BOOKS!!!!
Something really cool happened to me today (cool by my standards, that is, which might mean not cool at all. You decide.)
I have been cooped up in my house for a while, studying and daydreaming and letting dirty dishes pile up in the sink since my rommate is not currently here to see them. I needed to get some fresh air, and, quite literally, touch grass. This morning I got up early to go study on the meadow of a nearby medieval church, like one does when one lives in an Italian medieval city.
I stopped to have breakfast, and, while eating, I was reading Rimbaud, because I have a French exam in two weeks and I wanted to practice, and also because I was in the mood. Here, have a pretentious, pseudo-intellectual, hedonistic picture:
(The cappuccino was soooo foamy. I loved it)
Anyway, I finished eating and I went on my way, but I didn’t put the book in my backpack. I was juggling it alongside my keys, cellphone and card holder, when I heard a voice say :“Do you read French?”, which, you know, fair assumption, given the neon orange cover that was apparently advertizing “Rimbaud” to everyone around me.
So I turned and I saw a desk full of second hand books. I told the man selling them that yes, I do indeed read French, sort of defensively implying “I am not in the habit of carrying foreign poetry around just as a prop to seem smart”. He smiled at me, beckoned me closer, and proceded to show me about 15 very old French books. He didn’t even know what most of them were about, because he couldn’t understand all of the titles. I spent a few minutes telling him that one was a study on the figure of Saint Francis in Medieval literature (oookaay, colour me intrigued) and another was an early 20st century tourist guide to Switzerland. Then we proceeded to haggle over prices, and when we reached a fair agreement I picked two books.
One is called “Julien, ou une conscience” by Jean Ronstad, who was a biologist and philosopher. I am really curious about it. It’s from 1928 and, by the pencil annotation in the back, i think it cost 49 francs (is that possible? I’ll have to check).
The other is a 1925 copy of “Le Prométhée mal enchainé” by Gide published by Gallimard. I immediately loved it from the depths of my nerdy soul. I have a bit of a problem when it comes to old books- I mean, I am kind of regretting not getting the guide to Switzerland, and I have no use for it whatsoever- but for some reason this one just called to me. It’s not even particularly beautiful: Gallimard publishes a lot of fairly cheap pocket books, which is the reason why most of the French books in my possesion are theirs, and apparently they did it in 1925 as well. It reminds me of the old Italian BUR classics I find quite often at book sales, and of the 2 € paperbacks by Collins that fuel my addiction to English literature. They are the best books, in my opinion, and this one seems very well loved. I think whoever owned it before really liked it, and that thought always makes me emotional, so of course I bought it. How could I not?
I had never read Gide before, but I have been meaning to, and it still counts as French practice, right? (Never mind the fact that I can read pretty well and it’s everything else-speaking and listening and using verbs and accents-that’s the problem.) So, instead of studying history like I had planned, I sat down on the meadow and read the whole thing in like three hours.
I am not ashamed to say that I both laughed and cried openly enough for a couple of dog owners to look at me with concern. I definitely know which author I am going to read more of. And I got to pet dogs! It was the best morning I have had this month, all because I am too lazy and disorganized to pack my things properly for a short walk :)
There. I am even in love with the little stain on the cover. Send help.
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EMOJI SURVEY
When is your birthday? 🎂 September 12th
Have you ever dressed up as a unicorn? 🦄 Nope.
What is your favorite color? 🌈 Red.
Are you an alien? 👽 I feel like it sometimes but I’m just a judgmental Virgo who can’t understand how the human race operates.
Have you ever worn a clown wig? 🤡 I’ve never had a need to wear a clown wig.
Do you believe in the devil? 😈 I mean he ran the U.S presidential office until 2020.
What color was the last mask you wore? 😷 Black
Do you own a cowboy hat? 🤠 No.
Would you rather carve or paint a pumpkin? 🎃 Paint. I suck at carving. Actually now thinking about it, I suck at painting too. I’ll just make it into a pie.
What is one thing you like to eat when you’re sick? 🤒 Goldfish crackers.
What are three of your favorite country songs? 🤠 It doesn’t matter. All of them are going to be Carrie Underwood.
Have you ever seen a spirit? 👻 No.
Have you ever drawn a picture of a skull? ☠️ No.
When was the last time you cried? 😭 March. Me and my boyfriend went to see Prom and I had a panic attack over sitting so high that I started crying and hyperventilating.
Name three things that remind you of spring. Daisies, bunnies, light-weight jackets.
How many dogs have you had as pets? 🐶 Four: Bear, Sophie, Peanut, and Taz.
Have you ever found a mouse in your house? 🐭 Once. My mom moved around a lot and had a tendency to pick places with mice infestations so it wasn’t the only time we had mice. However, I remember being terrified at a 7 years old when I saw a mouse in my cats mouth.
What is your favorite zoo animal? 🐒 Alligators, followed by the polar bear at our zoo who has an inflatable pickle.
How many times have you been stung by a bee in your life? Twice. The first time was pretty funny because six year old me thought the word allergic was the same as the word hate so I told all my friends I was allergic to bees. So they started freaking out when I got stung during a sleepover.
Do you like ducks? 🦆 I mean, I don’t hate them. I don’t have an opinion honestly.
Are you afraid of snakes? 🐍 Oh god yes. I hate seeing them at the Zoo.
Are you afraid of spiders? Not to the extent of snakes but I still scream if I see one.
Would you rather own a poodle or a chihuahua? 🐩 I’ve owned chihuahuas so I’d stick with what I know. There’s a resale store that sells used designer clothes where I live that has poodle in the name and the owner acts like her store is a Saks. It has such a bad reputation because of how rude she is.
Name three things you associate with doves. 🕊 Peace, love, white.
Do you own peacock feather earrings? 🦚 No. I remember when a lot of girls had feather earrings in 2011-2012.
Name three things you might find on a farm. 🧑🌾 Picket fence, tractor, chickens.
Who is your favorite superhero? 🦸♀️ Spiderman.
Name three things that fly. 🧚♀️ Butterflies, birds, fairies.
What countries have you visited? 🇨🇦🇦🇽🇧🇸 I haven’t visited anywhere outside of the U.S
What country do you live in? 🇦🇺🇪🇹🇱🇺 The United States.
Are you flexible? 🤸♀️ No. Partly why I didn’t last too long as a youth cheerleader.
Do you like ice skating? ⛸ I haven’t tried it. However, I tried roller-skating which if there’s any indication of that, I’d probably bust my ass if I did ice skating.
What sports teams were you on in high school? 🎾🏀⚽️ None.
Can you throw a football? 🏈 No. I’m pretty good at shooting hoops though.
What were three of your favorite things to do during recess when you were a kid? 🛝 Chase the boys, jump rope, and play pretend.
When was the last time you went roller skating/blading? 🛼 I was 13. I got embarrased cause I couldn’t skate so I ended up playing at the arcade.
Do you own a boomerang? 🪃 No.
Have you ever been skydiving? 🪂 No, one of my good friends sky-dived with his boyfriend once and it looked pretty fun. I have Kyphosis so I don’t think it would be safe.
Have you ever ridden a horse? 🏇 No. It’s just not something that has ever interested me.
What time do you usually wake up in the morning? ⏰ Typically 7:30am on days I work, 9am-10am on days I don’t work.
What is your favorite amusement park ride? 🎢 Thunderhawk. It’s at Michigan Adventures
What is your favorite ride at the fair? 🎡 Zero Gravity
Have you ever seen the Statue of Liberty in person? 🗽 Nope.
Does your hometown have a fountain as one of its landmarks? ⛲️ No.
What is your favorite fruit? 🍓🍇🍉🍌Bananas
Do you like to sing? 🎶 Well I’m a singer.. so
Did the home you grew up in have a doorbell? 🔔 I didn’t grow up in one home.. but yes some of the places we lived had a door bell.
Does your current home have a doorbell? 🔔 Kind of. It’s an apartment buzzer system.
Have you ever driven a race car? 🏁 While playing Mario Kart
What was the last artsy thing you did? 🎨 Sing?
What is your favorite movie? 🎬 Mean Girls.
What is your favorite play or musical that you’ve been in? 🎭 I’ve only been in two, and one of them the director snapped his fingers at me like I was a dog so Midsummers Jersey for the win.
What is your favorite musical that you’ve seen live? 🎟 The Lion King. It was the first touring musical I’ve seen in person and it made me sentimental.
Have you ever been to the circus? 🎪 Yeah when I was six or seven.
Name someone you know who plays the drums. 🥁Well for starters, I’m taking drum lessons but I know several people who play the drums because I’m a musician lol.
Have you ever taken piano lessons? 🎹 Nope.
Name someone you know who can play the saxophone. 🎷 No one.
Have you ever been in a band? 🎸 Yes.
Have you ever bowled a strike? 🎳 On the WII
What is your current favorite video game? 🎮 Sims 3
What is the best fortune you’ve gotten from a fortune cookie? 🥠”You will be travelling to a new destination. A year later, I moved to a different state”
What was the last type of pie you ate? 🥧 Pumpkin
True or false: Lollipops look better than they taste. 🍭 To be honest, I don’t actively seek Lollipops so this may be accurate.
What are three baby names your friends have used that you like? 🍼 None of my current friends have kids. One of my ex best friends had a baby named Emberly right before our friendship ended. I didn’t really have much of an opinion on her name choice. I just thought that the friend was not going to handle parenting well.. Which they are currently begging for money for diaper money and saying it’s because they’re diabetic so uh yeah.. they really aren’t handling parenting well.
Are you allergic to peanuts? 🥜 No, thankfully.
What is your favorite alcoholic beverage? 🍷 Mimosas, followed by Margaritas.
Do you know how to use chopsticks? 🥢 Yeah.
Are you superstitious? 🎱 In some ways, more than others.
Do you own a Magic 8 ball? 🎱 I used to as a kid. Man, if only my future turned out to be the same as a Magic 8 ball.
What is your favorite winter sport? ⛷ I don’t like any sports, regardless of the season. <<<< Same.
Name someone you know who is a Scorpio. 🦂 My Uncle Moose.
List three things that have feathers. 🪶 Pillows in sleepover scenes in movies, birds, the shoreline of the Atlantic ocean
What color is your Christmas tree? 🎄 Rainbow.
What is your favorite type of tree? 🌴 Cherry blossoms.
Do you ever listen to CDs anymore? 💿 Sometimes. It’s very rare now that streaming services exist.
Name someone you know who is a Libra. ⚖️ My mom.
Do you own a screwdriver? 🪛 IYes.
What are three things you’ve dressed up as for Halloween? 🔮 Strawberry Shortcake, A Hippie, and Hannah Montana.
Do you smoke? 🚬 No.
What are three medications that you take every day? 💊 Melatonin, Melatonin, and Melatonin.
Have you had COVID? 🦠 Yes. My boyfriends brothers aren’t vaxxed and it’s been a constant struggle of his family. Now with me getting a new job in a clinic that specializes in people who have immune disorders, I really doubt I’m going to see his family that often because they’re not taking it seriously (and I’m kinda excited for it because his family just sits around and plays on their phones)
Do you prefer showers or baths? 🛁 Showers.
What do you prefer fruity scented soap or flowery scented soap? 🧴Fruity. I’ve always loved citrus smelling things
What was the last clothing store you shopped at? 🛍 Box Lunch, but I techinically bought a Squishmallow so.
What color are the chairs in your kitchen? 🪑 Wooden chairs.
Name someone you know who can play the violin. 🎻 I had a theatre acquaintance named Amber who played the Violin in Orchestra. The only reason I know is cause she referred to herself as Lindsay Stirling and I just thought it was really cocky.
Have you ever ridden in an ambulance? 🚑 Yeah when I was suicidal.
Where was the last place you flew on a plane? ✈️ I was two years old and I don’t remember it. My mom said it was to Chicago though.
Would you rather kayak or ride in a sailboat? 🛶⛵️ A sailboat
Have you ever been on a cruise? ⛴ No. I’d love to go one but a lot of people become missing on those.
Cupcakes or donuts? 🧁🍩 Cupcakes
Favorite carnival food? 🍦🍿🍭 Snow-cones
What was the last type of tea you drank? ☕️ Sweet.
Have you ever gone sledding in the snow? 🛷 I have.
Have you ever tried archery? 🏹 Yes. Michigan took it pretty seriously when I lived there, I swear every camp I went to had Archery.
Do you meditate? 🧘♀️ Sometimes. Mostly when my anxiety is getting to me.
Are you a good swimmer? 🏊♀️ No. I never got swimming lessons so I have no idea how to swim.
Have you ever ridden in a taxi? 🚖 Yeah, mostly when I lived in Michigan. My mom sucked at keeping cars so we’d often use public transportation. I think it’s why I heavily rely on it now as an adult because I’m so used to it, plus it saves the environment.
Do you own a scooter? 🛴 No, but I did when I was a kid.
Name three things that taste good with pineapple. 🍍 Orange, apple, mango.
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@neil-gaiman
First, I love The Graveyard Book and it’ll be a piece of media that’ll follow me forever.
Two, Coraline will always haunt me LOL.
My end note:
I feel so sh*tty tagging you, one of my favorite authors, but I really just need word to spread in the hopes that I’ll get any form of donations or commissions.
I’m a broke college student, and I was forced to go to the ER on July 1st and now there’s a hefty fee that I need to pay and I don’t…God I don’t have any money.
I need $7000. (I’m seriously gonna puke.)
So if anyone who sees this could like and REBLOG it so other people can see and MAYBE donate. (I do $10 sketched art commissions as well) then I couldn’t thank you more than that.
Sorry for bothering you Mr. Gaiman, sir.
(Cashapp: $SpicedThyme )
I hope ppl see this and reblog 😭😭😭😭💀💀💀💀💀.
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IDOLiSH7 6th Anniversary Special Story: Full of Heart...
Chapter 3: Eternal Memories
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6
Riku Nanase: Ah, I was planning to
use this picture, too! Here, look.
Tenn Kujo: Good thing we set up
this meeting, then.
Iori Izumi: It's all thanks
to my guidance. The two of you
should be grateful.
Tenn & Riku: Thank you.
Iori Izumi: Still, I can't believe
you'd both choose the exact same photo,
out of all the ones you have.
Iori Izumi: Was it just a coincidence?
Or do you have some kind of twin
superpowers?
Tenn Kujo: I wouldn't exactly call
it a superpower, but we have always
had a tendency to pick the same
things.
Riku Nanase: Yeah! Like at a
restaurant, we'd always order
the same thing.
Iori Izumi: Perhaps it's not as
unusual for you to have matching tastes
and interests as I made it out to be,
considering you were raised together.
Tenn & Riku: Right.
Iori Izumi: Which park is this?
Do you remember where it is?
Tenn Kujo: Near our old house.
We went there for a picnic, since
Riku was feeling well that day.
Riku Nanase: We brought canteens
and lunchboxes. It wasn't our first
visit to that park, but eating lunch
there made it feel like an adventure.
Tenn Kujo: You have a nice smile
in this picture, Riku. Why don't you
use this one? I can pick something else.
Riku Nanase: Are you sure? I think
you look really cute here too, Tenn-nii.
You've got this kind of composed look
on your face.
Riku Nanase: I think your fans would
be happy to see you like this.
Tenn Kujo: And your fans would
like to see the way you look here,
too. Hmm, this is a tough decision.
Tenn Kujo: Your thoughts, Iori Izumi?
Iori Izumi: You're asking me?
Tenn Kujo: I thought I'd leave
this up to outside judgement.
Riku Nanase: Which one of us do
you think should use this picture
for the show?
Iori Izumi: .........
Nanase-san.
Riku Nanase: Oh! How come?
Iori Izumi: Because we might not
have the time to reach out to Kujo-san
a second time if you're the one who
needs to reselect his picture.
Iori Izumi: I trust in his ability
to choose an appropriate photo much
more than I trust yours.
Tenn Kujo: Makes sense.
Riku Nanase: So it has nothing
to do with the photo itself?
Iori Izumi: Although if you select
something from the pictures we looked
at last night, perhaps Kujo-san could
also use this one.
Iori Izumi: Why not the one you
showed me, where your face is
covered in ketchup...
Riku Nanase: The one where I'm
eating omurice?
Iori Izumi: Yes. You looked so
innocent and cu... Ahem. I just
thought it would make for a good
conversation piece.
Riku Nanase: I guess I'll go
with that one, then!
Tenn Kujo: What about your
picture, Iori Izumi? Which one
did you pick?
Iori Izumi: ........
Mine is... nothing unusual... Just
a perfectly normal childhood picture...
Tenn Kujo: Based on your reluctance
to go into any more detail, I highly
doubt that.
Riku Nanase: We can show you! Apparently
Mitsuki chose the picture, and Iori looks
totally adorable in it!
Iori Izumi: ........
It... It really isn't anything
worth showing to people...
Tenn Kujo: It's not worth showing
to people, so you decided to display
it on national television?
Riku Nanase: C'mon, Iori.
Even Tenn-nii wants to see it!
Tenn Kujo: Pretty please.
Iori Izumi: Please stop it with
the innocent act...
Iori Izumi: ...Fine. Here it is,
since you insist...
Tenn Kujo: Wow, you look cute.
A plushie in your arms, a happy
little smile on your face...
Riku Nanase: Isn't it precious!?
Iori Izumi: That's enough.
I don't need your flattery...
Riku Nanase: We're not just
saying that, you know! I even wanted
to pretend like I was the one that
gave you that plushie.
Iori Izumi: I don't know why
you feel this much of a need to
usurp your twin.
Riku Nanase: I mean it! There's not a
single person who wouldn't be happy if
their present was received like how you
received that plushie.
Riku Nanase: God, Santa Claus, whoever.
I think it'd make just about anyone feel
on top of the world.
Iori Izumi: You're the one who's
always smiling like that, anyway.
Riku Nanase: Huh?
Iori Izumi: Nothing. I was just
thinking out loud.
Iori Izumi: Still, not even I
expected my younger self to smile
so earnestly.
Tenn Kujo: What made you look
so sour all the time?
Iori Izumi: I don't look like this
all the time. Just very often, especially
around your younger brother.
Tenn Kujo: I don't know. You seem to
give me plenty of sour looks, too.
Iori Izumi: Only when the cameras
are off and you're acting like your
usual, standoffish self.
Tenn Kujo: I'm not standoffish.
I just take things seriously.
Tenn Kujo: So, how old were you
exactly? When you stopped sleeping
with this cutesy teddy bear, I mean.
Iori Izumi: ...How do you know
I used to sleep with it!? Did my
brother tell you?
Tenn Kujo: Most little kids like
to sleep with a stuffed toy or two.
Especially one that looks this fluffy.
Iori Izumi: I did enjoy that, myself...
Tenn Kujo: Riku never could've done
that, though. His selection of bedtime
toys was limited, so he didn't have
attacks at night.
Riku Nanase: True.
Iori Izumi: Ah... I see...
And you even seem like you'd have
enjoyed these kind of fluffy toys...
Riku Nanase: Are you sure you're
not just talking about yourself..?
Tenn Kujo: Riku. Were you lonely
without plushies to keep you company?
Riku Nanase: Of course not.
I had you, Tenn-nii.
Riku Nanase: I never felt lonely,
even though I never got to go to
school, or pet any cats or dogs.
Riku Nanase: When you were around,
I was always happy and having fun.
And I'm really grateful for that.
Tenn Kujo: Riku...
Riku & Iori: Tenn-nii...
Tenn & Riku: ........!?
Riku Nanase: W-what was that!?
Why did you call him Tenn-nii, too!?
Iori Izumi: Because I knew that's
what you were going to say. What do
you think of my ability to predict you?
Tenn Kujo: You can be very strange,
for someone so smart.
Iori Izumi: I could say the same
about you. Don't you think you're
being unusually soft on Nanase-san
today?
Tenn Kujo: I guess so...
I guess nostalgia's gotten the
best of me.
Tenn Kujo: That'll happen when
you reminisce about your childhood.
Riku Nanase: Maybe... I should just
stick one of our childhood pictures
on my face all the time...
Iori Izumi: You're an idol, so
please don't start trying to censor
your own face.
Riku Nanase: But I want Tenn-nii
to be nice to me!
Iori Izumi: Of course yo do...
Ah, by the way. Are you sure that
picture you showed me at the dorm
wouldn't be the best pick for you?
Iori Izumi: You know, the one
where you're holding a Rabitty-kun doll.
I think it'd work nicely, especially
from a sponsor standpoint.
Riku Nanase: Yeah, maybe!
Tenn Kujo: I'm glad Rabitty-kun
made a comeback. Toi Toi Toi was on
the verge of bankruptcy before then.
Riku Nanase: They were?
Tenn Kujo: Yep. They released some low
quality Rabitty-kun products, and were
dealing with tons of customer complaints.
Tenn Kujo: It was damaging enough to
their reputation that they had to sell
the main office building and the CEO's
house.
Iori Izumi: I see... I think the
Rabitty-kun we had might've been
one of the defective ones.
Iori Izumi: It made strange noises
sometimes...
Riku Nanase: Yeah, I can kind of see
why people would complain about their
children's toys making creepy noises.
They probably made lots of kids cry.
Iori Izumi: Still, it's incredible
that they were able to bounce back
and resume sales six years ago.
Riku Nanase: Wow... That company's
sure had some big ups and downs.
Riku Nanase: Kind of like us!
Iori Izumi: Right... I do hope
we can help them have a good
anniversary.
Tenn Kujo: Yeah.
Iori Izumi: What sort of games
did you two play when you were
little?
Tenn Kujo: We played normally
enough. Drawing, card games, things
like that.
Riku Nanase: I couldn't get out of
bed or move around much, so Tenn-nii
would sing and dance for me.
Riku Nanase: We came up with lots
of games where I sat still, while
he moved around.
Riku Nanase: Like the Tenn-nii
Robot!
Iori Izumi: The "Tenn-nii Robot"?
Tenn Kujo: Ah, I remember that one.
Iori Izumi: What kind of game was it?
Riku Nanase: I used this controller
we made out of milk cartons to order
Tenn-nii around.
Riku Nanase: And he'd do as
I told him to. It was a lot of fun!
Tenn Kujo: Sure was.
Riku Nanase: Tenn-nii Robot,
fire missiles!
Tenn Kujo: Boom!
Riku Nanase: Tenn-nii Robot,
fire your machine gun!
Tenn Kujo: Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat.
Riku Nanase: Tenn-nii Robot,
equip your lazer sword!
Tenn Kujo: Kwishuuuu, clink!
Tenn & Riku: It was so much fun!
Iori Izumi: Kujo-san...
Tenn Kujo: What?
Iori Izumi: You taught an innocent
young child the joys of having Tenn
Kujo at his beck and call? That should
be a criminal offense.
Tenn Kujo: What are you talking
about..?
Iori Izumi: You're exactly the
reason why Nanase-san grew up to be
so inhumanly naive and spoiled.
Tenn Kujo: Are you spoiled, Riku?
Riku Nanase: No! Hey, Iori..!
Since when am I spoiled!?
Iori Izumi: Do you really have
to ask? Today, you slept in so late
that I had to help you pack.
Riku Nanase: How is that spoiled!?
I just asked you for help! And you
agreed to help me with my clothes,
too!
Iori Izumi: I was worried we'd be
even more late if I let you try and
fail to decide on what to wear. You
have no right to complain here.
Riku Nanase: I guess not, but...
Tenn Kujo: So, Iori Izumi's
your stylist for today.
Riku Nanase: Do I look good?
Tenn Kujo: Sure.
Riku Nanase: Ehehe! You hear
that, Iori!?
Iori Izumi: Of course you look good,
with a producer like me. You should
have more self-confidence.
Tenn Kujo: You two sure are
close.
Riku Nanase: Yeah, we are!
Iori Izumi: How, exactly?
Riku Nanase: There you go again.
Tenn-nii Robot, attack Iori!
Tenn Kujo: Kwishuuuu, clink...
Iori Izumi: Urgh..! ...Please,
do NOT try to stab me!
Tenn Kujo: Beep beep beep.
Mission complete.
Iori Izumi: You of all people should
know better than to indulge him!
Riku Nanase: Ahahaha!
To be continued...
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(he)art thief | jjk [i, preview]
“jungkook is charming, kind, smart, and funny. jungkook is the guy to fall in love with. he is perfect in every sense, except that he is also a member of a notorious heist group and only getting close to you to steal from you. but what does he do when he starts to fall for you? who does he choose? his brothers or you?
genre: heist! AU, thief! jungkook, art curator daughter! oc, ocean’s! AU, fluff, angst, sexual themes/implied smut (in later chapters)
pairing: jungkook x female reader
estimated word count: 35 to 40k
warnings: cursing/swearing, a bit of alcohol consumption
a/n: this is loosely based off the ocean’s film! to be added to the taglist, shoot me an ask/message! also, gureum is jungkook’s dog! and thank you to movie club for helping me come up with this amazing title!!
coming sunday, may 30th 2021
Jungkook avoids playgrounds.
Does so because when he was at the tender age of just seven, he fell off a swing. He ended up in the hospital (his first but not last visit); seven stitches, his mother told him, but he could swear it was a million.
Needless to say, Jungkook has been avoiding playgrounds like the plague ever since.
But here he is, in the middle of one, dog leash in his hand, and heart pounding in his chest so violently it might just explode.
A mob of boys runs past him, all of them no older than six—which means that, for the most part at least, they’re harmless—but still, Jungkook flinches. It’s embarrassing, even more so because Gureum turns and stares at him. If one of them should flinch, it should be Gureum, with him being a dog and Jungkook a full grown adult, but God, today is just not his day. He’s stressed! Out of it! Nervous! A wreck-
“Did you just flinch?”
Jungkook feels his heart drop. Fuck, he thought he walked out of sight!
“No, I didn’t, Tae,” he hisses, pressing the earpiece further into his ear.
“You flinched! We can still see you- ah, okay, not anymore. But we saw that-”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I definitely did not flinch-”
“Denying it is pointless. We all saw it. Back me up here, Jimin.”
“You definitely flinched.”
Jungkook stops dead in his tracks, is about to walk back to the car and tell them that they must be hallucinating because he definitely did not flinch when-
“Can you see her already, Kook?” Namjoon asks and for a moment, Jungkook forgot why he is here, you.
He looks around himself, and it doesn’t take him long to find you, sitting on a bench, under a big tree, soft shadows dancing on your skin.
“Yeah, I-I see her,” Jungkook says under his breath.
“Okay, good. I’m gonna need you to focus up then,” Namjoon continues, and Jungkook nods like Namjoon could see him.
“Yeah, if you screw this up, it’s your fault if we end up in jail-”
“Tae!” Namjoon warns, and judging from the ‘ow’ that follows, someone punched him. Jungkook’s guess is Jimin.
“What? I’m just saying-”
“I knew I shouldn’t have let you come,” Namjoon mumbles and runs a hand down his face. “Hey, Kook, don’t listen to Tae, yeah? He’s just messing with you.”
“Yeah… I know,” Jungkook mutters, and he means it. He really does know that Taehyung is messing with him, but there’s a part of him that takes it to heart, that is worried sick about how he’s going to fuck this up and be the reason for why they all end up in jail.
“Don’t worry, Kook,” Jimin cuts in, taking the phone from Namjoon. “We’ve got your back. All you have to do is repeat after me, say what I say. You’ve got this. Remember what I taught you?”
“Always smile and laugh and never talk about yourself. Keep the conversation about the other person because people love talking about themselves,” Jungkook repeats, and looks at you again, heart heavy in his chest.
He shouldn’t feel like this, wishes he wouldn’t. But he can’t help it. This isn’t how he imagined he’d meet you. Jungkook thought he’d meet you at some fancy event, sipping expensive champagne, or at some luxury clothing store maxing out your parents’ credit card—after all, your mother is a world famous art curator. But instead you spend your time at playgrounds, babysitting.
There’s actually no reason for Jungkook to be this nervous. Jimin did practise with him this exact scenario, but he can’t help but think that with a flute in his hands and some alcohol buzzing through his system, he’d feel more comfortable. But here he is, in the middle of a sea of children.
“Kook, do you copy?”
“What? Sorry, I wasn’t…” Jungkook pauses. He shouldn’t admit that he wasn’t listening.
“Get your head in the game, please,” Namjoon tells him over the earpiece.
“Sorry, you’re right. I’m here,” Jungkook says and starts to walk again even though he still feels fucking lost as a goddamn adult at a playground. Gureum follows him when he tugs on the dog leash.
“Okay, good. Just- just try your best,” Namjoon says, voice a bit muffled. “You’ve got this.”
Jungkook could swear that there’s a waiver to his words.
“Don’t worry. We’re here,” Taehyung tells him before Jungkook can think about it too much, distracting him from the quiver he heard.
He stops behind a tree, close enough for Gureum to spot you, but not close enough for you to spot them. His knees crack when he kneels down to stroke Gureum’s ear.
“Hey, Gureum? I’m gonna unleash you in a second and then I’m gonna need you to run towards,” Jungkook points as discreetly as possible to you, “her, yeah? Just like we practised? Remember? Remember how you ran towards Seok and Yoongi? Do it exactly like that again, okay? If you do, I’ll get you your favourite treat.”
Gureum doesn’t run away instantly when Jungkook unclips him because he’s trained, but when he points at you and whistles, he’s gone.
You react surprisingly calm to a dog barreling towards you, barely flinching. You lean down and greet Gureum.
“Approaching target now,” Jungkook mumbles quietly and can only faintly register how Namjoon tells Taehyung to be quiet from now on, all of his attention on the mission now.
With the leash in his hand, Jungkook jogs towards you, heaving extra hard to sell the act of a dog-owner-who-has-been-chasing-his-dog-for-the-last-ten-minutes to you.
You look up to him when he stops in front of you, eyeing him. Jungkook stands there, bend over, his hands on his knees, breathing like he’s struggling to catch his breath.
“Uh…. hi,” you start, brows pinched together.
Jungkook puts on his most charming smile, ignoring his thumping heart to the best of his abilities.
“Hi.”
“Oh, we’re starting- okay, showtime: I’m sorry, are you okay? My dog- he just ran and I couldn’t stop him. I’m so sorry,” Jimin says in his ear.
“I-I’m so sorry.” There’s a quiver to Jungkook’s voice, and it isn’t on purpose. “Are you okay? He just ran and I-”
“It’s fine,” you tell him with a small smile, still petting Gureum who has clearly taken a liking to you. During practise with Seokjin and Yoongi, Gureum always ran back to Jungkook, but now he’s staying at your feet, relishing in your pets. “Is that your dog?”
“Yes, yes, it is. I’m so sorry. I just unleashed him for a second, but then he ran away and I couldn’t catch up with him. Are you okay?”
“Yes, and I’m so sorry. I just unleashed him for a moment, thinking it was okay, but-”
“Can you prove it?” you interrupt and Jungkook pauses. “I mean that it’s your dog. It’s just that he isn’t really reacting to you, you know?”
Jimin’s response comes a bit late. “Oh, yes, I can. His name’s Gureum and he is- what’s the breed of your dog again? I don’t remember. If you look at his collar, you’ll see I’m telling the truth.”
“Oh, yeah, I can,” Jungkook smiles, wiping the non existent sweat from his temple. “His name’s Gureum and he’s a white Maltese dog. If you look at his collar, you’ll see that I’m not lying.”
You actually look at the collar and part of Jungkook is offended that you don’t just believe him. Does he look like a liar to you? “Actually, I have pictures too-”
“No, no, it’s fine. I believe you,” you say before gesturing for Gureum to go back to Jungkook. He does, but somewhat reluctantly and Jungkook doesn’t know how to interpret this.
“Ask her if she’s okay again.”
“Are you really okay?” Jungkook says and offers you a smile the way Jimin taught him to. “I really am sorry about-”
“It’s fine,” you tell him and wave him off. “Nothing happened. Don’t worry about it. Just leash your dog.”
And then, you turn away from him. Jungkook stands there awkwardly for another moment before kneeling down to Gureum, absentmindedly petting him, mind filled with questions because what now? How does he communicate to the others that you turned away from him? That the conversation has ended and he has no idea how to start it again?
“What’s going on Kook? Is she smiling-”
“Ah, Gureum, no,” Jungkook cuts in. “Don’t turn away- I can’t leash you if you do that. Don’t turn away.”
“Oh, shit, she turned away, huh?”
“What now, Jimin?”
“Shush, Joon. Let me think, yeah?”
Jungkook fiddles with the leash like he has a problem clipping it, hoping that maybe you’re going to offer him your help. You don’t. And why would you? He’s an adult after all.
Before Jimin can come up with anything though, the solution to the problem presents itself. It comes in the form of a girl running and tripping right next to Jungkook and him catching her just in time before she can faceplant in the dirt and scrape her knees open.
“Oh, hey, careful here!” Jungkook brings the girl back up on her two feet. She stares at him with big eyes, and he recognises her from the pictures. It’s Siyeon, the seven year old girl you babysit regularly, the reason why you’re spending your afternoon at a playground today. ”You okay?”
“Kook, what’s happening right now?” Namjoon asks.
Siyeon looks at you, and you’re already kneeling beside her, fixing her hair.
“Siyeon, I told you not to run. See, you almost fell now!” You say it the same way a mother would, less strict though. “If he hadn’t caught you, you would have hurt yourself, wouldn’t you have? Now, what do you say?”
“T-thank you,” Siyeon mumbles, and Jungkook isn’t sure if she’s staring at her hands because she’s embarrassed or just about to cry.
“Who’s that? Who are you talking to? Who’s he talking to?”
“Was that a kid?”
“Are you okay?” Jungkook asks Siyeon, ignoring Namjoon and Taehyung to the best of his abilities.
“Y-yes, thank you.” She won’t look at him.
Jungkook smiles. “Well, I’m happy that you didn’t get hurt there.”
“Kook, answer please. Do you need help?”
“Should we interfere?”
Jungkook’s about to snap. Does it seriously sound like he needs help? He’s talking to a seven year old, for fuck’s sake! Sure, he didn’t practise this scenario, but God, he was capable of improvising!
“Thank you. She’s really clumsy,” you say to Jungkook.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. I’m like that too. After all, I let,” he looks down at Gureum and finishes his sentence by gesturing to him and then you. You laugh.
And that’s when Siyeon seems to notice Gureum for the first time, eyes growing big at his sight like she has never seen a dog before. A chance.
“His name’s Gureum. You wanna-”
“Do you think we should go over there? See if he’s okay?”
And with that, Jungkook snaps. Yoongi is going to give him an earful for destroying his oh so precious equipment, but he can’t do this any longer with Jimin, Namjoon and Taehyung in his ear. So in one smooth movement, Jungkook digs out the earpiece and crushes it between his fingers, hiding it in his hand.
“Sorry, a fly, I think,” Jungkook says, swatting at his ear, and before you can think about it, he moves on. “Do you wanna pet Gureum, S- Is it okay if I call you Siyeon?”
Siyeon stares at Jungkook like he can’t believe he just asked her that. It’s probably the first time an adult has asked her for permission to call her by her name, and she seems to appreciate it immensely because she beams at him and gives him a huge nod.
“Okay, Siyeon, do you maybe wanna pet Gureum? He doesn’t bite, I promise.” Jungkook can feel your eyes on him. He’s doing it, charming you!
Siyeon turns to you.
“Can I-?”
You hum. “If Gureum is okay with it-”
Siyeon kneels down. “Hello, Mr Gureum. Sir, can I please pet you?”
Jungkook melts, and so do you.
Receiving no response from Gureum, Siyeon looks back up to you. Jungkook quickly takes his paw and waves. “Hello, Mrs Siyeon, if you promise not to hurt me, you can pet me. I like it especially if humans pet me at the back of my head. Just, please, be nice to me.”
In all of the years he has had Gureum, Jungkook has never tried to imagine what his voice would sound like, but he knows for a fact that he doesn’t sound like a chain smoker. It’s a questionable choice, but he doesn’t regret it. Because not only does it make Siyeon laugh, it also elicits a chuckle from you.
You look at him with a grin. “I don’t think I’ve introduced myself yet, have I?”
“No, I don’t think so,” Jungkook says, and you two rise to your feet when Siyeon starts to pet Gureum and he doesn’t bite her.
“Well,” you stretch out your hand, “I’m Y/N.”
Jungkook swallows the ‘I know’ that wants to slip him and takes your hand. He has to stop himself from bursting with pride, only allowing his smile to grow into a blinding grin.
“Nice to meet you, Y/N,” he says, and he means it. It’s really nice to meet you. “I’m Jungkook.”
coming sunday, may 30th 2021
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Good Girl [J.JK x Reader]🔞🌼
Pairing: Jungkook x Reader
Genre: Smut, Fluff, a lil angst
Warnings: dom/sub dynamics, dom!jungkook, sub!Reader, size kink, oral (f & m rec.), mild dd/lg themes, praise kink, cumplay, reader is a virgin, jungkook is lowkey a hoe, a lil heartbreak, Taehyung makes an appearance, long haired jungkook, mentions of harrassment, jungkook punches a guy, strength kink
Jeon Jungkook was known to have a specific type when it came to his partners; tall, gorgeous, dominant and older. It's not like he's a true blood baby boy; he's just too lazy to put any effort into his flings. When a new girl answers to his ad online searching for a roommate for his apartment to share rent and space however, he didn't quite expect such an innocent being to turn up at his doorstep with a box full of pastel colored belongings, ready to move in. And what he definitely didn't expect was his growing interest in her and the feeling of having her under him, all submissive and ready to be ruined.
Good Girl || Sweet Girl || Smart Girl || Brave Girl || Pretty Girl || Charming Girl || Enticing Girl || Bad Girl || ???
A wink was all he got from the woman who'd occupied his bed together with him last night as she walked out his bedroom door, seemingly knowing how to get out of his apartment. Jungkook ran his hand through his still sweaty hair, groaning after stretching his arms above his head, his mood seemingly sunkissed. He just finished an almost three hour sex-session after all; all without him providing any actual effort. His dick had seemed to be enough for her anyways, her face when she rode him happy, although he could really care less.
Reaching for his laptop near his bed, he didn't bother to put on any clothes for now, just wanting to check if he'd gotten any new E-Mails or messages, clicking through the casual nudes that constantly seemed to slip into his postbox. He cocked his head to the side however when he noticed that a website has notified him of an answer to his ad online; he'd put it up some time ago now after Taehyung, his former roommate, had to move out simply because Jungkook himself couldn't survive the older one's sleep shedule. Tae seemed to never sleep, waking the younger one up on a daily (and nightly) basis. He really tried to get along with him, both of them sharing a deep friendship, but god no, as a roommate he couldn't stand that guy. His rent however was something he struggled as well, so as much as he really wanted to live alone, he couldn't. He clicked the message on the website, his interest peaked.
"Hello. Is this AD still up to date? My name is Y/N, and I'm searching for a place because I'm starting to work close by soon, and its too expensive to take the bus for hours on end every day.. so uh, I don't know? I'm really good at cooking, and I promise I'll be so quiet and organized you won't even notice I'm there! I work at a restaurant nearby as a waitress- I mean, I'm going to, haha. Ugh, I hope you're okay sharing your apartment with a girl as well, I for my part don't have a problem with that! So, I guess, I'll wait for your reply?
Have a nice day!"
He scoffed a little, hovering over the delete button, but instead, he clicked her profile icon, opening the details. Her profile picture showed a white big dog, being hugged by what he assumed was her. He couldn't see her face however, half of her face above her nose cropped out to fit the entire dog instead. He could spot her clothes however; a top and skirt, flat shoes and sheer tights with white spots on them. His brows furrowed, how old was she? Her profile said she was about a year younger than him, every post she'd made up to this date about pet stuff, clothes who all seemed to follow a pastel-color scheme, and artwork you seemed to be selling. You were basically the definition of cute.
Fan-fucking-tastic. Hopefully you wouldn't be too upset when he denied your request, but somehow he thought it over. You said you could cook and you did seem like an organized person. Knowing what kind of effect he could have on people, he could probably scare the shit out of you and keep you around without really having to interact much; and rent was also due this month, so the sooner he found a roommate the better. "Fuck it." He said, and began to type his reply.
When his doorbell rang, he almost burned his hand with the hot water he currently used to make himself a cup of ramen, cursing loudly. Who the fuck wasn't home again so he had to take their package in? One day the old lady across the hall would find a dead rat or something in front of her door, he swore to himself. Ripping the door open with so much force he could feel a bit of wind gushing by, his eyes widened when he saw a similar face in front of him- well, a little below actually. He remembered your lips instantly for some awkward reason, having tried to maybe paint a picture of what you looked like entirely over the last few days. He would've never expected something like this however- you looked like a literal doll in his opinion, your eyes wide open and mouth a little parted, shiny lipgloss making him swallow. Wait, did he really forget that you said you wanted to move in today?!
"I uh.. I'm- I'm Y/N, we- I- the ad..?" You said, your voice sounding nothing like the woman he usually was around. He smirked a little, moving so you could step inside, food now definitely forgotten on the kitchen counter. He really should've at least cleaned up a little he thought. Whatever.
"Yeah, figured. There you go, thats your room. The keys and shit are on the matress, make sure you don't loose 'em." He simply said, before leaving you alone in your new home to settle down.
"What I'm trying to say is, Y/N, you and I, this could really be something!" Taehyung slurred into your ear, loud enough for Jungkook to hear. For some reason it pissed him off to no ends how close the older one seemed to be, constantly hitting on you like he was a starving man, even know half of town knew very well that he wasn't. He could see why; you were innocent, and Tae known to fool around a lot. You were a challenge, something new for him, and he would lie if he said that he wasn't interested as well. Oh he was; but he also had at least some manners left inside of him, contrary to popular belief not only thinking with his dick. Taehyung however was only out for fun, making Jungkook question if he should really let this continue.
He decided no.
"Alright you fucking whore, it's bedtime isn't it? I'll call you a cab." Taehyung groaned at the younger one's words, nodded his head however before looking at you with a smirk.
"Ah, what a shame. But if you wanna have some fun you know my number!" He said, as if he didn't just offer you sex. You blushed at this, not answering, making Jungkook watch you a bit. You really were something else. "Jungkookie, you're so nicee... If I was gay I would definitely suck your dick-" The younger in question made a disgusted yet amused face, putting a hand over the blue haired one's mouth.
"Yeah yeah, you pay me back though you fucker." He said, before going into the kitchen to make the call. Taehyung, being left alone with you again started with his questioning, as he had done the entire night.
"So, Y/N.." He said, dragging out the last syllable of your name playfully, making you shuffle around where you were sitting a bit. He certainly was a pretty attractive guy, but he also seemed to be very straightforward- something you always had struggled with, being more on the shy side. You looked at him, silently urging him to continue before taking a sip of your own beer- cherry flavored, simply because the regular was too bitter in your opinion. "What kind of toys do you use, heh?" He questioned, and you coughed suddenly. Taehyung laughed loudly at that, cooing when you calmed down slowly.
"Taehyung, stop harassing my roommate you fucking idiot. I need her to pay half of the rent-" He said, before sitting down next to you, raising one of his eyebrows at you. "And she also makes some killer lasagna. Kinda wanna keep that." He said, before laughing a bit. Even though Jungkook seemed to be pretty intimidating to you, he was actually a pretty good guy to have around. You both barely ever fought, and overall you could almost see yourself falling for him too- he had the looks after all. But his habit of bringing people over just to satisfy himself was something that made you keep some distance between you both. He wasn't someone to settle down- let alone with someone like you. You were pretty much the exact opposite of what he seemed to like.
Sending Tae home was easier than you both thought. Not being able to go to bed you both decided to watch some late night shows while casually talking- something that wasn't uncommon between you two. Just when you seemed to have gotten comfortable again, Jungkook couldn't help but tease you again.
"So, what Toys do you use, heh?" He said, laughing with his head thrown back afterwards at your red face. This would certainly never get old in his opinion. Just as he was about to apologize and tell you you didn't have to answer, your voice was heard, however.
"None." You said, and his eyes widened at that. "What? Do I look like I do these things to you?" You asked, and he cocked his head to the side a bit, scanning you obviously. He shrugged, and you began to pout, moving to wrap your pastel pink blanket around yourself. "I don't even know how to buy one. That stuff is just.. don't know. Gross." You said, and Jungkook turned on the couch, body facing you now, his interest sparked.
"Gross? So you never had sex before?" He said, and you went silent. Were you serious right now? You were an angel in his eyes, body proportions almost perfect, hell, even your slight imperfections were adorable in his eyes. Up until now he had been sure that you at least have had your fair share of experience, but a virgin? His world was suddenly turned upside down. "Well.. that's something I didn't expect." He said, making you raise your eyebrows at him. "You're hot. Thats why. Oh well." He said, missing the way your eyes widened at that. "I'm gonna go to bed now. Goodnight." He simply said, and you answered with a short 'goodnight' as well- still a bit surprised by his statement. Jungkook thought.. you were attractive?
He'd somehow gotten used to you, how you would leave your pastel pink but admittedly really soft blanket in a pile on one edge of the couch in the living room, how you sometimes left your toothbrush in the sink when you'd been in a hurry, or how you would hum to a song, not knowing he could hear you very clearly. Maybe he really did go soft after living with you for a while. He still didn't know himself why he got so upset with Taehyung the day prior; was he really being selfish? He was protecting you, nothing more. Taehyung was everything but a gentle lover, jungkook just knew he'd break you for sure, not to mention that you already stated how much you despised one night stands, which were practically Taehyungs speciality. He was just looking after you, nothing more.
The more he thought about it however, the more problematic the entire plan became.
But even now, while the young woman whose name he had already forgotten was giving it her all sucking his dick, all that seemed to swim around in his head were the events of the previous evening; how innocent and embarrassed you looked at him when you told him you'd never bought, let alone use a toy before. Surely you'd be someone to enjoy a good vibrator he thought, maybe as a gag he could buy you one? Oh how enchanting you'd look, spread out on his mattress while he would edge you over and over until you'd be crying, begging for his mercy. He would praise you for taking it so well, for being so good for him and only him, and he just knew you would blush. Instead of rushing to his own satisfaction, he would go slow, agonizingly slow, just to see how far he could push you. He would feast on you like a predator on his prey, pull you close so you had no chance of escaping him, he would trace every curve of your skin, gently, as if to make up for the bruises and Mark's he would surely leave all over you to feed his inner need to claim you, even though he would never let anyone see you like this while he was alive and breathing anyways. He just knew you would fit perfectly underneath him, his body covering you and shielding you away from the world around. Would you be able to take all of him? He probably would have to stretch you real good before even thinking about pushing his dick inside you, yet he just knows you would somehow make him proud and take it all, and he would continue his praises, telling you what a good girl you are.
He almost laughed at the situation, he really was in deep, wasn't he? Frustrated and confused he started to picture someone else entirely kneeled between his legs on the floor, how you'd bat your eyelashes at him like the fucking angel you were instead of the girl currently there, and that thought alone gave him the final push to shoot his load down the strangers throat, who moaned obscenely at the feeling. Usually he would be aroused, ready for more, but the sound of someone who wasn't his little roommate ripped him out of his daydream. This couldn't go on like that. Sending the lady out without many words, he decided that he just needed to fuck you, and all would be good again. He was just curious. Nothing else. He just needed to satiate his hunger and he could go back to normal.
How would he be able to do this without ending up hurting you? No matter how big his hunger for you was, he also considered you somewhat of a friend. He remembered when you came home crying one time after a bad day at work, and how he wanted to hold you, shielding you from any harm, making you feel safe. Because that's what he, and only he could do in his opinion. No matter what, he'd protect you, as weird as that sounded. Shit.
He really had a crush on you.
Unknowing to him you always held your hands over your ears whenever he brought home a different girl, not being able to listen to his moans mixed with someone else's. You were slowly beginning to regret moving in, already starting to think about maybe searching for a different apartment. But the rent was cheap, your room big, and his company relaxing when he wasn't busy being buried in someone he couldn't even remember after a day or two. Somehow tears were leaking out of your eyes, and you took your hands down from the sides of your head to wipe them away, careful to be as silent as possible as to not alert him that you were awake, well aware of the shower turning on. You did notice however how his sessions became shorter and shorter, always seeming to end sudden instead of usual. But the more you thought of it, the more angry at yourself for falling for this manwhore you became. You really should hate him- but you couldn't.
Tonight was definetely the prime example of why you didn't go into clubs. The sheer amount of people around you, the smell of sweat and cheap cologne and perfume all around made you feel like a headache was inevitable. Why were you here again? Oh yes. You followed Taehyungs advice and 'tried to make friends' instad of looming around your apartment all day. But right now you just really wished you stayed home instead of going here.
Sure, you liked your coworkers, and they seemed nice and everything, but if you were being honest, they're definition of fun was entirely not yours. You began to feel cramped up in the large club, making you desperately pull your phone out of your pocket, texting Jungkook in hopes he could save you from this god forsaken torment they called a club.
Minutes later, after Jungkook oh so gentlemanly told you to pick you up, you stood in front of that said location, waiting for his cheap but admittedly nice car to pull up. Sadly, someone else seemed to be way more intent on bringing you home- a young man your age, attractive, yes, but also heavily intoxicated. He had already eyed you up inside the building you noticed, yet hadn't made a move towards you. Now however, he seemed more determined than ever.
"Lets go home baby, I swear you won't regret-" He started, but you moved away from him, clenching onto your little handbag in order to at least keep your belongings safe if he tried anything else. Suddenly both your figures were drowned in the warm light of Jungkook's car lights- you immediately recognized them simply by the fact that one was brighter than the other, something you always told him, yet he always waved you off, telling you that both were doing just fine, even though his left light was clearly almost dead. Typical him, you thought. Yet right now, you couldn't be happier to see him.
He however, did not seem happy at all. His face was serious, his wavy hair hanging a little over his eyes, steps fast and strong enough that you could hear his black boots almost crush the slight gravel of the parking lot. "Fuck off sunnyboy and go back inside." He simply yelled out, having already seen how uncomfortable you were with the stranger so close to you. Jungkook wasn't someone to blindly punch someone, that said however, he couldn't contain himself once he saw the guy reaching out for your arm, your figure instinctively scrambling to get behind Jungkooks way larger body. He didn't even notice his fist connecting with the strangers face, simply leading you by the small of your back inside his car, driving home without any more words.
You were not to be touched by someone so dirty like this young man who didn't even knew his own limits it seemed.
Yet you were completely confused now. Maybe, if you were now the reason he got into physical fights, you should make a decision.
The next morning, sitting down at the kitchen table, you watched Jungkook filling your bowl with cereal as well- lucky charms for you, and chocolate chips for him. It became somewhat of a routine since you both woke up roughly around the same time, sharing breakfast was common. The best moment in your opinion to pop the bomb.
"I'm moving out." You said softly, fiddling with your fingers in your lap, leg nervously bouncing up and down. Why did this feel like you were breaking up with him? You both would've ended up going separate ways sooner or later anyways- so he would probably just nod, ask when, and that would be it. He was someone who didn't bother much. But the second you said it, he turned around completely shocked, suddenly very much awake.
"Why? Did I do something?" He asked, sounding genuinely offended for some reason you couldn't come up with. In his mind, scenario over scenario started to play, as if he wanted to search for something he may have said or done to make you so upset that you didn't want to live with him anymore. He knew he shouldn't be so upset over it, since you and him were merely roommates, friends who shared an apartment, nothing more, but he never really expected you to come up with it so sudden. Or maybe you had a boyfriend? What if it was Taehyung, and you just didn't tell him? He would rip that fucker's stupid blue hair out, he knew-
"No. I- not reall-" You sighed, setting your elbows on the kitchen table before letting your head fall into your hands. "Actually yes, you did." You started, looking at him, but unable to hold eye contact with the now completely confused curly haired boy in front of you. "You.. uh.. I cant sleep. Your, 'guests', the walls aren't really soundproof and like, I really- and just.. ugh this is so awkward, please don't make me say it-" You said, groaning the rest of your sentence before stubbornly shoving your back against the chair, throwing your legs back and forth viciously, reminding Jungkook of a kid who was close to throwing a tantrum. Even though this was definitely not the time to think about you laid out over his leg, his hand hitting your perfectly shaped butt until it was red just to punish you for being such a brat, exactly this picture began to form in the back of his head. He hated himself somehow, really. But somehow instead of accepting your decision, he moved to stand at the table, hands on top of it, eyes searching yours.
"Say it Y/N. You know I hate when I have to pull thing out your throat sweetheart." He didn't intend on using the nickname, but somehow he threw his hesitation out the window. If you really were fooling around with someone, someone who wasn't him he wanted to know- and even if you didn't share that information with him, you would move out anyways, so why hold back anymore? You shook your head at him, avoiding his gaze, and he clicked his tongue, patience slowly thinning out. "Spit it out." He said again, but he still got no reaction. His hand seemed to move without his consent when he suddenly found his fingers on your chin, moving your head to force your attention towards him. "Speak the fuck up, I swear to god." He said, voice dropping down lower, and somehow you seemed as if bewitched.
Maybe it was the way he stood there, how he still held your chin, or how intensely he looked at you, but words dropped out of your mouth as if you drank harry potters truth potion. "I cant stand that you let these girls touch you, that they can get you so easily and you just look past me a- and I really tried you know, because Taehyung said you liked mature girls more so I tried to do that, but he lied to me, you don't notice me at all, you're so mean you-" He shut your mouth with his mouth, trying to process the information he just received, yet it seemed like it was too much at once. You were.. jealous? And what kind of stupid advice was Taehyung giving away, that fucker? It was true that he liked his women to be confident and mature, but that was just so they knew what they were doing, and he didn't need to put so much effort into something he could get so easily.
"So you were jealous?" He said, a small smirk creeping up on him, cooing at you internally when you shook your head, face red. "If you wanted me to fuck you, you could've just asked. Geez." He said, but instead of being relieved, your shoulders sagged down. "What?" He asked, and you mumbled to him.
"Because I don't want just that one time stuff you do." Jungkook looked at you, eyes softening at your somehow-confession. He just put together the pieces in his head, and it did make sense. You were practically attached to him wherever he took you, always seemingly glowing whenever his attention was on you. He was as much as a dense head than you were, and he couldn't help but pull out a chair and sitting down, patting his legs as an invitation.
"Good, because I don't want that either. And I don't share either." He said, and looked at you gently, but with a deep darkness behind his eyes. "Trust me baby, you can sit down now and I promise you'll be the only one to have me- or you can move out and go on with your life." He almost laughed at the way it suddenly clicked in your head on what he was offering, suddenly jumping up and sitting on his thighs, legs on either side of his body. He looked down at you, a divine picture coming to life. His hands were placed on the exposed skin under your skirt, slowly sliding over the soft skin until his fingers felt the seam of your tights- those goddamn things he'd wanted to rip off of you so badly these past days. "You can touch me, you know?" He said lowly, and you noticed how awkward you must've looked for a second, seated on his lap with your hands in front of you, unsure where to put them. Just to ground yourself, your fingers began to play with his shirt, and he had to swallow the laugh that wanted to break free.
"You don't have to do this, you know? I'm fine with waiting-" He began, but you immediately shook your head, however, at loss for words. He smiled again, dangerously so you noticed. His head dipped down, finally touching your skin on your neck with his lips, leaving open mouthed kisses under your earlobe down to the crook, hands moving over your clothes already mapping out your body in his mind, one hand pulling down one side of your soft fleece jacket you wore, pulling down your shirt as well, so he could softly nip at your shoulder, making you gasp oh so cutely at his actions. His hands didn't stop however, moving over your chest, kneading both of your breasts softly, as if he would hurt you if he used too much strength- which was probably the case. He already loved how bis his hands looked running over your body, how your hands held his shirt in fists, eyes closed, yet not because of fear; you looked serene to him, face showing him the soft pleasure you felt. He suddenly moved you a little, making you straddle one of his leg, core pushed against his thigh. "Let's start slow, yeah?" He asked, whispering words into your ear, lips never parting from you. He slowly began to move your hips, urging you to simply follow what you thought felt best to you. "Use me baby. Get off on my thigh." You whined at that, slowly starting to move more and more boldly, and he decided that he was officially a goner. Even if you didn't want him after whatever may be happening, he knew he could never go back. The way you squeezed your eyes shut every now and then, moving back and forth yet always a bit helpless, showing how inexperienced you were. He could feel the wet patch forming on his jeans, his hands moving you a bit faster, before you let your head fall onto his shoulder, making him chuckle. "What is it baby? Do you need help, hm?" He said, a bit mockingly even, and you nodded into his shoulder. "Tell me what you need then. What do you want, princess?" He said, running his hands over your back, feeling your bodyheat through your clothes.
"wanna get the same.. as the others.." You mumbled, unsure what you were even asking for. Jungkook however simply smiled, suddenly lifting you up, hands under your behind carrying you to his room, before finally letting you fall onto his mattress, laughing when your body jumped a little, making you squeak so cutely. He smiled, crawling over you, his fantasy finally coming to life- you looked so lost under him, so utterly defenseless he could swear he could feel something primal awake inside him- and that was not his dick, which already strained against his jeans, impatient.
"Ah but Baby.." He began, taking off your soft jacket before his hands traced your bare arms until he moved them under your shirt, feeling your skin underneath his fingers. "You're my special girl.." He began to lift your shirt up, helping you out of it before he got rid of your skirt as well, chuckling at your cute lacey underwear, which was so typically you. So innocent, yet so arousing, how you squirmed underneath him in nothing but those pastel colored undergarments. "And special girls get special treatments.." His words were low, soft spoken yet with a rough edge to his tone, a natural feature of his voice that you've come to love. You couldn't even begin to paint out a picture of what he was talking about- sure, you have seen your fair share of adult films, you weren't a kid after all- but up until this moment, up until you met Jungkook, you've never really thought about what you could like when it came to these things. Even in your thoughts you felt shy saying any profanities out loud, how could you expect to know about kinks? "But only if you can behave for me, but you can do that right?" He said, unhooking your bra behind your back with ease and interrupting your inner talk with yourself. "You'll be my good girl, yeah?" He said, and you just viciously nodded, already growing frustrated, and oh how he loved it. This was how he had pictured you. If he had known before that this was what it felt like to have control over someone, he would've never done anything else if he was honest; but then again, you really were a special girl to him.
The way you suddenly mewled when his hand cupped your heat, giving you a little pressure just to tease you even further almost caught him off guard. God have mercy on his soul, you were so sensitive to him, and it dawned on him again that he was making you this way. He was the first to- and he would make sure he'd be the only one as well. All those noises tumbling out of between your lips were only his to hear. His breathing peaked up at the view he had, how you began to impatiently rut into his hand, needy for more than he was giving you. He leaned back, finally getting rid of his own clothes as well to your satisfaction, lazily throwing his opened flannel as well as his white shirt somewhere on the floor in his room, and you couldn't help but stare. Truth be told, you didn't really know what to expect of him if you were honest, his constant gym visits giving you the impression that he had to be extremely fit, yet his habit of consuming more than two cups of ramen easily spoke differently. He was, in your eyes, the perfect in-between- he definetely was fit, his abs visible to your eyes, yet he didn't look like those over-achievers you sometimes saw walking around the same gym whenever you met him there to go home together. The way his muscles flexed at every move when he loomed over you again made you want to touch him, yet your shy side forbade you. He chuckled again. "You can touch what's yours all you want, you know?" He said, before he began to place his hand back onto your chest, his breath hot on your collarbone where he placed his kisses again, already hooked on your taste. His other, tattooed hand found its way back to your core, feeling the dampness there with amusement. You were more than what he'd imagined. Slowly he got rid of that barrier however, leaving your tights on for his own pleasure and maybe also for the aesthetic of it, his digits circling around your sensitive bud, making you squeal again, putting your hands over your mouth to keep your voice down. He clicked his tongue at this, moving them to lay right under the small of your back. "Be good and keep them there, yeah?" He said, and you looked away.
"But its- thats emb-" You couldn't even finish the beginning of your rant before he went back to his task at hand, sitting back before moving your legs to spread obscenely over his thighs simply to catch a glimpse of your glistening center, before he placed his body over yours again, hand now roughly circling in delicious eights around your clit, making you gasp out.
"Nothing you do is embarrassing, you hear me. If anything its fucking hot how you can be so fucking adorable even with my hand between your legs, doll." He said, before dipping a finger into you, making you move a bit at the foreign feeling. "Gotta stretch you out babygirl.." He said lowly, careful not to get too fast. His second finger joined in, and he could feel how tight you were around them, already clenching a bit as well, making his mouth water, but also growing a bit of worry in the back of his mind. Usually he was quite cocky about his overly average qualities down in his pants, but now he was genuinely concerned to hurt you with it. This was definitely a first for him. "Baby you're so small.. I don't think you can take it.." He said, a bit of a teasing undertone to his words as well. "See? You're already squeezing my fingers so hard princess, how could my dick ever fit inside huh?" He said, contrary to his otherwise rough nature keeping his movements gentle and slow enough for you to adjust without causing much pain. He could see the slight discomfort in your eyes, yet you suddenly shook your head, voice whiny.
"Uh-uh.." You mumbled, and he laughed a bit at that. "can take it.." You said bratty as ever, feeding his ego to no ends. "Wanna have it- you.. you gon' give it right? 'm good.." You said, having troubles keeping your hands under your back just like he told you to, grabbing the sheets underneath you instead to have something to keep yourself grounded.
Jungkook couldn't stop smiling. You didn't even know what you were asking for, yet you seemed so drowned in trust with him, that you simply gave him the right to do anything he wanted with you. "You sure?" He said, and smiled at the way you nodded again with your eyes closed. He moved away after that, shedding his pants before he walked over to his bedside table, fishing out a condom, before moving back to you, your eyes now on him, or more than that, on his very apparent bulge his boxers failed to conceal. Maybe you really did ask for more than you could take. Quite literally.
Sensing your growing uneasiness he simply discarded his underwear, cock finally springing free, slapping soundlessly against his abdomen before he sat between your legs again. You made grabby hands for the foil package in his hands, somehow wanting to slip it onto him, yet he shook his head amused. "Nuh-uh baby. I'm afraid if you touch me right now I'll just embarrass myself and come straight away." He said, and you giggled at that. The sound of it brought him back at ease, his little joke having helped to calm you down at least a little bit. He knew this was a big thing, especially for someone like you- and it made him feel even a bit pressured if he was honest. He was slow when he dipped his head inside, your body instinctively trying to move away a bit, but you forced yourself to stay still, eyes now pressed close. Moving around a bit he kept one hand around the base of himself, the other steadying himself next to your shoulder, kissing you on your lips for the first time since you both started, surprising you enough to not notice how he somehow began to glide into you with the help of your arousal and the lubricant of the condom around him. He groaned, the first actual noise he'd made you could tie to his pleasure, and your breathing picked up once you noticed how full you felt.
Gasping several times he suddenly started to laugh, making you giggle as well, even though you didn't knew what was so funny in that situation. "God- ugh.. your- fuck you're tight.." He pressed out, fighting hard against his hips' own mind yelling at him to move, to wreck you, to utterly ruin you. But he couldn't allow himself to do that- reassuring himself that he would have time for that at a later date. He slowly started to move around after he calmed down enough, keeping his speed down to keep it gentle for you. "I- fuck.." He started, having to talk to stretch his patience out, and to also ease your mild pain a little bit. "Let's- ugh.. Let's go on a date tomorrow, yeah? I.. god-" He said, and you nodded, moaning in your delicate pitch he oh so loved. "Gonna be all romantic and shit- fuck- gonna treat you like- for Mcdonald's or some shit." He said, making you both laugh between gasps of pleasure, your hands suddenly frantically moving around the sheets, legs shaking as he began to speed up his pace. You didn't knew what an orgasm would feel like, or how you knew you would have one, but you gasped, chocking on unshed tears in frustration as you noticed that you couldn't tumble over that delicious edge, and Jungkook noticed, cooing at you. "Ah, my baby can't come without her little clit being touched?" He said, kissing the side of your neck, biting the skin teasingly before sucking a hickey on your collarbone, his hands now grabbing yours, fingers intertwining with his, before moving them around his neck, sensing how you wanted to be closer to him, even though that hardly seemed possible. "Come for me baby, you can do it." He said, kissing your shoulder as if to make up for his mark he'd left, his hand now reaching between your bodies, only needing to put a bit of pressure on your little nub to send you flying. You moaned out loud, uncaring on how you sounded, clinging onto him for dear life, his own release making him groan out as well.
He could feel your body trembling, your breathing still fast. He waited for a moment or two for himself to soften up so he could pull out gently- your still slightly clenching hole almost pushing his dick out of yourself. You whined at the empty feeling, and he hushed you gently, moving around so he was sitting up against his headboard, your body on his lap, head on his shoulder. His hand moved back and forth over your spine, the other keeping your body steadily against him. "You did so, so good baby." He gently whispered between your breaths still coming out a little faster than they should. "To be honest I actually was kind of worried you wouldn't be able to take it. I'm impressed princess." He said, making you giggle. You still weren't quite back yet, still bathing in your own afterglow, and he simply waited for you to calm down- slowly becoming aware of your surroundings again.
"Hey, Jungkookie.." You started with that nickname Taehyung always teased him with, yet you would get away with it anytime on his watch. He simply moved his head to look at you, even if you weren't at him. "Did you.. like, mean it? Are we.. a couple now, or?" You started a bit too softly, yet you didn't have to be scared of his answer to that.
He took a deep breath, before yawning a bit. "If you want us to be. I know I want to." He started, brushing some hair away from your eyes. You looked at him, big eyes so innocent like he didn't just fuck you into his mattress literally minutes ago.
"I want to!" You immediately said, making him chuckle and place a kiss on your nose, receiving a giggle at that, before you tensed up. He raised his eyebrows at that, before you looked at him surprised. "My legs are all- tingly.. Jungkook did you break me- HEY don't laugh!" You said, but he couldn't help himself.
He threw his head back, laughing his admittedly cute open laugh, before wrapping his arms around your body. "God I love you." He simply said, making you smile.
"Hey Jungkookie?" You said after a bit.
"Yeah Princess?" He answered.
"That McDonald's date still stands, right?" You said with a small voice, making him snort.
"Anything you want princess. Anything you want."
Taglist:
@mrcleanheichou @sugasbratz @sassysaxsolo @bananagukkie @wh3resangel @urmomgee
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九つの命/9 Lives Translation
Hi!! So, @foxy-and-tales asked me to tell her what was going on in the comic mentioned in this post. After skimming through it, I thought it'd be good practice - and it'd be easier to answer her question - if I just went through it and told her what it all meant. I realised by that point I was doing a translation, and since I was going to the trouble anyway, I thought I'd post it publicly.
So, the full comic is here. It's basically a comic that has 7 little stories about Kakashi's ninja hounds and their lives with Kakashi. It's an adorable, heartfelt story and I absolutely love the personalities that the artist gave all the ninja hounds and the depictions of their relationships with Kakashi.
My translation will be this post, follow it as a script. I don't have the skill or knowledge to edit and typeset and change the images myself - and I wouldn't do that anyway, as it would involve reposting the art and changing it without the artist's consent. But I do think that not referring to the pictures as you're reading through the script really harms how sweet this story is, so if you can go through the comic slowly whilst referring to my (amateur) translation of it, I hope you can get a glimpse of that!
WARNINGS: There is a depiction of an already dead dog in part 4 😢, and some (human!) male partial nudity in part 6 (😉)
Tagging: @scaredlittlefoxy @lemony-snickers @backalleykat @whatshernameis @gwedosuns @topsyturvy-dream @ice-icebaby @cosmiclattes
This is also the artist’s note that follows after the comic, that I’m putting here:
(Artist’s note translation)
"This is a story about the daily life of Kakashi and the eight ninken.
The ninja dogs’ personalities etc mightn’t be faithful to the source material.
The dogs live free range in Kakashi’s house.
There is an illustration of a dog dying, though it isn’t any of the ninken. Please take note.
You don’t have to read it, but below this are the dogs’ personalities:
Shiba: Friendly and sensitive
Biscuit: Childish and Selfish
Akino: Calm and cool demeanour
Bull: Timid and Quiet
Urushi: Ladykiller. A little bit dim. (Note: Himbo!)
Guruko: Annoyingly helpful and naggy
Uhei: Pure-hearted and cheerful
Pakkun: Same as in the series"
Some notes and then onwards into the translation under the cut:
Please take heed before continuing:
I’m not a professional translator, in fact I’ve done very little of this, so there’s some guesswork and liberties taken, and I don't claim that that there’ll be no mistakes.
I’ve separated it out by sections and pages, so you should be able to follow the story from following the speech bubbles (right to left) and referencing the lines here by speaker
Each space between a line denotes that it’s the next speech bubble
A new line but no change in speaker will denote that it’s the same character talking, but in the next panel or speech bubble
Italics means the character is thinking or flashbacks. I'll try and make this obvious as I go but the artwork should make that clear too.
Brackets are my additions, or me translating things like signs etc, or brackets will have smaller background dialogue not in speech bubbles. I'll try to make this clear as I go.
Stuff surrounded by * denotes actions or onomatopoeic actions/words in panels
Ask me if there’s any parts that confuse you about the story!! The way I’ve done this isn’t easy to follow but it's the best my dumb brain could come up with
TRANSLATION:
Title page
(p.1)
ここのつのいのち
9 Lives
(p.2)
1. ‘I won’t tell anyone’
(SFX: dogs playing and wagging tails)
Kakashi: Hm? You’re not gonna play, Shiba?
Shiba: …No. …Hey, Kakashi’
Kakashi: Hm? What?’
Shiba: There’s a girl I like’
Kakashi: Ohhh… I won’t tell anybody.
I won’t tell ~ I won’t tell ~
(p. 3)
Shiba: She’s really cute…
Kakashi: That’s great ~
Shiba: But I haven’t even spoken to her once
Kakashi: You should go for it ~
(SFX: *happy dog panting*)
Shiba: I’ll come back as soon as I’ve talked to her!’
Kakashi: Yep!
Shiba: I’ll be right back, definitely!
Kakashi: Ok, ok (lit. Yes yes)
(p.4)
Shiba: She’s already got someone (lit. she’s already in a couple/has a mate)
Kakashi: I see…
Shiba: She said her mate hurt his leg and can’t walk so he's staying at home…
(p.5)
Kakashi: Shiba, you know.. have feet that can walk anywhere…
So maybe you’ll meet an amazing girl again, won’t you?
(*dog cries*)
Kakashi: ...I won’t tell anyone. (*Comforting doggy*)
I won’t say anything. I won’t say anything.
(Kakashi: Aw, Shiba is pretty sweet to me, huh?)
2. Biscuit’s Sausage (note: I know his name is technically Bisuke in Japanese, but Biscuit is his dub name and it’s too adorable so that’s what I’m going with here! Also suits the personality he has in this story. What a biscuithead this boy is)
(p.6)
Biscuit: -You’re so sneaky, Kakashi! I wanted to eat sausages!
*crying dog noises*
(Uhei: Sorry, Kakashi…
Guruko: I told you!!)
Kakashi: You know if you eat sausages, Biscuit, your tummy will get sick, right? I’m boiling cod for you right now
(*tantrum noises, pounding feet and barking*)
Biscuit: *angry puppy noises* I hate fish, you idiot! I said I want to eat sausages! Sausages! Sausages!
Kakashi: *sternly* Biscuit
Biscuit: *whimper*
(p.7)
Biscuit: Kakashi, you IDIOT!
(2. Biscuit’s Sausage)
Biscuit: *sniff*
(Sign says Konoha Pet Food)
Biscuit: This is the store that sells the dog food Kakashi buys! Wow, maybe they have sausages here too!
(p.8)
Biscuit: I wonder if I'll be able to eat as much as I want… *gulp*
But if I did that, Kakashi would get in trouble
No, maybe…
*heart pounding*
Kakashi kept it (this) a secret just from me, because I'll get sick...
(Apron says Konoha Pet Food)
Shop Lady: *shuffles*
Biscuit: I didn't do anything yet!!! * heart pounding*
Shop Lady: Oh my… you really just talked!
Shop lady: You’re Kakashi’s pup, aren’t you?
(p.9)
Shop lady: Kakashi got you to come here, huh?
(Shop lady: you’re a good boy!)
Bisuke: Oh, no-
Shop lady: Though, he shouldn't have made you come pick it up without contacting us, huh? Here, sausages!
Biscuit: Sausages?!
Shop lady: There’s a pup among you guys that can’t have normal sausages, right?
It was a request from Kakashi.
He said he wanted me to make some especially for the puppy who can’t handle meat.
(p.10)
Shop lady: Well, here you go!! You’ll tell Kakashi we’re sorry for making him wait, won’t you?
Biscuit: Oh, um… But I don’t have any money…
Shop lady: It’s fine, because it’s Kakashi!
Whenever he has free time, he comes to pay.
I have a deal with him, you see. And he can't get the food if he's not here...
Next time, come together with Kakashi, okay?
(p. 11)
Kakashi: *casually picks up Bisuke* Thank you! This is for you ~
Shop lady: Thank you, come again!
Biscuit: Kakashi…
Kakashi: Hm?
Biscuit: Sorry…
Kakashi: Yeah…
I’m sorry too. I gave everyone else sausages while keeping it a secret from you.
I thought you’d definitely want some if you saw…
(Kakashi: But I got caught.)
(p. 12)
Kakashi: But…. Everyone’ll want some if they see this, too.
How about stopping by the park and eating it there?
We’ll keep it a secret from everyone 😊
Bisuke: *happy face licking and barking* When we get home, I’ll eat the cod too!!
Kakashi: Uhh… Well, Uhei and Guruko already ate it…
Bisuke: WHAT?!!!
(Flashback, Uhei and Guruko saying ‘Cod! Me too!! Me too! I want to eat some too!’)
3. Kakashi’s smile
(p. 13)
*paws thudding on ground/running away*
Kakashi: …Got you.
Akino: Ack!
It’s always only me that you brush so roughly, Kakashi!
Kakashi: It can’t be helped, can it? You have the thickest fur, Akino
*brushing softly* It’ll be over soon, it’ll be over soon…
Other doggies: That seems nice to me, Akino…
Kakashi: Hey, it’s falling out, it’s falling out ~
Akino: !!!
Kakashi: Look, it’s a mini Akino!! So much fur…
Akino: That’s too much hair off the bottom, Kakashi! Wha…
(p. 14)
*Kakashi continuing to laugh at his mini Akino*
Akino: There are times now where Kakashi summons us, even if he doesn’t have any business for us to take care of…
(Back then) he never ever summoned us outside of missions…
(p. 15)
Akino: He was doing all kinds of things, but he was the kind of person who never had a smile on his face…
Kakashi: If I had more time, I could make an even hairier one, you know
(Other dogs: *laughing* Akino: That’s a lie!)
Akino: Kakashi…. You're having fun?
Kakashi: *genuine smile* Yep, I am!
Akino: *smile* If you feel like it, you can keep going…
Kakashi: Oh?
(Later, Akino notices Kakashi has put sunglasses on the mini Akino)
4. Timid Bull (CW Animal Death)
(p. 16)
Bull: I’m the last ninja hound that came to Kakashi’s home.
Before that, I was living in a training centre for ninja hounds.
(4. Timid Bull)
The dogs I lived together with there… were all adopted when they were puppies.
But I still lived at the training centre, even as I became fully grown.
Ninja Hey, that dog looks tough, doesn’t he?
Centre manager: Yes, but… he’s not all that suited for battling…
Despite how he looks, he’s actually a timid dog.
Bull: I… I’m scared of insects. I’m scared of noises.
I’m scared of blood.
Centre manager: Because he can understand the stories of troubled humans, you see…
Bull: I’m scared of anything other than myself.
(p. 17)
Bull: Nobody would want a dog like me, right?
Kakashi: I found a good boy ~
Bull: *panicking* There’s no manager here!
Kakashi: Hello ~
Bull: …Hello… *heart pounding*
Kakashi: Ah, one that talks, huh…
Would you like to become one of my pups?
(p. 18)
Bull: Me…? Me, really? Quit it… That’s enough joking around.
Kakashi: What do you mean?
Bull: No-one wants me (😢)
Kakashi: No-one?
I want you, though.
Bull: What kind of a strange person would want me, I thought
(p. 19)
Bull: There were lots of dogs at Kakashi’s house
(Happy barking doggy noises)
Uhei: Woah, you’re huge! But among these guys, I have the fastest legs, you know!!!
Guruko: And I have the best nose!!
Biscuit: And I’m whiny!! (Note: lit. ‘I’m selfish!’)
Shiba: I have the sharpest bite!
Pakkun: I am the wisest. (Note: Pakkun I think uses Kansai-dialect Japanese lol so he sounds kinda... distinct. This is hard to convey for me lol)
Urushi: I’m popular with the ladies ;)
(Akino: I’m the fluffiest!)
Bull: I was so confused
You… you’re not scared of me?
I’m huge, and I have a scary face… So no one comes near me.
They all said they weren’t scared.
The reason, they said together, was…
(p. 20)
‘Because Kakashi brought you, Bull!’
Everyone was totally relaxed, as if they had no worries at all.
They all clung to me as if it was completely natural to do so.
I realised that there’d always be someone beside me.
(p. 21)
*sounds of paws scuffling against ground in first two panels*
*jumping to the ground noise in third panel*
Kakashi: …Bull, this way is a dead end.
Bull: …Sorry.
I couldn’t go back to where you were, and I thought so, but -
(p.22)
Bull: *looking at dog* He asked me to stay by his side.
…He was an enemy, but he was already dying.
That’s why, Kakashi….
Kakashi: …Yep.
Let’s give him a send-off together.
(Note: this was a tricky one because Kakashi says 送る, which means send, and is used with mail etc, but can mean to say farewells to the deceased, which is why Bull comments on it on the next page)
(p. 23)
Bull: He wanted to say ‘I want to bury him’
But Kakashi said ‘send-off’.
Lightly, as if his life force was still there
There… there are a lot of things that scare me.
When I was waiting for this dog, I was scared.
But I couldn’t refuse his request.
(p. 24)
Bull: …I’m spineless.
Kakashi: Everyone else has lots of things they’re scared of, you know.
That’s why they all stay by your side, Bull.
If you’re there, everything will be alright. That’s how everyone feels.
If you’re close by, everyone’s able to feel safe.
(p. 25)
Kakashi: ….This puppy, too.
Dying dog: …Please…
Bull: That dog…
Dying dog: Stay with me, until the end…
Kakashi: Because you stayed with him, Bull, he felt at peace, didn’t he?
Bull: I don’t think that dog was happy…
…Kakashi.
He was very thin, and he also smelt like he was sick
To protect themselves, his owner didn’t treasure this [this dog’s] life.
Kakashi, I…
Somehow, I..
I’m very…
(p. 26)
Bull: I wanted to cry out as loud as I could..
Kakashi: Yeah… (I’m not sure who’s saying this line)
Bull: For feeling guilty towards that dog, and for knowing Kakashi…
For my life being here now.
For my life, I wanted to cry it out until the blood came out of my throat.
(p. 27)
Bull: That dog…
I wonder, was that dog ever able to feel like this, even once?
(Flashback) Doggies: Because Kakashi brought you, Bull!
Uhei: Hey!!! Bull!!
Shiba: You’re late!!
I was worried, you know!
Guruko: (to others) Hey, Bull came back!!
Bull: I’m Bull. The dog that Kakashi found.
5. Urushi’s scales
(p.28)
Urushi: I think I’m good looking
(5. Urushi’s scales)
Girl pups: Ahh~ Urushi…~
Urushi: I’m popular with the ladies
(note: he uses メス, which means bitch in the literal sense - a female dog - and all the puppers use it to refer to human women too. So I just left it as ladies, as I don't think the pups mean it to be crass, they just use dog language and apply it to humans as well as themselves)
Sometimes I’m told ‘it’s probably because you’re one of Kakashi’s ninken’, but…
(Background lettering over the other dogs says ‘Unstylish/Uncool/Lame’)
But my other friends aren’t all that popular, really.
Still, I think it’s because I really am good-looking after all.
(Choruses of ‘Urushi~’, ‘Ahh…; and ‘Let’s play together, Urushi)
Urushi: Hehehe…
Being good-looking is a great thing.
Guruko: Hey, Kakashi!
(p. 29)
Guruko: You got hit by a girl again, didn’t you?!
Kakashi: *laughing* No…
Akino: Why were you hit by a girl? Do girls not like you?
Uhei: It looks like it hurts…
Kakashi: Nooo ~
Shiba: You’re so strong, Kakashi, why were you hit?
Biscuit: You couldn’t avoid it?
Guruko: *Steam from nostrils* I’ll fight her for you!
Kakashi: It’s fine, it’s fine ~
What are you saying?
(p. 30.)
Urushi: Kakashi said ‘I took responsibility’.
Sometimes humans say things I don’t understand…
Girl dog: Urushi… pair up with me.
Urushi: If Kakashi’s saying it, it must be important…
Be… Because I’m one of Kakashi’s ninken?
Girl dog: It has nothing to do with that. I like you, Urushi
Urushi: Wow… *heart pounding*
Girl dog: Pair up with me, and…
I want you to leave the ninken. (Lit. Stop being a ninken)
(p. 31)
Girl dog: I love you, Urushi, but what if, on a mission, you…
I can’t stand the thought of that!
Leave the ninken, and… always stay in the village with me?
Urushi: This girl’s a beauty, and has a kind personality…
I think that I might want to be with her…
Should I leave the ninken?
(p. 32)
Urushi: *perplexed*
Kakashi, Bull and Biscuit: *zzz, sleeping sounds*
Urushi: If I said I wanted to leave the ninken…
Kakashi: (in Urushi’s imagination) If that’s what you want, Urushi
It’s fine with me! (Background: It would be a shame, though…)
Urushi: I feel like Kakashi would say something like that…
Do I want to do that…? Not really, but… *sigh*
Hey, Pakkun.
(p. 33)
Pakkun: Something bothering you?
Urushi: Yeah, there is
I have to decide between two things, but it’s difficult…
I want both of them, but I can’t have them.
Pakkun: … Is it a girl problem?
Urushi: Yep ~
Pakkun: That’s just like you, Urushi. (Pakkun’s imagination shows two girl pups arguing:
Urushi!! Which one will you choose, me or her?! *indignant barking*)
When making a decision about something, one needs to think about what’s most.
...important to oneself.
Let’s say you balance both sides on your scales…
Urushi: My scales?
Pakkun: For example….
(p. 34)
It’s not the physical weight, but the weight of what you think is precious and important. It’s the weight of those feelings.
If you think about which is heavier, you’ll find the answer.
Kakashi: You guys are having a kinda complicated conversation, huh…?
Pakkun: Oh, Kakashi, you woke up, did you?
Urushi: *heart pounding*
Kakashi: My scales lean towards sleep, you know..
Let’s eat soon, okay? Please…
Urushi: Kakashi…. Are you happy that I’m here?
(p. 35)
Kakashi: Hm? Yeah, I’m happy!
Urushi, of course I’m happy ~
(Note: the word Kakashi uses is 嬉しい, which is ‘ureshii’ so Kakashi is making a pun with Urushi’s name here.)
Urushi: *blush* Okay!
Pakkun: What we were just talking about… Don’t talk about it in front of Shiba.
Urushi: Huh? Why?
Pakkun: Seems like he recently had his heart broken…
(p. 36)
Urushi: The thing that’s most important and precious to me… isn’t you.
That’s why I can’t be with you.
I can’t be with you, but… you’re a beautiful and amazing lady.
So, let’s meet again one day ~
Biscuit: Kakashi! Kakashiiiii! It’s awful!!
(p. 37)
(*throbbing pain*)
Biscuit: Urushi’s hurt!!
(*dogs barking*)
Guruko: Let’s go fight them!! *steam from nostrils*
Shiba: No way, is it a girl? Kakashi, you better tell him off!!!
Kakashi: Did you get into a fight with a dog from the village?
Urushi: No, it’s not that…
I took responsibility.
I’ve got a manly mark on my face, heh~
Shiba: You better tell him off!! *bark*
Pakkun: That’s it…
6. Kakashi’s Helper Team!
(p. 38)
Kakashi: I’m home~!!!
Guruko: ?!!! Kakashi, you stink!!
Kakashi: *sweetly smiling* Oh, stop it…
I saw Asuma after a long time, and we talked and ended up getting some drinks… It was nice to see him… *flops down on floor*
Guruko: Take a bath!!!
Don’t go to sleep!!
(*soundly sleeping*)
(p. 39.)
Guruko: Uhei! Uheiii!
Uhei: What is it?
Guruko: Let’s clean up Kakashi!
(6. Kakashi’s Helper Team!)
Uhei: Ehh… But if he wakes up, he’ll take a bath himself, won’t he?
(SFX: Heave-ho! Heave-ho!)
Guruko: We can’t leave Kakashi as he is when he’s this stinky! It’s fine, take it off!
Uhei: Uh, this is stuck half way, I can’t take it off
Guruko: Because you haven’t taken off his leg bandages!
(p. 40)
Guruko: Damn, this is stuck half way *pulling*
Uhei: Isn’t that because you haven’t taken off his headband?!
Guruko: This is enough, let’s carry him to the bath like this!
(*dragging noises*)
Uhei: Won’t his clothes get wet?
Guruko: It’s fine, because we’re going to wash them anyway!
Uhei: It’s amazing… Kakashi still hasn’t woken up!
Guruko: Okay, let’s wash him!
Uhei: Isn’t that… the shampoo that we use?
Guruko: It’s totally safe!!
If it’s fine for us to use, it’ll be fine for Kakashi too, right?
Uhei: I guess…
(p. 41)
Uhei: We can wash his body, but what about his clothes?
(SFX: *scrub scrub*)
Guruko: If we wash them together, it’ll be fine! Hey, pour some hot water over here ~
Uhei: Okay!
(SFX: *splash*)
Kakashi: *suddenly yelling* I’m gonna die!!
Guruko: *screaming*
Kakashi: Even with my face covered, if you pour hot water on me, I can’t breathe, you know!! You really can’t do that.
Guruko: You woke up…
(SFX: *heart pounding*)
Uhei: You really scared me…
(p. 42)
Kakashi: You’d started something, and I wondered how far you’d carry on… Ah, I’m drenched.
Guruko: Ah, I’m sorry, Kakashi!!
Kakashi: Well, anyway.. you guys ended up cleaning yourselves pretty good too. You’re all drenched, too.
Guruko: Then I’ll go get some towels!!
Uhei: Kakashi, Kakashi
Guruko acts the way he does, but he really loves looking after you!
Kakashi: I know.
Biscuit: I want to have a bath with Kakashi too ~
Guruko: That’s not it! It’s just all slippery (note: not accurate, but the gist is that Biscuit misunderstands and Guruko puts him straight)
7. I’ll always love you
(p. 43)
(Flashback)
Sakumo: Pakkun…
Pakkun…
I have a favour to ask.
(Present)
Pakkun…
(SFX: Snoring)
Kakashi: Pakkun..
(SFX: Gasp)
Pakkun: Huh?
Kakashi: It’s time to eat.
(p. 44)
Pakkun: Alright.
(Other dogs: Food~ Food ~
Kakashi: Yes ~ Yes ~)
(Flashback)
Sakumo: Pakkun…
Pakkun….
Pakkun..
(p. 45)
Pakkun: Kakashi?
Kakashi: Hm?
Pakkun: For the mission report before… You didn't need me, did you?
Why did you bring me?
Other dogs: We want to come too!!
Kakashi: It’s just Pakkun for today
Kakashi: Hmm…
Hey, let’s relax here for a little while.
Pakkun: What’s this…
Kakashi: Come on…
Well…
(p. 46)
Kakashi: I want to talk about Dad.
…No. Maybe it’s a confession?
Talking about Dad…. Felt like something we couldn’t even broach. Ever.
I think you felt this way too, right, Pakkun?
I couldn’t tell you earlier that ‘it’s all right now’. Even though it was.
It was just a matter of timing, I guess…
Pakkun: But I wasn’t waiting for you to say that… Even if you’d have said it earlier, that’d have been good, but..
Why, out of the blue like this?
A change like that… Just like…
Just like…
(p. 47)
(Flashback)
Sakumo: I have a favour.
(Present)
Kakashi: The day Dad died…
Ever since then, for a long time, now… I became strange.
I’ve been nothing but trouble for you.
Pakkun: Kakashi-
Kakashi: Even though… you were hurting over Dad not being here too.
(p. 48)
Kakashi: Dad was your first master, right?
You really were precious to him.
….The other day, when you were having a nap, I woke you up, didn’t I?
It might have been because of the food, but your nose was twitching.
At first, I thought you were growling.
When I woke you up, you had a really startled expression when you looked at me.
I understood right away.
You were thinking about Dad, right?
(p. 49)
Kakashi: You were having a dream about Dad that time, right?
Thank you for always being considerate towards me…
But it’s alright now.
From now on, I want you to tell me…
The things about Dad that only you know.
(p. 50)
Pakkun: Sakumo…
(Sakumo: Pakkun…)
Pakkun: …really was a loving, kind man.
Kind, and…
(Sakumo: Pakkun…)
Pakkun: Kind, and…
…Kakashi.
I’ll tell you about Sakumo.
The things I’ve always wanted to tell you
I’ll tell you now.
Kakashi: Okay.
(p. 51)
Kakashi: Thank you for telling me about Dad, Pakkun.
Pakkun: …Don’t you dare die.
(Pakkun…)
I’ve had enough now.
Yeah. Enough.
(p. 52)
(Sakumo: I’m asking.…)
Pakkun: Sakumo…
The two of you are exactly alike.
Kakashi: Oh, really?
Pakkun: Everything’s alright now.
(p. 53)
“Kakashi!”
(p. 54)
(No text)
(p. 55)
Kakashi!
(p. 56)
Kakashi
(Note: I think the favour Sakumo asked of Pakkun was to take care of and be mindful of Kakashi always. This isn't outright stated)
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I love the Bridgerton and Sons universe. I love the equation between each of the characters and how beautiful each aspect it set and I can't help but want to read more about it!
Could you please some more drabbles with Newton+Kathony kids and of course some involving Anthony + Newton because honestly that is the best duo there is!
I absolutely love your writing! You should definitely consider publishing your work in the form of a novel!
Hiiiii!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying this series! I wish I could say there is a grand plan to it but... there is not! Oh boy! A novel?? This work?? Ahahaha I don’t think anyone would read it 😂 Though I do dream about running away from my life as a dentist to open a small bookstore and maybe I would write a novel in this fantasy but the small bookstore (which also sells baked goods) is the main money spinner there! But really! I don’t think I’ll be publishing anything anytime soon. Well... not legitimate writing anyway. Y’all will keep being bothered by this
I received two requests for Newton headcanons this week and even though they’re both very similar I’m going to keep them separate because, spoiler alert: I love and adore Newton. Okay!
Anthony Bridgerton could admit, he had been a little nervous when they’d first brought Edmund home from the hospital. Newton was waiting by the door doing his happy little bum dance brimming with excitement when he heard Kate’s voice say Oh sweetheart look at you! Daddy’s put a little ribbon on you! And Anthony was perhaps more than a little embarrassed to say that yes, Newton had been newly bathed and perhaps blowdried in the early hours of this morning but I mean really I’m not having him passing anything to Edmund Anthony said gruffly, ignoring the way Kate smirked at him as he shifted uncomfortably. He had researched how best to introduce a baby to a pet. Best to do it in a controlled environment, plenty of supervision. Newton was already nosing curiously at the baby carrier Anthony was carrying his ears pricked no doubt as he picked up a slightly familiar scent on the baby. Anthony looked questioningly at Kate who nodded but tucked her fingers into Newton’s collar patting his head soothingly as Anthony crouched beside the carrier, taking his tiny son out cradling him softly before turning towards the tubby little dog saying lightly. Newton, This is Edmund. Newton stared at the baby for a second then back at Kate for a moment before he stepped forward quickly leaning his paws on Anthony’s leg. Anthony started to panic, pulling Edmund away but Kate said firmly Anthony. Wait. And just as she said it, Newton nosed Gently at Edmund’s forehead licked him once then jumped back yipping quietly. Anthony had to admit, it was very sweet the way Newton slept at the foot of Edmund’s crib.
Perhaps it was true that over the years Anthony had grown to have a sort of begrudging respect for Kate’s ridiculous animal. None so much as what he and Kate had come to term the incident. They’d decided to take the boys to the park, as she often did on a Saturday afternoon. Edmund was attempting to climb a tree, scrabbling madly, Kate had Charlotte tucked into a baby carrier Newton on a tight leash and Miles was walking a little hesitantly, his hand tucked into Anthony’s. A perfect idyllic day with his family. Miles had gasped suddenly and pulled away from his father chasing after a butterfly, Anthony had grinned, following behind his son only for terror to grip him seconds later as Miles strayed too close to another dog who was not on a leash who started growling immediately. Before Anthony could react he heard Kate let out a startled fuck heard an odd whooshing noise and a growl as a blur past in front of him. And Anthony had to say, he’d truly never liked Newton more than when he saw the tiny dog, barely 10 inches tall, standing protectively between his tiny son and a dog twice his size, growling viciously his hackles raised. And when the other dog was pulled away by its (very embarrassed) owner and Newton gave out one final warning bark before turning back to Miles licking his face as he panted happily, Anthony felt a surge of dare he say it, affection for the tiny animal that he never would have gotten for himself, but truly could not be more thankful to have.
Kate’s favourite Picture of Newton, isn’t one of him as an adorable little puppy, or of him happily paddling around a lake Edwina looking slightly bedraggled having been dragged in, not even of Anthony sprawled on the sofa his mouth open in a silent snore with Newton also sound asleep on his back tucked into Anthony’s arm as he lays across his stomach. No, her favourite picture is of a now, quite elderly Newton, the week Mary had been brought home from the hospital. He had taken up his residence at the foot of her crib just as he had with each of their children. The picture shows him laying on his stomach, one eye open, Charlotte playing with his ears grinning brightly, little ribbons tied in a neat row down Newton’s back. It hangs with the rest of the family pictures on the staircase for a very long time.
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Awww a puppy! (Tenya Iida x Reader) (Pure Fluff)
“Awwww a puppy! Are you lost little guy?” The puppy you just found was just wandering you would’ve looked at how cute he was and kept going if you didn’t see the golden tag shining around his neck. “Come here cutie. I just want to se what your name is and who you belong to.” The small dog was hesitant, but after smelling and licking your hand it began to snuggle up next to you. You picked the small dog and read it’s tag, “Speedy”. “Well aren’t you absolutely adorable Speedy. I’ll take you home and take a couple pictures of you and post you around Facebook. Then, we should be able to find your owner. How does that sound? Would you like to come home with me for a little bit?” The small dog seemed to wag his tail with joy and you took that answer as a yes. And began your journey home.
Meanwhile... “Tensei stop laughing it’s not that funny.” “What do you mean it’s not funny?! You got an almost $4,000 dog, spent around $150 for it to get it’s proper shots and within 24, wait not even 24, but in 5. Count them 1-2-3-4-5 hours, lost it because you forgot how big the bars for the properties fence were. You’re right it’s not funny, but positively hilarious!” “I hate you,” Tenya said rolling his eyes at his older brother who looked like he was about to kick the bucket cause of how hard he was laughing. “Listen Ten, I’ll get you another dog okay same breed and all.” “Tensei, I’ve wanted that dog for like a week. He’s not an average dog. He’s smart and cute. He’s mine.” “Alright, we’ll put up flyers and hope someone sees him okay.” “Okay.”
....
”ARE YOU STILL LAUGHING!?”
When you get back to your apartment you put your stuff down, give Speedy a bath, get changed (what filthy dog), and start taking the cutest photos of him. You realized this dog was smart. Why? Cause he knows how to sit, lay down, roll over, and play dead. All of which these poses make good pictures for him. You decide to find out what he is while you have him here maybe when he’s gone you’ll get one of your own. “Let’s see. What kind of dog are you? Oh! This one looks like you... $4,000!” Speedy looks at you with that’s almost proud. The look on your face? Absolute horror. What if they think I dognapped him for a reward? What if they think I just stole him cause I didn’t want to pay that kind of money? Or worse, what if they think I stole him to sell for more money and basically get about 5 months rent out of him?!
....
A few days go by and one thing you forgot to do (thankfully) was put his name on the missing dog post that you made. You got so many, no, too many people trying to claim that Speedy was their pet, but no one ever knew his name. They just knew what he was. Until this guy named NextIngenium4 contacted you. “You found my dog, I’ve been worried sick about him!” “If it’s your dog what’s his name?” “What?” “Look I’ve been getting way too many people saying it’s their dog either you tell me the name or you get block like the rest of them. The name, please.” “His name is Speedy, he’s smart and knows how to do a good amount of tricks for a puppy his age.” “Oh. he really is your dog! I’m glad I finally found you where do you want to meet so you can get him back?” “You’re just giving him back to me?” “Um, yeah? He’s your dog why would I keep him from you?” “No, just he’s really expensive, didn’t you want a reward or something?” “No, being able to give someone a beloved family member is enough reward for me.” “ Oh, then here meet me at this café at 5-ish today.” “Okay see you then.”
....
“Do you see him Speedy?” Here you are at the café, waiting for some stranger to come get the puppy. That’s when it dawned on you. You have no idea who you’re meeting! Is it a girl, a guy, someone short, or tall, with or without braces?! You had no idea who to look for! “Are you ‘username’?” Oh, this guy is really handsome. Oh, yeah he asked you a question. “Yeah that’s me, you must be NextIngenium4. My real name is ____” “Ah, it’s nice to meet you I’m Tenya. Where’s Speedy?” “Oh he’s right here.” You grab your purse that has the small dog happily wagging his tail and looking excitedly at his rightful owner. “Hey Speedy, you scared me. I’m so glad that I found you.” You were glad that he had his dog back and were about to make your way home. “Wait, can I treat you to something?”
....
“And that’s how me and your dad met.” “Wait, daddy, you got Speedy for $4,000?” “Yeah?” “No wonder you were horrified, I would’ve been too.”
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Pay Attention to Me
TITLE: Pay Attention to Me
CHAPTER NUMBER/ONE SHOT: One Shot
AUTHOR: fanfickittycat
FANDOM: Haikyuu!!
CHARACTERS/PAIRING: Suna Rintaro x Reader
GENRE: Smut
FIC SUMMARY: After seeking advice from everyone about what to do when your boyfriend Suna won’t pay attention to you, you decide to take matters into your own hands
RATING: M
AUTHORS NOTES/WARNINGS: Unedited because that’s sexy right? Atsumu being a huge himbo. Read it on AO3 here
“Rin?” No response. You knew it was useless, but you couldn’t help but try to get your boyfriend’s attention. He was right next to you and he still wouldn’t respond, despite the way you’d call his name in the sweetest voice you could muster. You sighed, turning back to your maths homework that Suna had abandoned twenty minutes ago with no progress beyond the first set of sums. He always suggested study dates, but really it was just the chance to be near you without interacting.
“Talking isn’t necessarily communicating” he said once “I just like to be near you.”
At the time, it had made your heart melt that he was so satisfied and comfortable with just your presence, but lately it felt like a slap of indifference across your face. It was almost as if he thought of you as a pet, or a casual acquaintance instead of as his girlfriend. You looked at him, regarding his green eyes that looked at his phone with more interest than they looked at you. His thumb lazily scrolled down the screen as the clock ticked behind him. You could leave and he probably wouldn’t notice, but you were too shy, too nervous to make such a bold move. You finished up your homework glumly instead, packing away your things when it started to get dark.
“Done already?” Suna asked, speaking for the first time in two hours. You felt your heart sink into your stomach.
“Yeah” you looked away and nodded, pretending to be distracted by the inside of your school bag. It offered no comfort.
“Time flies” he hummed, stretching his arms up as though he had done anything more than be on Twitter. You swallowed thickly and stood up, feeling awkward when he didn’t follow suit.
“Well, I’ll get going then” you said. It prompted him to stand, which was encouraging, and he pressed a quick kiss onto your cheek before bidding you goodbye, but it didn’t calm the anxiety churning in your stomach. You were thankful you lived close by, only a couple of streets away at most, but it would have been nice if he had walked you. A cool spring breeze made a flurry of petals swirl around your ankles, and you breathed out shakily. Strings of gut-wrenching questions began to spin like threads in your mind. Was this it? Was this what you had to look forward to? Silence and your words hanging in the air, ignored? A lame kiss on the cheek as your only crumb of attention?
You contemplated your relationship when lying in bed that night. Suna had caught your eye, as he had many girls’. Tall, lean, athletic; his fox eyes had been subject to many a giggly conversation in the girls’ bathroom. You had thought him attractive, but what really captured your heart was how deceptively smart he was. You could see how intelligent he was. When he was picked on by the teacher in class, he always managed to have the answer, even though his tone was bored, and he didn’t look at all like he was paying attention. In the few volleyball games, you had attended with your friends, you observed how he calculated his chances with keen interest. He was more times than not on his phone, but you had seen him reading classic, dog eared paperbacks too as he waited for the twins to come out of class. It was how you had met.
“Vonnegut?” he noted, making you jump. You looked up to see him standing in front of you, hands in his pockets casually as he regarded you.
“Yeah” you cleared your throat, feeling your cheeks flush at the unexpected attention “I read Slaughterhouse Five last week and I liked it so…” You trailed off, feeling self-conscious. You had never spoken to him and vice versa. In fact, you were surprised that he even acknowledged you, even though it was a little pathetic to admit.
He nodded “I noticed.”
“You… noticed?” you frowned as you considered his words “do you make a habit of watching girls read?”
His lip quirked upwards “no. Only you.”
The chaotic sound of Miya Atsumu interrupted anything more being said, and you both looked towards the school as Atsumu held up a paper with a 32 written on it in red and circled. The blonde boy started raving to Suna, even at a distance, about how he had to do a make-up test and how badly he needed his help.
“God, he’s so loud” Suna mused, turning to walk away from you and towards his friend. You opened your mouth to say something but snapped it shut instead, not wanting to ruin whatever just happened.
“Tell me what you think when you finish” he said over his shoulder at you, nodding to the copy of Breakfast of Champions “I think you’ll like it.”
That had been it. From then on, you’d speak more and more to each other, straying off the topic of literature soon after. Then, when asked to pick partners for a history project, your friends had stared at you in open mouth shock when he walked across the class to claim you as his. His confession to you had only been a natural progression and you’d been together ever since.
So, what had changed? You knew that Nationals were coming up and he had been training more and more in preparation, but he had always carved out time for you, even in the summer when he’d go away to training camps. Was he tired of you? Bored even? You had to admit, that when gossip began to flutter around school about the two of you dating, you were really the one who was most surprised by the news. You were by no definition, popular, instead keeping a small group of friends and interacting with others easily with little to no friction. When you had asked Suna about it, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible, he had laughed.
“You think nobody sees you, but I do” he said, leaning his chin on his hand “the way you told the substitute teacher last month that you enjoyed her lecture, or the books you read in the courtyard, or the confident way you talk in class. I see it. I like it. I like you.” He said it like it was the simplest, easiest thing in the world. Now however it felt complicated. You didn’t feel seen or even liked anymore.
You groaned and turned over to bury your face in your pillow. A soft thud prompted you to reach over the side of your bed and retrieve the fox plushie that Suna had won for you at the summer festival last year. He had looked so beautiful in the light of the lanterns, and happy to consume all the misshapen onigiri that Osamu couldn’t sell that night. Atsumu had practically inhaled the meat buns, and it rendered him full and groaning on the ground. The memories filled your mind, calming your racing heart. It had cemented itself as your favourite memory. Aran physically stopping the twins from arguing who could catch the most goldfish; Kita coming in a navy yukata with his grandmother; Suna kissing you when the fireworks filled the sky. The images played themselves in your mind like a slideshow, lulling you to sleep.
The next morning followed without major incident. You woke up earlier than usual to see Suna had sent you at least eight different TikToks. Something that he did often. You had texted him to say you were going to school early, not that you expected a response. You ended up forgetting your headphones and it rendered your walk to school monotonous.
“Good morning” you turned to see Kita and Aran smile gently at you. You had never interacted much with the two third years, but they were always kind to you, whether it be thanking you for coming to their games or reassuring you that they’d take care of Suna during training camps.
“You’re up early” Aran noted “did Suna keep you up? He keeps sending TikToks in the volleyball group chat at like, three am.”
“He’ll need to stop that soon. He needs all the rest he can get before Nationals.” Kita added. You smiled at their concern, but it faltered as you thought about the wall between you and your boyfriend.
“Is… Is he okay?” You asked, “he seems distracted these days.”
“He seems normal to me” Aran said, shrugging. Kita took time to consider his answer, but he didn’t have anything to add, which only made you sigh.
“Never mind” you said hurriedly, shaking your head “I’m sure he’s just occupied with Nationals.” It seemed stupid suddenly, but your heart still ached at the lack of an answer.
“Suna is talented” Kita said after a pause “and when he applies himself, he shines but he’s also lazy. He lacks the discipline to keep himself motivated when things become too comfortable.”
“What should I do?” You asked, cringing at the way desperation snuck itself into your tone.
“Tell him how you feel” Aran said, “he’s sure to listen.”
You shook your head “that’s the problem. He’s not listening.”
Aran scoffed “I can talk to him if you like. He’ll listen to me.”
“No” you sighed “it’s my problem, I should deal with it.”
“Be direct with him” Kita said, “confront him with his behaviour.” You thanked them for their help, leaving them to go sit in the courtyard. Your book was open, but you weren’t reading it. You mulled over the advice you were given instead. Of course, it would be best to just say it plainly, but the thought made you recoil. You were never one for confrontation. You didn’t have Kita’s ability to be cold and logical; nor Aran’s willingness to start difficult conversations. You tried to picture yourself challenging Suna but whenever you looked up at him, you’d register his height and his pretty eyes, and your brain would glitch for a full two seconds. How he still managed to have that effect on you was nothing short of witchcraft.
You ended up closing your book and abandoning the chance to read and instead wander aimlessly through campus. It was a stupid way to kill time, but you couldn’t sit still anymore. The sound of sneakers scuffling distracted you, leading you to the gym where the basketball team were practising.
“Those sneaky bastards” you heard, prompting you to look to your right where an angry Atsumu stood with his hands on his hips.
“They know Thursday is our day.”
“Atsumu” his brother said in between bites of onigiri “today is Friday.”
“Oh.” Atsumu raked a hand through his blonde hair, hiding his obvious embarrassed flush “don’t say anythin’ ‘Samu, I don’t wanna hear it.”
“Eh? I’m jus’ tryin’ to eat” Osamu mumbled, mouth full of rice. He noticed you looking at him and raised a hand in greeting.
“Is Suna ‘ere too?” Osamu asked, making Atsumu look away from the basketball team and at you instead.
You shook your head “no, I got here early. Um…” You hesitated, unsure whether or not you should ask “about Rintaro… How do I...” you struggled to describe the situation “how do I get him to pay attention to me?”
“Aren’t you his girl?” Atsumu asked, cocking his head to the side.
“Idiot. She means he’s bein’ negligent.”
“Don’t call me an idiot, yer the one who forgot to buy milk yesterday!”
“You forgot too!”
“Quiet dumbass, we’re s’pposed to be helpin” Osamu snapped, looking back at you.
“Oh yea” Atsumu laughed, the fight already forgotten in his mind “hmmm… Suna likes lace.” You blinked at him and Osamu smacked the back of his head.
“Ignore him. Bake him somethin’. Or go out an’ eat. Or-“
“Not everyone thinks with their stomachs” Atsumu retaliated, smacking his brother on the back of the head too. They started to squabble again, and you watched, wondering whether you should walk away or film them.
“This has to be a new record” you felt yourself flinch at the sound of Suna’s voice “it’s not even nine.”
“Rin“ you murmured his name as his lips ghosted your temple, you felt the words in your throat but before you could even form the letters on your lips, he had whipped out his phone to film the twins. They were on the floor at this point, and you sighed, watching your boyfriend kneel down to get a better shot. You turn to go to class, in dismay about what to do.
You had to push yourself to focus on class that day, conscious of the fact that Suna was sitting at the opposite side of the classroom, towards the back, making it too hard to turn and look at him subtly. You were driving yourself crazy thinking about it. When it came to your turn to read aloud in class, you were uncharacteristically shaky and even the teacher seemed concerned. She asked you quietly before lunch if you were feeling okay, and you flushed and quickly reassured her that you were fine.
Your friends however were not so easily duped. You sat on the roof of the school with them, dodging questions and shrugging when they asked.
“Is it Suna?” Misa asked, frowning “is he treating you right?”
“He’s not treating me wrong” you mumbled, stirring your chopsticks into the cold udon.
“I knew it. I’m going to beat him up after class” Misa said, aggressively stabbing her omelette, making Ami pinch the skin between her eyebrows.
“I don’t think you need to go that far” Ami said, turning to you “you know you can tell us anything.”
Your heart warmed “Rintaro is just… I feel like I’m boring him.”
Misa made a sound of disagreement “his personality is being hot and sending memes. You’re way better.” It was funny to hear her speak like that considering how much fangirling she did when you two started dating.
“He’s always been withdrawn” Ami said, “even in elementary school and middle school he was disinterested.” Ami had been surprised when you and Suna became an item; she had known him since first grade and always knew him to be reserved.
You sighed, closing your eyes to concentrate on the slight breeze and the warmth of the sunlight. No one seemed to be offering the same opinions except that Suna was just like that, and you should’ve known better. It made you upset that everyone thought so little of him.
“He’s a good boyfriend” you insisted lamely “he’s thoughtful and considerate and I like him a lot.”
“He doesn’t sound like it” Misa scoffed, earning a sharp nudge from Ami.
“Well, he is” you snapped, immediately feeling guilty “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be like that.” To your surprise Misa laughed.
“Maybe you ought to be more like that” she said, eating another bite thoughtfully “you’re never aggressive or argumentative. Maybe you should raise some hell.”
“Yeah, that sounds mature” Ami said, pushing up her glasses “but maybe being a little more assertive would be beneficial.”
The mix of opinions and advice stayed with you that afternoon. Perhaps you should insist more. You knew Suna had practise that afternoon, and though you’d usually insist on waiting for him, you decided to leave instead and figure out what you needed to do. Tomorrow, he had promised that you two could hang out. It would probably just be watching a movie in his room, or at the very most, going out for pizza. Your fist clenched. You knew what you had to do.
As you predicted, Suna asked you over to watch a really bad movie he had found online that promised bad CGI aliens and not a trace of coherent storytelling. You entered his room, taking care to keep your composure as he accepted the Tupperware box of cookies you baked for the occasion.
“Chocolate chip” he hummed “don’t tell Kita that I’m indulging like this.”
“I’m not making any promises” you said, earning a raised eyebrow from him in response but he said nothing. You bit the inside of your cheek, hesitating before shrugging off your jacket and sitting next to him on his bed. He played the movie on his laptop, putting one arm around you casually.
“You feel stiff” he commented, and you relaxed your muscles, telling yourself to calm down.
“I’m just really tense about these aliens” you said, nodding at the screen where a squadron of lanky green creatures discussed their plan to blow up the Earth. Out the corner of your eye you saw him smile and held your breath when he pressed his cheek against the top of your head. Already your resolve was melting. Maybe you had been exaggerating his lack of attention? Maybe he had snapped out of it? You snuggled into his chest, feeling happier already.
Then he reached for his phone.
You snuck a glance up at him, wanting to gauge how distracted he was. His face was impassive as his thumb scrolled down his twitter feed. He stopped to read something before continuing.
“Rin” you said softly. He did nothing. “Rintaro.” Nothing again. You nudged your foot down onto the spacebar of his laptop to pause the film. He didn’t notice. You bit your lip. It was now or never.
“Suna Rintaro” you said in a clipped tone, swinging your leg over so you were straddling him. He dropped his phone and it bounced off the bed and onto the floor.
“What… What are you doing?” You grasped his chin, bringing it up so that he had no choice but to look at you.
“Pay attention to me” you said with a frown “you’re always on your phone when we’re together and you act like I’m not even here.” You felt yourself swallow nervously and your face flush with heat, but you pushed yourself to keep it up.
“Am I boring you?”
He blinked at you “no.”
Unsatisfied you clicked your tongue “do you still like me?”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t you look at me instead? Or respond when I call you? It’s not nice of you.” He opened his mouth and then closed it again, considering his words.
“I’m sorry, angel” he said, using the pet name that he only brought out on rare occasions “I didn’t mean to ignore you. You’re right it wasn’t fair of me. Can you forgive me?” You could feel your heart hammer in your chest as he glanced up at you, loosening your grip on his chin with his hand and then pressing a kiss to it. His expression was so tender; something you’d seldom see unless you were in the midst of passion.
You pressed your lips together for a moment and said “no.”
“No?” He repeated, furrowing his brow in confusion.
“No” you said firmer, fisting the material of his t-shirt. Your knuckles brushed against the milky white of his skin.
“Your actions have consequences, Rintaro” you said, “I will not be ignored.”
“Oh?” he murmured, his hands lingered on the backs of your thighs and inched their way up your skirt.
“R-Rin” you struggled to maintain your demeanour “I’m serious.”
“I know but you’re so cute when you’re serious” he cooed, squeezing your flesh and smiling when you bit your lip “hmm these feel different.” He let go of your ass and brought his hands around to the front of your skirt, lifting it and whistling at your new purchase.
“They’re a new set” you mumbled.
“Pretty” his eyes darkened as he took in the vision of you in black lace “is this why Atsumu was talking about lace?”
You spluttered “w-what? How do you know about that?” He shrugged playfully, letting your skirt fall back down in exchange for undoing the buttons of your blouse.
“Everyone knows Atsumu can’t keep a secret” he hummed in pleasure at the sight of the matching bra “all this for me?”
“I have to get your attention somehow” you muttered, looking away from him.
“Angel” he called “I am sorry about that. Let me make it up to you.” He leaned forward to press a kiss onto your sternum. He continued to pepper your heated skin with kisses to get you to look at him again.
You sighed “you’re hard to be mad at.”
He smiled triumphantly “does that mean I’m forgiven?”
“No.”
“You’re a tough cookie” he said, “I guess I’ll have to try harder.” One arm curled around your waist, pushing you closer to him so he was able to capture your lips. He smiled when he elicited a soft gasp from you as his free hand gripped your thigh. He kneaded the flesh, making you tremble in anticipation as his lips continued to kiss your own. He hissed when you bit down on his bottom lip, making you feel bolder. You kissed down the column of his neck, pulling his shirt and prompting him to take it off. Before the shirt could hit the ground you latched your mouth onto his shoulder, biting down onto his skin and making him curse under his breath. You pulled away to lick the tender skin, leaning back to survey your work.
“You are being punished for your crimes” you said, “bad Rintaro.” You crawled off him, shutting his laptop gently and placing it on the ground. You expected him to wait; after all, your streak of confidence had rendered him speechless. You forgot however, that just as he was on the court, he adapted easily to new situations. He grabbed you from behind, making you squeak in surprise at how swift he was. His arms were wrapped tightly around you, preventing you from moving despite your struggles. His chin rested on your shoulder and you could hear his breath on the shell of your ear.
“Just when I think I have you all figured out, you throw something like that on me.” He licked a stripe up the pillar of your neck, chuckling when you shuddered in pleasure. To be honest, even you were surprised by his actions. Usually sex was a soft experience, with him being gentle and slow as he coaxed orgasms out of you. This time he was rougher; no longer wanting to be lazy and indulgent.
“Rin” you whined when he began kissing the spot near the base of your neck that he knew made you weak “you’re meant to be facing punishment for your behaviour.”
“Aw, am I still not forgiven yet?” he nuzzled into your neck “hmmm I suppose I deserve it. How could I neglect my angel like that?” He loosened his grip on you, letting you wiggle out of his grasp. You turned, feeling a heady mixture of intoxicated by his presence and nervous as you tried to anticipate what to do next. A certain idea had been playing on your mind for a while, but you lacked the conviction to undertake it. You pressed your lips against him hard instead, wanting to build up a little more courage. He was more than happy to accommodate, kissing you back with equal vigour.
“Fuck” he mumbled under his breath when you kissed his jaw, allowing your hand to traverse down to the planes of his stomach. You stroked his skin softly, enjoying the soft trail of hair that led you down to the waistband of his sweats. His breath hitched, and you felt empowered by your ability to make his brain glitch. You leaned back, biting your lip as you palmed the outline of his dick. His eyes fluttered shut, and he began breathing harder when you shed the layers of fabric and touched him. You stroked up and down his shaft a few times, wetting your lips as you watched him groan softly. You swallowed your nerves and leaned your head down to kitten lick the head of his dick.
“Is this okay?” you gazed up at him through your lashes as you continued to lavish your tongue over his flesh. This was a first for you.
“Y-you. Uh, yes but you don’t ha- fuck” he struggled to say anything coherent when you took him in your mouth. His hand petted your hair at first, encouraging you to continue, and you experimentally took more of him into your mouth. The sensation was foreign, and you felt your throat protest against the invasion.
“Don’t push yourself, angel” Rin panted, and you pulled back a bit, using your hand to help where your mouth struggled to reach. You tussled at first to find a comfortable rhythm, but Suna’s soft, sinful sounds pushed you to try. You let him poke into the flesh of the inside of your cheek, trying to find what would feel best for him.
“Good girl” he mumbled, holding your hair like a makeshift ponytail. The words immediately made a rush of heated lust swell inside of you, increasing your speed. Suna’s words began to sound less intelligible as you continued, and you were surprised that his thighs were beginning to quake. You pulled away, watching him whine from the loss of your warm, wet mouth. It ached a little, you realised, touching your jaw lightly.
“You’re such a fuckin tease” Rin huffed, and you couldn’t help but laugh at his pouty face.
“You brought this on yourself” you said, sticking out your tongue “but I think you’ve learnt your lesson now.”
“Finally,” he groaned, pushing you down so your back was flat against the mattress. He positioned himself so he was pressing against you “now let me pay some attention to you.”
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Things We Lost in the Fire, ch 36
aka Caleo uni au
Fic summary: Calypso starts studying at a new university, but to her annoyance her new flatmate is a loud mouthed mechanic who also likes to sneak his dog in whenever. But as she learns to know him better, she realizes they might have more in common than what she first thought. Eventually, even the darkest secrets come out…
Chapter summary: New Year’s Eve
A/N: Oops, I'm late again. But this is the longest chapter so far (over 6k words) so I hope you can forgive me for that!
This chapter finally brings back some friends we haven't seen in a while and introduces a couple of new ones too. I'm not gonna lie, having read ToA just once about a year ago, my characterization is probably very off so my apologies for that!
Now, hope you guys enjoy this mega chapter! Please let me know what you think! It's suuper important.
Words: 6,2k
Genre: romance & hurt/comfort
Warnings: none
previous chapter / AO3
…
After the boxing day Leo and Calypso returned back to their flat and the ‘normal’ life. Calypso already started remembering the downsides of working at a flower shop as it was a surprisingly busy time of the year with the wealthy people of that area wanting some flowers for their New Year celebrations. She and her boss Demi were the only two running the shop between the holidays while the second assistant was on a break. The older woman promised Calypso a day off for New Year’s eve, though, claiming that young people like her should be having fun that day instead of working. She graciously accepted the offer even though she didn’t have any plans for that day; after the eventful Christmas she kind of just wanted to stay at the flat with Leo.
But as it happened, Hazel texted her the day before the eve that she was having a small ‘gathering’ with a few friends and since Calypso hadn’t seen her for several weeks due to the work and a break from the art classes, she told Hazel that she would come. When she had asked Leo how he would feel about it, he had offered to go with her. Usually he would have spent the New Year Eve at Jason and Piper’s annual party but it was not happening this year due to their complicated situation. The flatmates had still decided to not tell Hazel or Frank about their own, developed situation, because they hadn’t even told Leo’s parents yet.
“So what is this Hazel like?” Leo asked Calypso as they were getting prepared for the evening out. “She doesn’t mind a stranger coming to her party, right?”
Calypso almost missed his question because of Leo’s current state of shirtlessness. A moment earlier he had wanted to know if she thought he should wear a light red or a white shirt to the party and hadn’t bothered to put either of them on yet. Not that she minded. No, her boyfriend definitely was not a bad sight with his tan, strong body, a quiet voice in her head said. “Oh no, she doesn’t mind,” Calypso finally remembered to answer. “I think she was even happy to hear you are coming with me. Besides, you have met Frank before, so technically you are not a complete stranger.”
“Are those two dating?” Leo asked.
“No, they are not. Not officially, at least. Hazel likes him but due to various reasons they have decided they shouldn’t rush it. Sounds kind of familiar to me.” Calypso looked at him significantly.
“It does? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Leo raised his eyebrows, and Calypso nudged him on the arm playfully.
“Anyway, Hazel is great. She is the kind of person who seems really sweet on the surface but she would probably kick your behind if needed. She’s also kind of mysterious when it comes to her own story but I feel I can trust her. I may have even accidentally slipped her once that my flatmate is kind of neat.” She smiled at him shyly.
“Oh? So you’ve talked about me to her.” Leo grinned in response. “Hope you remembered to mention my good looks and quick wit…”
“Yep, and your modesty,” Calypso shook her head. “Seriously speaking, though, I find her very inspiring. Despite everything she’s been through, she’s thriving to do the things she enjoys, and she’s an incredible artist. Better than I, for sure.”
“Don’t sell yourself short. I like your art.”
Calypso was happy and slightly flustered about Leo’s compliment but she wanted to explain herself. “I’m not selling myself short; I am just telling the truth. She really is that great.”
Leo raised his hand. “Alright, I believe you.”
“Good. Uh, hey, how should I wear my hair for the party?” Calypso asked as she stepped in front of a hallway mirror, taking some hairpins into her hands.
“I… I like it the way it is?” Leo looked at her with slight disbelief, as if he couldn’t believe that she didn’t like her current hairdo.
“Thanks… I don’t know. I could leave it mostly free but maybe I’ll add some waves.” Calypso wasn’t quite sure why she cared so much how she looked because that wasn’t like her, but she figured it might have had something to do with her being nervous about meeting new people at the party. Hazel and Frank were probably the only ones she knew there, after all. Her paying attention to her looks definitely didn’t have anything to do with the fact that she liked it when Leo gave her that special look that he reserved only for her.
“Sunshine, just so you know, you are the kind of person who will always stand out no matter what you wear. Me? Well, you could perform your magic on me but I’d still look like Santa’s elf.”
Calypso couldn’t believe that her boyfriend clearly had no idea of the effect he had had on her only a moment earlier (and still had). “Leo, don’t let this get to your head but I think there's a certain charm in your elf ears.” She took one of his earlobes between her fingers and tugged it gently.
Leo’s eyes brightened at her comment.
“If that’s what you think, then screw what anyone else says.”
“That’s the spirit,” Calypso approved, letting go of his ear and almost leaning close enough to give him a cheek kiss, but then she withdrew quickly. Leo looked quite disappointed. “Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked teasingly.
“I thought that you were going to kiss me,” Leo replied honestly.
“I’ve heard that there’s a habit that you kiss your partner at midnight on New Year’s. It’s not midnight yet, is it?” Calypso blinked innocently.
“No, but…” Leo couldn’t come up with any arguments to Calypso’s statement so he didn’t finish his sentence.
“Sometimes good things are worth waiting for,” Calypso finished with a smile and withdrew into her room to change her clothes. While doing that, she admitted to herself that this phase where everything was so new was pretty exciting.
…
A little bit later Calypso was dressed up in a dark blue short dress, tying the bracelet she had gotten on Christmas around her wrist when Leo got out of his room. He had switched his usual mechanic’s overalls to a white collarless shirt, suspenders, and pinstripe pants. Calypso had a feeling that he would have also put his tool belt on if that had been socially acceptable. To her surprise, he seemed to have even tried to flatten his curly hair a little, although it hadn’t quite worked out.
“Wow, look at you. The only thing you’re missing right now is a hat,” she noted, ruffling his hair a little. What she actually meant was that she thought he actually looked very nice in his current clothes. It was quite different from what she was used to seeing on him – even at school Leo usually wore a casual t-shirt or a hoodie and worn jeans – but she didn’t mind either look. Leo frowned at her, though.
“Don’t look so concerned,” Calypso continued with amusement. “I just meant that you kind of remind me of some film stars of the past. I just can’t get my finger on who. It’s a compliment, though.”
Leo’s frown disappeared. “Alright, thanks.” Then he took a second look at her and his eyes got that funny gleam he always got when he was about to say something embarrassing. “Woah, Sunshine. I’m suspecting that you are made of copper and tellurium.”
“And why’s that, mister chemistry nerd?” she asked, although she could pretty much guess his answer.
“Because you’re CuTe.”
Calypso shook her head in disbelief, but couldn’t hide her smile. “Really, Leonidas? Out of all the cheesy pick up lines in the world you chose that one?”
“Nothing wrong with chemistry puns, mi sol,” Leo claimed. “But I do think that you, um, clean up nicely.”
“As do you,” Calypso admitted, feeling the warmth gathering to her cheeks. “But we should probably get going now before we melt each other with these compliments. It’s getting pretty late already,” she noted when she checked the clock of her phone before dropping it back into her purse.
“Okay, I’m as ready as I can be,” Leo replied and tugged a strand of Calypso’s hair gently before picking his keys and heading to the door after her.
…
Frank and Hazel lived on a different campus than Leo and Calypso so it took them a while to find it. The party was organized in Frank’s flat because it was bigger than Hazel’s. The latter had explained that Frank had applied for a two-room flat because he had several pets (who would however be spending their New Year at Frank’s granny) and he was lucky enough to be able to afford it due to his work and because he had inherited his mother.
“I’m not sure what I was expecting but not this,” Calypso told Leo when she noticed a cat tree and a big pile of toys for both cats and dogs in one corner of the house. “For some reason I pictured him having a gym or something in one of his rooms.”
“I guess never judge a book by its cover,” they heard a voice behind them say. Calypso felt heat rise on her face as she realized the speaker was Hazel.
“H-hi, Hazel!” Calypso stuttered. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Hazel waved her hand when she noticed Calypso’s expression. “I can see why you would imagine that.”
“Well, I shouldn’t have assumed anything either way,” Calypso muttered. “What about you, though? What is your place like? I really should visit you some time.”
“Way smaller and I have a couple of flatmates there. But to be honest? I like it that way. My father tried to buy me a new apartment several times but something always happened to those places, like they were cursed or something. One burned, one had some water damage, one was full of bugs… But I was able to get my current place because I do some odd jobs for a neighbor. So far nothing weird has happened.”
“Not that it’s any of my business, but didn’t you once tell me that your father doesn’t contact you all too often? Yet he was going to buy you an entire apartment? Calypso asked, confused.
“I think it’s because he’s proud as hell,” Hazel shrugged. “His cousin or something - a president at your uni, I think - bought his son an entire house in a nice area, and my father just couldn’t let him flex about it. Well, his plan didn’t quite work out as I just told you.”
“Wait, the son of our uni’s president… then do you happen to know Jason Grace?” Calypso asked, connecting the dots in her head.
“Yes, I do,” Hazel answered. “A distant cousin. We lived in San Francisco at the same time for a little while until he moved away. And now we’re somehow both here. Small world.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. Jason is Leo’s good friend. And this is Leo, by the way,” Calypso introduced, feeling weirdly happy about being able to introduce him to her friend, even if they were still keeping their relationship status a secret.
However, soon Calypso noticed that Hazel took Leo’s appearance in for a moment longer than was necessary and she couldn’t help but feel just a little bit uneasy even though she knew that she didn’t actually have a reason for that. Leo was dating her, and Hazel seemed very interested in Frank. But there was something unusual about her stare, and she couldn’t figure out what it was.
“Hello, Leo.” Hazel seemed to return back to her regular self as she shook his hand, although the color of her cheeks might have been a tiny bit darker than a moment ago. “I’m Hazel. Calypso never stops talking about you at our art classes. I’m not entirely sure if it’s extremely adorable or a little annoying.”
“What?” Leo turned towards her and she couldn’t stop herself from blushing. “Cal, I didn’t know that you are constantly talking about me behind my back! Hope they have been good things, at least.”
“Don’t worry, they’ve been nothing but good things,” Hazel reassured him, glancing at Calypso mischievously.
While Hazel’s teasing reassured Calypso that she had simply imagined her interest in Leo, they were getting dangerously close to the relationship topic, so she tried to change the course of the conversation. “Hazel, you didn’t have to tell him that! Now he won’t stop boasting for the next two weeks,” she said exaggeratedly even though in reality she was secretly kind of happy that Leo heard about her compliments.
“Sorry, Caly,” Hazel grinned at her, not looking particularly sorry. Then she leaned closer to her, whispering. “Just a little help from a friend. I thought you were going to get together during your vacation!”
“Th-thanks, but that really isn’t necessary,” Calypso whispered back, hoping that her acting was good enough to convince Hazel that she and Leo hadn’t made any progress yet. To her relief, her friend got distracted when a guy who was at least a head, maybe even more, taller than Hazel, with dark, short hair appeared next to her.
“There you are,” the guy said. “Nico was wondering if…” When he realized they had company, he gave them a polite smile.
“Oh, hi! Nice to see you guys!”
“You both have met Frank before, right?” Hazel asked.
“Yep,” Leo confirmed. “Frank thought I was a bad dog owner, but quite frankly, that was an understandable mistake.”
“How is your dog doing now?” Frank wanted to know. “Hope he’s good?”
“Never better! He enjoyed following Calypso everywhere while we were at Waystation over Christmas,” Leo replied happily.
“So are you two…?” Frank turned his head between Calypso and Leo. Calypso couldn’t help but wonder how many times they would still be asked that question that evening.
“No, no, no,” Leo denied. “That’s crazy talk. Right Cal? She just came with me because it was a better option than spending the holidays alone in our flat.” Calypso nodded along even though she didn’t like that they had to lie to their friends. But it was her who had made the decision to not tell them.
“Yeah. We’re just flatmates,” she confirmed.
Luckily, Frank didn’t ask more. Again, Calypso noticed that Hazel was staring at Leo with that mysterious expression on her face and she was already going to ask if something was wrong when Hazel addressed Leo:
“Have we… Have we met before? I mean, before tonight? You look so familiar to me but you can’t be…” She frowned.
“I don’t think so?” Leo seemed a bit confused. “Not that I remember, at least.”
“Oh… alright. I guess you just really look like someone I used to know. You haven’t ever lived in New Orleans, have you?”
“No, I haven’t,” Leo shook his head. “I’m originally from Texas. And yeah, I’ve also lived in a few other states for short periods of time when I was moving from a foster home to foster home but never in Louisiana.”
“Alright, sorry for bothering you about that,” Hazel said.
“It’s OK. Now that I think of it, though… I did have some distant relatives in that area, but I haven’t seen those people since I was a baby.”
“Really? What’s their last name?” Hazel seemed to get more interested again.
“Valdez, like mine. I think the mom of the boy who was around my age was my mom’s cousin or something like that. Why? Do you know them?”
“Yeah… Possibly… The boy’s name is Sammy Valdez. Does that sound familiar?”
“Hmmm…” Leo stopped to think about it. “Maybe. The boy’s name did start with S. I’ve seen pictures of me playing with another kid who looked a lot like me in our relatives’ yard but I think I literally met him just once. I was like one back then.”
Hazel seemed a little bit disappointed by Leo’s answer. “Alright. Sorry, it’s just that Sammy used to be my only real friend until I moved away from there and I was just wondering if you knew anything about how he’s doing now. I guess you don’t.”
“No, can’t say I do. My fam… well, they weren’t particularly accepting of me after what happened to my mom…” Leo said bitterly. “One of my aunts spread some sick lies… So, yeah, I moved to a foster home and haven’t seen any of my relatives since then.”
“I understand…” Hazel said sympathetically. Calypso imagined that Leo must have been grateful that Hazel didn’t question him more about what had happened. “Sorry, this is not a good topic to talk about at a party. My curiosity just got the best of me, that’s all.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Leo waved his hand dismissively. “Let’s just move on.”
“I agree. Frank, were you going to say something about Nico before you got interrupted?” Hazel turned to him.
“Oh yeah,” Frank remembered. “Nico wanted to know if it’s OK that Will comes here a bit later. He’s working today, apparently.”
“No problem,” Hazel replied. “We may not have a lot of food and drinks left by that point, though, but he’s gonna have to deal with that.”
“Nico? Not Nico di Angelo, by any chance?” Leo joined the conversation.
“Yep, that’s him. He’s my half brother. I know, we look nothing alike,” Hazel commented when she noticed Leo’s expression.
“No, I was just surprised that you know him and Jason too… Soon you’ll probably tell us you know Percy Jackson too.”
“I’ve heard stories of him from the others,” Hazel chuckled. “But no, haven’t met him personally, at least yet.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you met him some time soon,” Leo predicted.
Calypso felt she had already been quiet uncomfortably long, just listening to Leo and Hazel talk and trying to figure out what to make of it. She couldn’t deny that she had felt a bit jealous at first but when she had learned that Hazel had only seemed that interested in him because he had looked like an old friend of hers, she had relaxed somewhat. Maybe the trust issues were a result of many failed relationships, if she could call them that given that most of them hadn’t lasted too long. Cursing herself for her unnecessary thoughts, she asked:
“So, is there anyone else I know here besides Nico?”
“I invited Rachel from our art classes too,” Hazel answered. “You remember her, right? She said she was really happy to spend the New Year’s Eve in any place that isn’t his father’s penthouse.”
Calypso remembered Rachel as a really enthusiastic and unique artist. She herself tended to try to make her art look a bit more simplistic while you really had to stop and look at Rachel’s art to be able to see its many dimensions.
“Yep, I remember her,” Calypso responded. “I’ve often thought about talking to her but there’s something a bit… intimidating about her, like she knows something about me that even I don’t know…”
“She’s fine, though, when you learn to know her,” Hazel reassured her.
“That’s nice to know. If I see her, I’ll say hi.”
“Good,” Hazel nodded.
“Hey, Sunshine,” Leo nudged her on the arm. “I’m getting hungry. Maybe we should go and get something to eat.”
“Somehow he is already hungry even though he ate at home before we left,” Calypso said in disbelief. “How’s that even possible, Repair Boy?” Then she realized how the nicknames may have sounded to the others’ ears so she hurried to add: “Um, sorry, we’re used to using nicknames at our flat. With everyone. I’m Sunshine, Jason is a Lightning Boy and so on. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure he won’t eat everything!”
“It’s OK, there’s plenty for everyone. Also, if you plan to dance at some point tonight, watch out for my pink haired friend Lavinia. She is a little bit eager about tap dancing.”
“I don’t think we are gonna dance…” Calypso cursed herself for blushing like a teenager when she pictured herself going for a slow dance with Leo, standing as close to him as possible. “…But thanks for the warning.” Then she waved at the hosts quickly and started dragging Leo out of the room.
“Well? What do you think of my friends?” Calypso whispered when they were picking some nachos on their plates and no one was in the hearing distance.
“Hazel seems cool,” Leo replied nonchalantly. “But you really think I pay attention to anyone else when I have my amazing girlfriend next to me?”
“You’re so cheesy, Leo,” Calypso said but gave him her brightest smile. She might have also kissed him if it weren’t for the other people nearby and the fact that she was carrying a plate full of food.
“Part of my charm, babe,” Leo claimed, giving her that stupid grin that never failed to make her feel things. He sat down on an unoccupied chair near the table and started enjoying his nachos. “Hey, these are really good! You gotta try them.”
“Babe? I thought we already had our nickname discussion,” Calypso interrupted him. She sat down next to him but didn’t taste her nachos yet, instead expecting his answer.
“But it’s better than Mamacita, isn’t it?” Leo asked innocently.
Calypso couldn’t argue with that logic. “Well, yes, it is, but… maybe you should stick to Sunshine. Or just Cal. I’m not… huge on pet names. I’m just not used to them.”
Thankfully Leo seemed to understand. “Alright. I won’t call you a babe, then. My mom just used to say ‘a dear child has many names’ and it seems that has stuck with me. I think she meant that we have a tendency to give nicknames to those we care about. Maybe that’s the reason why I sometimes go a bit extra with the names I give you guys… especially you.”
“Oh. I see.”
There was something weirdly sweet about Leo’s reasoning behind his nicknames and Calypso couldn’t help but smile down at her food. She didn’t realize she had been lost in her thoughts for a moment until Leo said:
“Earth’s calling Calypso. Try this,” Leo handed her a nacho that had some sauce she wasn’t familiar with on it.
“Chili?” she asked when she tasted it and felt a slight sting on her tongue. It wasn’t a bad sensation, though; this sauce was notably milder than the one Leo had once fed her. “You really find ways to make me eat it.”
“Admit it: you liked it.”
Calypso was feeling a little brave because they were somehow still alone in the room: “Make me.”
Leo was about to lean closer to her when someone entered the room without a warning.
“Uh… Hi!” Nico di Angelo finally reacted to their presence when Calypso and Leo jumped a bit farther from each other.
“Hi, Nico,” Leo greeted him. “I wasn’t expecting to see anyone I know here but it looks like I was wrong.”
“Seems so,” Nico replied, not in a mood for small talk.
“So how is it going?” Leo asked. “And how’s Will?”
“It’s going,” Nico shrugged, combing some of his long bangs to the side with his fingers. “Been trying to take it easy lately. Doctor’s orders. Will works as an intern at a hospital and turns out they really needed his help on New Year’s Eve so he’s not here yet. Something about lots of fireworks related accidents and so on…”
“Fireworks suck,” Leo commented, and Calypso noticed an angry spark in his eyes. “They feel like such a waste of money and they cause people to lose their eyes and such.”
Calypso wondered if Leo’s hatred towards the fireworks had something to do with the fact that fire was involved but she decided to ask about it later.
“Tell me about it,” Nico agreed. “Anyway, how do you two know Hazel and Frank?”
Calypso briefly explained how she had met Hazel at the art class and Leo told Nico about Festus’ vet visit.
“Somehow Hazel even knows my second cousin from Louisiana. How crazy is that?” Leo marveled.
“Pretty crazy, yeah,” Nico admitted, not contributing more to the topic so Leo decided to ask about something else.
“You haven’t happened to hear anything about Jason or Piper lately? I accidentally ran into Piper at Christmas and she seemed to be doing OK then, but… I’m still a bit worried about them.”
“I don’t really know much.” Nico replied vaguely. “Just that Jason hasn’t been home much lately. He’s always training, or with Percy and Annabeth or… I dunno. Just avoiding dealing with the situation. Or that’s at least how Will has interpreted his behavior. He’s way better at reading others than I am.”
Leo let out a frustrated sigh. “If only those two talked it out, said what they really thought…”
Calypso couldn’t help but see the amusing side of Leo’s statement. She started chuckling at him and both Leo and Nico gave her perplexed looks.
“What’s so funny about this? I was trying to be serious, Cal.” He narrowed his eyes, folding his arms over his chest.
That only made Calypso even more amused. “I know, I know! I’m sorry. It’s just that… don’t you think that’s a little bit ironic coming from your mouth?”
“From my mouth…?”
Nico still looked like he understood nothing about what was going on, but Leo had at least a tendency to blush when he realized that Calypso was right.
“Oh, this is totally different!” he claimed. “I, um, have my reasons to keep my mouth shut in certain situations. But those two… they’re just being weird.”
“I’m not even trying to follow this conversation anymore,” Nico stated, going to gather some chips and a beer from the food table. “Will would probably be able to translate Leo’s incoherent speech but he’s not here so I’m just gonna eat quietly now.”
Leo gave him an annoyed look and focused on his own food for a while. Once finished, he told Calypso that he wanted to see where the rest of the guests were. Calypso, relieved that Nico hadn’t apparently connected the dots about their relationship, agreed to follow him, but soon she realized that it might have been a mistake when Leo was walking towards the dancing area.
Being on the dance floor usually meant that you were expected to dance.
And she was not ready to dance. At all.
First of all, she hadn’t danced in years and while Calypso usually wasn’t too self conscious about those kinds of things, she still didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of Leo and the others. Second of all, she was quite sure that people would speculate - again - if they saw her dancing with Leo and she didn’t want that. She may have told Hazel about her crush some time ago and she did trust her, but who knew what kind of connections the other people in the room had?
Suddenly she realized that she was being paranoid. The people at this party were in their late teens or early twenties and probably had never even heard of her father. And why would they care if she was dancing with him? That was a normal thing to do at parties. It didn’t automatically have to mean anything.
There were already a lot of people gathered on the dance floor when the roommates arrived there. A few were dancing a bit farther from the rest of the group, while the others were watching a pink haired girl with real tap dance shoes on showing her skills. She must have been Lavinia, Calypso concluded. And based on her determined look, she seemed ready to challenge anyone who dared to pass by into a dance battle.
“Lavi!” Hazel’s voice came from behind Calypso. “Are you showing off again?”
The group that was standing in front of Lavinia moved from her way, and Calypso got a better look at her. Her shoulder length hair was flying freely and she was wearing a purple T-shirt and black pants to go with her shoes. Calypso also noticed that even though she had stopped dancing, one of her feet still kept tapping quietly on the floor, as if she was unable to stand still.
“Sorry, Hazel. Couldn’t help myself,” Lavinia muttered, and Hazel’s expression softened a bit. Calypso was still surprised to see this side of her because usually she seemed very kind, but clearly she still had authority even over people who were way bigger and older than her whenever it was needed.
“It’s OK! But try to let the others dance too, and not just tap dance.”
“Alright,” Lavinia answered but rolled her eyes when Hazel didn’t look. Calypso could hear her whisper to the closest people: “She just doesn’t understand the art of tap dance.”
Soon after that, the people in the room started dividing into smaller groups, some trying to chat over the loud music, some dancing. Calypso and Leo tried to spot some familiar faces but Hazel had already disappeared somewhere and Frank, Nico and Rachel weren't nearby either. Just when Leo opened his mouth to ask something, Calypso noticed that Lavinia, who had stopped dancing, was approaching them.
“Hi. We haven’t met before,” Lavinia started.
“Yeah, hi. I’m Calypso. Hazel’s friend from the art classes.” She shook Lavinia’s hand and then turned towards Leo. “This is my b… flatmate Leo. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m Lavinia Asimov. Hazel and I used to go to the same school,” Lavinia said, but Calypso couldn’t help but notice that even when she was shaking hands with Leo, she was actually eyeing her.
“That’s cool,” Calypso replied casually although she was starting to feel slightly weird because of the staring.
“So, Calypso, do you know how to dance?” Lavinia asked.
“Not really, I just know some very basics,” she replied. “Haven’t danced in years, to be honest.”
“I could teach you, you know,” Lavinia blurted.
“Really?” Calypso asked, slightly confused by the other girl’s eagerness.
“Sure, why not? I’m pretty good.” Lavinia grinned at her.
“Do you mean now or...?”
“Now or whenever you’d like.” The girl twirled a strand of her pink hair around her finger as she spoke.
It took Calypso a moment to realize that Lavinia was actually trying to flirt with her in her own way.
“Hold on. I’m really flattered, but… I’m already taken.” Calypso rubbed the back of her head. From the corner of her eye she could see Leo’s stance getting more relaxed when he heard her answer. “Sorry. You seem like a cool person, though.”
Lavinia seemed visibly disappointed by Calypso’s response. “Are you taken by him?” She pointed at Leo judgingly. “You could do better than that.”
Calypso wasn’t sure what to answer, given that she wasn’t supposed to reveal their secret to anyone, but to her relief Leo cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Miss Pink? We literally just met; what makes you think you know what kind of person I am? You’re right in one thing, though,” he continued before Lavinia could reply. “Namely, she is way out of my league. And her boyfriend would probably kill me if I looked at her in the wrong way.”
“But… didn’t you just say you two are flatmates?” Lavinia asked suspiciously.
“Oh, yeah,” Leo responded quickly. “Cal’s boyfriend lives far from our uni so it was more convenient for her to get a flat from somewhere nearer to it. He knows he can trust me.”
Calypso wasn’t sure what amused (and scared) her more: the lies Leo came up with or the way he managed to sound that convincing even though he was literally coming up with the story as he spoke. At least Hazel wasn’t listening because she probably wouldn’t have bought it. Eventually Calypso decided she needed to contribute to the story as well.
“Besides, my boyfriend knows that I would kick Leo’s ass if he ever did anything inappropriate.”
Calypso noticed that Leo’s mouth was twitching slightly, but he quickly pulled the poker face back on and rushed to nod along.
“Totally. I wouldn’t wanna try that.”
Lavinia finally seemed convinced enough. “Alright. Well… I think I’ll go and find something to drink now. Dancing makes me thirsty.”
“Okay, we might see you later.” Calypso nodded at her before she disappeared from view. Once they were sure that she was far enough, she breathed a sigh of relief.
“Whew, she really seemed convinced we are dating,” she whispered to Leo. “I was worried she wouldn’t believe us. Also, Mister Not-boyfriend, I’ll have you know I do not approve of lying but in this case it was probably for the best. So thanks.”
Leo grinned at her. “You’re welcome. Geez, Sunshine, do you see the effect you have on people? Everyone is falling on your feet.”
Calypso blushed a bit. “It’s a bit weird… I am not used to getting attention.”
“You’ll get used to it once I shower you with the Leo love,” he whispered and Calypso blushed even harder.
“Gods, Leo! Don’t say that here!” Calypso peeked around and was relieved to see that no one they knew was nearby.
“Couldn’t resist,” he claimed but then got more serious. “Uh, so… do you think dancing would be pushing the line that we have set?”
“It probably would,” Calypso said a bit sadly. “Maybe when we’re home, though.” She added quietly.
Leo seemed pleasantly surprised by her answer. “Oh! Okay. I’ll be looking forward to that.”
“Hey, listen,” Calypso spoke again. “Maybe we should split up for a moment. Nico and Frank could probably use your company and I’d like to catch up with Hazel a bit since I haven’t had a chance yet. Is that alright with you?”
“Sure, go ahead,” Leo nodded. “I need to make sure that Nico doesn’t eat all the miniburgers from the bar.”
Calypso chuckled. “Alright. Save some for me too! I've only tasted the nachos so far!”
“I will try,” Leo replied, emphasizing the word try. “Well, see you in a bit!” He waved at her.
Once Leo had disappeared, Calypso started looking for Hazel and found her from the balcony with Rachel and a couple of other friends of hers, watching the fireworks from the distance.
“Hi, you guys,” she greeted. “Looks like nice weather for the fireworks show.”
“Yep, it is,” Hazel agreed. “So… how did your little vacation go?” She went straight to the topic, smiling at Calypso slightly mischievously. “You and Leo seemed pretty chummy over there.”
“Chummy?” Calypso laughed awkwardly. “I don’t even know what that means,” she lied, trying to use the fact that she wasn’t a native English speaker as her advantage. “But the vacation was pretty good. Sure, there were some ups and downs as you can expect when you’re spending the holidays in a new place with people you don’t know very well, but overall? I had a good time.”
“I can almost see with my own eyes what exactly happened there now…” Hazel rolled her eyes. “Come on. Give me some details. Please tell me that some progress has happened.”
“But there really is not much to tell,” Calypso insisted. “I taught Leo’s little sister Georgina some baking and sewing and stuff like that and helped with the Christmas preparations and met some new people… Oh! And Leo’s family has an animal shelter; they had some adorable dogs and cats and…”
Hazel looked less enthusiastic when she realized that Calypso really was not going to tell her any news about her and Leo.
“So… nothing really happened?” she asked.
“No,” Calypso said as convincingly as she could. “Although we did have a good talk one day and I feel that we can be more open towards each other now. But we are not together. It’s not the right time for that yet.”
Hazel tilted her head, still unconvinced. “I heard Lavinia talking about you a moment ago, though. Something about some guy not realizing how lucky he was.”
Calypso started feeling she was reaching the limits of her acting skills, but she tried her best. “I… uh, may have told her that I was taken to make things less awkward. Sorry, I know that was extremely rude of me.”
“No worries,” Hazel reassured her. “I’m sure she’ll get over it quickly. Besides, I happen to know that there’s someone she really really likes and hasn’t just found the courage to ask her out yet.”
“Oh, I see. Well, I hope she manages to do that at some point.”
The girls proceeded to talk about other things, such as Hazel’s vacation, the foster animals of Waystation and their expectations on the upcoming art classes, with Rachel joining the conversation as well. Calypso was just laughing at Rachel’s story about the many uses of a hair brush (she had used one for painting and another for threatening her teacher who had misbehaved towards her) when Nico rushed into the balcony, looking even paler than usual.
“Calypso, I think you should come. Something’s not right with Leo.”
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How Charlie F*cked Up her Own Project Promotion
As a marketing copywriter, I can say Charlie’s promotion of her hotel is professionally lacking.
(Note: I first started this as a fun post but ended up taking it seriously)
In the Hazbin Hotel pilot, Charlie presented her passion project. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well as she was laughed at and mocked on live TV.
While the viewers and the anchorwoman, Katie Killjoy, had been unnecessarily mean, their rejection is pretty much understandable in a marketing perspective.
A copywriter writes persuasive marketing and promotional materials to persuade readers to buy, subscribe, etc. When Charlie promoted her hotel, she was trying to persuade the demons to go to the hotel.
While copywriting is generally the art of selling through writing (video script, landing page, etc.), its structure is similar more or less to the art of verbal promotion.
Before we begin, I’ll be referring to her hotel as a project and the demons that she wanted to go to the hotel as prospects.
So here are the mistakes she made in her promotion.
Lack of Research about Her Prospects
Getting to know the prospect is important. It helps create a persuasive promotion for them to take action.
This can be done by interviews, polls, surveys, etc. Facebook insights allows you to know how many people of gender, age, occupation follow certain topics.
From all this information, we can build a Prospect Profile.
YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBER PROFILE EXAMPLE
If you're a Youtuber selling knee braces through exercise videos and you want people to subscribe, who are your videos for?
Knee braces are often used by athletes or the elderly. If your target is the athletes, you’ll need to build a Prospect Profile around them.
According to most buyer information, athletes who buy knee braces are mostly male (gender) athletes (occupation/hobbies) aged 20-40s.
Now it’s time to delve deeper on what makes them tick: their desires, needs and worries.
We can do this by giving surveys or taking note of video comments, etc. But from this buyer information data alone, we can have a better understanding of the prospects.
These are active men who want to be at the top of their game. (desire)
Athletes will want to play their sport while keeping their healing knee in check. (need)
Emotionally, athletes will also have pride in their performance. (desire).
Athletes may also have the fear of not being able to play anymore, professionally or hobby-wise. (worries)
With this Prospect Profile, we can persuade them to subscribe by showing how your exercise videos can help them with their desires, needs and worries about their sports performance.
The same goes for Charlie’s approach to the sinners of hell.
THE DEMONS’ PROSPECT PROFILE
As a privileged Disney-princess-like character, Charlie is disconnected from her prospects who live a harsh afterlife.
She believed in them that they deserve a chance to be redeemed. Which is a nice thought.
But what she didn’t seem to know or understand is the perspective of the demons that she was trying to help.
For these demons, they are already conditioned to believe they are already the worst of the worst. They have demonic forms that remind them of their sins. They live in poverty and violence with the logic that they deserve to because of their sins.
For them, redemption is already too late and impossible.
What does Charlie know of them? What will motivate them to redeem? What psychological resistances will she have to take down in her persuasion?
Surveys, polls and interviews are doable in order to answer these questions.
By gathering information of her prospects and understanding them, she would’ve made a more persuasive pitch that is designed to their outlook.
Weak Credibility, Zero Proof
As a copywriting professional who has to persuade people to take the desired action, this is my biggest pet peeve in Charlie’s approach.
Michael Masterson is renowned for inventing the Four-Legged Stool which is used to build a rock solid promotion.
Here are the legs of the four-legged stool:
Credibility is proving beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the project will do what you claim. This can be done by being “scientifically proven” or by certifications, personal profile of the founder behind the project, etc.
Track Record is proof that the project works on others. Track record can be in the form of testimonials or numbers. This can be stock performance, number of satisfied customers or even percentages such as “99.99% germs killed”.
Benefit or Promise paints a picture of what the project can do for them. Example is selling a sleek car with a unique fast engine (practical benefit) that also makes the buyer feel like an exciting individual (core emotional benefit).
An Idea must be huge enough to appeal to the prospect and simple enough to be communicated to someone else. This adds a unique and new dimension to the promotion. For example is Acorn, an app where you can invest spare change.
If the promotion only has three legs of the stool, it's liable to fall over.
Now let’s look at Charlie’s promotion:
WEAK CREDIBILITY
Charlie is able to use her status as the Princess of Hell to add credibility to her project. Other than that, she has no proof that her project works as pointed out by Katie Killjoy.
To prove that redemption can be possible, Charlie could’ve referred to studies showing the success rate of maladaptive behavior rehabilitation. Even expert opinions in religion could help support that a demon soul can still be redeemed.
Not Scientifically Proven. The rehabilitation system she has shown in her song “In Every Demon is a Rainbow” also has poor scientific proof. To the point that she is going to harm her prospects more than help them.
a. Abrupt Cutting Off of Vices. Throwing away their vices isn't preferable or effective to people who are reluctant to do so as compared to Gradual Reduction Treatment (DrugRehab.US).
b. Toxic Positivity. In another scene of her song, her patient was simply injected with positivity so that they'll be happy and full of kindness without reflection of themselves.
As someone privileged enough to get the best education in hell, she should at least have a better knowledge in mental health.
NO TRACK RECORD
This is another leg of the four-legged stool that is missing.
Their proof of successful redemption is when a demon soul to goes to heaven by rehabilitating them.
Angel Dust, as their first and only "patron”, is too premature to be part of the track record. Staying “clean, behaved and out of trouble” for two weeks is not yet proof of a successful redemption.
At best, what Charlie said is a naively hopeful but weak proof.
Even if Angel Dust didn’t get involved in a turf war, the demons have every right to remain skeptical when she couldn’t even give a successful track record of even one demon soul that had redeemed themself to go to heaven.
Her heart is in the right place of wanting to help everyone. But she’s just wasting everyone’s time if it wouldn’t even work in the first place. There’s a time and place for the saying “Go big” and a time and place for “Start small”.
PROSPECTS DIDN’T BELIEVE THE BENEFIT/PROMISE
Her prospects would benefit going to heaven instead of being in hell.
Charlie did a great job painting a picture of a happy afterlife in heaven with her song “Inside of Every Demon is a Rainbow”. Unfortunately, the benefits “Just puppy dog kisses and cotton candy dreams And puffy-wuffy clouds, you're gonna be like, wow! ” may not be well received by demons who had become jaded and cynical of living life in hell.
Aside from her lack of proof, Charlie doesn’t know her prospects enough to effectively reach them and dismantle their skepticism.
POORLY COMMUNICATED IDEA
The idea of her project is to go to heaven through redemption.
While it’s easy to understand, the idea could’ve appealed to the demons with a more convincing approach if Charlie understood her prospects well. And if her idea is well-supported by facts.
Her promotion only has two legs of the stool: Benefit and Idea. Her promo fell because she lacked research of her prospects. She lacked actual proof. She lacked credible information.
Because of all of these, she lacked the means to effectively promote.
The Art of Persuasion
Persuading people to take the desired action is often difficult. This is why marketing professionals and companies exist.
And this is where Alastor comes in with his charismatic seedy salesman mass communication skills and overlord status, making him the hope and solution to Charlie’s dilemma. Even if he did outright say that he was only interested in watching demons fail.
But other than that, Charlie, as one of the most privileged demons in hell, should have greater access to quality information and services on things such as marketing. And mental health science.
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The Villainous Paranoiac Goes To Jail and Ninja Afterlife
Two innocent children get sent to Night Raven College
A set of scenarios about three of my ocs unwittingly trading places for two days, non-canon to any of my AUs
Swap 1:
Yuu—> Konohagakure
Yuu wakes up with a tantō to the throat.
Chie: Tell me where my daughter is and I’ll make your death quick
Yuu promptly freaks the fuck out
Through a combination of panicked yelling and tears the Prefect manages to convey to the Ketsugi that if there was a kidnapping, Yuu is both uninvolved and as much as of a victim as their precious daughter
Gai confirms that the strange teenager not only has no chakra, but clearly has little to no combat training despite his(?) athleticism, meaning Mayu-chan could easily overpower an assailant of this size, especially one this undernourished!
Yuu tries not to be offended and to avoid staring at Gai and Lee’s eyebrows they’re so big
Promptly shrieks when Kami!Sanji materializes to confirm that the Paranoiac had nothing to do with Mayu’s disappearance as far as the other gods can tell
Yuu becomes convinced that this place is the afterlife
The sad part is that Chie and Jirou can’t actually say much to the contrary, because??? Their daughter remembers dying before she came here?? Also there are active deities just floating around so.
Actually tears up at the homemade meals the Ketsugi provide
Before being sick as a dog later because food infused with chakra? Does not agree with a person without a chakra regulatory system
Surprisingly patient with Lee and any questions he has the purity of Jack and Deuce is strong in this one
Bit more long-suffering towards Naruto and his rendition of Wonderwall. Sunshine child too bright, introvert Yuu can’t handle it
Keeps writing down everything everyone says
This makes ANBU and ROOT very twitchy
The Paranoiac is quietly slated for “interview” at T&I the next day
Yuu crashes on the Ketsugi couch none the wiser
Mayu—> Nanba
Mayu wakes up to confused screaming and profanity.
It’s Hani.
It’s very rare for screaming not to be because of Hani
All he knows is one child was in this bed last night, and now’s there’s a different one dressed like it came straight out of Ninja Kamikaze???
Mayu for her part is both very alarmed to be waking up in a prison cell with two strange men and very glad she has her bokken with her
Kiji comes in to find his beautiful inmates being menaced by a twelve year old with a wooden sword
The twelve year old is winning
Once Mayu has ascertained that they aren’t enemy ninja and she’s somehow in her old world (?) she becomes much more cooperative with the guards
She’s very worried about how she’s going to get back to her family in Konoha
Also wondering if she should try to contact her former little brother Harp (who knows if she’ll ever get the chance again?)
These worries are not assuaged when the Warden informs her that there’s no records proving “Tamara Kaur” ever existed
For lack of any relations who they can contact to take the child off their hands, and because they have no idea how she successfully infiltrated the most secure prison in the world and replaced one of the inmates, the Warden decides to keep Mayu in Nanba’s holding cells until further notice
Guess who finds the samurai child while breaking out?
Nico, Uno, and Rock are amazed at the existence of a real live Japanese Samurai! With a katana and everything!!
Jyugo just asks straight out if Mayu’s an actor too
Mayu is very bemused by everything, but they seem friendly! The one with the mohawk likes food too!
Plus the blonde one is British! Just like she used to be!
Uno is very confused about how a twelve year old somehow lost her citizenship
Break Mayu out to get food together
They get caught the moment they set foot in the cafeteria and scolded very harshly
Mayu has trouble sleeping in a cell cot that night
Nana—> Night Raven College
Nana’s first instinct on waking up in a strange bed next to a monster is to assume he’s been kidnapped and attempt to subdue his captors
Which means Grim wakes up to an attempted smothering
The ghosts hear muffled screaming and rush in only to get salt and iron filings to the face. Nana actually has them all on the run when Crowley bursts in
Instantly becomes a confused and lost child in front of the headmaster and dorm heads
Only Grim and the ghosts know the truth, and their complaints are overlooked due to them “scaring the poor boy”
No one has any idea what to do with a thirteen year old magicless kid. It was hard enough with Yuu, and the Prefect was at least sixteen and could attend classes!
Nana adapts quickly to the idea of being in this new world— he’s just sad he couldn’t say goodbye to Kiji, Hani-senpai and Trois-senpai before leaving Nanba
Immediately resolves to leave NRC at the earliest possible convenience when he gets a good look at the Theory Wall— he can’t even read Japanese but that amount of crazy that it signifies always spells trouble
Is confused by all the pictures of Disney villains on the Theory Wall, but decides it’s not worth the trouble to ask about
Actually uses the beauty products Vil left for Yuu correctly
Gets semi-adopted into Pomefiore after asking Vil where the high quality products came from
Grim and the ghosts aren’t sorry to see the little brat go
Vil carts him around to test his potential in the performance arts
Epel tries to be a good senpai for the kid, and tells him he doesn’t have to just go along with Vil
Nana appreciates the effort, but does find this kind of thing more fun than being on his own he’s homesick for his cell
Rook enjoys seeing the child freeze up minutely whenever he asks about the prison attire and the large “7” tattoo on the back of the boy’s head
Nana likes Rook less and less with every pointed question the vice dorm leader makes
Can’t sleep in the big cushy Pomefiore bed and so curls up on the floor with a pillow instead
Swap 2:
Yuu—> Nanba
What why is Yuu in jail now
The prefect was supposed to be back home/in Ramshackle Dorm, why is Yuu in jail now—
Yuu is stressed and overdue for Grim snuggles
Paranoiac is also not thrilled about being stuck in Building Three— it’s like Pomefiore on steroids
At least Epel and Vil don’t steal and obsess over the underwear of their “fans”
Rook...the jury’s still out. But probably not. Probably
Maybe
Hopefully
Much less cooperative than Mayu.
Questions about the Prefect’s family name are met with a stony glare. “It’s Yuu. Just Yuu. How many times do I have to repeat myself?”
Can’t answer any questions about Mayu or her current whereabouts despite admitting to knowing of the girl, but does posit a theory about the three of them transmigrating and swapping places based on the information gained in Konoha
Gets offended and even less cooperative when the interrogating guard calls the hypothesis “crazy”
Not intimidated by Hajime or the other guards in the slightest. Yuu’s classmates are far more likely to inflict lasting bodily harm and it’s hard for even the worst human glare to measure up to Floyd or Leona on a bad day
The Warden scares the Prefect though
Doesn’t stop Yuu from requesting a lawyer or other legal counsel before submitting to further questioning
The Paranoiac is a Japanese citizen and has made a point to know what the applicable legal rights for this situation are
Yuu ends up in the holding cells
Guess who hasn’t learned their lesson while breaking out?
Uno takes one look at Yuu
“Ah Jyugo, this one has your energy”
Nico loudly asks if the Prefect is from an isekai and died and reincarnated in Nanba??! Do they die over and over again and revive to beat bad guys?? Do they have an amazing cheat skill?? Are they a spider?? Can they shoot a beam??
Yuu just thinks. Ah. So this is what would happen if Kalim and Idia somehow had a kid
Don’t break the Prefect out, but Jyugo comes back later and deposits something through the bars
“This is Kuu. He’s a guard, but he’s also really good when you’re lonely. You look like you could use the company”
Yuu blinks and holds out a hand for the black cat with a guard cap to sniff
Crashing in a cell cot is uncomfortable, but hey, at least there’s a cat to pet
Mayu—> Night Raven College
Why is there a tanuki in her bed?
Grim isn’t waking up by being murdered but being poked with a stick by another smol child isn’t much better
Mayu is Concerned by the Theory Wall
“Is— is the person who lives here okay?”
Grim: Hell if I know
Mayu’s even more Concerned when she opens the fridge and sees it’s bare
>:|
Sanji wouldn’t let these people go hungry, so she’s not going to either!
Searches until she finds the Prefect’s grocery money and marches with Grim to Mr. S’s Mystery Shop
Everyone is confused by the presence of a new preteen on campus after the last one vanished from Pomefiore during the night
Mayu’s used to haggling with market people who would rather see her starve than even sell her the worst of their produce, so she’s easily able to barter Sam down to a third of the price for the groceries she wants to buy
Sam’s more amused by the guts of this tiny samurai devil than anything
Mayu and Grim drag all the food back by themselves with a few students following from a distance out of curiosity
They all soon enter Ramshackle once the smells of cooking begin to emerge from the dorm
Silver first followed because the child has a sword and is now helping to knead dough
Epel arrived because he had questions about where Nana had gone, but Mayu is genuinely clueless so now he’s peeling apples for lack of anything better to do
Mayu soon has several “helpers” for making bread and other easy-to-preserve and mix-and-match bulk meals to fill the Ramshackle fridge, though she soon has to send Grim out for more ingredients when her helpers begin getting hungry
The night ends with a feast that can rival the quality of food served at Kalim’s parties
Mayu finds one of Yuu’s blank notebooks and writes down some easy recipes the Prefect can use for all the food now in the fridge and pantry, with emphasis on fish based dishes
The ghosts and Grim enjoy having Mayu much more than Nana
Mayu still has trouble sleeping in the big Ramshackle bed that night
Nana—> Konohagakure
Well this isn’t Nanba or Night Raven College
Welp. Time to go then.
Nana is halfway out of Konoha before anyone notices
Gai does notice because a strange kid in a prison jumpsuit swiftly scurrying to the exit sticks out like a sore thumb in the early morning
ANBU’s search for the vanished Yuu is the only reason Nana isn’t stopped by them
Nana tries to run
Nothing can outrun the Beautiful Green Beast of Konoha
Nana is now more than slightly traumatized
Gets carted off to early morning training with Naruto and Lee
Is initially more interested in plotting yet another escape attempt until Lee mentions Yuu and NRC—then he’s curious about what information he can glean about the two other members of this triad
Especially interested in the concept of reincarnating into another world or being brought there by an outside force rather than moving between worlds freely
Eats an almost alarming amount for his size at breakfast that morning and leaves nothing on his plate
Unfailingly well-mannered to his hosts
Offers more information about Mayu’s past world in payment for eating the Ketsugi’s food and waking up in their home after they refuse to let him pay them back using manual labor
Asks them to tell him what they already know so he can work out what knowledge gaps to fill in
Nana: ...Why are you singing Wonderwall?
Takes it upon himself to teach Lee and Naruto more English so they can at least form basic sentences
It’s an uphill battle because predicates and participles are hard
A supportive and encouraging if slightly inept teacher
Soon realizes Chie somehow knows all the swearwords and glares at him for trying to teach them to the boys
Also falls ill from eating chakra-infested food
Gets twitchier as the day goes on and asks to leave the village several times, insisting he can’t impose on their hospitality any longer
Only agrees to sleep on the couch once Jirou subtly implies that at least people will notice and go looking if he goes missing from their house compared to if he disappeared from a tree miles away from Konoha
Can’t sleep on the couch due to jumping at noises during the night, ends up curling up on the floor next to it
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I Can't Let You Disappear From My Life A Second Time - chapter 2
A/N: I hope your ready for more angst.
“Eda,” Serkan said. He hadn’t spoken her names just saying it brought him pain. Regret.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” Eda's smile came back and it was like seeing a star shining brightly in the night sky. “It’s been so long,”
“Years,” Serkan said, his voice deepening with emotion. “When did you move back to Turkey. Last I heard you were in Italy.”
“I moved back two months ago, I thought about reaching out to you but I..” she licked her lips. “I wasn’t sure you would want to hear from me.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Serkan’s brow furrowed. He had never once blamed her for how things turned between them.
“I know how much I hurt you when I left,” Eda said, remorse in her voice. “I was angry and I wanted to hurt you for keeping the truth from me. It was wrong. I know that and I regret it but I can’t change it. I am sorry.”
“Don’t,” Serkan stepped closer to her, he reached for her hand instinctively. “Don’t apologize. You don’t need to.”
Eda swallowed. “Serkan, I-”
“Eda,”
Eda pulled her hands from Serkans, turning to the man he was with. He stood a few feet away, the little girl now in his arms. “Are you coming?”
“Yes, I’ll be there,” Eda told him and turned back to Serkan. “I’m sorry, I have to-,”
“I understand,” Serkan said. “It was nice to see you again.”
Eda nodded. “You too,”
Serkan watched as she turned and walked over to her family, the little girl reaching for her when she was in touching distance leaning forward.
Eda took the girls in her arms, her eyes shining with love for the child as she pressed a kiss against her cheek.
When the man leaned forward, sweeping his hand down the girl’s back and pressed a kiss Eda’s temple he had to turn away.
He walked quickly from the room, it was a charity event. He went in attendance for his mother who was running late.
He made it outside but it wasn’t enough, he walked toward his car, his hands coming down to steady himself against the car.
His breaths came quickly, he closed his eyes trying to calm himself.
Eda flashed in his eyes, her smile bright and adoring, her image shifted and a man cupped her face, his mouth pressing into hers.
Serkan’s eyes snapped open and he slammed his fist into the hood of his car. Again and again, until the pain in the knuckles was all he could feel.
“Serkan!”
He whipped around to see Seelin standing a few feet away, looking alarmed.
She took a step forward. “What’s wrong? What has happened?”
“Don’t!” Serkan raised his hand, signaling for her not to come closer, blood coating his knuckles. “Just don’t, Selin.”
He ripped his car door open, putting his car in gear, he sped out of the parking lot, tires screeching against the asphalt, leaving behind the smell of burning rubber.
Serkan weaved through the traffic, needing to get away as fast as possible. Needing to escape.
He didn’t stop until he reached his home. He parked his car and walked through the garden of hikimbase roses, the doctor rose.
He bought the house from a client.
Eda’s words about wanting to always live in a house like this were all the encouragement he needed to convince his client to sell the property to him and he remodeled into Eda’s image for the house.
Serkan walked through his front door and was greeted by Sirius. The dog moved slower and was getting up there in age but Serkan was always on top of his pet medical care.
Serkan stopped in his living and sat down on the cushions, he pulled off his jacket tossing it beside and slipped his tie off, he scrubbed a hand down his face.
He looked down at his coffee table and was met with the birthday world globe that Eda had given him years ago.
When he moved in, he gathered his box of things that held significance to history with Eda and spread out throughout the house, his pictures of them framed. The photo from their fake engagement sat near the globe on the table, he leaned forward gazed at it. He brought his hands together, the knuckles cut and bleeding.
He started twisting the ring on his hand, he closed his eyes and he saw Eda standing in front of him, smiling the little girl in her arms, both extending their hands out to him.
“Stop it,” Serkan told himself, rubbing his eyes roughly against his closed eyelids, forcing the image away.
It hurt when Eda left almost 5 years ago more than he can put into words but somehow seeing she forgot him and move on with her life felt so much worse.
He didn’t think he could feel worse than he did.
He wishes he was the emotionless robot that Eda claimed him to be. Surely feeling nothing was better than this cold feeling spreading through him.
Love was nothing but pain. You couldn’t outrun it, escape from it. All you do was suffer as it consumed you whole leaving nothing behind but the shell of the person used to be.
A/N: The next chapter will be in Eda's perspective and some questions will be answered.
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Take it Slow - Part Seventy-Four
a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.
Warnings: Fluff and smut.
You woke up to the sound of yelling and laughing the next morning. You went into the bathroom to wash-up, threw on some shorts and t-shirt and headed into the kitchen. Anne, Harry, and Gemma were all making breakfast.
“Mornin’, love.” Anne says. “Sorry if we woke yeh.”
“Oh!” You laugh. “No it’s fine, needed to get up anyways.”
You all sit down to breakfast. It was nice having them here. Harry was the most relaxed he’d been in weeks.
“Think I’m gonna take Buster out for a good walk, it’s so nice out.” You say slipping your sneakers on.
“Mind if I join you?” Anne asks.
“Not at all! I’d love it.” You smile. She puts her sneakers on and the two of you head out.
“What’s all tha’ about?” Harry asks Gemma as they go out to sit on the balcony.
“Don’t know.” She shrugs. “Mum gave you a bit of a talk last night, she probably wants to do the same with her. See where her head’s at.”
“You know, I appreciate everyone being so concerned, but at the end of the day it’s our life together, not anyone else’s.”
“Yeah…but you’re her only son, and she’d like for you to only get married once, so she just wants to make sure she’s the right choice. You’ve had a lot of girlfriends Harry.”
“No, I’ve just had a lot of girls.” She punches him in the arm. “Oi!”
“Don’t be a pig.”
“M’not. Just sayin’, really haven’t had a lot of real relationships.”
“Exactly. Probably another concern of mum’s. I mean, you haven’t brought a girl to meet us since you were in high school, Harry.”
“Yeah, yeah. So I suppose you wanna have a private chat with her too?”
“How often are we here to do so?”
“Well, you can do that tomorrow. She told me she’s workin’ from home a couple days to spend time with you and mum.”
“Mum’s plannin’ to go to the studio with you tomorrow so she can watch you in action. She quite likes the park across the street, she’ll probably read there while you’re workin’. So I’ll spend the day with Y/N and Buster. It’ll be nice to have some girl time.”
//
“Good boy Buster!” You say as you pick up his droppings and throw them in the trash. “So much easier when he goes right away, now he can just enjoy the walk.” Anne laughs.
“He’s a very good dog.”
“Yeah, we got lucky.”
“Whose idea was it to get him?”
“Harry’s.” You sigh. “His friend Adam called him and told him he had a fresh litter and we could have one if we wanted. As soon as he showed me the picture I couldn’t say no.” Buster yips. “That’s right, mummy knew right away you were her baby.” You giggle. Anne raises an eyebrow at you. “Sorry, that must sound weird.”
“No, it’s sweet actually. You think of him as your own.”
“It’s hard not to.”
“If you don’t mind me askin’, do you think you’ll want children, eventually?”
“Yeah, eventually. Not anytime soon though. I’m only a couple of classes into my master’s program, and I’d like to have that all settled before I even think about it. I know a dog is way different than having a kid, but it’s already so much extra work making sure he’s taken care of on top of everything else.”
“Mm, and I know my son can be a handful. Quite the baby himself sometimes.” You both laugh.
“Only sometimes, he means well.”
“Can I ask, is this your first serious relationship?”
“Yes and no. This is the longest relationship I’ve had. I’ve certainly never lived with a guy before. I can’t really explain it, Anne, everything just felt right with Harry.”
“You didn’t feel like you were rushin’ when you moved in together or anythin’?”
“To be honest with you, we were practically living together as it was before he asked me if I wanted to.”
“It’s amazing to me. You know there was a girl he was seeing a couple years ago, they were together for like seven months, and he refused to even give her a key to his apartment. Granted, he was a little younger, but still. You’ve definitely had an effect on him.”
“I also chalk it up to a guy’s maturity level. He probably saw his life flash before his eyes you know? Now I think he’s a little more grown up, that’s what Niall tells me at least.” You laugh.
“Very good point. You know we talk weekly, and he always raves about you. Even from the beginning. I could tell he met someone. He didn’t come right out and say it, but he was in such high spirits.”
“Can I ask, when was the first time he mentioned me?”
“Oh god, I think he said he had been seein’ someone, and he was havin’ trouble finding a way to ask you to be his girlfriend. Like, make things official with you. He was scared you were gonna think it was too soon.” You nod and smile. “So I asked him why he wanted to make things official so soon, and he said he didn’t want to risk anyone else scoopin’ yeh up.”
“That sound like something he’d say.” You giggle.
“How did he ask you to be his girlfriend? He never told me, he just said he asked and you said yes.”
Your mind flashes to making out with Harry, drunk, in your old apartment. You let him go down on you for the first time that night.
“Um…we were just hanging out at my place and he asked me if he was my boyfriend…something like that.”
“Not that I didn’t like you before, you know when we met and all that, but when he told me about the party you threw for him for his birthday, and the pearls, that was when I knew I could really trust you with him. He was devastated when he had to sell that necklace. I felt awful for him. He loves his jewelry. He didn’t have the heart to replace it once he could.”
“That means a lot to me to hear you say that.” You both turn around and head back the other way.
“You’re quite the party planner, clearly.”
“I know how to organize a function, that’s for sure. I try to play to my strengths.” You laugh. “I feel like he’s always really happy when he has all of his friends around.”
“Definitely. So…I know it hasn’t quite been a year yet, but I’m a firm believer in when you know you know…” You nod. “If my son asks you to marry him some day…do you think you’d say yes?” You stop short and look at her.
“You mean when your son asks to marry me?” She chuckles and nods. “I would definitely say yes, zero hesitation.” You both start walking again. “Although, I got a bit nervous last night when he called me over to him. When he does it, I don’t want it to be in front of a bunch of people like that. I just want it to be the two of us, you know?”
“Oh definitely. Don’t worry, that certainly wasn’t his plan last night. I think he just wanted you to know you deserved to be celebrated just as much as him.”
“So…from all of this, you’re okay with me becoming part of your family some day?”
“More than okay with it, love.”
You get to the front of your building, and she gives you a hug.
“I’m hopin’ to find out how your mum feels about him. I’m havin’ lunch with her Tuesday.”
“Oh, that’ll be great.” You both enter the lobby and go into the elevator.
“Your dad wasn’t at the party last night.”
“No he was not. He was invited, but he generally doesn’t go to things if my mom is going to be there.”
“Ah, that can be difficult.”
“Do you and your ex husband get along?”
“Well enough, we always put the kids first, that’s all that mattered.” You go inside and Buster goes running towards Harry.
“Hey buddy.” He says petting him. “Good walk?”
“Yup.” You smile.
//
The next day you wish Harry a good first day at the studio and off he goes with Anne. You tell him you and Gemma will be by around lunchtime with Buster.
“So, I’ll be up in the loft working if you need anything.” You say to her.
“Perfect, I’ve got my laptop, I need to work as well, so I may spend some time in the guest room. Let me know when you take him for a walk though, I’ll go with you.”
“Sounds good.”
Buster stays by your side while you work. You zoom into a couple of early morning meetings. Around ten you get the leash on him and knock on the guest room door.
“Ready for a break?” You ask her.
“Yes! Definitely.”
You get to down to the street.
“God, the weather is so much warmer here already than it is back home. Might have to start comin’ here for the summer.” She laughs. “So, what did my mum wanna talk to you about yesterday?”
“What do you mean?”
“C’mon, Y/N, she obviously wanted to talk.”
“You’re very perceptive.” You laugh. “We just talked about your brother. I think she wanted a pulse-check on where I’m at with him.”
“And where are you?” You look at her. “Sorry, I’m sure you’re sick of getting grilled by everyone…he’s just my baby brother, you know?”
“No, no, it’s fine. Basically she asked me what I would say when he eventually proposes and I told her I would say yes.”
“And you don’t feel like it’s too soon or anything? You both are still so young.”
“I know, but neither of us want to be with anyone else. Plus, by the time he does propose, and we pick a date and all that it could be another couple of years before we actually get married.”
“I’ve never seen him so in love, it’s really nice. He’s always been so sweet and considerate, an ally to women’s rights and all that. But when it came to datin’, he was like every other fuck boy out there, I’ll never understand it.” She scoffs.
“I think a lot of guys go through that phase. I had some guy friends in college that were amazing friends, but would treat other girls like shit. It’s not right, but I guess it’s good to get all that out of your system, right?”
“I’m just glad he figured his shit out. Personally, I think you have a great deal of patience to be able to even live with him. He can be a bit of baby, you know?” You start laughing hysterically.
“Your mum said the exact same thing.”
You both turn back and head to the apartment.
“All in all I’m he’s found you. I hope your family feels the same way about him.”
“I think they do…” You get inside and take the leash off Buster. “It’s a bit more complicated with me and them. They’re…a little more apprehensive to trust someone in my life.”
“Why’s that? If you don’t mind me asking…”
It dawns on you that Harry probably never told Gemma about what happened to you.
“Um…I’ve just been burned in the past, and I’m the baby, I know Harry’s the youngest too, but my siblings actually helped change my diapers. I’m more than just a little sister, you know?”
“Oh sure. Plus I can imagine it’s tough for your parents to see their last kid growin’ up so much.”
“Exactly. I think they’re happy that I’m happy. I’ll be curious to see how our moms do at lunch together.”
“To be a fly on the wall, right?”
//
At noon you and Gemma head to the studio with Buster. Him and Mariah were working in separate areas, snapping away. You walk up to Isaac.
“Got a dog biscuit for him, can I give him one?”
“Only if he does a trick for you.”
“Alright, sit Buster.” He does so. “Good boy!” He gives him the biscuit. “Got a little bed for him right here behind my desk.”
“Go ahead baby, sit with Uncle Isaac.”
Buster looks at you and then goes to plop down in his bed.
“It’s been busy all morning. Lot of senior photos. It’s great having the park right there, they’ve both been able to take pictures of the kids by the trees and stuff.”
“That’s great!”
“Thought one girl was going to wet her pants when she first met Harry, poor thing.”
“Oh no, why?” Gemma asks.
“Oh, honey, I know he’s your brother, but he’s hotter than sin. If I were a little seventeen year old girl, my god, I don’t know what I’d do if I had that man standing right in front of me with a camera telling me to smile.” You burst out laughing, which catches Harry’s attention. He looks over at you and his sister and shakes his head. “He should be done any minute. He wanted to get some inside shots with that one.”
“No problem, it’s why there’s a waiting area right?” You and Gemma sit down on the comfy chairs.
Harry walks the young girl up to Isaac.
“When’s your mum gettin’ back?”
“I’ll text her now to let her know I’m done.” She smiles. “Thanks for showing me some of them. I’m gonna tell all my friends to come to you this summer.” Isaac hands her one of Harry’s business cards. Buster comes sniffing around. “Oh!” She squeals.
“That’s my boy, Buster. You can pet him if you want.” The girl beams at him and crouches down to pet him. Her mother comes rushing inside the studio.
“Sorry, honey, long line at Dunkin. All set?”
“Yeah! They look great already.”
“When can we expect them?”
“Couple of weeks, I’ll need to sit and edit them. Then you’ll get an email with a link to our site, and you can pick which ones you want to purchase. I’ll send you the files electronically cause I know the schools prefer that for the yearbook, and I’ll email you all the actual prints.”
“That sounds great. I have to say too, you have the fairest prices for everything. I’ve told a few of the other parents about you and Mariah.”
“Thanks! We really appreciate that.” He smiles. “Isaac, m’goin’ to lunch, can you wrap this up?”
“You got it.” He smiles.
“Wanna eat outside? It’s beautiful out…mum’s already out there.”
“Sure! What she pick up?”
“Salad and sandwiches I think.” He wraps an arm around you. “Buster!” He whistles to him and grabs his leash.
You all walk across the street to the park and sit with Anne at one of the picnic benches. It’s a great lunch. You like spending time with them.
//
The next day Anne borrows Harry’s car to go meet your mom for lunch at a halfway point. Harry had Mariah come pick him up so you’d have your car to go to therapy later.
“Hi, Lynn!” Anne says to your mom.
“Oh, hi!” she laughs. “Hope this wasn’t too hard for you to find.”
“Not at all.” She smiles. They’re both seated fairly fast. “I’m so glad we could do this.”
“Me too. Y/N speaks the world of you and Gemma, I was wondering when we’d get a chance to meet you. It was such a nice surprise for Harry.”
“I felt horrible keepin’ such a secret from him. But last month when Y/N called me told me she wanted to surprise him, I had to jump in on it.”
“She’s the queen of surprises.” Your mom laughs.
“They’re a lovely couple, don’t you think?” Your mom nods in agreement. “You met my son by accident, right? At the mall?”
“God, I completely forgot about that. That’s right, we bumped into him and Niall. He was very funny, and he wouldn’t let me pay for lunch, quite the gentleman.” She smiles.
“What did you think about when they moved in together so quickly?”
“Well…to be honest I wasn’t thrilled, but it’s not my life.” She shrugs. “It wasn’t that I didn’t like Harry either, I would have been concerned with anyone she was dating.” Anne nods. “Y/N’s always been very independent, moves to the beat of her own drum. She’s got a different way of seeing things.”
“She’s very bright.”
“You have no idea! I feel like each one of my kids just kept getting smarter and smarter.” She laughs and then sighs. “I can’t get too much into it because I know she’d be upset with me if I tell you this, but my daughter has been through…something tragic…something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Something I never thought would happen to any of my kids. She’s made it through and she’s very strong, but when her and Harry started getting serious, I did get worried. I’m not worried anymore though. I can see how much he cares for her, and she’s happy. Her siblings are very protective of her too, as I’m sure Gemma is of Harry.”
“Oh my, of course. I’m sorry to hear she’s been through something…” She looks down at her food then back to your mom. “She’s the baby of your family too, I can see you all wanting to watch her like a hawk.”
“Her father especially so.” She takes a sip of water. “I’m sorry he wasn’t there last night for you to meet him.”
“That’s alright, I’m sure in time we will. Harry told me he was a great help in gettin’ the studio together.”
“He’s nothing if not handy.” She smiles.
“Lynn…my son wants to marry your daughter.” Your mom nearly spits out her drink. “Jesus, I’m sorry.” She hands her a napkin.
“When exactly does he plan to do that?”
“I’m not sure…he’s not plannin’ to propose for another few months, but it’s comin’. I gave him my blessing. I think the world of your daughter.” There’s an awkward pause. “I hope you’ll accept my son the way I’ve accepted her.”
“It’s not that I don’t accept him…it just feels so fast!” She sighs. “But who am I to say anything? At the end of the day she’s going to be asked a question, and it’s her choice to say yes or no. I’ll back her up no matter what.” She chews on her lip. “Her father, however, he’ll be happy for her at first, but he’ll find a way to ruin it. I try not to speak poorly of my ex, but he’s an asshole.”
Anne bursts out laughing.
“That’s quite alright.”
“He just always finds a way to be negative, and he’ll ask them a million questions. Everything always comes down to money. I know she’ll want a nice, big wedding too. And he’ll say ‘well, wouldn’t you rather save that money and put it towards something important’. As if he and I didn’t have a wedding like everyone else.”
“Did you get married in a temple?”
“We did.” She smiles. “It was really informal. I wore a purple pantsuit.” She laughs. “I was already pregnant with our first daughter, Bridget, so I didn’t exactly want to be a in a white dress. It was a nice ceremony though, good reception.”
“Harry told me if they have kids they’d raise them as Jewish…”
“Are you okay with that? Having Jewish grand-babies?”
“Sure.” She shrugs. “He said they’d still do Christmas and Easter, of course.”
“My son’s wife isn’t Jewish, they make it work just fine. Erica’s boyfriend isn’t Jewish either, we’re not a super conservative family in that sense. Do you think he’d want the wedding overseas?”
“No, not with so much of your family here. We have a small family. And a lot of his friends are here now anyways, only a few he sees back home.” She takes a sip of her drink. “I know this conversation may seem a little premature, but I wanted to have it with you in person while I was here.”
“I understand completely. I’m glad we were able to do this.”
//
You and Gemma cook dinner together so Harry would have something to eat when he got home. You’d mostly likely be home after him.
“Well, I’ll see you both in a bit.” You smile. You had your gym clothes on, you didn’t really feel like explaining you were going to therapy.
“Alright dear, see you soon.” Anne says.
She told you all about her lunch with your mom and how well it went. You texted your mom a big thank you right after.
“How are you Y/N?”
“Really good actually.”
“Did you just come from the gym?”
“No, I just put this on because Harry’s mum and sister are staying with us, and I didn’t want to explain I was going to therapy…”
“Ah, I see.”
“I didn’t know if they’d ask why I was going to therapy, and I just didn’t want to get into it.”
“I understand.” She smiles. “How did the studio opening go?”
“Oh my god, it was incredible!”
//
Harry gets in around 6:30, and smiles when he sees his sister and mum. He grabs the dinner you had texted him about and sits down on the sofa with them.
“How was day two?” Gemma asks.
“Great! It was nice to have Buster with me the whole day, right buddy?” He hips and sits at their feet. “Sure he misses his mum though.”
“She’s been at the gym a while.” Anne says. “Does she always go for so long?”
“Gym?”
“Yeah, she had her gym clothes on, I just assumed that’s where she went.”
“Hm.”
You get in around 7PM and see them all watching TV. Harry gets up after you say hello and follows you to the bedroom.
“Hi.” He says.
“Hi, how was your day?”
“Good, busy.” You hum your response and find some sweats to put on.
“A.C.’s up a bit high.” You chuckle as you pulls some sweatpants on.
“Did you go to the gym?”
“So, I went to see Dr. Mara, why?”
“My mum said you went to the gym, that’s all.”
“No, I just put gym clothes on to make them think that’s where I was going. They don’t know I go to therapy Harry, and then don’t need to.”
“It’s a perfectly normal thing to say you’re doin’.”
“Yeah, but what if they asked why?” You look at him. “See? Not a good answer for that, is there. I don’t exactly feel comfortable telling your mum and sister that I was assaulted.” You whisper.
“Okay, yeah, that’s fair.” He wraps his arms around you. “I feel like I miss you.” He buries his face in your neck.
“Aw, why?” You rub his back up and down.
“I don’t know…haven’t been able to cuddle much.”
“Can’t cuddle with your mum and sister sitting on the sofa with us.” You kiss his cheek and hold him tight. “They probably think something’s going on here as it is, let’s go sit with them, hm?”
“No.”
“Harry.”
“No, I’m tired, and I’m sick of TV for the night. I feel like readin’.”
“So, we can watch TV and you can read. We’ll go to bed early so we can cuddle for a bit, okay?”
“Fine.” He grabs his book and his glasses and follows you out.
Harry sits down and yanks you into his lap.
“Harry, I-“
“S’fine, love, you can sit with him.” Anne says. “It’s your home, after all.”
The three of you watch TV for a bit while Harry reads. Around nine you and Harry tell them you’re heading to bed. You say goodnight to Buster and go into your room. You both do your usual routine and get into bed.
“Wouldja just lay on top of me?”
“I know what that’s going to lead to, and I don’t feel-“
“Y/N! I’m not fuckin’ around, come here!” He pulls you on top of him and you swat at his chest.
“Shhhh, do you want them to hear you?”
“I don’t give a fuck.” He holds you tight to his chest and strokes the back of your head. You relax into him. “See, isn’t this nice?” You both chuckle.
“Shut up.” He kisses your hairline as you nuzzle into him. “They’ll only be here two more days, Harry. You should make the most of it.”
“I am makin’ the most of it. Mum and Gem are both comin’ to the studio tomorrow since you’re back to work. I just think we should be able to do whatever we want even if they’re here.”
“Well, I feel weird about it. It’s icky.”
“Icky?” He laughs.
“Yeah, do you really want them to know what it sounds like when we’re fucking?”
“Babe, I’m sure they’ve heard me before. I used to sneak my girlfriends over all the time.”
“How nice for you.” You say sarcastically.
“I just wanna love on yeh, is that so bad?”
You smile at him and kiss him. His hands slide down to your ass, and he lightly squeezes you. You moan softly against his lips. You feel him getting hard against you and you can’t help but grind against him. He pushes his hips up towards you as you grind down again. You put your hand over his mouth just as he’s about to moan.
“We have to be so quiet.”
Harry nods yes. You tug his boxers down slightly, and move your panties over. He slides right in.
“Oh my g-“ You put put your hand back over his mouth.
“Yes, I’m really wet, we been knew, now shh.” You whisper in his ear.
You keep your hand on his mouth, and your face is buried in his neck. His hands move to your hips to rock you back and forth on him. You both were under the covers, causing you to sweat more than usual, but it helped muffle the noise.
Harry wanted it to last as long as possible, you just felt so good. He wanted to tell you how good you felt, but your hand was still over his mouth. Your other hand moves to grip at his hair when he takes a hand to rub at your clit. You bite down on his shoulder. Your hand moves from his mouth to grip the pillow bellow him. You grind against him faster and he does all he can to not let out a noise.
“I needja to kiss me.” He breathes. “Please.”
You crash your lips to his and you both moan into each other. He rubs his fingers faster on your clit. Your back arches and you gasp as you release around him. As you tighten around him he comes up inside you, causing you to moan. You clap your hand over your mouth and press your forehead to his as he thrusts up one last time.
“Shit.” You say against his lips.
“So fucking good.” He breathes.
You get off him slowly and roll onto your back. You wiggles your panties off and sigh. You get up and go use the toilet. When you’re done you come back over to him and lay your head on his chest. He rubs your back slowly.
“Do you ever think…neither of us zero self control?” You ask giggling. “I mean, we can’t go two nights without fucking? What other couples do you know have sex as often as we do?” Harry starts laughing too, and kisses your forehead.
“I hope to God we always stay one of those couples that can’t keep their hands off each other.”
//
The next morning you’re up and out early. You decide to bring Buster to work with you since you missed him so much yesterday. Anne is out on the balcony sipping her coffee while Harry and Gemma have breakfast.
“Sleep well?” He asks her.
“Yeah, it’s a comfy bed. You?”
“Mhm.”
“I’ll bet.” She smirks. Harry raises an eyebrow at her while he sips his coffee.
“What do yeh mean by tha’?” She puts her hand on his shoulder.
“I think you know.” She winks and walks out of the kitchen.
//
“Thank god you’re back.” Niall says, coming into your office. “Hate when you take two days off in a row.” He pouts.
“Technically I wasn’t off.” Buster runs towards Niall.
“I was talkin’ to the dog.”
“Oh, shut the fuck up.” You both laugh.
“So how have the last couple days been with Anne and Gem here?”
“Really good actually. I’ve had some good talks with them. I think Harry’s been enjoying spending time with them. I think it really helped relax him, you know?”
“Yeah I’ve texted him a bit, he’s really busy with work already, it’s great.”
“I’m so proud of him. I think he prefers getting to take pictures of people.”
“Oh, for sure.”
//
Before you know it, you and Harry are driving Anne and Gemma to the airport Thursday evening. Everyone hugs and kisses goodbye.
“So, we’ll see you in July?” Anne asks.
“Yup.” Harry smiles. “Have a safe flight, let me know when you land.”
You both get back in the car. Harry kisses your hand as he drives off.
“Thanks again for gettin’ them here. It was great.”
“Of course! I know it meant a lot to you to have them there for the opening.” You take your phone out and connect it to the Bluetooth. “Now, we need to listen to the Weeknd because the concert is only a month away and I want to make sure you know all of the songs, okay?”
“I know quite a few.”
“Not off his new album! We’re going to be so close to the stage, what if he looks out to us and doesn’t see you mouthing the words because you don’t know it? You’ll look like such a local.”
“A local?” He laughs. “What the fuck is a local?” You sigh heavily. “Okay, okay, why don’t we play it when we get home? I’ll fuck you to it how you like.” Your mouth falls open. “Would yeh like that?”
“Yes.” You nod excitedly.
Harry takes Buster out quick when you get home and you run off to the bedroom. You decide to put some lingerie on. The black lace bodysuit. You get the music started and lay on your stomach. Harry gets Buster tucked into his dog bed and sprints to the bedroom.
“Oh, wow.” He says. You make a come here motion with your finger and sit up on your knees.
He cups your face in his hands and kisses you, like really kisses you. His tongue molds to yours and you moan into his mouth. You tug at the hem of his shirt and he lifts it off. You run your hands over his tattoos. You felt like you hadn’t been able to really touch him for a while.
“Tonight.” He says against your lips. “We’re takin’ our time.”
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Can you make a fic about John having his friend Jensen over to his house? Ya know, mobwife! Au? And John being so nervous while Dick and Jason try to embarrass him in front of his friend
“Can I get a friend over?”
John dropped the question right before dinner, right when the table was about to be ready.
“A friend?” Dick asked, then quickly gasped. “A girlfriend?!”
“No, what the fuck? I said friend. Jensen!”
“5 bucks, buddy.” Jason grabbed the swear jar and handed it over to John’s face. Dick’s customized “swear jar”, it was. It used to be just a real jar made off from an old jam jar, but since it was Jason and John living in the house, it soon turned into a whole casserole pot. Dick so far had contributed 12 dollars.
“And you want him over for…”
“Homework, what else can it be? I’ve got buttloads of homework and an exam next week and I’m not letting any douchebag in my class laugh at me again.”
“Just homework, huh?” Jason smirked.
“Ye...yeah? Can you make it sound less gay, or bi, or whatever? I have a thing for boobs and a girl I’ve crushed for over a year? He’s got no boobs and a dick.”
“Yeah, Dickie here used to be surrounded by boobs, and guess where he landed? Me. I have a dick too.”
Dick whacked Jason in the head with the kitchen towel and pushed the plates onto his hands. “Stop messing with him and get the table ready.” And then he slapped Jason’s hand off his butt.
“So can I have him like, over? Just aking, if you guys don’t want to we can go to a coffee-”
“No no no, have him over.” Dick put the clay pot down the middle of the table and suddenly froze. “On second thought, have him over the penthouse.”
“Good idea, have him over the penthouse so he can be the talk of the school the next day.”
“Pop!!!”
Dick whacked Jason in the head again. “Security first, remember?”
“It’s Jensen.”
“And we don’t want anything bad to happen to Jensen, do we?”
Jason nodded. “You heard him.”
“But he’ll make fun of me!”
“I’ll make sure he gets something else to talk about other than the scale of our house.”
And Dick whacked Jason in the head with his palm, again.
“Okay, that’s it, I’ll just go to his house.”
“Stop worrying, Jason’s only joking. We’re not going to scare him away, he’s your only friend.”
“Yeah...wait, he’s not my only friend.”
“Jefferson and Hank don’t count. Just because they slipped you into a bar behind my back and play football with you at the park every weekend, doesn’t make them your age-appropriate friends.”
“Dad took me into a bar too.”
“Oh did he?” Dick turned and glared at his husband, who cowardly held the plates and cutleries and ran away.
_______________________________________________________
When Jensen got a text from John about the address, he thought he was hallucinating. Last time he checked, his best friend was living in Crime Alley, not rolling around on the floor on top of one of Gotham’s biggest skyscrapers penthouse.
They even got their own elevator, and a hotline number down the reception desk. And that elevator even had a hand scan lock.
And that son of a bitch said he didn’t go to school by a limo!
The elevator music was Death of a Bachelor. Once Jensen got out, there was a lounge with a red velvet couch, glass table, dark wood furniture and Persian carpet. Not even meeting the owners yet and Jensen had already felt like leaving.
There was a door. He came to it, intended to knock when the door opened on its own.
“Hello there.”
It was Richard Grayson.
Oh fucking God. It was Richard Grayson. And Richard Grayson was the loudest pretty face Jensen had ever ever met.
He was so beautiful it felt like he was slapping people in the face with those soft kind eyes.
“Nice to see you, again.”
Jensen stayed frozen on his feet, because that was what a sensible person did when facing Richard Grayson, right? He looked even more gorgeous up close. But of course, Jensen was more than just sensible, he was the cool action guy that got a lot more up their sleeves than what they flashed outside. He collected himself fast enough and leaned over with his forearm on the frame.
Okay, it looked way cooler in his head, which he kinda accidentally picture Richard Grayson was shorter than him, and in reality, he wasn’t.
“I...um...I’m Jesen, you probably...uh, don’t remember me.”
“Of course I remember you. You’re John’s friend.”
“Really?” Oh god, he was so sweet. And his teeth, they were so...white.
“And you’re the kid that got knocked out by a softball in the middle of PE. I held your head to stop your nosebleed.”
Okay, Jensen was going home now.
“Dude!”
John jumped out from behind his father’s back. It was just the start of last year that he was still the scrawny kid with a shady attitude and hid himself in the corner of the classroom like a bat in a cave. Look at him now, a reserve midfielder standing head to head with his dad with his bare arms out in that rolled up Queen tee and a big dick energy. He looked like one of those guys who used to tuck Jesen in the locker room, even though he was now the one scaring off those guys.
Puberty hit him like a Superman punch.
“Whatcha doing out there? Get in.”
John’s hot father smiled down at him and left the door. When John came over, he looked like he wanted to punch Jensen in the face.
“Quit it or I punch you in the face.”
He knew his best friend.
“Look, I’ve got enough straight people being bent like an elastic ruler by pop. And I kinda don’t want you on the list behind my dad’s gun...”
“Haha, that’s funny. Relax, he’s your dad.” Even when he was such a DILF.
“Okay. That wasn’t a joke though.”
He really got Jensen with the serious face he put on.
The house looked like it was scraped off from some lousy pages of Fifty Shades. Shoes off wooden floor, lights everywhere, and a whole lot of windows. Half of the place was literally glass. The living room alone looked bigger than their school cafeteria.
Great, his best friend turned out to live a Great Gatsby life behind his back and he couldn’t even let Jensen borrow his Xbox.
“Dude, my room. Come one.”
Jensen quit staring and followed his friend’s feet. “Dude, last time I checked, your house was in Crime Alley.”
“No, it’s not. You checked it wrong.”
“The fuck? So you just round Crime Alley for fun then jump back to Diamond District?”
“No, I go to Crime Alley to sell drugs then fly my way back here with my own chopper parked on top of this building.”
“Really?”
“No, you fucking idiot!”
“I heard that!” John’s father's voice echoed back from somewhere in the house. Literally, this place was so massive Jensen couldn’t remember where he had passed through. There were so many doors, and everywhere was either white or wood cover walls, or full glass windows. And it was a particularly sunny day in Gotham, the lights just hit Jensen right in the face.
“So, where’s your other dad?”
“He’s out shopping… Why do you care about my dad?”
Okay, if he had to admit to himself, Jensen must say John’s dad left a very striking impression to him the last time they met.
“I like him.”
John burst out laughing. “Yeah, no shit. You won’t be liking him once you get to know him.” And then he muttered something else under his breath that Jensen couldn’t hear.
“What? He seems cool, but nice.” Way cooler than Jensen’s dad, to be frank. He had nothing against his dad, but his old man didn’t exactly sport a leather jacket and kicked off a Hummer bumper looking like he was cool with running over people and got away with it.
His own dad was a lawyer and served his time and energy to people that got run over by people like John’s dad, and lost.
“What’s he buying?”
“Dinner grocery- Okay, that’s it. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Dude, the father of my best friend is Richard Grayson, who secretly married an attractive mysterious man and now you’re living in a penthouse and your grandfather is Bruce Wayne. I may or may not about to fail PE but I'd be dumber than those football jocks to not be curious.”
“Dude, is this why you begged me to come over to my house? For this shit?”
“That’s Richard Grayson!” Jensen shouted back under his breath.
“That’s it. Get in.”
John shoved Jensen into his room and shouted “Don’t fucking get out!” before slamming the door shut. If Jensen wasn’t so distracted by his room, he would have probably shouted back something.
His room was probably bigger than Jensen’s family living room. No, not probably. Definitely.
Ah, he knew John was the Patriot kind of guy. The number of blue posters in his room. He had a three monitors setup, which had looked so cool until Jensen turned on his feet and caught a bed full of clothes.
Dude…
He was no better than Jensen at all.
He was about to go look around, when there was a huffing sound coming from somewhere inside the room. He turned round and round on his feet, trying to work out what the hell was that sound, until he saw something came out from under the bed…
“UAaahhhhhhh!!!”
Jensen rammed headfirst on John’s dad when he zoomed across the hallway.
“Jensen! What’s wrong?”
“There’s a lion inside the house!”
“A what!?”
And just because his luck was shitty, the thing had run after him too. Jensen threw all his pride out of the window and jumped behind John’s father’s back.
“That!” He pointed his finger on the furry thing.
“That? Oh, there you are.” John’s father laughed and knelt down on his knee, calling the thing over. “Have you slept in John’s room again, my cutie bear?”
The thing rubbed his head over John’s father’s hand. And for crap sake, it was even bigger than him.
“Jensen, this isn't a lion. This is Beast.”
“Beast?”
“Yes, our family’s dog. He’s a Tibetan Mastiff.”
“He doesn’t look like a dog.”
“What are you saying? He’s the cutest thing ever. Aren’t you boy?”
Okay, John’s dad was hotter than a Christmas turkey fresh out of the oven, but there was something seriously wrong with his eyes.
That thing he was petting, was a deadly creature of hell.
The dog suddenly barked and ran off. Jensen swore a part of his soul had left his body.
“Oh, Jason’s home. Let’s go down.”
They went downstairs after the dog. Halfway down the staircase, Jensen saw him, finally. There was no leather jacket this time, only a long coat. If he had looked like a cool biker last time they met, then this time, he looked more like a businessman. More like someone’s farther.
“Honey, John. I’m home.” He shouted while setting the grocery bags down the floor to pet the dog.
He looked even bigger, up close. Jensen hurt his neck trying to take a good look at him. Slicked back hair, black and grey from head to toes, gold watch, and gloves. That was so unfair, not only did he look like an attractive killer, but he also dressed better than two-third of the people in this city.
“Hey, Jay.” John’s father went over and went on his tiptoes to kiss his...well, other father. Okay, now Jensen understood why John addressed his fathers by name sometimes, this got really confusing.
“This is Jensen.”
His father pulled off his gloves and smirked. “Hey, young man. You’re having fun?”
“Ye...yes sir.” Jensen blurted out of nowhere. Okay, he did not mean that!
Both of them stared at Jensen like he had grown a second head.
“Okay…” He glanced at his husband and pushed a bag onto his hands. “How about you help me bring this in the kitchen. Straight to the living room then turn right.”
That was a save. The last thing Jensen needed was embarrassing himself even more, so he dashed into the kitchen without looking back.
Surprise surprise, he found John there.
“Dude! I told you to stay in my fucking room!”
“Excuse me, asshead. There’s a fucking lion under your bed! And everyone is OKAY with it! What the hell is wrong with your family?!”
“First of all, Beast is a beauty, don’t you fucking dare insult him. Second, you’re the one that begged to come here. You think I want you drooling over my dad and then soon get a blood and bullet talk from my other dad?”
“Why… just, why do you always have to say it like your dad is a serial killer?! Just because I like your dad doesn't mean you have to act like he’s the fucking Red Hood.”
“Oh ho no, you fucking take that back.”
Outside the living room, Jason and Dick hid behind a wall poking their heads in watching the two boys screaming their necks at each other.
“Are they fighting in the kitchen?”
“They are fighting in the kitchen.”
“I have frozen berries and fishes to put away and they’re screaming and swearing in the kitchen.”
“At this point, the swear jar’s gonna earn John enough for a convertible.”
Dick shrugged. “Or two minivans.”
“Haha, right… You’re not gonna actually buy our son two minivans instead of a convertible, right?”
“It’s money from a swear jar. It’s supposed to be a punishment.”
Jason looked back and gulped. “Babe, the fishes need to go now. Beast is sniffing through the bags.”
“Break them off then.”
“What am I supposed to do? Pretend the house is on fire?”
“We have an automatic fire distinguisher system. That’s not gonna work. Pretend you want to show him your gun collection, also, give him a talk about alcohol and drugs. You know kids this age.”
“Dick, I’m starting to think you want me to play the bad guy. Is it not enough with our alter egos?”
“What are you talking about? The JL loves you.”
Yeah, they loved Jason so bad they sprayed holy water after each step he took inside their facility. The Lanterns called them Hades and Persephone behind their backs, for Christ's sake.
“Honey, I think Beast took one of the fishes out. Beast, buddy, spit that out. Yours are in the freezer.”
“Alright, that’s it.”
Jason walked into the kitchen just in time when the boys had each other’s collar by their fists. Great, boys would be boys, they said. Well, boys would be animals if not educated, he said.
Nobody got to bleed in that kitchen except for Jason.
“Gym room, now.”
Jensen looked over John. “You guys have a gym room?”
“Oh just shut the fuck up.”
Jason pushed the swear jar at John’s face before hushing both of the boys out of the kitchen. On the way, he held Jensen’s head with both his hands just so the boy didn’t see how Dick sweet-talked Beast to give him back the fish in his mouth.
________________________________________
It wasn’t until all three of them stood frozen staring at each other in the gym room that Jason realized he had no idea how to handle this situation.
Usually Dick was blessed in this category, and Jason’s best impression in loosening the knot was pulling out the gun and turning all attention on him.
“So um… you play anything, Jensen?”
The boy looked over John like he was begging for help before answering. “Overwatch and LOL...”
“He meant sport, dumbass.”
“Oh… not really...”
“Huh, so you’re the bullied kind.”
“Dad!”
“What? I’m just being honest. You looked like the type that gets squeezed in a locker or gets clothes stolen after PE.”
Okay, John wasn’t going to admit it aloud, but both of those had happened to Jensen before.
“Don’t get offended by it, okay? John used to lock himself in the bathroom for 30 minutes before he figured out the door opens the other way.”
“Oh.My.God. Dad!!!”
“What? It’s not even half as embarrassing as the time you got in the washing machine just because you saw 10 bucks in there and the door slammed shut so Dick had to get you out.”
“Okay now you’re doing this on purpose. Pop!!!”
Jason was pretty sure it was Dick John was calling on top of his lungs. And yep, it was Dick running at the door a few seconds later.
“Who died?” was the first thing he said. When nobody seemed to be dying, he put a hand over his chest and waved off them like they had jumped scared him. “God, it’s just you three? You made me think grandfather bought Walmart or something.”
All four of them stared at each other. And the first thing Jensen could think of when he turned over to his best friend, was pity.
“Dude, you’re gonna die a virgin.”
_________________________________________
Lunch was grilled tilapia on lemon, chicken salad, soybean paste soup and cold noodles, with a blueberry New York cheesecake for dessert. Okay, that was what John’s dad said. Jensen didn’t even know what the hell was a tilapia until he tasted it.
One more thing Jensen learned today, rich people equal healthy home-cooked diets. Honestly, tofu had never tasted that great in his life until now.
“So, um, you’re a stay-at-home dad, Mr. Grayson?”
John’s dad smiled and took a sipped of his white wine. The way he drank oozed refinement of someone who lived on the top of the hierarchy. “It does seem like that, doesn’t it? No, actually I’m not. I’m on the board of advisory for Wayne Foundation.”
Wayne Foundation. Of course he was in Wayne Foundation.
“Really? That’s so cool. My parents and I have come over the building sometimes. It’s always a change of sight in the urban area.”
“Well, it conveys its positioning even on the visual aspect. I only visit the office every now and then though, I mostly take care of things at home.”
“Wow, that’s so admirable. So, what do you do?”
John’s other dad coughed a little when the question hit. Jensen wasn’t being rude, was he?
“Don’t choke on your food, honey.” Mr. Grayson gave his husband a smile that raised a little hair down the back of Jensen’s neck.
“Well, how do I explain… I take care of shipments and cargoes, in and out of this city and some others.”
“You mean, like, trade and logistics?”
“Yes, somewhat like that. I’m surprised, not a lot of kids your age know those terms of words.”
“Dad, he’s half Asian. Not knowing something is kinda insulting.”
“Yeah right, who am I kidding. He’s not you, I’m sure iGEM couldn’t be easier than separating red and white in a laundry batch, right?”
John turned beet red in a second. Jensen wasn’t sure how to react to that. But, because he was a good person with a kind heart and the will of a hero, he decided to save his best friend's ass.
“So, what do you take care of mostly?” And they were back on the game.
John’s dad coughed again, this time he relaxed himself by chunking down his glass. “Substance…. Medicines. All good things in life. I help the medical industry a lot. And also...adult...limited... equipment.”
Adult limited equipment? He didn’t mean sex toys, right?
This time it was Mr. Grayson choking in his drink.
“Aaand also I run a liquor shop. That’s right, I have a liquor shop, a French restaurant, a motel, two garages and a newspaper booth. And also an instruction compan-Ouch!”
What the…
“Nothing. I just...bit on my own tongue...” He glanced over to Mr. Grayson, who calmly ate his food like he wasn’t even interested in the conversation.
“...I thought you work in trade and logistics.”
“A man can multitask, young man.”
“That much?”
“Hey, nothing is impossible if you know how to dream big and work hard.”
“Wow, that’s so inspiring...Hold on, last time John told me you work in the supply sector.”
“Okay, who’s ready for dessert?”
__________________________________________
Lunch was a disaster. If grandpa suddenly visiting with an out of character announcement and a heart to heart talk was a third-degree disaster, this was a fifth-degree.
Now not only John was gonna die a virgin, he was gonna die a lonely virgin.
Now that they found peace in John’s room and finally, finally, got to studying, a new problem arose.
Was it John or Jensen was being too cool with everything?
“Jensen,”
“Hold on, I’m wrestling with number 9 on Earth Science.”
“You already got to number 9?”
“Hey, I skipped 5 and 7.”
See, he was acting totally normal. And that got John’s pants all twisted.
He thought about it, really. If he was Jensen, he would be taking this so easily like this. It was just the other day when he half-joked about wanting to visit one of the Wayne Towers… Well, now he had skipped all the steps and jumped his ass on the penthouse on top of one of those buildings.
John was still fidgeting for his words when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Papa came in all dressed up with orange slices, ice creams and juices. “I hope you guys can catch a break.”
“Thank you, Mr. Grayson.”
“Don’t stress too much. John, if there’s anything too difficult, just call Aunt Babs or Uncle Tim, okay?”
“Okay.”
Jensen pulled John over and whispered in his ears. “By Uncle Tim, did he mean Timothy Drake? The ex W.E CEO?”
“Yeah, that’s my uncle.”
Papa went over to ruffle his head. “You and Dad take care of dinner tonight, roger? I forgot some papers at the penthouse so I have to go get them now. After that, I have a meeting at Wayne Tower until 7, so I’d probably be home late.”
“Okay.”
“You two have fun. And Jensen,”
“Yes?”
“You just tell my husband whenever you want to go home. He’ll send someone.”
He shut the door just in time for the two of them to hear him calling after Dad asking if the car had arrived. Next to John, Jensen’s eyes were glowing.
Ah, here they went again.
“He looks like he just walked off a runway.”
Okay, on his defense, Papa was a model every now and then.
“How many penthouses do you guys have?”
“Well, just this one and the one top of the Wayne Foundation buil...Hey, I know whatcha doing!”
“What I’m doing?”
“Yeah, that’s right motherfucker. You’ve been hiding it this whole time, but you’re secretly running through your head right. This and that and oh his dad is so handsome, his dog is so big and his other dad looks like the kind of guy who walks off an exploding car with a smoke in his mouth. Well listen here, you can snip those to Gotham Gazette or those Gotham Knight wannabes or whoever you want, my pop is a goddess and Beast is my boy, and my dad can parallel park his Hummer with his legs. Say whatever you want, I may be Princess Mia and you may be Lily, but you’re my Lily! You stick through this shit till the end, you hear me?”
John literally poured his heart out that his head was spinning a little.
“Did you just refer us as The Princess Diaries?”
“You- you only got that?”
“Dude, you watch The Princess Diaries!?”
“Shut up! My dad made me!” He didn’t. Sorry, dad.
“Can you calm down first?”
“You calm down. I am calm!”
“Why are you yelling!”
And just when John was about to scream back, his dad stuck his head in by the door.
“I knocked, no one listened. You know I can hear you from across the hall, right?”
“Daaaaad!”
“Okay okay, geez.”
Once his dad left, they immediately forgot what to say. It was a break of flow, and John honestly didn’t know if it was a good thing or bad thing. So when Jensen picked up his Earth Science papers and fixed his throat, John knew they were back on the usual pace.
About an hour or two later, when John was biting his nails for a question, Jesen suddenly broke the silence.
“I don’t care, you know.”
John blinked. He almost thought he had heard it wrong . “What?”
“I don’t care about...well, all of this. I don’t have to come here to know you live a different world than mine. Your dad is a celebrity, J, and your other dad.... Well, whoever or whatever he does. I don’t care. You’re kind to me, and you’ve stayed kind even when you can have gone and become one of those guys at our school. But you didn’t, so if you don’t change, why should I?”
John lost his words. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Jensen, it just that… this was a lot to take in. Not even including the vigilantes part, Papa being who he was, Dad being who he was, and them being together and taking John in and giving him all of...this. It sure felt like the universe coming all at once for him. It still put him at daze thinking this was his life from now on in some sleepless nights.
So he didn’t expect much from his friend. He couldn’t have.
Guess he must have thought too little of Jensen.
“By the way, your toilet looks more expensive than my healthcare.”
Okay, John took it back.
“Does this mean you’re gonna forget about the 20 bucks?”
“Oh hey, you owe me 20 bucks, asshole.”
“Oh come one, you live in a castle on the sky, just forget about it.”
“That’s not even my money. My parents gave me that.”
“Right… Hey,”
“Yeah?”
“Did I ever tell you I went to iGEM last year?”
John snorted.
“What’s an iGEM?”
___________________________________
Jason washed his face and came back with a warm towel. Dick laid spread on the bed, heaving. Just one of those rare nights they went to patrol on peaceful streets and got off early. Well, they better spend the spare energy for some quality time before hitting the bed for real, right?
“Water?”
Dick sat up and leaned over the headboard. “Thank you.”
He drank with eagerness when Jason cleaned him. He had to change the sheet after this.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Still hot?” He swiped Dick’s hair back and checked his forehead.
“Not anymore.” Dick set the bottle down and suddenly grabbed on his arm, pulling him down. The dry towel he set on the table was snatched and flopped on his head.
Jason knew this cue, so he slipped off the bed, hung Dick’s legs on his shoulders and kissed his thigh as Dick dried his hair. There was a hickey there, just on his calf, what a shame he had to wear pants.
“You slipped today, did you know?”
“Well, gotta give that kid something to think about on the way home.”
“You didn’t have too.” Oh, but the way Dick said it made Jason understand he was smiling mischievously behind his back.
“You know, he’s a very nice kid.”
“I know. The best our punk can have in that school. This is exactly what we wanted for John, you know. Having a nerd friend, crushing over girls, getting bullied and going on fistfights and growing up from all of that. He’s had enough when he was on the street, I wanted him to at least live like a kid for a time. Gotham Academy may sound fancy, but he doesn’t belong there, just like I never did, he’s not gonna get to be a child among those silver spoon licking pricks.”
Dick stopped his hands and touched his cheek, looking down from where he sat on the bed. “I was one of those pricks, you know? The children aren’t...wrong. They just never get to live their ages.”
“I guess being born with a million-dollar last name means you come out of the womb with a speech instead of crying.”
Dick wiggled his toes when he hummed an old Romanian lullaby, the one Jason never knew the name, but remembered every melody. He used to sing this song whenever it rained big enough outside for nightmares to creep in, now? Simply feeling the familiar warmth by his side, did the trick.
“You know, I never liked the Academy.”
“Really?” That was surprising to know. All the kids at the school never shut up about him.
“Yeah, some kids there were mean, and their parents were even worse. They used to call names behind my back, Circus freak, Gypsy boy, Esmeralda...”
“I’m not even sure if Esmeralda is an insult.”
“You should have seen the Principal’s face when Bruce threatened to cut down financial support if he couldn’t get the situation handled. And things would look worse on papers, right? A billionaire filing a complaint about his son’s study, doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, it’ll be bad for the school. So of course, Bruce was being Bruce, and him doing that only made the situation worse.”
“So what did you do?”
Dick leaned down and kissed his hair. “Nothing. I changed, made friends, became one of them. I survived.”
Jason took the towel off his shoulder and climbed over his husband. Dick’s stomach was warm, his muscle was decent, but not too hard. Jason’s personal body pillow, very good to heal the soul.
“I won’t let anything like that happen to our John.”
“I know. But when it comes, let it come. I want John to understand how this world works. The sooner he learns, the less painful it will get.”
“It’s like learning Superman is scared of rock.”
“Oh leave Clark out of this. He could be listening.”
“Yeah? Well, I have a better idea.” Jason opened the drawer and took out a condom. “Why don’t we, let’s say, scare him away?”
Dick huffed but he rested his naked leg on Jason’s shoulder. “So young, but that’s a debatable idea.”
The night was still young, just like they were too.
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