#I get to choose my permanent floor tomorrow and I’m so excited.

[lala-ladybug]

Healing Hands: Chapter 1

Hello hello! First fic here, it’s a Maribat AU with a side of Sword Art Online. Or what I remember from having watched the show once about five years ago. We’ve got Marinette and minimal class salt, Young Justice but only the good parts, and primarily Jasonette. Please spread the word (I am a tiny sideblog) and let me know what you think <3

Read here on AO3

Next

Chapter 1: You have no idea how many baddies I’m going to blow up because of you

Friday, at long last. Marinette could not have exhaled a bigger sigh of relief. It was mid-way through the school term, her commissions were ramping up, and Hawkmoth had become frustratingly active. Her duties as class president had only increased as she and her friends neared the end of lycée, not to mention all the studying she was doing for the baccalauréat on top of her regular school work. Commissions were booming now that her popularity as the anonymous designer MDC was soaring worldwide. She wouldn’t give any of it up for the world, but she might enjoy getting more than three or four hours of sleep for once.

There was only part of her life that had gotten easier since that day three years ago when she was entrusted with a pair of spotted earrings and an old god to match. Ladybug started out with one partner, but she now had a whole team to share the responsibilities of keeping their city safe. Ryuko and Viperion became permanent fixtures of the Parisian rooftops, and Bourdonne replaced Queen Bee after the infamous (albeit self-inflicted) unmasking of Chloe Bourgeois. The people of Paris looked to these heroes with pride and trust.

And Marinette Dupain-Cheng, now the Guardian of the Miraculous, looked to her partners with trust as well. She had decided that with her in charge, she could no longer keep secrets from her friends, from her new Order of the Guardians. She discussed it with Chat Noir, and he had smiled and agreed that it was time. And one day, when Ladybug gathered her teammates on a remote rooftop in the dead of night, she said only “I trust you,” before allowing her transformation to fall.

She wasn’t nervous, not really. She knew Kagami and Luka had good hearts, and she had seen firsthand how much Chloe had grown. Those three accepted her civilian self, her true self, without half a thought, and followed their leader in dropping their transformations as well. Chloe got her quips in while Ladybug looked to Chat Noir.

He passed his gaze over the faces of their friends and smirked like he was holding in a laugh. As he said “Claws in,” Marinette could hear the laugh in his voice, an intonation that sounded so very familiar, and oh. Of course.

Adrien Agreste beamed at his friends, both in the mask and out, and said fondly, “I’m so glad it’s you.”

The rest, of course, was history. For the year and a half since then, the five heroes of Paris had kept the city safe from threats magical and mundane alike. Hawkmoth had, of course, gotten craftier and more vicious with his attacks, sometimes choosing to send bursts of weaker akumas over the span of a week, sometimes waiting a month before sending an especially brutal villain their way.

But it was nothing that the Order of the Guardians couldn’t handle. Even though it could get exhausting after a while, which is why the incoming weekend was a welcome reprieve. There was another reason why this particular weekend was so exciting, which was that a new video game, Mindscape, was debuting. It would be released at midnight EST, which was 6:00 in the morning for Paris.

“Today’s the day, girl!” Alya squealed as she flagged Marinette down on their way to the classroom. “We are so lucky that our class won that raffle to get these exclusive passes. I bet I’ll be the first blog to get the scoop on this new tech they’re using!”

Marinette giggled and started to reply, “Super lucky, right? I’m excited too, I heard--”

“You know,” Lila cut her off as she sidled up to Alya. “I’m not saying that I didn’t enter us to get those downloads, but I was a big help with beta testing.”

How she managed to time that comment just as the three girls crossed the threshold of the classroom, and how she managed to know that nearly the whole class would already be there to hear it, Marinette would never understand. She only had to wait a moment before the rest of their friends rushed to the door to thank Lila.

“This opportunity is amazing, we are incredibly grateful!” Max was first in line, ever the technology-enthusiast.

Kim pushed his shorter friend out of the way and vigorously shook Lila’s hand. “You have no idea how many baddies I’m going to blow up because of you.” Lila looked a little overwhelmed as he continued to shake her hand all the while, and she gave him a nervous smile.

He was soon pushed out of the way as Alix muscled her way to the front next. “I definitely owe you for giving me the chance to kick his ass in a brand new way!” She jerked her head to where Kim had landed on the floor, pouting at her.

As the rest of the class who would be joining them in the game’s premiere expressed their thanks, Alya looked on with an affectionate smile. She was so very happy that she now had two kind, selfless best friends. Her smile fell a little as she noticed Marinette stoically edging her way around the crowd and up to her seat, not having said a word to Lila. Alya just wished that her two besties would get along.

Alya put a hand on Lila’s shoulder and smiled her thanks before following Marinette to what was once their shared desk. “You really should thank her, you know,” Alya implored hopefully.

Without turning around to face Alya, Marinette paused and shared an incredulous look with Adrien, who was already seated at his shared desk with Nino. She then shrugged and replied, “Lila never actually said that she got us the passes,” before continuing up the steps to her seat at the back of the class. Alya shook her head and sat down. It was always like this, a cool indifference from Marinette whenever Lila came up. They were both such incredible people, Alya couldn’t understand why they didn’t get along.

As for Marinette, she was semi-content to let Lila be as long as her lies didn’t hurt anybody. Her unrealistic promise to take away all of Marinette’s friends was never fulfilled, and honestly the amount of emotional energy it used to sap from her just wasn’t worth it anymore. Marinette had no idea how Lila was going to get her hands on a copy of the game when Mari was, of course, the one who had won the raffle. She distributed the special access passes herself, and Lila certainly hadn’t gotten one. If this was the way that she wanted to make friends, she would eventually have to face the consequences.

But for now, Lila was basking in her praise. That is, until she glanced at her phone and gave a small gasp of dismay.

“What’s wrong?” Rose asked, concern already etched on her face.

Lila covered her mouth with one hand and started rapidly blinking back tears. “It’s my VIP copy of the game. There was a mixup in the mail and it won’t get here in time for tomorrow morning! I’m so sorry everyone, it looks like you’ll have to do it without me....” She buried her face in her hands and her shoulders trembled with barely restrained sobs.

The class shared a worried look, and Sabrina piped up, “It’s okay Lila, you can borrow my copy.” Lila immediately looked up and surged forward to clasp the hands of her friend.

“Really? But won’t it have the same problem?” Sabrina smiled and shook her head. “Nope, it’s a digital download! I don’t mind, you can always trade it back when your VIP pass arrives later.”

Lila gave her a brilliant smile, any tears long-since dried. “Oh, thank you so much Sabrina! I’ll see what I can do about getting you a VIP pass too once mine gets here.”

At that moment, Chloe walked in, and one look at the scene displayed in front of her had her rolling her eyes at her former best friend. She gracefully swept up the steps to join Marinette at the back of the classroom and whispered to her, “Aren’t they all digital downloads?”

Marinette, who had started unpacking her bag to prepare for class, inclined her head and gave the blonde a meaningful look that indicated yes, they were indeed all digital downloads. Chloe snickered and started preparing her own side of the desk.

After the fiasco of outing herself as Queen Bee, Chloe had lost the minimal support and tolerances she had been allowed before. It gave her time to truly reflect on how she acted and treated other people. She had since been quietly making amends with those she’d wronged, and the person on the top of that list was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. It took time and a lot of effort on Chloe’s part, but she mellowed out and did a lot of growing up. She still spoke her mind, though.

“Huh that’s strange, I got the VIP package too, but mine was a digital pass,” Chloe loudly proclaimed, studying her nails nonchalantly as the rest of the class turned to look up at her.

Lila grit her teeth into a forced smile and replied sweetly, “Well that’s because mine was an original beta testing copy that they had to update for the full game.” She turned her attention to Marinette and a note of false concern crept into her voice. “Oh Marinette, I hope you’ll still have time to come too! I know you’ll be busy this weekend with planning the spring class field trip. It would be such a shame if it didn’t happen because you were too busy playing a video game.”

Marinette suddenly felt very warm under the gazes of the entire class. She stammered out, “Oh-of course we’ll get to go! Don’t worry, I have a meeting with the school board on Monday.” Trust Lila to sniff out the one thing that had slipped below her radar.

Lila’s eyes lit up with an opportunistic gleam. “That’s great! Where will it be?”

“Well, uh, the school board has to review the location, so I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I can tell you that it will be in, um,” her eyes flicked around wildly and landed on the posterboard of different flags from the prior week’s lessons. “America!”

The class burst into excited chatter moments before Madame Bustier arrived and the late bell rang. Marinette released a breath and sagged in her seat. Saved by the bell.

Chloe gave her a sidelong glance and murmured, “America, huh?”

“Shut up,” Marinette shot back.

* * *

Madame Bustier tried to get the class to pay attention, she really did. They struggled through their lessons before lunch, the volume of side conversations between deskmates swelling all the while. The moment the bell for lunch dismissal rang, the students exploded into conversation as they left the classroom.

Marinette waved as Chloe and Adrien walked off to go meet Kagami and Luka at a nearby cafe. She breezed into the patisserie across the street from Francois Dupont and gave her surprised Maman a kiss on the cheek.

“I thought you were going out with your friends for lunch?” Sabine asked, balancing a tray of eclairs on her hip. “I forgot I have to plan our class trip!” Marinette replied cheerfully as she hurried into the kitchen to quickly fix herself a croque-monsieur. She gave her Papa a hug as she finished preparing her meal. He shouted up at her to not make a mess as she retreated into her room to eat at her desk.

She gave a small snort at that. It was nearly impossible for her to make a mess of food when she had over a dozen Kwami there to clean up after her, but he didn’t know that. She greeted said Kwami with a delighted grin and a wave as she set her plate down by her desktop computer.

“Marinette, why are you back so early?” Tikki asked, “is everything okay?” The other Kwami swarmed around her as she woke her computer up and logged in.

The girl waved one hand nonchalantly and opened up a web browser with the other. “Everything’s fine, I just forgot about planning the class trip!” She took a huge bite of the sandwich and started typing furiously. Several Kwami dove after the crumbs that sprayed everywhere.

“Ohhh, I see! Do you have an idea of where to start?” Tikki zoomed around Marinette’s shoulder to hover next to the monitor screen.

Marinette had the same determined gleam in her eye as when she finally found the perfect fabric for a design. She said confidently around a mouth full of ham, “America.”

* * *

By the time the lunch break had finished, Marinette had a preliminary list of cities on the East Coast of the United States. She had researched Gotham first, but it looked far too dangerous and gloomy. Next was New York City, which she determined was too big. Philadelphia was historic, but in a way that would definitely bore her classmates. Boston was too cold despite its excitement. Which left Metropolis as the perfect candidate. It was also protected by the perfect superheroes, Superman and his family, so she was absolutely confident the school board would approve of the city.

Of course, the meeting on Monday would need more specifics than just the city, but she was pleased with her progress so far. Marinette shut down her monitor, grabbed her backpack and plate from lunch, and went downstairs to the kitchen. She quickly scrubbed and dried her plate in the sink before waving to her parents as they bustled around, accommodating the tail end of the mid-day rush.

Marinette walked across the street with a spring in her step and, spotting a tall flash of blue hair, half-jogged up to her group of friends.

“Hey guys, sorry I couldn’t make it to lunch!” She grinned apologetically at Kagami and Luka.

“That’s alright Melody,” Luka gave her a side hug, “Chloe told us you were busy planning your class trip.”

Adrien slung an arm around Kagami’s shoulder and pulled his girlfriend closer to whisper conspiratorially to her, “I hear we’re going to America.” She laughed softly at his antics and at Marinette who stuck her tongue out at him. Kagami then said to Marinette, “That sounds delightful, Marihime. I trust you will still be joining us tomorrow morning?”

Marinette’s eyes lit up with excitement at the prospect of playing the game with her friends all weekend long. “Definitely! I’m going to finish preparing for the school board meeting tonight so that we can play the second it comes out.”

“If you can wake up on time,” Chloe teased.

Marinette crossed her arms defensively and stated with pride, “I already set three alarms, thank you very much!”

Adrien burst out laughing at that. “Leave it to our everyday Ladybug,” he winked. Her face flushed as she pouted. He chuckled again and kissed Kagami on the top of her head. “See you later, mon coeur.”

She and Luka waved to the rest of the group as they left to return to their own schools. The three Francois Dupont students watched them go for a moment before returning inside.

“So, you and Kagami have plans?” Chloe asked.

“Yeah! Our parents gave special permission for a sleepover at my place tonight so we can play the game right when it comes out tomorrow.” Adrien rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit he had never quite abandoned. “But I’m not sure how often we’ll be able to be online with you guys after this weekend. You know how busy our schedules are....”

Marinette elbowed him lightly as they walked. “It’s a blessing you both managed to convince your dad and her mom to let you come to the launch at all! We’ll play together when we can, it’s no big deal.”

Adrien smiled gratefully at her and held the door open for both Marinette and Chloe as they entered the classroom. Alya was already there, and once she spotted her best friend (well, one of them), she skidded down the steps with a huge grin and held an invisible microphone up to Marinette.

“Thank you Nadja, and good afternoon Paris! This is Alya Cesaire, and today I am joined by young fashion designer Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Mlle. Dupain-Cheng, can you give us an exclusive scoop on the trip you’re planning for your class?”

“Good afternoon Mlle. Cesaire,” Marinette giggled, “Unfortunately, the trip has yet to be approved by the school board so no details just yet. But I can tell you with certainty that we will be visiting the resident city of some popular American superheroes.” She winked as she finished in her best interview voice.

Alya gasped and dropped her pretend microphone as she hugged her best friend. “Really!? Oh my gosh girl, you are the best!”

Marinette laughed and hugged her back as Alya jumped and spun them around. Once they pulled apart, she told the brunette, “As soon as the school board gives me the green light, you’ll be the first to know.”

The late bell rang and the girls practically skipped to their respective seats as Madame Bustier called the class to attention. Well, “attention” in the loosest sense of the word. They struggled once more through the majority of their lessons, but Madame Bustier seemed to sense defeat and she let them chatter excitedly for the last twenty minutes before dismissal.

Kim and Alix were boasting about how they were going to stay up all night, while Max encouraged them to maximize the time they would be able to play the next day by getting a full night’s sleep in before the launch time.

Lila bragged about her role in the creation of the game from its conception to even having suggested the highly anticipated date of release. Adrien pointedly ignored Lila in the row behind his and discussed the music they had recorded and mixed for the game with a very enthusiastic Nino.

Sabrina looked on a little sadly until Mylene, Ivan, Rose, and Juleka invited her to join their Disney movie marathon double-date instead. Mylene was too nervous to play the game so Ivan chose to sit out to support her, and video games weren’t really Rose and Juleka’s style. Sabrina’s face softened as she gratefully accepted their invitation.

Nathaniel turned around in his seat to talk to Marinette about the art rendering and the programs they used while Chloe scrolled aimlessly on her phone.

By the time the bell finally rang, the class was beyond excited to go prepare for the launch the next morning.

Marinette, to her credit, swallowed her enthusiasm and sat down to fully plan out their trip to Metropolis. It was grueling work, researching the safest hotel that was still in a central location. It had to be affordable but not shabby, too, because they had a limited budget. She eventually settled on the reputable Wayne Hotel, apparently part of an enormous corporation called Wayne Enterprises, and then began to build an itinerary with different events from there.

She worked nonstop the rest of the night, with the exception of a brief dinner break, and it was nearly 11:00 at night by the time she finished. Marinette sat up from her desk chair and stretched, then double-checked that her alarms were set before finally heading to bed.

#marinette dupain cheng #jasonette #sword art online au #virtual reality #miraculous ladybug #miraculous ladybug fic #maribat #maribat fic #healing hands

[n0-eyedtaissa]

Don’t You Forget About Me (Outer Banks OC x The pogues): Chapter Five

tagging: @hughstheforcelou @reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle@cactiem& @kazinejghafa.

(the updated fic masterlist can be found here)

Part Two: One Year Later 

key event: first introductions

Clementine had never moved before, so she didn’t know how much work it was. Alternatively, she didn’t realize how bad moving sucked. Her and her father eat all of their meals at the cardboard box coffee table, staring at the blank white wall where the tv would go once it got there. There was nothing on the walls yet and the few pieces of furniture that they had with them sat sadly in the middle of the living room until they figured out their permanent places throughout the house. Gat would be there tomorrow with the big moving truck with the rest of everybody’s belongings and Clementine couldn’t help but laugh about how this was the first time in her life that she’d ever been looking forward to seeing Liam Gatwin. She stopped hanging up the clothes in her closet, unfolding the handful of shirts and sweaters that she poached from Kimber’s room. The lingering smell of the jasmine oil her sister always wore was a bittersweet reminder of how far away from home Clementine truly felt. 

It was late afternoon and the sun was setting, reflecting burnt orange shadows on the hardwood floor and baking the white walls. Clementine squints and puts her sunglasses on despite the fact that she was barefoot and in her pajamas. She slides down the dining room wall and sits down, closing her eyes to take in the sunlight and feeling like a small, cozy cat. She feels the shockwaves from her dad’s footsteps as he makes his way down the uncarpeted hallway, stopping short of the dining room where she was sitting crisscross applesauce on the floor. Lyle laughs as he watches his daughter bask in the sun, a wave of fondness rushing over him as he takes a moment to appreciate her cooperation with moving, trying to be more aware of just how hard it had been for her. His knees crack as he bends down to sit on the floor next to Clementine and he exhales loudly, feeling some of his tension alleviate. Clementine scoots closer to her dad and pulls out one of her earbuds to offer to him. He accepts graciously and the two of them sit next to each other in comfortable silence in their new home. 

“You think we’re gonna be all right here?” Lyle asks out into the open room.

Clementine has to think about the question for a moment so the two of them sit quietly. She could make a list of everything that’s wrong in the world, everything that she could be angry about (and God, there was a lot), but Clementine was tired of that. She was tired of being sad and jaded and just wanted to relax now. She takes a breath and reminds herself to think of the good things. She had her dad and the two of them were closer than ever. That was definitely a good thing. It was good that they had a new house, and that her dad got a new job doing something he loved and that would pay him better for his efforts. Selfishly Clementine couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that she would be able to reinvent herself in the Outer Banks, no longer having to be the girl with the missing sister. She scolds herself for being relieved. Her heart hurts when she thinks of Kimber and she’s not immune to the gut wrenching curiosity that comes with not knowing what happened to someone. Would she ever know what happened after that last conversation with her sister, what happened to Kimber in between getting into Gat’s truck and wherever she ended up? 

Clementine shakes the thought from her head, knowing that her dad was still patiently waiting for some sort of answer. She has to clear the tightness in her throat so she coughs, takes a long, deep breath and says,“I guess we’ll just have to wait and see”.  There’s a beat of silence before the two of them both start laughing, the boisterous sounds echoing around the empty room and warming up the house. 

~~~

That next morning Clementine is woken up by her dad playing music loudly over the speaker system he insisted in installing first thing when they moved in. It was the loud guitar riff from the beginning of ACDC’s ‘Back in Black’. Classic Rock meant Lyle was excited, and Clementine didn’t know if it was because the moving truck was coming today, or if it was because Gat was the one who was driving it. Gat had been an honorary part of the family for years so everyone with eyes was aware of just how deeply Lyle thought of him as a sort of surrogate son; Clementine thought it was obnoxious but Kimber always thought it was endearing, shooing away Clementine’s pessimism with something like “When you have a boyfriend, Clem, you’ll see,”. After the past year of being around Liam Gatwin, Clementine hoped that if she ever ended up with a guy like him, someone would try to knock some sense into her. Yes, Liam Gatwin was a vital piece of the crew on the Vita Caprice, but he was cocky. And he was mean-spirited, always poking at Kimber just enough for her to snap before retreating and claiming he was just playing around. Clementine didn’t like him and he knew that.

She rolls out of bed and plants her feet on the cold hardwood floor, goosebumps erupting over her bare legs as she leans over to rifle through half-unpacked boxes in order to find something to wear for the day. Clementine gets dressed for the day, clipping on her overalls and tying on her hightop sneakers before gathering her belongings up into her backpack and figuring out where her skateboard ended up being thrown in the shuffle. She grabs her stolen gas station sunglasses and puts them on despite being inside. 

“Going somewhere, Cool Guy?” Lyle asks Clementine as she rounds her way into the kitchen. 

“Thought I’d take in the local flora, you know, really appreciate our beautiful new home” Clementine rolls her eyes with a laugh, grabbing a bruised banana from the bowl on the counter. She tries to jump up on the counter but it’s too tall and she’s not, so she lands back on the ground with the dissatisfied smack of her sneakers against the hardwood. Lyle holds back a laugh and Clementine looks up at him sharply, only making him want to laugh more. “Don’t you start” Clementine warns her dad. 

“I’m not starting!” Lyle laughs, wiping toast crumbs off of the kitchen counter. “Hey uh, Liam’s supposed to be getting in around 6. I was thinking we pull out the barbecue and cook up something nice for him, how’s that sound?” 

“I’ll pass.” Clementine mumbles through a mouthful of banana. 

“And where do you plan on going otherwise?” Lyle raises one of his bushy eyebrows at her, clearly amused.

Clementine shrugs, tossing her banana peel in the garbage can before tucking her skateboard under her shoulder. “I’ll figure that part out on the way.” She walks out of the kitchen and towards the front door without waiting for so much as a response from her father. 

The minute she steps  outside Clementine is affronted by a wave of hot, sticky air. She thought the Florida heat was bad? It wasn’t much better in the Outer Banks. The heat hung low and made the air feel heavy, like Clementine had to work twice as hard to move through it as she walked up the dirt driveway and the small hill towards the main road up the Cut. The ground is too rough and rocky for her to be able to ride her skateboard without worry so she struggles to carry it comfortably, the grip tape scratching at her arms. Clementine takes a second to stop and look around, familiarizing herself with the area that was now her home. Immediately she liked how green it was, how much nature was consistently around her. She took a detour to walk along the rocky shore of the marsh, picking up smooth rocks and dropping them in the front pocket of her overalls. Clementine decides to take the long way (which is what she called it when she got lost), but finally makes her way towards the small central town hub. 

As she walks past the rows of small shops, Clementine can’t help but think it strange that everyone waved at her as she walked by — it was like they could tell that she was out of place. Or maybe it was that the town was so small they could recognize new faces if and when they came around. Or maybe they were just nice people, unlike the people back home in Florida. Clementine wanders towards the open-air farmers market, looking at the tables filled with fresh fruit, homemade jams and pies, beeswax candles and chapsticks. As much as Clementine wanted to support the local economy, she didn’t have the pocket money for the artisanal offerings of the farmer’s market so she ducks inside Heyward’s Seafood, a small grocery store and fish emporium. Clementine walks down the few aisles, looking at today’s fresh catch as it cooled on thick ice and crunches up her nose at the briny, fishy smell. There’s only a small array of snacks and other treats to choose from so Clementine grabs herself a glass bottle of lemonade and some sunflower seeds before making her way to the cash register. 

“You know, we don’t get a lot of new faces around here” The man behind the counter says as he punches buttons on the register. If he wasn’t smiling Clementine would have thought it sounded sinister.  But he had a quality about him that immediately put Clem at ease, he seemed personable, knowledgeable, like the kind of person you’d want to befriend on this island. 

  “Me and my dad just moved here a few days ago, he works over on the Vita Caprice” Clementine smiles politely, handing over her sweaty five dollar bill. 

“Ah, what’s his name, ah, Adams?” The man asks with a knowing smirk and Clementine nods at him. “I’ve known all the men he’ll be working with for years, he’ll be in good hands” He promises. It seemed like he was someone who was in the know about what happened around Kildere, which Clementine couldn’t help but be intrigued by. 

“Well, that’s always reassuring!” Clementine puts her change in the tip jar on the counter. “I’m Clementine. Clementine Adams” She offers her hand for the older man to shake.

“You got a good handshake, Miss Clementine! Nice to meet ya, dear, they call me Heyward.”

Clementine’s eyes go wide at the realization that this was his store. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Heyward” She smiles at him again as she gathers her snacks and heads back towards the swinging door.

“Welcome to the island, Miss Clementine” 

~~~

Deciding to wander some more, Clementine loops her way through the narrow streets, trying to find new places to visit and try now that she's officially a citizen of Kildere County. She passes an ice cream shop she promises she’ll check out someday soon, and a surf shop she hoped sold skateboarding gear but sadly didn’t. She skates up and down the streets of new home, weaving around the small crowds of people who all seemed to know each other by name. She wonders what it was like to live in the same small town your whole life, going to school with the same people from kindergarten all the way until the end of high school, how families in the Outer Banks probably went back for generations upon generations. Clementine can’t help but wonder about Florida, if there was anything that changed since she left. She thinks about her old childhood home, now abandoned and empty, a ghost of everything that once was normal to her. She wondered if a family had moved in, or when one would. Who would move into her bedroom? Would they like the way that the mid-morning light came through the window? Did they notice that the third stair creaked just a little louder than the others, that the front door stuck when it got too hot outside? Would they paint over the height chart that was scrawled onto the door jamb by the kitchen? Maybe they would be able to feel that something happened there, something still unresolved. They’d board up Kimber’s old room so that nothing bad could happen to their children, to make sure the depression or the restlessness couldn’t slip through the air vents or through the cracks in the floor boards, so that no one else can sneak out through the window, never to be seen again. 

Clementine was always wondering about her sister. Kimber was always floating at the back of her mind, waiting around every corner when Clementine wasn’t looking. She might have been missing, but Kimber wasn’t forgotten. No matter what Clementine said, no matter what Gat did, no matter what Lyle wished, none of them could move past the hole that Kimber left in all of their lives. It had been a year and everyone said that it was time to start moving on but Clementine disagrees. To move on meant to forget Kimber and everything that she was…and no one wanted to do that. In Clementine’s mind, Kimber was just one bedroom over, or reading a book at the breakfast table, or tucked into the corner seat of the couch watching reruns on the history channel with dad. Kimber wasn’t missing she was away at college, she finally got out of Florida. In some of Clementine’s more imaginative scenarios, Kimber was studying abroad in Europe, drinking cafe au laits in lush patio gardens and reading books by people who were long gone. Or she was on a beach somewhere, South America maybe; Or backpacking across somewhere foreign and beautiful. In all of Clementine’s scenarios her sister is alive and well and Kimber was always on her way home. But that’s all they were, made-up scenarios.

~~~

Deciding to be over with her little pity party, Clementine decides to look up from her shoes and notices the busy restaurant in front of her, immediately intrigued by the ‘help wanted’ sign that was taped in the window. The Wreck, Clementine didn’t know it yet but it was another Outer Banks staple. It was always busy, always filled with people from both Figure 8 and from the Cut. There were always tables to wait on, tips to pick up, and a line of people waiting to be seated. Noticing the expensive cars in the parking lot, Clementine thinks that this might be fate. She didn’t have any friends yet in the Outer Banks, but she could get a job and save up her money for when it mattered. A job would be good for her, she’d stay busy, out of the house and out of trouble, so Clementine opens the door to the restaurant and walks inside. 

“Welcome in, sit anywhere” The dark-haired waitress says, not bothering to look up at Clementine as she moves from table to table with her busboy tote. The two of them looked to be about the same age and Clementine wondered if she would see the girl around school when it started up that fall, if she’d also be a junior.

She clears her throat, not interested in sitting down, getting a menu handed to her, or hearing about the lunch special that day. “No, uh, I actually came to see about the help wanted sign that you guys put up?” 

The young waitress turns back to Clementine and looks at her quizzically, Clementine can’t figure out if this is because the girl can recognize that she’s new in town, or if she’s just surprised that someone new wanted to work at the restaurant. The girl looks up from the stack of dirty dishes, wiping her arm on the bandana wrapped around her head that was keeping her long, curly hair out of her face. “You’ll have to talk to the Boss” She gestures to a stressed out looking man who was working in the kitchen, handing freshly prepared dishes of food to waiters to dole out to their respective tables. Clementine takes one look at him and it’s clear that the “Boss” was this girl’s father, the resemblance between the two of them was undeniable. Something about that made Clementine like this place a little bit more, that there were dads and daughters working side by side just like at her house. 

“Thank you” Clementine mumbles. “Oh, uh, I’m Clementine by the way. Just moved here…” 

“Kiara” The girl, who now has a name, smiles at Clementine “Don’t worry, it only sucks here sometimes”

Clementine laughs, appreciating Kiara’s honesty. “I’ll have to keep that in mind” She says and Kiara politely excuses herself to get back to waiting tables. Clem walks up to the small kitchen window in the restaurant, trying to wait for a moment to catch the owner’s attention. 

“Can I help you?” Someone asks from behind Clementine and she whips around. It’s an older woman, a mother’s age; older but young enough to still look pretty, just more tired. Anna, her name tag said, owner. Clementine can infer that this is Kiara’s mom by the way that the girl looks at the woman. There’s something about the way that Kiara rolls her eyes when she’s told to get back to bussing tables, though there’s still a whisper of a defiant smile on the corner of her lips. 

“I noticed that you guys had a help wanted sign in the window and I wanted to see if I could apply for the job.” Clementine gives Anna a tight-lipped smile as she tries to stand up a little straighter, to make herself seem more adult and not a sweaty teenager carrying a beat-up skateboard.

Anna gives Clementine a secret once-over, her eyebrow arching up in question when she turns to ask “Well do you have any experience?” 

“Oh yeah, tons” Clementine answers. “Back in Florida my sister and I used to work at this steakhouse, Rusty’s.” Clementine had worked there one summer, so it was only really a half-lie.  

Anna looked pleasantly surprised. Just as she goes to open her mouth and say something, she’s cut off by the welcome bell and a big group of people walking into the restaurant in their varying shades of pastel shorts. She exhales a big breath and turns to Clementine with a sheepish look on her face. “How soon can you start?”

“Right now?” Clementine asks, not sure if that was what her new boss was alluding to.

“Perfect” Anna exhales. 

She unties the apron from around her waist and thrusts it into Clementine’s hands, handing off her pen and pad of paper. Anna pastes on her fake smile as she goes to greet the group, scooping up an armful of menus. “Welcome in everyone, welcome, welcome! Let’s get you seated over here!” Anna puts on her perfectly crafted customer service voice as she corrals the group towards a long table. “This is our new trainee, uh…” Anna has to pause, realizing that she never asked Clementine her name. 

“Clementine” She smiles at the table full of people, “What can I get you all to drink this afternoon?”

~~~

Clementine actually likes working, though she’d never admit that to her dad or anyone else. She liked being able to put herself on autopilot, to focus so hard on so many things at once that her eyed glazed over and she ran on pure instinct alone. A pitcher of sweet tea for the table, a round of waters, would you like to hear about today’s lunch special? Table five wants an order of ceviche for everyone, the kid at able three wants an extra packet of oyster crackers to put into his bowl of clam chowder. Clementine scrawls down orders in her small, slanted writing and hands them over to Mr. C, Mike Carrera, her other Boss. Clementine shadows Miss Anna all day, helps Kiara clear off tables and wipe them clean. She stays there for hours, impressed with herself and how she was able to walk her way right onto a job. When the lunch rush ends and the bulk of the customers had managed to roll out, Miss Anna walks up to Clementine and hands her a bundle of crumpled up dollar bills; tip money for her efforts. 

“Thank you girls for your help this afternoon” Anna says, addressing Clementine and Kiara. “You two head out for the evening. Clementine, you’ll be in tomorrow for an actual training session, right?” 

“Yes, ma’am” Clementine nods. 

“Bye mom!” Kiara says, already turning on the heels of her high tops and getting ready to walk out the back door. She stops short and turns to Clementine. “Aren't you coming?”

“Oh!” Clementine is surprised that Kiara was talking to her. “Definitely” She responds quickly, picking up her skateboard and her backpack and following her outside. 

Kiara leads the way outside and neither of them say a word until they make their way out of earshot from the customers sitting on the patio. The two girls walk towards the parking lot with the gravel crunching under their feet, sounding deafeningly loud in the mutual silence. They stop short at a beat-up looking SUV with a wicked dent in both the front and back bumper. Clementine thinks the juxtaposition between the expensive car and the dents is sort of funny, but she doesn’t want to say anything and piss off Kiara — who had been rather nice without particularly needing to be. Kiara opened the back hatch of her car and invited Clementine to sit in the laid-down back seat.

“I can’t believe my mom just threw you to the wolves like that,” Kiara laughs, “That feels illegal as shit”

“I’m just impressed that I actually managed to keep up” Clementine reveals. “At one point it literally felt like my brain turned off and I was operating like this little capitalist robot” She wiggles her fingers and Kiara laughs at her, knowing the feeling. 

“At this rate, you’ll be employee of the month in no time” She tells Clementine matter of factly. 

“Ouch, I didn’t mean to knock you out of your spot” Clementine jokes, hoping that since Kiara was playing around with her a little bit she would be able to play back. 

“I never even stood a chance…” Kiara laughs. 

“Sometimes not even nepotism can save you” Clementine shrugs and the two of them look at each other and start laughing. 

“So how long ago did you move?” Kiara asks Clementine as she crosses her legs and makes herself comfortable in the trunk area of the car. She pulls out her sunglasses case and picks a joint out of it, offering it silently to Clementine and trying to see if she would take it.

Clem realized that Kiara was trying to gauge her and her interests to figure out that she was into and if she was cool enough to hang around. She retrieves the lighter that she always kept on her and sparks up the joint before answering “Three days ago”

Kiara blows out a big breath of smoke. “Fresh meat” She chuckles, handing the joint over to Clementine. 

“I guess so” Clem laughs. “What about you, how long have you lived here?” 

“My whole life” Kiara answers. Clementine can tell that she’s not a fan, though. There would always be something about hometowns; they restricted you. They were a lethal mix of claustrophobic and nostalgic, with memories all ready to peek their heads around unsuspecting corners. Looking around Outer Banks, Clementine wasn’t yet able to distinguish the good from the bad but she knew that in time she would.

“That bad, huh?” 

Kiara shakes her head. “Only sometimes” 

The two pass along the joint until it burns down to a small roach, making small talk. Kiara was from here, born and raised. Big house on Figure 8, which Clementine found out was the name for the rich neighborhoods built up with white marble McMansions. Her parents were Mike and Anna Carrera, owners of the Wreck, both alive and well and grossly happy in their marriage. No siblings, though Kiara said she used to beg for a little brother or sister all the time when she was younger because the house was too big for just the three of them. She’s a socialist who swears up and down that she hates rich people (despite being one). She’s a pescatarian and a virgo, she likes surfing, swimming, and political activism. Kiara realizes that she’s been talking about herself for quite a while now and she laughs it off nervously. “Sorry, the weed’s catching up to me…” The two of them laugh and then it was Clementine’s turn to share:

She was Clementine Adams, seventeen, born and raised not that far outside of Miami. Her dad was Lyle Adams, he worked as a commercial fisherman on the Vita Caprice. Her mom was gone, her sister wasn’t with them right now. She doesn’t say the word missing, just that Kimber didn’t move with the rest of them. Clementine hopes that Kiara doesn’t read too much into it. She tells her that she’s a cancer, though she doesn’t agree with how emotional her horoscope makes her out to be. She likes soccer, skating, reading books and riding bikes with her sister. She tells Kiara that she doesn’t know anyone in OBX yet and that was why she decided to get a summer job to make some money while killing time. This part, of course, was a morsel of information that Clementine threw out there in hopes that Kiara would ask to hang out again or something (though she’d never be the first person to initiate the conversation). 

The sun had started to lower in the sky and the two of them were still talking. It was nice to have someone new to talk to, no one who’s opinion of you was already tainted by things that they’d heard about you from someone else. Neither of them seem to realize it but it was like they had this innate need to talk to one another, to purge some of the energy that was bubbling up inside each of them and threatening to boil over. Clementine and Kiara sit side by side with their legs swinging over the trunk of Kiara’s big, dented up car. They trade stories, small ones, bullshit moments that didn’t really mean much in the long run but were memorable enough to share with someone. There were lots of faceless names thrown around: John B, Sarah, JJ, Pope, Kimber, Gat, but it didn’t really matter who these people were, just that they mattered enough to be mentioned by Kiara and Clementine, even if only in passing. 

“So can you ride this thing?” Kiara asks, spinning one of Clementine’s skateboard wheels with her hand and watching as it rolled, fast and smooth, before stopping. 

“Only sometimes” Clementine laughs, calling back to Kiara’s comment from earlier. She points out a handful of scraped and bruises on her knees and lower legs that prove her point. “What about you, ever ridden one?”

“If you count a surfboard, then yeah” Kiara laughs.

“I don’t count that, no” Clementine grabs her board and tosses it on the ground with a clatter. “Like at all actually” She laughs and gets up from her spot next to Kiara and puts one foot on the old, beat-up skateboard, pushing off and rolling around the back parking lot area of the Wreck. Clementine shows off a little, popping an ollie or two, getting all four wheels of the board off of the ground and actually landing them.

“Okay so how do you do it then?” Kiara asks, her curiosity getting the better of her as she stands up, going to stop Clementine’s skateboard with her foot. 

Clementine looks up eagerly. “You want to learn?” She’d been skating for a handful of years now, since she was going into her freshman year of high school and she decided that she was too cool for a beach cruiser. She remembered how many summer afternoons she spent in the driveway with Kimber and Gat (back then when he was Just Gat, a friend of the family and not Kimber’s boyfriend), falling and getting back up, laughing and getting laughed at. But she got the hang of it and gained a little confidence and soon her skateboard became her main method of transportation. 

Kiara jumps up. “Why the hell not!”

Clementine beams at her, hoping that this was some sort of inclination that the two girls could end up being friends, not just coworkers who spent the lunch rush together pulling their eyes as they handed out hot plates to hungry tables. She holds the skateboard steady with her feet so Kiara can get on it, offering her hand to hold onto as Kiara finds her balance. She’s a little wobbly at first, clutching onto Clementine’s hand with a shaky smile. “Spread your feet like you would on your surfboard” Clementine instructs, pushing Kiara’s feet further apart so that her front and back foot were in line with the bolts on the skateboard. “Bend your knees” 

“Like this?” Kiara bends her knees, immediately feeling the burning in her thighs. She makes an uncomfortable face and Clementine laughs. 

“If your legs aren’t on fire, you’re not doing it right” Clementine laughs, grabbing Kiara’s shoulder and giving her a light little push so she started rolling across the parking lot.

Kiara lets out a little yelp. “Oh shit, I’m doing it!” She throws out her arms to keep her balance and Clementine runs across the lot, trying to catch Kiara in case she fell. 

Clementine tries to kick any big rocks and pebbles out of the way of the skateboard wheels so that there was nothing to potentially trip her up. Back towards the restaurant Miss Anna peeks her head out of the back door and watches as Clementine and Kiara run across the parking lot riding along on the beat-up skateboard.

“Kiara! Are you corrupting my new employee already?” Miss Anna scolds, her hands on her hips as she stands out on the back stairs. Part of her feels conflicted, it was good for Kiara to make new friends but she didn’t know Clementine, so she didn’t know what kind of kid she was, if she was anything like the usual company her daughter kept. But she wonders if this was a good thing, a new friend for Kiara, maybe someone who would help her break the rebellious streak she’d been on. It was nice to see her daughter smile though, Anna could admit to herself. It had been quite some time since she had seen Kiara do anything but scowl, too mad at the world and everyone in the Outer Banks. 

Kiara stops smiling just as quickly as she started, taking a shaky step off of Clementine’s skateboard as she planted her foot on the ground to stop herself. “We were just messing around” She scoffs, freezing up like Clementine had seen a handful of her friends do around their mothers. There seemed to be something about the way a mother could judge you so deeply and fully in the least amount of words. With a gesture, or a look; the sharp uptick of an eyebrow or the rude quirk at the corner of her lips. Kiara deflates and rolls the skateboard back to Clementine. 

Clementine has an idea, though. She pulls her phone out of her pocket and see’s that it’s going to be 6:30 soon, so Gat should be there with the moving truck by now and her dad said that he was planning on barbecuing to celebrate his arrival and the beginning of the move-in process. She knows that it’s presumptuous to think that her and Kiara are anything more than co-workers, but she wanted to make a friend that day because she deserved to have someone to hang out with and confide in. Given the way that the two of them had been faring, why couldn’t it be Kiara? 

She clears her throat and just asks the question: “Do you wanna come to my house for dinner? The moving truck just got here and my dad was supposed to barbecue, could be good. If you’re not busy, I mean” Clementine tacks that part onto the end of her sentence, giving Kiara a caveat in case she had somewhere better to be.

Kiara looks over Clementine’s shoulder, back towards her mom and the restaurant. She doesn’t answer right away and that made Clementine think that Kiara was surely going to turn down the invitation. But she doesn’t. “Sure, I could eat” Kiara shrugs off her mom’s comments and her shitty attitude and Clementine watches her light up a little easier. 

The girls load up into Kiara’s expensive (but dented) car and take off. Kiara has no problem getting around the island, she knew the place like the back of her hand. She liked to brag about her sense of direction and how if she’d been somewhere once, nine times out of ten she could remember how to get there again. Kiara maneuvers her car easily through back streets and residential areas to avoid the traffic and the stoplights and soon they’re pulling up in the gravel outside the Adams household and parking next to the half-empty moving truck. Clementine gets out of the car first and Kiara follows cautiously behind her, not a fan of venturing into uncharted territory. There’s stacks of boxes on the front porch, with some propping open the screen door so Lyle and Gat can have a clear path as they bring in the bigger furniture — the entertainment center, the dresser, the kitchen hutch — all those kinds of things that you apparently needed “man power” for. The love seat is sitting on the lawn, little divots being dug into the grass from where the wooden legs sunk deep into the storm-saturated earth. Clementine gestures to the couch and Kiara follows her over to it, where both of them sit down and groan as they drop down into the plush cushions. 

“Well, look who finally decided to join us!” Lyle calls out to Clementine as he hops off of the front porch step and crunches his way across the dried grass. He’s surprised to see a tangle of long dark hair next to Clementine as she splays out on the love seat, though he tries not to make a big deal out of it. “Who’s your friend, Tiny?” He asks, using the childhood nickname the Clementine was never fond of. Back in Florida he was always trying to encourage Clementine to go out and make more friends, or to invite the girls from the soccer team over for a barbecue or a sleepover. He wanted her to have more friends and be more social, wanted her to rely less on her sister. Clementine was always shy but after Kimber disappeared it was like what little light was left behind his daughters eyes went out completely. 

“This is Kiara” Clementine gives her dad an awkward, closed-mouth smile. She stiffens up at Lyle’s use of the word friend since she’s not sure if that’s what her and Kiara were. “Her parents own The Wreck” Clementine adds.

“How nice, we’ll have to go and try it sometime, won’t we, Clem?” Lyle smiles at the two girls as he goes to pick up another packed cardboard box. 

“Yeah well, I have to be there again tomorrow any ways, so…” She shrugs, thinking of getting an actual work training session from Miss Anna and not just being thrown to the wolves during the lunch rush again. Lyle raises his bushy eyebrow at his daughter in hopes that she’ll further explain, so Clementine continues, “I got a job there. That’s where I was today” 

Lyle drops the big cardboard box, the contents inside rattling as they hit the ground. He’s clearly shocked by the idea that Clementine left the house to go on a walk and explore, only to come home with both a new friend and a new job. “A job? Wow, look at you, Tiny. I can hardly believe it!” He laughs. Clementine can feel her face go red and she looks over at Kiara, who’s toying with her phone to avoid overstepping into this weird, familial moment. 

“It’s not a big deal or anything,” Clementine shrugs. “Hey dad is there food ready?” 

“Yup, everything’s in the kitchen, you girls go on and help yourselves.”  Lyle groans as he reaches for the box again, his back screaming at him to take it easy. “Make yourselves useful, though, and take a box with you when you go”

Clementine rolls her eyes as she goes to pick up a box labeled C’s Room. Kiara goes to pick up a box like Lyle suggested and Clementine panics. “Oh no, no, you don’t have to do that!” She insists but Kiara shrugs her shoulder and send her a quizzical look.

“I got it” She says casually, picking up the box like it’s no big deal. 

Kiara follows Clementine up the porch and into the half-assembled house, dodging her way around randomly placed furniture, stacks of boxes, and other big plastic storage tubs. Clementine leads her down the long hallway and into what was becoming her bedroom. The girls drop the boxes in the corner, next to the other stacks of boxes, next to Clementine’s mattress that was on the floor. Kiara looks around the room, taking in what little was there and trying to figure out more about Clementine from the things around her that she could see. There’s a fish tank fully set up in the corner of the bedroom, where Clementine’s four fish are swimming along happily. Kiara walks up to the tank and touches the glass, watching as the fish follows her finger. 

“You can feed them if you want” Clementine laughs, pointing to the little container of fish food off to the side of the tank.

Kiara accepts and drops a pinch of the funky smelling flakes into the water, watching the fish corral as they flapped their mouths open and closed. There’s a beat of silence as the girls watched the handful of fish, but Kiara eventually pipes up and says, “Your dad seems pretty cool”.

“He is, yeah” Clementine agrees, not caring if that was something that made her seem uncool. Her dad was trying really hard to be there and be present for Clementine, something that didn’t go unrecognized or unappreciated. 

“Is it just you guys here?” 

Clementine nods, knowing that this conversation would come up eventually. “Yep” She swallow hard and takes a second to figure out just how much detail she’s willing to divulge to Kiara after only a few hours of knowing her. “It’s just me, my dad, and Gat here right now.”

“Is that your brother?” Kiara asks again, and the mere idea of being related to Liam Gatwin was enough to make Clementine want to gag. 

“God no,” She shakes her head, her short hair falling into her eyes. “He works on the Caprice with my dad, unfortunately the two of them are sort of a package deal. Gat and my sister dated for a really long time” 

Kiara nods her head as she follows along. “So is she here? Your sister, I mean…” As an only child Kiara always thought the prospect of having an older sibling (or any sibling at all) would make life better. Especially a sister; Kiara thought having an older sister would be great, there was always someone there to keep you company, always someone there to show you cool new things. 

“She’s not here right now, no” Clementine says simply. Because in Clementine’s mind, Kimber was never that far away, and she was always coming back. 

Kiara seems to be satisfied with the answer to her question so the two girls go back to making small talk before heading to the kitchen to snag a bite to eat. There’s a plate piled high with chargrilled hamburgers and hot dogs ready to be fixed up to everyone’s liking, and a big family size bag of chips on the counter nearby with the bag left open crumbs spilling out. Men, Clementine thinks, swiping away the crumbs and getting a plate for herself and Kiara. Before Clementine hands off the chipped ceramic plate to Kiara, she remembers something that she said earlier that day:

“Aren’t you a pescatarian?” Clementine questions, suddenly nervous that she’d made some sort of grave mistake by inviting Kiara over to eat. 

Kiara waves a noncommittal hand before grabbing the plate and loading it up. “Only when it’s convenient…”

A set of footsteps ring out from behind the two girls and Clementine turns around to see Liam Gatwin trudging towards the kitchen from the laundry room, where the side door led outside to where his trailer sat parked atop cinder blocks in the side yard. 

“Nice of you to finally bless us with your presence, Clem” Gat rolls his eyes and scoots past Clementine, hip-checking her out of his way as he grabs a beer from the refrigerator. Clementine scoffs at him and hip-checks him back, because two can play that game, and she grabs herself and Kiara each a beer out of the soggy cardboard carton. Kiara starts to laugh but covers it up with a cough, suddenly becoming very interested in the food on her plate, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. 

“Rake it in while you can” Clementine deadpans, handing over the beer to Kiara while knowing that Gat wouldn’t tell on them. That was one of the rules that Kimber taught Gat if they were going to date while he worked for their dad. Rule #1: Whatever happens, we don’t tell dad. Gat mutters something rude under his breath and trudges back the way he came, leaving Clementine and Kiara in peace. Clementine hopes to god that it’s not awkward, that she didn’t make things weird by inviting Kiara back to her house and introducing her to her embarrassing dad and her sister’s jerky boyfriend. Just as she’s about to say something, to interject and ask if there was something she wanted to do or if she had someplace better to be, Kiara’s phone vibrates on the table. 

She picks it up and reads the message, smiling, before turning to Clementine to ask “Do you wanna go to a party with me?” Before Clementine can really process the question, she feels herself nodding because yes, she does want to go to this party with Kiara. Clementine had already taken her fair share of risks today, what harm could one more do? It was going to be different now, here in the Outer Banks. Clementine was making sure of it. 

#fic: don't you forget about me #dyfam #outer banks fic #outer banks oc #obx oc: clementine adams #kiara carrera x oc

[hufflepuffhermione]

For the prompt game: “Are you testing me?”, I feel like this one could go so many different ways, excited to see what you come up with!

Here’s some Bartlet for America era J/D for you!

It’s not even six when Josh gets to the storefront in Nashua that’s being used as their headquarters. He’s sure he’ll be the first one there; everyone else on the campaign works hard, but they also seem to value their sleep more than he does. Fair enough. Sam and CJ are on TV all the time, so they should look at least somewhat rested. Josh, on the other hand, thinks the bags under his eyes might as well be permanent. Or they will be if they manage to stay in this until November and beyond; he’s determined to make it that far.

He unlocks the door and doesn’t bother turning on the main lights, instead stumbling in the dark toward the storage room that’s been serving as an office. The door to it is open, which strikes him as odd. He thought he closed it the night before.

Josh shakes off his confusion and steps into his office, but stops short when he very nearly trips over a body on the floor. “What the—“ he shouts, stepping back in shock. It’s still too dark to tell who it is, and the light switch is on the other side of whoever is lying on the floor.

For a brief second, Josh worries he might be witnessing the victim of a murder. Perhaps Toby had finally snapped after all of a week and a half on the campaign.

There’s a groan, and then whoever it is rolls over. Okay, not a murder at least.

“What’s going on…” The voice is groggy, and Josh inches towards the light switch. The light reveals a mess of blonde hair.

“Donna?” Josh asks.

His assistant, who he’s known all of four days, is passed out on the floor of his office. “Josh! You’re here so early.” She sits up and rubs her eyes, blinking against the light.

“Did you… pass out here?” he asks, furrowing his brow. She doesn’t quite look hungover, but he can’t imagine another good reason she’d sleep here.

Donna shakes her head. “No, I slept here.”

“On purpose?”

She shrugs. “Didn’t want to spend money on a hotel.”

That’s right, she’s not on payroll. Not yet, anyway. Josh doesn’t really have the latitude to hire himself an assistant, not with the campaign as cash-strapped as it is, but he wonders how long it might take Leo to relent, considering that the last four days he’s made it to every single meeting on time. “I’m sure you could find someone on the campaign to stay with,” he says.

Donna pushes herself up from the ground. “Yeah, maybe. What do we need to get started?”

Josh takes a seat at his desk. She hasn’t even questioned why he’s here already at six in the morning, before anyone else has made it in. “The Union Leader is making their primary endorsement tomorrow, so I need to check in with the editorial team. It should be us, since they endorsed him for governor, but I need to make sure. South Carolina polling, too, if there’s anything new. And go out and get me a copy of each of the local newspapers. If I’ve done my job right, hopefully our education plan has gotten a few responses in the press. Also if you could set up a meeting for me with Congressman Hayes; he’ll be dropping out soon and I want us to get his money, little as it might be. And stop at the place next door and grab me a cup of coffee—I can’t get the coffee maker here to work for me.”

Donna doesn’t take notes or anything, but she nods and smiles. “I can do all but the coffee,” she says. “You can get coffee for yourself.”

“That’s what you have a problem with? The coffee?” There’s a puzzled look on his face.

She smiles and picks up the phone. “I’m your assistant, not your secretary or your intern. Bringing you coffee isn’t in my job description.”

“You don’t have a job description,” Josh retorts. “You hired yourself for a position that doesn’t even exist.”

“Exactly,” Donna teases, “so I choose what’s in my job description.”

“Are you testing me? Is this some sort of weird Donna challenge to see if I’m capable of doing my own menial tasks? Because let me tell you, I didn’t have an assistant before and I was doing just…”

Donna’s face grows softer and more serious. “It’s not that, it’s just… I want to do actual work here, you know? And I’m not getting paid, so I might as well choose what that actual work is.”

“So if I put you on payroll, you’ll bring me coffee?” Josh asks.

She shakes her head. “Nope. I will do many, many things for you, but not that.”

“Then why wouldn’t I hire a new assistant who will do things for me that an assistant is supposed to do, like getting coffee?”

Donna picks up a pile of papers from the edge of Josh’s desk and puts them down in front of him. “South Carolina numbers,” she says, and then offers him a grin. “Because you’re testing me, before you put me on payroll, and you’re going to see just how valuable I am. I’m going to go get those newspapers now.” She catches a glance of herself in a mirror that’s leaning against a wall. “But um… first, I’m going to brush my hair. By the way, the coffee maker isn’t working because it’s not plugged in.”

Josh follows her out of the office and finds that she’s right about the coffee maker. As he starts the damn thing and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee fills the storefront, he allows himself to smile.

She’s quirky, and odd, and unqualified. But she’s right; she could be very valuable.

Even if she doesn’t bring him coffee.

#cookme25 #josh x donna #the west wing #josh lyman #donna moss #tww fic #alli's writings

[macchiatooru]

ᴬⁿ ᵃˡˡ⁻ⁿⁱᵍʰᵗᵉʳ ʷⁱᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ³ʳᵈ ᵍʸᵐ ˢqᵘᵃᵈ?

With Kenma? And Lev and Hinata? Absolute College AU vibes? Despite my doubts about the productivity, I definitely need this. It’s around 1AM as I type, and I literally have three papers to finish, with one due tomorrow. HAHAHAHAHA. (I wrote this note last night, so it’s not entirely applicable now, but well- I have to submit the second tomorrow and the third the following day... I hope HAHAHA)

Note: If you’re also up at such ungodly hours and want to add to this when you’re stuck with a paper too, or a lesson, or something, go ahead! If you want to modify something, don’t hesitate to say it!

The situation, for example, is that you’re writing a paper, and you don’t know how to continue it anymore. Luckily, you have enough options to kill the time until your brain is working properly again. The apartment―whoever owns it, maybe you guys were sharing or had connecting ones or were neighbors or whatnot―would literally look like, I don’t know, a convention? It’s like there are different stalls with different activities. Take your pick!

Tsukishima’s Corner:

I can imagine that he has this set-up in the far end of the living room where he has a table against the wall and a chair with a blanket on it

And he always has a drink with him, whether it’s a soda or an Iced Americano. (that just gave me Yoongi vibes ahhh my heart)

Of course, he has his headphones on. Not surprising.

He’s pretty calm when he does his schoolwork, and his focus is just wow

So, don’t expect him to pay attention to you that much. Again, not surprising.

If you have an actual question though, I think you can ask him!

He’ll help you out, but be wary of the sass and teasing.

It’s highly possible for him to annoy the shit out of you before you guys solve the problem, btw.

If you have chips with you, he’ll take some without asking permission smh but he’s so idufhsdbkfhda can you really say no?

You can get back at him by repetitively calling him “Tsukki”.

“Cut it out.”

“No can do, Tsu~ Kki!”

Emphasize! the! syllables! because he probably lowkey thinks it’s kinda cute

Unless he doesn’t and he throws the blanket at your face to shut you up

Don’t annoy him when he’s in a bad mood, okay?

He’ll really appreciate it if you give him space on those days

But he’ll also appreciate it so so so much if you’re the one who hands him his usual drink.

Despite being the person who could really rile you up the most

He’s actually nice... in his own way!

Lev and Hinata’s “Quiet” Pile of Pillows:

What am I even saying?

There’s nothing quiet about that part of the living room.

Lev and Hinata like studying in their “own kind of comfort”

And that is with their “study” blankets―they have separate ones for sleeping―on the floor and their pillows on top.

They study with the TV on

A series on Netflix is playing the entire time.

Nobody minds, really, because for some reason, most of you can study with some noise in the background. Those who can’t, however, just listen to music on their own.

They have hot or iced chocolate―depends on their mood―made either by you, Akaashi, or Kuroo.

You never asked Bokuto to do it again. Never again.

One time, he made the mistake of giving the “kids” coffee, and well, was that some night.

Lev and Hinata have common classes, so they work on some of their assignments together.

Expect them to be very excited when they get something right and very frustrated when they can’t understand what they’re doing.

Probably just a spot for you to take a quick break, maybe lie your head down on Lev’s favorite pillow to annoy him.

It’s not because he doesn’t want to share, but because you just took it right out of his lap.

They’ll be really happy kiddos if you join them! Please give these babies the attention they need.

Also, it helps to give them snacks to shut them up.

Bokuto’s Spot on the Couch:

That became his permanent spot after Akaashi sent him there because of that one time that big baby reaaally got on his nerves.

He has a pillow supporting his back as he leans against an armrest, legs stretched out in front of him and laptop on his, well, lap. HAHAHA sorry

He also likes working with the TV on, so it was a suitable place for him.

Bokuto’s drink would either be a can of soda or a protein shake.

Keep your phone on standby.

You have to take a pic of the pouty face he makes when he doesn’t get something.

He’s so cute he can have my heart-

“Akaashiiiii~ Why won’t you help me out?”

Akaashi would remind him that not only was he a year higher, but he also had a different major.

*cue Bo’s emo mode with matching droopy hair fml he’s literally so cute*

He gets distracted easily because he never puts his phone on silent

Probably chats with Konoha idk

Or gets carried away watching game highlights.

He already startled all of you a few times.

“OOOOOOOOOOOH. DAAAAAAAAAAAMN. THAT WAS SO GOOD.”

“Bokuto-san-”

If you choose to go to him, he can’t really help you with the paper you’re writing.

However, he gives THE BESTEST HUGS!

I think a lot of us agree that he’s a walking heater, so getting a hug from that beefy boi? Especially when it’s cold?

H E A V E N

Or that’s just me being biased, but is it really just me?

I love him.

Kuroo’s Kitchen Kounter:

Now, I’m definitely sure I’m being biased because- I mean- JUST-

One of the kitchen counters faces the common living area where everyone is spread out.

Imagine walking from wherever you were previously just staring at your laptop with that constant 132 words plastered on the corner of the screen and you’re well-aware that it has to be 2000 by tomorrow

And seeing business-related major Kuroo, sitting on a stool, immersed in his work, Excel sheets and documents being the only inhabitants of his laptop screen?

I’m literally giving myself away I-

He has glasses on and he’s tapping the end of his pen on his chin and at this point I’m hyperventilating

THE FACE HE MAKES WHEN HE CONCENTRATES

From time to time, he would swivel the stool around, take a sip of the black iced coffee he always brews at night, and eat whatever snack was available (e.g. chips, popcorn, sandwiches, instant noodles, sometimes asks Bokuto to make another protein shake, etc.)

He doesn’t really listen to music and can easily drown out the noise on his own because he concentrates so much.

You can always count on him to entertain you

Because despite the amount of focus he puts into his homework and problem sets, he also wants any excuse to tear his eyes of his screen.

He’s good at papers, so he can help you with that in the best way he can

Also asks if you would like to take a break and grab a snack with him

And can be a flirt if he’s in the mood, but when he’s tired, he has a soft and sleepy smile (except he’s not really sleepy because of the coffee, he’s just not putting that much effort)

Although he will annoy and provoke you while the two of you are on break

He’s the best person to cry to when you’re really stressed out.

I want him.

Akaashi’s Atelier:

He literally owns the dining table, his work neatly spread out.

I can almost imagine him studying architecture

But nah I guess he just really likes practicing how to capture anything and everything he can observe

And by capturing, I really mean that there’s a pile of photos there somewhere.

Afterwards, he draws them, paying attention to every detail.

He finishes schoolwork before any of you do.

His concentration surpasses that of Kuroo’s, no joke.

You can’t disturb him when he’s working on his academic requirements, so come back later when he’s sketching the hours away.

If you want to do your paper beside him though? Go.

His concentration is not only top tier but also contagious.

He’ll share the dining table, but only to you and, occasionally, Kuroo.

Bokuto? Only if he’s super emo.

Akaashi’s really nice!

He’ll initiate a conversation with you if you’re taking a break and he’s just on his sketchbook or experimenting with graphic design or something.

If you want to see a passionate but shy Akaashi, ask him what he’s working on.

I just know his eyes will literally light up.

He might be drinking tea, mint tea?

Water most of the time, but he always smells like mint and fresh laundry ahhh be still, my heart

Go to him if you really want to be productive and not get distracted by anything else because his eyes and the way he’s so into what he’s doing might actually be what distracts you

He is the epitome of grace under pressure, such a beautiful human being ha ha ha I wish

Kenma’s Den:

Well, what did you really expect?

Nah, kidding.

Kenma’s the only one in his room because he’s probably streaming.

His audience is mostly up at night, so yeah.

He definitely has ramen, chips, and soda

Which he’s willing to share with you as long as you don’t mess his game up don’t try I swear

Tbh, it’s actually really comforting to stay in his room especially when you’re really stressed out.

You can rest your eyes and take a quick nap.

He knows that he should wake you up after fifteen minutes, so don’t worry about sleeping through the night without finishing your paper.

He’s so sweet please

It’s so comforting to hear his fingers tapping away, a literal lullaby that gets you every time.

At some point, some people probably caught you slipping under his duvet IT WAS YOUR FIRST LOWKEY SCANDAL HAHAHAHAHA

Which lasted for just an hour because Kenma’s viewers knew him enough to know what his facial expressions meant

He definitely can’t help you with your paper. Such a busy boi.

But if he’s in the lobby that’s what you call it, right? of whatever game he’s playing, he’s willing to listen to your rants.

A quiet listener, but you know that he genuinely cares about you.

Massage his shoulders if you can! He likes that.

───── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *. ☪ .* :☆ﾟ. ─────

background photo by NeONBRAND on unsplash

#haikyuu!! #haikyuu #haikyuu headcanons #haikyuu x reader #third gym squad #tsukishima kei #lev haiba #hinata shoyo #bokuto koutarou #kuroo tetsurou #akaashi keiji #kozume kenma #elle's random rambles #elle isn't sleeping again #I WANT THEM TO BE REAL

[jeongyunhoed]

Spellbound

Member: Yunho Part 1 of 3 Genre: Fluff, angst A/N: Inspired by the movie Practical Magic. I hope you all like this! This is pure writing vomit, because a plot bunny has been hopping around me all day. Now I can focus on the mutant!San. haha. 

All she wants is to avoid getting her heart broken like her mother, her grandmother, and all the women in the family who came before her who died with broken hearts. But when she casts a true love spell, wishing for a guy she never thought existed, she meets Jeong Yunho. 

Part 1. 

It all started several hundred years ago when her great-great-great-great-great grandmother was scorned by her lover, who ran off with another woman. Seeing as she was a shaman, she cast a spell on herself, vowing never to love anyone again. But little did she know, she would end up placing a curse on her children, and her children’s children until today. The men her female family members would choose to love and marry all end up dying an untimely death. It happened to her grandfather, and it happened to her father. The last thing she wants is for it to happen to her too. 

She lived with her mother and younger sister in a condo, living close to her mother’s sisters, her aunts, who were also well-versed into magic. Both of them also suffered losses of their husbands. “Is there a way to break that curse?” She asked one weekend while spending time with them. 

One of her aunts looked at her with an apologetic face. “I’m afraid I don’t know, our great-great-great grandmother seemed to make it permanent” They said quietly. “Come on, I’ve got chocolate cake with your name on it” She said, gesturing for her to come to the dining room. 

“Well, someday, maybe you’ll know how to break that curse. You’re still very young, you have a lot of time,” They assured her, and she nodded while tucking into her dessert. 

Still, the thought intrigued her, but it disturbed her at the same time as the death of her father devastated her, her sister, and her mother. She later snuck out of her room and crept into the living room, followed by her sister. “What are you doing?” Her sister asked her. 

“I’m going to cast a spell, a true love spell,” She replied simply, making a beeline towards the shelves where her aunts kept the magic books. Tiptoeing, she reached for the book in the top shelf, and opened it, looking for the chapter. She sat on the floor and read the instructions. “List down the qualities of what you look for in your true love and wish it on a flower,” She read quietly. “Release the flower into the wind as you make your wish. It’s very simple” She concluded. 

“What flower is there? All we have are paper flowers from the party” Her sister pointed to the small blue and white flower-shaped decorations. 

“That will do.” She said, and carefully peeled off one of the smaller blue flowers and went to the window. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes. “I wish, that he would be tall, and that he’d have the personality of a golden retriever, no wait, he’d be called a golden retriever, and he’d live on a star” She said. 

Her sister gave her a look as if she had grown a few heads. “That’s a dog, unnie. You’re wishing for a dog” She commented. 

She released the flower into the wind, watching it get swept up from side to side. Closing the window, she turned to her sister. “I didn’t cast this to find true love. I did it because I wanted to protect myself. If I wished for something that can’t exist, then I wouldn’t die of a broken heart like grandma,” She shrugged. 

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Her sister looked skeptical. 

“I do. I’m better off not falling in love anyway,” She shrugged. “Come on, let’s go back to bed before they see us,” and they hurried back into their rooms. 

~ 

Years had passed and she was working in a bookstore that was next to a dance studio. She successfully evaded the notion of love, and quietly kept to herself as she focused on her work, in the little fictional world she immersed herself into in between breaks. There were days when she had to deal with naughty children, feeling relieved that she had yet to have children of her own, but she was comfortable in her life. 

Her sister left to study in a university overseas through a program, while she tried to save up for a place of her own. A few years after she graduated from university, one of her aunts died, no longer able to cope with the loss of her husband. “I’ll close up,” She said to the manager, who nodded and handed her the keys. It was nearing 10 p.m., around the time the dance studio would close up as well. She could sometimes hear faint music coming from the studio along with the chatter that came from its attendees. 

“You won’t have to worry about coming in early tomorrow, hmm? You work so hard,” The manager told her and after a pat on her shoulder, they left, along with her colleagues; a middle school student who needed the extra money and an older woman, who did the accounting for the day. 

She gathered her things and rushed out of the place, locking the door behind her. She was taken by surprise when she heard someone hurrying out of the studio, nearly crashing into her. She nearly fell against the door when he caught her, his arm around her waist while his other arm was on the door handle. He was tall, dressed all in black, with a cap on and had a backpack. They stared at each other for a second and stood back up. “Thank you” She cleared her throat to collect herself. 

“It was my fault, I’m sorry. Ah,” He sighed, seeing the lock on the door. “I missed it.” 

“Missed it?” She raised a brow curiously. 

“I was going to get a book last minute. I couldn’t stop by before because I was late today” He said sheepishly. “You work here, right?” He asked, looking hopeful. “Yeah, I think I see you a lot here” He added. 

“Oh, you’re a regular in that studio,” She nodded, figuring it out. “Well, yeah, I work here. I was already closing up when we crashed into each other” She said. 

He fumbled with the straps of his backpack. “Um, since you work here...I was hoping, could you by any chance let me buy the book I need?... I promise I’ll only be here a few seconds and I’ll be out” He said. 

She matched his gaze. She noticed how he was looking at her like a puppy, his lips slightly pouting as if hoping it would work on her. “Uh, well, okay” She nodded, unlocking the doors again. 

“Yes! Thank you, you’re a lifesaver” He cheered, dashing inside once she opened the doors. 

She followed him in, watching him speed past the shelves and towards the section where the book he needed was. She noticed it was the section with the graphic novels and comics. “Ah, you’re here for The Killing Joke copies, aren’t you?” She sensed, moving towards the cash register to wait for him. 

“Yeah, my brother and I have been waiting for the Korean copies for a long time,” He said, bringing two of the thick graphic novels towards her. 

“Not to spoil anything, but that’s an interesting read” She chuckled, adding up the total. “Do you want to have this wrapped or can you bring these as it is?” She asked. 

“It’s okay, I’ll bring these as it is, thanks,” He smiled, and she slid the books back to him, taking the money he put down while he slipped the novels into his backpack. “I’m Yunho, by the way, Jeong Yunho’s my name” He held out his hand to her. 

She introduced herself and shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Yunho. I hope you enjoy reading those” She said. 

“It’s nice to meet you too, I hope I get to see you around again tomorrow,” He said, walking next to her towards the door. “It’s pretty late, where are you headed?” He asked. 

“Not far from here, it’s actually close by,” She gestured to her left. 

“Ah! Sounds like we’re going home together, I go this way too” He chuckled, waiting for her to lock up the doors again and the two of them walked down the sidewalk. He stood on her left, keeping her away from passing cars. 

“So you’re part of a dance crew or something?” She asked. 

“Yeah, we’re preparing for a dance competition soon, a few months from now, we’ll also be training in LA, and I’m excited” He said with a skip in his step while they walked. 

“That’s great, well, let me know how that would go if I ever see you again during that time,” She said. 

“That’s a promise! You have to promise me that too,” He stuck out his pinky at her. 

She laughed and they linked their fingers in a gesture of a promise. “You know, you’re probably the friendliest person I’ve ever met,” she said. 

Yunho smiled. “My parents always told me that, and they wonder where I get it from sometimes” He laughed. 

“You’ll go far in life if you continue being that friendly,” She said. They were approaching her building and she stopped. “This is where we have to separate,” She turned to him. 

“Ah, now I know where my new friend lives” He said, looking up at the building, making her laugh. 

“I know I should be creeped out about that, but I’m not, it was nice to meet you, thanks for walking me home, Yunho” She said. 

“Remember our promise, alright?” Yunho gestured to her and held up his pinky. “It was nice to meet you too” He was beaming. 

She laughed. “Yeah, I’ll remember,” She held up her pinky as well, and waved at him one more time before turning to enter the building. This was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, she heard Humphrey Bogart’s voice in her head as she thought about him. Jeong Yunho, she thought. “That’s a name I’ll remember,” she nodded to herself. 

#ateez #ateez fic #ateez scenarios #yunho #jung yunho #jeong yunho #fluff

[writingsbychlo]

heart under construction (02)

word count; 4842

summary; sam can’t handle how you make him feel, and so he takes the easy way out.

notes; this gets angstyyyyy, I’m sorry in advance.

warnings; none, nada, zilch.

Sam was finding it harder and harder to deny just how much he looked forward to your visits. They were well into month two of construction now, and seeing you bringing them coffee and smiles in the morning had become a vital part of his day. He knew when you would arrive, how long you would stay for and when you’d go back past in the afternoons upon finishing at the school.

If asked, he would deny that you were the reason he started taking is lunch breaks later, and he would deny that he was definitely packing extra food each morning before Jake was picking him up, just on the off-chance that it might be one of the days you would join him for his lunch break. On an occasional day, you did choose to sit with him, and he’d listen to you talk happily about the school, the nursery kids and how much each one meant to you. 

He knew about Zach, who was a pain in the arse, but still somehow one of your favourites. He was fond of Lexi, who reminded him of his own niece, and he hated Connor with a burning passion, because the kid often came up in the stories that ruined your day, and so he naturally chose not to like him, whether he was four or forty. 

You were becoming more and more ingrained in his life, and he was doing nothing to stop it.

He didn’t want to do anything to stop it.

You knew more about him than almost anyone, when he spoke to you, he couldn’t help the words that would just start pouring from his mouth, the questions following. He didn’t just want you to know about him, he wanted to know about you. He wanted to know everything, from your favourite colour to your deepest fears, he wanted to hear your most embarrassing stories and he wanted to know what your thoughts were on every topic he could think of. He wanted to know if you believed in aliens, and which conspiracy theories you thought were true, and which vines were your favourite. He wanted to know you, through and through.

It was as though the more he learned, the more he needed.

You knew about his niece, Jake had proudly shod you pictures of his husband Roger and his daughter Alice only a few days after meeting you. He’s boasted about his daughter’s accomplishments, and he’d told you the story of his proposal to the man he loved. Sam had watched with pure joy the day you had dished out advice to his brother when he was panicked about Alice, just to see you put him at ease with only a few words.

He could no longer picture a day without you in it, without you passing through in a whirlwind of cute smiles and stupid jokes for him.

The day Sam had realised just how much he needed you was the day you’d made the same stupid ‘Uncle Sam’ joke he made on every date he went on, his eyes wide and jaw dropped as you teased him about being Uncle Sam and asked him if he would do his best impression of the propaganda posters, only to giggle incessantly as he pulled off a very poor attempt at a recreation, unable to hold his face in the same stern look.

Since that day, he hadn't been able to bring himself to make the usual joke on his dates, because he knew he wouldn’t get the same joy from seeing them laugh as he did when you had.

As the weeks went on, he was finding it harder and harder to deny that you might be exactly what he wanted. You might be perfect for him, and he had to consciously stop himself from thinking about you, as you started to take up a permanent residence to linger in the back of his mind. He couldn't stop, he would be shopping and be reminded of you in something he thought you’d like to try, and he’d definitely put it in his basket before moving on. He’d be on a date and a girl would remind him of something you would say and he knew the joy filling his system wasn’t from the girl before him but from the idea of you being with him instead.

As they neared the summer, you had started wearing lighter dresses, and fewer coats, and Sam couldn’t forget the day you’d come by to see them on the weekends, a light summer dress swishing around your midthighs, a stark contrast to the work-appropriate trousers he’d seen you in before that point. You had eaten lunch with him that day too, and he had struggled not to let his eyes trace over the skin revealed to him when your dress rode up as you sat down, or the way your leg felt pressed up against his. 

He had spent hours resisting the urge to reach out and discover just how soft your thighs would be under his fingertips, and how they might feel trembling under his grasp, or scratched up and red from his beard. 

You were off-limits. You were too nice for him to ruin it, because he didn’t settle down.

He didn’t do relationships. He doesn’t. He won’t change for one chick, not with all that could go wrong, not with every hope he could build-up, only for one person to bring everything around him crashing down. Not again. Now, the only person he relied on was himself. 

He wasn’t snapped out of his thoughts until your voice was calling out to him, not from inside his own mind but from the street below, his eyes scanning over the area until he saw you, hands cupped around your mouth as you called out to him, waving happily and the smile he sent you back was instinctual, he was unable to hold it back, stop it from breaking free. 

He was waving you up the ladder before he could think about it, and you were quickly completing the climb. Taking a seat beside him, you huffed out happily, nudging him with your shoulder and giving him a laugh, his eyes rolled fondly, your feet carrying you quickly across the now stable floorboards to greet his brother, and he trailed behind you slowly, the work he had been doing now completely forgotten as he followed after you.

You were complimenting them on the house, telling them just how much you admired the amazing work they were doing and his cheeks flushed, an idea suddenly coming to mind for him, his hand taking yours absentmindedly as he lit up with all new kinds of excitement.

“We finished the balcony!”

Before he could stop himself, he was tugging you along, guiding you up the mended staircase to the top floor as he swiftly undid the catch on the ceiling to floor doors, pushing them open as the low sun flooded the room, and you awed at the space, your hand gripping his tightly as you stepped out cautiously onto the small patio space. The fences had yet to be put up, the bolts and supports put in place, but the old-fashioned style railings were still sitting in a stack in the corner, and you turned to face Sam with a lazy on your face.

“Classic style railings to match your oldies theme, yeah?”

His eyes widened, nodding slightly as you crouched, running the fingers of your free hand over the warm metal, tracing the swirling patterns. The rays of the lowering sun cast a golden glow over your skin, making you seem almost otherworldly as you admired the sights around you, your breath practically knocked from you each time you looked out over the beautiful scenery. 

The sun was dipping, not quite hitting the edge of the horizon yet, but it was getting close, the distance seeming to dance lowly as the heat died down, the pale yellows and oranges of the lower sky fading away into barely present pastel pinks and purples, soon to fade to royal blues and ebony blacks as the night was ushered in.

“I bet the sunset would look amazing from here.” 

Sam wasn’t even sure if you were aware that you had spoken the sentence, the dreamy way you had sighed out your words made him question whether it was just a thought you had accidentally let slip as you stared longingly at the distant sky. He squeezed your hand, tugging you closer to him a little as you turned your head, eyes soft and a small smile gracing your features as he looked at you, the urge to lean in and bump his nose against yours almost overtaking him, and he cleared his throat, giving you a shy smile as he spoke up; “You should stay and watch it. I’ll stay behind, and lock up after.”

“Wait, really?”

Your excitement was already leaking through, your fingers gripping his, your other hand coming up to hold his between both of yours as you practically bounced in your place, your body now facing him fully and he laughed gently at your enthusiasm, his chest filling with warmth and his heart racing as he studied the joyous look on your face. “Yeah, ‘course. It’s going to be a great sunset tonight, it’s been warm all day, and it’s a clear sky. I think-”

“Sam, your phone is ringing an- oh, shit, sorry. You want me to just send it to voicemail?” Jake gave him a knowing look as he reached the top of the stairs, waving the buzzing device to him, a knowing smirk on his face as he looked over the two of you, your hands clasped together between you, almost chest to chest in the rays of the setting sun. 

It was far too romantic for Sam. Nope, not at all.

“No, no it’s fine. I’ll answer.” He took his hand from yours, pressing his thumb down on the green answer button and stepping away from the two of you as he heard you begin to tell his brother all about the sunset he was planning to show you, a small smile twisted on his face as he greeted whoever has called him. 

“Ye’llo? This is Sam.” He jogged down to the bottom of the steps, glancing back to see you beaming, your arms spread wide as you joked with Jake, the sight of you getting along so well with his brother just warming his heart.

“Hey, Sam? It’s Jess, from the other week?”

His eyes widened and he spun away from the scene, remembering the fiery red-head he had been out with the week prior, a smirk tugging on his lips. “Hey, Jess. What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you’re free tonight? I have no work tomorrow, and my roommates out for the weekend, so I am just all alone over here with takeout food and vodka?” 

Her tone was teasing, and Sam knew exactly what she was offering. Licking over his lower lip, he rubbed a hand over his jaw and scratched at the scruffy beard that had built up, glancing back at you once more, something he wasn’t used to feeling twisting in his gut as he made his decision. 

The sun did set every night, there was always more opportunities to watch the sunset, right?

“I can be there at seven, text me the address, beautiful. I’ll see you soon.” With a cheeky grin, he ended the call, taking the steps two at a time back up to the top floor and tucking his phone into his pocket, feeling it buzz only a second later with what he assumed to be the address from ‘Jess’. “Sorry, new plan. Can I raincheck on that sunset? I have a date.” 

Sam had not anticipated how much it would hurt to watch the smile fall from your face, even just momentarily, and no matter how hard you tried to fake a new smile, he’d seen the sadness flicker across your features, his heart feeling as though it had frozen over and turned to stone in that split second, plummetting to his stomach. 

He offered you a few more dates, more dates in the upcoming week, the sudden regret of the choice he’d made coming back to bite him in the ass as he pulled his phone out, offering to search to find which day would be best, checking for the best temperatures, but your enthusiasm seemed to have seeped away as you dismissed him, telling him it was ‘no big deal’, despite the fact he could clearly hear from your tone that it had saddened you.

The chance to spend time with you was quickly slipping through his fingers, his heart shattering as he watched you fasten your coat more firmly around yourself, building yourself up to excusing yourself and he grasped at straws, trying to work out how to backpedal from the situation he had gotten himself into, how t-

“I’ll stay. I love watching the sunsets, I’d love to watch it with you.” His eyes hardened, gaze narrowing as he looked over at his brother, trying to ask him what the fuck he was doing, but the happy squeal you released in response only caused his heart to sink further, your face lighting up once again as you turned your back on him, to face his brother.

“Really? You would?”

“Yeah, I can tell you more about my daughter. I have some stories you’ll love.” Jake glanced over his shoulder as you wandered further toward the edge, the sun getting lower and duller in the sky, and Jake fixed him with a harsh and judging look, shaking his head as if to dismiss him, and Sam felt his jaw drop, no chance to respond as his brother turned for him, beginning a story about Alice as you sat on the edge, your legs swinging over the edge of the balcony.

He considered saying goodbye, he considered just texting ‘Jess’ and calling it off, so he could sit on your other side. He could get the blanket from his truck and wrap it around your shoulders to keep you warm, and if you wanted, he would stay with you until night set in, the moon shining brightly so you could watch the stars without the light pollution of the city or the blockade of clouds, thanks to the clear night.

And then, Sam caught himself.

Snapping back from the sappy thoughts, he shook his head, turning on his heel and focusing on making sure he was looking good in the front camera of his phone as he made his way toward the street, pulling up the app to book a taxi as your voice faded away behind him, the front door slamming shut as he stormed from the property.

Instead, he was going to drink and fuck his troubles away with a hot redhead.

The cab pulled up for him, and Sam was quick to dish out a handful of notes to the driver, checking his hair in the reflection of the mirror before he was hopping out, striding into the lobby of the apartment building with confidence. Scrolling his finger down the list of numbers, he found the one he was searching for, pushing his finger against the buzzer for a second. Instead of getting a verbal response, the grated gate across from him humming as it opened for him, slamming shut behind him as he jogged to the elevator.

The second the doors shut and he had pushed the button, he studied the flicking of the lights above his head signalling the floors climbing, and he pushed the thought of your smiling face from his mind, quickly chasing the disappointed look on your face from his thoughts as well.

He was in the elevator, on the way up to the apartment of a very hot girl who wanted to spend the night with him, so why was he thinking about you?

The second the ding of the elevator sounded, the doors sliding open, his mind blanked as he looked at the sight before him. Popped in the doorway, a wicked grin on her face as the red curls framed her face, a pale blue lacy nightgown falling to her mid-thighs, he was dashing the distance of the corridor and the open door across from him, his hands finding her hips and giggles filling the apartment as she swung the door shut behind them.

She took one of his hands in both of hers, a wide smile on her face and he tried to ignore the feeling of wrongness creeping along his spine, tried to ignore how much he preferred the feeling when it had been you. Instead, he leaned down, bumping his nose with hers before pressing their lips together carefully and cautiously, the way he had wished to do with you as he tried to replace the ideas of you in his heart.

Hold on, heart? 

Swallowing thickly, he broke away from the girl before it could go too far, choosing instead to comment on the smell of the food in the house, and she guided him through to sit on the couch. The conversation between them flowed, but it was strained. It was small talk, and he hated small talk. It was nothing like the conversation he had with you when funny and easy-going chat would flow between you so fluidly and comfortably you’d think you had known each other for years.

He chose instead to distract himself with his food, letting the girl slide closer to him at their meals finished, the layers of clothing slipping from his body as he let himself get comfortable. His shoes were toed off, kicked away across the room, and his jacket slipped from his shoulders. The overshirt he wore was stripped away, and so was the belt around his waist, the buckle having been digging into him.

Jess had inched her way across the couch, she had started on the other side of the couch, and now, her legs were slung across his lap, his hand stroking the skin of her upper thigh gently as she giggled, pouring a new set of drinks for them as he kissed and nipped at her jawline teasingly.

Taking a deep swig of the poorly mixed and very strong drink he’d been served by the girl before him, he downed the entire thing, a wide grin on his face as the warm haze from this one, and the previous ones, already taking effect in his veins. Gripping her leg tightly, he plucked the glass from her hand, adding it to his own empty one on the coffee table before him, to lie with the discarded boxes and plates.

Pulling the girl over his lap, she squealed in joy as he leaned back into the couch cushions, her eyes boring into his as her hands wove into his hair and his hands slipped around to palm at her ass, her lips slanting over his wetly, their touch not nearly as intoxicating as they had been the weeks prior, but he was willing to try. Instead, he focused on the feel of her body pressed to his, the way she moaned above him as he groped at her and the way her hips were starting to roll down into his.

Finally, the image of your beautiful smile burned into his mind each time he closed his eyes faded away.

Sam was royally fucked.

His head was pounding, his muscles were aching, and he was late.

He was so late that all the missed calls from Jake, all the texts that had asked him where he was and how long he was going to be had all be replaced with one passive-aggressive ‘nevermind’ and then it had gone silent. He had barely mumbled a goodbye to Jess when she had dropped him off as he dashed up the steps of his own home, bursting in through the front door and straight up the stairs to the second floor as his eyes landed on his brother.

The man was painting possible colour samples onto the patches of walls that were leftover, the fill-ins still having to be completed. “I missed going to get carpet samples! I know! I am so sorry, but-”

“Oh, hey!” Sam was panting as he reached the top of the stairs, his hands coming to rest on his knees as he tried to regain his breath, his hungover body not thanking him for the sudden exertion, and his brain was muddled, the lecture he had expected to receive from his older sibling having never been sounded out. “Don’t worry about it, it’s all good.”

“Uh.. right.”

“How was your night?” Jake’s question only confused him further, and Sam stood up straight, scratching the back of his neck as he looked or his brother, who had turned back to painting his sample patches. Jake never asked him about his ‘dates’.

“Yeah, it was fine. She was fine.. I guess..” The man only hummed in response, and Sam couldn’t help but feel like his brother was just a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, no matter how calm he was being right now, and he just couldn't take it anymore. “I am sorry, Jake. I know you wanted an opinion on the samples, and I should have been there, so, it's not okay.”

“Dude, it’s fine, really. I’m glad you had fun.” Wiping his hands down on a rag, he finally turned to face Sam and he took a step toward his brother, Jake’s hand clapping down on his shoulder as he smiled at him, widely. “I, er, I didn’t go alone, actually. (Y/N) came with me.”

Sam had spent the night trying to push you out of his mind, and he had succeeded. In fact, up until this point, he had yet to think about you today, and suddenly, it’s like the weight of your presence had come crashing down over him once again. “What?”

“Yeah, I was texting her this morning.” Jake shrugged, as though it was no big deal, and Sam felt rage flood his system. Not at his brother, but at himself. The same feelings of guilt from last night came clawing back at him once again, and the regret of how he’d spent the night curled up with another woman in an attempt to forget you. His head was still pounding, his stomach was twisting with nausea and he was confused about how he was feeling. “When you weren’t around, she offered to come with me. She actually chose some really great samples, they-”

“Woah, texting? Since when did you have her number?”

He could physically see the way his brother recoiled from his harsh tone, his jaw dropping and Sam almost felt bad, but the puzzling mix of emotions swirling within his mind and heart were masking it out entirely. “Uh.. well, since she told me that her nursery group is having an event to welcome possible new parents and kids to the class in September, and that she thinks I should go.”

They must have been talking about it the night before, and Sam was kicking himself knowing the fact that she had such a good time she had deemed them close enough to have her number, and that he’d been too busy fucking another girl to have been here to get her number. “Right, fantastic..”

“Dude, what is your problem today? It’s no big deal, it was just carpet samples, stop beating yourself up! I took (Y/N), and it went f-”

“We’re just letting strangers make decisions about our house now, then? About my house?” He knew it was unfair, but his mind was buzzing, and he wasn’t himself, and once the anger that was festering within him at his confusion had found a way to start leaking out just couldn't stop it. “Good to know! Great idea, Jake! Maybe, I’ll start bringing all my dates over here to pass their opinion, too! At least I had a fun night with them, so their opinion must be important, too!”

He took a break, pacing up and down as his brother stared at him, slack-jawed and brows furrowed, and Sam was so caught up in his own world and thoughts that everything around him felt like it was beginning to slip away, like it was of nothing important or worth taking in. 

“I mean, if we’re going to let one total stranger give their opinion on my house, might as well be all of them! Let’s just invite the entirety of this random neighbourhood to pass their opinion, may as well make it city fucking hall while we’re at it!”

The silence around him was overwhelming, his breath panted out as he dropped his hands to his sides from where they had been held out in exasperation, and his shoulders sagged, face relaxing as he felt all the irrational anger he’d built up bubble over and escape, calmness and tranquillity seeping back into his body. 

“I am so sorry. I totally invaded, didn’t I?” Sam felt like he had turned to stone with how fast his body tensed. He had never heard the footsteps, never even knew she had been here, but how could he have when he’d been so caught up in a screaming match with himself. He practically gave himself whiplash with how fast he turned around, his eyes wide as he took you in. Comfy and casual wear, a devastated look on your sweet face as you avoided looking at him entirely, and cold pangs of sadness moved through his chest more and more prominently with each beat of his heart as he watched you back away. “You’re right, it really wasn’t my place.. I mean, I just came all up in here, I’m not sure what I was thinking. I’m going to go, this is your house, I’m not welcome. Got it. I.. I’ll see you around, I guess?”

Placing down the handful of small carpet trimmings you had been holding, each word you spoke felt like a stabbing wound added to his conscience, and he gaped like a fish, panicking on what to do as he watched you make your way down the stairs. He whipped his head back and forth between where you had been stood, and his brother, the sound of the front door slamming shut upon your exit snapping him from his reverie as he scrambled to get tot he stairs and follow you.

When he finally made it out onto the street, tumbling down the driveway and onto the street, he found it empty, no movement or even a hint of your presence to show him which way you might have gone. He knew which way you always walked to and from, but when he reached the street corner, he had no idea which way you may have gone and how he would find you. 

Trudging back to his house, he could barely lift his feet as the severity of what had transpired dragged him down, his toes catching on the step as he dragged himself back up to face his brother. A tense silence sat between the two men, thick ad palpable in the air, and he distracted himself by picking up the collection of thick fabric samples you had left behind, a small smile flicking on his features.

Shuffling through them, he ran his thumb over each one, evaluation the colours and textures as he thought deeply about each one. He loved each and every one, he couldn’t fight that they were all truly terrific samples, and he probably wouldn’t have chosen any of them any differently if he had been there himself, and the thought only made him feel worse.

“I like the dark grey and speckled one.. for the stairs and the middle floor.” His words were mumbled out, and Jake let out a sigh, the first real sign of disappointment his brother had shown since he’d returned and it sent chills shooting along Sam’s spine at the thought.

“Yeah, that’s what she said.” With a shake of the head, Jake sealed up the paint pots he had been using, dropping paintbrushes into a pot of water to soak. “Said she thought they would look best. Something about thinking that they would give us maximum opportunities on the furniture we chose, because that carpet was a pretty neutral colour, but also made a statement.”

“Yeah..”

“That doesn’t matter, though.” Jake’s voice had hardened, the disapproving older-brother tone only adding to the sombre mood in the building. “I mean, it was just a complete strangers opinion. Not like she’s a friend. We don’t really know her.”

“I fucked up, I know that.” With a heavy sigh, Sam palmed at stinging eyes, choking down his emotions. “Don’t make it any worse.”

#sam taylor #sam taylor amazing stories #dylan obrien sam taylor #sam taylor x reader #sam taylor/reader #amazing stories #dylan obrien amazing stories #dylan o'brien amazing stories #dylan obrien #dylan obrien fic #dylan obrien/reader #dylan obrien x reader #HUC #heart under construction

[austennerdita2533]

A ship edition of make you choose, my friend! Klaroline or Bangel? Lorelai/Luke or Rory/Jess? Anne/Wentworth or Emma/Knightley? Mondler or Benslie? Rachel/Ross or Rachel/Joey? April/Jackson or Lexie/Mark? And I always love your analysis, so please feel free to explain the reasons behind your choices if you want to! XO

I am always so excited to receive these even though answering/picking means ripping my soul into shipper Horcruxes haha. Love your new icon, btw! xx

Klaroline or Bangel? 

Although Buffy and Angel are arguably my favorite forbidden love couple on TV - their longing for each other is an eternal, visceral, soul-encompassing thing - I have to go with Klaus and Caroline on this one. They’re the ship that brought me to Tumblr. They’ve yanked more fic out of me than I can believe. They’re the reason why I have so many amazing friends and mutuals. More importantly that all that, I am trash for them and always will be. 

THIS CANNOT BE HELPED.

Klaroline have such tangled history, such rich possibility for the future. I get lost in the labyrinth of goodness and darkness unspooling between them. The qualities that clash. The emotion that sparks. The resistance that builds and builds, binding uncomfortably before it snaps. The enigmatic ‘something’ that scrapes between them like teeth until it comes away infected, bloodied, marred in chunks that are beyond reconciling with any chronology. They have the kind of connection that digs under the skin with claws. It’s neither painless nor pretty, not always happy nor healthy, but it pervades. It permeates until possession becomes nine-tenths of the law in their conquered hearts. Inevitability coils like like a living thing between them--and breathes.

I love the malleability of time that surrounds them, too. Part of that comes from their status as vampires, as supernaturals, but it also has something to do with how they punch through it as well - individually, together - both of them finding new ways to love eternity as it continues to stretch before them, bending it to their will whenever necessary. 

I don’t know, it’s fun to imagine the enigma they pose to the world. To each other. What will a new year bring? A decade? How about a century? 

Despite their lack of heartbeats, there’s change on the cusp of every word they utter to one another, on the fringe of every kiss they almost share but swallow before they reveal too much, not enough, everything all at once. It’s a dizzying, dangerous, and intoxicating “thing” they share, you know? 

I suppose...well, I suppose I just like how there’s nothing easy about who they are or want they want. 

Lorelai/Luke or Rory/Jess?

This one was difficult because JavaJunkies and Literati are top tier ships for me. *cries* I went with Luke and Lorelai mostly because I’ve been a shipper since I first saw them in the pilot episode back in the early 2000′s, and--I haven’t looked back since. They had me rushing home from school to watch re-runs, hightailing it from after-hours sports so I could catch new episodes on the WB. I haunted message boards. I scoured the Internet for spoilers. I tumbled into fanfiction before fanfiction was even a thing. I watched the seasons over and over again until I nearly memorized every moment they had, every bit of dialogue they spewed; until I analyzed subtext until I made my own head spin.

What I love so much about them is that they’re friends first and foremost. They genuinely like, trust, and respect each other as people beyond all else. They’re opposites, of course, but in a complementary way that just works. They also come to know they can depend on one another in good times or bad, and it’s that ‘unconditional’ element in their dynamic which draws me in hook, line, and sinker because it’s the kind of quality that preserves the longevity of a relationship. To be honest, over the OG series, we do see Luke and Lorelai veer farther away from each other romantically more than we’d like: *side eyes s6-early s7 specifically*; yet, at the same time, there’s a Permanence about them that never fails. Never fades. They’re simply THERE in whatever capacity the other wants or needs. No matter what, no matter when, no matter the emotional crap that’s already pooled between them.

Call me crazy, but I think steadiness and devotion of that caliber is beautiful.

Luke and Lorelai evolve together in such a way that it’s impossible for me to imagine them with anyone else in the end. They belong together like coffee and donuts.

Anne/Wentworth or Emma/Knightley?

Ask me this same question tomorrow and I’ll probably give you the opposite answer. However, today...today I am all about the angst and pining! 

Eight-and-a-half years worth of regrets and broken hearts that never mended, looks that scorch because they were held a moment too long in front of company, secret longings that are whispered into pillows before the candle on the dresser expires and they tuck their weary limbs into bed, dreams that feature that one face impossible to forget--LEAVE ME HERE TO SING “KILLING ME SOFTLY” because that’s what Anne and Wentworth do to me!

Mondler or Benslie?

Look, I will love Monica and Chandler until my dying day but Ben and Leslie are so unbelievably adorkable together that anytime I think about them my heart is instantaneously flooded with warm, sunshiny, politically active, eats-waffles-for-every-meal-and-regrets-nothing fuzzies. I just--*melts onto the floor in a puddle of Pawnee rainbows*

Rachel/Ross or Rachel/Joey?

Ross-hatred is pretty embedded in the Friends fandom these days so I am sure many are or will be tempted to jump down my throat for this choice but...BUT...I do not care! *laughs maniacally* Ross and Rachel always had that boomerang spark, that “we’ll find our way back to each other” ellipsis at the end of every break-up or missed opportunity, that kissing-each-other-in-the-rain passion that could not be weathered despite the number of years or marriages or ‘almosts’ they had with other people, and I cannot get over them. I cannot give them up. I won’t, I won’t.

SHE GOT OFF THE PLANE, OKAY?  She. got. off. the. plane. And, controversial though that might be for some (trust me, I get all the arguments against it; against them, really), I can’t help but be gleeful they got their happy ending. I wanted it then, I’m still satisfied with it now. *shrugs unapologetically*

April/Jackson or Lexie/Mark?

This last one cut me deep. 

Ouch. 

However, with Slexie, at least it’s canon that they were each other’s true albeit last *cries* loves and I can pretend that they reunited somewhere in the afterlife. But Japril...Japril was done so. stinking. dirtyyyy by Grey’s Anatomy. I will never forgive the writers for ending them the way they did. Never!

JACKSON AND APRIL ARE THE EPITOME OF SOULMATES. Their relationship was predicated on the purest, most wholesome kind of love because it blossomed from mutual respect and admiration as well as understanding. They invested the time. They put in the work. They peeled back the layers slowly, carefully, learning the magic of caring by opening their ears first then offering their shoulders when hurt swooped in to snip at pieces the other had left undefended. It was only later, with time, with trust that had turned conversation into a balm of contentment, that arms became a refuge, too. A harbor. A place of comfort and affection where they felt seen. Heard. Known. Loved in a way that wasn’t free from tears - oh, no - but was embracive of them as they fell, cushioning their remnants on thumbs as if they were more precious than pearls. 

They loved everything about each other, vices included. They were best friends, lovers, something more intimate that defies definition but wraps itself around the sentiment of “having a favorite person.” 

There’s an ethereal quality to what they are--what they mean to each other. You can’t quite touch it, can’t quite capture it, all you know is their atoms continue co-mingling whether or not anyone else notices it’s happening. 

There’s no ending to a love like that, only another beginning.  

#what-would-jane-austen-say #replies #the loveliest of lovely people #ashlee bree talks ships

[msjr0119]

12 days of Fictmas

This is my contribution to the 12 days of fictmas hosted by @leelee10898

Day 11 - Rockin Around The Christmas Tree

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Drake and Riley Walker.

Characters are from my series ‘Why me’ and one shot ‘Valtoria Haunting’- all characters belong to Pixelberry except from; Arianna Walker, Jackson Walker Jr and Elsie Smith.

*Some quotes are from my series*

Warnings: Swearing, Driley smut, fluff (what is up with me? I don’t do fluff 🤣)

Writers:

@hopefulmoonobject @allaboutchoices @zaffrenotes @cordoniantrash  @burnsoslow @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @texaskitten30 @janezillow @the-soot-sprite @mskaneko @blackcatkita @darley1101 @thecordoniandiaries @speedyoperarascalparty @ao719 @cocomaxley @annekebbphotography @brightpinkpeppercorn @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria  @theroyalweisme @alj4890  @bbrandy2002 @cordoniansgonewild @god-save-the-keen @debramcg1106 @emichelle

Readers tags:

@dangerouseggseagleartisan

@innerpostmentality

@beardedoafdonutwagon

@desiree-0816  

@addictedtodrakefanfic

@rainbowsinthestorm

‘Why me’ tag list:

Tags: @drakesensworld @ladyangel70 @kingliam2019 @butindeed @bascmve01 @drakewalker04 @pedudley @captain-kingliamsqueen @duchessemersynwalker @insideamirage @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @kozabaji @ibldw-main @kimmiedoo5 @nikkis1983 @fbloveschoices @drakexnadira @yukinagato2012

******

The Walker’s were preparing for the lead up to Christmas at Valtoria. They had decided to celebrate in the cabin that Drake had built behind Riley’s back as a wedding present.

Riley removed the blindfold, looking around bemused. Where were they? They stood in front of a beautiful wooden log cabin, the scenery was breathtaking.

“What do you think?” Drake smirked, he knew she would be shocked, but she was speechless and frozen.

“Is this a second honeymoon? Where are we?”

“This is a permanent honeymoon. We are in Valtoria. This is our home. This is why I’ve been secretive. I organised it with Liam before we left for the honeymoon. Everyone knew- and helped out.” Riley thought about everyone trying to help Drake out without her being suspicious- not quite believing how damn lucky she was having these people in her life.

They had originally wanted to just spend the time leading up to Christmas as a family, however Maxwell was persistent about inviting himself over - “I’m the twins godfather, I’m family” he insisted. Riley felt so very blessed, having great friends surrounding her since she had first come to Cordonia- she was thankful for the health of her children and the happiness surrounding her little family and home. ‘Making memories’ with these people was an important factor, especially after all the trauma she and Drake had been through all those years ago.

The scenery surrounding the cabin was; breathtaking and serene- you could almost taste the freshness of the crisp air. Through the large open glass windows, the view was scenic especially at night time - where the dark moonlit trees of the forest, standing together in silent formations. Smell of wood burning lingering, along with the crackling fire created a warm atmosphere welcoming the Duke and Duchesses guests.

Riley was heavily pregnant with their third child- even though she was feeling lethargic, she was always excited for this holiday as it was her Gran’s favourite. Arianna and Jackson were keeping each other company- whilst Drake and Riley sorted through the decorations to turn the cabin into ‘Santa’s grotto’.

“Riley, I’ve got a surprise for you. It’s a bit sentimental- but I hope that you’ll love it.” Riley turned to her husband- providing him with a perplexed expression. “It’s been eight years since your Gran passed, I know how much you miss her. So I ordered this bauble- it’s got a photo of you and her on our wedding day. The other bauble has a photo of her with the twins.”

“Drake, I love them.” She barely spoke, holding back the tears. “I am so lucky to have such a thoughtful husband. I love you.” Tracing the baubles with her finger, she held them both towards her heart.

“I’m the lucky one Mrs Walker.” Placing the mistletoe above the fireplace on a high shelf, Drake lent in and forced his lips onto his wife’s. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, starting off gentle but soon turned demanding. Riley’s fingers ran through his hair, pulling him closer- his hands protectively holding his heavily pregnant wife. ‘Mistletoe hung where you can see’

‘Ew dad, that’s gross!” Jackson looked mortified, whilst Arianna was the sensible twin.

“Stop kissing! Right now! Uncle Max says that grown ups shouldn’t do that in front of kids.”

“Well Uncle Max is right.” Riley was slightly annoyed that they had been ‘caught in the act’. Thinking back to her saying those exact same words about her parents to her Gran.

“No uncle Max is just jealous.” Drake whispered in her ear. “You and I, will return to this later on!”

*****

Drake had cut a fresh tree from the forest for their Christmas tree this year, upon his return to the cabin- he noticed Riley sat with their child next to the fire reading them a story. Overhearing them, he was in awe of his wife- she was the most loving mom.

“He was so pleased when one day some children came with their parents to choose a fir tree to decorate their living room. The children adored him at first sight.”

“Well I hope that you adore the tree that I chose.”

“Daddy!” Drake dropped the tree to the floor, and picked up his two children- holding them tightly. “Shall we decorate the tree then kids?”

Drake set the tree into the box, a royal blue tree skirt with a snowflake pattern on the ground surrounded the box. A Walker tradition of having an old-fashioned train that moved across the peripheral of the tree skirt, was included. The green natural tree that was over seven feet tall stood dormant-with a golden star that extended towards the ceiling. The twinkling lights surrounding the branches provided a riot of colour along with sentimental ornaments from Rileys childhood, as well as Drakes.

Riley checked on the food that they had prepared- the food smelt like her Grans used to, the memory would always be in her mind. She was determined, to carry on the Smith/Brooks tradition with her own children.

“That smells lovely. Elsie’s recipe?” Drake asked as he walked into the kitchen, hugging his wife from behind.

“Of course!”

“Come and dance with me, not too much though, I don’t want you going into premature labour.” Riley raised her eyebrows at him, knowing he was joking but there was still that possibility that baby walker could make an appearance anytime from now.

“I’m going to play your Grans favourite song, whilst we dance and wait for Maxwell to provide us with his presence.” Drake noticed Riley’s lip curl up, as well as tears forming.

“Alexa play- ‘Rockin around the Christmas tree’ by Brenda Lee.”

Riley thought back to her childhood with her gran in Orlando as a ten year old- the same age that the twins are. They had spent their annual vacation visiting the theme parks and beaches.

“Hmm that smells yummy Gran. What is it?”

“Pumpkin pie sweetie. Do you want to lick the spoon? It’s over by the sink. Don’t tell your mother or father though- it’s our little secret!” Placing her finger over her lips, Riley smirked- her and her Gran had a special bond. A bond that no one would understand.

“Yummy! I wish I could live here with you. I miss you when we go home.”

“That’s why it’s important to make memories. Come and dance with me by the tree.”

“Rockin around the Christmas tree

At the Christmas party hop

Mistletoe hung where you can see

Every couple tries to stop

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Let the Christmas spirit ring

Later we'll have some pumpkin pie

And we'll do some caroling

Elsie sung to her granddaughter, who’s eyes lit up- Elsie spun her around as she executed a perfect twirl.

“You’re a good singer Gran.”

“Not as good as Brenda Lee. She was not much older than you when she released this song.” Continuing dancing with her granddaughter- she immediately covered her eyes.

“Why are you covering my eyes, I can’t see.”

“Because your mommy and daddy are kissing underneath the mistletoe. You’ll understand when your older Ri.”

“Ew that’s gross! I am never kissing a boy. Can we get back to the dancing?”

“Of course baby girl, then tomorrow we will go and see Mickey Mouse- and I’ll tie your hair up in a big bun or high ponytail to sneak you on all the rides as usual.”

You will get a sentimental feeling when you hear

Voices singing, let's be jolly

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Have a happy holiday

Everyone dancin' merrily

In the new old-fashioned way

Drake whispered in her ear, as they continued dancing- with the twins joining in. Riley was knocked out of her trace, as Maxwell bounded through the door, dressed as in a red suit- his surprise for his nephew and niece.

“Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas!” He shouted over dramatically. Walking over towards their guest, Riley provided him with a soft smile, before attempting to hug him with her bump getting in the way.

“It’s not Christmas yet dipshit!”

“Drake you’re so miserable they should call you Scrooge or Mr Grinch!”

“Max, my husband is very sweet. You just don’t realise.” Referring to the surprises he had given her, he was only a marshmallow with his immediate family- to everyone else he was the sarcastic miserable Duke.

“You’ve got bigger since I last saw you. Maybe you should have come as Santa instead of me?”

“I’m 37 weeks pregnant Max! Don’t mess with a pregnant lady.”

“Sorry your grace, you know I love you- where are the kids?” Riley pointed over to the living room- Maxwell coughed needing to prepare to provide a deep voice.

“Arianna and Jackson Walker, have you both been on my good list this year?”

The two children gave each other that knowing luck- knowing exactly who it was, but decided to sneakily play along in order to receive ‘Santa’s gifts’.

“Yes.” They both said in unison, Jackson wore the infamous Walker smirk, whilst Arianna bit her lower lip and fluttered her eyelashes. Maxwell couldn’t believe the irony of how they both looked and acted like Riley and Drake. Thinking back to him and Bertrand forcing Riley towards Liam during the social season- he was glad that she was stubborn and followed her own heart. Maxwell handed the gifts over, both twins opened up their gifts before laughing at their Uncle still keeping up the Santa act.

“Uncle Maxi!” Arianna and Jackson shouted in unison- both jumping into his arms.

“You knew it was me? Riley they must get their brains from you... please don’t kill me Drake. Kids you’re getting too old to do that now.” Riley held Drake back, and gave him a whiskey. Knowing that would calm the situation down. “It’s Christmas baby, don’t do anything silly. We can all begin to sing and dance when Bertrand, Savannah and Bartie arrive.”

*****

Bertrand, Savannah and Bartie arrived eventually- they all decided to sing carols around the fire- all feeling jolly and in the Christmas spirit.

“Riley, Drake there’s someone at the door.” Savannah looked through the window, but she was too intoxicated that her vision was blurry. “They’ve got greyish hair, probably carol singers.” Riley waddled to the door, opening it there was no sight of any visitors. Closing the door slowly, she heard ‘Rockin around the Christmas tree’ playing again. Assuming that Alexa was just playing it automatically.

“Guys, turn the music off.” She shouted to her guests, not meaning to sound rude- she asked them to do this in case the person came back.

“It is off. There’s no music playing.” They all looked at each other concerned.

“Must be my imagination then Max. I’m sorry.”

“You look tired, why don’t you have a quick kip.”

“I’m fine Drake. I’m just going to prepare the pumpkin pie.” She placed a kiss on his cheek, insisting that he enjoyed his night.

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

Let the Christmas spirit ring

Later we'll have some pumpkin pie

“I love you sweetie. You’re doing a fabulous job, and that smells lovely. I think the men look a bit too hot- whilst I’m here give your old gran some eye candy like I had on your honeymoon.” Riley stood frozen, hearing her Grans presence next to her- before laughing at the memories from her honeymoon.

“Mr and Mrs Walker! Put some bloody clothes on. I’m not getting any younger- you’re both going to send me into an early grave with the shock!”

“Darling calm down. I’m fine. We all came to join you for your last night. Don’t argue the toss either, madam. You’ve both had nearly 3 weeks alone together and we’ve all missed you. I love you baby girl...Drake, keep that top off- us single women need some eye candy!”

“She’s.... she was trying to strip Max then moved onto Liam. They were both mortified. I had to escape before she did it to me.”

“I’m going to ‘rock’ around the Christmas tree for old time’s sake.” Riley scrutinised the living area- overhearing them all say there was a cold draft. Unable to see her Gran, she held onto the table in shock- not only with the words from her Gran.

“Riley are you okay?” Savannah noticed the spillage on the floor, and immediately began to clean it up. Drake came into the kitchen with Maxwell leaving Bertrand babysitting.

“For fuck sake Savannah can’t you handle your drink? I think you should have your wine in one of the children’s cup.”

“I didn’t spill anything Drake! It was Riley she was spooked.” Drake looked at his wife, who looks as if she was under a spell.

“What’s up baby? Are you okay?”

“Elsie’s here. She’s been singing to me, she asked for you all to be topless again. Elsie’s coming....” Drake didn’t believe in ghosts, but believed if Riley’s Gran was here it was because she had witnessed Riley miss her. She was here protecting them all.

“Okay, she just didn’t want to miss out on all the fun, she was always up for fun.”

“I mean this Elsie is on her way. Savannah is cleaning up my waters that broke as Gran Elsie went to dance by the tree.”

#theroyalromance #choices trr #drakewalker #riley brooks #maxwell beaumont #12 days of fictmas #choices 12 days of fictmas

[vengfulfate]

One Bad Coffee

Summary: Weiss Schnee spends her time in two worlds, but one bad coffee begins a chain of events that leads to her worlds coming together in a beautiful way.

One Shot written based on the White Rose 2019 prompt Coffee/First (yes I know it's late)

AN: The last few years I have noticed the phenomenon knows as White Rose Week, and it's subsequent partners, and I've always told myself I'd get involved at some point. I, however, have the misfortune of never seeing it coming before it's here and I have no time to prepare for the prompts. Another White Rose Week comes and it is the same story. But I did have this idea based on the day 1 prompts 'Coffee/First', and felt the need to write it regardless. I know it's technically 'late' for the day 1 prompts and I'm still not sure if I'm going to do the other prompts at all, so I was hesitant to officially tag this as 'White Rose Week 2019', but worst case scenario is I drop a tag if it becomes an issue.

'Coffee' takes the form of a coffee shop, 'First' takes the form of 'first IRL meeting'I hope you enjoy!

   ---

Weiss Schnee was a busy woman. She was trying to get her own company off the ground to spite her father, dealing with the social and political backlash of openly attacking him in the process, and subsequently got little time to herself. A quick coffee from a café in the early morning was one of her few short moments, so was it too much to ask the universe for things to go smoothly?

Apparently not.

For starters, her go-to café had apparently closed, and she had no idea until the was staring at the sign on its door apologizing for the permanent shutdown. And with her free time to get a coffee quickly shortening, she didn’t have time to decide where to go next based on any research or recommendations. So, she quickly searched for the closest coffee shop and headed straight there.

SunnyKat Kafé was one of those coffee house names that clearly meant something to the owners personally, and so was clearly small-time. It didn’t matter, as long as Weiss could quickly get some decent caffeine. She would look for another coffee shop tomorrow. She barged through the door, looking up long enough to see no one at the counter. Her attention was firmly re-planted into her phone, trying to damage control her inevitable late-ness before it came to pass.

“Welcome to SunnyKat!” A disturbingly cheerful and strangely familiar female voice rang out. “What can I get you?”

“Vanilla latte made with soy. Please,” Weiss added after a pause like it was an afterthought.

“Coming right up!” The voice seemed to shrug off Weiss’s impoliteness and seeming disinterest.

Her energy almost reminds me of Crescent, Weiss realized, before quickly squashing that thought. This wasn’t the time to be thinking about her nightly activities.

She did manage to smile that morning. It seemed her pre-emptive mitigation for her impending tardiness paid off, and she may even be able to stretch a moment to enjoy her caffeine rather than simply consume it. Maybe the universe only placed a small bump instead of a large pothole on her day. Until she received her drink.

“Here you are, ma’am!” The cheery voice called her to her beverage.

“Thank you,” Weiss nodded to the barista a bit more sincerely along with her slowly rising mood. She raised the cup to lips and took in a mouthful before promptly spitting the mouthful right back out.

“AAIIEE” The barista jumped back.

And so the universe rears its ugly head! “Are you deaf and dumb!? I said soy!” Weiss shouted.

“I’m sorry!” The barista screeched quickly.

“Sorry!? Is that all you have to say!?” Weiss’s day was already bad before it began, and it didn’t help her mood.

“Well, what am I-” the barista began before being cut off.

“It’s not even a complicated order! How hard is it to get right!?” Weiss interrupted.

“I just-” the barista tried again to get a word in.

“I am a paying customer, and you don’t even have the decency to listen!?” Weiss continued unabated.

“If you would let-”

“Do you have anything at all to say for yourself!?”

“Can I-?”

“Oh, never mind, you’re clearly useless. Where is you manager?”

Silence fell while Weiss waited to the barista to do something. “Well?”

“I go get them, ma’am…” the barista walked away, dejected and slightly frustrated.

Weiss impatiently tapped her foot while a barely audible discussion took place in the back rooms. She had managed to buy herself a few extra minutes, and now they were spent dealing with an ignorant barista and a likely apologetic manager. She couldn’t remember having a worse morning in recent memory.

“Hello,” the apparent manager, a woman with amber eyes and raven hair, finally stepped out of the back room. “Allow me to apologize for our mistake. I am willing to make you the correct drink myself, and charge you for neither.”

Weiss didn’t have to time to continue her tirade and nodded. “Vanilla latte. With. Soy.”

The manager nodded and quickly made the correct drink, handing it over with a nod. “I hope you have a better morning.”

“Just tell me that dunce will be reprimanded appropriately,” Weiss demanded.

“We have our policies, I assure you,” The manager spoke vaguely.

It will have to do, Weiss nodded and finally left. With no time to enjoy her coffee, she couldn’t even tell the quality as she downed it.

   ---

Thankfully, the rest of Weiss’s day was not nearly as terrible as her morning. Aside from her father’s usual shenanigans trying to kill her career, things went quite smoothly in the office. She was in a much better mood by the time she got home, and it would only get better before bed. Because, you see, Weiss Schnee has a secret.

Between work and bed, Weiss had more free time than all the rest of her stolen minutes throughout the day put together. A solid few hours where she can do whatever she wants, and in the privacy of her own home no one would even question her chosen indulgence. An indulgence where she could truly be herself, casting aside the cold demeanor that dominated her life even after breaking free of her father and wearing a personality that, she dared say, was a little ‘warmer’.

An indulgence called Remnant Online.

Weiss grabbed a box of takeout and headed right for her computer, booting it up as she quickly sated her hunger. This was where she could be her true self. This is where she found her true friends, even if she has never met them in person. This was where she found her true happiness these days.

Myrten Aster has logged into the sever.

The virtual world loaded around her character, a white-dressed ‘battlemage’ with significant specialization in the ‘mage’ part over the ‘battle’ part. Three other player characters were already in the inn she loaded in to. Ember Celica, a gold-scaled draconic specialized in bare-handed combat and high defense. Gambol Shroud, a black dressed trickster who didn’t fight so much as use tools to inflict status effects on their foes. And finally, Weiss’s closest in-game friend if she had to choose, Crescent Scythe, a very high-level player who managed to combine high speed with using a great-weapon, a legendary scythe she’s apparently had for years before Weiss joined their group.

Crescent Scythe has sent you a party request, for Ember Celica’s party.

You have joined Ember Celica’s party.

Weiss put on her headphones in time to be assaulted by Crescent Scythe’s greeting, “AAASSTTERRR!!!”

“OW!” Weiss flinched, “I have better headphones now, Crescent, you don’t have to scream to get my attention!”

“Sorry, Aster…” Crescent’s voice sounded through the party chat. “I just couldn’t wait for you to get here!”

“I’m not late, am I?” ‘Aster’ asked. I don’t think I am.

“Nah, Crescent’s just excited for the boss!” Ember Celica, the party leader and apparently Crescent’s older sister, spoke up.

“As long as she remembered to place the warp crystal before we logged out this time,” Weiss teased.

“You forget one time…” Crescent bemoaned.

“We lost three floors of progress in that dungeon,” Weiss reminded her.

“One time! One little mistake, I’m sorry I was distracted!” Crescent shouted.

Weiss noticed this outburst was a little out of character. “I didn’t mean to offend you or anything…” she apologized, “Are you okay?”

“Crescent had a rough morning at work,” Gambol Shroud informed her. “A, to use her delicate language, ‘butthole’ customer, has been stuck on her mind all day.”

“Warp crystal or no, I just need to beat something up,” Crescent confirmed.

“If they were so in the wrong, why didn’t you say anything?” Weiss’s question was met with giggles and laughter from the other three party members. “What?”

“You’ve never worked in customer service, have you?” Celica asked, “Have you ever heard the phrase ‘the customer is always right’?”

“It doesn’t literally mean ‘the customer is always right’?” Weiss was confused.

“Wow, you really don’t know anything about this, huh?” Crescent commented, “Lucky.”

“C’mon,” Gambol cut in, “Let’s get on with it. We can continue this conversation as we play.”

The group gathered around Crescent as her spell allowed them to pick up the dungeon where they left off the night before. They quickly fell into their battle routine, their roles so clearly defined and practiced between themselves communication wasn’t necessary unless someone had a plan that would take them off-script.

Myrten Aster handled a lot of long-range spells and healing, usually of Ember Celica who drew a ton of aggro and tanked the damage. Gambol Shroud made sure to make the enemies weak to certain spells and damage types. At the front of the charge was Crescent Scythe, hitting for multiple strikes per tick and causing bleeding damage with her legendary scythe.

“So, what does ‘the customer is always right’ really mean?” Weiss picked up where they left off once they had settled into their lull.

“It’s a guideline, in a way,” Celica answered, “The customer is always right, even when they’re wrong. It doesn’t always apply; we can’t give away drinks for free just cause a customer demands it. It’s more for when a customer is being rude.”

“Yeah, when someone’s being a butt, we just have to grin and take it,” Crescent vented.

“If people were to start hearing we regularly shout at customers, we’d begin to lose patronage,” Gambol explained, “Even if we had reason, people will trust a customer’s review over a manager’s assurance.”

“So we have to play nice, even if a customer doesn’t deserve it,” Crescent continued, “And yes, I did make a mistake, but it was a small mistake and she didn’t have to be sooo mean about it!”

“What happened?” Weiss didn’t mind Crescent venting to her. It was strange to hear Crescent angry, and she wanted their happy-go-lucky speed reaper back.

“Have we ever told you where we work?” Celica asked.

“No,” Weiss confirmed, “I do remember you guys saying you all work together once, though.”

“Well, Gambol and I run a coffee shop together, and Crescent is one of our loyal baristas!” Celica announced happily. “It’s our pride and joy.”

A coffee shop? The comment tripped a small twitch that she couldn’t identify in her mind.

“One of my first customers this morning was this important-looking woman I’ve never seen before,” Crescent picked up, “She ordered something with Soy, but I was… distracted, while I made the drink and forgot the Soy part.”

That made Weiss freeze. It can’t be… I mean, what are the chances we all live in the same city? I met them online, after all…

“And, yeah, she might have been lactose intolerant and that could be bad, I know I made a mistake,” Crescent continued uninterrupted, not being able to physically see Weiss’s reaction, “But it was still an understandable mistake, I’d like to think anyway.”

Weiss quickly shook herself and resumed her healing duties before Celica died and she was called out for going AFK mid-combat. “And, um, how did she react?” she asked, still holding some hope.

“She literally spit the coffee in my face, soaking my apron, and yelled at me,” Crescent vented, dashing Weiss’s fleeting hope.

“And you weren’t allowed to say anything because of ‘the customer is always right’?” Weiss pressed, surprised to learn these things. Do I really act this way? Is this how all my waiters and waitresses see me?

“Even if I could, I couldn’t get a word in edgewise!” Crescent shouted, “She demanded I explain myself and then gave me no room to do so before demanding to speak to my boss! I think she was hoping I’d get fired.”

“You didn’t get fired, right?” Weiss asked.

“You think I’d fire my little sister!?” Celica seemed offended.

“Of course not!” Weiss quickly corrected, “That’s not what I meant. I meant would you have if it were anywhere else?”

“Only if the boss was a real jerk,” Crescent affirmed, “Boss-types know how to talk down someone without making promises.”

“And when it’s a customer being unduly rude, there’s usually some silent understanding between manager and employee,” Blake added.

That made Weiss feel slightly better. “Maybe she was just having a bad morning,” Weiss found herself saying without permission from her brain.

“I’ve seen her type plenty,” Gambol countered, “Some self-important VP or CEO or something high up in some corporation. It’s like they don’t understand that the people serving their coffee and cooking their meals are human beings too. I don’t doubt this is far from the first time she’s done this.”

It was only thanks to plenty of practice with her party that Weiss was able to keep fighting while her mind was thrown into turmoil. Is that really how I act? I know I spend most of my day cold and emotionless, but I’d like to think I’m warmer underneath it all… but if I did it to Crescent, I’ve probably done it to others as well… I could blame my father’s method of raising me, but I’ve already broken free of him, so is that really any excuse?

“Aster, you in there?” Celica called out, bringing Weiss back, “You’ve been healing me for the last ten rounds, except we’re not in battle.”

“Sorry!” Weiss quickly returned her mind to RO and her party.

“Can we stop talking about butthole customers now?” Crescent asked, “I’m pretty sure this is the boss gate!”

“Let’s do this!” Celica cried.

“I’m ready to go!” Gambol cheered on.

Weiss pushed the conversation back in her head, promising herself to meditate on these thoughts later and returning to the ‘Aster’ mindset. “He won’t know what’s coming!” She was ready to support her friends.

The fight was long and tedious, but well within the party’s level. The loot was automatically generated based on their characters, and Weiss got a rare rapier for landing the last hit. “Aw, lucky!” Celica complained, “I wanted the last hit bonus…”

“You don’t use weapons?” Gambol reminded her.

“Still, I never seem to get last hit bonuses,” Celica argued.

“We can re-do this dungeon starting tomorrow?” Crescent offered.

“Nah, I’d rather start a new one,” Celica answered, “I think there’s still a couple new dungeons we haven’t touched yet in the far regions.”

As they returned to the inn and wound down the session, Weiss continued to stare at Crescent’s character on screen, imagining the barista from the morning standing there in Crescent Scythe’s place. “Hey, Crescent?”

“Yeah, Aster?” Crescent spoke up.

“I’m sorry about this morning. You’re too sweet to have to deal with… people like that…” Weiss tried to apologize.

“It’s okay, Aster,” Crescent assured, “It’s not like you’re the one who spit on my clothes and shouted at me.”

A pang of guilt shot through her heart.

“I mean, if that’s how she reacted to misplaced soy, can you imagine if she discovered why I was distracted?”

Weiss’s head perked back up. “Why were you distracted?”

“Yes, my hopeless little gay-by sister, why were you distracted?” Celica spoke in a clearly teasing tone that told Weiss the older sister already knew.

Hopeless little what now?

“I… umm…” Crescent didn’t sound like she wanted to confess the point.

“C’mon, don’t be bashful now!” Celica continued to press.

“She was just… pretty…” Crescent admitted, “Like… really, really pretty…”

Not for the first time that night, Weiss’s world was rocked. She had no idea Crescent was even into women, and now she knew where she worked, what she looked like, and that she thought Weiss was pretty? “O-oh…”

“Do you mind…?” Crescent asked carefully.

“Mind what?” Weiss asked, confused. Crescent couldn’t have known Aster was her rude customer.

“Me being gay…?” Crescent clarified.

“Oh, that?” Weiss decided to be cheeky and made her character shrug, “It would be hypocritical of me, honestly.”

“Woah, really!?” Celica seemed more surprised that Crescent.

The night finally ended soon after, giving Weiss plenty to think about. It’s not like you’re the one who spit on my clothes and shouted at me. Except she was. And it made her feel like… well, like a ‘butt’, to think that was how she treated anybody, let alone Crescent. If Myrten Aster couldn’t apologize for Weiss, then Weiss just had to do it in person.

   ---

SunnyKat Kafé stood in front of her once again. This time, Weiss headed straight here, and that meant she had the time to enjoy her coffee and – most importantly – apologize. She stepped inside with a new mindset that had her examining the store around her. Nice and homey, bright art on the walls, little snacks that could be served alongside the café’s coffee, were all visible from the door – and things she failed to notice yesterday.

“He-EL-llo!” The barista with Crescent’s voice called out to her, hoping her squeak went unnoticed.

Of course she’s worried I’m going to yell at her again… Weiss frowned. She approached the counter, examining – and totally not checking out – the woman she knew to be Crescent Scythe. A short mop of messy dark-red hair seemed perfectly in style for Crescent’s personality. A cute, round face perfect for things Weiss really shouldn’t be thinking about. Finally, Gray eyes that looked over Weiss herself expectantly, reminding Weiss she was a customer in a coffee shop.

“Hello, again-” Weiss caught herself before she called the barista ‘Crescent’ and looked to her nametag, “…Ruby.”

“Um, hello again,” Ruby tried her best to be cheery. “It was a, umm… ‘something’ with soy, correct?”

“Vanilla latte made with soy,” Weiss ordered mechanically, “yes, please.”

Ruby blinked, feeling that today’s ‘please’ was a bit more genuine. She quickly got to work while Weiss sat nearby. Ruby was making a point not to let herself get distracted. Weiss could tell because she herself couldn’t take her eyes of the cute girl.

What the hell is wrong with you!? Weiss scolded herself, you’re here to apologize, not to ogle her!

“Here you go!” Ruby handed over the coffee carefully. Weiss took it with a smile and a nod, but her smile failed when she noted Ruby actively taking a step back. As to not get spit on.

Weiss lowered the coffee, figuring now was the time. “Listen, I’m sorry about yesterday.”

It clearly wasn’t what Ruby expected. “What?”

“Last night I was speaking to… a close friend,” Weiss explained, “And they made me realize I had treated you unfairly.”

“So… was it just a bad day?” Ruby asked.

Weiss decided to open up to Ruby. After all, if she were to open up to anyone in her life, it would have been Crescent. “I was raised to believe myself better than everyone else. It took me a long time to break away from that life, and it seems I’m still learning about how to treat people properly.”

“That… kind of sucks,” Ruby nodded. “I think I get it, though. You’re trying to be better, right?”

“Yes, I am…” Weiss admitted shyly.

“Well… this is a good start!” Ruby smiled genuinely, “If it’s not too much for me to say, of course…”

“It’s not,” Weiss smiled. She finally took a sip of her coffee and was pleasantly surprised to discover it was a genuinely good coffee. Maybe I don’t need to find another coffee shop after all…

“Well, enjoy your coffee! I’ve got customers, so…” Ruby awkwardly shuffled away.

Weiss nodded, deciding it was time to go to the rest of her own day. As she left, she found her mind stuck on Crescent’s – or rather Ruby’s – eyes. The had been gray at first, but after her apology they changed. As Ruby’s mood brightened, so did her eyes, until they shined a beautiful silver.

   ---

“Oh, Aster, you’ll never guess what happened today!” Crescent cheered happily as they worked through the next dungeon.

“Oh?” Weiss didn’t have to hide her knowing smile since Ruby couldn’t see it, “Something good, I hope.”

“That mean girl from yesterday came back,” Ruby told her.

“What?” Celica cut in, “You didn’t tell me that. Do I have to smack a- ow!” she was interrupted by taking a massive hit from the mini-boss they were fighting.

“Language,” Gambol chided.

“No, no! She actually came to apologize!” Ruby defended.

“Really?” Gambol seemed surprised.

“Yeah!” Ruby’s voice seemed excited, “She said she was trying to be a better person.”

“Huh,” Gambol sounded thoughtful, “Do you think she meant it?”

“I do,” Ruby acknowledged, “she told me other things that… I’m not exactly comfortable sharing, and I’m positive she meant it!”

“You’ve always had that effect on people,” Celica sounded proud, “So… you crushin’ on Customer Lady?”

Weiss’s heart skipped a beat.

“What? Nooo,” Ruby denied, a bittersweet feeling washing over Weiss, “I don’t even know her. We’ve only spoken twice. Not even. Once, really.”

“I take it by the teasing, you’re not in a relationship?” Weiss asked.

“You’re not gunna start hittin’ on my sis, are ya Aster?” Celica responded. It sounded a lot like a threat.

“Shut up, sis!” Ruby intervened before Weiss had to respond.

“Is there anyone you’re interested in?” Weiss, once again, couldn’t help but ask.

“Is there anyone you’re interested in!?” Ruby countered in a tone Weiss couldn’t decipher.

“Touché…” Weiss nodded. While she felt she knew a lot about her RO friends simply by interacting with them, questions had never become that personal before now. She herself often rebuked questions about her history or career so she could understand wanting to stay quiet, especially online where you never know who is listening.

“You didn’t answer the question…” Gambol pointed out.

“Wait, was I supposed to?” Weiss was sincerely confused. She heard Ruby giggle. “Something you want to say, Crescent?”

“So much you still don’t know…” Ruby teased, “It just reminds me of when I first found you in the Beacon Guild’s hall. You barely knew what a hit point was!”

“Quiet, you!” Weiss’s scold was met the laughter of her friends.

   ---

Weiss’s mornings improved immeasurably once she became a regular to SunnyKat Kafé. She would go so far to say that ‘Weiss’ and ‘Ruby’ had become fast friends. Several weeks passed to reach this day, which started as any other. Weiss entered the store to Ruby’s cheery cry of her name, before the barista immediately set to work on Weiss’s drink that Ruby had long since memorized.

“So how was work yesterday?” Ruby asked, a habit she defended by arguing she didn’t have any way to talk to Weiss in the afternoons.

“It’s getting easier,” Weiss smiled, “I think my father is finally backing off. Or he has some new strategy, and this is just the calm before the storm.”

“I really hope it’s the first one,” Ruby’s smiled that smile that could light a pitch-black room.

“Thank you, Ruby…”

They had their usual short and pleasant conversation, and Weiss felt her resistance waning. She couldn’t hold back anymore, and her next question had been a long time coming. “Hey, Ruby?”

The barista made sure no one was at the counter before turning her attention over, “Yeah, Weiss?”

“Are… you doing anything later today? Around lunch or… maybe dinner?” Weiss gripped her latte tight as her nerves rose.

“Um… are… are you… asking me on a date?” Ruby questioned slowly.

“I… yes,” Weiss cleared her throat, “yes I am.”

“Oh…”

Weiss didn’t like the sound of that ‘oh…’.

“I… don’t get me wrong, you’re great,” Ruby tried to soften the blow, “You’re pretty and I know that you are a good person, even if you don’t think you are yourself, deep down… And I am single… But my heart already wants someone else…”

“…I see…” Weiss nodded slowly. “I’m sorry… to have put you in this position… I need to go to work.”

Weiss retreated quickly, and Ruby didn’t stop her.

   ---

Weiss debated logging on to Remnant Online that night. She knew Ruby had no idea Weiss equaled Myrten Aster, and the party would certainly be missing her. Celica in particular had come to rely on Aster’s healing. I just don’t know if I can separate Ruby and Crescent Scythe. Instead, the young CEO simply stared at the RO launcher.

Private Message received.

Weiss’s eyes were drawn to the corner of the launcher. It was linked to her account, so she could receive private messages even if she wasn’t technically ‘logged in’ to the world of RO. She saw the message came from Crescent Scythe, and hesitated to open it.

Crescent Scythe: Hey, you not logging on today?

Crescent Scythe: I mean, it’s cool if your not, the party just needs to know before we head out.

Crescent Scythe: Not to be ‘that person’, but I can see your reading my messages…

Myrten Aster: You’re** and yes, I’m logging in soon. Just had a rough day, I didn’t know if I was up to questing.

Crescent Scythe: No pressure! If you’re not up it I totally understand! I used you’re right that time, right?

Myrten Aster: It’s fine, I think questing might be a good distraction, in retrospect. And yes, you used it right. ‘See’ you in a moment.

Weiss put on her headphones and jumped into the game. The inn built around Myrten Aster and her party was waiting for her as always.

Crescent Scythe has sent you a party request, for Ember Celica’s party.

You have joined Ember Celica’s party.

“Hey Aster!” Celica greeted, “You okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine, Celica,” Weiss assured.

“You sure?” Celica pressed, “Cause you don’t talk about your real life, but you’ve never skipped a night online either. I doubt this is your first bad day in almost two years.”

“Has it really been that long already?” Weiss was surprised by the knowledge.

“Yeah, and you’ve come so far from the n00b I found in the guild hall!” Ruby laughed.

“Must you always lord that over my head?” Weiss groaned.

“Not until the student surpasses the master,” Ruby replied, putting on a cheesy voice.

“That’s literally impossible. You’re almost twenty levels higher than the rest of us,” Weiss pointed out, “You know I’ve gotten messages asking what blackmail I’m using to keep you around?”

“Really?” Ruby asked, “I… don’t know how to process that.”

“Actually, I have too,” Celica confessed, “I usually just ignore messages unless I recognize the screen name.”

“Same here,” Gambol spoke up.

“That is so weird…” Ruby’s character ran a ‘shake head’ emote. “So! Shall we quest? Maybe Aster will open up once she’s distracted by being knee deep in slimes!”

“Must you lord that over me as well!” Weiss scolded, knowing exactly was Ruby was trying to tease her over, “I didn’t know how to fight back then!” Her comment was only met with laughs.

Teasing finally over, the group made their way into the fields for some basic leveling for Celica, Gambol and Aster. Crescent didn’t need it, clearly, but she still wasn’t going on the next quest alone – even if she could theoretically handle it – and said quest was still a level or two above the rest of them.

“So, are we going to hear about your terrible day, Aster?” Celica asked.

“If you must know,” Weiss searched her head to pick her words carefully, “I was turned down today from something I thought might have been a sure bet…”

“Oh, that does suck,” Celica seemed to properly empathize for once. “Don’t get ice cream all over your keyboard!”

Weiss didn’t retaliate for two reasons. One, she knew Celica’s teasing came from a place of love. And two, she was totally right about Weiss indulging in ice cream while she played. “I know how not to make a mess,” was how she eventually decide to respond.

“So you are eating ice cream?” Celica was surprised, “Damn.”

“That’s… kinda funny,” Ruby responded, somewhat subdued.

“Excuse me?” Weiss asked.

“Nonono!” Ruby panicked, “I mean, I uhh… actually had to turn someone down today, is all.”

“Really?” Celica questioned, “Why am I not hearing about these things?”

Weiss quickly wracked her mind for how she would react before she knew who Crescent really was. “I bet she’s just turning down people all the time!” Weiss winced at herself. She’d call that a 50-50 success.

“Not really,” Ruby admitted, “The only social interactions I really have are with customers in the coffee shop.”

“So it was a customer,” Gambol quickly deduced.

“Who?” Celica quickly jumped in, ready to be Ruby’s big sister.

“It was that regular who was mean to me a long time ago, Weiss,” Ruby confessed.

“I could have told you that would happen,” Gambol told them.

“Why did you turn her down?” Weiss quickly interrupted before anyone could try and dissect Gambol’s comment. She quickly cursed herself for her choice in question doing so.

“B-because… I…” Ruby was hesitant.

“Because she’s already got an eye on someone,” Celica spoke up for her sister.

“YA- I MEAN CELI- AH, YOU… SISTER, YOU!” Ruby screamed, “SHUT UP!”

“What? You’re turning people down for a crush you’ve never pursued,” Celica rationalized, “It’s time to crap or get off the pot.”

“Ew,” Weiss scrunched her nose at the vulgar metaphor.

“So, Crescent does have a crush after all?” Gambol teased.

“If you only talk to people from the coffee shop, is it another regular?” Weiss asked, deciding she’s gone too far already and might as well go all in.

“No, I don’t really talk to any of them. Except Weiss,” Ruby answered, defeated.

“That just leaves Remnant Online,” Gambol seemed interested in unraveling this puzzle herself, “Do you play with anyone else regularly when the rest of us aren’t online?”

She plays without the three of us? Weiss learned, I guess that explains how she maintains her level gap over us.

“Not anyone specific, just anyone who’s free at the moment in the guild,” Ruby continued her slow, defeated reveal.

“So…” Weiss pressed.

“That means…” Gambol seemed closer to the truth herself.

“Well…” Ruby sighed, “Celica is my sister and my boss, and Gambol is both straight and my other boss…”

“That just leaves… Aster…” Gambol finished.

“Yeah…” Ruby confirmed quietly.

Weiss completely froze, her character taking hits from the enemies around the party.

“A-Aster…?” Ruby squeaked, clearly seeing Weiss’s motionless character. “Aster, say something… please…”

Myrten Aster has left the server.

Weiss smashed the log-out button. Her next discernable thought was her curled into her bed, desperately trying to process. She had panicked, oh hell, she had panicked. Her brain just couldn’t take being rejected one moment, and then approached just a few hours later by the same girl. Sure, that girl thought she was talking to two different people, but in all the emotional drama Weiss’s brain was having a hard time comprehending that fact.

When it finally came through as she calmed down a little, Weiss still faced the issue of what exactly she was going to do about it. Weiss had fallen for Ruby, and Crescent had fallen for Aster. The only issue is that Ruby/Crescent didn’t know Weiss was Aster. Weiss did, though, and the ball was in her court now. It was time to come clean, especially if she had any hope of things working out between the two of them.

The next morning, Weiss awoke and noticed RO’s launcher was still on her screen, with twelve new PMs.

Crescent Scythe: Aster! I’m so sorry! Please log back on so we can talk!

Crescent Scythe: Aster? Please log back on…

Crescent Scythe: I’m sorry I freaked you out. Can we still be friends?

Crescent Scythe: We can meet up IRL?

Crescent Scythe: Not in a girlfriend way, of course! In a friend-friend way.

Crescent Scythe: That was stupid of me, wasn’t it? I don’t even know if we live close by. You could be halfway across the world!

Crescent Scythe: You probably would have called me a dolt or something for trying to pull that, haha.

Crescent Scythe: Aster…?

Crescent Scythe: At least you’re not leaving me on ‘read’…

Crescent Scythe: I get it…

Crescent Scythe: If you don’t want to play anymore, I understand… just please let us know. You can message Ember Celica if you don’t want to talk to me.

Crescent Scythe: Goodbye, Myrten Aster.

Reading Ruby’s messages broke Weiss’s heart. Ruby clearly thought she had massively screwed up and was losing Myrten Aster. Weiss knew what she had to do. She had learned lot of things the past few weeks, and while it wasn’t the most important lesson, she knew which one would serve her here. She had to apologize in person.

   ---

From the outside, no one would know something was amiss inside SunnyKat Kafé. But stepping through that door, Weiss could feel it. The energy within was different, and she had a hunch she knew the cause. Behind the counter, Ruby half-heartedly cleaned out the machines. Her eyes were gray.

“Hello, Ruby,” Weiss called out cautiously.

Ruby did a double take. “W-Weiss!? You’re still coming here…?”

Weiss stepped up to the counter, nerves making her bite her lip. “Yeah, I am.”

“I mean, not to be rude, but… why?” Ruby asked. “Isn’t it… awkward…?”

Weiss shook her head. “A little, but… you did ask to meet IRL, Crescent Scythe.”

Weiss could tell Ruby completely shut down for a brief second, blinking blank eyes rapidly. She finally began returning to the world, her mouth flapping and her fingers pointing around randomly. “I don’t under… how did you… that means…” Ruby finally met Weiss’s eyes once again, “Myrten Aster…?”

Weiss nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, properly.”

“But t-that means…” Ruby was struggling to process. Weiss imagined she looked much the same way the previous night. “YANG!” The young barista suddenly called out.

“What’s up, sis!?” Celica’s voice returned the call.

“Can I go on a break!?” Ruby continued to hold a long-distance conversation.

“If no one’s up there, sure! Sun said he’s just around the corner!”

“Thank you!” Ruby shouted one last comment before leading Weiss to one of the few tables. “So… you’re really Myrten Aster?”

“I first met Crescent Scythe in the guild hall for the Beacon Guild,” Weiss answered with indisputable facts, “I had chosen my character based on appearance, and knew nothing about my own stats. I didn’t like being accidently forced into a support role, but you taught me everything I needed to know to survive Remnant Online. You constantly tease me about dying against a group of slimes in my first dungeon. You were my first online friend, and honestly… probably my first friend period.”

Ruby nodded, absorbing the info slowly. “How long have you known I was Crescent Scythe?”

“Since you complained about me to Myrten Aster,” Weiss answered honestly, “You were the ‘close friend’ that taught me the error of my ways.”

“So… you asked me out, and I turned you down…” Ruby articulated her thoughts, “Then I asked you out… no wonder you vanished… that must have been confusing…”

“It was,” Weiss nodded.

“And you’re here now to say…?” Ruby questioned, clearly unsure of herself.

Weiss smiled, “I go to lunch around ten-thirty, eleven… Are you going to be free?”

Ruby’s jaw dropped. That was clearly the last thing she expected. “Y-yeah! Of course!”

“I can send you a message when I’m coming to pick you up, if you’re willing to trade numbers?” Weiss asked.

“Definitely!” Ruby whipped out her phone and followed Weiss’s instructions to add her contact info. “We can do – oh what do people do for a first date – this is a date, right? – Of course it’s a date, dummy! – We can do… coffee…?”

Weiss giggled throughout Ruby’s rambling, even as the redhead became less sure of herself by the end. “A coffee date? Seriously? I can’t a do a coffee date with you.”

“Oh. Why not?” Ruby asked innocently.

“Because then it wouldn’t be you making my coffee,” Weiss answered, turning slightly red herself, “And then the coffee wouldn’t be perfect.”

It was Ruby’s turn to blush, “You think my coffee is perfect…?”

“It is for me, at least,” Weiss nodded.

“Hey, Rubes, I need you back on the counter,” a blonde, large in more ways than one, stepped out of the back while speaking with Celica’s voice. “Sun said he’s going to be late… oh hey. You must be Weiss.”

“Hello, Yang, was it?” Weiss skimmed her memory for whatever Ruby called her big sister a few minutes ago.

“That’s right,” Yang stepped protectively next to Ruby. “No offense, but why are you here? After yesterday… What exactly do you want with my sister?”

“Yang, wait,” Ruby cut in. “Weiss, this is my sister, Yang Xiao Long. Or, Ember Celica.”

“Why are you-”

“And Yang,” Ruby cut her sister off, “This is Weiss Schnee. Or, Myrten Aster.”

Yang blinked. “Wait, seriously?”

“Yup,” Ruby nodded.

Yang stepped back, taking in the information. “So… everything is good here…?”

“Yup,” Ruby nodded again.

“Okay, cool… I’m gunna go bug Blake.”

“I’m guessing Blake is the black-haired one from ‘that day’?” Weiss asked as Yang retreated, “As well as Gambol Shroud?”

“That’s right,” Ruby confirmed.

“As much as I would love to meet everybody, I am already late for work,” Weiss stood up.

“Wait!” Ruby dashed back behind the counter and started working the machines. In record time she had made a vanilla latte with soy. “It’s probably not as ‘perfect’ as usual, but you still need your coffee!”

“Thank you, Ruby,” Weiss smiled, taking a sip. “It is still perfect,” she assured, “I’ll see you around lunchtime!”

“See you then!” Ruby smiled brightly, her eyes once again a gleaming silver.

   ---

This is most likely my only WRW2019 post, but I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless

#wrw2019 #white rose week #white rose week 2019 #whiterose #ruby rose #weiss schnee #coffee #first

[jihoonluvclub]

Now or Never (M)

Request: Can I request another kinky ceo!au for my boi seungcheol

Pairing: CEO!Seungcheol x Reader

Genre: Smut

Warning: Explicit content, rough sex, overstimulation

Word Count: 3k

You heard snickering and hushed voices all around the office. Gossip was as valuable as merging accounts in this place. When you first applied for this job, you wanted to come in as a copywriter, work with advertising and PR, a job where office chatter was none of your concern.

Yet here you were, the biggest subject talked about in the ladies restroom. The one that the others looked at with a mix of emotions, some being inspiration, some being jealousy, most just wondering how the hell you are getting paid for to sit at a desk and looking pretty for the big wigs walking through the office.

You never got your job in the advertising department. No, you were the permanent “coffee girl”. You sat at the lonely desk outside of the CEO’s office. There to bring in coffee and drinks for business partners when they came by the office.

You answered the phone and took down messages for Mr. Choi while he was out, a hundred eyes around the office following you each time you left your seat and walked into the solitary office of the CEO.

It was just like any other day. Heels clicked against linoleum, prints buzzed in the distance, fingers typed away at keyboards in cubicles, and a five man group of entitled pricks were walking straight towards your desk.

Before you left work the day before, Mr. Choi asked to see you in his office. You were told to “Wear your most flattering outfit tomorrow. Very important men are coming this afternoon.” He had even left you a reminder text message to dress up for the next day. This left you in an uncomfortably short pencil dress and heels that pinched so much that you secretly took them off when no one was looking.

The men bantered with each other while making their way directly to the back of the top floor. Each one of them wearing suits that cost more than your monthly salary. So these must be the “important men”. You rose to your feet and made your way to them, extending your hand towards the man closest to you.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen. Were you to be meeting Mr. Choi in his office or in the boardroom?” You put on the best customer service face that you could muster while ignoring the way that the men stared directly past your face to the curve of your hips and chest.

“The meeting room today, sweet thing.” The one with the most amount of grease in his hair piped up.

You bit the inside of your cheek, not wanting to spend a second longer with these men. You walked in front of them towards the boardroom on the left, the way their eyes burned into your back made you consider putting in your resignation.

You opened the door and saw Seungcheol already seated at the head of the table. His hair was perfectly coiffed in place, his Armani suit hugged his shoulders just right. You should not have felt that way about your boss but it was only fair to enjoy the view after dealing with the five degenerates filling the room behind you.

Seungcheol looked up at you, seeing you for the first time that day. His mouth opened a bit, his soft eyes widening a bit as he took in your presence. You convinced yourself that it was all in your head, there was no way that the CEO was looking at you like that. You were just too sexually frustrated to think right. That must be it.

You had not even finished talking your last step outside of the door before one of the men began talking about you as if you weren't there. “The ass on that one. Choi, if I were you, i’d have that on her knees under my desk permanently.”

You quickly made your exit, turning and catching your bosses eyes for a moment before gently closing the door. His eyes were no longer those that watched you walk into the boardroom, they were eyes that held possession and want in them.

You felt your heart beating against your chest as you made your way back to your desk, a rosey heat spread across the apples of your cheeks. You decided to make your way to the private bathroom behind Mr. Choi’s office. You needed to splash water on your face and pry the suspicious office eyes away from you.

You pulled your phone out as you walked into the single stall restroom, distraction and isolation seemed like the best way to calm down right now. You opened your messages and saw there was an unread one from the guy you met last week at the bar. It was sent seven minutes ago, okay, this could do as a distraction from work.

“Can’t wait to see you. Can I get a peak at what your wearing?”

Nothing would get your mind off of your boss faster than getting turned on at work for another guy. Well, at least the lighting in this restroom was better than in the others. You opened your camera and took a photo of your outfit in the mirror.

After picking the best one you sent it to him. Mr. Choi’s meetings normally lasted around an hour or longer, so there should be no problem with having a little fun, at least that’s what you reasoned with yourself.

“Very sexy. Think I can see a bit more?” You felt your confidence rising and decided to indulge him. Sure, why not just take your clothes off at work?

You unzipped the side of your dress, the tightness of the outfit calling for you to skip wearing underwear today. You held your arms up against your chest, hiding the explicit parts while being sure to show off plenty of cleavage.

You opened your texts once again after choosing the photo you wanted to send. Your excitement must have blinded you because it wasn’t until you had sent the text that you noticed you had not sent it to the guy from the bar.

Far from that actually. You managed to send it to your boss. The very boss that was in the middle of a meeting and gave you a look that made your knees weak before you went into this bathroom in the first place.

You panicked. What should you do? Text him back and say “Opps, sorry, wrong number. I didn’t mean to send my half nude selfie to you, my boss, it was actually for someone else. Hope you don’t mind me doing this while on the clock.”

Maybe you should just jump out of the restroom window, it wasn’t like you could face any one in this office right now anyway. You must have pressed on his name on accident, how did you not notice the name change before you sent it? While you were thinking of all the ways you could quietly curl in a ball and hide, your phone buzzed in your hand. A message came through.

Your fingers felt like they were shaking as you looked at who the recipient was from. “Big Boss Man” had sent you a message. Oh great, he saw it, nothing could get worse from here. Your fingers trembled slightly as you opened the text.

“Send another without the arms in the way.”

No. No. You must have lost the ability to read. You kept trying to wake up, if you tried hard enough you might just wake up in bed, surrounded by blankets and having never sent your boss your nudes.

Your phone buzzed again. “Well, I’m waiting.”

You did what any sane person would when their attractive boss asks them for a nude, you took off the dress once again and found the best lighting in the room. You twisted and moved your hips until you found what you thought was the best angle for you.

You sent the photo to Seungcheol, wondering what was wrong with you to keep this up.

“You’re a naughty girl aren’t you?”

*Buzz*

“Go to my office and wait for me. Won’t be long.”

Your heart began to thud against your chest again, your fingers barely had the strength left to zip up your dress enough to leave the restroom without questions. With a deep breath you left the restroom, gathering as much willpower as you could to walk out of there and into Seungcheol’s office without a second glance to anyone in the busy office.

Your phone vibrated in your hand again. “When you get in there put your hands on the desk and don't move them. I want you bent over when I return.”

You could already feel your body warming up from just the authority in his texts. You planted your hands against the cold desk, arching your back as your rested your body weight against the wood.

It wasn’t long before you heard the door to the office open. Your back tensed up as each footstep taken echoed around the empty room. You wanted to follow the sound, fighting the urge to whip your head to each side that your heard heavy footsteps.

“You might be naughty, but at least you’re obedient.” Seungcheol’s voice rang out, the smooth playfulness in his voice was present even now.

You felt his hand smooth along the plane of your back, not resting until it reached the curve of your ass. You felt him grab a handful of your cheek in his palm, squeezing the flesh before continuing down your leg.

His hand slid down to your calf before winding back up, this time gliding along the inside of your thighs. He worked his way up to your unclothed center. A single digit ran along your slit, gathering your wetness before leaving your skin.

“Already so wet for me? And no panties? You’re full of surprises today.” Seungcheol placed his finger in front of you, urging you to place the digit in your mouth. Your tongue wrapped around the finger, tasting yourself on his skin.

Seungcheol held you firmly down onto the desk with one hand on your back, his other hand slipping free from your lips and returning to your wet core as your breath became irregular. His thick fingers alternated between being buried inside of you and pressing against your clit. Your dress had now shifted up to your hips, leaving your entire bottom half exposed to him.

You bit down on your lip, fingers splayed on Seungcheol’s desk as his digits curled inside of you. You tried to press your legs together, the pleasure building up faster than you could take. He wedged his knee in between your legs, forcing them to stay open despite your bodies protests.

You felt your body being worked over by him, white hot pleasure coursing through your form as you came. Your legs wobble beneath you, leaving you thankful that you had the desk underneath you to support your body.

Just as you thought your orgasm had ended, Seungcheol returned to rubbing at your clit. You whined out as he stroked against your sensitive nub, too sensitive to take the stimulation. As if he could sense your discomfort, he pulled away from you.

“Do you trust me?” he asked, unzipping your dress while turning you around to face him.

“Yes.” you said, your legs now hanging over the edge of the desk.

Seungcheol licked his lips before kneeling in front of you. His hands grabbed your hips, pulling you closer to his face. Your body stilled as he ran his tongue along the inside of your thighs, teeth dragging along the supple flesh of your legs, threatening to bite into you.

Your clit throbbed, half from still coming down off your last high and half from the new sensation of his mouth on you. Even though Seungcheol was on his knees, we was still in full control of you. His muscular arms kept you spread wide open for him, even as he inched closer to your heat, making your legs want to shut closed.

“Be a good girl and stay still for me, Princess.” Seungcheol said as his licked a line up from your entrance to your sensitive nub.

The muscles in your thighs strained against his hands as he kept them open, wanting nothing more than to back away from the hot pleasure coursing through you again. He licked at your clit, pressing the flat of his tongue against you as your hands went between trying to push him away and pull him closer.

“I said stay still. It’s going to be a long day for you if you don’t start listening to me.” Seungcheol grabbed your wrists in his hands, forearms pinning down your thighs as his grip on your wrists became vice-like, holding you back from pushing him away.

With you fully held in place Seungcheol went back to your wet core. His tongue prodded inside of your entrance, stroking your walls as deep as his muscle would allow before returning to your clit. It didn’t take long for you to feel the coil in your core tighten. Another orgasm making its way through your system, far too soon after the last one.

You panted underneath his ministrations, tears forming in the corners of your eyes as your body fought against the climax building up. Your orgams happened so quickly you could only gasp for air, moans and whines dying in your throat before they could be released.

Your whole body was flushed with warmth, static and vibrations racked through you. Once it finally subsided you attempted to catch your breath, only then realizing that Seungcheol had no plans on letting you get up.

His hands tightened on your wrist, sure to leave a mark on your skin the next day. You felt his tongue trace your slit again, licking at your wetness as if he were a starved man. You felt another rise in your body again, a new climax starting before the last one finished. You cried out, hands clenched into fists just to feel like you had a hold on something.

Your body withered against the hardwood of his desk, no longer caring if you obeyed him or not. Seungcheol groaned out against your heat, wanting to make you came again for him. His lips wrapped around your abused nub, sucking on you and fondling it with his tongue.

Seungcheol shifted on the ground, sitting a little bit higher on his knees to pull his face down closer to your core. You felt this orgasm hit you like a spike. Flashing white pleasure coursed through you as your limbs felt like they were going numb. Your throat felt dry and raw after crying out from your release. Your eyes shut tights as your hips gently rocked against his face, riding out another high.

You hadn’t even opened your eyes before you were turned over, your hips dug into the edge of the desk beneath you. The sound of a zipper opening resounded behind you, your fingers feebly grasped onto the surface below as you felt the tip of Seungcheol’s cock brush against your opening.

Once he was fully positioned between your legs his thick member entered you, your aching core being stroked in ways that left you breathless. Your nails dug bluntly into the desk as Seungcheol’s thrusting started in a vigorous pace. He spread your thighs wider, finding the perfect angle to fuck into you.

“You take my cock so well.” He said as one fist reached up to curl in your hair. Your back arched off the desk, his cock reaching deeper inside of you from the movement.

You were completely lost in the feeling of Seungcheol fucking you, every thrust he made had you whimpering out in pleasure. He slid an arm underneath you, his thick digits circling over your clit once more.

“No, I can’t take it.” You cried out as he rolled your nub between two fingers.

“Just one more. Just one more for me and you’re done, okay Princess?” Seungcheol groaned out as he stroked your tight bundle of nerves.

You clenched around his cock, the combined friction of his thrusts in and out of you with his fingers caressing your clit bringing you close to another climax. You could feel your wetness dripping down your thighs.

You moaned out and grabbed onto Seungcheol’s arm underneath you. Your clit was so sensitive, to the point that you weren’t sure if you would be able to come for him again. The rest of your body was telling your differently though.

You moved your hip in time with Seungcheol’s thrusts, pushing yourself to the edge until your body shook underneath him. You couldn’t tell if you were screaming or crying or just silent as you came. Your clenching around Seungcheol’s cock brought him to his own end, coming inside of you with a deep moan, pulling your hair tighter as he filled you with his release.

You were unbelievably dizzy when you tried to get up, unsure if you would be able to walk in your heels after this. Seungcheol stroked your now sweaty hair off of your face as you rested your head against his chest while you regained your strength.

Seungcheol looked down at his watch for a moment, “I’ll give you the rest of the day off. Unless you wanted to stick around for a bit and join me for dinner?”

“Dinner sounds great. Maybe I can find out what your favorite color is before you fuck me over your desk again.”

He stifled a laugh at that, “So I guess that’s a yes to doing this again?”

“I’ll consider that over dinner. Depends on the color.” You smiled as his hands massaged and rubbed your worn out muscles.

“Alright, but you do have to keep sending me more photos, my meetings will never be the same now.”

#seventeen smut #seventeen imagines #seventeen scenarios #scoups smut #scoups imagines #scoups #choi seungcheol #writing tag

[pjmnns]

Sue Me ii

You walked out when he broke your heart. Words were left unsaid, thoughts pushed away, unanswered questions left unanswered— remember when he said there was no second chance? When you run into each other at the same place you first met, he’s hoping to change the past. You say: So sue me for being something you couldn’t forget.

Lawyer!AU, ex-lovers!AU + twist // angst, major fluff, crack (?)

Pairing: Reader X Jungkook

Rating: T (swearing)

Warnings: swearing and sum horrible attempt at writing crack part 2, better character development idk i tried guys

Word Count: 7.5k-ish

>> 1 / 2

Hiii guys I’m back!! Here’s part 2 of Sue Me! It’s a little longer and it turned out better than I initially planned so hope you all like it as well,, please leave me comments and feed back!

“He what?!”

“Shhh,, Jesus keep your voice down Mina, I don’t need the whole office knowing,” you quickly whisper as your gaze searches the empty office floor for any intruding listeners. You show her the invitation and as her eyes flit across the paper, she can’t help but grin, stifling a squeal. Her heels tap excitedly against the carpet instead, the muffled taps an outlet for her excitement.

“I can’t believe he offered to go with you, and just after that one run in at the club, ugh y/n I don’t know how to deal with this!” Finally letting out her squeal she gives your arm a squeeze while you gingerly smile in response.

Mina has been the only other soul you’ve told about the reunion and Jungkook’s offer of course. At least there was someone else in your life you were thankful for to tell your thoughts to. Mina was your senior by a year, personal assistant and secretary to Jeon Junghyun, the other dastardly charming and handsome Jeon lawyer and Jungkook’s older brother. Having gone to your college and subsequently landing a job at the law firm as well, she quickly sought you on your first day of work before you could introduce yourself. Mina was the very kind and passionate woman you could only wish to be someday in the near future. Her poise and professionalism, however, only a workplace facade as you quickly got to know her more quirky, spontaneous personality. She quickly took you under her wing, both at the office and literally when you were temporarily homeless after being kicked out of your apartment. Regardless of the brief time the two of you spent with each other, the relationship with Mina peaked when she offered to be roommates, claiming her plants at home “needed more love and another source of oxygen”. Since then you and Mina commute to the office and school everyday, becoming one another’s sister you never knew you needed but always wanted.

Over the course of wine-drunk nights and girls-night-in, Mina knew well of your history with Hoseok. She wasn’t surprised about his desperation of being a fuckboy, acknowledging the social flourish of guys like him in college settings, once they’ve surpassed the awkward stages of high school. With Mina, you poured out your heartbreak consumed by emotions and alcohol, the understood break-up starter pack. Too many times had Mina drop kicked your body pillow drunkenly, claiming it was Hoseok’s cheating ass, or visualized his face on the dart board of your favorite bar. All in all, Mina was your number one supporter of using, no requesting Jungkook’s presence to emphasize your post heartbreak move-on.

“If only Junghyun had enough romance in his body to realize what a smoking hot secretary he has and offer to aid her in some devious revenge slash I’m the bigger person romcom plot,” you say sighing, waggling your eyebrows at her. Sure enough, you really wish Junghyun had the hots for your friend, they both looked ridiculously and illegally good together and you weren’t surprised if there were unintentional feelings masked by both their strict adherence to professionalism. You swear you’ve seen Junghyun linger the eye contact with Mina, or maybe it’s the way he waits for her every morning at the elevator, or even his tone differs with her. You mentally slap yourself for not compiling physical evidence of the potential blossoming of love in the office.

“Hey! My boss isn’t the one you should be worried about having any romance in him, seems like yours might have a little too much huhh??” Nudging her foot against yours, you push her swivel chair as she spins away laughing, your face heating up at her simple comment. There’s nothing romantic about Jungkook going as your date, its merely, no strictly, correcting yourself, an offer to gain a little self-confidence to finally get over your first heart-break. It’s just another opportunity in the road of life you tell yourself, acknowledging the immense kindness your boss is extending towards you. And in no way did he appear to make it a charity case, rather it seemed like he wanted to see you find closure and perhaps wipe that smirk off your ex’s face while you’re at it. Grinning, you roll towards Mina and pull her closer but your conversation is suddenly interrupted by the surge of co-workers arriving back from their lunch break. “We’ll talk tonight y/n,” Mina whispers, sending you a wink as you both turn towards your desk.

“Mina can you come into my office.”

“Y/n, you as well, I need some things.” The Jeon brothers peek out from their offices at opposite ends of the sector, both dressed in handsome attire though somewhat lax in appearance like the rolled up sleeves or unbuttoned collar. The pair of you stand to walk towards their respective offices but not before you had the chance to make kissy faces at Mina, she slapping your ass in turn as you both hope nobody witnessed the exchange. As Mina disappears into Junghyun’s office, you gingerly close the door to Jungkook’s.

“Y/n, I need you to research previous rulings similar to this case and make a list of laws relating to the client’s situation, focus especially on loopholes that the prosecution may pinpoint or any extraneous details that could possibly give us leverage. Also formulate the agreement for the Jung case that we observed earlier, I need that by tomorrow if possible, we will meet with them in person and have it dealt with. Email a copy to their legal team when you’re finished and remind them of the meeting.”

Jungkook looks up after assigning the tasks to you, realizing you haven’t responded due to your diligence in writing notes. As he waited for you to catch up, he quietly observes the way you support your notepad with one hand while your other grips the pen, marking the page in quick flourishes; the way your soft hair spills over your shoulders, a strand you haven’t had the chance to tuck behind your ear as your face scrunched in concentration. Slowly, he begins to acknowledge the tug in his chest, a pull of admiration and something more. He had always been praised for being the youngest lawyer to work at his family’s firm, an aside to being an accomplished one at that. Moreover he’s used to the fawning of others in the workplace that aren’t his actual family, especially the female coworkers who can only stare and sweetly smile at the lawyer, hoping for acknowledgment. In truth, Jungkook had dreaded having an intern who would double as his secretary, he didn’t need the help nor did he need the prospects of a clingy “fangirl”. He had always respected the office as a professional setting and although he would casually smile to the women vying for his attention, he wasn’t fond of it either. Junghyun had convinced Jungkook to accept the proposal after telling him that his work would be more efficient and having an official secretary made his position more, well official. When Jungkook conceded, his brother made sure his own secretary would pick and choose the ideal candidate, hoping to gain insight from someone as good at the job as Mina was.

Meeting you for the first time, Jungkook immediately acknowledged your professionalism and your immense passion that unraveled over the course of time. Since then, Jungkook saw you as his equal, no less than him despite still being a college student, and no less despite your position as an intern. He understood the dynamic of lawyer and intern/secretary, Junghyun and Mina the perfect exemple of equal parts trust, efficiency, and professionalism, that which you and him immediately gained upon the first week of your arrival. He really did enjoy your company, not only because of your work ethic and your proficiency but even then your personality. Though he only got to know one facet at work, he witnessed many more that night at the club which made him all the more curious about you. Jungkook himself wasn’t sure why he was so adamant about accompanying you to your reunion but when he saw your douchebag ex and the greasy smirk permanently etched onto his face, the way you actually opened your heart to him willingly, trusting him when he encouraged you to go on, he felt a little bit of his professional demeanor falter. He sought the desire for his intern to be happy, to be able to move on from the past and seek closure herself, much like what he always strives for in helping his clients. Jungkook wasn’t so twisted that he would consider the offer to you like that of a client, but a part of him— a very large part of him wanted to see you shining in brilliance and happiness, exuding the same amount of confidence you have for your job to be equal to that of your personal life. And if Jungkook was able to be the source of that, by all means adamant he would be.

“Is that all Mr. Jeon?” you inquire, glancing up from your notepad. You realize that Jungkook was already looking at you but you fail to break eye contact because you were the one who had the last word. You tensely smile and manage a gulp, hoping he wouldn’t notice your attempt to shrink from his intense gaze.

“Please call me Jungkook y/n. If we’re gonna pull this off, I can’t have you calling me mister the whole night,” referring to your reunion.

“Of course Jungkook, sorry just a workplace habit.” Your tone wavers and you grip your notepad, but nonetheless forcing yourself to inquire further, “Are you sure you still want to go through with this Jungkook?” completely aware that you had dropped your professionalism in an effort to confirm your thoughts.

Jungkook smiles at your awkwardness and the unease that appears to cross your face, softly chuckling he confirm his offer, adding a quick “no returns or exchanges cause you’re stuck with me now” which causes you to widen in expression, surprised that he too had dropped the professionalism. As you turn to leave his office after you wave your notebook in the air and tell him you intend to get your work done, Jungkook can’t help but feel a little lighter, reminiscing the same way he felt that night when the both of you were just a little intoxicated and a lot more comfortable. xx

As Jungkook moves forward in shaking the client’s hands, you stand as well bowing towards their departure. Sighing, Jungkook takes a seat and leans back, body lax in an attempt of relieving the stress he had accumulated from the week. The reunion was in a week and the two of you still had to bring the topic up to the table. Seeing as the meeting ended the work day and you would be subsequently going home afterwards, you wondered if you could bring it up to Jungkook. Your thoughts are interrupted when Jungkook calls you out. Sipping his drink, he inquires: “Y/n, do you know what you’re wearing yet?” You take a moment to think and shake your head no, mentally adding one more thing to your infinite list of things to stress about. “Hmm, are you doing anything else for today then?” and again you shake your head no, not understanding why he felt the need to ask that nor what his intentions were. As Jungkook rises to stand, he quips his head towards the door, motioning for you to follow him. “Alright, well let’s have a dress rehearsal then, shall we?”

Both of you pile into his car, you not too foreign with him driving the luxurious Maserati across town to attend court rulings and client meetings. Yet as the sun begins to set in the city and Jungkook turns on the radio to soft music, you can feel the work stress of the week dissolving from your body, able to let go of the professionalism of the office to just chilling on a car ride. You guess the same goes for Jungkook as he drives steadily with one hand, the other dragging through his soft hair, touselling the usual neat hairdo as the wind blows through it as well, his elbow resting on the windowsill. You never had the opportunity to fully take in Jungkook’s appearance, you’re usually too busy taking care of his tasks or dedicating yourself fully to the case to spare a moment to admire the man all the other women can’t seem to get enough of. You never understood their’ obsession with your boss, giving you the side eye or whispering about you when you first landed the internship, eventually you learned it was all laced with jealousy. You simply recognized Jungkook’s ability and work ethic that you only had respect for the man you would be working with.

However, in the moment of driving like this you truly realized how handsome he was. His side profile contrasts against the disappearing light of the setting sun, his eyes bright and soft though worn with fatigue, the curve of his nose, your gaze tumbling towards his soft lips that are now pulled at the edges as he hums to the song. He truly is remarkable and you regret not being able to see it sooner, his youth honestly exuding from his appearance, in his smile, as he slowly turns his head to face you. For some reason you can’t look away, and you don’t. You stare at him, hoping your gaze isn’t too intense as you take in all his features. His soft smile only grows wider and you notice two perfect imperfections on his face, the whisper of a scar against his left cheek and the devious mole right underneath his bottom lip. He redirects his attention to the road but not before taking in your own soft features, your eyes that still have not abandoned him.

Inhaling, you take in a deep breath of air filling your lungs, able to grasp at the relieving freedom. As Jungkook drives across a bridge, you lean back against the seat and turn towards him again, hands folded between your face and the leather seats.

“Thank you,” you softly say, hoping the wind doesn’t carry your words away from his ear. Without glancing over at you, Jungkook asks “for what,” feeding you the confidence to keep speaking.

“For believing in me I guess.. for believing in my right to closure. No matter how much of a front I put on, it all comes down the moment I remember what happened. Curse my impeccable memory but I can recall everything like it happened yesterday,” you speak with a small, sad smile. Jungkook finally looks over at you again and this time, your soft eyes are lost in the past, lost in the very real, very valid pain that you barely speak about.

“We were slowly fading, I could feel it. I tried so hard to grasp at whatever was left but I just couldn’t, like you know when you lose a balloon and it just keeps drifting away but no matter how high you jump or how hard you run after it, the ribbon just keeps slipping out of your grasp.” Jungkook affirms by nodding so you continue.

“Day by day, his temper grew shorter and the things he would say to me just hit harder. He would tell me that it was my fault we were falling apart, unable to keep up with his affections, unable to cater to his needs, unable to be what he wanted.”

“He didn’t just reject my attempt but he rejected me overall. The things he once adored about me burned with annoyance until he couldn’t even look at me, my appearance and my personality, it all shattered. I felt disgusted with myself, out of my own skin. Because someone couldn’t love me anymore, I couldn't love myself.”

Jungkook caught the tear that escaped your eyes, as it slowly rolled down your cheek, the sunlight glinted off of it, enticing him to reach a hand towards you and brush the memento of pain off your cheek. You looked over at him, catching his gaze as you forced a sad smile. Jungkook could only return with his own small smile, not equal in pain but equal in understanding and empathy.

He didn’t ask for the rest of the story, recalling that it had ended with you catching him in the act with no one else but your childhood best friend. What a fucking dick Jungkook thought to himself. How could anyone do that to someone like you he seriously wondered, his dangerously impassioned thoughts seriously contemplating the sick humanity of some people.

As he parks the car and climbs out, you look around curiously acknowledging the place he had driven to as one of the classiest boutiques in the city. You could barely afford the cheapest clothes hanger here being a college student and all but you guess window shopping would be nice for the soul and easy on the eyes. Silently thanking god you were still dressed in your work clothes, you could walk around without standing out, even more so walking alongside Jungkook. You quickly catch up to his long strides and he chuckles at your fervor to walk next to him. As he pulls a door open, you enter the store hesitantly and wait for him to come inside as well. Your eyes immediately marvel at the grandeur of the place, the crystal chandelier and the endless displays of designer shoes, and couture clothing, the overall extravagant gold aesthetic the store feeds. Your eyes are lighting up and Jungkook makes a note of the way you take in the little things, the subtle glimmer of the waxed floor and the array of mirrors that reflect the crystal light. Too afraid to touch anything, your hand simply graces above the clothes as a small exhale escapes your mouth as if you were holding your breath. Jungkook admires you from behind, your frame walking along the store as your hand is outstretched, lightly skimming the couture, a smile of humility on your face as your eyes reveal the joy you have for art, a simple sight but nonetheless beautiful in his eyes. As Jungkook moves to approach you, he swore to himself he would never ever forget the look on your face, the way his heart skips a beat at the awestruck look you give him, gratitude flashing across your face thanking him for showing you such beauty.

“So what was his favorite color?” Your thoughts fall back down to reality and you stutter to answer before finally responding with an “Excuse me?”

Jungkook gives you a smirk, something you rarely ever see in the office, as he explains himself. “I was thinking that you should wear his favorite color…because then whenever he thinks about the color, it’s associated with how good you will look that night and he will always regret the fact that now his favorite something was something he lost sight of?” his confidence faltering at the end of his scheme. You couldn’t help but giggle at his cute attempt to make the entire comeback plan worthwhile, appreciating his efforts because you can literally see the gears turning in his mind, you take a step closer and give him the most genuine smile you could possibly show.

“Green. Green was his favorite color.”

“Oh and Jungkook? I like that. A lot,” referring to his idea, saying so before he quickly scans the store for any green dresses. As his eyes land on one near the back of the store, he grabs your hands and yank you towards it, your excitement bursting as you grip his hand tighter.

xx

Jungkook anxiously sits outside on the plush sofa in the changing rooms. He’s silently grateful there weren’t many customers in the store so that he could sit in the changing room waiting area without looking too suspicious. He picks up a magazine to skim through while you try on the dress he had chosen for you.

As the heavy velvet curtain slowly moves aside, Jungkook’s eyes gaze up and peer out over the magazine. Immediately he breaks out into a grin as his hand flies up to rub his neck, the tingling in his ears bothersome against the suddenly loud thumping of his heart.

You looked beautiful in green, more so emerald, but nonetheless the dress hugged all the right curves as it stopped mid thigh, the micro slit teasing for more while the top cascaded down your chest, an appropriate amount of cleavage that left much to one’s imagination. The emerald brought out your dark features, the brilliance in your eyes and the subtle blush now on your cheeks.

You had first saw Jungkook’s wide smile and as you took a couple steps back, he got up and took a couple forward. As he came closer, your heart pounding the sound reverberating through your ears, you search his face as he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear.

“Y/n, you look beautiful.”

It was the simplest compliment anyone could’ve said to you but because it came from Jungkook, it meant so much more. You couldn’t help but flourish at his genuine smile, encouraging you to finally accept how beautiful you are, true to his words.

Eye contact was a frequent occurrence this day, and it didn’t lessen any as you stood there staring into his eyes and his into yours, the proximity much closer than you expected.

The both of you snap back to reality when the pretty sales attendant clears her throat, obviously awkward in her place as her eyes shift around. You recall her earlier attempts at flirting with Jungkook, laughing a little to yourself as she clearly underestimated your relationship with him, feeling the embarrassment flood her interactions with Jungkook now especially with your presence. But not that there was any relationship between you and Jungkook anyway..the mere absurdity of the situation amusing you, you conclude.

Jungkook appears to have concluded just as much also as he also lets out a light laugh and turns towards the attendant. “Thank you for your help, we’ll take it.”

As he moves to help you with the zipper, an unexpected but not intruding gesture you realize the quick reality of the situation. Whipping around and mentally hoping the sales associate was no longer there, you whisper to Jungkook, “Wait! What do you mean take it? Jungkook I can’t afford this!” He laughs at your alarm and simply turns you around before undoing your zipper. “I’ll be waiting outside.”

Confused and even more alarmed when you finally see the exact numbers indicating the price of the dress, you feel your hands nervously shake as you gingerly place the dress on the hanger, fearful for anything to actually happen to the garment. As you step outside the changing room, Jungkook snatches the dress before you could protest and hands it to the sales attendant, swiping his black card as you stand there in silent anguish, knowing you were unable to argue with him now.

Exiting the store, Jungkook has the goofiest grin plastered on his face as he observes your reaction, ranging from your tireless attempts to walk beside his steady strides to mumbling about paying him back in installments. You don’t make much of an effort to speak while trying to catch up with him but after finally settling in the car, you start rambling on how to pay him back and how he could spend so much money on you and how dare he go around spending his money like that, speaking in terms as his secretary. You’re still talking in equal parts dismay and irritation even as you reach a red light, Jungkook’s eyebrow raising as he’s never witnessed you speak so fervently and just, so much. An idea pops into his mind and he’s grinning from ear to ear, but of course you’re oblivious because you’re still in denial at Jeon fucking Jungkook spending so much money on your ass that you’re thrown into shock beyond oblivion when he leans over and presses a kiss to your lips. That better shut her up Jungkook thinks to himself in amusement as he suppresses the smile that’s threatening to escape, concealing it with a cough and bringing his free hand to rest on his philtrum instead.

Your heart obviously can’t take anymore of this and you sit stiffly, making an effort to not make another sound or move. You glance over at Jungkook as he drives, a stupid smirk still on his face and you seriously don’t even know how to begin to comprehend the situation.

He’s still silently observing you in amusement, the way your hands are politely folded in your lap, your head positioned forward but he knows you’re taking glances at him. Jungkook mentally pinches himself for not getting to know you sooner, ultimately deciding that you were definitely someone who has his heart.

As he pulls up to your house after you gave him your address, him quietly prodding your attention to snap you out of whatever state you were currently in, your shoulders immediately release and relieve yourself of the tension you yourself created. You get out of the car and sigh as you turn towards Jungkook getting out of his car as well. He leans against the car from his side, resting his head in his arms on top of the car roof as the night wind softly blows through his hair. Something tugs at your chest and you really don’t want him to leave, upset that for the last leg of the car ride you withdrew yourself over the embarrassment that Jungkook had kissed you.

“Thank you Jungkook. For today, the dress, everything.” You softly smile, hoping to express your genuine gratitude and in some way apologizing for your immature antics after the kiss.

“I’m sorry about the kiss y/n. I didn’t mean to intrude and I don’t have any ulterior intentions either..” Jungkook offers you his most sincere smile, horribly attempting to mask the realization of utter humiliation of his actions, or even worse the consequences of what he did. He was so lost in enjoying your quirks that he failed to realize any misunderstanding of his intentions. Eyes widening, he immediately stammers to offer more of an explanation for his actions, having no actual reason besides the fact that he might be in love, finding any excuse but that.

With the both of you having an equal and fair exchange of self-actualization, embarrassment, and futile attempts to make up for any misunderstanding, you silently listen to his rambling before breaking into a larger grin, soon laughing at both of your antics. Jungkook looks on at you in confusion and so you wonder if he’d like to come in. Shifting the weight of the dress neatly packaged in the designer shopping bag, you ask him, “Um do you want to come in? For a drink or to refresh yourself?” A part of you silently hoping he agrees because you really aren’t ready for the night to end.

And so the night goes on in subtle flirting and obnoxious laughter, you pushing his chest multiple times as he teases at the other people in your office like Mr. Lee, the paralegal, who obviously has the hots for Ms. Min, the single mother lawyer who treats you like her own daughter and whom you have come to love. Competing against Jungkook’s own observations, you point out the prospects of a relationship between Moon-Hee and Dong-Hyuk, the other two lawyers of the legal team.

“No way! They’re always at each other’s throats, no way there’s something between them.”

“Okay but think about how they only tease one another, the way they vie for each other’s attention. Obviously they’re trying to get the other to notice them and they’re both so hopelessly and cluelessly in love that ultimately they resort to bullying one another.”

Jungkook contemplates your observations and slowly expresses his realization with an open-mouthed gasp. “You are such a drama queen, please Jungkook,” uncontrollably giggling at his reactions. He begins to poke at your sides as punishment for calling him out and you really can’t breathe, tapping out on his shoulder.

Jungkook stops before getting serious again, his gaze darkens as he looks at you, “Okay, but what about my brother and Mina though.” He turns sly, his eyebrow quips up as he anticipates your reaction. You nearly jump him, clutching his shoulders and settling on your knees. “OHMYGOD I KNOW RIGHT? YOU CAN SEE IT TOO?” Excitement bubbling in your outburst after finally finding a confidant about the obvious affection between your best friend and the older Jeon. Jungkook just adores your quirk and can’t help but smile. His cheeks are getting sore from all the damn smiling he’s done today but it's worth it because he really wants to show you the genuine happiness you’ve brought out of him.

The two of you ramble on about everything you’ve noticed between Mina and Junghyun, affirming your suspicions but ultimately sighing at their own stubbornness and failing to realize how they truly feel about one another. You’re glad that Mina hadn’t come home yet and you wonder if she was ironically at the office with Junghyun working over time. Eventually Jungkook leaves, and you realize you’re still smiling, if you could smile yourself to sleep that's probably what happened.

Over the course of the next week, you and Jungkook exponentially grow closer than you had over the past year. He calls you into his office more often, even for small things like if his tie was crooked or if his socks matched his pocket square. You attended more meetings with him, followed him around more, brought coffee into his office consistently while he invited you for lunch and dinner almost everyday. You became accustomed to his quirks, not just in the office but on his free time, joining him on more sunset city drives with the windows rolled down, soft music playing, or people watching from the office rooftop after you told him about that place you came to be on top of the world.

xx

The day finally arrives and you’d be lying if you said you weren’t the least bit nervous. Like electricity surging through your veins, your fingers could barely hold steady. Slipping into the dress, your hands skim the fabric, unable to control the tick of your fingers. Mina helps you with the zipper, your nervousness apparent, as she moves your hair to spill over your shoulders and down your back, lightly squeezing your arms to turn you around. Facing the mirror once more, you force your gaze to trail from your legs up until you’ve built enough courage to look at your reflection face on. Truly the dress Jungkook chose does wonders for your legs, your dips, your curves, and most of all your confidence. As you meet your own eyes in the mirror, you can’t conceal the nostalgic sense of love for yourself that you had lost for so long. Not that the dress made you finally acknowledge your worth or beauty, but the fact that it was able to draw out those feelings you had buried. You recall Jungkook’s simple compliment and finally, your own worth and beauty were no longer marred by Hoseok’s damaging and toxic love but rather determined by your own resolve. You were in love with yourself and you couldn’t help but want to save a part of that for someone else as well.

You’re putting on the heels you borrowed from Mina when you hear her stifle a sob, her eyes glistening with tears as if she was daring them to fall.

“Don’t fucking do this to me Mina, stop it, I can’t have my girl crying like this,” as you pull her into a tight hug.

“I’m sorry y/n, you’re just so, so beautiful, and a-and brave, and I hope you wipe that fucking smirk off that dickhead’s face oh godawuehh,” she says in between sobs.

Brushing wet hair out of her face, you grab her cheeks and tell her to get her shit together.

“Min you have your date with Junghyun today, did you really forget? Sis, you can’t show up puffy and red like this even though I’m sure he’s whipped as hell for your ass regardless, but still! You have to look exceptionally pretty tonight so no. more. fucking. tears. Understood?” She carefully nods and is grateful that sometimes you wear the bigger pants around in the house. The tone in which you gave her pep talk was also your own desperate attempt to inject yourself with some confidence, to calm your own nerves.

Well screw that because the apartment buzzes and you open the door for Jungkook. He inhales a sharp breath as he takes you in, his eyes fluttering over your features, bold and elegant, defiant and radiating in his eyes. He’s at a lost for words and you help him out by softly saying “You look amazing.”

Your gaze finally settles on how your boss looks, the perfectly tailored suit flaunting his slim but built physique, the lack of bow or tie and instead the bare collar opened by a couple buttons. His hair is neatly styled except for a couple loose strands that fall the wrong way. Unhesitantly you reach up to brush it out of the way, your hand lightly skimming his dark features, his eyes, the slope of his nose, the curve of his lips open as he follows wherever your hand moves.

Ahem! Mina coughs, or clearing her throat, whatever, interrupting your moment as you quickly withdraw your hand and step back, trying not to notice the way Jungkook’s ears are furiously red.

“Oh, um these are for you Mina,” handing her a bouquet of roses. He explains that they were a pre-date gift from Junghyun and Jungkook rolls his eyes at his brother’s absolute cheese. Mina laughs before accepting them excitedly, composing herself when she realizes you and Jungkook staring.

Glancing at the imaginary watch on her arm, she rushes the two of you towards the door, making you abandon Jungkook to gather your phone and purse. When you turn back around Mina is whispering something into his ear, his face contemplating her words as his eyes widen and fear creeps into his face. As he moves away from her, clearly shaken, she pulls you into a hug instead, smiling innocently.

“Don’t worry about coming home too soon, enjoy your time my beautiful. Bye I love you.”

Finally settling into his car, your curiosity gets the best of you and you turn to ask him what exactly Mina said. He nervously glances back at your apartment building, chokes a little, and mutters something about his dick being tied into a pretty bow. You had to give credit to Mina’s creative integrity whenever it came to instilling fear in people, but certainly you pitied the boy even more so tonight. As Jungkook drives away, fear still blatantly marked across his face, you feel the same equivalence in fear as you realize the night is only beginning.

The sunlight slowly begins to diminish and Jungkook looks over at your tense figure, hands gripping the hem of your dress, knuckles white. He notices the way you chew your bottom lip, your gaze clearly lost in your own thoughts. Jungkook really does feel something for the girl next to him and reaches over, intertwining his fingers with yours. You immediately look over in surprise but the feeling of gratitude washes over you as you hold onto his hand and sink into your seat, grateful for having him by your side and maybe even falling a little into love.

xx

Jungkook pulls up to the Grand Resort Hotel, dropping his keys off with the valet and grabbing your hand once more. Naturally, you intertwine fingers and the feeling feels like home to you. He glances at you again, offering you a mischievous smile.

“You ready to do this?”

Although your heart wants to say no, still afraid of being hurt again, still wary of the throbbing numb and the sinking feeling in your chest, you close your eyes and take a shaky breath in.

“Hell yeah let’s do this,” and with that resolve, you’re smiling right back at Jungkook, matching his quirky smile with your own, ready to get the closure you deserve.

Entering the ballroom, you grip Jungkook’s hand tighter and naturally he pulls you in closer. The room is filled with familiar faces, all the same but just a bit older as you recognize a couple people. Walking past a group of women, you feel their eyes on you as you recall the similar condescending and jealous gazes from high school. You were so intent on proving something to yourself, the resolve stemming from Hoseok that you had forgotten the other ugly parts of high school. The same girls that threw themselves at Hoseok while you guys were dating, the same girls that would speak about you to him, each and every comment laced with the intention to patronize you. Hoseok ultimately falling into their words, believing them and making them a reality. Your confidence falters and you temporarily lose sight of who you’ve become, of who you want to be. Why are you doing this stupid comeback? As if you do have something to prove to these people. What are you even doing y/n?

Jungkook senses your hesitation as you momentarily stop for absolutely no reason and he immediately concludes that it must’ve been someone you saw. His eyes scan your peripheral and they land on the very obvious, demeaning eyes of a group of girls. Jungkook sighs, understanding that whatever happened in the past is out of his control, however he’s intent on making the most of the night for you.

He steps in front of you, blocking your line of sight from whatever it was you were staring at as you were lost in your thoughts, simultaneously snapping you out of it. He places his hands on your arms gingerly and simply says, “Don’t worry about them okay? Just focus on me, me alright? I’m feeling selfish today, sorry y/n but I want your attention to be on me tonight.”

His unexpected method of saving you from your thoughts dissolves any anxiety you had earlier because now you’re only occupied with his face, occupied with his hands touching you.

“Y/n!”

“It’s her! Dude see! I told you!”

You and Jungkook snap out of your moment as you search for the source of your name. You’re immediately flooded with nostalgia and taken back to the happier times in high school. One by one the boys come to surround you, getting their fair share of hugs as you smile at Seokjin, Taehyung, and Jimin. Despite their history with Hoseok, they also had a history with you as their friend. You missed hanging out with them, going AWOL after you broke up with Hoseok. They all chastised their friend for being such a dick, taking your side by all means but choosing rather to give you the space you needed. They all loved you in their own way and you wish you could go back in time to relive the shared memories you had with them, even if that meant dating Hoseok.

Seokjin being the oldest was the best brother you always wanted but never got, period. Taehyung and Jimin were your sun and moon, revolving aspects of your day that were never complete unless they ruffled your hair and pinched your cheeks. Namjoon, who was to arrive later Seokjin explained as you immediately pouted, was your one and only advocate every time you needed someone to listen to your troubles, especially when it was about Hoseok. And finally Yoongi who Jimin pointed out was getting a drink over by the pop-up bar was the one you hung out with the most when Hoseok wasn’t around; you loved Yoongi because of his calm and quiet demeanor, something you both shared as well as your distaste in physical contact. You loved doing anything and absolutely nothing in his company, grateful for the times you were just in his company to cry about the break up.

In a blink, Yoongi was over by your side and you reached for a hug, lingering a while longer than the rest because you genuinely missed him. He eventually pushed you away with a grunt and eyed Jungkook suspiciously.

“Are you gonna introduce us or not y/n,” he stated gruffly, you knowing he was just trying to intimidate your date. But of course it worked and Jungkook took a couple steps behind you, trying to play it off. Tugging Jungkook to your side and pushing Yoongi out of the way, to which he scrunched his face in distaste which you ignored with an innocent smile, you introduce him as your date. As the guys move in to shake his hand, Yoongi clapping his back both reassuringly and threateningly, you feel yourself more at ease knowing the guys were just as happy to see you had moved on. Amidst the excited chatter with your date, everyone freezes as they gaze behind you.

“Y/n, I knew I’d see you again.” That voice. The effortlessly enticing and saccharine sound.

Closing your eyes in an attempt to brace yourself you turn around, and there he is.

“Hello Hoseok,” you say quickly forcing a compromising smile.

His eyes quickly glance between you and Jungkook to your intertwined hands, prompting Jungkook to greet him first again.

“Pleasure seeing you here Hoseok,” Jungkook merely nodding rather than extend his hand. You as well as the others witness Jungkook’s actions, a daring move that earns respect from your old friends.

Hoseok twitches in annoyance as his tongue prods at his inner cheek, studying the two of you as if waiting for the opportunity to strike. At the pulsing tension, the other guys surge forward to greet Hoseok instead, momentarily breaking the strain. While they keep Hoseok occupied, you quickly tug on Jungkook’s hand as he follows you towards the bar, averting any further stare-off between them.

xx

The reunion banquet continues with slideshows and fun photo memoirs of the years that your class attended the school. Several embarrassing photos strewn across the hall as Jungkook whipped out his phone to snap several quick pictures for later black-mailing purposes, despite your strenuous efforts to stop him. Both of you maintain a clear distance from Hoseok, avoiding him by all means, and the guys, especially Taehyung and Jimin did a better job of keeping him away. More so, Yoongi kept you and Jungkook company, the two men getting along more than you had hoped and, to some extent you were very happy about their compatibility. After several speeches by Namjoon, former class president of course, and former teachers who you were surprised weren’t retired and living somewhere closer to God’s waiting room, you slip away to the restroom to freshen up.

Squeezing Jungkook’s arm and giving him a quick peck on his cheek while excusing yourself from the table you sat at with the guys and their own dates, you walk towards the women’s room. Before you could push open the door, a hand tightly grips your wrist and pushes you against the wall. Before you could scream out, you realize the hand belonged to Hoseok and instead your fear was replaced with annoyance and exasperation.

As you struggled to free your wrist from his hand, he simply lets go with a smirk played on his face. Yet his eyes hold yours hostage and refraining from losing you push him away. As you begin to walk back, ignoring the urge to wash your hands and spend another moment near him, he stops you with a scoff.

“Y/n, you can’t look like this. No one will ever buy into how you look like this.”

As you turn back around, your expression is completely indifferent and at peace with yourself, all remnants of fear and humiliation dispelled as you finally realize his petty desperation, the pitiful attempt to bring you down like he had done before. Your mind was made and now you had someone you needed to get back to. Looking him square in the eyes, the most self-loving and indulgent smile playing at your lips, you challenge him.

“Oh yeah Hoseok? I’m a lawyer so sue me.”

—

#bts #bts ff #jhope #jimin #jin #jungkook #rm #suga #taehyung #v #bts jungkook #bts oneshot #bts fluff #bts angst #jungkook fluff #jungkook angst

[niall-is-my-dream]

I Will Love You Forever

 So I got a bit carried away again today! This blurb of Harry and Alex is when she had moved back to England to be with him.

Catch up below and let me know what you think.

Em x

https://niall-is-my-dream.tumblr.com/post/186287708843/we-know-where-we-belong

https://niall-is-my-dream.tumblr.com/post/186310151473/ill-wait-for-you

You'd been laying in your bed staring at Alex for a good half an hour. She looked adorable when she slept, her hair swept across the pillow, her head resting on her hand. Your legs were entangled with hers and you couldn't bare to move away.

 It had been three weeks since she had landed back in England. You'd collected her and her four big suitcases at arrivals at Heathrow, your coat collar pulled up and a hat on. No one had taken any notice of you which was exactly what you hoped for.

The four weeks she'd been gone back in Australia were torture. She went back and packed up her apartment there, finished up at work and came straight back to your house as soon as her plane had landed. You'd invited her to live with you, permanently as your girlfriend. Finally after all these years you could call her that.

Since she'd been back you had spent time making your place hers as well. You brought new linen for your bed, choosing it together like a proper couple. Your evenings were spent curled up on the sofa, her legs across your lap as you both read. 

Christmas time was upon you and a week after she arrived back you went to pick your first Christmas tree together. Wrapping up against the cold you headed out of the city to the countryside to choose one. You'd never bothered much before, always working right up until you went back to your Mum's for the Christmas holidays. But this year was special, you'd finally got the love of your life with you.

Over the next few weeks she settled into her new London office while you were on a well deserved break after a year of touring. Cooking for her had become your favourite thing. Greeting her when she came back from a long day in the office with a glass of wine and a home cooked meal.

Last night had been no different, except after dinner she retreated to your shared bedroom to finish packing for your trip back to Holmes Chapel tomorrow morning. She had ten days off to celebrate with both your families. However, neither of them knew you'd begun a relationship. Alex had told her Mum that she was going to live at yours in your spare room as it would easier and safer than living on her own.

You both wanted to live in the bubble of the new relationship without the pressure of your Mum's. They would both be excited that you had finally got together, but the early stages of a relationship were different with Alex. Having known each other all your lives, you had both said you were worried about how the shift in your relationship would go. Both of you agreeing that you didn't regret starting anything, but that you wanted to savour every moment and feel no pressure to conform.

In fact you had slotted into a relationship with complete ease and it had shocked you both. So, with the way things were going you were going to tell your families at their annual Christmas Eve party at Alex's parents house.

With both your bags packed ready for the morning you offered to run Alex a bath, she looked shattered. Work had been full on for her since she had arrived back. A huge contract that she was managing was both tiring but also really exciting and rewarding. As she sunk in the tub full of bubbles you headed downstairs to get you both some wine.

 "You getting in too?" She asked you as you handed her the glass.

 "I can do if you want me to love, I don't mind sitting on the floor if you want the tub to your self?"

 "No, I'd rather be in here with you actually." She smiled.

 "Don't need to ask me twice." You replied as you stripped off and sat at the opposite end of the roll top bath.

 "Mmmm this is much needed." She said as she laid her head back and closed her eyes.

"How's work going?"

"Good, but so busy. Glad to have a break from it all."

"Are you nervous about telling our families tomorrow?"

 "A little bit!" She laughed as she sat up to take her glass off the windowsill.

You watched her as she took a big sip before placing it back down.

 "How about you?" She asked.

"I reckon they already know. My Mum keeps asking me questions." You replied.

"Yeah, my Mum does too."

"Well, this time tomorrow we will be telling them."

"Makes it even more official." She said.

"It does." You replied reaching for her hand under the bubbles and pulling her towards you.

"H!" She cried out as she landed in your lap, the water splashing over the sides.

"Just wanna love on you a little bit." You mumbled as you nuzzled your face into the crook of her neck. She wriggled around on your lap as you tickled her neck with your stubble.

"Stop tickling me!" She giggled, as she turned around in your lap.

"Well, what can I do then?" You whispered, and she reached for your hand, guiding it towards her centre.

********

Lying here looking at her now, you were wondering if you could just hide away in your home for the next ten days. Eating your body weight in Christmas food and Quality Street chocolates. You reluctantly got your self up, pulling on some joggers and a t-shirt as quietly as you could.

Switching on the radio as you entered the kitchen, you started the coffee machine as the Christmas tunes started playing. You had an hour before you needed to leave. It was a 3.5 hour journey back to Holmes Chapel and you said you'd be there by lunchtime.

Making a coffee for you both, you headed upstairs to find Alex just stirring.

"Morning." You said placing the coffee on her bedside table and leaning down to kiss her.

"Morning." She mumbled sleepily.

"I'm going to take a quick shower, got to leave in an hour." You said.

"Ok, I'll drink this and then jump in after you." She replied.

An hour later and you were in the road. You were expecting quite a bit of traffic, people all heading off to work or home to their families. It was a long enough journey anyway so you hoped it would be plain sailing. Alex had packed some snacks and drinks, the car loaded with presents and your luggage. You were surprised the car could even move it was so full.

When you drove past the town sign you breathed a small sigh of relief at being home. Taking Alex's hand in yours, she gave yours a squeeze and you glanced at her, a massive smile on her face.

"Nearly home love." You said.

You headed straight for Alex's parents house, choosing to drop her off to spend some time with her family before heading over with yours later for the dinner party. Pulling up on her drive, you put the car in park. Spotting her Mum Angie in the kitchen window, you gave her a wave.

"There goes my chance of a cheeky kiss before you get out the car." You said.

"Plenty of time for that Harold." She replied smiling.

You had seen her Mum just six weeks ago when every one had come to your show, but you hadn't seen her Dad Tim, since you visited Holmes Chapel in the summer. You'd gone to their's to have drinks with your Mum one evening, a chance to catch up since you were back home for a couple of days. It had been awkward for you since it wasn't long since your trip to Australia where you had done incredibly dirty things with their only daughter.

It didn't feel awkward this time, even though you'd fucked that only daughter in your bath tub last night. Maybe it was because since you'd seen them last, you and Alex had made the commitment to each other. Either way it felt natural to hug her parents and talk about how the drive had been on the way up.

Angie offered you some lunch but you decided to head off to your Mum's knowing she would be worrying if you were any longer. Alex offered to walk you out while her Mum busied herself in the kitchen and her Dad took her bags to her room.

With her parents out of sight she pulled you close, a hand cupping your cheek and kissed you goodbye. Each of you whispering I love you's and I'll see you laters against your lips.

Later when you were all seated at Angie and Tim's dining table you realised you'd never felt more comfortable and content than you did in that moment.

Tim stood up to make a toast to remember Robin, and then to his delight at Alex finally being home, you knew this was where you belonged. Her family and your family together like it had always been since you were babies.

Taking Alex's hand in yours under the table you gave it a squeeze and she looked your way. As her Dad sat down, Alex stood up. Everyone looked her way, anticipating what she might say. When she told everyone that you two had embarked on a relationship everyone cheered. 

Lots of "I knew it's" and "I told you so's" which made you both laugh. Apparently everyone had assumed that something was going on between you two. 

Then your Mum decided to tell everyone about how you'd cried when you'd found out that Alex has gone to the Year Ten disco with Jacob Stubbs. You cringed at the story, but Alex had leaned over and given you a kiss.

Tim cracked open the champagne and everyone celebrated your news. Both your Mum's had huge smiles on their faces and you could see them already mentally organising a wedding.

Later when you managed to get Alex alone in the kitchen, you pulled her to you and she wrapped her arms around your neck. 

"I love you Alex Connelly, I've loved you since I was 13 and I first saw you in that little red bikini." You said smiling.

"I love you too Harry Styles and I wish you'd taken me to the Year Ten disco."

"I wish I had to." You whispered back. "Lets sneak upstairs and do some experimenting in your bedroom again, for old times sake."

#Harry and Alex #Harry styles #Harry fan fiction #harry fanfic #Emily writes #Harry fluff #Harry smut

[asterinjapan]

Museum day

Good evening again from a rainy Tokyo!

Well, I think it’s dry now, but it’s been raining for most of the day, I assume due to whatever remains of tropical depression ex-typhoon number 20 of this year. And of course, there is a very easy option to do on a rainy day: visiting museums! Or well, just the one today, haha.

On a rainy day and a national holiday, I for sure wasn’t the only one with that idea, but since Ueno Park houses a ton of museums and a zoo and what not, the crowds still spread out.

So, follow me into the Tokyo National Museum of Nature and Science today!

Actually, I’ve been sort of intending to visit this museum since my very first visit in 2010, when a trip via school let me see a glimpse of the giant blue whale statue (life size!) that marks the entrance. However, visiting a museum is never first on my list when I go to Japan, simply because I want to do so many things. With today’s weather, I didn’t think one of my planned side trips into the mountains was such a good idea, so it was finally time.

As it turns out, entrance for the permanent exhibitions (there was no special one at the moment) was free today! Today is the enthronement of the emperor, so it’s a national holiday, and apparently also a reason to call off entry prices, haha. Once inside, I did get myself a tablet with audio guide, because with this being a broad museum on eh, nature and science, I was already fairly sure my limited vocabulary wouldn’t save me here. The tablet (or plain audio device, you could pick) was 320 yen, and it was extensive. It also offered you guides through the complex, so I picked out the longest one that would lead me through all floors. This was my day plan, after all!

First, I visited the Theater 36◯ (yeah, a circle, not a zero, they’re too cool for a simple zero). True to its name, it’s a movie theater with a screen in 360 degrees all around. You get a free audio device here for languages other than Japanese, and since only 60 people can be inside at once, it’s a wait until you can get in. I killed time by checking the introduction movies on my tablet (featuring a very cute animated triceratops girl), and then I was allowed in.

You stand on a bridge that features glass on both sides, so you can watch underneath. The theater has rotating screenings, and for October, the movie clips are the deep sea and the mantle dynamics and evolution of the Earth. I was actually most excited for the former, but ended up being most impressed by the latter. I think the deep sea clip has been here for longer, because the quality was slightly pixelated at some points. The mantle dynamics movie took you to the center of the earth, and zoomed in and out to a degree that I suddenly understood the warnings that some people might feel light-headed or motion sick here, haha. It’s not that bad, but this screening definitely tricked my brain.

After that, it was time to explore the museum proper! Actually, it consists of two buildings: the global gallery, with 3 floors in the basement and 3 floors on top, and the Japan gallery, which has 3 floors with two wings each. The route I had picked sent me to the first floor of the global gallery first, going up and then starting back down on the third floor basement, and then leading me through the Japan gallery from top to bottom.

The first floor of the global gallery immediately featured the skeleton of an Allosaurus, the first dinosaur to ever be exhibited in Japan, back in 1964. This hall features the history of the planet since the very beginning until, well, now, so that’s a lot to cover and gives a starting point for the rest of the building. It showed off biodiversity, an interactive Tree of Life display where you could follow the lines to see which organisms were linked to each other, and the development of human kind starting with the very first primates to go bipedal. It was a lot, and I noticed my guide skipped some numbers here, but I quickly found out that was on purpose. If you want to listen to all the audio guide points, you need at least two full days here.

I made my way up following the guide to the third floor, where there was an absolutely massive exhibition of specimens of all kinds of mammals and birds, including the in the wild extinct Japanese wolf and tons of deer, bears, other predators, you name it. This was overwhelming and a bit creepy (these animals did die at some point, quite probably due to hunting), but very interesting and it was pretty cool to see these animals that close. There was a play corner around the, eh, corner, for which you need to make reservations in advance, and where kids can play in a climbing construction that seemed to be littered with specimens as well (I assume replicas), so they could get a hands-on approach.

The second floor was dedicated to Japanese inventions starting in the 1600s, and the interaction with other countries that brought this around. There were direct comparisons between Japanese and European measuring devices, which was very interesting, because similar museums back in Europe wouldn’t do something like that due to the distance. Also featured here were the first computers, a replica of the Himawari satellite, Japanese clocks (which are distinctly different, because the time during days and nights was measured at a different pace) and a Global Environment detector, featuring a giant screen that you could interact with to draw up measuring results on all kinds of topics, sometimes even being the actual measurements of that moment. It’s a pretty interactive museum, so there is a lot to see and do.

At this point I took a break, to find out I’d already been wandering around for two hours! And I was barely getting started, oops. So I quickly went down to the basement to find an exhibition on ‘exploring the structure of nature’, or ‘that part where I’m really happy I rented a tablet in English, because I barely even know these terms in English’, haha. It was super interesting though, showcasing a model of a particle accelerator, and a ‘cloud chamber’ in which you could observe cosmic radiation hitting earth, and actual moon rocks and the periodic table with all elements (except the radioactive ones) on display.

Another floor up is one of the more impressive ones, as it houses tons of skeletons of animals throughout the ages, including the biggest mammoth and the earliest human. They had some scarily realistic reconstructions of early humans, so lifelike that I was almost fooled into thinking they were actually people dressing up, haha.

One more floor up is one of the more popular floors, for a very easy reason: dinosaurs! There were quite a few on display, and I never fail to be impressed by the sheer size and variety of them. Not much to say here I guess, except me having a good time because dinosaurs, haha.

I made it back to the Japan gallery (the building I had started in) and after some latte, I carried myself to the third floor. I must confess I started rushing from now on, since it was already 3 PM, but this building is considerably smaller and the guide has fewer, if longer, audio spots. This building is, of course, more dedicated to the Japanese natural history, and guides you through the animals found in Japan’s waters until you find yourself facing a plesiosaurus, Futabasaurus, the first of its kind to be found in Japan. It’s reconstructed as if it’s swimming over your head, very impressive.

One floor down showcases the variety of animals found on the Japanese islands, and one of my favourites: Japanese people throughout the ages, starting in the Jomon period and ending in the Edo era (or the present, if you choose to go stand in the last spot, haha). These featured mannequins in daily life situations that were very realistic, I assume they used the same techniques as in wax museums, because I was seriously impressed, wow.

Near the end of this hall, a group of people had gathered to take pictures. You see, there was another very popular display: Hachiko. Yep, the same dog whose statue sits outside Shibuya station and of which I take a picture every time, so naturally I had to take a picture of the real deal. It’s almost weird to see him in white, his actual color, because the statue is cast in bronze. Hachiko is famous enough to get 2 plaques in English, rather than just a single line translated, haha.

On the first floor, you’ll find instruments from Japan used to throughout the ages to observe nature, including the very important ones of observing seismographic activity, rather vital in a country this active.

Finally, I was back in the basement, which has Foucault’s pendulum and uh, not much else, but I was kind of glad, because I was seriously tired and overwhelmed at this point. I learnt a whole lot today, and actually feel this is a museum you might want to visit in two trips rather than trying to stuff it all into one. I had a great time, though! I took a lot more pictures than I usually do in museums, there was just so much to see.

Of course there is a museum shop, and of course it has a special corner for Hachiko, and uh, now I have a plushie Hachiko, haha. He’s very soft and a very good boy!

It was almost 5 PM, though, so I rushed out and took a quick picture of the whale statue outside before making my way back to the station. The rain had stopped, so I walked from Ikebukuro station to Tokyu Hands to browse until dinner time, which meant I found their origami paper section, so I had a good time here, too, ahem.

Back at the hotel now, and time to go to bed, because it’ll be a long day tomorrow! It should be dry and even sunny, so fingers crossed, haha.

I’m not sure if I will update tomorrow, so for now good night and see you soon!

#report #report: japan 2019 #japan 2019

[hellocontingencies]

The Monument of a Memory (Conclusion)

Warnings: Read for yourself.

Summary: Like glass shattering into a million pieces, unable to pick up all the pieces. Like a broken relationship, it’s beyond repair. All that’s left is the monument of a memory.  Originally tied with the song ‘Various Storms & Saints’ by Florence + The Machine, this is the conclusion of the this monument of a memory…

A/N: Thank you all for reading ‘The Monument of a Memory’. Another way for me to say thank you and to show my gratitude, here’s the finale of ‘The Monument of a Memory’.

Read the first part of ‘The Monument of a Memory’ here.

Numb To be deprived of feeling. The new sensation that now consumed your body and its senses. After aimlessly walking down streets for hours, trying to still your trembling lip, trying to clear your mind you sit. The same questions playing over and over and over again. Where you not enough? Where did it go wrong? What did you do wrong? Why didn’t you fix it?

Then you go into survival mode, protecting what’s left of your heart. How do you repair something that’s been stepped on? How do you protect it from ever being touched again? What are you supposed to do with it now? You have to survive now. Use the numbness as your shield, remember your training, use it to your advantage Y/N.

You feel yourself becoming physically and emotionally exhausted. The adrenaline rush fading, you need to find a place to stay. The suns gone down and the temperatures dropped, you really wish you grabbed your coat, the sleeveless black dress isn’t close to enough.

You walk up the street looking for a pay phone, now that most of the population carries a phone, they got rid of most them. You find one, dialing the only number you were given by someone that trusts you with it, Tony Stark.

Two rings in, “Y/N? What’s wrong?”

Taking a deep breath, trying to keeping your voice steady, “Tony, I’m going to need to a place to stay. I have a place for tonight, but after tonight I’m going to need somewhere to live.”

Acknowledging out-loud that your future has changed, your life being turned upside down, again, the numbness returns.

“I’ll be in tomorrow for training, I’ll need a phone.” Your voice now emotionless.

The line is silent for a moment, Tony knows how you operate, he knows when questions should be asked, and when he shouldn’t ask you details.

“How long… will you be living in the space?”

“Permanently.”

“Your phone will be in your new place tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you, Tony.” you place the phone back on the connector.

You walk into the elevator, pushing the desired floor level. Arriving you walk down the long hallway, shoes in hand, “Y/N?” puzzled Natasha meeting you halfway “What are you doing here?”

“Your rooms still to the right, right? Still have that couch?” you keep walking, entering her room.

“What happened?” leaning against the door-frame she’s observing me, trying to read you.

With a blank expression, you reply “It’s over Nat, its over.” she starts moving slowly towards you. “Don’t try to hug or hold me, I don’t need sympathy right now, I don’t have time to be weak. I-” Tears rolling down your face, tears of anger. He’s made you slowly shatter, feel every emotion under the sun, but it always goes back to the numbness.

Numbness, that you can’t feel the tears rolling down your face anymore. Numbness, unable to feel the sensation of your lungs burning from uncontrollable sobbing. Numbness, that you can’t feel Natasha wrapping her arms around you, holding you. The sound of your sobs so deafening, sounding like a choirs voice echoing, you can’t hear her whisper her condolences for the death of your marriage.

The marriage that you now have to lay rest in its grave.

“Buck..?” Steve steps through the door that has been left ajar, stepping through the threshold into the place that was once so warm full of laughter and love now dark and quiet. Chairs flipped every which way, broken plates and food scattered on the floor.

“She’s gone” Bucky’s voice soft and weak. “I messed up Steve, I really messed up.”

Steve picks up the chair on its side, sitting in it he looks at Bucky, wanting to feel sympathetic, but the only thing he feels is disappointment in his long time friend. Unable to understand how two people so connected, so in love, how Bucky could just give everything that he had with you up.

Bucky rubs his hands over the gift you had given him. Bucky can sense the disappointment and seething Steve looking at him.

Bucky opens the box, for what had been the tenth time, a black wedding band made out of vibranium etched with the saying: “My Forever”

“She had this made for me, so that I could wear it and not break the other twenty I have when out on the field.” tearfully chuckles “I got her these Emerald earrings last year, she was so excited, she was beaming, that beautiful smile..”

Steve remaining silent, glances at the earrings then back to Bucky. “I-I gotta get her back, I can’t be without her. I just got lost, I can’t lose her, I can’t. I wish-”

Steve, cutting him off in a low growl replying through gritted teeth “You don’t deserve her Buck.” He stands up motioning to their once shared loft. “All of this, THIS, is gone Bucky. She’s gone, you threw it all away by breaking your vows.”

“When Y/N joined our team Buck, you both were wild about each other. She broke down your walls, and you broke down hers. You both suffered terrible pasts, but you know what this can do to her. Her hearts been broken, and stepped on over and over and over again. But she let you in, you worked for her trust, love, and bond. But you threw all of that away to sleep with some broad? What is she your call girl?”

“Enough.” Bucky balls his fists

“You choose someone that’s as low as trash on the sidewalk.”

“Enough!” Bucky yells

“You’re not better than that other woman! You should be ashamed of yourself! You don’t deserve her.” Steve yells, his blood boiling.

Bucky yells, charging at him throwing his fists around. He and Steve tussle, until Steve pushes him away.

Both breathing heavily, Steve the first to catch his breath “You don’t deserve Y/N. Not now, not later, not in the future, not ever.”  Steve leaves the man, sobbing on his knees, who he viewed as his hero, his best friend, now viewing him as tainted, yes he’d be with him til the end of the line. But this is a line he’d have to walk by himself, and face the fact that he lost the best thing that happened to him. You.

You don’t remember when you fell asleep and you don’t remember how long you’ve been staring at the ceiling. You started to hear it again, that voice over the phone. The voice that haunted your dreams. The rooms too quiet, you can’t stop your mind from racing.

You shoot up, getting a pair of training clothes out. You glance at your reflection, you hardly recognize yourself. Dark make-up stained on your face, your hair disheveled, you quietly shut the bathroom door trying to respect the sleeping widow. You run the water, strip your clothes throwing them into the trash can, not wanting any remnant of that night. You try to wash it all away, wash away the pain, wash away the memory. The numbness begins to fade, oh the pain.

The heart that now lays in your hand, all because of him. You promised yourself you wouldn’t let your heart get broken again. Disappointed, devastated, furious, yeah, furious, seething, you want to push his face into a wall and her’s too. Your body begins to tremble as muffled angry sobs rack through your body.

A knock on the door makes you regain your composure slightly.

“Yeah?”

“I’ll meet you in the gym in twenty minutes?” Natasha more so tells you, than asks.

“Okay.” Silently sniffing “Okay” she replies.

You get dressed putting on your training outfit, fitted black armor shirt, fitted black cargo pants, and combat boots. You force yourself to put on red matte lipstick, you don’t want questions asked, you want to look as put together as you can, you can’t afford another break down today. Don’t let them see you broken down.

You push the elevator button, the doors open you face a woman, you’ve never seen her around before. She has a slick black angled bob, dark lipstick, she’s a bit taller. She’s on the phone, she glances at you and nods, you return the greeting.

“Hey.. I haven’t heard from you, just wanted to talk. Give your best doll a call back, I miss you.” That voice, you know that voice, the voice that you can never forget and did she say ‘your best doll’ he called her that?

Rage now consuming your body, you have to restrain yourself Y/N. If only your eyes could drill a hole through her head, she sensed your eyes on her.

“I don’t think I’ve met you before, I’m Neena I just joined the team.” She extends her hand to shake yours.

You turn away from her, looking at the doors. “Um.. okay, nice to meet you too?” she doesn’t realize for her own safety you are ignoring her. You don’t care what mercenary level she is, she was no match for you but she didn’t know that, yet.

The elevators stop at the training room, you exit the elevator as calmly as possible. The voice in the back of your head is telling you ‘you’re too calm, the rage has hit the critical level.’. You walk over to Natasha, nodding at the others, Sam and Steve. You can barely look Steve in the eye, you know he had nothing to do with this, but he reminds your him.

“So whose the new girl?” you hear Neena hiss at Sam. “Show some respect new recruit, that is Y/N Barnes, she is one of the best tacticians, an expert marksman, and a mastery of weapons. She fought along side Natasha for years, Natasha has more years on her, but she’s still one of the best.”

“Y/N……Barnes..? Barnes..?” You turn your head slowly, brows furrowed, staring Neena straight in the eyes.

“Yeah? Bucky’s wife.” Sam looks at Neena puzzled. “Soon-to-be Ex-wife, might I add.” You say calmly in a low tone, everyone freezes except Natasha.

You expertly slide out your throwing knives, targeting Neena. Before the shriek could escape her lips the knives fly past her face onto the target board. “Thanks to you.” you crack a closed lip smile, a smile with no humor attached to it.

“Y/N, what are you thinking?! This is is not human target practice.” Steve scolds

“Sorry Captain, I have to um, I-I have to finish my report that I-” Neena exits the gym quickly.

You take out your knives and hand them to Natasha. Natasha raises an eyebrow taking them without question. Knowing you, she knows you’d never do anything without a rational reason.

Steve begins to call your name, he tells Sam to stop you. Sam, barely placing  a few fingers on your shoulder, you grab them bending them back hearing a loud pop, Sam yells out in pain.

“Don’t worry Birdy, those will heal in three weeks top, maybe.” Natasha says looking down at him.

Neena is at the Elevator, you pick up the pace and enter right behind her. “F.R.I.D.A.Y., halt the Elevator, do not start unless I give the command. Alpha Y/N-12122185.” “Yes Miss.” Friday initating the protocol, sealing the doors, not even Banner himself could get through. 

“I didn’t know he was marr-” Your fist connects with her face, you effortlessly grab her arm twisting it behind her back smashing her face against the wall of the elevator.

“I’m sure that’s the same old story, let’s get one thing straight Neena. I could kill you and it would look like an accident. On second thought, I’d want people to know what I did to you. Twisting her arm back further, kneeing her back. “Get off!” Neena tries to push you back, causing you to slam her harder into the wall. “Is that how you yelled when he was ‘doing you’?” Pulling her arm back you slam her to the floor, penning her down connecting your fist with her face.

“Listen! I’m not the only one to blame, it had been going on for months! Some expert spy you were, you didn’t realize your husband was slowly falling for me. For months you crazy wench.” Nina screeches.

Your heart racing, your pulse e. Her words taking a toll on you, you gave yourself over willingly to it, welcoming the anger. Eyes darkening your fist connecting with her face over and over again. She tries to fight back, pushing you off charging for you, grabbing her arm you spin her around slamming her again, twisting her arm, snap.

Screams wrack through her body, a chilling echo that travels through the elevator walls.

“Y/N! F.R.I.D.A.Y. open the doors now!” Steve yells now in sheer panic trying to force the doors open, the doors opening a crack.

You slam her down, pinning your knee in her chest. “Do you realize what you did? Did you think that your whorish actions wouldn’t have hell to pay?! Do you know what you did!? You walked into my life, my life and tore it down. Repeatedly connecting your foot with her sides “Piece by piece by piece, you and him.”

Sobbing in agony she begs “I-I’m s-o-r-r-r-y please…” “Please what?!” You grit “Did you stop? Huh?! Did you? No, you had to have him and so you did. Congratulations, all you hard work has paid off, and I’m your reward!”

The elevator doors now half way open, Steve yelling at you to stop, Natasha slides through under Steve. “Y/N, enough!” Natasha tries to pull your hands from Neena’s. Steve pushes himself through the elevator doors snatching you around the waist pulling you away. In that swift moment you stomp on her knee, she cries out in agony.

“F.R.I.D.A.Y. Romanoff 12120118 Overriding, NOW. The infirmary.” “Yes Ms. Romanoff.”

“The next time you want to screw something else that isn’t yours, remember THAT.” Steve wrapping his arms around you, restraining your arms. “You need to calm down Y/N, please, calm down. I know you’re hurting right now.” He’s pleading, begging you.

“Steve get off of me! I’m not finished with her, she deserves to suffer! She deserves to feel every painful thing, everything that she’s done to me!” You snap

“I know Y/N I know, and I’m sorry but I can’t let you do that.”

You shove him away, seething�� “You don’t know anything! He was your friend, how could you have not known!? He tells you everything! How Steve? How?!” The sensation of burning lungs returning, you can’t control your emotions you’re so hurt, so broken.

“Y/N, I don’t think Steve knew anyth-” Natasha starts.

Steve rests  Natasha “It’s okay Nat, she’s hurting right now.”

The Elevator arriving to the infirmary the doors open slightly, Steve’s hand imprints in both doors. Natasha drags Neena out of it by the only arm functioning, crying out at every movement. Natasha ignoring the pleas for her  as she carries on making sure she felt every movement.

The elevator doors shut “Y/N I know you’re hurting, I know you feel like this is the end for you but its not. You’ve got a lot of fight in you and I’ll be with you every step of the way, I promise. This may feel like a mountain you can’t climb, don’t make it your enemy, you have to get up.” Steve holds you close to his chest, instructing F.R.I.D.A.Y. to go to your room level.

He places his palms to either side of your face, his smile’s small but its just like his eyes, full of sorrow. He wipes your tears, something that Bucky use to do. “Don’t pity me Steve, please don’t. I don’t need anymore pity.” You stand up walking off towards your room opening the door, Steve stops the door from closing.

“Steve,” you start “Just don’t, I want to be alone.” Steve closes the door behind him going into the bathroom getting out cotton swabs and wraps. “You don’t need to be alone, and I’m not going to leave you alone.”

Sighing you sit next to him, you drop your head in your hands sliding your hands down your face. You look at your fists, bruised and cut. Steve carefully grabs your hands holding them dabbing the ointment on your cuts. He wraps your hands, you wince at the pressure. Finishing he holds your hands waiting for you to look at him. Looking you straight in the eye “I didn’t know Y/N.”

“I know you didn’t, Steve I know. I didn’t-” he cuts you off “Don’t you dare apologize, you have every right to ask questions.”

For the first time in a few days you crack a small smile “Thank you.”

“No matter what I’ll always have your back.” Steve says returning the smile.

“I know what I need to do, a small part of me doesn’t want to but my heart is so hollow Steve. I practically have my heart in hand every time I give it away it gets stepped on. He was the last person I expected to do that.”

“This may seem like forever or will take ages, but one day it’ll be over. It’s not going to be easy, but it’ll be over.”

Steve stayed with you all night, he insisted on staying on the couch, listening to you vent, holding you when you needed, giving you your space when you needed silence. Always a man of his word that Captain.

Tony arranged for his lawyers to type up divorce papers.

You’re standing outside the loft, ringing your fingers around your duffel bag strap. You came to collect as many clothes as you could, Tony said he would have the movers get the rest. You unlock the door, your eyes meeting with Bucky's, staring straight at you from the table. This is the first time you’ve seen him in weeks. He quickly stands up making his way over to you.

Before he can speak you hand him the yellow envelope. “They’re divorce papers, they need to be signed by the time I come back down those stairs.”

“Y/N please..” his voice sounding so small

You hold up your finger “You. You don’t get to speak, you don’t get to plead with me. You made us this way Bucky, you made us this way.”

“You never stopped belonging to me, I-I didn’t stop loving you…you’re my best Doll.” Your eyes widen, you swing your arm back slapping Bucky.

 “Don’t call me that.. don’t you dare you called her that too.” Bucky speechless shifts uncomfortably. “Yeah didn’t think I’d figure that out huh? Neena and I had a nice little chat so to say. You might want to check up on your girlfriend, she’s not going to be able to wrap her arms or legs around you for a while.”

“Y/N I’m sorry, I regret every second of it I can’t take it back, I wish I could but I can’t.”

“And you’ll have to live with that. We both do.” Walking up the stairs you pack as much as you can, leaving any jewelry Bucky gave you. You can’t look back, you won’t look back.

She’s walking down the steps focusing on every step, slowly raising her head our eyes meeting. I’m trying to remember the face that I woke up to for eight years. The face that I always put a smile on, always made laugh, always filled with pleasure. The face that filled me with so much more. Now its the same face that I’ve drained the light from her eyes, sucked all joy and pleasure from her very bones. All because of my greed.

“If you love something let it go.” I whisper to her handing back the signed papers.

She takes back the papers, “I don’t want anything, everything in this house is yours James. Tony will send for the rest of my clothes tomorrow, here’s the key. Anything regarding the divorce, going forward, my lawyers will be in touch with you.” I pick up her duffel bag handing it to her, our fingers brushing the electric spark gone.

“Goodbye.”

“Goodbye Y/N” I softly reply, closing the door to the woman I let go.

Four months after you both signed the papers, the divorce was finalized.

Eight months later Steve, yourself, and Natasha were asked to train the newcomers, twins with special abilities.

A year later, the day that would’ve been your ninth wedding anniversary. Steve remembered he saw how you were struggling, you didn’t feel like talking or crying, but you didn’t want to be alone. He sat with you silently as he sketched and you read. You’re no longer reading what’s on the pages, taking a deep breath you try to concentrate but your brain betraying you. A large warm open palm stretches out, inviting yours to rest in it, you accept. Glancing at Steve, he smiles at you returning his focus back to his drawing, the smile never leaving his face. You return the smile brushing a thumb lightly over his knuckles his hold tightens your fingers intertwining.

You’ve slowly untied yourself from the lifeline, uncurling from the previous lifeline, Bucky. You were bleeding but you’ve been okay, you’ve held on to your heart you’ve kept it safe. You’ve stumbled, feet given away but you’re teaching yourself to be free. You’ve protected your heart, you may be afraid to give it away. But maybe, just maybe you know someone who will keep it safe.

Note: Thank you for reading.

#angst #bucky barnes #james buchanan barnes #bucky barnes x reader #reader x bucky barnes #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes on shot #bucky barnes fanfic #bucky barnes fanfiction #bucky barnes fan fic #bucky barnes fan fiction #marvel #domino marvel #steve rogers #natasha romanoff #captain america #black widow #tony stark #captain america x reader #winter soldier imagine #winter soldier x reader

[benbarnesescape]

Un Moment à Paris - Part 3

The Truth Shall Set You Free 

Warnings: None. Language. Fluff lol

Permanent Tag List:  @la-fille-en-aiguilles, @ladyblablabla, @starless-skyox @livelearnandtravel

A/N: Sorry for the delay in pushing this out! This is a long chapter to make up for the delay – excited to see the trouble these two lovebirds get themselves in :)

Need to Catch Up? Read Part 1 and Part 2 

Ben could sense the tension the minute Lorenzo walked into the space. Your open, flirty quality immediately withdrew into you as your eyes narrowed at Lorenzo. He was watching you smugly, possessively.

“I gave Natasha the reports minutes before you met with him. She’s already given them to Jeanette.”  You say and Lorenzo nods, his eyes never leaving yours as they flicked between you and Ben. There was obviously some history sitting between you two– some unspoken backstory that could have only ended badly. Whatever it was, it had seemed that you no longer wanted part of it.

Lorenzo obviously didn’t share that sentiment.

“I must have missed that,” the Italian man’s words bought Ben back to the present and he heard you draw out a long sigh before pinching your nose.

“Must have.”

Silence. You were looking at Lorenzo expectantly and Ben was surprised at the man’s boldness. Obviously he felt that Ben was a threat. And if he was a threat that meant even Lorenzo could sense there was something going on between him and you.

Perfect.

“I’m Ben,” Ben extends out his hand, smiling at Lorenzo who accepts. The grip is strong as you shake your head flustered.

“I’m so sorry Ben. This is my colleague, Lorenzo. Lorenzo - Ben.”

Ben pulls away, placing a hand at the small of your back.

“Nice to meet you. I have to head out but I’d love to hear more about the restaurant suggestions you mentioned earlier. For dinner I’m taking you to, later this week.”

Ben is smiling down at you, his hand now snaking around your waist, drawing you closer to him. Your eyes are watching him hesitantly before you smile, nodding your head slowly as you find your arms around him.

“Dinner later this week. Right…let me walk you out so we can discuss it.”

Ben smiles, turning back to Lorenzo, a knowing smirk on his face.

“Pleasure to meet you again, Lorenzo. Y/N, shall we?”

You smile up at him, nodding your head before you both head out of the door. Ben doesn’t miss the way Lorenzo is watching you, anger fuming in his eyes and you have to wait until you’re down the hallway before you burst into laughter.

“Oh my goodness, thank you!” you finally say, shaking your head as you both near the elevator. Ben chuckles, shaking his head. 

“It was nothing,” Ben’s eye flick back to your office before looking back at you. “What was up with that?” 

You sigh, walking into the elevator as it dings open. 

“You know, Lorenzo and I were coworkers and then we thought we could be coworkers and lovers because when you work unreasonable hours your dating pool options becoming unsurprisingly limited.” 

Ben nods knowingly, watching as you lean back against the elevator, biting your lip. 

“We….or I should say I broke it off with him about a couple of months ago and he wasn’t happy with that so, you know, he has to find any opportunity to be an obnoxious ass about it.” 

You both hit the ground floor, stepping out in the open space and you sigh. 

“Sorry either way. We barely meet and here I am already pouring out my ex-boyfriend problems. I swear, I’m not this dramatic.” 

He laughs, walking in stride with you. 

“I doubt you’re dramatic at all. And take it from someone who equally works ridiculously long hours – I get it.” You both near the main entrance door and he turns to you, his eyes peering into yours. 

“Besides, the best way for a guy to get off your back is to intimidate him with another guy. And I’d be happy to fill in for you.” 

He doesn’t miss the way your cheeks flush, your smile widening as you shake your head. 

“If you’re trying to prove that your flirting game isn’t as weak as it was earlier, you are cashing in on some major points.” 

He grins, bending down close to your ear before whispering, 

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” 

He places a kiss on your cheek before turning on his heels. 

“Look forward to hearing from you.” He casually yells over his shoulder.

Then he’s gone, lost in the busy streets of Paris. 

You’re left standing in the middle of your job mouth slightly agape, watching him walk off with his hands digging into his pockets, head slightly tilted back in a whistle. He was actually smooth, the little flirt. Perhaps you had caught him off of his a game. 

You turn back to your office, reviewing the past couple of minutes in your mind. Forgetting one particular detail.

Lorenzo.

He was standing over your desk now, looking down at something and you roll your eyes. Not only was your ex boyfriend talented at tongue, but was charming and had a flaming curiosity and loved to interfere with all aspects of your life.

It was downright infuriating.

“How can I help you Lorenzo?” You ask nearing him and he jumps up startled, his face instantly going red as he stuffs something in his back pocket. You roll your eyes, easily moving past him into your chair as you correct the folders he’s left in disarray on your desk. 

“Who the hell was that?” 

Though his voice is calm, you can see the jealousy licking behind his dark eyes. Lorenzo thought he was the only man in your life – the only one and the best one. God forbid you go and choose someone else to amuse your time with. 

“Don’t worry about it Lorenzo. It was nobody. An old friend.” 

You wave your hand at the air with ease, ignoring the way he inches closer to you. 

“Looked more like an old friend to me.”

“What does it matter Renzo,” He frowns at the nickname you had dubbed him long ago and you smirk. Did you really used to date this insecure man? Even if he was soft on the eyes and good in bed. “We no longer date.” 

You make an exaggerated gesture of pointing from you to him before rolling your eyes.  He looks at you and for a second you think he’s going to do something drastic. Like kiss you. Instead he smirks and rolls his eyes.

“Guess you’re right.” he mumbles, turning on his heel.

You roll your eyes, returning to the large task at hand. It takes you until later that night, after you’ve shuffled through the masses of paperwork, to realize that he had slipped away with Ben’s number.

Three Days Later 

The party was dull. Ben had been over it the moment he had walked in. While it was impressive – a large venue that had an exposed ceiling and so many decorations one could get swept up into the illusion of a fairy tale – it was also the type of shindig that would be enjoyable with friends. A place where you could get drunk expectantly and piss about and not worry about the consequences.

Unfortunately, it was a work event connected to the cologne he had been promoting so it meant he had to be on his best behavior. And though the guests were pleasant, he was bored.

He would much have rather gone out to dinner with you than stand around with strangers. 

He sighs, making his way to the bar, discarding the empty glass in his hands to a waiter that was walking by. Not like you would have joined him. 

He didn’t get the vibe that you weren’t into him. In fact, if you’re over jealous ex-boyfriend hadn’t shown up, he was positive that you would have kissed him back. When he had left, he was positive he would receive a text at least by that morning asking how he was.

He hadn’t.

In fact, it had been radio silence since he left your building. 

He thought about dropping by with lunch to apologize for being too forward the day before but after asking his friends and younger brother about it, held back. Apparently that would have been really creepy and desperate and he needed to understand boundaries.

If you hadn’t called by tomorrow, they had told him to throw in the towel. 

Obviously you weren’t as interested as he thought. And that just damn near sucked.

He leans over the bar, his hands resting on the shiny granite and hails a bartender who only slightly acknowledges him before turning to a busty young woman. 

At least someone was getting some attention.

His eyes drift, taking in the ballroom. Taking in the people laughing drunkenly in their fancy gowns. And then his eyes find you. 

He doesn’t know how he had missed you before. You’re wearing gold and the low cut dress stands out amongst the neutral fall colors. Your smiling cordially as you walk around the room slowly, whispering into an ear piece. Obviously here for work. 

He turns back to the bar, debating what to do next. Perhaps it was better to leave you alone. 

Respect the space you demanded. He looks over his shoulders, taking you in your gown and groans. He thinks about what his mother would say. This was the second time your paths have crossed. It was obvious the universe was giving him a sign. 

Might as well go for it and deal with the embarrassment of being turned down then not go for it at all.

The waiter walks up to him and asks, “Can I help you sir?” in a thick French accent but Ben nods, shaking his head as he turns and heads in your direction. 

You didn’t want to be here. After you had found out about Lorenzo’s sticky fingers, you had confronted him about it the next day but he had just played innocent, claiming if Ben really was a friend, you’d have no problem reconnecting with him. 

If Natasha hadn’t been around, you were sure you’d punch him in his perfectly shaped nose.

And, if being swamped at work couldn’t take the cheese, you somehow got suckered into covering for Jean, translating at some random cologne promotion event for a couple of the companies top executives. Granted it was a gig that you were able to split with Natasha, but you were tired. You wanted to go home, take a long bath and sip wine and try not think about how you ruined a chance with probably the most decent guy you’ve run into in months.  Maybe even years.

God you hated Lorenzo. 

The main event had finished and you pulled the small earpiece out of your ears, wrapping the headphones around the small equipment as you continued your small hike around the large ballroom. You weren’t needed anymore and the ambassador asked you to participate in the nights activities but you were at the end of your rope. You just hoped you could sneak out before Natasha found you. If she did there was no way you were missing out on a party, let alone a free party, and after the week you had you weren’t too sure you had it in you. 

You’re getting closer to where the translators are seated when you hear your name echoing across the large ballroom and you freeze in place, turning your head at the handsome man strutting toward you. 

Ben is wearing a dark crème colored suit, standing out from the plain black tuxedos in the space. He’s hair is styled back in a coif and the shadow he had donned when you first met him was now starting to form in a small beard and you groaned.  

He was the kind of person that could keep you from a glass of wine in the tub. Dressed like that you’d damn near find a way to convince him to strip down and join you. How – how- in the world did this man make fashion look so good?

“Surprised to see you here stranger.” He’s beaming at you as he nears, his eyes betraying the way he’s drinking you in as they rake up the length of your body. 

“Thought you didn’t want to see me again.” He stops inches in front of you as he tries to get a read on you. Probably confused because the last time you met, you had almost kissed and promised to call him. Last time, you had thought you had his number. You shake your head, giving a long sigh. 

“So I was an idiot and left your number on my desk, unprotected by Lorenzo when I walked you down to the lobby. You can do the math on the rest as to why I haven’t been able to contact you.”

Ben’s eyes flick with something, annoyance probably, before he’s chuckling and shaking his head. 

“Should have figured. Didn’t think I had threatened him that much.”

You laugh along with him, continuing your adventure toward the translator station and Ben follows, pace matching your own.

“Obviously he must have known how good you look in a suit.” You wink at him and he beams back at you, pushing your shoulders lightly. You try to ignore the butterflies that form from his touch. 

“I’m glad that you were sabotaged by Lorenzo and not trying to brush me off kindly…” The hint of uncertainty subtly registers in his voice and you nudge him back with your shoulders. Trying to cover the fact that you were jumping up and down inside because he was making it very clear that he liked you. 

“I’m all about the chase.” You tease and he laughs. 

“Not if you’re showing up at the same parties I’m at.” He coolly replies, shoving his hands in his suit pockets. 

“I’m here for work,” you raise the ear set and he nods. “Need to return these before I can leave the premises.”

“You’re leaving?” He asks uncertainly and you nod, biting your lip. 

“It’s not that I’m not happy to see you but…..it’s been a long 24 hours. I kinda want to go home and relax versus parade around for some guy whose promoting some cheap cologne.” 

The space booms with his laughter as he holds his side, before shaking his head and looking at you.

“I get that. I’m here for work too. I also would rather be in my bed watching Netflix then putting on a show but you know, when work calls, it calls.” 

You reach the station, handing your earpiece to an elderly woman who smiles at you before you turn to him. 

“I mean, it’s not like we won’t see each other.”

He gives a skeptical look and you laugh, raising your hands. 

“Okay, okay minus that first hiccup. I’ll put my number in your phone and vice versa. That way, if I do blow you off next time, you know it’s because I’m not interested.” 

You shoot him another wink and he leans against a pillar, a small smile of amusement dancing on his face as he digs his phone out of his pocket and hands it to you. You begin texting in your number as he asks, 

“Is that supposed to instill confidence or be a warning?” 

You look up at him, at the casual way he’s looking down at you and you clear your throat, handing his phone back. Your fingers graze and that spark that had waned since you saw him last re-ignites. Heat courses between you and you imagine what it would feel like to have those same, long fingers dancing across your body.  

“Both…?” you whisper, hoping it sounds more confident like you imagined in your head. You know it doesn’t. Know by the way his lips slowly tug into a smile. You clear your throat, standing taller.

“Let me grab your number.” You say, trying to divert the conversation and he shakes his head. 

Leaning off the pillar, he brushes past you before slightly turning his head, 

“Who say’s I want to share it with you?” 

Despite your best effort, despite not wanting too, you can’t help but follow him. Of course he did….didn’t he? You catch up with his gait easily and he’s smiling, his eyes flicking over to you occasionally, chin jutted proudly in the air. 

“Oh c’mon am I being punished for Lorenzo’s interference?!” you finally ask and he shrugs. 

“I mean, if you stayed a bit for the party then maybe I’d be more than happy to share my number with you. Just to make up for what Lorenzo did.” 

His eyes are twinkling with mischief and you laugh, shaking your head. 

“Oh is that how it’s going to be?” 

He shrugs, that same shit eating grin on his face and cross your arms, debating your next move. This was a power play. He knew that you knew how much he was into you. You had the power and he didn’t like that. He wanted to level the playing field. You could either give into it or drag it out. 

You bite your lip, debating before saying, 

“Oh all right! I’ll stick around for a bit. But only on my terms.” 

He raises a brow as you continue, “You have to give me your number,” A nod. “And you have to dance with me. Deal?” you stick out your hand and he hesitates before his hands firmly grip around your smaller ones. He gives you a small squeeze before saying,  

“Deal. Though you might regret that latter part.” 

You laugh, shaking your head as you turn with his hand still in yours. 

“No way.” You giggle, heading directly to th

e dance floor.

You both had been dancing for an hour. The minute you had gotten on the dance floor, Ben learned, you transformed into some dancing siren, music taking control of your body as your hands went in the air, hips taking control. Ben, hesitantly, had been intimidated. Though there were what felt like hundreds of people on the dance floor, none of them were the host of the party. None of them had to dance next to you. You had drawn a slew of eyes to the both of you with your moves, but whether you knew he was unsure.

You never stopped. You moved and swayed your hips from song to song, never once letting up. Midway through you had grabbed a handful of the long gown you were wearing, whether to cool down or be less restricted he didn’t know, and now between your chest, hips and legs he was thoroughly distracted.  Your hair that had been pulled back was loosely coming out, tendrils tickling the exposed skin and Ben was intoxicated by you. 

It had been the sixth song that you had realized how distant he had been and you grinded yourself into him. He lost the last bit of sanity he was holding on to. If you hadn’t know how into you he was, you would surely know now. It wasn’t smooth at first, him trying to keep pace with you to the fast beat of songs but you were patient, placing his hands on your hips and guiding him through the music with your body. By the time he had gotten the knack of it, you had pulled away, twirling in his arms and laughing as a Latin song came on, trying to navigate him through a simple cumbia dance move. 

Your second mistake. 

If there was anything worse than allowing him to try to dance on his own, it was adding steps to movement. You didn’t mind though. You giggled as he stepped on your toes, easily moving your hips as he tripped behind. It was when you wrapped your arms around his neck, drawing him closer to you and whispered,  

“Don’t worry about what you look like ok? It’s all about having a good time and feeling the music to you. Enjoying the company you’re in.” 

That he knew he was a goner. That whatever he did from here on out, he had to win your heart. He had stopped his movements, his steps waning as he looked down at you intensely, watching your puckered lips before his eyes met yours. He drew you closer to him, wanting desperately to taste you. Wanting to get lost in your essence. He felt your grip tighten around his neck as you leaned up on your toes, edging him on. 

Your lips had barely grazed, breath mingled with the other when, 

“Y/N!” 

You jerk back startled, trying to find the location of the person yelling out your name. Ben groans, watching as Natasha scurries toward you in a short black dress, watching how intimate the both of you are. You nudge away from him gently as she watches him, a knowing look of mischief in her eyes.  

She knew. 

“What’s up Natasha?” 

She snaps toward you, a devious smirk on her face. 

“You are never going to guess what I just found out.” 

She definitely knew and Ben internally groans. She knew and was going to tell you before he had the chance. How else could this go wrong so quickly? 

You’re giving him a confused look when he hears his name from across the bass of the music and he groans loud now, hands instantly flying to your own. This takes you off guard as you look down at him but he’s unaware. He knows what’s next. 

“Wait, you can’t just leave! Aren’t you going to tell her?” Natasha is following you both and Ben sighs at the confirmation. He looks over his shoulder at you as you switch from Natasha to him and he squeezes your hand. 

“So I planned on telling you this over coffee but I guess this is as good a time than any.” 

You raise a curious brow now that you are away from the large dance music and a small, brunette woman walks toward you both. She’s wearing a loose white top and black pants as she hastily walks toward you but it’s the wedding band that has you stiffening. You pull away from him harshly, the pain seeping in as he turns to you confused, trying to read the emotions playing on your face. 

He was married. 

He was married and was going to kiss you on the dance floor.  

You had the best taste in men. 

“You’re married?!” You stutter out and he looks at you confused. 

“Wait, what?” he asks confused and Natasha laughs. You shoot her a look but her laughter doesn’t subside. 

“Oh Y/N….this is great. This is totally worth working on a Friday night.” 

The brunette is in front of you, looking down at her phone before shooting up and talking to Ben. 

“Ben where have you been? You need to take some more press photos, the boys at Salvatore Ferragamo wants you taking some more with the cologne and want you to…you look a mess!? Have you been dancing?”

Her eyes then flash from him to you and she smiles, nodding knowingly. 

“I see now... This must be Y/N. Well, listen, you need to fix this.” She ruffles his hair “I think there’s a stylist here, at least enough for the photos. I can get Y/N and her friend on the VIP list but you’re going to have to vouch that she’s just a friend. The last thing we need are rumors before this film starts.” She flashes you a warning look before she’s wrapping her hands around Ben’s arm. 

“I’ll meet you in the VIP lounge!” Ben yells as he gets pulled away, a look of apology in his eyes and your left gaping after him. 

Again.  

“What the fuck just happened.” You mumble and Natasha laughs, wrapping her arm around your shoulder, oblivious to the sweat that was still there.  

“Apparently your boy Ben is throwing this shindig,” she points to the very obvious, large posters hanging from the rafters you don’t know how you’ve missed of Ben smiling down at you. They had been hanging everywhere. How the hell did you miss that? Oh you knew, you literally were focused on getting in and out to enjoy your Friday. 

“And not only that, apparently he’s in town filming a movie. That’s right Y/N, you’ve been flirting with an actor!” 

You feel your stomach drop.

An actor?

#ben barnes #ben barnes x reader #un moment a paris series #benbarnesescape

[aliciasqinnet]

All That I Am — Part 2

a/n: i’m so glad people have liked this so far! i wasn’t planning on posting this until i was halfway through with part three, but i’m super excited about this part and i really just wanted people to read. the other parts will probably take a while before they get written/posted because i have rehearsals coming up this week. comments welcome!

Rating: T

Word Count: 4,638

Part 1 / Part 3

Elain’s first day with Lucien in the gardens was nothing like she had expected it would be. He didn’t force her to say anything and he hadn’t spoken much either. Elain had scrounged up a more comfortable outfit, loose trousers and a top that flowed off her dainty form. She’d realized begrudgingly that she’d picked something more akin to what she had worn during her time in the Night Court and less like what she would have worn at home.

She didn’t work up the courage to ask him about anything of importance, and she didn’t think he trusted her enough to tell her anything yet, anyway. Mate or not, they still had no relationship at all.

Being around Lucien made Elain feel like she was betraying Graysen, betraying herself. She knew her love for the Lord’s son had been real, but this newfound bond with Lucien felt like it was forcing her to negate the feelings she’d had for the human boy. Since humans didn’t have mating bonds, could they really feel love at all? The question kept Elain up late many nights in a row.

She sat at the window in her bedroom, looking over the gardens. She slept in late most mornings, sat flower-side with Lucien in the afternoons, retired immediately after dinner, but didn’t sleep.

She wore her hair down every day. If she didn’t look in the mirror, it was easier to pretend that nothing had changed. She was at home in their tiny village, Graysen just a few minutes away from coming to get her. This was her garden. These were her roses, her tulips. She was normal again, human. Everything was as it should be.

But some days Lucien would sit next to her and she’d feel that strange tug towards him, the center of her gut urging her to get closer, to see what it would be like to run her fingers through his hair, over his lips, across his jaw. Elain told herself that it was just primal. The mate bond didn’t mean anything. It never would. Not for her, not for them.

One day, Lucien sat next to her as she tended to the roses, choosing only the most beautiful and unblemished to snip and put into a bouquet. She picked a new batch of flowers to place by the windowsill in her room every day. It comforted her to have the sweet fragrance floating through the foreign chamber.

“How do you decide which to pick?” He said it quietly. Everything Lucien said was quiet, she noticed. She shrugged nonchalantly, examining the bud between her fingers closely.

“If there are too many petals, the rose looks cluttered. If there are too few, it looks sickly. You have to find the perfect balance between the two in order to find the perfect rose. It takes practice.”

“You practice picking roses?” It sounded almost like he was teasing her, but Elain had never heard him say an ill word to anyone in the manor, save for an argument she’d overheard with Tamlin. She narrowed her eyes slightly and turned to face him.

“I assume you practice with your sword,” she said defiantly. “It’s no different. I find all your armor and… violence ridiculous, but I’ve never said anything.”

She turned back to her roses. For they were her roses. The servants had stopped tending to the garden when she’d gotten there, and she didn’t think the High Lord paid much attention to anything other than her sister and his attempt at a kingdom.

Lucien let out a breath. It might have even been a laugh. If she would have turned around, she would have found disbelief on the redhead’s features, his lips turned up in a devilish smirk.

“Thank you for sparing my feelings, my lady.” He was teasing her. Elain fought a smile.

“You did seem rather fragile,” she said, under her breath. But Lucien heard her and laughed outright, a quick bark of amusement and surprise.

They spent the rest of the afternoon in a comfortable silence that had not been present before. Elain felt her shoulders relax for the first time since being in the Spring Court. Lucien would point to flowers, silently asking if they were perfect enough for her. They never were and she’d shake her head, fighting an exasperated sigh after the fifth attempt.

When they got up to leave, Lucien turned to face Elain. She was wearing a pretty pair of light pink trousers that glossed over her curves and her hair fell in careful waves, like it always had. To those on the outside, it would look like Elain was permanently ready to be seen by the public. In reality, she was just so pleasant looking that it was hard for her to look anything less than pretty.  

“Would you like to join me for a ride tomorrow?” Lucien paused. “Elain.”

He had never said her name before, at least not while in her presence. It had an oddly chilling effect. Elain’s muscles tightened and then released in rapid succession. She opened her mouth to kindly refuse his offer, but before she could, he spoke again.

“In the morning. We’ll be back before it’s your gardening time. I promise.”

Elain considered it for a second longer, squeezing her fist again.

“I will be holding you to that oath,” she said finally before turning on her heels and strutting back into the manor, her gentle curls bouncing across her back.

Lucien let out a breath, a blush spreading to his ears, but Elain didn’t turn to see.

~

Lucien took her out among the grounds for a while, letting her get used to the feel of a horse beneath her. She had admitted to him that she’d never been very good with the beasts, but had assured him that she did not need, or want, to ride along with him, atop his own steed. He coached her gently. Pull up on the reigns here, loosen them here.

Elain was grateful. She’d never been good with animals and had been more worried than she would have cared to admit that she would be bucked off the horse within the first few minutes.

“I have something I’d like to show you. May I?” Elain voice her consent and Lucien steered his horse off to the left, into the rolling hills of the Spring Court’s lands.

They didn’t have to ride for long before Lucien slowed and helped Elain down from her horse. He tied both of the beasts up to a tree and led her though a patch of aspens and oaks. The sight she was met with was definitely not what she was expecting.

The clearing in front of them was overflowing with the most beautiful wildflowers she’d ever seen. No two flowers were the same, each of them mixed in with every other blossoming bud. Elain drew in a breath, not even bothering to look at Lucien before she darted into the fray. Each flower was a distinctly different hue, all complimenting one another. She almost felt tears draw into the corners of her yes.

“Do you know what they are?” Lucien asked softly, his fingers tracing a batch of Maximillian sunflowers. Elain nodded. She moved through the field, running her hands carefully along the petals as she told Lucien all of their names. Blanket flowers, blue sage, foxglove, Iceland poppies, gerbera daisies. Elain wanted to fall to the ground and lay amongst the comfort of her flowers for the rest of eternity, but she would never risk squishing any of them.

Instead, she walked up to where the flowers ended and the soft grass began, sitting down. It was a slight uphill climb and from here she could see the entire field spread before her.

“Tell me about them.” Elain looked up at Lucien, startled. He sat down next to her, not close enough to touch but not too far either. He nodded out at the field.

“Foxgloves, the purple, bell-like ones, don’t grow until their second year, but then they reseed on their own. So, you have to plant them two years in a row before you’ll see them, but never again. They get tall. I have some at home that are almost taller than me.” Elain paused. Her home. Oh, how she missed the simplicity of having a home. Somewhere to return to when she was feeling upset or lonely. She continued on.

“The gerbera daisies, they’re normally that red color. They work nicely inside because they don’t require a lot of care as long as you can give them a lot of sunlight. Then you just water regularly and they’ll thrive. I put a pot of them in Nesta’s room. It has the most sunlight in the house.”

Elain told him more about the poppies and about other flowers, too. She told him about the windflowers she’d planted last spring, but they hadn’t lasted very long and she didn’t think she’d plant them again. The snapdragons that had been her very first flower in their new garden. They were still her favorite. She told him of the columbine flowers she’d made into a bouquet for Nesta after Feyre had left. Nesta had been an absolute wreck then and Elain had tried to cheer her up. Nesta had ended up throwing the flowers on the floor and stomping on them once Elain had left the room.

Lucien listened carefully. Elain was surprised at how nice it was to get to talk again. Everyone always assumed she was the quiet sister and she was; when hidden behind Nesta’s boisterous personality. But Elain liked to talk, too. She liked to share things that had happened to her and go to parties and dance all night. She’d done those things with Graysen. She was struck again by how much she missed everything about him: his dark hair, dark skin, dark eyes, the softness of his hands from the cream his mother made, the way he’d whisper in her ear when they were at parties, secrets just for them. She missed the way he made her laugh, a bubbling, overwhelming kind of laughter that she could never hold in. And Graysen had never wanted her to.

Elain scooted further away from Lucien. He was still looking at her. This time, he spoke.

“My mother loved flowers, too. I’d play in the gardens when I was growing up. There are very few flowers that bloom as beautifully in Autumn as others do in Spring. My favorite were the lanterns. They were all over the garden. Have you ever seen them?” Elain shook her head. “They’re yellow and red and orange. They’re like little heart-shaped boxes made out of petals. I loved them. Once, I tried to pick them to put in water, but they’re hanging flowers and I didn’t cut them correctly. They died within the next day.”

~

Elain and Lucien returned to the field every morning after that. They talked more now, after their first day, and Elain felt calm around him. It was easy to talk to Lucien. He never interrupted or discounted what she was saying. He just listened, nodded and understood.

He talked, too. He told her about growing up in Autumn, an incredibly toxic environment for him. He talked of how it had hardened him and eventually forced him to denounce his title in favor of the Spring Court and Tamlin. It made Elain hate Tamlin a little less. No one who was truly wicked could take someone in the way he had with Lucien.

After a few weeks of visiting the field with him, Elain felt comfortable around Lucien. They’d still yet to talk about the pulsing, flowing bond between them, but Elain didn’t mind. Whenever she thought about it, it only confused her more.

“Tamlin thinks we will be safe from this war,” Lucien said to her one day, both of them laying in the grass above the wildflowers, each of their elbows propped up so they could look at one another. “He believes that if we allow them use of the outskirts of our lands, Hybern will not attack us.”

“And what do you believe?”

Lucien scoffed, pulling his hair from his left shoulder and moving it behind his back.

“I think he’s a damned idiot and he’ll get us all killed.” Elain thought for a minute.

“I’d rather he didn’t,” she said finally. Lucien barked his laughter again. Elain loved when he did that. Each time, it was like he was surprised at what she was saying, didn’t expect humor from her.

“Me, as well, flower.” Elain felt a blush creep up to her ears, thankfully still covered with her hair.

“He’s blinded by Feyre being here. He thinks it makes everything alright. Like nothing could go wrong. I don’t see how he could stand by and watch as Hybern tries to enslave us.” Elain winced at her mistake. “Them.”

He studied her face carefully before saying anything, his russet-colored eye sweeping across her features, gaze seeming to burn wherever it touched. His metal eye and scar didn’t look so grotesque to Elain now. In fact, it was part of what made Lucien so beautiful.

Lucien leaned forward carefully and touched a thumb to her brow. It was calloused and hard, but surprisingly gentle when wisped across her skin.

“You’ve got a lot going on up there. Why doesn’t anyone know that?” He asked softly. Elain held her breath. He didn’t drop his hand.

“No one has ever asked,” she said, equally as quiet. It was the truth. Even Graysen had never truly thought she’d had ideas of her own, thoughts and convictions on things.

Elain’s eyes fluttered closed as Lucien began to carefully run his thumb along her face, outlining every dip and curve of her bones, every soft stretch of her skin. Her breathing hitched. It had been a long while since anyone had touched her so gently.

“I see you, Elain,” he mumbled. She swallowed hard.

“I know.”

~

A few days later, Elain was practically bouncing up and down as she waited for Lucien to find her in their usual gardening spot. He was only a few minutes late, but the excitement rushing through Elain was almost unbearable. When she saw him coming through the double doors, his bright hair tied into a braid cascading down his back, a grin broke through her lips. She hadn’t smiled that wide in months, a year maybe.

“You look happy today, dove.” Elain nodded.

“I have something for you.” Lucien faked a gasp, pressing his hand against his chest.

“For me?” Elain rolled her eyes and hit him lightly on the shoulder.

“Shut up and follow me, you insufferable lout.” Lucien laughed, but did as he was bid.

She stopped in front of a section of the garden they hadn’t been to before. It looked mostly the same as the other sections, but clearly there was something special about this specific area. Lucien looked at Elain through the sides of his eye.

“Very nice, Elain. But I’m fairly certain it’s quite similar to the other parts of this garden.”

Elain pushed him forward a little.

“Look closer, Lucien. Do you really think I’d bring you to look at something you’ve already seen dozens of times?” Lucien stepped forward, bending down to be able to see the details of the flowers better.

When he noticed them, his heart stopped for a brief minute. Lucien kneeled, not caring that his trousers were going to be covered in dirt. Elain came to join him, sitting closer than they normally did. Lucien lifted his hand to touch the orange box of petals.

“Do you like them?” Elain wasn’t looking at the flowers, she was studying the mix of emotions on Lucien’s delicate face.

“Yes,” he said, his voice choking on the word. “Yes, very much.”

“I thought… well, since you can’t be there, then at least these can be here. I thought they might comfort you.”

The day Lucien had told her the story of his favorite flowers; Elain had gone straight to a servant and asked her to find them for her. She researched in books, trying to find out if the flowers could live in Spring as well. They could. She’d planted them a couple weeks ago, but waited until they were flourishing in the gardens before showing them to Lucien.

“They will. They do.” Lucien set his hand on hers and she felt pinpricks go up her arm. “Thank you, flower.”

He reached his other hand up to push her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering there on her cartilage. Elain winced and pulled back from him, turning her face slightly away.

“Elain?” Lucien’s voice was dripping with concern.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I’m still not… used to them.” She said, settling on the right word choice to share with this male. What she wanted to say was that she hated them, that they were a symbol of the world she was taken away from, the disgusting creature she was turned into.

They were silent for a while, angry tears threatening to burn down Elain’s cheeks.

“Do you know why I like watching you garden? Why I sit here and watch you water and preen each of the flowers individually?”

“Because you can’t do it yourself?” Elain asked, trying to throw a joking lilt into her voice. Lucien chuckled quietly.

“Because you look so at peace. Everywhere else, your brow is furrowed, your eyes darkened and closed off. But out here, it’s like the flowers have seeped into your skin. It’s the only time I see you smile.”

“Peace,” Elain said, considering Lucien’s words. “I am not at peace. This body is not made for peace. I am meant to be a creature of destruction and pain and hardship. I mourn the days when I was at peace, Lucien. I never will be again.” Her tears had finally spilled and Elain stood abruptly, walking as quickly back into the manor as she could. Lucien did not follow her.

~

Elain avoided Lucien like a disease for the next week. It was too painful to be around him, knowing what she’d said about herself and his kind. It also hurt to know that Lucien now knew a part of her that no one else did.

She missed the gardens. She missed their field. But if she was to stay away from the red-haired male, she couldn’t go to either of those places. So, she was miserable. She stayed confined to her room, like she had back in the Night Court. Servants brought her meals to her when she was hungry and then removed them when she was done.

But every day, she still had a fresh vase of flowers in her room. A servant brought them in with her lunch daily. The buds were not all perfect, and sometimes there were too many flowers stuffed into the vase, but she was grateful to have them.

She watched out her window each morning to see Lucien studying each patch of flowers, deciding which to cut for her today. There were daisies one day, imperfect roses another, even a day with blue bells. But her favorite vase that he had created was filled with all the flowers that could also bloom in the fall. He must have looked them up, or he remembered them from home. The thought made Elain sad. Helenium, golden rod, dots of candy tuft and Lucien’s precious lanterns. Cut perfectly this time so they sat in the water and draped over the edges of the glass.

She didn’t let the servant take that vase away. She changed the water every day, ripping off dead leaves so the flowers could continue to grow and thrive. Sometimes, she’d be reading in her bed and see them out of the corner of her eye. Her heart would start pounding. But the red in the flowers was not a glimpse of Lucien’s hair.

She missed him more than she cared to admit; he was her only friend at the manor. Nesta didn’t visit her often. Elain’s elder sister spent most of her time with Feyre or snooping around various crevices, searching for something useful to bring back to the Night Court when they were finally rescued. Feyre never left Tamlin’s side, though Elain knew that it was not out of affection. Her sister’s eyes were cold whenever the High Lord was near her, but he never seemed to come too close. Elain didn’t know how Feyre had forced Tamlin to keep his distance, but it was clear that she had.

The manor house was lonely. The servants were forbidden to talk to her, it seemed, and there was nothing much to do. She’d read the same book thrice now because she didn’t know where the library was and was too afraid to ask anyone to show her.

Lucien never came looking for her, either, the fact of which made her a little disappointed. She had figured he’d at least come to speak to her, however briefly, but he did not. He just picked her flowers every day and left her alone. So, Elain took matters into her own hands.

She didn’t want to be the one to cave first and go looking for him, but it was her fault that they weren’t talking in the first place. She figured she could forge through the pain.

As it turns out, it’s rather boring here without you.

It was all she wrote, but she hoped it was enough. Elain sent the small piece of paper, decorated with her elegant handwriting, with a servant. Elain told the tall female that the note must be delivered immediately, no dilly-dallying. She had nodded and left Elain to go back to her book.  

She watched through the window as the female darted into the gardens in search of Lucien. He was easy to find, his broad shoulders and tall figure easy to pick out amongst the short, pruned bushes and carefully planted flowers. The servant handed him the note and he quickly squared his shoulders. Elain could practically hear him clearing his throat as he strode past her and into the manor.

She jumped to her bed, fanning her skirt out around her carefully, burying her nose back into her book. At least she would be able to tell him what it was about in the blink of an eye, if he happened to ask. A careful knock sounded at the door and she called out for him to enter.

He really was quite beautiful. His cheekbones were sharp and pronounced, but not in a way that made him look sickly. His auburn eyebrows arched carefully in, giving him a constant expression of incredulity, and his eyes, both the real and metal one, were framed with lashes of garnet. She’d missed seeing him this close. Elain forced herself to look away.

Lucien cleared his throat.

“You wanted to see me?” She shrugged.

“Well there wasn’t much else to do.”

Lucien strode across the room to take a seat on the side of her bed. If she was being honest, it scandalized Elain more than she would have liked to admit. He was sitting so close to her, his body touching the fabric that she slept in every night. Images popped into her mind of her hands gripping the sheets beneath her as he— Elain blushed and looked down, thankful he was looking towards the painting hanging on the wall directly to the left of her bed.

“Is that really how you feel? Like you’re a monster?”

“Yes,” she said quietly. She was ashamed of what she’d said to him. Elain didn’t know she’d had that much resentment inside her. Or she did, but never thought to let it anywhere towards the surface.

“Do you— Does that mean you think I—” Elain cut him off.

“Lucien, I never meant— “

“I know.” She crossed her legs underneath her.

“Did you know that I was engaged? Before all of this?” She said, her right hand instinctively coming up to touch her pointed ear. “He was a nobleman’s son. Kind, good-natured, smart. All the other ladies in our village would sneer at me when I walked past. He was mine and not theirs. When he proposed, I was ecstatic.

“My engagement ring was made of iron. When I was… Made, I wasn’t only taken away from my old life, but my betrothed. I was turned into the one thing he hates more than anything else. I am alone here, Lucien. And my wretched, traitorous body is telling me that I want to be near you. After losing everything—” Elain broke off, tears streaming steadily down her cheeks. She kept her gaze on the door, away from Lucien.  He cleared his throat before speaking again. A nervous habit.

“Just because we have this… bond… none of this means that you never loved him, Elain, that you don’t still. Or that you ever must love me. I have spent my entire life praying to the Mother that one day I find a mate. Until a year ago, you didn’t even know such a thing could exist for you, for anyone, maybe. I will not force you to love me, Elain, this I swear to you. Everything we do is on your terms.

As for me, I am lost to you. I looked into your eyes that dreadful day, your hair soggy and anguish plain on your face, and I knew I would never hurt you. Elain, I would love you as human, as Fae, I’d probably even love you if you were a troll.” Elain laughed softly at that. “You find the beauty in things, Elain. Have you found any in me?”

Her breathing stopped for a minute, her focus intently on the golden finish of the door handle.

“Yes,” she said simply. She felt the mattress shift as he turned and moved closer to her. She felt his thumb on her cheek, just the barest brush, before she recognized his form in front of her.

“Then I do not doubt that you can find some in yourself. If you do not hate me for the reality of my species, my body, you have no right to hate yourself.”

Her focus shifted to his face as he caught a tear on his thumb, carefully bringing it to his mouth. Her gaze wouldn’t tear from his lips. His gaze moved to the left slightly, where she knew he’d find his flowers in the windowsill. Her cheeks turned pink and she hunched her shoulders.

“I gave those to you over a week ago,” he mumbled, as if to himself.

“I suppose so.”

“Elain, they aren’t even wilting.” She looked up at him. Of course they were wilting. They had to be wilting. They were sitting in direct sunlight and all she did was change their water. She stood carefully, sliding off the bed towards the window. Elain examined each flower and petal carefully, her eyes searching for any form of imperfection, a fallen petal, a drying leaf, but she found next to nothing.

She brought her thumb and forefinger up to touch one of Lucien’s lanterns. She yelped in surprise.

“Oh!” The petals had turned a darker shade of red at the brush of her fingers. Lucien was standing beside her now.

“Try again,” he urged excitedly. She dusted a nail across one of the Helenium. At the bottom of the vase, the stem grew until there were roots shooting out of it. She gasped again. Lucien shook his head beside her.

“You said your body was made to destroy. You could never destroy, Elain. You give life.”

#a court of thorns and roses fanfiction #acotar fanfiction #elucien fanfiction #acotar #elucien #fic #mine #elain x lucien