed heavily, tried your best to pretend you didn't hear it.

"Tell me you fuck every single girl that throws themselves at you and that they do you better than I ever will and,"

"What are you..." Eddie tried to interrupted, but it just made you speak louder over him.

"That you'll never stop because they're just, too, good," you couldn't help but let your voice slowly build anger as you avoided any and all eye contact with Eddie.

Eddie slowly got closer, confused and concerned. This isn't how he had envisioned the two of you to make up after your shift had ended.

"Say that you think I'm annoying, that you hate the way I laugh,"

Now stood right in front of you, Eddie reached for your face with both his hands and he tried to find your line of sight to make you look at him.

"I don't," Eddie started, and you were quick to interrupt. "Then lie." you said sternly.

The air felt tense, but only because you were shooting daggers, glaring at Eddie with dark eyes, trying to win the staring contest you'd started with him the second you'd made eye contact. You won, because Eddie looked at your mouth for a second, and you wondered how you were going to murder all the butterflies that sprung up in your stomach.

"Ruin us, Eddie," you tried so hard to be strong. "Please." but it was difficult, and Eddie upped the ante when he kissed you.

For a second, you let him. You let Eddie kiss you, and it was immediately hot, and heavy, and you liked it. But you were strong, God damn it. You hadn't spent all hours of your shift building yourself up for fucking nothing. You were strong and were going to protect yourself, because clearly, no one else was fucking going to.

In a bid to take back control, you bit Eddie. Harshly. It made him pull back immediately.

"Give me reasons to hate you," you pleaded, breathing heavily.

"You're a mistake," Eddie said before crashing right back into you. There was nothing kind about the way you kissed each other. Forceful lips, pressing mouths, scraping teeth mixed in with unkind words, because Eddie obliged and started giving you what you were asking for.

"You're the worst thing that's happened to me in my lifetime," Eddie started guiding you backwards towards you bed.

"I hate the way you laugh," his tongue licked at your lips as his hands started to undress you.

"I hate the way you look," he said it right as he got your bra off of you and used a hand to push you back, making you fall and bounce on the mattress.

"I'm gonna keep fuck..." Eddie stopped, sighed a small breath, like he was unable to get it out of his mouth.

"Say it," you ordered.

"I'm gonna keep fucking every single girl that wants it," and with that, Eddie let himself fall on top of you. You were used to him at least pretending that, whenever you had sex, it was about you first. Not tonight. And maybe that was exactly right, because it drove home all the words he said and made them land in your brain.

Eddie didn't care about you.

But then, inches deep inside you, Eddie panted sudden sweet words.

"You've no idea what you do to me,"

His words dripped with lust and adoration, and you could've cried, but you didn't. You were strong, remember?

"No, more things you hate, t-tell me," Eddie's pace was fast, made it hard for you to speak. "Tell me more things that make me hate you,"

Eddie grumbled, grunted, let himself fall onto you as he kept going and chased his own orgasm.

"I think," Eddie started, but was cut off by himself as he came fast. He shuddered and spasmed on top of you, moaned loudly, then softer, until everything eventually stilled. "I think we should just stay friends."

And with a kiss on your cheek, Eddie climbed off of you and disappeared into the bathroom.

When Eddie came back out, you were silently crying in your bed. Eddie slid back in, nestled under your covers, but you jolted when he tried to touch you. So Eddie turned around, and you slept in your bed the way you'd never slept in a bed together; back to back, without touching each other, like two strangers forced to share a blanket.

But, asleep-you and asleep-Eddie, weren't confined by the same things awake-you and awake-Eddie were confined by, and your bodies had found each other in the night.

You woke up the next morning with Eddie's arms around you, the little spoon to his big spoon, and for a moment, you let yourself really feel it. Feel Eddie with every fibre of your being.

You deserved to win, you thought. Because with Eddie, you’d come in first place every single time, ask anybody. But Eddie hadn’t awarded anyone in years. There wasn’t a shortlist for you to top. There was just a long line of pretty girls who waited by stage doors and by tour buses, and you didn’t want to be in that line. You wanted this; Eddie in your bed, cuddled up to you, breathing in your neck, his hair or yours tickling you with every exhale. You wanted all of this just for yourself, for ever.

But you couldn't.

Because Eddie always left.

And you had ran away from him.

"You should leave," you whispered into the dark, as the city woke up outside your windows.

"Not yet," Eddie said. "Go back to sleep."

You shifted back a little, more into him, pressing your back against his chest more as you abandoned everything that happened the night before for a second. You understood that the very moment your feet would touch your floorboards and you both got out of this bed, it'd all be real again. And then, it'd all be over.

So you snoozed, and stretched out time and pretended for a moment that you were 17 and in Eddie's old bedroom in the trailer after a weird night of crossed boundaries. You pretended to snooze until Wayne would loudly knock on the door and tell you to come and clean up the mess you left in the living room. You pretended to snooze until you were no longer pretending and you just snoozed until you woke up hours later and found yourself alone again.

Alone but for one of those stupid little notes.

"Love you x"

You read it, crumpled it up and threw it across the room before burying your face back into your pillow.

It was over now. Eddie was gone, and it was over.

-----

Read the follow up: Then Again

-----

The Taglisted:

@ghostinthebackofyourhead @dirtyeddietini @kiwisa @jasminearondottir @josephquinned @cancankiki @sidthedollface2 @dylanmunson @munsonsgirl71 @alana4610 @emmamooney @xomunson @sadbitchfangirl @thatonefan-girl @paola-carter @eddiemunsonfuxks @figmentofquinn @haylaansmi @thewondernanazombie @munsonmunster @kellysimagines @mybffjoe @harrys-tittie @chaoticgood-munson @jenisnotlost @sherrylyn628 @bdpst-massacre @xeddiesbattattsx @05secondsofsexgods @lovelyblueness @adoreyouusugar @nadixq @prozacandnicotine @munsonswhore86 @alwayslindie @thefemininemystiquee @hauntingbastille @eddie-joe-munson @ali-in-w0nderland @pepperstories @phyllosilicate-s @thebellenouvelle @luvrsbian @joesquinns @choke-me-eddie @alizztor @thelostmoonofpooosh @did-it-work @capricornrisingsstuff - (tag list currently full)

#over now #eddie munson #eddie munson fic #eddie munson fanfic #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson x you #eddie munson angst #eddie munson imagine #eddie munson one shot #stranger things 4 #munson #only now #sequel #angst #smut #fluff

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stevesbipanic · 4 months

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@steddiemas Day 31: New Year's Eve

There was always a certain magic in the air on new year's eve. Steve could feel the bubble of excitement in the countdown and it almost felt like a clean slate washed over you as the fireworks brought in the new year. When he was little his parents would often take him to New York for the big celebration, his father often hosting a party. After they stopped returning home as often, Steve brought in the new year with Tommy and Carol getting drunk on his father's whiskey.

1983 he spent alone and hoped that 1984 would be better, it wasn't, well except for the kids coming into his life. 1985 saw him cuddled up in the living room with Robin watching the fireworks on tv, he hoped 1986 would be their year.

"Stevie, do you have plans for new year's?" Eddie had asked at Christmas dinner, Wayne had insisted he joined them when he heard Robin and the Hendersons wouldn't be in Hawkins this year. "Not really, Robin won't be back, I might just turn in early." He was kind of sad to be spending it alone this year.

"No! You've gotta have fun Steve! Come join us here, Rudy a couple doors down always lights up the best fireworks!" Eddie explained excitedly and who was Steve to say no to that face.

Steve had gotten to Eddie's around 8, a pack of beer and a warm smile on his face when Eddie answered the door.

"We've gotta get you your own key one of these days, Stevie, you're here enough." If that warmed Steve's heart that was his business.

Wayne wouldn't be back from work until 11, getting that holiday pay to help them through the rest of winter. The boys didn't mind, curled up on the couch watching movies, laughing and drinking beer. Steve felt a soft buzz from the alcohol but the butterflies were certainly because of the boy sitting across from him.

When Wayne got home they switched the TV to the countdown of the final hour of the year. Eddie moaned about the pop music they played but didn't seem to mind as much when Steve was pulling him up to dance around the trailer. Soon it was time to head outside with all the other neighbours to watch the fireworks.

"Here, Stevie, I know the perfect spot," Eddie said pulling Steve up to lay down on the trailer roof. They could see Rudy setting up the fireworks on the hill, sleepy looking kids still just staying awake gathered with their parents. The radio crackled as the last song finished and the countdown began.

Ten!

Steve could feel the magic start to fill the air, the new year was so close.

Nine!

He hoped that next year they'd all be safe, that next year would be their year.

Eight!

Next year he's going to make sure he spends it with Eddie, this has certainly been his favourite new year's eve.

Seven!

He turns away from looking at the hill to the other boy to find him already looking at him, there's something in his eyes.

Six!

"I'm glad you're here this year, Stevie."

Five!

"I'm glad I'm here with you, Eds."

Four!

Eddie's face is holding a soft smile and his eyes flick down to Steve's lips.

Three!

Oh, that's what that magic was.

Two!

Steve took a chance and lent forward, pressing his lips softly to Eddie's who immediately pushed back against him smiling.

One!

Fireworks went off behind them but they didn't care as they pulled away, twin smiles on their faces. Yeah, 1987 was going to be their year.

Ao3

#and thats a wrap on steddiemas!#Australia is only a couple hours away from 2024 #ty for joining me this month these prompts have been so much fun #ty dani for a great project #stranger things #steve harrington #eddie munson #steddie #steddiemas #new years eve

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priniya · 1 year

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DAYS LIKE THESE!

xavier thorpe finds himself in the weirdest, christmas situation — at his girlfriend’s house, experiencing something he never had before, a loving, family meeting.

notes. xavier thorpe x reader. just a christmas fluff because i need some! <3 implied psychic family! UNEDITED

masterlist • taglist (click to be added!)

when xavier agreed to the invitation to spend the christmas with you at your house, far from his neglectful, pretentious father, he expected something different. your family size was an undiscovered thing for him — obviously, he knew that you had a brother and a sister, since they’ve always visited on the parents weekend, but you hardly ever talked about anyone else.

so seeing five cars already parked on the driveway, and a mention of another two people being late, made him shocked. it was unusual for him to catch a glimpse of a family gathering so well planned, and so wanted that everyone shows up.

“xavier!” you exclaimed, running to him after a five minutes wait, freezing out, wearing the red sweatshirt he got you, and a pair of black jeans. his arms quickly embraced you in the tightest hug, lifting a few inches in the air. “i’m gonna pass out, i can’t believe you’re here.”

“believe me, the feeling’s mutual.” he chuckled, matching the wide grin on your face. “are those cars… yours?” thorpe let out, still in shock.

a frown was visible on your face as you entered the house quietly, trying to settle him in without any interruptions. “what? no, dummy. that’s all my siblings’ cars.” you laughed, throwing him a christmas sweater, knitted by your mom with a big, silver x in the center.

“what–?” he stammered. “you have five siblings? i thought you have three, you know, filly, julie and the little one.” you let out a small giggle upon hearing his words. “what? how many siblings do you have?” he asked, all confused.

“you know,” you began, adjusting the collar of his shirt, underneath his new sweater. “you’re an only child, and i strongly believe my parents don’t know the definition of contraception, but to answer your question — there’re five adults, me and julie, and four children from age ten to six, and then there are the twins, four years olds.” you babbled, not paying attention to the terrified impression spread over your boyfriend’s face.

“THIRTEEN? YOU HAVE TWELVE SIBLINGS?” xavier was completely horrified, imagining how your life must’ve been earlier, but then — he connected the dots, realizing that everything fitted like puzzle pieces. your house was enormous, your room was split in a half with red tape and a curtain, he caught a glimpse of the humongous yard behind the house, and lots of pictures near the stairs.

a pain of jolt rushed through his body — as a child, he always wanted to have at least one sibling, and you had twelve! his inner child couldn’t help but feel so envy of you. it’d be way easier to handle the family trauma, having someone to confide in.

“you know, my mom grew up in an orphanage and decided that once she starts a family of her own, it’d be like in the cheaper by the dozen movie, you know, and my dad also comes from a big family, so he never minded my mom’s dream.” you smiled, fingers ruffling through his hair. “and you’re one of us now, you’re the fastest to get your own sweater.”

“am i really?”

“my mom was thrilled to knit you one.” you planted a kiss on his lips, grinning at him. “so… she did after the one call you had with her. i don’t know if you remember, but it was in january, right after the new year’s eve.” he laughed, heat rushing to his cheeks as he smiled.

“Y/N!” your youngest sister barged into the room. “mom asks if you could stop hiding xavier, and let others meet him.” ginny’s eyes were focused on your boyfriend as she snatched him from you, tugging on his hand prior to pulling him outside.

you could sense how tense he was, standing in the doorframe with your youngest sister. it took them less than fifteen second to notice them. “back off!” ginny shouted, protecting xavier from your nieces and nephews. “i am his favorite.”

the room was quickly filled with laughter as you tickled the little girl. “okaaay, favorite after y/n.” she playfully rolled her eyes, not letting go of his hand.

when everyone was done with introductions, your boyfriend finally let him loose a little, having multiple chitchats with your brothers about anything, while you tried to remind the twins that xavier wasn’t the type of person who liked physical touch, even though he didn’t seem to mind anything — gemma occupying his laps during the dinner, while ginny babbled endlessly.

“hey, adrien.” filly, the only brother that xavier got to know beforehand, began. “you said you were looking for someone to help you with the exhibition at the art gallery, and you know, xavier is really talented with painting.” he suggested, throwing his arm around adrien’s shoulder.

“really? do you actually?” your oldest brother smiled slyly. “one guy stood me up, and i was looking for someone to replace him, would you like that?” the shock on his face earned a few giggles from your mom, and older sisters.

“if it’s not a problem – obviously.” xavier grinned, nodding his head eagerly. “thank you, really. that means so much to me.”

“i told you, you’re one of us!” you exclaimed, giving him a smooch on the cheek. “now, you’re obligated to attend every family event, and there’s a lot of, considering our fourteen birthdays as fourteen family events!”

the whole dinner went smoothly, your family immediately took your boyfriend under their wings, making him feel as comfortable as it was only possible. and then, the final of secret santas took a place. you almost cried, seeing how your mom gives xavier a few painting supplies, and hand warmers matching his sweater.

“gemma! someone has a gift for you!” you called out on behalf of the blonde boy. one of the twins teleported to the place where you stood, grin spreading over her lips as she watched him hand her the gift.

“it’s kind of cheating, but y/n had to tell me a few things.” words spilled out of his mouth, gaining the girl’s full attention. “but besides that, i drew you something.” she took out the gorgeous sketch from the bag, and before she even thanked him, he used his ability and moved the thing on the canva.

it was a duck, holding a guitar, a combination of two things your sister loves, playing one of her favorite songs. “woooow! it’s so pretty!” she gaped at him, admiration flickering in her eyes. “thank you so much! i love it.” catching him off guard, gemma clutched him in a hug.

it was around four in the morning, when everything finally died down and you found yourself covered in the silky sheets, watching as xavier swiftly gets rid of his clothing. “sorry if you felt overwhelmed by amount of people here, i asked them to give you space.” you whispered, your head resting on top of his chest.

“overwhelmed?” he snorted, shocking your head in fake disappointment. “i’ve longed for a christmas party like that ever since i was a kid. i’d never felt so accepted by anyone before.” a beam rosed on his lips as he planted a delicate on yours. “thank you for the invitation.”

xavier stayed with you, and your family for a few more days, taking in the perks of living in a full house, experimenting all the sweet interactions between your siblings and parents, being a part of all those meals together, feeling the fondness and tenderness of each actions.

it was his last night, when you were standing in the kitchen, blanket hanging on your shoulders, back pressed to the counter as you sipped on the hot-chocolate, recalling events from previous days, smile finding its way onto your face.

“hey!” you exclaimed happily, a little too loud for two in the morning, when you noticed your boyfriend in the doorway. “what’re you doing up so late?” you asked, wrapping the blanket around him.

“was looking for something to drink.” he muttered, leaving a kiss on your temple as his arm clutched you in a side hug, taking a sip of the hot chocolate, snatching the mug from your hand prior. “i’m going to miss this place.”

“you can visit whenever you want, no one will mind.” you sent him the prettiest smile you could, before resting your head on his shoulder. “really, the youngests love you, so does my mom, and my other siblings. you bought them with that smile.”

letting him go was the hardest, watching as he gets to the car with a small, sad smile tugged on his face. and when they finally left the driveway, for a brief second, you could see him waving at you.

but the nights like these were the only thing you’d remember, recalling them every night before you’d reunite at school. geez, xavier thorpe has you wrapped around his finger so easily — but could anyone blame you for this?

taglist: @tanaicarmyah @theyslayallday @emiliaserpe @v4mpicgh0ul @lastwandastan @sebastianstansimp @m3curys @macystyles-01 @smutsearcher @samdiedofnaturalcauses @poppet05 @y0ud0ntkn0wwh0 @akila-twt @crazyandanonymous4u @summe-rliu @izzy-mae-flowers @emmnf1 @veronalie @jessicalovestaron @yellowcupcakes @averyisbackinthetrashcan @maddie-routledge @lachlanzeez @tinafuentes @j4id3n-inan1mate0bj3cts @anothertakenlostwonderingsoul @m-maxie-ie @trixiemills @ethernal-onism @watermelonteapot (i couldnt tag some of u😕)

#xavier thorpe x reader #xavier thorpe x y/n #xavier thorpe x you #xavier thorpe oneshot #xavier thorpe fluff #xavier thorpe #xavier thorpe fic #xavier thorpe wednesday #wednesday show fanfiction #fluff #wednesday fluff #wednesday addams fic #wednesday netflix #wednesday fic #wednesday addams #xavier thrope x reader

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graphicpolicy · 4 months

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Four Gathered on Christmas Eve is holiday horror fun

Four Gathered on Christmas Eve is holiday horror fun #comics #comicbooks #graphicnovel

Four tales of the bizarre and terrifying to keep you company on the cold yule night. A unique approach to the ghost story format where the creators themselves become part of the story in this deluxe edition hard cover designed by the award-winning Phil Balsman. Story: Eric Powell, Mike Mignola, Becky Cloonan, James HarrenArt: Eric Powell, James Harren, Becky Cloonan, Mike MignolaColor: Dave…

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#becky cloonan #dark horse #dark hose comics #dave stewart #eric powell #four gathered on christmas eve #graphic novel #graphic novels #james harren #mike mignola #richard starkings

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merylstreepsworld · 5 months

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Christmas Traditions

Pairing: Miranda Priestly x Fem!reader

Summary: You visit the Priestly residence for an exciting Christmas eve! Exchanging presents, laughter... and even a kiss.

Word count: 1,400+

The night unfolded like a scene from a sophisticated holiday tale, with the streets of New York City cloaked in a gentle snowfall as you arrived at Miranda's exquisitely adorned townhouse. The festive atmosphere was palpable, emphasized by Miranda herself, resplendent in a red velvet dress, opening the door with her twin daughters, Caroline and Cassidy, flanking her.

Miranda's voice carried a note of playful sarcasm as she greeted you, "Well, look who decided to grace us with their presence. You're not fashionably late for once."

Your laughter echoed through the entrance as you replied, "Had to make an exception for Christmas Eve, Miranda. Your place looks stunning, by the way."

The twins, overflowing with excitement, rushed forward to envelop you in a hug, their infectious enthusiasm setting the tone for the evening.

"Yay, you're here! We've been waiting!" Caroline exclaimed, her joy contagious.

"We made you something special for Christmas!" Cassidy added with a wide grin.

Your smile remained steadfast as you responded, "I can't wait to see it. And Miranda, you look absolutely stunning in that dress."

The red velvet dress clung to Miranda's silhouette with a luxurious embrace, its plush fabric accentuating the graceful lines of her figure. The deep, rich hue seemed to intensify under the dazzling Christmas lights, casting a warm, radiant glow over the room. The dress, a creation of sartorial elegance, boasted a subtle off the shoulder neckline that hinted at allure without relinquishing sophistication.

Miranda acknowledged the compliment with a nod, her characteristic smirk never far from her lips. "I know. Now, come in. We have a splendid evening ahead."

Miranda ushered you into the beautifully decorated townhouse, where the scent of evergreen and cinnamon hung in the air. The ambiance was sophisticated yet cozy, evidence of Miranda's impeccable taste. The Christmas tree sparkled in the corner, adorned with ornaments that reflected Miranda's refined aesthetic.

With chic Christmas decorations adorning the dinner table where a sumptuous feast awaited. The conversation flowed effortlessly as the four of you engaged in lively banter over the delectable Christmas dinner.

For the occasion, you wore a tasteful ensemble—a deep green dress that complemented the festive atmosphere. Miranda, ever the fashion icon, acknowledged your choice with a nod of approval. The contrast in your styles was apparent, but it only seemed to enhance the uniqueness of your friendship.

The evening unfolded gracefully as you all gathered around the dining table for Christmas dinner. The conversation flowed effortlessly, blending the wisdom of Miranda's experiences with the vibrant energy of your youth. The atmosphere was festive, marked by laughter and shared stories.

"Did you know Santa's coming tonight?" Caroline interjected, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Cassidy nodded eagerly, "We're hoping for lots of presents!"

Miranda raised an eyebrow at the mention of Santa, and you couldn't help but laugh. "Well, miracles happen, Miranda."

After the delightful meal, you all gathered around the lavishly decorated Christmas tree. The twins each picked out one present. Once they'd made up their mind, occasionally shaking a few boxes with wonder, they tore into their meticulously wrapped presents, their laughter resonating with pure joy.

"Look what I got!" Caroline squealed.

"It's perfect!" Cassidy exclaimed, holding up her gift.

You exchanged knowing smiles with Miranda, appreciating the shared warmth of the holiday season. The time had come for the adults to unwrap their gifts, and Miranda handed you a beautifully wrapped box.

"Merry Christmas," she said, her tone surprisingly genuine.

As you delicately unwrapped the gift, a delicate necklace was revealed, its design a reflection of Miranda's unparalleled sense of style. "Miranda, this is stunning. Thank you."

Miranda's smirk softened into a subtle smile. "It's the least I could do for my fabulous friend."

In return, you presented her with a tastefully wrapped package. Miranda opened it to reveal a rare edition of her favorite book, and her genuine pleasure was evident.

"How did you...? This is extraordinary," she remarked, her usual composed demeanor momentarily replaced by surprise.

"A little bird told me you've been wanting it for ages," you replied with a knowing smile.

The room brimmed with the enchantment of Christmas as Caroline and Cassidy found themselves facing a rule that threatened to dampen their holiday spirit – only one present each from under the resplendent tree.

Caroline's pout spoke volumes, "But, Mom, it's Christmas!"

Cassidy, her partner in this miniature rebellion, echoed, "Yeah, one is not enough!"

Miranda, a paragon of composed authority, raised an eyebrow, "One each. That's the rule. Besides, it's only Christmas eve."

As the twins engaged in a feeble attempt to sway their mother's decree, you exchanged a knowing glance with Miranda. Rules were rules, but exceptions could be made, especially during the magic of Christmas. Reaching into your bag, you produced two additional gifts, a subtle spark of mischief dancing in your eyes.

With a smile laced with secrecy, you declared, "Perhaps, a minor adjustment to the rules."

Caroline and Cassidy, eyes now wide with anticipation, hastily seized the unexpected offerings. The paper surrendered its secrets, revealing a new sketchpad for Caroline and a set of vibrant paints for Cassidy.

Caroline, her face now aglow with delight, exclaimed, "This is amazing!"

Cassidy, grinning from ear to ear, added, "Thank you!"

You laughed joyously, overcome with a sense of deep love for the two girls. You always enjoyed making them happy and surprising them. "A touch of Christmas magic, just for you two."

In the midst of the unfolding festivities, Miranda, the poised matriarch, observed the scene with a smirking satisfaction, "Exceptional circumstances call for exceptional measures."

The room, once filled with a chorus of eager unwrapping, now had Caroline and Cassidy seated on the floor, absorbed in exploring their newfound treasures. Their joy echoed through the room, blending seamlessly with the warmth that permeated the air.

Amidst the unfolding festivities, Miranda, in her poised elegance, gently reminded the twins, "Don't forget the present you made for our dear friend under the tree."

Caroline and Cassidy, their enthusiasm unyielding, exchanged mischievous glances before executing an agile dash towards the Christmas tree. Returning with a carefully crafted package, they handed it to you with proud smiles, eager for you to unravel the mystery of their creation.

Caroline, exuberant in her announcement, declared, "We made it ourselves!"

Cassidy, nodding in agreement, added, "It's the best one!"

You delicately unwrapped the handmade gift, revealing personalized ornaments, each reflecting the unique touch of the twins' creativity.

Appreciation colored your expression as you remarked, "This is wonderful. Thank you both."

Miranda, her smirk now softened, commented, "They insisted on making something special."

Late into the evening, laughter resonated through the elegantly decorated space, and the room was filled not just with the glow of Christmas lights but with the warmth of shared moments and genuine connection. The twins, now nestled on the floor, continued to revel in the joy of the season, and the memories forged that night would linger, like the echo of distant carols, in the corridors of time.

As the night progressed, you joined forces to put the twins to bed, sharing wishes of sugarplum dreams and whispered secrets. Back downstairs, Miranda walked you to the door, the air tinged with a sense of contentment.

"It's been a splendid evening, hasn't it?" Miranda's voice softened.

You nodded, genuinely grateful. "The best. Thank you for having me, Miranda."

As you reached the door, the subtle detail of mistletoe hanging above caught your attention. The mistletoe, unnoticed until now, dangled above the doorway like a clandestine spectator to the unfolding scene. Miranda's smirk returned as she commented, "Tradition, you know."

"I thought you didn't do traditions," you playfully retorted, a glint of mischief in your eyes.

In response, Miranda leaned in, her fingers delicately cupping your cheek, a gesture unexpected yet remarkably tender. "There's always an exception."

Her lips met yours beneath the mistletoe, the kiss holding a subtle intensity, a mingling of warmth against the winter's chill.

As the kiss lingered for a fleeting moment, the snowy night outside seemed to pause, granting you both a suspended instant in time. Miranda's touch, a gentle caress against your cheek, left an imprint that lingered even after the door closed behind you.

"Merry Christmas, my dear friend," Miranda whispered, her voice carrying a warmth that transcended the season.

Your smile held a lingering echo of the shared moment as you replied, "Merry Christmas, Miranda."

#meryl streep #merylstreep #meryl streep x reader #miranda priestly #the devil wears prada #miranda priestly x reader #christmas fanfic #christmas #fanfic #fanfiction

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softpascalito · 5 months

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Traditions - Pedro Pascal Characters Headcanons

Summary: Which tradition do the Pedro boys enjoy? I have thoughts.

Relationships: Joel Miller x Reader, Javier Peña x F!Reader, Dieter Bravo x Reader, Din Djarin x Reader Tags/Warnings: Explicit Language, Non-Descriptive Smut, Headcanons

notes: excited to post the first of a few hcs to come this month! i hope you enjoy <3

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

Joel Miller

Joel may not show it but he actually likes Christmas traditions. It can't be anything too big or fancy but there's a few small things he remembers about Christmas in his own childhood that he continues with Sarah and later with Ellie.

After the outbreak, he doesn't celebrate. Not just Christmas, he doesn't celebrate anything for years. By the time his first Christmas with Ellie rolls around, he is already badly injured. He doesn't even realize it's Christmas Eve.

The next year, with both of them living safely in Jackson, he makes up for it best he can, agreeing to join a Christmas dinner hosted by Tommy and Maria.

You've met before but this is one of the first occasions where you begin talking. It's only months later that you realize you may not have been seated next to each other by accident.

Tommy and Joel contribute to the night with a tradition from their childhood. After dinner, they bring out Luminarias, handmade Christmas lanterns that they've evidently prepared in secret. The other lights are dimmed and the entire house is bathed in soft, orange light.

He ends up on an armchair by the window with you perched on the armrest and you both sip your drinks in the dim light while the other guests slowly file out. Joel swears that it cements the lights as his favorite tradition.

Javier Peña

Christmas, for Javi, usually means a trip back home to meet the family. Born and raised in Texas, it's one of the most important parts of Christmas: Everyone being together, despite their differences.

Colombia and the cartel case are a welcome excuse to not take part in the family gatherings. Every time he does visit Laredo, which only totals to three times during his time in Bogotá, he can't stand the way people look at him.

When he goes back after Cali, he doesn't even make it through half of the gathering. There have been too many drinks emptied and too many questions asked and he is back in his truck before anyone can notice he's disappeared.

Four years later marks the first time he does show up for Christmas again, with you by his side and proudly showing off the noticeable bump under your sundress.

You think he's joking when he whispers to you that night, explaining that his new favorite Christmas tradition is keeping you stuffed and spending all of Christmas Eve next to the tree, hands caressing your stomach to feel for movement from his baby

He isn’t joking. Three years in a row, the timing aligns perfectly and like clockwork, a baby is born every spring. It's definitely not the worst tradition you can think of.

After a satisfying number of babies however, the tradition shifts back to its origin: Gatherings with the whole family. And you have quite the family to show off with three little ones and Javi by your side.

Dieter Bravo

Dieter loves having you over for Christmas at his house in the Hollywood Hills. It starts innocently enough, with Covid ruining plans for any other possible get-together.

He orders enough food to last for days, rolls a generous joint for you to share and puts on a Hallmark Christmas movie for giggles.

It ends up getting you both in the feels, despite ticking off every possible cliché. By the time the credits roll around, Dieter's body is pressed against yours, both of you sinking back into the fluffy couch pillows.

The next three days are an intangible mess made up of cheese, weed and sex. In no particular order.

For once, no agent calling disturbs the bubble the two of you have created for yourselves and when New Year's rolls around, you both vow to repeat the same kind of Christmas next year.

Din Djarin

Din doesn't really know or celebrate Christmas until you and Grogu come along. When you start decorating and making a few purchases, he grumbles slightly but lets you go through with it.

To your (and his) surprise, he doesn't hate the decorating. It's a nice change of pace to just sit for a while, make chains of popcorn and dried fruits and watch the child play with a few of the Christmas decorations while you consider the best spot for the tree.

Din does help with all that you can't reach and with securing everything so that your whole work won't be ruined the second the ship takes off.

It's dark outside when you are finally done, Grogu napping below the tree after wearing himself out. Din lifts you onto his shoulders almost effortlessly, allowing you to place the golden star on top of the tree while he watches.

You light the tree together afterwards, the twinkling lights reflecting in his beskar armor, multiplying the light by what seems to be a million and it makes your knees weak.

Every following year, a beautiful tree decorates your living quarters. You both pretend it's something you only do for Grogu. You both know it's not.

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imaginesforfandom · 4 months

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Heavenly Christmas

another present for you? 👀

Castiel Novak x Reader

No Pronouns used!!

Summary: Castiel experiences Christmas traditions for the first time with the Winchester brothers and the reader. As they decorate the tree and exchange gifts, Castiel learns about the holiday spirit. The story culminates in a magical moment under the mistletoe, where Castiel and the reader share a sweet kiss, making it a Christmas to remember for everyone involved.

Heavenly Christmas

It was Christmas Eve, and the bunker was adorned with twinkling lights and the scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air. You were busy decorating the Christmas tree with Sam and Dean, the festive atmosphere filling your heart with warmth.

Suddenly, the familiar sound of fluttering wings echoed through the room, and there stood Castiel, his trench coat slightly dusted with snow. He looked at the tree with curiosity, his blue eyes reflecting the lights.

"What is the purpose of this tree?" Castiel asked, his voice as serious as ever.

You chuckled, handing him a string of lights. "It's a Christmas tree, Cas. It's a tradition. People decorate it to celebrate the holiday season."

Castiel examined the lights in his hands, then glanced at you. "I am not familiar with Christmas traditions. How does one properly celebrate?"

Sam grinned. "Well, we exchange gifts, have a big feast, and spend time with loved ones. And tomorrow, we'll open presents under the tree."

Castiel nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I would like to participate in this celebration."

As the night progressed, the four of you decorated the tree together, sharing stories and laughter. Castiel listened intently, absorbing the concept of Christmas with genuine interest.

Later, you all gathered around the fireplace, enjoying the warmth it provided. Castiel sat next to you, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames.

"Hey, Cas," you said, handing him a beautifully wrapped box. "Merry Christmas."

Castiel took the gift, examining it carefully. With a nod, he began to unwrap it, revealing a cozy scarf.

"I noticed you don't get cold, but I thought it might be a nice addition to your wardrobe," you explained.

Castiel smiled, a rare expression that lit up the room. "Thank you, Y/N. I appreciate the sentiment."

The evening continued with laughter, music, and shared moments that made it a truly magical Christmas. As the clock struck midnight, you found yourself under the mistletoe with Castiel.

He looked at the plant curiously, then back at you. "What is the significance of this?"

"It's a tradition," you replied, smiling. "If two people stand under the mistletoe, they have to kiss."

Castiel nodded, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to your lips. It was a soft, sweet moment that seemed to pause time, creating a memory you would cherish for Christmases to come.

In that moment, surrounded by friends and love, you couldn't help but feel that this Christmas was truly heavenly.

And so, in the warmth of the bunker, with snow falling gently outside, you celebrated a Christmas that would forever be etched in your heart, filled with love, laughter, and the unexpected joy of sharing traditions with an angel named Castiel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

i swear if anyone hurts this angel, everyone near me will be dead

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orqheuss · 11 months

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My darling, my sweetheart, I am in your sway

(Ominis Gaunt/Sebastian Sallow/F!Reader FLUFF)

Summary:

Sebastian pushed away from the wooden column, making his way towards the pair of you, before reaching out his hand in your direction and speaking with the most ridiculously strong posh accent he could muster. “May I have this dance?”

You laughed, squeezing Ominis’ hand, letting go and going along with the brunette’s theatrics. You bowed dramatically in his direction, placing your hand delicately in his and adopted the same vernacular that he used.

“Of course, m’lord. It would be an honor.” *** With the Founders Ball announced, you realize two things. Firstly, you have no idea how to ballroom dance, and secondly, you didn't know how you could go to the ball with both of your crushes at once. *** Title is from "Rise to Me" by the Decemberists

Word Count: 8k

AN: I’m moving all of my fics over from Ao3 to make them more accessible! These are my fics.

Have this repost from Ao3 while I finish writing the smut I'm working on :) This one is a personal favorite of mine.

“The Founders Ball,” said Professor Weasley, “Is a grand occasion meant to unite the four houses of Hogwarts under our vivacious founders.”

The Professor paced up and down the large room, glancing every so often to each of the different students lining the walls. Bleachers had been placed around for everyone to sit, each group separated by their house. The heads of the houses sat at the far left of each section, some more pleased about the news than others. In particular, Professor Sharpe looked like he would rather drink a drought of living death than continue to sit and listen to his colleagues speech.

“On Christmas Eve, we will all gather in the great hall for a night of fun, frivolity, and lighthearted dancing. Each head of house will teach you the basic steps of dances like the waltz, the tango, and other forms of ragtime.” Weasley gestured for each of the heads to stand and make their way to the center of the room. “I expect you all to act like proper young lads and ladies in the name of Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Salazar Slytherin, and Rowena Ravenclaw. Now, please split off into pairs of two and await further instructions from your designated Professor.”

Each eager student from the four houses stood rapidly from their seats, making their way down and stepping around those who were more hesitant to participate. You were one of the few who remained seated, leaning back on your elbows and resting on the bench behind you. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to go to the ball, the idea of it seemed lovely in all honesty. Who would turn down an opportunity to dress up and get absolutely sloshed with your friends? Of course someone would spike the punch— your money was on Garreth. The problem was that you had only ever heard of two people going together as a couple, and you couldn’t necessarily ask both of your crushes to go with you. You’ve had feelings for the both of them since your untimely admittance to Hogwarts, and as much as you knew that it would be easier to just pick one of them and stick with your decision, you couldn’t bring yourself to do so. You cared for them both in vastly different ways, and you needed them both by your side. You thought about what it would be like to go to the ball with them both, see them both dressed up to the nines and feel their hands on your hips as they led you through dance after dance. You already felt hot at the image of them in their pressed three piece suits— their sleeves rolled up to their elbows and their ties undone when they began to sweat from your copious amount of dancing and fun. You could almost taste their lips, leaning down and kissing you breathless, their teeth nipping at your bottom lip and their tongues sliding deliciously against yours after the festivities are over. Rosy pink hues made their way across your cheeks at the thought, and you coughed lightly to clear your now very parched throat before leaning back further in your seat, fighting against the embarrassed expression trying to tweak your lips into a frown. The two boys flanking each side of you were in similar spots; Ominis leaning with his chin in his hands and the bend of his arms atop his knees, a tired expression decorating his face, and Sebastian with his leg crossed over his thigh and his hands resting in his lap, a wayward smirk on his lips and a twinkle of mischief in his eyes.

The more elated of the two leaned closer to you, stretching his neck slightly towards your ear and murmured, “Five galleons Sharpe trips over his cane.”

You snorted to yourself, turning your head towards him and smirking. “You’re on, Sallow.”

The brunette leaned over towards the other boy now, repeating the bet, and asked his opinion of the odds. “Ominis, are you in?”

The blond sighed heavily, rolling his eyes at the whole rigmarole around him and drawled out of the corner of his mouth, “Ten galleons that he calls the whole thing off and tells us to teach ourselves.”

Sebastian barked a laugh, catching the attention of the few students still milling around the trio, and stretched out his hand towards his companion. “I’ll take those odds.”

Ominis simpered in his direction, grabbing the boy's hand before taking yours and doing the same. The brunette took the other and the three of you shook on it.

“There’s no way he would just abandon his house; he’s too intimidated by Weasley.”

“We’ll see.”

The three of you then turned towards the commotion on the floor, watching with enraptured intrigue as Professor Sharpe was surrounded by a mob of excitable teenage girls and a few of the more flamboyant boys. You could see the crease of his brow from your vantage point and pointed it out to your friends. Sharpe stood stoic in the center of the chaos, his cane resting in front of him with both of his hands crossed at the top, a thoroughly annoyed look adorning his features as the squacks of students got louder in his ears. He loudly tapped the end of his cane on the ground, silencing the masses and drawing the attention of the more meek of the bunch, and regarded them all with contempt.

“I will be returning to my chambers. If you wish to learn about those infernal dances you may ask the other house heads for assistance, or have a friend teach you. I wash my hands of it. You are dismissed.”

Groaning, the Slytherin’s surrounding the pragmatic Professor dragged their feet towards where the other students were already being instructed, a few sticking around long enough to grumble some choice words at his slowly retreating form.

Sebastian sat with an expression similar to eating a lemon, digging into his cloak pocket and muttering to himself while pulling out his coins for the blond. You caught some of his grumbles, things like “stupid git,” and “blasted Gaunt sixth sense,” flying from his tongue. You did the same, laughing to yourself and shaking your head at the childishness of your brunette friend. Ominis pocketed the money, smirking to himself in a feat of barely concealed smugness.

“Pleasure doing business with you both.”

With a huff, the freckled boy stood from his slouched position, desperately trying to hide the fact that the confidence and cocky energy of his roommate made him want to scramble across their seats and snog him silly, and jumped down to the next rung of bleachers, spinning on his heel and facing his two friends. His mood seemed to do a complete one eighty, mischief swimming in his chocolate eyes yet again and a plan hiding just behind his teeth.

“So what are we to do now? I know I don’t know any of the dances, do either of you?”

You scoffed, your chin pointed towards the ceiling and your limbs stretched in front of you in a lax position. You gestured lazily towards your ensemble, a slightly wrinkled white button down, paired with your house tie and a set of trousers, as well as the general lack of interest in your body language. “Do you really think I’d be trained in ballroom dancing?”

Sebastian made a noise in his throat that seemed to say “fair enough,” before turning to their quiet counterpart. Ominis could feel the both of your eyes on him and he fought against the blush slowly creeping up the back of his neck. He huffed with indignation, resting his chin on his hand in a show of laissez faire attitude.

“I unfortunately do. It was a requirement of my schooling before I came here. All the Gaunt children had to take dance lessons for the plethora of galas we were invited to, especially me. Couldn’t have the blind boy looking blind and embarrassing the family.” Your eyes burned through the back of his head while Sebastian’s burned through the front, meeting in the center of his brain and sparking together like a show of fireworks. The boy could feel his friend's excitement at the prospect of him possibly teaching them shed from their auras in waves of glee. He sighed, “I suppose I could teach you both, but you have to do everything I say exactly. No funny business, got it?”

You quickly sat up, meeting the eyes of the brunette standing opposite of the pair of you before sliding them over to your other friend. Raising two fingers to your forehead, you mock saluted the blond to your left, watching Sebastian do the same out of the corner of your eyes.

“Sir, yes sir.”

Ominis slid his hand over the front of his face, raising the other to do the same and grumbled into his hands.

Something in him told him that he would come to regret this decision.

***

The three of you slid through the doors of the Room of Requirement, leaning out briefly to check for any signs of life in the desolate hallway, before shutting it quietly behind you. You all shucked your bags to the ground, you and Sebastian dropping your cloaks over the pile of supplies while Ominis gently hung his on the coat rack by the door. The school assembly had been after dinner, so by the time your motley crew made it to your secret hideaway the sky was already glittering with constellations and curfew was right around the corner. You made your way to the center of the room where a large ornate rug decorated the floor and plopped yourself down in the center; your gaze drifting upwards towards the large skylight at the center of the domed roof. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, each star shone brilliantly against the stark blackness of space. You traced your finger along one particular cluster of stars that appeared every winter night, The Pleiades. Each brilliant light aligned with a birthmark on your blond companion's cheek, sprinkling across his face like a captivating piece of sheet music— it was your favorite. You could almost trace the marks, matching them to quarter notes and triplets like a beautiful bluesy shuffle. You sighed to yourself, resting your hand across your stomach as the other went behind your head as a makeshift pillow.

“The stars are beautiful tonight.” You fancied, your eyes never leaving the glass dome above.

A cynical voice came from the couch a few feet away, sarcasm lacing his tone. “Oh yes, indubitably.”

You turn your head slightly towards Ominis and cringed slightly, forgetting about his lack of sight. “...Sorry.”

Sebastian jumped into the middle of the rug, haphazardly placing his feet at either side of your hips and facing towards the blond. You quickly dart your hands outward and grasp on to his ankles, holding him still and hopefully preventing him from losing his balance and toppling over on top of you. A blush rouged the tips of your nose and ears as your pupils flicked over his body above, eyes widening slightly at his closeness. He looked lovely from your angle on the ground— maybe him falling wouldn’t be such a travesty.

Shaking the unseemly thoughts from your mind, you flick your eyes once more upwards towards his face, only to see that he was already gazing at you, similar thoughts of how enticing you looked underneath him swimming behind his eyes. The brunette smirked down at you, winking and twiddling his fingers in a humorous wave.

Cheeky bastard.

You averted your eyes, focusing back on the other boy sitting on the couch to your left. Sebastian chuckled at your reaction, before also turning towards Ominis again and crossing his arms, speaking with authority.

“Alright, how are we going to do this?”

Ominis sighed again— his default setting— before lightly slapping his knees and standing up. He began to unbutton the cuffs of his starched shirt, rolling up the sleeves to his elbows and sticking one of his hands in his pocket while pulling out his wand with the other. His wand glowed a faint red with the location charm pulses as he surveyed the room for the optimal dancing space. You glanced around the room yourself, wincing minutely at the mess strewn around every surface and some parts of the floor. There really was no good spot currently, leaving you few options for where you could practice. Ominis seemed to come to the same conclusion, his brows furrowing in thought and pondering where you all could go. They could always go to the Undercroft, he supposed, but with the winter freeze just outside he was sure that the stone walls and floor would be terribly cold, and there wasn’t a fireplace in the large space.

A lightbulb flickered on in your mind, an idea forming along with the delighted sound leaving your throat. Both boys turned to you in intrigue, eyebrows raised in surprise at your small shout and taking in the grin stretching across your face.

“There’s some flat ground in Atlas’ vivarium, we could use that!”

Sebastian blinked at you, his face twisting into an incredulous smile. “Your thunderbird, Atlas?”

You nodded ecstatically, grabbing both boys by the hand and pulling them in the direction of your vivariums. Ominis stuttered loudly in protest, digging his heels into the hardwood floor and pulling at your arm. The idea of seeing, or in his case sensing, a thunderbird was one thing, but meeting one? That was a whole other thing entirely. He could already hear the loud cracks of thunder in the distance, causing the nervous frown on his face to deepen. Laughing at the blond’s hesitation, you dragged them through the different areas of the large room, smells from your potion station filled your nose and the gentle ticks of your assorted magical instruments were like music to your ears. Sebastian went along for the ride, allowing you to pull him along and his steps animated at the prospect of seeing the gorgeous bird in action. Honestly, he’d let you drag him anywhere if you never let go of his hand. Streaks of lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the lush fields of flowers just beyond the intricately carved archway of the enclosure and cast a glow across your face, a smile pulling at the corners of your lips. The freckled boy froze, eyes softening as they flitted around your visage in enraptured awe. Your smile was his favorite thing about you— a radiant bonfire under a softened night sky. Every time you looked at him with that sweet, sanguine smile, it was like his heart was suddenly being warmed by a homey hearth— like everything wrong in his life would right itself with just a simple grin. He quickly looked away from your profile, color covering his cheeks as he reached his hand behind his head, rubbing at his neck in embarrassment.

The smell of the storm brewing across the field circled around you like a pleasant hug, relaxing all the tightness in your body and giving way to the feeling of bliss. You loved the smell, and the sound, of storms; that was why this was your favorite vivarium to escape to. It was just Atlas behind the door, so you kept him company whenever you could, having not found him a mate yet in your “travels,” or as one would normally call it, your pillaging of poacher camps. Thunderbirds were incredibly rare in these parts, so the fact that you had found him locked away meant that he had traveled a great distance. His wing had been clipped slightly, the feathers bunched up together around a nasty scar stretching from his coracoid to his metacarpus, and you had felt a red hot anger seep through your veins like an infection at the pain emitting from the poor, beautiful bird. That was the most ruthless you had ever been with a group of the pillaging bastards, and you didn’t regret it in the slightest. You and Atlas had grown exponentially closer since that day, and you loved him the most out of any of your beasts— not that you’d tell any of them that.

Ominis leaned against the wall next to the vivarium entrance, panting slightly in exertion, and sent a withered glare in what he assumed was your direction. Giggling at his miffed expression, you squeezed his hand and walked into the dimension before you. The blond’s scathing look pittered away to an enamored, but small, smile; his eyes softening to two gentle bubbling blue brooks instead of the angered sea during a storm they once were. He loved your laugh, it was truly his favorite sound. You had the poor boy wrapped around your finger with that simple, joyful noise.

The pseudo-sun of the enclosure warmed the bones of the three students, shaking the freezing cold of the winter from their shoulders and wrapping them in a warm blanket. You led them to the grassy knoll at the top of the hill, a skip in your step at the sudden happiness that flooded your system at the feeling of the beautiful nature around you and the warmth of your companions hands in yours. Atlas flew high above your heads, swirling his body around in circles like he was a ring around the sun itself, and released a great caw into the air in joy at seeing his favorite human. You waved at the effervescent creature, watching him as he flew farther into the never ending sky, disappearing out of sight and taking the storm clouds above with him. You would bring both of the boys back one day to properly meet him, but today was about dance lessons.

You finally stopped at the very top of the hill, reluctantly releasing both Slytherin’s from your grasp and turning to face the trained dancer of the two. You bit your lip around the smile starting to form, clasping your hands in front of you in an absolute tizzy of anxious, tumultuous happiness. Ominis turned to face the both of his friends, his hands tucking themselves away in his pockets once again as he pondered their next move.

“Alright, this will work for now. Who would like to go first?”

Sebastian and you stood entranced by the boy before you. The sun shone off of his hair in brilliant locks of golden silk, glittering in the soft summer breeze that floated around the vivarium space. Color still danced on his cheeks, giving him a lovely youthful glow that stood out against his normally porcelain skin tone and highlighted the star-like dots decorating his face. The luminous sun cascaded down on his form, catching his opalescent eyes just right and making them look like beautiful pools of dew. He looked strong with his rolled up sleeves; not muscular, but confident, strapping, sturdy, like he was in his absolute element. In that moment, Ominis Gaunt was the picture of elegance and grace, something extraordinarily serendipitous. You couldn’t help but look at him— take him in in all of his glorious verisimilitude.

The blond cleared his throat, slight agitation lacing his tone. “I can feel you both staring at me. Are you going to putter about like muppets and waste valuable time, or are you going to learn these dances? As you both know, I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”

The both of you were shocked out of your revelry at his voice, color flooding both of your cheeks at your obvious admiration. Sebastian shook off the embarrassment first, leaning towards you and whispering in your ear before confidently stepping towards the lithe boy.

“I do quite like it when he’s rude.”

You stifle your laughter behind your hand, watching the both of your boys bow to each other and get into the proper position. Ominis raised his hands into the air, arms draped elegantly like he was about to take flight, and directed Sebastian to do the same.

“Now, put one hand on my shoulder and place the other in mine.”

The brunette furrowed his brows. “What if I wanted to lead?”

“I just assumed with your proclivity to strong, powerful friends, you’d lean more towards submitting rather than domineering.” The blond quipped with a smirk.

Sebastian sputtered with bashfulness, a dark rouge coloring him from the tips of his ears to the ends of his collarbones. Ominis could feel the heat radiating off of his dance partner like a fireplace in winter. He chuckled at his obvious flustered state— the boy could surely dish it out, but he couldn’t take it in return.

“Alright, I will teach you how to lead. Place your hand on my waist.”

Gathering his nerve once again, Sebastian simpered in return, “My my, Ominis. How very crass of you; if you wanted my hands on you all you had to do was ask.”

“Shut up, Sallow, and do as I say.”

“Yes, sir.”

You watched the brunette do as he was told, placing his hand on the small of the blond’s waist and grasping his hand in his before pulling him closer until they were chest to chest. Ominis cleared his throat bashfully, ignoring the warmth flooding his body from the furnace of a man against him, and began directing him through the movements of a basic waltz. Birds tittered from the trees just beyond the hill, filling the air with a natural melody. You smiled as you watched them both, fumbling like a mother doe teaching their newborn fawn how to walk for the first time. It was becoming increasingly obvious that Sebastian knew what he was doing and was just acting like he didn’t. One moment he would perform a perfect spin just for him to step on Ominis’ foot as hard as possible the next. You couldn’t blame him, in all honesty— you were just as eager to be that close to the blond you both harbored feelings for.

The Gaunt boy couldn’t help but get distracted at the feeling of being in Sebastian’s arms— his breath brushing against his lips and cheeks, his chest pressed deliciously against his, their hearts beating in tandem as they moved from step to step. There was something about his brunette companion that sent his mind into a tizzy, like a spare lacewing fly crawled through his ear and was buzzing around in his skull, smacking against his limbic system and setting his veins aflame with affection. He kept the pair of them in a small four step square, not quite used to the distance around them with his wand tucked securely in his pocket. Sebastian was oddly adept at the waltz, only making small mistakes here and there. If Ominis didn’t know better, he would say that the brunette took him up on his offer just because he wanted to be closer to him. What a preposterous thought, he mused to himself. There was no way his friend returned his feelings.

All thoughts were unanimously wiped from his mind at that moment when his dance partner decided that it was the perfect time to dip him.

Ominis felt sickeningly weightless, his knee bent to keep his stability while the other was thrown haphazardly into the air. He could feel Sebastian’s knee at his outer bicep, his face even closer than before. Hot, minty breath fanned across the apples of his cheeks and blew against his long eyelashes, causing his unseeing eyes to flutter around with anxious, flustered agony. The hand at his waist somehow felt even hotter than before, like it was the sun itself and he was burning. The brunette chuckled, leaning impossibly closer and brushed his lips against the conch of the blond’s ear.

“Did I sweep you off your feet, Professor?”

Ominis turned a color similar to a cherry tomato, his words stuttering out of his throat like a broken gramophone. “R-right. You did very well, Sebastian.” He cleared his throat, willing his breathing and heartbeat to get back under control. “Now, will you please release me?”

Sebastian smiled against the blond’s ear, sending a shiver up the other boy’s spine, before teasingly whispering once more. “As you wish.”

The brunette then let go, dropping his companion to the floor with a ceremonious thump.

You giggled from the sidelines at their antics, highly amused by their obvious affection for each other but also lack of self awareness to express it, nay, realize it. You began to feel anxious, very much aware of the fact that both of the people you were heavily crushing on had dancing experience and talent while you had none. You feared making a fool of yourself in front of them. There was something different about the setting of a ball that made your heart hurt and your head spin at the thought of embarrassing yourself— vastly different than the multiple times they had seen and heard you mess up spells in the Undercroft. The first time you had tried bombarda, you had singed off your eyebrows much like they both did when first casting confringo. Sebastian didn’t let you live it down for weeks, even after the hair had entirely grown back and you could stop drawing them in with pencil. You really didn’t want to give them more ammunition against you, and you also wanted the night to be special.

Ominis stood up from the earthy ground, brushing the orange clay dust off of his shoulders and back while turning a heated glare to his giggling friends.

“Yes, very funny, Sebastian. Thank you for that.”

Sebastian seceded, walking over and helping the blond brush the rest of the dust and small pebbles from his body and hair. He grasped him by the shoulders, slightly shaking him once before releasing and moving to stand next to you once again.

“Well, you did ask me to let you go.”

With a scoff, Ominis turns to face you and raises his hand in your direction, a small amused smile dancing on his lips— his eyes soft like the clouds in the sky, a brilliant white against baby's breath blue. Your breathing stutters in your chest.

“Alright, it's your turn.” As if sensing your nervousness, he moves to reassure you, his eyebrows creasing in concern. “I promise I won’t drop you like that buffoon did.”

You were stuck in place, your feet refusing to move from the timidness rocking through your body. Sebastian turned to look at you, an eyebrow raised in questioning until he saw the pretty rose hue crossing over the bridge of your nose and speckling across your cheeks. You were entirely enamored by the blond boy in front of you. He laughed, placing a hand between your shoulder blades and shoving you closer to the outstretched hand of his friend.

Gingerly, you grasp Ominis’ hand in yours and let him lead you towards the middle of the patch of land. He frets for a moment, moving your hands to the correct positions and making sure you’re comfortable with the proper stance before pausing and preparing to go through the motions again. The sweet breeze blew through the pasture again, catching on your hair and clothes and filling the blind boy’s nose with the most lovely scent he had grown attached to since you’d joined their little motley crew— bergamot, vanilla, and something unidentifiable but so uniquely you. He was spellbound for a moment, eyes locked on yours and breath catching his throat. Much like with Sebastian, the feeling of you in his arms was something he never wanted to give up. While the brunette felt like a burning pyre on a chilly winter night: exciting, nostalgic, and warm to the point of burning, you were a candle on his bedside with a nice cup of tea and a good book: comforting, tranquil, and homey. He loved how the both of you felt against him, how you both made him feel in his very soul. How he lived without the both of you before coming to Hogwarts, he had absolutely no idea.

You stiffened slightly under Ominis’ heavy stare, his milky irises swirling with something unidentifiable but so warm all the same. You felt trapped where you were, unable to move— not wanting to move from his heated gaze, but feeling quite bashful with him looking at you like that. Something had just happened in that brilliant mind of his, and who were you to not make a joke out of a suddenly serious moment?

Your smug voice broke him out of his stupor, a laugh dancing dangerously at the precipice of your lips. “Please stop staring at me, you’re making me nervous.”

He huffed, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. “Need I remind you that I’m blind, my dear?”

The term of endearment stopped you in your tracks, all feelings of humor completely gone and replaced with scatterbrained lightheadedness. Even Ominis seemed shocked at the words that came from his mouth, his chin shyly dipping down towards his chest and color returning to the tips of his ears and nose. My, what a lovely color that was. If it was any other time you’d poke fun at the blond boy, push him further into embarrassment just to see more of that beautiful hue cross over his features, but, the intimacy of your stance was not lost to you. Your heart skipped a beat in your chest, singing along to his wonderful tune— my-dear, my-dear, my-dear. Never had two words struck so deeply before.

You cleared your throat, stopping him from speaking the clear apology that was dancing on his tongue. “Well, lead the way, my dear.”

A loud, boisterous voice broke the both of you out of your haze, slightly grating in your ears. “Oh come on, you two! Who are you, Mr and Mrs. Gaunt? Stand a little closer!” Sebastian jeered from the sidelines, a wayward smile stretching across his cheeks.

You threw your head back with laughter, missing the way Ominis’ gaze melted at the sound, looking at you like you put all of the stars in the sky, and kicked at the brunette just out of reach, sending rusted orange dust in his direction and staining his pristine white shirt. He shouted indignantly, his own laughter bubbling just under the surface as he tossed a small rock in your direction, watching it bounce harmlessly against your calf. Relenting, you stepped closer to the blond, just barely pressing your chest to his, hoping he couldn’t feel how fast your heart was beating at that very moment. Little did you know, he was hoping the very same thing.

Still smiling softly, Ominis began to teach you the basics like he did with Sebastian. He twirled you around in a circle, listening to your startled giggles and hushed heavy breathing like it was his favorite concerto. Each step forward from him sent one back from you, his left foot pushing against your right as you waltzed in a square. You fought to keep your eyes on your shoes, making sure that you weren’t stepping on his toes while also listening to his direction.

Ominis tisked lightly, his tongue tapping against the roof of his mouth thrice like a mother scolding a child. “Keep your eyes on me, not on your feet. You won’t hurt me, I promise.”

You gulped, looking back up and meeting his unseeing gaze. He pulled you closer to him, now pressing your body fully against his, before sliding one of his legs between yours and moving his hand to rest open across the small of your back.

“I’m going to dip you now. Hold on to my shoulders, if you would, please.”

You did as you were told, letting him spin you slightly to the side and dip you towards the ground. The quick movement sent a rush to your head, everything around you blinking out and only your blond boy’s face shining in the darkness. All you could stare into were his eyes, now shielded from the harsh light above but still glowing with just as much starlight. It looked like whole constellations were trapped there. You could see Draco wrap around his pupils, Cassiopeia stream across his cornea, Orion’s Belt glitter in his irises, and finally Polaris, the bright north star, was there to guide you home. There was a French word for those eyes— astre: something not from this world, something celestial, something born of stars. You couldn’t breathe at how close his face was, one small move and you could press your lips against his and finally claim him as your own. For a moment, it looked like Ominis wanted just the same as you, his warm breath fanning across your lips as he moved just slightly closer before reconsidering and helping you back up to your feet.

Sebastian cleared his throat to your left, leaning against the post that Atlas enjoyed resting on. He had a grin on his face, his eyes looking like pools of melted amber under the afternoon sun. He couldn’t remember the last time his heart felt as full as it did watching the both of you dance together. He didn’t feel any jealousy, any anger at the fact you both obviously had feelings for the other. He was just happy to be with you both— if both his best friends fell in love he’d consider it a blessing. Besides, he could take the absolute piss out of you both if you started dating, and how could he possibly turn down a rousing bit of debauchery?

“Enjoying yourselves, are we?” He simpered.

“Of course, m’lord. It would be an honor.”

With that, Sebastian squeezed your hand and you were off. He swung you around like a madman, your feet grazing the ground and sending clouds of dust around the large bit of land. Your laughter rang out like church bells, sweeping into the summer air and being blown away like the fluff on a dandelion. You opened your eyes to watch the beautiful brunette in your arms, seeing his large toothy grin just inches from yours and counting the freckles that littered his closed eyelids. If Ominis was the stars, Sebastian was the earth— strong, resolute, constant, yet always surprising you with new and titillating things. You could see the life-giving dirt in the color of his hair, see maps criss-crossing his face in his freckles, each one standing for a different landmark, mountain, coast, anything that could be jotted down by a cartographer. You wanted to follow along those freckles and travel wherever they led until there was nothing more there— no more sights to see. In his veins you saw the rings of a tree, each line and circle telling story after story of their life, their adventures on this planet you call home. He opened his eyes and looked down at you and oh. You could see whole worlds in those eyes. It was like time froze inside of them, like each tiny earth-like dot in his irises were still and asleep until the day came where he was dead and gone. Little flecks of sage sprinkled around his pupils like mounds of four leaf-clovers at the edge of a babbling brook. You couldn’t help but stare.

In your distraction, you didn’t notice the wing beats of Atlas returning to your little corner. Lightning streaked across the sky, casting a soft purple and blue glow on the fields of flowers swaying in the wind around you. Ominis lifted his head from where it rested in his hand, a love-struck smile on his face at the sound of not only your joy, but also Sebastian’s, and sniffed at the air. The smell of petrichor was heavy with the feeling of a storm brewing once again. He turned his eyes to the sky, calling out to his two friends across the square from him.

“Hey guys—”

Still in your little world, you didn’t hear the blond boy to your right. Catching your gaze, Sebastian began to lean closer towards you. For a moment you thought he was moving in for a kiss, but his lips brushed against the skin of your cheek and made its way to your ear. He held you closer to his body as he whispered to you, his lips tantalizingly close to your neck.

“I know how you feel about him.”

Your breath stilled in your throat, nervous confusion filling your voice. “Who?”

He breathed a laugh, the soft brush of his sigh raising the hairs on your skin to attention. “Ominis, of course. I know how you feel about him. I think you should go for it, it’s obvious he feels the same.”

You protested weakly, Ominis’ voice calling out at the same time.

“Sebastian, I—”

“Guys, I think it’s going to rain—”

Thunder loudly rumbled above, and a torrential downpour of water fell from the sky.

You screamed in alarm, your clothes suddenly becoming drenched and sticking to your skin. You looked up towards the sky, watching the large droplets of rain fall around you and tap against your face with little, lovely kisses. The boys around you reacted similarly, Ominis quickly standing from the ground and reaching for his wand, shivering lightly around the sudden cold, while Sebastian took a step back from you in shock, his hair plastering itself to his face and sending drops of water into his eyelashes and down his cheeks. A laugh startled them, drawing their attention back to their friend. You stood in the center of the square, arms raised at your sides, elbows bent with hands stretched out to collect the raindrops. You were laughing with delight, joy bursting from your heart at the sudden storm brewing around you. You looked truly at peace in that moment, surrounded by your friends in a wonderful little rainstorm.

The two Slytherin’s took in the sight before them, the sound of your elated giggles and the sheer happiness that radiated from your being, and both smiled, beginning to laugh themselves.

Hearing their own chuckles, you quickly shuffled over to your friends and grabbed their hands, pulling them into the center with you once again. The three of you looked up at the sky, feeling the droplets of water splatter against your faces and refreshing your skin with energy. You began to spin the three of you in a circle, all of your hands connected like a ring of daisies tied together into a crown. Laughter filled the vivarium, three voices ringing out together in blissful mirth. You all danced together in the rain, pompously bowing and curtsying to each other in humor before clasping hands and galloping along in a lighthearted two step. Your heart filled with merriment at the sound of your boys having fun. You so rarely got to act like kids these days, so many pressures pressing down on your shoulders putting a damper on basically everything you enjoyed. At that very second, you all were simply students enjoying their time in the rain. No sick sisters, no ancient magic, no abusive families, just a little bit of rain and a little bit more fun.

In that moment, you were a little bit in love with the both of them.

You break apart from your dance partner, Ominis, you deducted from the sound of his light giggles, and looked back up towards the falling rain, running your hands through your hair and smoothing it away from your face. You felt a surge of courage run through your body, completely content in the storm and filled with a youthful delight. Tilting your chin back down towards your boys, your lovely, lovely boys, you took both of their hands into yours once again and spoke the words you’d been holding in for so long.

“I think I love you. The both of you.”

The two boys stilled at your words, heads whipping in your direction with incredulous expressions decorating their faces. You all stood in silence for a moment, the both of them processing your words while you worried at your lip with your teeth. Ominis was the first to speak, a loud shout leaving his throat in a very unlike-him fashion.

“WHAT?”

Sebastian nodded his head, coming back to his body after it felt like his whole being was catapulted into space. “Yeah, what?!”

You laughed at their disbelieving countenances, stepping closer and raising their hands to your chest, your thumb rubbing across their knuckles gently and your eyes clouded with amorous love.

“I said, I love the both of you. I have for some time, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer. After today, I knew that I needed to say it before it was too late— before I couldn’t anymore. You both have bewitched me, body and soul. You fill my mind at every moment of the day: at breakfast, in History of Magic, when I’m studying in the library, all the way until I fall asleep, and even then you’re in my dreams.”

Your boys continued to stare at you, mouths opening and closing like a fish without water.

“I thought you liked him!” They both shouted in unison, the hands not connected to yours raising and pointing at the other boy. You laughed again, affection flooding your whole body.

“You both have been so kind to me, my absolute best friends since day one. I came to this school with no one besides Professor Fig, no one my age to talk to about how alone I felt— new to the world of an ancient magic that wished to swallow me whole. Ever since that first day in Defense Against the Dark Arts I have been completely, and totally enamored with the both of you. In this battlefield of a school, your presence is my Versailles. I would follow you both to the ends of the earth and then jump if you were there to catch my fall.”

You closed your eyes, a heavy breath inhaling through your mouth and sighing out into the still air, the noise being swallowed by the pitter-patter of the steady rain. “Here I am, presenting you with my heart like the fool that I am, and asking you both if you feel the same. Nothing has to change if you don’t, I completely understand that this was very sudden—”

In a sudden burst of movement, Ominis cut off your grand speech with a kiss. It wasn’t good or coordinated in any sense, more teeth than lips, but it was yours . You quickly corrected the boy, slotting your lips against his and raising your arms to drape around his shoulders while his drifted to your waist. He kissed you like he had been waiting for this very moment since he was born— maybe he had been. Maybe you were the other half, or in this case the one third, of his soul that he had been searching for. You both separated, air rushing into your burning lungs from the near suffocating kiss. Taking the open chance, Sebastian took your face into his hands and turned you towards him, pressing his lips to yours after all these years of pining. His kiss was different than Ominis’, a bit more skilled, more controlled. He was gentle in his movements, cradling your face and stroking your cheekbones with the pads of his thumbs. You melted into it, raising your hands from where they had rested, raised at your sides after your initial shock, and ran them through his hair, deepening the kiss and pouring your love into every movement you made.

Their kisses tasted like home— like a finally.

You separated from the brunette, heaving breaths into your lungs yet again as you looked to your two loves. They both looked thoroughly flustered, the rain splashing against their ruby cheeks and rolling down towards their bruised, kissed lips. You smiled at the sight.

Sebastian cleared his throat, wringing his hands in front of him with nerves. “I don’t think I can put it as eloquently as you did.” A chuckle left his tight throat. “I was so confused by how I felt at first. I had been in love with Ominis since second year when he first asked to ‘see’ what I looked like, but then you came in our fifth year and suddenly everything was one big jumble. How could I love the both of you? How could that work? I felt—”

“So selfish!” Ominis finished for him, his eyebrows furrowing at how stupid he had been. “I felt so bloody selfish for wanting the both of you to be mine. It’s no secret that my family is not a caring one. I hadn’t felt true, unencumbered love until I met the both of you. I have wanted you both more than I’ve wanted anything else, and it felt dangerous— forbidden, absolutely, abhorrently dotty.”

Sebastian took the blond’s hand, pulling him closer until he could wrap his arm around his waist. They both leaned closer to each other, breaths mingling in the space between them, and finally pressed their lips together after over half a century of waiting.

Ominis separated from the brunette after a long, much needed moment, pressing a light kiss to the tip of his nose in fondness before speaking once again, a laugh dangling on each of his words.

“How foolish the three of us have been.”

The relief was palpable around the three of you, laughter filling the air once more as you all took in everything that had just occurred. You took both of their hands in yours once again, pulling them out of the now very muddy square and towards the soft grass of the hill nearby. Your trio sat down, the sweet smell of the earth during a rainstorm permeating your senses and washing you with comfort as you leaned back and watched the storm clouds roll across the sky above. The boys did the same, one on either side of you, their hands still clasped in yours. You breathed a soft sigh, truly content for the first time in a very long time.

“Will you both go to the Founders Ball with me?”

Sebastian laughed to your left, his chest rumbling and sending vibrations down your arm. “I’d have to think about it. I was planning on asking Professor Garlick.”

You smacked him on the chest, launching more laughter from his throat as he rolled away from your sudden onslaught of violence before grabbing your hand again and encircling your fingers.

“Kidding, of course. Yes, I will go with you.”

On your right, Ominis raised your conjoined hands to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to your wrist before letting your bundle of limbs drop to his chest, eyes closed in pure unfiltered bliss.

“I thought that was already the plan, to be honest. There was absolutely no way I was going with anyone else, that’s for sure.”

You sighed again, closing your eyes and letting the sweet infinity of their love surround you.

“Good, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

***

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