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staywritten · 4 years

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In The Moment│Bang Chan

In The Moment│Bang Chan

Synopsis: Chan can’t always be with you because of work, but he does get to live those little intimate moments with photos

Genre: Smut, fluff, one shot

Word Count: 2037

Inspired by: https://prettylixie.tumblr.com/post/624671319185866752/i-feel-like-aussie-line-likes-to-take-post-sex

To call this a rut or a rough patch was being generous. Chan felt like he was in an artistic hole. He’d been at it for the entire weekend, only leaving the studio to work out and try to maintain some form of normalcy. He hadn’t seen you or his members for a few days, save the times Felix and and Changbin stopped by to bring him food.

This particular night was the hardest on him.

He’d done everything he could to power through finishing the track, but it just wasn’t right. It wasn’t that it was missing something. It was missing everything.

He distracted himself for about an hour and a half by hopping on live with Baby Stays but now that it’s ended it was right back to reality. Sitting in the studio alone and listening to his own thoughts. The same 30 sec sample playing over and over.

He pinched his nose bridge and let out an exasperated sigh. He told himself he wasn’t going anywhere until the beat was done, that way he can reward himself with sleep and make the guide the day after.

He grabbed his phone for the first time all night. He had a tendency of putting his phone on airplane mode to limit his distractions and the influx of texts from his members, manager and you telling him to go home. He knew he needed to sleep but he also had work to do and there were too many people counting on him for him to sleep.

Unlocking his phone his eyes softened at his home screen. It’d been so long since he looked at it he almost forgot you were his background. A smile graced his features as he stared at the intimate photo. You completely blissed out after he spent all night making love to you. You cuddled against his bare chest, pressing a kiss to his jaw. He traced your features by memory, the softness of your skin he longed for, how’d you warm under his touch. Your moans and sweet nothings that reminded him he was worth loving.

He wanted to go home to you. To bundle you in his arms and make love to you until you couldn’t walk. But right not that was a distraction he couldn’t afford.

Photos would have to do for now.

Buried in his camera roll he looked at an album he dedicated to you. Each photo capturing a moment he wished he could relive. You on all fours for him, you under him, you desperately grabbing at the wall to hold balance. You looked so beautiful, your neck covered in love bites and bruises, face flushed, mouth open moaning in lust. “My beautiful Babygirl…”

A particular favorite of his was one with you under him, clenching the sheets as he pounded into you. Your face contorting from pleasure. He smirked looking at the photo, his hand spanning over your neck as he took you. Anytime he looked at these photos he remembered it like it was yesterday. He’d just gotten back from a two month world tour and you were his first stop. He just couldn’t stop kissing you that night. Anywhere and everywhere. You had to wear a turtleneck for a solid week to hide his love bites. The photos that followed that particular night were his favorite.

He managed to capture your face right as you came with him. He loved that look on you. So vulnerable and soft and needy for him. He could still hear your voice, your desperate pleads and little I love yous. How his name had never sounded as sweet unless he heard it coming from your lips.

He swiped the photo and the brightest smile grazed his features. His cheek dimpled seeing you. You were fucked out and beautiful from the afterglow. The most adorable little pout on your lips as you held the blanket to your chest. You couldn’t walk because of how sore he made you and there was nothing more satisfying than knowing he fucked you that hard. He groaned, rubbing his temples realizing just how much he missed you.

There were countless photos and videos, each one bringing a smile to his face. He wasn’t sure if he’d call it a kink perse’ but he sure did love taking photos of you post sex. There was just this level of intimacy he could manage to freeze in time and he couldn’t help it. He couldn’t always be with you since his job was so demanding but this way he could play pretend.

He was shaken from his thoughts the moment he saw your name pop on his phone. “Hi Baby” he smiled softly “I was just thinking about you”

You yawned “Stop thinking about me, and come be with me Chris” your voice, laced in sleep.

He chuckled. “You know I would if I could”

“Then do it” you pouted, rubbing your eyes awake. “You wanna explain to me why you went on Vlive at 3am? Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I’m working on something, I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish”

“I know you Christopher Bang. You’re not going to sleep. You’re gonna overwork yourself and make yourself sick”

“Baby please… I don’t wanna fight… I just wanna hear your voice”

“I don’t wanna fight either” you pouted, sitting up in your bed, pressing your back against your headboard. “I wanna make love to my boyfriend so hard he has no choice but to sleep... I wanna cover him in kisses and cuddles... I just want you home”

He smiled to himself “I want that...”

“Then come home…” you whispered quietly, part of you wishing he didn’t hear you just to avoid another argument. He released a heavy sigh, raking his hand through his hair. His frustration was so obvious, and his nurturing self sacrificial personality was getting the best of him. “Chris..?”

“Hm?” he answered absently.

“I’m going on a strike.” your tone light to try and distract him from his souring mood, he could practically hear you pout.

He chuckled bemused by your antics. “Oh? And what are your demands?”

“I demand you have a full nights of sleep, a mental health day, and a night of cuddles, and until you comply with my demands I’m going on a sleep strike”

“Baby.” his voice stern. “Go to bed.”

You smirked, making yourself comfortable “No.”

“Don’t make me-”

“What? Come home and force me to go to bed? That would mean you’d have to acknowledge that sleep is important and for you to get out of the studio”

“I’m not having this conversation again. I have to get back to work, Good night Baby-”

“Chris… don’t just go…”

“Go to bed. I love you” he hung up the phone before rubbing his temples, his shoulders slumping.

In protest against your boyfriend you stayed up a little longer busying yourself with scrolling through your social media. You were probably at it for about an hour before the sound of your front door opening scared you out of your daze.

You hopped out of bed and grabbed your bat behind your door. Slowly opening the door you prepared to swing your bat at the figure. “Ahhh! What are you doing?!” Chris yelled, catching a glimpse of you winding up your swing. Hearing a familiar yell you released a heavy sigh, and lowered your bat.

“Chris!? What are you doing here?!” you flipped on a light switch and slumped from the adrenaline.

“Why do you have a bat? You don’t play baseball?” he placed his hand over his racing heart.

And then it dawned on your that after weeks of working your boyfriend was finally in front of you in the flesh. Dropping the bat you ran into his arms. Luckily his reflexes were still as sharp as ever as he caught you. “You’re home!” you beamed.

“I’m home” he chuckled, holding you up in his arms and carrying you into the bedroom. He took a seat at the foot of your bed, holding you on his lap. Cupping your face he pulled you into a sweet kiss. You could taste the familiar watermelon juice on his lips as he deepened it. His hand tangling itself in your hair as he kissed you. You gasped into it, playfully biting his bottom lip while eyeing him. “Mmm… I missed this” he whispered huskily against your skin. His dark brown eyes taking in all of you. “You still haven’t explained to me why you have a bat” he chuckled.

“Oh it was a gift from Seungmin and Minho since they worried about me living alone”

His eyes softened as he looked at you. Part of that broke his heart. He loved that his members took care of you, like you were their own sister. Felix often told him how he’d help you run errands to the grocery store, or Changbin would walk you home from work late at night when he couldn't leave the studio. But this cut a little deeper. You didn’t live alone. You lived with him. The two of you got this apartment together. And yet his presence there was fleeting.

“Chris?” you frowned, smoothing out the furrow in his brow, evidence of his overthinking.

“You know I love you right?”

“Of course I do” you frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“I just think I've been doing a shit job at showing it...But I do love you… You’re my lifeline”

“I know Chris… It’s work I understand… You have priorities”

“You are always my priority” his thumb gently caressed your cheek as he laid back into bed, pulling you into bed with him. “I love you” he whispered against your skin, peppering you with kisses, his sweet I love you's following each one.

He tugged off your large nightshirt while continuing to worship your body with kisses. His finger tips tracing down your body, making you shiver. He cupped and massage your breast before following through with taking the hardened bud between those full beautiful lips you loved. Your head fell back into the pillows as he playfully teased you.

Removing his own shirt he tossed it haphazardly to the ground. “I love you…” he trailed his kisses lower, down your stomach, past your panties. His long, dexterous fingers disappearing inside the cotton. “You’re already so wet for me…”

“Chris it’s been so long since I could have you…” you whined. He looked up at you , a grin on his mouth as he tugged your panties off and buried his face deep inside you. His tongue delving deeper as his free hand worked your breast. He’d occasionally catch a glimpse of you. Your eyes shut in pleasure as you bit your hand to hold your moans back.

“Let me hear you… I love your voice Baby...Please?” he worked your clit over miraculously, making you so sensitive to his touch. He took out his phone seeing a familiar look on your face. You were so close. He knew that look well. “May I Babygirl?” he asked before hitting record. Whining you nodded, begging for him to continue. “Hm? What was that? I couldn’t quite catch that?” he gave you a cheeky look.

“Chris yes, just please” your back arched against the mattress desperate to reach your orgasm, as you moved your hips to cause friction on your own.

“I got you Baby” he smiled moving his thumb against your clit a bit hard. This time he was able to record the exact moment you came. Your labored breaths getting more shallow and desperate as you inch closer, begging for him with every fiber of your being.

He knew that this moment would be one that he’d cherished and he was glad he was able to capture your voice and watched as you came from his fingers.

And as much as he adored these videos and photos of you there was nothing quite like the moment in real life.

End

Just a little scene because I was so inspired by that ask I saw on @prettylixie’s page. All credit to them and that anon that planted that idea in my head and I couldn’t sleep until I wrote it.

∘Tags List:

@skzsprinkles @tophuphu @hugs4chan @channieboyo @tonfilm @soobinssmile

#stray kids #stray kids scenario #stray kids reaction #stray kids fluff #stray kids x reader #bang chan #bang chan imagines #bang chan scenarios #bang chan smut #bang chan fluff #bang chan one shot #kpop scenarios #kpop scenario #kpop imagines #staywritten #oneshot

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luke-patterson-owns-my-soul · 3 years

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Hey Jealousy – Part One.

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Charlie Gillespie x Reader

Summary: The reader and Charlie grew up together, were the best of friends. It didn’t work well for her having boyfriends until she goes to college. Is her best friend jealous, or is everyone imagining things?

Requested: Yes / No

TW: Swearing, implies sexual intercourse, swearing, drinking Author’s notes: I had a weird dream (non-sexual) about an ex of mine and trying to make Charlie jealous (as you do), and this idea came from that. Whether it makes any sense at all remains to be seen.

Acknowledgements: The gorgeous @dream-a-little-bigger-x listened to me waffle on about this and read through most of it for me. Thank you my love.

Pairing: Fem Reader x Charlie Gillespie (eventually)

Words: 10,076

I have no idea when I’ll be posting Part Two as I am yet to write it... but I was way too impatient to sit on this.

Growing up being the best friend of Charles Gillespie was equal parts the best and worst thing. The best because he was genuinely the nicest guy, ever. He was outgoing, inclusive of everyone, and so much fun to be around. Charlie never sat still, didn’t do well with being bored, so it meant we made a lot of memories together along with our other friends.

The worst because for some reason, being best friends with a guy was off putting to other guys. Hanging out with Charlie ninety percent of the time seemed to prevent them approaching me. Even when I made it obvious I liked them, they seemed too scared to speak to you beyond a ‘hi’ or a ‘how you doin’?’. Charlie never seemed to notice how frustrated I was.

When Charlie moved to Toronto to follow his dreams of becoming an actor, it felt as if I’d lost a limb. I’d known him my entire life, had been friends for the whole time, had gone through all our firsts together, and with him not around, I didn’t know what to do with myself.

Admittedly, I was starting college just over the border in the US so there was that to keep me busy, but it wasn’t the same. Moving away from home, not having him with me, laughing at the other freshmen to help relieve my nerves. But I was alone and had no idea what I was doing.

Once I’d found my dorm room, I sat on the bed, surrounded by bags and boxes, and pulled my phone out of my bag. I needed my best friend right now, despite knowing he was probably out at auditions. I pull up my favorite contacts and tap on Charlie’s name, hoping he’ll be able to answer.

“Hey. I only have five minutes. How did the move go? Is your roommate cool? Any guys took your fancy? Have you had a chance to look around yet?” Eventually he stopped asking questions long enough to take a breath, letting me finally cut in to speak.

“Jesus Christ, Gillespie. I know you don’t have long, but do you really need to pepper me with so many questions? Don’t answer that otherwise I’ll never get to say anything.” I take a shaky breath and slowly start answering his questions. By the time I finish filling him on my day so far, he’s grinning at me.

“Sounds great, Trouble. I’m really pleased for you.” I rolled my eyes at his use of the nickname he gave me when we were seven and I punched a boy in the nose for tripping Charlie over and laughing at him cutting his chin on a small rock. “So, what do you have planned for the rest of the day?”

“I have some orientation thing, then I don’t know. Maybe just chill in my room, get to know my roommate when they finally get here.”

“Hey, listen. I gotta go. But I’ll call you when I get back to the apartment so you can tell me more. Especially if your roommate’s pretty.”

“You’re such a fucking horndog, Gillespie. Love you.”

“Love you too, Trouble.”

My ‘don’t call me that’ died on my lips as the call ended and the photo of Charlie and me camping at the Bay of Fundy a couple years back that had been my wallpaper since his sister took it filled the screen. My happiness of speaking to him faded as I realized I was alone, again.

:: ::

I had been at college for three months, and I was almost at the end of my first semester. Charlie was busy with filming a show he’d booked. I knew nothing about 2nd generation, but he was so excited, I couldn’t help but be so happy for him. We spoke most days and texted so much that all my friends thought we were dating. No matter how much I told them we were only friends, no one ever believed me.

The wall above my desk was covered in photos of the two of us and our other friends, and your roommate, Lena, was obsessed with him.

“Honey, if you ain’t tapping that, if he ever comes to visit, I’m stepping up.” She’d told me the first time she looked at a photo of Charlie. Every time the two of us facetimed, and she was in the room with me, she would butt in and flirt outrageously with him. I would laugh at him flirting back, enjoying the fact my two closest friends, one old and one new, got along.

I’d found it easier to settle into college life than I expected without having him with me. Maybe, if I was honest, him not being around was possibly the reason I was finding it easier. As much as I loved him and having him around, having something that was just for me meant something special.

I’d just finished a class and was walking across the quad when my phone rang in my bag, Charlie’s ringtone blared out. He’d picked En Vogue’s Whatta Man when we were about thirteen because ‘Trouble, it just describes me perfectly’. I’d just never got around to changing it, and now it always made me smile whenever I heard it.

“Hey, Trouble.” A groan and an eyeroll. “Whatcha doin’?”

“I just finished my classes for the day. I’m going for coffee with Lena. How’s things over there?”

“Yeah, we’re going strong.” There was a lot of indistinct background noise I couldn’t identify behind him, and it was hard to hear him. He hadn’t facetimed, which was strange, but it was probably a flyby call while he was waiting for a scene to be set up, or whatever actors did. I had no clue despite him telling me multiple times.

“That’s great.” As I walked beside Lena who was making kissy faces at me as Charlie and I spoke, I couldn’t help but smile at hearing his voice. It wasn’t the same as having him with me in person, but it was the best we’d have until Christmas break.

“Look, give me five and call me back. I just gotta speak to someone real quick.” Before I could answer, he cut the call.

“Well, that was the quickest call I’ve ever seen you two have.” Lena commented, a small smile on her face.

“He wants me to call him back in five.” It was typical Charlie, start something, then expect me to finish it.

“I swear, you speak to him more than your family.” She wasn’t wrong.

“He’s kind of like my security blanket. He talks me off the edge whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed and stuff. He’s never judged me for the way I overthink, and he’s so easy to be with.”

“I swear, if I didn’t know better, I would think you’re in love with him.”

“I do love him. He’s like the brother I never wanted and often get frustrated with, but I couldn’t imagine my life without him.”

“Uh huh…” She didn’t need to elaborate. She’d been saying the same thing since our first day. She was insistent that there was more to mine and Charlie’s relationship than there was. I was used to her by now and was able to ignore it now. “You better phone him back.” She reminded me as we neared the campus coffee shop. With a smile, I hit call on his contact.

Behind me, the sound of P!nk’s Trouble, my ringtone on Charlie’s phone rang out. Confusion washed over me as Lena started laughing. I spun round to see Charlie leaning up against a tree, a wide smile on his face.

I cut the call and ran over to him, throwing myself at him. As always, he caught me, his arms wrapping around my waist and pulling me in tight against his body.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked when he finally placed my feet back on the ground below me.

“I have the weekend off, so I drove down to see my best girl,” he looked at Lena with a smile, “and you, Trouble.” I punched him in the arm as he pulled my roommate into a hug.

“Remind me why I keep you around?” I asked him as the three of us entered the coffee shop.

“Because you adore this pretty face.” I rolled my eyes as we found a table after making our orders.

“You keep telling yourself that, Gillespie.”

:: ::

For the entire weekend, I showed Charlie around the campus and took him to parties. We got wasted, he enjoyed meeting my friends, but my favorite moment was on the Sunday when it was just the two of us, about a half hour outside of town, walking along a hidden trail.

“Trust you to find this place. I never even knew it was here.”

“You need to take more time for yourself, away from campus. Remember what it’s like to just be.”

“Do you get much of a chance to do that?” I asked as we walked, our arms brushing together the way they always did whenever we spent time together.

“Not as much as I like, but I try to get out at least once a week. It’s not the same though, not without you.” I looked up at him and saw a softness to his face not many people got to see.

“I’ve missed you, you big goof.”

“I’ve missed you too, Trouble.”

“You gotta stop calling me that.” I rolled my eyes, making him laugh and nudge at me with his shoulder.

“Never gonna happen, kiddo.”

“Kiddo? For fuck’s sake, Gillespie. You’re like two months older than me. You’re not exactly drawing your pension just yet.”

“It all counts.” He lifted his wrist and looked at his watch. “I better head back to my car and start heading back. I’ve got an early call in the morning.”

My heart sank at his words. I’d known the entire weekend he couldn’t stay forever and as we turned around to walk back the way we came, I felt a feeling of sadness wash over me.

“Hey, don’t do that.” He scolded me.

“Do what?”

“Fold in on yourself. We’ll both be home for Christmas.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve just enjoyed having your ugly face around.”

“Ugly? You wound me.”

“Whatever.”

Silence fell over us as we continued walking, and the closer we got to the parking lot, the sadder I became at having to say goodbye to him again. He took hold of my hand, interlinking our fingers the way we always did.

Finally, we reached his car and came to a standstill next to it.

“Thank you for coming to see me. I needed this weekend.”

“I’ll always be there when you need me.” I knew he meant it too. He always did.

“I know. It’s one of the main reasons I adore you.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and squeezed him tight. I wasn’t ready to let him go, but knew I had to. Knew I had to carry on with this new chapter of my life that didn’t revolve around our friendship, knew he needed to get back to work and forge his way in his chosen career.

“Love you, Trouble.” He placed a gentle kiss on my forehead before pulling away from our hug and unlocking his car. “Gonna miss you.”

“Gonna miss you more. Let me know when you’re back, so I don’t worry.”

“I promise.”

Lena walked to stand beside me as I watched Charlie climb into his car and pull away. We stood and watched him drive away until I couldn’t see his car anymore.

“That boy is in love with you.” I ignored her as I turned to walk back to our dorm. “Just as much as you are with him.”

:: ::

Christmas break had been crazy. My large family and the Gillespie family always mixed for the holiday, and it was always loud, full of laughter, and more than a little raucous. It was my favorite time of the year.

This year was no different, but it was over all too soon, and I barely saw Charlie. He got back home on Christmas Eve, and had to leave again the day after Christmas Day thanks to reshoots and stuff I didn’t really understand. Most of my time had been spent with his sister, Megan, but there was a hole in my celebrations. A Charlie-sized hole.

He didn’t even make it back home for New Year, and I saw in midnight on the back porch of my parent’s house alone, a glass of champagne untouched next to me. I’d tried facetiming him, but my calls had gone unanswered.

Arriving back at college was a relief, and the holiday period had made me realize I’d become so co-dependent on my best friend, I was holding myself back from living my life.

“Hey bitch, how was Mr. Tallish, dark, and gorgeous?” Lena asked as we both unpacked from our vacations.

“Busy. I hardly saw or spoke to him.” I could hear the bitterness in my own voice and hated it, but I also kind of didn’t care.

“I’m sorry, babe. How about we head out to a ‘welcome back’ party, get dressed up, and break some hearts?”

After thinking about it for a split second, I grinned and agreed.

“Fuck it. Why not?”

Usually, campus parties were casual affairs; sweats and tank tops, but the flyers about this one was emblazoned with the words ‘dress to impress’, so Lena and I went all out.

Walking across campus in my favorite LBD and a pair of amazing stiletto pumps, I felt like I could conquer the world. I’d made an effort with my hair and makeup, and when Lena was ready, we’d taken a shit ton of selfies, posting them on Instagram. It was amazing what getting dressed up did for a girl’s self-esteem.

“Honey, when Charlie sees those photos on insta, he’s gonna be calling you like crazy.”

“Well, it’s a shame my phone is on silent in my purse, then. Tonight is for me and you to have a great time.”

“And maybe try and get over one guy with another?”

“Lena, I don’t need to get over Charlie. He’s my best friend, and I adore him. But that’s all it is.”

As we entered the party – in a frat house, naturally – I couldn’t help but be impressed with how dressed up everyone was. I followed Lena through the crowd into the kitchen where we managed to grab some drinks.

“Yeah, okay. You keep telling yourself that. I can only go by what my eyes show me, and there is more going on between you two than either of you want to admit.” I opened my mouth to say something, but she cut me off. “I’ll shut up now. Let’s go, Momma’s in the mood for dancin’.”

I didn’t see Lena for three days after the party. She’d met some guy and had spent the entire time in his bed. It had been nice to have the room to myself as I caught up with movies and TV shows on Netflix I had missed over the holiday period. By the time classes started back up, she was back and seriously study mode.

“John was asking after you again today.” She told me two weeks back into classes as we walked in the wintery sunshine to get some lunch.

“Oh.” I had no idea who John was, but I was going along with it.

“You don’t remember him, do you?”

“No clue, sorry.”

After gasping, she proceeded to fill me on John. Apparently, I’d danced with him a lot at the frat party. He was six feet tall, well built, but not huge, and had a hint of red hair. None of it was ringing any bells, but seeing as she was sleeping with his roommate, she saw him regularly.

“How can you not remember him? you were all over him.”

“Lena, I’d almost drank my weight in tequila, I would have been impressed if I’d remembered my own name, never mind someone else’s.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. After tapping on the screen for a couple of minutes, she turned it so I could see.

The guy on screen was gorgeous. Piercing green eyes that reminded me of the forest near my house, and a wide, friendly smile.

“Judging by that reaction, you’d have no problems coming out with us tonight? Nothing heavy, just a few drinks and some food.”

“I wouldn’t be averse to food and drinks.” Laughing at my answer, she linked our arms and steered me into our favorite sandwich bar.

:: ::

The first meeting turned into a first date, then a second, a third, and before I’d even realized, John and I were dating, and it had been three months since that first meeting that I could remember. He was easy going and fun to be around, plus he loved being outside rather than cooped up in a room with another person. Especially when that person was his roommate who was often making out for hours with my roommate. We spent a lot of time on the hidden trail I’d discovered with Charlie, often taking a blanket so we could have a picnic under the lush canopy of trees.

John was a photography major, and never went anywhere without his camera – unless there was going to be alcohol – and my photo wall in my room was soon full of photos of the two of us, of me and Lena, and random things he saw that made him think of me. I had never been tagged in so many photos of me sober on Instagram in my life, and I loved every minute of our time together, but while I was happy, and living my best life there was still something missing. A 5,8” dark haired something.

I couldn’t remember the last time I’d spoken to Charlie for longer than five minutes, and never mind an actual facetime call. He’d finished up with 2nd Generation and had gone back home for a few weeks. I’d seen photos of him and his family, mostly his cousin Madi, doing the things I would usually be doing with them. Spring break was coming up, and while most of my friends were planning crazy trips down to Florida or Mexico, all I wanted to do was to go home.

“Hey, what are you doing for Spring Break?” I asked John as we lay tangled together in my bed, a sheen of sweat on both of our skin.

“I haven’t made any plans yet, why?”

“Fancy coming to Canada?”

:: ::

Pulling up in the drive outside my parent’s house, I look over at John in the passenger seat. He looked nervous as hell which made me chuckle. I unclipped my belt and leaned over to give him a quick kiss.

“Stop panicking. It’s going to be fine.” I told him. My parents were looking forward to meeting him. “I should be the nervous one. I’ve never brought a guy home before.”

“What? Never? Not even in high school?” I shook my head. “What about your prom date?”

“Me and Charlie went to prom together. We did everything together, and it stopped guys asking me out and stuff. So yeah…” I drifted off, realizing that this was my first relationship, my first boyfriend.

“That’s cool. Come one, let’s get this over with so we can both calm down.” He gave me another kiss before getting out of the car, retrieving our bags from the trunk. By the time I’d got out, he was standing beside me, holding out his hand. I took hold of it and led him to the house.

“Mom, dad? Anyone?” The house was silent when I let us in, John dropping our bags on the floor in the entry. “Hello? Favorite daughter is home for a week.”

“Only daughter you mean.” My younger brother, Tyler came bounding down the stairs, skidding to a stop when he saw John standing next to me.

“Okay, I wasn’t expecting that.” I glared at him. “I mean, I’ve seen photos and shit, but I didn’t expect you to be so big. Nice to meet you, man.” Tyler held out his hand for John to shake, which he did, chuckling at my brother’s lack of brain to mouth filter.

“Ty, where is everyone?”

“Out in the yard. Dad’s cleaning off the barbecue and mom’s making sure he does it right.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Not that I expected it to, but nothing had changed. Tyler took off through the house out into the back yard where my family were waiting.

“Ready for a trial by fire?” I asked John, looking up at him, smiling.

“Best to get it over and done with.”

Turning my whole body so I was fully facing him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my tiptoes to give him a kiss.

“They’re gonna love you, I promise.” I murmured against his plump lips. He took a deep breath, gave me another quick kiss, and untangle me from him.

“Let’s do this.”

Once again, with our hands linked, I led the way, this time through the house I’d grown up in and out into the large back yard. Which was full of people, not just my family. Of course, the Gillespies were here too.

As John and I came to a stop on the ack porch, I cast my eyes across the space before me, looking for Charlie. It was a mixture of habit and wanting to see him, but I couldn’t find him.

“He’s not here.” Megan had jogged over and pulled me into a hug so she could whisper into my ear. Her words caused a wave of sadness to wash over me. “And we finally get to meet this guy who is all over your insta?” She grinned at John; her smile achingly similar to that of her brother.

“John, this is Megan, the little sister I never wanted, but got stuck with anyway.” As the two of the chatted, the three of us moved down into the garden so I could introduce my boyfriend to everyone.

:: ::

John had been stolen away by my dad, Tyler, and Charlie’s dad, leaving me to spend time with my mom. We sat on her favorite garden seat, watching everyone in silence for a few minutes before she turned to me.

“He’s nice. I can see why you like him so much.” I looked at her, waiting. Eventually, I realized she wasn’t going to say it.

“But? I know there’s a but in there somewhere.”

“No, no but.” She was lying, I could tell by the way her voice was at least an octave higher than usual.

“Mom. You can be honest with me, I’m not gonna bite your head off.”

“I just worry you’re rushing things. At college everything so… intense, and you’re constantly aware of it ending, that you’ll be leaving that part of your life behind you one day. What then?”

“I-we-I…” I didn’t have a coherent answer for her. She wasn’t wrong, but she’d also always told me that college was supposed to be the best time of my life, so why wouldn’t I spend it with someone I not only enjoyed being with, but who I was attracted too at the same time?

“Honey, I’m not trying to make you question things, I just want you to remember who you are and what you want in life.”

“Well, I want to be with John for now. Isn’t that enough?”

“If it is for you, it is for me.” She pulled me in for a hug. I loved my mom, but she’d confused me with our conversation. “You do realize your dad’s going to pitch a fit when he realizes you’re sharing a room.”

I stared at her. I’d assumed my parents would make him sleep in the spare room.

“Wait, what?”

“Sweetheart, neither of us are stupid. We know how things are at college, and as long as you’re being safe, I can’t tell you what to do anymore.”

Before I could say anything, Megan came over to pull me away. Arm in arm, we walked to the end of the garden, away from the house. Well, she led me, I merely went along with it.

“What’s up?” I asked her. Usually, she was a lot like her brother, constantly moving and talking, but now she was quiet and subdued. “Meg, seriously. You’re making me worried.”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to get you on your own so we can talk about that gorgeous hunk you brought home.” Relief flooded through me and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Jesus Christ, you scared me.” We sat down on an old swing my dad had made when I was a kid and talked. She peppered me with questions about college, the guys, the parties, and most of all, about John. She was a senior in high school and couldn’t wait for her own college experience. She’d chosen to stay in Canada to study.

I answered all of her questions, but we were soon interrupted by our being called to finally get some food. I was starving and practically sprinted over to where my dad was piling food on a table laden with salad, fried, and all kinds of family favorites. As I loaded up my plate, John hovered next to me, doing the same.

“Oh, look what the cat dragged in.” Megan’s voice was loud, making me turn my head. Charlie was walking toward us, wearing his hiking gear grinning at us all. I put my plate down and ran at him, our usual greeting.

“Trust you to show when the food’s ready.” I grinned at him as we broke apart and went back to the table to retrieve my plate, pulling it out of Charlie’s reach as he tried to steal a rib. “Get your own, there’s plenty.”

“But we always share, Trouble.” I rolled my eyes.

“Not today, Gillespie. This is all mine, and I may even have seconds.” I stuck my tongue out at him. A throat clearing behind me reminded me John was still with me. “Oh hey, you can finally meet John.”

“Yeah, great to finally meet you, man.” Charlie shook my boyfriend’s hand, his smile still on his face, but I noticed it didn’t completely reach his eyes.

“You too.”

“Well, I’m hungry, catch up later?” As Charlie nodded, I led John away so others could help themselves, over to a table with my parents. Why had that been more awkward than I’d expected? As I sat down, I caught Megan watching me, a strange look on her face.

:: ::

As the sun began to set, and things began to wind down, I decided to take John for a walk around the neighborhood I grew up in. We left the house, hand in hand, and walked along the street, passing Charlie’s house. I averted my eyes from the building, not wanting to make John think my attention wasn’t all on him.

“It’s nice here, very calm.” He commented as we reached the end of the street. “I grew up in the city, and it never got this quiet.” When I looked up at him, he was smiling softly.

“Come on, there’s a great playground just up the road.” I led the way, tugging on his hand as a laugh escaped me.

As we sat on the swings, both of us swaying back and forth as the sun set around us, bathing the sky with a vibrant orange. It was my favorite part of the day, one that made me think back over what had happened and made me realize that a new day was coming, a new chance to experience life. Charlie and I had spent so much time as kids on these very swings at this time, reflecting on choices we’d made throughout the day.

At the thought of my best friend, a slight movement caught my eye. When I looked at the path leading to the gate of the play park, I could see a figure retreating. Despite not being able to see the person’s face, I knew it was him. His shoulders were hunched, and his hands were shoved into the pockets of his shorts. The sound of John’s camera taking photos distracted me and I looked away for a minute. When I looked back, my best friend was nowhere to be seen.

“Stop taking photos of me.” I groaned, knowing he wouldn’t.

“How can I? you’re the most beautiful thing around.” Standing, John walked over to me and took hold of the chains with side of me to still the movement of the swing. He stood between my legs and bent his head and captured my lips in a kiss that started off slow and soft, but soon turned heated.

Letting go of the chains, John managed to lift me off the swing, holding me against him. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and my arms around his neck. Slowly, he began to walk across the playground, only stopping when he reached the large wooden playhouse I’d played in as a kid.

Putting me on my feet and letting go, he removed the camera from around his neck and placed it in a safe place before climbing into the playhouse, removing his shirt and placing it on the wooden boards. When he looked over at me, his green eyes which were usually the color of spring grass were now the color of a lush, dark forest.

“What? Here? Are you trying to soil my childhood memories?”

“Totally, now come here before I have to take matters into my own hands.” He palmed the bulge in his shorts, locking eyes with me. With a laugh that was huskier than I’d ever sounded, I climbed in after him and straddled his thighs.

:: ::

Waking up at the crack of dawn, wrapped in John’s strong arms, in my childhood bedroom should have felt weird. But it didn’t. I was warm and content, but as we had a busy day planned, I couldn’t stay in our little cocoon. We had a camping trip to get ready for.

I crawled out of his arms and dived into the bathroom for a quick shower. By the time I emerged wrapped in a towel, John was sat up in my bed, scrolling on his phone.

“Come on you, we’re going camping. Up and at ‘em.” I was excited. It had been far too long since I’d been down to Fundy and I couldn’t wait to get on the road.

“Babe, it’s not even 6a.m.” He groaned.

“Yeah, and? Come on. Need to fuel up with a good breakfast.” I pulled on some clothes and left the room, skipping down the stairs. ‘My dad had always been an early riser, so it was no surprise to find him in the kitchen holding a steaming cup of coffee as he read a book at the breakfast bar.

“Morning daddy.” I kissed his cheek as I passed him to get to the coffee pot.

“Morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?” I could hear the unasked question behind his actual question.

“Yes, like a log. Stop worrying about me, I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“Don’t I know it. Please, just tell-”

“Dad. Nothing happened last night. And even if it had, I would be careful. I’m not an idiot.”

“Could have fooled me.” Tyler interrupted us, grinning when I gave him the finger.

“Stop picking on your sister. And you,” he looked at me, “put that finger down.”

I laughed as I sipped at my coffee before telling them I was going out to grab the camping gear.

“I’ll go and make sure Charlie and Megan are up and ready.” Tyle put his own cup down and left the kitchen. I froze on the spot I stood in

Shit. I didn’t realize he’d invited them.

“Everything okay?” Dad asked.

“Yeah, just trying to work out what we need.” I lied before flashing him a quick smile. I could hear John coming downstairs. “Please, no interrogation.” I hissed at my dad. He drew a cross over his heart as my boyfriend entered the kitchen, his hair damp from the shower.

“Morning, sir.” He greeted my dad.

“Please, John. Sir was my father. Call me Frank like everyone else.”

After giving John a quick kiss, I went out to the shed to gather up everything we’d need for a couple of days down in Fundy.

An hour later, Tyler and I had expertly packed up the trunk of my car and were just about to climb in when Charlie and Megan pulled up in Charlie’s car.

“Ready to rock and roll?” He called out of his window, a wide grin on his face.

“You know it. Last one there buys lunch.” I called out our usual challenge as I jumped into the driver’s seat, Tyler urging John in as Charlie pulled away with a screech. Within minutes, the doors were closed, the engine started, and we were on our way.

“Is she always this competitive?” John turned to face my brother in the back seat as I turned the radio on, looking for something to sing along to.

“Only with Charlie, so yes. Constantly. They can make a contest out of everything.” I rolled my eyes.

“No I don’t.”

“Sis, I love you, but you do. You and Charlie are a fucking nightmare at times.”

“You’re talking bullshit.” I tried to change the subject, but Tyler was on a roll.

“Remember that time you two tried to eat more popping candy than the other and you ended up barfing all over yourself?”

“Really? You bring that up? I was fifteen, Ty. And I’d drank about a gallon of soda. It was the gas.”

“Whatever. What about the time when you-” I cut him off.

“That’s enough. Babe, did you go camping much growing up?” I looked at John who had gone quiet. He was looking out of the window, and it took me tapping him on the knee to get his attention.

“Nah, not really. I’m a city boy, so we didn’t really do the whole ‘great outdoors’ thing.”

“Not even on vacation?” Tyler asked.

“Nah, we did Disney and Universal, stuff like that.”

“Well, you’re in for a treat. This is our favorite place on Earth and your camera’s gonna get a good workout.” I smiled at him as I intertwined our fingers as I drove.

:: ::

Thanks to my brother have the bladder the size of a pea and three cans of soda, we arrived at our usual camping ground over half an hour after Charlie and Megan. They’d already set up their tent and were waiting for us as if they didn’t have a care in the world, music drifting softly from the stereo in his car.

“Tyler potty breaks, again?” Charlie asked, laughing.

“He travels back with you.” I grumbled as I opened the trunk and began to drag our gear out. Instantly, Charlie was on his feet, unfolding the tents to put them up with Tyler’s help.

“What do you need me to do?” John asked me.

“Take those coolers of food and drinks over to Megan. She’s always in charge of that stuff, makes sure we don’t live off candy and chips.”

I couldn’t help but watch the muscles in his back as he lifted the two coolers out of the trunk. He wasn’t overly muscly, but his form was impressive. I stood back and admired him for a minute.

“Hey, Trouble. Give me a hand with this. Your brother’s still useless.” Charlie called out.

By the time the tents were all up, one for Tyler, and one for me and John, we were all starving.

“Hey, losers. You owe us lunch.” Charlie called out, giving his sister a high five.

“Let me just get changed, and we’ll go.” In the middle of the camping ground was a café that served some of the best food. I ducked into the tent and changed my shirt and jeans for a bikini top and denim shorts. As I emerged from the small space, I pulled one of Charlie’s old cut off shirts over my head. “Right, let’s go and introduce John to poutine.

“What?”

“Oh, man. It’s the best.” Tyler slapped him on the back as he led the way. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charlie watch as John took hold of my hand.

:: ::

The sun was setting and the five of us were sitting around a campfire. Charlie had his guitar and he and Megan were singing some of their favorite songs. As always, I was blown away by their talent and how well their voices blended together. I’d always been a bit jealous of how musical the Gillespie family was. All of them sang, played instruments, and dance – well Charlie didn’t that well, but he always gave his all when his sister dragged him into it.

John sat next to me, his camera lifted up to his face as he took photo after photo, something he’d been doing all day. He’d told me he’d been blown away by the beauty of the place and that gave me a warm feeling, being able to share one of my favorite places with him.

“Hey, Trouble. Your turn.” Charlie handed me the guitar.

“Not tonight, Gillespie.” I was exhausted and it had been far too long since I’d played or sang. I knew I was never going to sound as good as him and Megan; I rarely did.

“Nope, you’re not getting out of it. Come on, you know you wanna.” He was egging me on, and knew I’d give in eventually.

“Come on, it’s tradition.” Megan joined in with the cajoling as Tyler called out his two cents worth. With a sigh, I took the guitar from Charlie and propped it on my knee.

“Any requests?” I asked.

“Under the Bridge.” The Red Hot Chili Peppers song was one of my favorites and I loved singing it.

“I didn’t know you played.” John sounded surprised.

“Yeah, Charlie taught me a few years ago. It’s been a while though and I’m rusty as hell because I never got my own guitar.” I ran my fingers down the strings before making myself a bit more comfortable. “Hey, you got a spare pick?” I asked Charlie. He reached into the pocket on the front of his soft guitar case before leaning over to hand me the small piece of plastic. I couldn’t help but laugh at the poop emoji design on it. I’d ordered him a bunch of them as part of his birthday present the previous year.

I ran through the song in my mind reminding me of the lyrics and chords before I began to play.

Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner

Sometimes I feel like my only friend

Is the city I live in, the city of angels

Lonely as I am, together we cry

I drive on her streets 'cause she's my companion

I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am

She sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy

Well, I never worry, now that is a lie

As I expected, Charlie joined in on the bridge, harmonizing with me. We’d always sang this song together. It had become a bit of a tradition at gatherings with our families and friends. As always when we sang together, Charlie and I locked eyes, a small smile on his face made me smile back as we sang. There was a connection between us when we sang, one that had been there from the day we became friends.

I don't ever wanna feel

Like I did that day

Take me to the place I love

Take me all the way

I don't ever wanna feel

Like I did that day

Take me to the place I love

Take me all the way

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Finally, the song came to an end and silence filled the air around us. Without saying anything, I handed the guitar and pick back to Charlie without looking at him. I leaned over, picked up my bottle of beer, and drained the last of it. For some reason, a weird feeling had come over me while we’d sung, and I didn’t know how to read it. In the end, I decided to ignore it and escape into my tent.

“I’m tired guys. I’m gonna turn in.” As I faked a yawn, I didn’t bother waiting for a response as I stood up, dropped the bottle in a trash bag, gave John a quick kiss, and crawled into my tent. As I stripped out of my hoodie and sweats and crawled into my sleep bag, Megan stuck her head through the flap.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, just tired. It’s been a long day.” It hadn’t really, and she knew it hadn’t. We hadn’t done anything different to what we would normally in Fundy.

“Okay…”

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Sure. Night.” With a small smile she disappeared from the opening of the tent, leaving me to settle down and try to get to sleep.

I was still wide awake when John crawled into the tent an hour or so later. He tried not to make too much noise as he stripped down to his boxers before getting into his own sleeping bag. The lamp hanging from the tent roof was turned on low, just about lighting up the space around us.

“Hey.” I kept my voice low, knowing from experience how the sound travelled at night.

“Hey.” He repeated as I turned to face him, propping myself up on one elbow.

“Have you had a good day?”

“It’s been great. I can see why you guys love it out here.

“Yeah, it’s great. We’re lucky having all this pretty much on our doorstep. I couldn’t imagine not being able to get out here. I bet you got some great shots.”

“I did. I can’t wait to get back and start editing them. Some should work well for school too.”

“Hey,” I dropped my voice even lower. “Wanna join the bags together and… snuggle?” I waggled my eyebrows at him in the dim lighting, making him smile softly.

“Not tonight. I’m so tired after all the hiking and swimming you guys made me do today.” He turned his head to look at me. “That okay?”

“Of course.” I leaned over and kissed him before getting comfortable again against his solid form. This time, I did fall asleep.

:: ::

When I woke up, the light was bright around me, despite being inside the tent. I was also alone. Sitting up, I wiped the sleep from my eyes and crawled out of the tent. John was sitting on his own, a cup of coffee cradled between his hands.

“Morning.” I press a kiss to his cheek as I sit down.

“Aren’t you cold?” he asks, looking at my bare legs. I’m still only in t-shirt I slept in.

“Not at all. It’s not that cold.” I chuckle as I pour myself a coffee. There’s a slight hint of steam in front of my face as I speak.

“It’s freezing, babe.”

“I’m Canadian, remember. This is a gorgeous spring morning.” I lean over and give him another kiss, this time it’s more than a simple and perfunctory peck. John’s hand cups the back of my head, his fingers tangling in my hair. When we pull apart, I notice he’s breathing a little heavier than he was before and it makes me grin.

“You’re crazy.”

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.” Tyler’s voice surprises the both of us. When I turn, he’s standing over us, smirking at me.

“Uh… why am I suddenly nervous?” John asks my brother. They seem to have gotten on really well which pleases me. Tyler tipped me out of my seat before making himself comfortable in my place. Glaring at him, I moved around and sat on John’s lap.

“How are you with heights?” Tyler asks.

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“How do you feel about deep water?”

I knew where this was going, so I decided to go and grab a shower in the shower block. As I ducked into the tent, I heard John exclaim.

“She does what?”

“Yeah, she and Charlie cliff dive.” I turned to look at John and laughed at the look of horror on his face. “It started out as a dare, of course, and now they do it every time we’re here.”

Leaving the two of them talking, I grab my washbag and take a walk over to the block of showers. Thankfully, there isn’t much of a queue and I’m able to snag one pretty quickly. The water’s not exactly hot, which means I don’t dawdle as I wash. Eventually, I emerge fully dressed, a towel wrapped around my hair and almost bump into Charlie.

“Woah, hey. You’re up late.” He commented, steadying me so I wouldn’t fall over.

“Not really.” It was barely 8 a.m., which to Charlie was practically a lie in. “I was up before you.”

“Nope. I was up at sunrise and went for a walk.” I rolled my eyes.

“Of course you were.”

“Are you heading back?”

“Yeah, I want to get ready for the cliffs.” I grinned at him. He fell into step beside me, and we walked back to the tents together.

“Remember that time you pushed me before I was ready, and I belly flopped so hard?”

“Oh my God, you screamed like a little girl who got a pony for her birthday. It was hilarious.”

“It also hurt like a fucking bitch.”

Charlie and I approached our tents, laughing to find John, Tyler, and Megan watching us as if we’d lost our minds.

“Who’s ready for the cliffs?” I asked, wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes. The memory of Charlie screaming lived in my head, rent free, and I couldn’t not laugh about it.

“Uh…” John looked nervous. After throwing my washbag into the tent, I bounced over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charlie turn his back and crawl into the tent he shared with his sister.

“No need to be nervous. You don’t have to dive if you don’t want to, just stay near the top, take photos, and enjoy the view. It’s all Megan and Ty do, because they’re both massive chickens.” As I spoke, I looked over at my brother who was flipping me off. “Don’t decide now. See how you feel nearer the time.”

Once we were at the cliffs, Megan spread out a blanket and sat down, a book in her hand. Tyler joined her, scrolling through his phone. John and I stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down into the ocean. We were nowhere near the top, as over the years we’d worked out this was the best place for jumping into the water without it taking an age to get back, but it was high enough to get my blood pumping.

“Yeah… I think I’ll sit this one out.” Moving back, John joined Tyler and Meghan, but remained standing, his camera at the ready. I moved back a little but stayed fairly close to the edge so I could get ready.

“Gillespie?” I called out my challenge as I stripped out of my shorts and tank tops, kicking my sandals off, revealing a mismatched bikini. Behind me, I heard a sharp intake of breath and turned to grin at John, but he had his back to me and was taking photos of the view.

A roar sounded and Charlie ran past me, launching himself off the edge of the cliffs. He ‘battle cry’ could be heard the entire way down until it was broken off by a splash.

With a grin on my face, I followed, dipping myself forward into a dive. I cut through the water, plunging deep before arcing up to break the surface.

“Show off.” Charlie called out as he tread the water.

“Of course. I need to make you look bad at something.” I swam over to him, taking hold of his hand and pulling him back to shore so we could start the climb back to where the others waited. There was a lot of pushing and shoving between the two of us as we made out way, and when we finally reached them, I was out of breath from laughing so much. Charlie’s arm was slung over my shoulder as he struggled to keep himself upright.

“Then you just whipped your top off and jumped.” He was howling with laughter. “That’s why we’ve never given you tequila since.”

I gave him a friendly shove.

“It wasn’t just the tequila, and you know it Gillespie. We hadn’t eaten all day, then you pulled out Jose and it was game over.” He grabbed me around the waits and walked toward the edge, as if he was going to throw me. Admittedly, if he did, it wouldn’t have been the first time. I screamed at him to put me down, hearing my brother and Megan laughing. Eventually, he did as I asked before diving off the edge again, this time executing an almost perfect dive. “Asshole.” I muttered as I grabbed a towel to wrap around my waist.

It wasn’t until I sat down next to him, that I realized John was very quiet and was scrolling through his phone.

:: ::

Arriving back at my house early evening, I was ready for a hot shower and my own bed. Tyler ducked into the house while John and I unloaded the trunk and stored the camping gear back where it belonged. He’d slept for most of the trip back, and I could tell something was bothering him.

After having dinner with my parents, John excused himself to try and get some sleep. It had been a pretty full on couple of days, but not enough to wipe him out. After a few minutes, I decided to go and check on him. I didn’t want him getting sick or something.

When I got to my room, I was surprised to find him packing his stuff into his bag.

“Hey, what’s going on?” He clearly hadn’t expected me to come upstairs and my voice made him jump even though I hadn’t spoken particularly loudly.

“I’m heading back to my dorm.” I moved into my room, closing the door behind me. When I reached up to touch his shoulder, he flinched away from me.

“Woah. Why?”

“Look, I can’t play second best. I really like you, but it’s very clear that your heart lies elsewhere.”

“John, babe. I have no idea what you’re talking about here.” I put my hand on his arm, trying to get him to turn and face me. Eventually he did, sinking onto the edge of my bed.

“Look, we’ve been having fun, right?” I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. “Neither of us expected anything serious, and while I thought I might have been falling for you, the past few days have made me realize you could never feel the same way about me.”

“W-w-what?”

When John looked up at me, meeting my eyes with his gorgeous green ones, there was no sadness in them. There was only what I could describe as an acceptance of some sort. It confused the hell out of me.

“I know you tell everyone he’s your best friend, but it’s obvious to everyone who spends any kind of time with the two of you that you’re both head over heels for the other.”

I couldn’t help it, but I burst out laughing.

“Me and Charlie? No way. You’ve got it all wrong, believe me.”

“See, you say that, and I think on the surface that you believe it, but deep down… I’m a photographer. I literally look at details of the things around me all the time, and there’s no mistaking there’s something going on between the two of you. It’s just taking both of you some time to realize it; although, I think Charlie might be there already. He’s crazy jealous of me.” A snort escaped me before I could stop it. “I’m serious. Whenever we were together the past few days, he either turned his back, walked away, or interrupted us. You may see him as your best friend, but he’s in love with you. And I can’t compete with that.”

Standing back up, John finished packing his stuff, telling me he had a train booked in an hour. Knowing I wasn’t going to change his mind, I offered him a ride to the station, but he refused saying he’d book an uber.

Rather than watch him leave, I went out into the garden and sat on the swing. I’d never had a breakup, so I had nothing to compare it to, but I didn’t feel as sad as I expected to. In the movies, girls lay in their beds for days on end with messy hair and mascara running down their faces until their friends ran an intervention. Yeah, I was sad that John had broken up with me, but it felt like I was losing a friend more than a boyfriend. Even if the reasoning was ludicrous. There was no way on Earth Charlie Gillespie, the guy all the girls wanted, was in love with me. Sure, I knew he loved me – we were best friends, but that was it.

As the sun set around me, I finally made my way inside. I could hear the TV playing in the lounge, but didn’t feel like being pitied by my family, so I made my way up to my bedroom. When I was there, it felt empty without John’s big, solid frame. He’d only been here two days, but he’d made an impression on my space.

Not sure what to do with myself, I sat on my bed, hearing a crinkle. There was an envelope on my pillow.

I’m sorry it ended like this, but you need to know and understand that I don’t hate you – just in case you were wondering. Yeah, I’m upset, but I’m a big boy and I’ll get over it, and when I do, I hope we can still be friends. I honestly love spending time with you, and meeting your family was great.

I know you didn’t believe me when I told you about Charlie, but I hope these prove it to you.

See you soon, John.

Inside the envelopes were a couple of polaroid photos. I’d forgotten he’d brought his along with his big one. We’d all taken turns taking silly shots of one another, shaking them as they developed around the campfire we’d had.

The first was me holding Charlie’s guitar. I was clearly singing, looking at him, but there was something in the way I looked at my best friend. A softness to my face that could only be interpreted as affection – unsurprising, considering how much he meant to me, how much we meant to one another.

The second, was after our first jump at the cliffs. We were walking toward the camera, arms wrapped around one another, laughing. If it was anyone else, I would say it was quite an intimate photo, but it was me and Charlie. We were always like that, always touching, always laughing.

Putting the letter and photos on my desk, I lay back on my bed. I was confused as hell and didn’t know what to think or who to talk to.

As if summoned, my phone began to ring, Lena’s name flashing on the screen. When I answered, she didn’t bother with a greeting.

“So, when are you and pretty boy getting it on?”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“John text me, told me what happened, said you might need someone to talk to. He finally saw what I saw.”

“And what did you see?”

“You and Charlie boy. All the feels.”

“Lena, there are no feels. We’re friends, best friends.”

“Honey, I know you’re a bit blind to the fact that that boy is crazy in love with you, probably has been for years, and you…”

“I what?”

“You look at him like he hung the moon. I don’t look at my best friend like that. I know it’s a lot to take in, but think about it, logically. Try to look at your relationship the way an outsider would, then tell me you’re not gonna end up ridiculously happy, living in some gorgeous apartment somewhere, surrounded by gorgeous babies.”

“And what if I come to the realization he’s just my friend?”

“Then I would say you’re blind as fuck. Look, I gotta go, my nanna’s lethal at dominoes, so I gotta make sure she doesn’t cheat. I’ll see you in a few days.” Lena ended the call. I was no clearer on the situation I had been before we’d spoken, but I least I had something to do.

Could everyone be right, and I was wrong? I loved Charlie, adored him, but I wasn’t in love with him. We were friends, the best, and that was all. Wasn’t it? I was pretty sure it was for me.

I needed air. I made my way back downstairs, grabbing my car keys from the side unit and went outside. It was late, but maybe a drive would help. As I unlocked my car, I heard my name being called. Turning, I saw Charlie jogging over to me.

“Hey, where are you going?”

“I just need to clear my head.”

“Where’s the big man.” Something flashed in his eyes as he asked about John. I tried not to read too much into it, but if I didn’t know better, it looked like jealousy. I gave myself a mental slap around the back of the head for projecting John and Lena’s words onto myself.

“He left. Went back to campus. We’re over.” Immediately, Charlie’s arms were wrapped around me and I was pulled in tight against his chest. My senses were overwhelmed by the feel of him, the sound of his heartbeat, and the scent of him. It was too much and I pulled away.

“Are you okay? I know you liked him.”

“Yeah, I’m good. It wasn’t that serious.”

“Serious enough to sleep with him.” An undertone of something I couldn’t work out laced his voice.

“Charles. I wasn’t a virgin when I met John. I may not have had any serious relationships, or relationships in any capacity, but I wasn’t innocent. Just the way you’re not, so don’t pull that bullshit with me.”

Boys at high school may have been wary of Charlie, but he wasn’t around at college when I discovered meaningless one night stands weren’t for me.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t want to see you hurting.”

“I’m not. Maybe I should be more upset, but I can’t fake it.”

“You sound upset.” I looked up at him, stepping back slightly to move closer to my car. “I don’t like it when you’re upset, even when you don’t think you are, like that time when-”

“Look, I’m not here for a trip down memory lane. I want to go for a drive. Talk tomorrow?”

“Sure.” He turned to walk away an I pulled open the driver’s side door. Before I could sink into the seat, I was spun around. Charlie had hold of my wrist in one hand, but it was a gentle hold. He slammed the door and walked toward me. Nerves took over me and I back away from him, my back hitting the car behind me.

When he let go of my wrist, he placed his hands either side of me, resting against the cool metal of my car. Swallowing, I locked eyes with him, feeling very unsure of myself. I opened my mouth to ask him what was happening but didn’t manage the words before he crashed his lips against mine.

Tagging:

@dream-a-little-bigger-x @calamitykaty @crybabyddl @morganayennefertyrell @lovesanimals @sunsetcurvenotsunsetswerve @echocharm17618 @kinda-really-lost @n0wornever @all-in-fangirl @kcd15 @charliesmountains @amazinggracy @happinessinthedarkesttimes @xplrreylo @5sosmukefan

#Mich writes fic #charlie x reader #charlie gillespie fic

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inforapound · 3 years

Text

The Devil Inside - Part 2

Your enthusiasm spurred me on to write chapter two last night. The teen talk continues. This part escalates alittle faster. I’ll post the last part next week. Thanks for reading.

Warnings - sexually explicit, hints of dub/con, possessiveness, love

Pairing - Ivar x Reader

The following week was mundane. Not once did you catch a glimpse of the black Camaro at school and you had spent every break out in the lot. For reasons you had yet to figure out, you could not stop thinking about him. Ivar... That entire night at his house and you analyzed, picking apart every moment. The way he looked at you, the mocking way he spoke, how he grabbed your wrist. It hadn’t hurt, but it was shocking. The one detail that stuck out the most, and the feeling that you couldn’t shake, was how even in a room with others, you felt him. Some pull or draw of your attention. Some dread or distraction. It was strange and by Friday, without seeing him at school, it wasn’t relief you felt, it was melancholy.

The girls noticed and chalked it up to PMS so you all decided to skip going home and headed straight for the mall. That was uninteresting and after a couple of hours of wandering shops, trying on rings at the kiosks, and hitting up the food court, you headed to HUBB City Movie Theatre to catch a flick.

Standing in line it was Kim who spotted them first.

“Heads up,” she spoke quietly, nudging your arm.

Turning around, you spotted Mark waiving, a huge grin on his face, with both Ivar and Hvitserk standing behind. Your stomach flopped and you must have made a face as Amanda leaned in.

“Dude, are you okay?”

“Fine, yea, fine.”

“You looked like you’d seen a ghost.”

“Didn’t that Ivar guy freak you out a bit last weekend?” Kim asked.

“Ah, I don’t know. Yeah. Maybe. Maybe it was just me.”

“He is…. intense,” Kim added.

“My brother told me some guy at Oak Springs High owed the brothers money.” Amanda was using her ‘this was some juicy shit’ tone of voice, “and Ivar showed up, scared the crap out of him. Waived a gun around in the parking lot.”

“What!” you and Kim said at the same time.

Amanda arched her brows. “I don’t know...just telling you what I heard.”

A quiet settled over all of you and you casually glanced back at the guys. Mark and Hvitserk seemed to be discussing a poster on the wall but Ivar wasn’t even pretending not to look. Those haunting blue eyes were fixed right on you. It was a drastic change from last time and he seemed to be waiting, keeping track of how long it would take for you to acknowledge him. Unsure of how to act, you gave a quick half-smile before looking away.

“Too bad he’s a psycho,” Amanda whispered, “cause he’s fucking hot.”

You all burst out laughing and as you handed over your tickets and headed through the doors, you heard Mark call,

“Save us some seats, ladies.”

Great…… but fifteen minutes into the movie you figured they had decided on something else as it was just the three of you sitting in your usual seats; centre of the back row, directly beneath the booth streaming the film. Amanda was in the middle bitching about the cost of popcorn and you were feeling chilled in the large dark theatre, wishing you had headed home before the movie to get changed out of your uniform.

A commotion off to the side, followed by Mark’s not-so-quiet laugh made you all turn and look toward the isle on Kim’s side. Making their way down your row was Mark and Hvitserk; Mark shout-whispering that he thought you all were trying to hide by sitting up at the back. They must have been carrying $75 worth of snacks and you figured they had just gotten high.

Watching the entrance, you waited for Ivar to come through but he didn’t... He wasn’t there... Had he ditched, you wondered, feeling confused? Was it because of you? Were you disappointed? The moment brought back that anxious feeling of the previous weekend, the claws back in your tummy and you actually felt a little dissed.

Oblivious to the film playing in front of you, it was the sound of clanging metal on your side of the theatre that made you turn and look. Shuffling toward you, down your row was Ivar, his crutch hitting against the metal feet of the chairs in front.

Fuck, you nearly gasped realizing he was planning to sit with you and you felt a rush of adrenaline. Tucking your hair behind your ear, you shifted in your seat unsure if you were nervous or excited. Had he really flashed a gun? No. Stupid. He couldn’t have.

When he got close, his scent hit you like a memory and you recalled that subtle smell of aftershave in his bathroom. Unsure if you should say hello, you were let off the hook as his eyes looked everywhere but at you. Holding a massive drink in one hand and his crutch in the other, he stopped and awkwardly sat down.

You were struck by the subtle look of insecurity he had, guessing that without his badass car or his parentless mansion, he felt out of place. His discomfort made you panic alitte pushing you to say something.

“Hey,” you whispered, and he looked over as if surprised; his reaction making you smile. The smile was not returned but the look in his eyes removed all doubt of whether or not he was pleased to see you. He was. Ivar Lothbrok smiled. Almost shyly and you NEARLY DIED.

Turning back and trying to watch the film was ridiculous. There was no way you could absorb a thing with him sitting beside. Again, that expectant feeling hung in the air and you, like that first night, were hyper-aware of him; his movements, his arm slung on the rest of your chair, every time he shifted. And... he looked good...really good...downright wicked in fact and you glanced over to catch another look. The light was flickering against his smooth skin and pouty lips and you just wanted to see that smile again. Looking back to the screen, you attempted to pay attention.

Just as you began to absorb the words the actors were saying, he passed over his drink, his eyes staying fixed on the screen. Accepting it, you to took a sip from the straw and were not surprised to taste the sweet mix of some sort of pop and booze. The taste nearly made you cough and you passed it over.

With his hand, he pushed it back toward you making you frown. Did he think you drank every weekend? Was he trying to get you drunk?

Suddenly, he leaned in, bringing those lips close to the side of your head.

“Are you that much of a good girl?” he whispered and the reverberation of his voice made you shiver.

You turned to look but he didn’t pull back so your faces were close. Very close.

“I’m driving,” you whispered.

Rolling his eyes, he sat back in his chair and the impression you got was that he wouldn't be leaving you alone for long. It felt tense and you somehow thought getting his attention again might smooth out the static.

“I didn’t see you at my school this week.”

That drew him back. His head snapped over and he just looked at you. The scene changed in the movie and the light in the room brightened; his blue eyes were narrowed and you wondered what he was trying to figure out.

Without a word, his gaze lowered and you watched him rake his eyes over the open neck of your white blouse, your blue cardigan, and the skin of your thighs exposed above the hem of your kilt. With no one sitting in the row in front, you had put your feet up, tucking your toes into the seat. Suddenly, the bare skin of your legs felt elicit. Dropping your feet would have been too obvious so you hugged the folded blazer in your lap a little tighter.

Rolling his tongue in his cheek, you could see he was fighting the urge to smile and he leaned in again.

“Are you saying you missed me?”

Your stupid grin broke before you could think of what to say so as a distraction you reached down and grabbed his drink, taking another sip.

“Kiss me,” he said.

It wasn’t a question and you nearly choked.

“What?” you gawked.

Pulling back slightly, he eyed you, his expression was deadpan, almost daring you not to do as you were told. But, he did not wait long and brought his mouth right to yours, not pushing, just hovering close and you could feel him lick his lips. Fuck....was your last thought as you pressed your mouth to his.

Good lord was it ever gentle, not demanding and, and like that hunter in that song playing in his room that night, you sensed that he was holding back, drawing you closer.

That’s why when he broke the kiss first, there was a simper on his face, a smug look like he had just won. But, it was his large hand wrapping around your thigh that made you know it was only the beginning. He had it all wrong though. This was not something you did. You were a second base pro and that was only after a thousand texts, five hundred calls, and numerous dates out. You were not a fast girl from his world. Whatever that meant.

Glancing over at Amanda, her attention was fixed on the screen so you looked back at Ivar. Watching the film again, he jerked his chin, directing you to keep your eyes forward. Attempting to focus on the movie, you shifted your blazer on your lap to conceal his hold on your leg and he obviously took it as a green light. Slowly, he slid his palm further up, the tips of his fingers only stopping when they touched the fabric of your panties. God, this was crazy and you took a deep breath. Why were you playing along?

“Open your legs,” he glanced at you, speaking softly but it was still an order. “Do it.”

Frowning you mouthed the word no but at the same time shifted your knees apart.

“Good girl,” he whispered and you were shocked at how that small praise shot straight between your legs. Adjusting on the seat, you slid your bum forward as if offering yourself up.

Pleased, he smirked and you tried to ignore it, acting as if you were unaware of what he was doing.

Within a second, his finger started stroking you through the thin layer of cotton, slow and steady as if biding time. Showing his experience, he pushed the fabric to the side, his finger pressing between your folds. Jesus Christ, it was insane and you should have stopped him there but didn’t… instead, you tilted your pelvis up wondering if that would please him. And it did evidenced by his quiet, breathy grunt and you weren't sure if it was his approval or the feel of his slow strokes that had you getting so wet.

Smoothly, expertly he found that little buried spot and strummed like a string, making you flinch and close your eyes, grabbing hold of his wrist. You didn’t push him away, just squeezed and despite not seeing him, you again felt him lean close.

The smell of his alcohol-laced breath fanned over your face making that tickle down there begin to throb. Your mouth fell open and you were aware that your own breath was picking up. It was obscene, if not a little embarrassing how wet you were and just how fast he was bringing you to the brink.

He strummed and strummed and you wondered what instruments he could play. Guitar…. yes definitely guitar and just that idea was sexy bringing you even closer.

“That’s it,” he coaxed, “Cum for me.”

You were nearly there. How was it possible?

“Look at me,” he demanded and you barely had the sense to turn your head, your eyes cracked only alittle.

“Fuck,” he hissed, staring at you. “I wanna eat your pussy.”

All at once, his finger pushed inside you as his lips hit yours, his tongue shoving right into your mouth. Overwhelmed, and feeling pinned by his jaw, his finger pushed harder and his palm pressed against your clit. The image of him between your legs, lapping your wetness was a recipe for magic and your orgasm crashed over you.

You came hard, harder than you ever had, pulsating around his finger, your stomach twitching and your body frozen in place. Any sounds you made; whimpers, gasps were absorbed by his mouth, breathing you in and bringing you through. It was suffocating and borderline aggressive but so fucking hot and you wondered if the setting, the people around made it that much more intense.

As the quaking eased and you came back to your senses, he pulled his mouth away, pecking you on the mouth and cheek, and chin.

Carefully, he pulled his hand out from under your kilt and you quickly glanced over at Amanda. Smiling at something up on the screen, she seemed lost in the story. Thank god.

Seeing Ivar wipe his fingers on his jeans nearly made you cringe but he seemed unphased, adjusting the crotch of his jeans before grabbing his drink from you that you completely forgot you were holding.

“Are you a virgin?” he asked in a whisper, looking at you out of the corner of his eye.

His brows were pinched together making you hesitate, sensing, there was no right answer to give?

“Ah,” be aloof, you thought, be aloof. “Not… exactly.”

“Not exactly?” he squinted.

“Technically,” you scrunched your face awkwardly. “I am not a virgin.”

Holding your gaze for a moment, he sniffled, signifying the topic was done. Scooping your hand in his, he linked his fingers between yours and leaned close, pecking your lips softly and so unexpectedly sweetly.

“I was right about you. You are a good girl,” he nodded and turned his attention back to the screen just as the credits started to roll.

Already? The dim lights came on and you felt on the spot, wondering how you would flounder through this next part. Letting go of your hand, he grabbed his crutches and without a second glance, pushed himself up and started down the aisle away from you.

Ummmmm. Hello? What was going on?

Toward the end of the row, he glanced back and called,

“I’ll text you in a bit.”

And then he was off. Your mouth literally fell open.

“Catch you, ladies, on Monday,” Mark hollered on the other side, already halfway to the door, hopefully oblivious to all that had just transpired.

----

Once out of the theatre, you inhaled the fresh evening air, filling your lungs like you had never breathed before. You felt….lude having just spread your legs for some guy with your best friend in the next seat.

“Well,” Amanda, smacked her lips, sliding her blazer on, “That was special.”

And you knew she knew everything.

“What the hell was that?” she gawked as Kim joined, not saying anything but looking confused.

“God,” you covered your eyes, “I don’t know. I’m so sorry,” you looked at her, your shame spilling out onto the sidewalk.

“Who are you?” she frowned, “I’m so.. so…impressed right now.” Tipping her head back, she let out her best cackle. “For once I’m not the only one hooking up with randos on the weekend,” she laughed again.

She wasn’t quite that bad but next to her, you were Mother Theresa.

“Okay, who is hooking up with who?” Kim raised her hands, motioning that she needed to catch up.

“Did you see everything?” you asked, holding your breath.

“No...I actually saw nothing but I knew what was going on. Wait, do you like him? What don’t we know? Are you…like…with him now?”

“No!” you replied exasperated. “I don’t even know him.”

“Okay, who are we talking about?” Kim cut it, totally frustrated.

“Ivar!” you and Amanda answered in unison

“Whaaaa...�� Kim said under her breath, really drawing it out. “That guy is bad news.”

“I know. I know,” you repeated trying to convince them…. and yourself.

“Oh god, you like him,” Amanda squinted as if noticing something she hadn’t seen before. “Yep,” she nodded, “you do.”

“Do you like him?” Kim asked, not believing it.

“I don’t know,” is all you could say.

Taking a cigarette out, Amanda lit it and you and Kim, as usual, took a step back to get clear of the smoke.

“So,” she took a drag, “what message do you think it sends a guy, you aren’t sure you even like, when you let him finger you in a movie theatre?”

“Amanda!” Kim scolded but you all started to laugh.

“That no means sometimes...” you shrugged.

“What?” they said at the same time.

“Did he force you?” Kim asked, her face immediately concerned.

“No!” you threw up your hands. “No!” Wait, did he, you wondered for a second, quickly pushing it out of your head. “No, he didn’t. Let’s…let’s just go.”

Linking arms, the three of you walked in a line, heading back to your car. For numerous reasons, your head felt disconnected from your body.

-----

That night, lying in your bed, you looked at your phone but all was quiet. How stupid, you thought, he hadn’t even asked for your number. Scoffing in the dark, you pretended, unconvincingly, that you were not waiting for his text. Nothing was wrong. You were just bored, maybe a little lonely rebounding from your ex-jock boyfriend. Sighing, you flipped from your back onto your side, thinking how it had taken your ex an entire summer to get where Ivar had in one night.

Your phone chimed and you jumped, nearly knocking over your lamp to grab it.

It was Amanda…….

AMANDA: Call me if you need me. Love you.

You felt like an idiot.

Nexr chapter

@youbloodymadgenius @whenimaunicorn @ceridwenofwales @sweeneythots @funmadnessandbadassvikings @redama @mdredwine @didiintheblog @londongal2810 @fields-and-fields-of-poppies @oddsnendsfanfics @youbelongeverywhere @flowers-in-your-hayr @hecohansen31 @naaladareia @gearhead66 @blonddnamedhandz @lisinfleur @geekandbooknerd @xbellaxcarolinax @edythofhastings @ivarsgoddess @shannygoatgruff @where-beauty-goes-to-die @zuxiezendler @punkrocknpearls @snatcherheart @lordsexmachine @fuchsiagrasshopper @wilhhelmyna @heavenly1927

#modern ivar #ivar au #ivar fanfic #ivar lothbrok #ivar the boneless #ivar and reader #ivar imagine #ivar smut #ivar teen romance

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chaoticdean · 3 years

Text

SEAL Team, the parallels and Jason Hayes’ journey

[Spoilers for 4x01 and 4x02, read at your own risks!]

I don’t know if my mind keeps going there because I’ve been watching Supernatural and reading between the lines for so long, but the way SEAL Team highlighted Jason’s journey through these last two episodes absolutely blew my fucking mind.

THE GODDAMN PARALLELS, PEOPLE.

The first and obvious one are the parallels they’ve started to set between Jason and Cerberus, all the way into season 3: Cerberus not being on top anymore, making mistakes that could potentially be dramatic (which he does on that op, effectively taking Brock down at first and then Jason), and Brock having to make the hard decision of taking him off duty; Jason, on the other hand, is left wondering what’s left of his life, if he still has a purpose as Forces leave Afghanistan and J-Bad behind, if Jason Hayes can exist outside of War. 04x01 was set to parallel both stories and it’s been done so very effectively (also side note, gotta thank Director DB for these gorgeous wide plans — boy might have taken a page out of the Lord of the Rings playbook, as per @camille-williams’ comment). The parallels between Jace and Cerb ends with the scene where Brock brings him back into the cages’ room, and there’s an interesting bit of dialog from Jason here that directly highlights Jace’s path:

“A warrior’s place is on the battlefield. That dog was bred to be in the fight. But I think he’s suffered way too much stress, combat and trauma. I think it’s time for him to just be a dog.”

………… sirs, is that foreshadowing?

(yes, it is)

The way they set the flashbacks between current-Jace and 13-years-ago-Jace was absolutely spot on, basically highlighting Jason’s self-doubts as they’re going into their final mission with Bravo Team ‘as it stands’ (because both Ray and Clay are set to leave at that point). The way Jason’s mind went from “Family first” to “Bravo Team always comes first” takes a wide place, also highlighting all the in-betweens — Jason wanting to be a family man, having more kids/opposed to Jason walking on Ray and Naima being sweet as fck (The Perrys, man, do I love the Perrys ❤️) and looking at that picture of Alana and Mickey with blank eyes. We get a glimpse at what Jason used to be, carefree, always in for a fight and a laugh, which is now being paralleled by the team-leader who gets shit done. I also loved that we got to see what Ray was like before he turned into what he is now, paralleling with his current family situation (again, THE PERRYS ❤️).

The parallels between Jason’s ex team leader Guzo and present team leader Jace was one I didn’t expected but ended up loving. We get to see how Jason evolved and morphed into the warrior and team leader he is today, and truth be told, I don’t think he’d be here without Guzo. We see him knock some sense into young Hayes, and we get to see the exact moment where Jason’s head shifts into the Team mode we’ve been seeing him in ever since the serie started. I also personally loved some of the tidbits we got from the dialog (“You can’t be half a gangster, Hayes”, “All in all the time”), including the “When you’re outside the wire, home is where you hang your helmet” because that’s a direct callback to a line that Jason said to Ray in season 3. There’s a lot of Guzo in Jason, and this episode put a lot of effort into making sure we get to understand Jace’s journey… which I loved, because we didn’t get to see a lot of that in the past.

Then comes the parallels between Clay and Jason, set so carefully since season 1, that turns into a very blatant show of “Clay is Jason from a decade ago minus the goddamn trauma”. There’s a whole different meta post to be made about Clay’s story arc over these last two episode, and I’m not sure I have the strength to dive in just yet, but I’ll say this bit: Clay’s story has been crafted from day 1 to be paralleled with Jason’s, and if that wasn’t clear enough before, I think these two episodes gave us the most solid view of that. If not for the fact that it’s Clay who get’s to take out Al-Hazred Jr. when we know Jason took out Al-Hazred Sr. 13 years before (effectively moving his career forward onto the path he’s now been on for a decade), I think the plan has always been to follow Clay’s journey as he works up the ladder of Bravo Team, and with STA-21 taken off the table and Bravo 1 stepping down, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Ray staying and Clay effectively starting to train as Bravo 2 (although there are probably going to be disciplinary consequences, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that pattern unfold later on during the season).

Which brings me to my best friend’s question from last night: when do you think Jason’s “Oh” moment happened? Was it there all along, or does he work up to it during those two hours and come to realization later on in that bar?

I do think he works up to it. It’s clearly highlighted throughout the entire episode, but the first thing that struck me is the way the flashbacks are carefully crafted to give off a “what’s my place in all of this, and do I still have one” vibe.

The scene where Ray is Skyping with Naima when Jason arrives was incredibly powerful to me. The dialog itself (“Just come home safe, that’s all that matters to anyone in this house / People in that house is what matters to me the most”) highlights Jason’s family situation, the fact that he’s coming home to an empty apartment, and it’s directly shown by him taking Alana and Mickey’s photo in hand. That’s when we get the “Family always come first” flashback, and it’s maybe the most painful of it all.

We see Jason’s doubts as to where he stands in this, and it might be the first time ever. The parallels (again!) between now-Bravo-1-Jason and then-Bravo-1-Guz is so carefully set that I half-expected him to show up at the end in that bar, knocking some sense into Jason (I guess he kind of did, since Jason is looking at Guzo’s picture on the bar’s wall before he gathers the Team to say his piece).

Then there’s the conversation between Chaplain Walker and Jace, and boy, oh boy, is it foreshadowing (no pun intended) (okay, maybe a little).

For the sake of it, let me just pull up dialogs real quick:

J: Whole place will be scrapped in a month. You’ll be out of business.

W: I’ll be reassigned. Address will change, job never does.

J: You ever wish you had a job where at the end of it, there was a sign that, I don’t know, said that you were done, that it was over?

W: What would that look like?

J: My Flyers, when they win the Stanley Cup, they go down Broad St. and they have a parade. It’s a victory… you see it.

W: Unfortunately for us, the war on terror doesn’t have a goal line to cross. But you know, you don’t strike me as the type who need to spike the football.

J: Just be nice to know that it was worth the cost. 40 fallen brothers, a broken marriage, broken body… broken head.

W: You told me last time we spoke, you know you’ve made an impact that will last forever here.

J: The only thing that’s gonna last forever is this war. I’ll — I’ll see you around.

W: You know, I — I think you’re wrong about them just scrapping it all. Somebody’s gonna sort through it. You know, ask the questions that we all should ask.

J: I don’t understand. What do you mean?

W: End of the day — what do you take away from here? What can you pull from the rubble, to be cherished? What do you need to leave behind? And what can you pass on to someone else?

SEAL Team 04x02 — Forever War

This is the first time I’ve ever seen Jason voice his doubts, in public, to someone who is NOT Ray, or for that matter, Sonny. This is Jason acknowledging that he doesn’t really know where he stands, or what’s left for him. We’re starting to see the “where does Jason Hayes stands in all of this, and can Jason Hayes exists outside of the battlefield”.

(Also, I love Chaplain Walker, can we keep him pretty please?)

Then they go home, and Mandy drops the hammer on him (“If I don’t walk away now, I’m gonna lose myself forever”). He sees firsthand someone he loves and connects with deciding to walk away. The whole conversation between them is Jason trying so hard to hold onto the threads and Mandy basically saying “this is me walking away because I can, we can, you still can. You’re not just a shell of a man doomed to be sent on the battlefield, Jason, there’s more to it.”

We get the cages’ room scene with Cerberus coming back and Jason voicing the fact that it’s time for Cerberus to “just be a dog” because he’s seen enough war, enough trauma.

And then comes the bar scene with a steel chair.

First and foremost, and that is not entirely Jason related, but I’m a big fan of the song choice in the background of the Savis scene (Matt Costa’s Make That Change), if only for the exact part of the lyrics that have been chosen to be played at that exact moment (“Because the start is the finish line, even if you take two steps back / You gotta make that change to see a brighter day”). Now, I don’t really believe in coincidence, and even if it is… It’s a really nice nods to what’s about to unfold.

And boy, does that unfold. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a sobbing mess all through the entirety of Jason’s speech.

I think learning that Clay’s taking the fall for Ray is the final straw for Jason. We see the realization on his face right before he turns to Guzo’s portrait on the wall. I’m not going to go much further than that, I’ve giffed the whole dialog of Jason explaining he’s standing down earlier right here.

All I’ve got to say at this point is that this was supposed to be our season finale last season, and it culminated the whole arc of Jason’s character over season 3. I’m incredibly excited to see what’s in store for the rest of season 4, and how/if Jason adapts. I see growth through a man that spent a lot of time trying to ignore and override the signs of his body and mental health to keep grinding, because he truly believed that’s what he was meant to be. I wonder what his next step is going to be, and where it’s going to take him.

This is incredibly all over the place, but I swear I’ll get better at sorting through my ideas overtime. Until then, enjoy that mess of a meta and feel free to add to it if you’ve got anything else to say.

#good lord spn really did broke me #i know for a fact that literally NO ONE is going to read that long ass post but i also DON'T GIVE A FUCK #this is 2k words about jason hayes and i'm not sorry #seal team #seal team meta #seal team cbs #jason hayes #character meta #character analysis #jus.meta #seik-o #archer-and-lionprince #usersamanne #overtimeme #mutteringghost #abcdefuk-off #usermone #userbravo

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kisskissbanggang · 4 years

Text

The Sabotage of Simkung House - Part 2

[Stray Kids Multi Fic - 15Min Read/4K Words - Changbin x - Female Reader - Non-Idol!au, Variety!au - NSFW/Smut, Plot - Reverse Harems, Variety Shows, Unfolding Plot, Gym Sex, Daddy Kink, Secret Hook-Ups]

How could a show like this get tedious so fast? By the end of the first week you had established a rhythm: clean, get a dumb text from Felix, flirt a little, and do a tiny amount of Chan’s laundry every night. The frequency was the biggest part of your routine that puzzled you.

Until you realized -- maybe that was his angle. Maybe, perhaps, Chan was awful at flirting and this was his attempt at seeing you in “private.” You set about experimenting, coming up to his room early one night, right after you heard steps travel from his room to the bathroom. Being the oldest had its perks, such as no roommate to answer when you pretended to wait after knocking. You bashfully gasped as a hand tapped on your shoulder from behind, and you turned to see Chan wrapped up in a bathrobe, his soft, wavy hair still soaked after washing.

“Noona,” he plainly greeted, “I apologize for making you wait. It was nice of you to come meet me up here instead.” He brushed past you into his room, returning with a measly pile of laundry that he set in your basket before shutting the door in your face. You smiled meagerly, shrugging in defeat to the camera at the end of the hall when you turned to retreat downstairs.

You hit the bottom step and let out an actual gasp this time, surprised as you were that Changbin was currently helping Hyunjin with his squats in the home gym outside your room. Both boys watched as you nearly fumbled Chan’s laundry out of your hands, Changbin’s smirk catching your eye before he turned his attention back to correcting Hyunjin’s form. You separated and got started on Chan’s laundry before heading back to your room to think. Did you have it all wrong? Maybe Chan couldn't be won that easily. You would have to do some more reconnaissance.

The next morning, you awoke to your requisite text from Felix.

>How’s my shining star this morning? Try interacting more during the day. You rate the best out of the staff cast.

You huffed out a sigh as you pulled on a simple pair of pants with your cute blouse, more suitable for housework when you weren't attempting to get any work done for your own show. The curtains needed to be steamed and the hardwood needed to be tended to on the main floor. You would have to wax each room when the boys weren't using them. Somehow, though, the house was already seemingly empty. You grabbed a duster and peeked into each room, trying to feel out where everyone may have run off to. Seungmin hadn't warned you of any big happenings coming up, so it would seem odd that no one was around.

Until you opened the door to the backyard. Apparently, the boys had begun a morning exercise regimen, with Changbin leading everyone in push-ups. Chan seemed most adept beside him, with Minho doing well enough at the end, and Jisung and Hyunjin attempting to keep up behind them.

“Noona,” Changbin greeted over his shoulder, “we’re about to start some yoga to cool down and then we’ll be heading inside.”

“That’s fine,” you reassured him, “I was just checking up on you. I thought you’d all run away,” you laughed.

“Want to join in?”

“Yoga?” You asked, considering. “Sure. Save me a spot tomorrow morning. Now, nobody steps foot in the study today until I'm done waxing the floor,” you teasingly wagged a finger at the boys, waving goodbye as you walked back in the house.

You really did plan to join them. Your scheme now involved getting so invested in their show that you spent even more time with all of them. Surely, you'd be able to figure Chan out that way, and get the others in the process. Seungmin popped up as you headed to the study.

“Do you need any workout clothes for tomorrow, noona?” He whispered in the quiet of the hall. You shook your head, silently thanking him and waving goodbye. Weird. If he’d watched your nighttime footage, he'd have known that you'd worked out before bed every night after the first. Then again, what assistant has time to watch the dailies?

Nonetheless, the next morning you arrived just in time for yoga with the boys, covered up pretty well with tights under your shorts and a hoodie on over your t-shirt, with a mic from the crew clipped on since you were out in the backyard. You stretched out with everyone else, them doing it to cool down from their workout, and you to warm up after your night of sleep. You attempted to not notice the boys all glancing at you as you easily kept up with and occasionally outpaced Changbin, your casual relaxation more than making up for any poses you didn’t quite get. It was apparent to you by now that the safe approach for all of them was to pretend you were entirely oblivious and innocent.

Except for Minho.

Minho caught your eye during Downward Facing Dog, smiling cutely at you as you stretched. And, as you transitioned into Child’s Pose, you noticed both Changbin and Chan taking note of your acknowledgement, each with one eyebrow cocked. At least, that is, until you smiled back at Changbin, causing him to quickly divert his gaze, and now Chan’s raised eyebrow was directed at him instead.

Now what did that mean?

You were curious to the point of distraction for the rest of your yoga session and you thanked the boys for including you before you headed back in the house to get started on chores. For the time being, you would bury your head in your work while you attempted to formulate your next step. The amazing thing was, though, that you couldn’t even do the thing you usually did when you wanted to be productive and think through things.

Streaming wasn't just your main livelihood aside from the occasional AV, it was something you enjoyed enough to be doing instead of pursuing something related to your degree. You could take some time, get some thinking done and have some fun, and please some fans while you were at it. You’d been miserable working retail and clubs. This way, you were your own boss and running your own life on your own terms. You understood why you signed the contract knowing you couldn’t stream -- filming property that belonged to the studio and making money off it was pretty much stealing in a legal sense, and you didn't need to bring the law into complicating an already complicated lifestyle -- but you still missed it.

You headed upstairs after your day of chores to catch Seungmin and return your mic, which you hadn’t thought about and had promptly stowed in your apron for the rest of the day. You looked around, hands on your hips and confused as you saw the crew had already cleared out.

“Hmm,” you wondered out loud, “I wonder where Seungmin is.” You’d grown accustomed to this the past couple days, just asking for something out loud to yourself and Seungmin or Jeongin appearing and giving it to you. The house was wired enough that someone was bound to hear you.

Or at least you thought.

You waited a solid few more minutes until Seungmin popped his head in from downstairs.

“Noona!” He laughed, just a little surprised. “I came back for my earbuds. Did you call for me?” He walked over, picking up a pack of wireless headphones off the corner of a table. He walked over and took the mic from you, wrapping it up and setting it back in its cradle for now. “This is the only room with no microphones or cameras, so if that mic's off you’ve been out of luck.”

“Oh!” You laughed, “that makes a ton of sense. Thank you.”

Seungmin waved you goodnight and you returned the same as he hopped down the stairs for the night before you eventually went down yourself. All this thinking for the day and you still couldn't see a clear path ahead of you. Maybe you just needed to clear your head.

You had “cleared your head” plenty since arriving at the house, usually for your viewers in the middle of the night when you weren't getting any other work done. The first time, the only feedback you got was Felix telling you to partially cover up with a blanket to appear a little more modest. You ventured down to your room, sitting on your bed and flicking through Twitter. It felt odd seeing your friends and fans and not talking to them, but it was still nice to see what everyone was up to. Everyone looked so productive that it sort of made your heart hurt, like you were missing out. Even Duckie, one of your streaming friends you’d met when you first started, was on a sabbatical for work but was still uploading old content to keep things fresh, along with some new selfies. You clicked through to his profile, scrolling through and liking his new posts and really feeling like you were missing out now. Previously, you’d considered hitting him up to possibly ask him over to collaborate, actually meet him and see his face for once and fool around, but you always felt too small, too amateur since he got started a couple years before you. You jumped through all sorts of imaginary hoops to justify your belittlement in regards to this guy who you only knew by his username. Even tapping through selfies of him wearing the necklace you got him as a birthday present, you knew that was just a thing friends did, but not friends like you were curious to be. For God's sake, he was even still occasionally wearing the cute pair of expensive briefs you got him as a not-so-secret Santa gift a year ago, but he remained unapproachable in your mind. Maybe once the show wrapped you could consider it again.

And, you suddenly realized, you’d used up almost half an hour aimlessly scrolling and browsing. You checked the time -- so much for clearing your head. You got up, ready to try to get some work done, and grabbed your laundry basket. You headed upstairs, hesitating just a moment before knocking on Chan’s door. Should you say something? You wouldn’t even be sure what to say by now, to try and figure out what his problem was with you. By now, you were thoroughly convinced that's what it was: a problem.

Chan opened up, taking one look at you with a sigh before fetching his laundry. “You don't have to suck up to me, you know,” he muttered as he rummaged behind his half-closed door, “I don't have anything to offer you.”

Yup, you confirmed, he has a problem with me.

“Then tell me to stop,” you simply replied.

“Why would I do that?” He asked as he set his clothes into the basket in your hands. “Appearances are important. You're being paid to work here, and I'm being paid to work here while you work. Don't let me get in the way of that. Goodnight, noona.” And with that, Chan briskly shut the door in your face.

You sighed as you stormed down the stairs. You had done nothing but be nice to this prick, and he thought you were getting something out of him?

You sort of are, stupid, you silently chided yourself.

You quickly sorted Chan’s laundry in with the rest of the boys’ and stomped back into your room, pacing in your annoyance when you heard someone descend the stairs. Maybe, perhaps, this was a good opportunity to turn this energy into something productive. But who could be down here at this time of night? You got your answer as you heard some weights being pulled off the rack out in the gym.

Of course, you realized, Changbin.

Changbin had given you an equally quizzical look earlier during yoga, and now seemed like a perfect time to catch him while he was distracted.

You emerged from your room in a more comfortable outfit than you'd worn that morning: just some leggings and a sports bra, your hair pulled up and out of your face again as you stepped onto the treadmill. The sound of weights being rested tipped you off, and you took off your headphones as you looked back.

“Oh, Changbin,” you greeted, pretending to pause the music you hadn't been playing, “I didn’t know you were out here. I can--”

“No, noona, don’t be sorry,” Changbin replied as he looked you over, “there's plenty of room for both of us.” He gingerly laid back down on the bench before starting to lift again. You let yourself ogle the way his muscles tensed as he worked out. After all, you could get some information and get some work done if you played your cards right. Changbin looked down his nose at you, catching you watching him before you quickly turned back to the treadmill to program it. You did, however, catch his small smirk before you looked away.

“Thanks for inviting me to yoga again,” you called over your shoulder.

“Of course -- noona --” he shared between lifts, “I’d love -- to have you -- back again.”

“Don’t you mean ‘we’d love to have you back again?’”

“No--” he breathed out a laugh as he took a second to catch his breath again, “I mean I would. Maybe Minho, with how he looks at you. And the others. Well, not Chan-hyung, but--”

“I know,” you cut in, just agitated enough for Changbin to catch. What he didn’t catch, however, was you still hadn’t programmed the treadmill by the time he started lifting again. You stepped off and strode over, hesitating for only a moment to let him sense you before swinging a leg over and gently lowering yourself onto his lap where he laid on the bench. Changbin gasped and nearly fumbled the bar before you helped him get a grip and rest it.

“Chan-hyung told me about you,” he warned, quietly but confidently.

“He what?” You asked, astounded. The audacity of this prick.

“I asked him what his deal was with you. He told me about bit players who try to weasel their way into bigger parts on variety shows.”

“Oh, god, and you believed him?” You asked bluntly.

“Well, I mean--” Changbin grumbled, looking a little caught.

You rolled your eyes. “I just happen to like you and the others and look where that gets me.”

“You like me?” He asked, and it was almost innocent. Changbin's hands still held onto the bar where he'd racked his weights, almost like he was trying to keep from grabbing onto your hips that had just started to subtly grind against his.

“Of course I do,” you cooed. For his sake, you weren't even lying -- you did like him and the others. “You're handsome and funny and nice and so fit,” you praised. Changbin actually moaned under his breath as your fingers traced the definition of his abdomen under his shirt, teasing the lines of his hips that would eventually lead you down between his legs. Considering your bruised ego from earlier that night, your head had inflated tenfold since then, watching as Changbin grew breathless at how you rolled your hips against his growing erection.

“How about you?” You asked, finally setting a treat on the mousetrap. “Do you like me?”

“Yes, noona,” he eagerly supplied, watching as you slid off his lap and down onto your knees in front of the bench. He groaned as you freed his length from his thin shorts. You only licked the tip of his cock and he cursed under his breath. “You sure you’re a housekeeper?” He smirked, gritting his teeth as you continued teasing the tip of his length with your tongue. “You don't act like one.”

“Well, have you met any who wanted to do this before?” You asked before taking his length deep between your lips. You pulled off him with an audible ‘pop’ and jerked his cock.

“No, but I'm enjoying it,” he gasped as you dipped him deep into your mouth again, now threatening to suck him into your throat. “Maybe too much. Come here,” he demanded, grabbing your hand and pulling you up onto his lap again. He kissed you hard, his tongue tangling with yours as he got up and spun you around to sit you on the edge of the bench. It was his turn to sink to his knees in front of you as he pushed your thighs up to your chest. He pulled your leggings to your knees and you bit into your knuckle as you felt his tongue taste you between your legs. Changbin hungrily licked at you for a minute, his fingers getting a good feel inside you before he got back up. The head of his cock nudged up against you.

“Noona, do you--”

“Call me ‘baby’,” you insisted.

“Really? I was about to ask--”

“Call me ‘baby’, or ‘beautiful’, or ‘slut’ or literally anything else,” you demanded, and Changbin nodded. Admittedly, being everyone's noona was starting to grow a little thin, but now you were more intrigued by the flush on his cheeks.

“If we’re in the mood to ask for things,” he carefully began, the head of his length still prodding against you, “can you call me ‘daddy’?”

“Really?” You smirked sweetly. His nod was almost sheepish. “Please fuck me, daddy,” you pouted, and with a sharply whispered curse, Changbin sank into you. You whimpered for effect, holding onto your legs where he had them pinned to your chest.

“That's it, baby, you're so tight like this,” he groaned as he fucked you, his hands holding tight onto your knees.

“Not so loud, daddy,” you quietly pleaded, “the others might hear--”

“Hear what, baby? How well you're taking it?” He grinned as his hips pumped hard against you. You moaned loud, biting into your knuckle as Changbin worked over your pussy. “Tell me how you want to cum, baby,” he implored, “I want to make it happen before I fill you up.”

You groaned from his filthy words, surprising you since Changbin had been mostly quiet up until now. “I want to ride your face, daddy,” you whined sweetly.

Changbin smirked as he pulled out of you, tugging your leggings the rest of the way off and helping you off the bench. He laid down, his head right at the edge. “Come here, baby. I want to taste you again.” He gasped as you lowered yourself, but positioned so you could still tease and suck his hard length. “What’re you doing?” He asked, his breath tickling the sensitive skin of your warm pussy.

“I want to taste you again, too,” you smiled, squeaking out a moan as his hands pulled your thighs down so he could lick you. Changbin ate you like he was starving, groaning and humming against you as he tried not to buck into your mouth. You moaned and sighed around the cock in your mouth, your legs trembling from propping yourself up over Changbin’s face as you rolled your hips against his tongue. Just his enthusiasm alone was pushing you closer to orgasm -- not a big one, but still jolting through to your fingertips and making you cry out and gag on his length when it happened.

“Come on, baby,” Changbin prodded, “I’m not finished with you yet.” He helped you back up, slipping his shirt off to wipe up his chin as he bent you over on the bench. His fingers dipped back into your sensitive pussy, scissoring inside you and feeling you out before he slid his cock deep inside you again. From this angle, he stretched you even more than he had when you were on your back, and you whined from the extra stimulation. One hand roughly gripped your hip and the other grabbed at your breasts as he roughly fucked you.

“How close did I get you, daddy?” You smirked back over your shoulder.

“Too close, baby, but I'm going to fuck you as long as I can.” Changbin landed a playful smack on your ass as he pumped into you, groaning in tandem with your moans as he rolled his hips. He hadn’t lied; it was really only a few more minutes before his breathing was tagged and he sounded like he was right on the brink. You just needed to seal the deal.

“Is daddy gonna cum?” You asked sweetly.

“Yes baby,” he panted, “how do you want it?”

“How do you want to give it to me?”

Changbin thought for a moment, his hips still snapping against you as he decided. “I want to watch you swallow it down, baby.”

You happily cooperated as he swiftly pulled out, pulling you off the bench and turning you around before you landed on your knees in front of his dripping cock. Just to get him there, you dipped his length deep into your mouth, the head nudging into your throat as his moans grew more desperate. You sucked his cock deep for a few more strokes, gagging on it hungrily before Changbin came with a deep groan. He threw his head back but quickly got his eyes back on you just in time to watch you pull off and let the rest of his load spurt into your waiting mouth. You looked up into his eyes as you graciously swallowed everything. Changbin pulled you to your feet and muffled your surprised moan as he kissed you deeply, his tongue greedily tasting his cum on your own.

“Thanks, noona,” he laughed breathlessly, still holding your hand.

“Thanks, daddy,” you winked, loving the red tinting his cheeks now that the haze of sex was starting to dissipate from his brain.

“First time doing anything like that,” he smirked, “maybe we can do it again.” Changbin squeezed your hand and kissed your cheek before gathering his shirt up and heading upstairs. He didn't catch the puzzled look on your face as you searched for one of the cameras in the basement. You gave a sarcastic curtsey to the nearest one before retreating to your room.

Like clockwork, a soft knock sounded at the door only a few minutes later. Jeongin had turned out the lights in the basement and was dutifully waiting for you with a bottle of water and his small messenger bag, which you had gathered over the past few days was actually full of next to anything you might need, including extra birth control methods and hygiene products. For all intents and purposes, he was a great assistant to have on set.

“Jeongin,” you whispered in the silent darkness of the basement, “I'm confused about something.”

“What is it, noona?”

“So far both Minho and Changbin have said they've never done anything like this before. Any idea why they would broadcast that this is their first AV like that? No one likes boy amateurs like they do girls.”

“Didn't think about it,” Jeongin shrugged, “but Felix told me the cast is really committed to playing up their studious personalities, like they're won over by you in the midst of filming their other show.”

“So they’re doing a pure and tempted bit?” You asked. You weren't one to question the big boss, but it didn’t hurt to be sure. Jeongin shrugged again.

“That’s a question for the PD’s, but I think that’s about right.”

“Can I meet with Felix about it? I just want to know I'm following the right direction.”

“Sorry, noona,” Jeongin shrugged again, “Felix said no meetings except for urgent matters. He wants to maintain the atmosphere in the house. Goodnight.”

And as quickly as he came, Jeongin was gone, having crept up the stairs back up to the attic to keep watch. You turned back to the warm light of your room, made a little cuter by now with some of the decorations you’d brought from your small apartment. Thoughts swirled around your head, wondering how to be as committed to maintaining a vibe for the show like the boys were. You set about folding and putting away your laundry, keeping busy as you thought.

When you noticed two pairs of your panties were missing.

[To be continued.]

#skzsmutnet #kprose-net #stray kids smut #changbin smut #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids imagines #stray kids scenarios #kpop smut #kpop fanfiction

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themattress · 3 years

Video

youtube

Using this video as a segue into this post, which ignores the dregs of the Fandom Menace who were never going to like this movie and just distills the five main points made by critics.

1. It threw away what The Last Jedi established. 2. It's too chock-full of stuff and with too rushed a pace. 3. It has no deep themes and nothing insightful to say. 4. It lacks imagination and is all rehashing and nostalgia-bait fanservice. 5. It's a disappointing ending to both a trilogy and a nine-film saga.

1. This criticism seems to recur the most, since critics didn’t just like TLJ and Rian Johnson’s vision for the franchise, they loved it; they were blown away by it. So naturally it cuts deep when they see TROS set back a lot of what TLJ established (Rey actually does come from a noteworthy lineage, actually does have to undergo true Jedi training, and even ends up becoming a Skywalker. Finn is back to hanging out with Rey rather than Rose, and Rose herself has a minor role. Poe is prone to being reckless and hot-tempered again. Luke isn’t a grumpy old man anymore. Kylo Ren, after reforging his old mask, is redeemed while a decrepit old wielder of the Dark Side is the Big Bad. Hux doesn’t get much of a role and is killed off midway through. The Force-sensitive children like that “broom boy” don’t factor into anything. The story takes a familiar path rather than subverting audience expectations.) Honest Trailers even joked that the film was the long-awaited sequel to The Force Awakens rather than to The Last Jedi. And I can understand this critique, it’s a valid one to make.

But I’d also have to argue that not only is J.J Abrams entitled to bring the story back in line with his old ideas from his time making TFA since Disney and Lucasfilm specifically reached out to him to direct TROS (and c’mon, Rian Johnson threw out TFA’s establishment first, if it’s wrong of J.J then it was wrong of Rian too), and that a film that exactly followed TLJ’s establishment like Colin Trevorrow’s unproduced Duel of the Fates would feel too bleak and wrong for the franchise, but that the movie doesn’t ignore TLJ as much as it’s made out. The events of TLJ still happened exactly as we saw them, they are still acknowledged, and they are even built upon in interesting ways. I loved seeing Luke no longer a grumpy old man because that’s what TLJ’s climax set up with him: he learned the error of his ways and re-embraced his status as a Jedi and as a legend. The galaxy coming to the Resistance’s aid in the final battle is the perfect pay-off to them not doing so in the Battle of Crait and shows how Luke’s last stand really did inspire hope once more. I loved the three-way power struggle in the First Order between Supreme Leader Kylo Ren, Hux and (representing Palpatine’s interests) Pryde. I thought Palpatine being behind Snoke made perfect sense. I’m glad Rose was still present at all. I though Kylo Ren’s redemption was handled very well. And I loved Rey becoming a Skywalker in the end, that just felt like such a right conclusion to me.

2. There’s an easy explanation as to why it’s chock-full with stuff - Kathleen Kennedy didn’t require Rian Johnson to adapt any of it in TLJ even though much of it was conceived by J.J Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan when making TFA. J.J literally needed to fit two movies’ worth of content into this one movie because TLJ spent too much time wheel-spinning and navel-gazing (and keep in mind that I like TLJ; but I’m not going to pretend like it didn’t screw the pooch on multiple fronts). As for the pace, I definitely agree when it comes to the first act and whoever thought it was a good idea to excise so much of what was filmed for it needs to be slapped upside-down the head. But things start to improve after the big Pasaana canyon race, and once they get off Pasaana altogether the pace settles down into the usual SW film groove. I think critics were so burned by that first half-hour that it colored their impression of the rest of the film, even when looking at it objectively the rest of the film does have a lot more breathing room and calmer, introspective moments between the big action set pieces.

3. I see this a lot from critics and am all...?????? I’m sorry, did we watch the same movie!? “They win by making you think you’re alone, but there’s more of us”. “Your mother’s gone. But what she stood for, what she fought for.... that’s not gone.” “We had each other. That’s how we won.” “Your spirit...your heart...some things are stronger than blood”. These themes are every bit as spelled out as the themes from TLJ that critics praised so much...but then, critics thought that one of TLJ’s themes was the villain’s justification of his own atrocities (”Let the past die. Kill it, if you have to”) so maybe them missing all of these themes isn’t so surprising.

4. First off, the “lacking imagination” criticism will always astound me when The Force Awakens is one of the most critically praised films in the series and it literally ripped off the entire plot structure of A New Hope. None of the “member berries” in this film came close to that level of rehashing. Secondly, Star Wars has been all about nostalgia and pleasing crowds (”fanservice”) since its inception, and recycling various set-ups and tropes and sequences has been a thing for a long time (to quote George Lucas: “It’s like poetry, they rhyme.”) And lastly, this is the finale to the Skywalker Saga, so of fucking course it’ll be full of nostalgia and fanservice and sequences reminiscent of all the previous films! It’s a celebration as well as a send-off! Avengers: Endgame is a critical darling, and it literally traveled back in time to several of the past movies that led up to it! So what’s the problem here? I, for one, thought it was very cleverly and seamlessly done for the most part, and being done in the framework of a dumb, goofy blockbuster (which was all Star Wars was originally meant to be; it was never meant to be taken as seriously as it unfortunately has).

5. The main reasoning behind this criticism is that TROS fully exposes and embodies Disney and Lucasfilm’s lack of planning when it came to the Sequel Trilogy, which is so disheartening that it makes this finale a disappointing one to both the trilogy and the whole saga. First of all, every finale has been considered disappointing in their times: ROTJ was possibly even more loathed by fans and critics (while still enjoyed by general audiences) than TROS, and while ROTS got middling reviews from critics, it was still considered to be flat-out bad just like its predecessors by fans - being the least bad of them wasn’t high praise (even the general audience enjoyment seemed more tepid compared to ROTJ and TROS). On all fronts, the perception of the movies only improved with age, so that will likely be the same case here.

More importantly, anyone who did their homework or even some simple critical thinking not only could have realized that there was no plan for the Sequel Trilogy from the days of TLJ, but from the days of TFA. From the moment that movie rehashed the plot of A New Hope and relied heavily on Mystery Boxes to hook viewers, I knew there was no solid plan for this trilogy and that they were making it up as they went along. When you’re aware of this fact well in advance, I think that you end up being more impressed by TROS for being able to wrap the trilogy and saga up in the tight, definitively close-ended way that it did. I know that I certainly was. Much of this had to do with J.J Abram’s idea to bring back Palpatine. People whine that he was brought in with no foreshadowing at the last minute and that he was nowhere near the Sequel Trilogy beforehand and that him being here makes ROTJ pointless, and yet not only was Palpatine everywhere near the whole saga from the very beginning (which, as J.J has said, would make it bizarre for it to end without him), but ROTJ was already made pointless by TFA by its decision to reverse all the heroes’ victories and bring back the Empire. If Palpatine, the Emperor, the very creator of the Empire, did not find a way to return from his defeat in ROTJ and was thus not behind the Empire’s resurrection, how fucking cheap would that be? Some random other decrepit, all-powerful Dark Side wielder just came along and brought it back to the point of reversing all the heroes’ victories? And then he gets supplanted by Han and Leia’s son, which would make the Sequel Trilogy and whole saga’s Final Boss the guy who humiliatingly got his ass handed to him in both previous films’ climaxes? IMHO, the Sequel Trilogy really would suck if that was what it amounted to! That would be a true “disappointing ending to both a trilogy and a nine-film saga.” When it comes to the film series (the Skywalker Saga), the only valid excuse for not ending the conflict with the Empire in ROTJ is if the Emperor wasn’t truly vanquished in it. Period.

It ain’t J.J’s fault that he was actually looking at the bigger picture while critics were not.

Bonus: another video plug, because this guy is a Star Wars fan that truly deserves it.

#Star Wars #The Rise of Skywalker #Opinion #Analysis #Defense #This has been a PSA

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raelly-writing · 4 years

Text

Prompt 15: Ache - FFXIV Write 2020

I feel like these prompts are me just tossing out random skill headcanons that have nothing really to do with the prompts themselves. :’D

Takes place during post-5.0.

Ache: to have or suffer a continuous, dull pain.

Where the blazes was it? Viana looked through her maintenance kit then the table, under it and around her room, but the cleaning rod for her gunblade was nowhere to be found.

Gritting her teeth she turned around in her room, as if her sheer annoyance would somehow summon the missing tool to her hand. Perhaps she’d forgotten it in Thancred’s room.

With rapid steps she left her room and made it towards Thancred’s. Her thoughts were running quickly through the things that she needed done, the tasks that waited to be completed and people who had requested a word with her about one matter or another.

So much to do, always so much. “Thancred?” The rap of her knuckles against his door sounded loud in the stillness of the Pendants in the evening. There was no immediate response. Viana shifted her weight from foot to foot while absentmindedly rolling her shoulders to try and alleviate the tensions in them.

Had he gone somewhere? Maybe out with Ryne to eat? A prickle of irrational impatience bristled in her chest. She was just about to leave again, to toss her entire room upside down in search for her missing tool, when the door opened.

Thancred gave her an apologetic smile. “Hey, sorry, I was just about to step into the shower when you knocked,” he said.

Viana managed a faint smile of her own. “Sorry, I’ll be quick, did I forget a cleaning rod here at some point? I can’t find it in my maintenance kit or anywhere in my room, and I have looked everywhere I can think of but I’m sure I had it the last time I cleaned my gunblade and I need to clean it before I head out tomorrow but it’s that small one for the cylinder so I can’t do it properly without it and-”

“Viana, slow down,” Thancred interrupted her. His eyes had gone wide and his hand was on her arm. She blinked owlishly at him as her frazzled thoughts screeched to a halt. “I haven’t seen it, but come in and we can look.”

Nodding, she followed him inside, her eyes instantly glued to the floor in search of the small tool. It felt like everything would come crashing down around her ears if she didn’t find that stupid little tool in an instant.

“Can you remember when you had it last?” Thancred asked as he surveyed the table in his room.

“I’m… not sure,” she muttered. “I cleaned my gunblade before heading out to hunt Phronesis with Alisaie and Cerigg.” Crouching, she looked beneath a shelf, in case it’d accidentally gotten kicked beneath it. “Must have had it after that.”

Nothing. Frustration tugged at her, rolled unpleasantly in her stomach, and she quickly stood up again. Suddenly, a harsh jolt of pain shot down her spine. Wincing, she hissed out her breath through clenched teeth, “Seven hells.”.

“What’s wrong?”

There was a sharp edge of concern to his voice. A few quick footsteps and then she felt his hand on her lower back. She was grinding her teeth, pain still rolling up and down her spine and neck.

“Viana, have you injured something while away? Do I need to call for Urianger or Y’shtola?”

“No it’s f-”

“Don’t tell me it’s fine when your shoulders look like they’re tenser than the standoff between two pixies over the last piece of candy.”

She huffed out a strained laugh but finally felt herself give up. “I’m… my back has felt sore all day,” she murmured and, after a moment of hesitation, dared to open her eyes to look at him.

Thancred was frowning with concern. “Alright, you have been running from place to place for days now,” he said firmly. “You’re taking tomorrow to rest.”

She tensed again, a million things running through her mind at once. “But I need to- the cleaning rod-”

He raised his eyebrows. “You weren’t planning on leaving until tomorrow. Surely whatever you are off to do, is something that can wait one more day?”

Slowly, the truth to his words worked its way through her stressed mind. Exhaling slowly, a crooked smile curled the corner of her mouth. “Am I really being told by you to take a break?”

“I guess I learned to take a break while here,” he huffed out. Then his expression softened and he swept his hand up her back in a careful but firm caress. “If your tool doesn’t turn up, you can borrow mine to clean your blade, and ask the Means craftsmen to whip up a new one for you tomorrow. Good?”

Left without the will to argue against what she knew was the reasonable thing to do, she nodded.

“Great, then if you would oblige, my dear; take off your shirt and lie down on the bed so I can fix your back.”

Viana blinked at him. “You what?”

He chuckled warmly and led her towards the bed. “I picked up some things in Ul’dah over the years I spent there. Trust me on this.”

She let him nudge her down to sit down onto the edge, after which he quickly helped her undo her boots and tug them off. Her muscles ached and strained as she struggled to pull her shirt over her head, but finally she was free of it. Thancred took it from her hands, and motioned for her to remain put. “I’ll just fetch something before you lie down,” he said quietly.

Viana nodded silently. It felt like her mind had gone from racing and buzzing with thoughts, to fuzzy and slow. Seven hells, all of a sudden she just felt tired. Sighing, she tried to relax her shoulders and back. She probably needed to learn to take a break every now and again.

“You alright there?”

Making a quiet noise of acknowledgement, she cracked open her eyes - when had she even closed them to begin with? - to see Thancred spread out a towel over the bed.

When he was done, he leaned down and caught her lips in a tender kiss. “Alright if I take off your bra too?”

“Nothing you haven’t seen before,” she murmured in response.

There was suddenly a charming tilt to his expression as his eyelids drooped a little, contemplating her. “I suppose so.” Smiling quietly in response, she tilted her head up, meeting him in another innocent kiss as his fingers trailed up her back. With a tug, the sturdy cloth loosened around her chest, and she tugged it off. “There, lie down, my dear.”

Carefully, she did as he asked, all while wincing at the dull aches and sharp little twinges in her back that she no longer could ignore.

The mattress dipped as Thancred climbed in after her. His hand was firm against her bare skin as he leaned down to press a kiss to her shoulder. “Let me know if something hurts.”

“Mhm, always,” she mumbled. She heard the faint sound of something getting uncorked.

“Just relax,” Thancred said softly. When next he touched her, his hands were slick with some warm, oily substance. Pressing down on either side of her spine, he slid his hands up her back, his motions measured and unhurried. Before she had a chance to stop it, a low groan wound its way up through her throat at the pleasant sensation. A faintly herbal scent filled the air - sweet and relaxing, not thick enough to make her nose itch.

She half expected him to comment on the sound she’d made, but he just silently kept going, rubbing the oil into her skin as he worked out the tensions from her sore muscles. There was a definitive confidence to his touches, his fingers trailing over her skin to press into and knead spots she didn't even know needed to be relaxed.

It didn’t take long before she felt herself relax into the mattress, the flowery scent of the oil mixing with the scent of him that clung to the sheets into one familiar, relaxing smell. Soon enough, her mind drifted into a warm, hazy state as all the things she had been stressed about just melted away. The frantic beat of her heart slowed to a more normal tempo, while her stomach no longer twisted and turned on itself.

As short a time as they’d been together, it felt… nice, to let herself be taken care of like this. It was still new for her to just trust and let go, a small, private part of her still used to just shouldering her burdens and carrying on despite the weight. No, Thancred felt safe - like she could share that small hidden away part of her with him.

Another pleased sigh fell from her lips as he kneaded her shoulders, thumbs gently, carefully pressing against the back of her neck. A comfortable warmth spread through her limbs, his touch coaxing quiet sighs from her, one after another. The rest of this world may as well have not existed beyond the walls of his room anymore.

“You feeling alright?” Thancred’s low voice sounded in her ear.

“Mmm, very,” Viana mumbled, her voice slightly muffled by the mattress.

“Good,” he hummed, satisfaction evident in his low tone. She felt the curve of his smile when he pressed a kiss behind her ear, and half expected him to call it done now that she was lying loose and relaxed against the bed. But his hands were still smoothing over her skin, thumbs pressing into her muscles. That same patience that he usually displayed during their lovemaking seemed to manifest itself here too. Her thoughts felt slow and sluggish, in a good, relaxed way, as she just enjoyed his hands sliding over her skin.

Time seemed to stretch and blur into something insubstantial. It could have been minutes or it could have been hours before she felt him slow his motions until he was just soothingly caressing her waist.

“Viana, darling?”

Viana made a quiet noise to show that she listened.

“How about I go and draw up a hot bath for you?”

That sounded like a splendid idea. She stirred a little, unwilling to open her eyes just yet. “Will you join me?” she murmured.

“I’d love to, if you want me to,” his low voice rumbled in response as he nuzzled the back of her neck with his nose.

“Of course I do, Thancred.” She had no wish to part from him just yet, and relaxing with him in a hot bath sounded way too tempting to pass up.

“Stay here then, take a little nap if you wish to.” His hands squeezed her waist reassuringly as she felt him climb off the bed. “I’ll come get you when it’s ready.”

“Okay,” she murmured. The fabric of the large towel settled over her back, and she listened to his quiet footsteps as he walked away. The rush of water soon drifted through the stillness of his room, along with the muted sounds of him rummaging about in the cabinets.

She must indeed have drifted off to sleep, because before she knew it he was gently shaking her shoulder. Cracking her eyes open, she blinked owlishly at Thancred, who smiled gently.

“Sorry to wake you, but it’s done,” he spoke softly.

Nodding, Viana inhaled deeply and gingerly pushed herself up from the bed. To her relief, no twinges or aches remained in her back. Smiling, she pressed a kiss to his lips.

“Thank you, love,” she whispered.

“Anytime, my dear,” he replied and took her hand to lead her to his bathroom. To her surprise, the room was only lit by a few candles. Discarding their clothes into a pile on the floor, they settled into the hot water, Thancred pulling her to rest with her back against his chest. A relaxed, drowsy feeling still lingered over her mind as she watched the flames of one candle flicker and dance while they quietly spoke of things that did not pertain to work or urgent tasks.

#Thancred Waters #thancred x wol #ffxivwrite2020 #ffxiv

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eternal-love-song · 4 years

Text

Broken Clockwork

It was like clockwork after two years. Once a week, the prince's guard would be sent to town on an errand that would take him past or to his family's shop, and once a week Izuku would be subtlety passed a letter by Inasa.

A follow-up to Choking Without Air and Ocean Between Them.

[TodoDekuMomo]

[Prince Todoroki, Fantasy AU, Reconciliation, Angst, OT3]

Dearest Love,

I know that you are not likely to receive this letter well. You have refused most of my letters from the start, but I like to think that you may indulge me this time.

My wife has fallen ill. It is a grave illness and the likelihood that she shall rally from it has already been pronounced slim. I know that you would never wish ill upon another, nevertheless, I find myself hoping that you will be more receptive to me after this turn of events. Perhaps your heart remains closed to me and perhaps that will only change once I am without her entirely. Upon her demise I shall write you again.

Always thinking of you, Your Prince.

Momo's hands shook as she put the letter down. She wasn't sure what she should feel. She would never wish anyone ill, not Shouto whom had left her and certainly not the woman he had been forced to leave her for. She would never wish for his wife to become ill or, heaven forbid, to... die.

For a moment, she found it in her heart to be furious. Is this what he thought of her, after all this time? That she would receive at this somber news? That she would look forward to it? That he would earn her forgiveness from her pity?

That drained out of her almost as quickly though. She knew Shouto wouldn't think that of her, that he knew her better than that. And sadness rose up on the heels of her anger.

For two years, she had refused all of Shouto's letters. Sending them back after reading them, or sometimes without reading them at all. Izuku had requested that he write, and as far as she knew he read all of his letters and replied to each one. She didn't know how he could stand it. Half the letters she read were apologies and begging forgiveness, the other half small talk and updates on his life, and she couldn't stand any of it.

Was this worse? This... promise born of heartache? She couldn't celebrate this! And yet some small, sad part of herself felt... she dare not name it. She dare not think of the galloping of her heart, the rekindled desire, the desperate hope... not when it was dependent on so many things going wrong.

"Damn you, Shouto!" She yelled as she cast the letter toward the fire. The momentum didn't carry and it drifted to the ground long before reaching the flames. She wavered before dropping to her knees and gathering it to her chest. How dare he make her hope for something so awful! She missed him. She missed him more than words could possibly contain. More than she'd ever be able to fit into any letter if she'd ever chosen to write one. Like this, however, she had no choice but to stamp down her heart and fervently wish that she got better.

Momo would never wish for someone to die. She hated that any part of her felt hope from such a morbid thing. And yet she curled around the letter and desperately, desperately begged for the chance to see him again.

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

In the beginning it was far more discrete. It was not always Inasa that delivered the letters, sometimes they would arrive by regular post, or some other would sent to deliver the message in the night. In the beginning, he felt a tangle of dread and sadness and intense longing that almost choked him every time. He could barely spare the breath to thank Inasa some days, the lump in his throat was so constricting. Some days he cried so hard pouring over the letters, losing sleep and peace of mind, that he was barely able to function the next day.

That was in the beginning though, it got better after that. Izuku didn't cry as much, though he still lost sleep. And Inasa stopped being subtle. No one would suspect what the true reason for the visits were, and he didn't pay any attention to the rumors as they spun and spun faster around him. Prince Shouto clearly didn't care what was said about him anymore, so why should he?

Izuku wondered at first if the letters were to disguise the guilt money being funneled into the shop. Inasa, or whoever came to deliver the letters, always left having bought a hefty amount of goods. Between that and the attention from those stirring up rumors and coming by in the hopes of catching wind of some scandal, their shop was doing better than it ever had. His father was even considering coming home, now that money was not so tight.

And all it had cost Izuku was the loves of his life.

He and Momo still met up, but it wasn't like before. It was quite moments and passionate talks and hope for the future. It was restless pacing and bitter confessions and burning letters. Well, Momo burned letters, Izuku just cried. Shouto hadn't been the one keeping them together, but he was slowly and surely tearing them apart.

The simple moments between them had nearly vanished, filled up instead by the shadow of their lost love. Izuku could hardly mention the shop without having to acknowledge Shouto's hand in it, could barely walk down the street with hearing speculation about the prince in some form. Of course, no one suspected the truth. The recently married prince and a commoner? It didn't bare thinking about. Instead, they thought that the prince's bodyguard was trying tirelessly to court him and wondered if Izuku was turning him down in hopes of a better offer. It made him sick.

It just made Momo angry. Everything made her anger these days. Angry and bitter and hurt. He's spent more than a few nights listening to her rave about Shouto's recklessness, his gall, all sorts of things that he knew she couldn't mean.

They sat side by side on the floor as they watched her burn his letters. Not all of them, he knew. Even now, Momo still loved him too much for that. She showed him each and every letter that Shouto wrote her. He knew which ones she'd marked to be sent back and which ones she secretly tucked back into the secret lining of her dress. The ones that he suspected kept her up at night, crying and longing and tearing herself up at night.

He had so many of their letters over and over, hers and his own, that he could recite some of them in his sleep. Even when he hated it, even when it made him sick to his stomach, even it made him cry himself to sleep, he read each and every letter that Shouto sent them and replied to each one, as well. He asked about Shouto's life, his wife, every detail that he didn't want to hear and every one that he did. Momo never did, so Izuku wrote twice as often. He replied to letter that were addressed just to Momo, as well as the ones that were for him.

Izuku didn't lie to himself. Shouto had left them and they were not likely to get him back, he knew that. Unlikely Momo, though, he didn't let it fester inside him. Maybe at first he was hesitant to bring it up, lest Shouto stop writing, but it didn't take long for him to spill his feelings onto the page and for Shouto to spill his own right back. Izuku thought Momo might feel better if she wrote to him at least once, but he knew the idea of Shouto seeing her the way she was now, bitter and angry, was more than she could bare.

Everything really did run like clockwork after so long. So it was very startling when, on the day that he and Momo were set to met, Inasa was waiting for them both at their small hideaway. Momo froze in place half a step before he did.

"Sorry to intrude," Inasa told them. "But I was told that this was urgent." He held the letter out to Momo specifically, subtly moving it from Izuku's grasp when he reached to take it in her place. Inasa was looking into her eyes without expression. "He said it had to go in your hand, my lady."

Momo paled. She took a step back from him, hands covering her gasp as her eyes widened. "No, I... I don't want it."

Inasa stepped forward, holding the letter toward her again. "Didn't you criticize my lord for running away?" he asked. "Do you intend to do the same?"

Her eyes watered and Izuku stepped forward to grab the letter out of Inasa's hand. "I'll make sure she reads it," he said. "Do don't... please don't."

Inasa hesitated. He prided himself on following orders, so Izuku knew this request was not an easy one. But to his surprise, Inasa actually nodded and stepped back. "I'm supposed to return with a response, so I'll wait out here for one."

Izuku just nodded, knowing already what the letter would say would this kind of delivery. He took Momo's hand, leading her inside in a shocked stupor. As soon as the door was closed behind them, she fell to the floor. "I don't want to read it," she whispered.

"I know and I won't make you," Izuku promised. But he had to. He needed to know what it would say. He needed to know... he just needed to know. His hands weren't shaking half as much as he expected when he tore open the letter and gazed at the contents.

Dearest Love,

I am sorry that you are receiving this letter this way. I know that I have already left a dark cloud on our sacred doorstep, and it is presumptuous of me to do more, but I couldn't let this go unseen.

Today, in the early hours of the morning, my wife fell prey to the sickness that had been eating away at her. I know that I am a cruel man and a crueler husband, as my first thoughts had been of you, my first desire to pen a letter. That letter is not what you have now. I have spent the better hours of the day writing and rewriting this letter, knowing that you are angry with me, that you will have no joy for this news. Some part of me fears that you will not even read this letter and that when I make this appeal, it is only our mutually love that I would be appealing to, but I am selfish enough to do so anyway.

I was a cruel and selfish coward. I did not deserve the love the two of you gave to me and I do not deserve the forgiveness that I am asking. But my single greatest desire over these last few years has been to see you both, to love you both, to find someway to make amends for all that I have done.

That is probably an impossible task.

But as a cruel man... as a selfish man... I beg of you anyway. If you just say the word, my first and only action will be to mount my horse and rush to your side. Even if it is only so that you may spit at feet, I beseech you, allow me to rush to your side?

Always and forever, Your Prince.

Izuku lowered the letter and then lowered himself to sit beside Momo. He let out a deep and heavy breath. He hurt in ways that he hadn't in months. He let his head rest on Momo's shoulder. "You know what it says," he whispered quietly. "You know what I want. It's up to you."

Momo lifted her head to face him and he was surprised at the tears that he say streaming down her cheeks. He scrambled onto his knees, taking her face in his hands to wipe her tears away. Momo hadn't cried like this in... in months. She closed he eyes and leaned into his hands. "I'll be the one... to write the letter."

"O-okay." He didn't ask her again what her response would be. He just pulled her close for a few minutes before leading her to the table and fetching her the ink and quill. She didn't bother with another piece of parchment, simply writing her one word response on the bottom of the page, resealing the envelope, and going to the door.

"Inasa," she called. The man was at her side instantly. "Be swift."

"Of course," he answered. She let herself fall in the doorway like a marionette with cut strings. Izuku went to her side to hold her.

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

Shouto was pacing in his room. The doctors had already come and gone, pronouncements had already been made, and everyone was arguing over who should and should not be making decisions and what they should mean. He didn't have a mind for any of it, not that he thought anyone particularly cared for his insight regardless.

Still, it was an immensely relief when a breeze swept through his room as a precursor to Inasa arriving through his window. "My prince."

"Did she--" He cut off both his words and his movements, nervousness telling him to quell his reaction. He had to be prepared for either option. Two years was a long time to be apart, to be angry. Maybe she didn't want him anymore. Maybe she and Izuku had gotten along without him. Izuku, he knew, would have said yes. Izuku was always much too kind. Momo was the only that he needed to say yes. They couldn't be together if she only held resentment for him.

Shouto held his hand out for the letter and Inasa produced it without comment. At first, his hear sank at seeing his letter once again returned. Seeing that it had been resealed, he tried to hardened himself to whatever response he would get. He broke the seal, paused before looking at the letter. "You are dismissed for the night, Inasa. I wish to mourn privately."

Inasa looked up at him for a single moment. They both knew that that was not why he wanted to be alone, but he had to do this now. Before he looked at the letter and Inasa didn't know what would come of it, what he would do, he needed to have space. Last time they had asked him to run, he had said no. They were not likely to ask him again, but he wanted to be ready no matter what.

"Of course, my prince. I hope the night treats you well." Inasa left the way that he came.

Shouto waited for the lingering breeze to disperse before opening the letter. At the very bottom, in her beautiful and sorely missed elegant script, wasa singly word: Yes.

Shouto had never moved do fast in his life. In less than an hour he had saddled up his horse and was on his way to them, his thoughts racing as hard as his horse. What could he ever say to them in person? How could he ever apologize, make amends, for what he had done. How could they stand to see him, after what he had done.

His the messy swirl of his thoughts refused to let up an inch, even as he reached his destination and swiftly dismounted. They were both there, right in the doorway. Momo with her arms wrapped around herself, beautiful and sorrowful and worth so much more than he ever would be, ever could be. Izuku behind her, supporting her, kind and loving and all the things that he didn't deserve.

Izuku didn't move, didn't speak, frozen in place as he stared at Shouto. Shouto was similarly frozen, taking a few half aborted steps and reaching out to them, before stopping, entirely uncertain of his welcome. Maybe he was here so they could say goodbye properly, to punish him for what he had done. Maybe... maybe... maybe, maybe, maybe spun in his head over again.

It was Momo, ever the decisive one between them, that brought his thoughts out their standstill. She unfolded her arms from around herself, tucked her hair, and spoke, "Yes."

It was the only thing he needed to hear. The only word that he needed to drop to their side and immediately wrap them in his arms. Gods, he had missed them, had missed this, more than anything he ever could have imagined. There were tears in his eyes and he just hoped that they had remained kinder people than him, because he couldn't bear it if he got to hold them this one more time and then was told this was the end after all.

"Shouto..." Momo nearly choked on her sob, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "Gods, Shouto... how could you?"

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, gathering her in his arms and stroking the back of her hair. He and Izuku had already had this, but not Momo. He wouldn't deny her this. Not again, not ever. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he repeated soothingly as she cried in his arms.

"Everyday," she told him between heavy, broken breaths. "You hurt me every single day."

"I'm sorry," he said again. It was all he had. Everything else he had already said in his letters, there was nothing more he could give her. Not with mere words, at least.

"Promise me," she told him. "Promise me you won't leave us again. Please?" She pulled back enough to look at him then and he ached. He never wanted to cause her this much pain and he promised that he never would again.

"Never again," he promised. "I'm yours for as long as you want me."

Izuku reached out for him then, and it was just as easy as it ever was, the way they immediately moved so that they all fit into one embrace. He breathed in deeply, laying his head on Shouto's chest. "Shouto," he said. Just that. It was enough.

"I love you both," Shouto told them. "Let me prove it?"

"Yes," Momo told him. "Yes."

He held them both closer, his own tears welling up. "Thank you Thank you both so, so much."

#Tododekumomo #ELS Writing #My Hero Academia #BNHA #Izuku Midoriya #Shouto Todoroki #Momo Yaoyorozu #TodoMomo #TodoDeku #Dekumomo #Fanfiction #OT3s Are My Heart

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snelbz · 5 years

Text

Lovely, Chapter 1 {ACOTAR}

A new joint project we’ve been teasing you with for months! @tacmc and I will be writing this mullti-chapter together. The posting will be similar to our last joint fic, Tending to the Fire. Just like TTTF, we will be alternating when posting chapters and there will be links on both of our Master Lists, so you’ll be able to read the whole thing, no matter who’s page you visit! The main difference from TTTF is the writing style.

Rather than trade off on writing chapters, every chapter will be written together. Whether that’s different POV’s, brainstorming via FaceTime, or literally picking up in the middle of the sentence the other was just working on, this entire story will be written as a team. We’ve talked about doing this for years and I’m so glad we’re finally getting the opportunity to make one of our dreams come true!

Now please, enjoy the first chapter of Lovely!

The sun was slowly creeping along the floor when Azriel’s alarm went off. As he rolled over to stop the incessant chirping, a small form stretched out from under the blankets and emitted a quiet noise of contentment. He lifted the sheet to see his small, black cat snuggling back up against his side. He gave the cat a light scratch on the back of her head and she opened her golden eyes a crack to look up at him before rolling over and snuggling back under the covers. Azriel laughed before throwing the covers off of the bed and standing up.

As he made his way down the stairs, he heard Nyx’s small paws hit the floor as she jumped from the bed and followed him, her bell jingling the entire way. The bell was an absolute necessity, seeing as the cat seemed to be made of shadow, appearing only when she wanted to. Reaching the kitchen, he scooped some food out of the bag and refilled her near empty bowl. She immediately set to devouring the food, the only noises her tiny bites and her bell clinking against the glass bowl.

As he poured himself a cup of coffee, he turned on the tv and mindlessly flipped through the channels, settling on a news station that was currently showing the traffic in Velaris.

One of the perks of owning your own business? You got to make your own hours. One of the perks of owning a tattoo parlor? Those hours were usually later in the day than most people. He never had to deal with traffic, especially since he only lived a mile and a half from his shop, but since he had some things that had to be done this morning, he’d be running around town and didn’t want to get stuck behind the accident that was currently causing a backup on I-24.

He decided to forego breakfast for a shower and headed back upstairs, still hearing Nyx’s bell ringing dully as it tapped the glass bowl. When he walked out of the steam filled bathroom and headed to his closet, he found her fast asleep in the same spot she’d been in earlier. His lips quirked up in a half smile as he dressed in his normal attire of all black, but rather than the hoodie and jeans he usually wore, he put on his black suit, with a black button down beneath. He gave Nyx a quick scratch behind the ears, much to her delight, and made his way back downstairs, stopping only to grab his keys and was out the door.

Sliding into the driver seat, he popped open the mirror and ran a tattooed hand through his messy hair one more time. He couldn’t shake the feeling that today was going to be different, that something monumental was going to take place. He didn’t know what it was, but he was going to be prepared for anything.

“Mr. Draeven, my client isn’t going to give up any of her days with your son, but is willing to give you an additional visit, supervised, of course, once every other week.”

It took everything in Azriel not to slam his fist onto the mahogany table before him. He lifted his eyes to the prick in the suit before him. It was designer, high end. The lawyer was clearly paid for by her father. Even with the ridiculous amounts of child support he paid each month, she wouldn’t be able to afford this man’s hourly rate on her own. Before he could say anything, his own lawyer spoke up.

“Azriel has done nothing but lost visits with Asher since Ms. Hamadi started this pointless custody battle,” Helion said, standing and walking around to the other side of the table, looking out the window at the Valeris skyline. He turned his back on the Armani clad man and Azriel watched as his face turned a bright shade of red. He had to stifle a laugh.

Azriel was absolutely lost in the midst of this custody battle, something that should never be happening if his son’s mother wasn’t hellbent on keeping Azriel from Asher. Helion had gone to high school and college with Rhysand and had become a friend of his own. If it wasn’t for him, for him being willing to take his case on pro bono, Azriel would lose any chance he’d have at time with his son.

When the papers has been served and Azriel didn’t know what to do, he called Helion and his friend immediately dropped what he was doing and was at Azriel’s home within minutes, looking over the papers with him.

She was trying to take Asher away from completely, no visits, no contact, on the grounds that he was unfit. Nevermind the fact that Azriel was a business owner, made charitable donations to the city, and actually had a job, unlike- unlike her.

Helion encouraged him to counter her, to claim that she was an unfit guardian. He knew she still went out and partied, spent most of her time at the bar, club or anywhere she could get fucked up. If she hadn’t still been living with her parents, parents he was sure were really the ones taking care of his son, she wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.

Rhys told him what he already knew, that she was still out drinking and leaving with different men every night. He didn’t like using his best friend as a spy of sorts, but since he was a bartender at her usual spot to pick up her latest prey, he did what he had to to build a case against her.

That was how all of this had started, how he even had Asher in the first place. He’d been drinking at Rhys’ bar, enjoying a long weekend with his family. Her teal eyes captivated him from across the bar. He was drunk enough that he silently slipped away from his group of friends, new shots being poured in front of him, and made his way over to her. He learned her name and asked her to dance. He’d spotted them watching him as she ground against him, Mor’s eyes burning into his own, but he was too far gone to care. She’d asked him to come home with her after that and he agreed, deciding this was a one time thing.

He didn’t meet random girls at the bar. He didn’t let them touch him like he was letting her do. He didn’t go home with them. But he made an exception that night.

And it was only once. They were only together once, but they awkwardly exchanged numbers the next day as he fumbled to get his clothes on and get out the door. Both claiming they would call, both knowing they never would. Azriel thought he’d never see that mess of blonde hair again. But he was wrong.

She came into Rhys’ bar all the time, somehow not realizing that the bartender was his best friend. She even hit on him quite a bit, an invitation Rhys politely but firmly turned down. Azriel always made eye contact with her but never acknowledged her, and she never seemed to even act like she recognized him. He knew it was better that way. No strings. It was done and over.

Until she stopped showing up at the bar for a few weeks and then one day his phone rang.

She was pregnant. She was pregnant and she was sure it was his.

He’d been at Rhysand’s when she called, had stepped out to the back porch to take the call. He’d vomited his lunch up onto the concrete slabs. His family - because that’s what they were, closer than friends - rushed out and watched him, his skin white as death, as he finished the conversation and ended the call, slipping it into his pocket.

“She’s pregnant,” was all that he said, and none of them had to ask who he meant. They had all seen them together that night.

So began an extremely frustrating 7 months for Azriel. He wanted to be a part of his child’s life, but she did everything in her power to keep him out. He’d call her almost daily, to find out when her next doctor’s appointment was. She’d lie, tell him a bogus date and time, and he’d show up at the OBGYN, only to find out her appointment had been the day before. She’d just claim she’d gotten the dates mixed up. He constantly asked what she needed for the baby and she’d say her parents had it covered. When he asked about the gender, she went ghost. He couldn’t get ahold of her for weeks and he nearly went out of his mind. She even kept him from the birth of his son, only finding out when a mutual friend shared a picture on Facebook.

He never tried to have a relationship with her. He didn’t want one and it was clear that she didn’t either. But just because he didn’t want a relationship with her didn’t mean she could keep him from having one with his son, his own flesh and blood.

After his meeting with the lawyers, which she just happened to never be able to make, he headed off to his parlor. He pulled off the interstate and started through town, passing Rhys’ bar and his apartment. The open sign was on and he debated stopping in, not for a drink but just to see his friend, to tell him about the latest mess she’d caused for him. He kept driving though and when he was less than a mile from his shop, he saw a red convertible pulled over on the side of the road. The hood was up and smoke was pouring out of it. The girl leaning against the trunk with her head in her hands looked so downtrodden that he felt it in his soul. He’d had a shitty day, too. Maybe he could help someone else’s be a little better.

He pulled his truck over to the side of the road behind her. She immediately lifted her head and looked up at him. This wasn’t a girl. This was a young woman. And she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

His hand froze on the door handle and he couldn’t tear his eyes away from hers. They were mesmerizing. Her hand fluttered to her chest and that small movement spurred him into motion. He hopped out and asked her, “Are you okay?”

His words seemed to snap her out of a trance of her own. She blinked once, twice and glanced back towards her car. “I- Yes, I’m okay. I was on my way back to work and my car just...stopped. It died.” She ran a hand through her brown hair, the sun bringing out the strands of gold. “I have to get back.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and Azriel’s eyes snapped to her lips.

“I can give you a ride, if you want,” he said, throwing a thumb over his shoulder, towards his truck. He saw the hesitation on her face and gave her what he hoped was a soft smile. “Or I can take a look at it, if that would make you more comfortable.”

“Would you?” She asked, excitement ringing through her light voice.

“Of course,” Azriel said, removing his suit jack and tossing it in the passenger seat. He rolled his sleeves up, revealing the black ink that covered almost all of his body. He saw her eyes snag on whirls and swirls and made his way to the front of her car.

“I’m Elain, by the way,” she said, holding out her hand. He took it, shaking it once. “Better to do the introductions before you get all dirty.”

He laughed and nodded. “Agreed. I’m Azriel.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Azriel. Thank you so much for helping me.”

He blushed slightly. “It’s no problem. I couldn’t very well drive by without seeing if you were okay.”

She rolled her eyes and a small snort left her mouth. “It didn’t stop the rest of Velaris from doing so. I’ve been stuck here for almost 30 minutes”

He couldn’t explain why that made him angry, so instead of responding, he began exploring her car’s engine. He wordlessly moved hoses and opened caps carefully, letting the steam out as slowly as he could. He saw the gaping slash on the hose and stepped back, leaning a hip on the fender. “Well, do you want the good news or bad news?”

Her face paled. “Bad. Always start with the bad.”

He nodded. “Your radiator hose is busted. Not a hard thing to fix, but you definitely won’t be driving this back to work. The good news is it’s a really cheap fix.”

She groaned, face up-tilted towards the sky. “Of course.” She glanced back down at him, watching as he carefully lowered the hood. “Is that offer for a ride still available?”

He smiled at her and opened the passenger door. Elain glanced at the height into the cab and Azriel raised his brows, understanding dawning across his features. “Oh, sorry. It’s kind of a climb.” He grabbed a rag out of the back seat and whipped his hands off. After making sure his hands were absolute clean, he glanced to her waist. “May I?”

“Oh,” she blushed. “Sure.”

His hands wrapped around her slim waist and he lifted her up onto the bench. He made to shut her door and she said, “My purse!”

“Where is it?” He asked, already stepping toward her car.

“In the passenger seat, would you also grab the bouquet from the back?”

His eyebrows rose. “Sure.”

Heading to her car, Azriel thought of the reasons she would have a bouquet of flowers with her. She didn’t mention that she was on the way to the hospital, so condolences didn’t seem right. Same for the cemetery, though it wasn’t too far from here. He tried not to think of the most obvious reason, especially with how heart-stoppingly gorgeous she was: that she had a boyfriend. As he opened the rear passenger door, it became clear that had to be the case. The fluffy mass of peonies and buttercups was so lovingly made he knew it had to to cost a fortune. Only someone who cared for another so tenderly would be willing to pay that much for flowers.

Opening the door and stepping up into the truck, Azriel handed Elain her purse and flowers. He suddenly didn’t know what to say. Not that the short conversation they’d had was stellar by any means, but it had been easy.

“So,” he began, starting the truck. “Where am I taking you?”

He mentally slapped himself as he realized how rude that sounded. It didn’t seem Elain noticed though, gazing at the flowers, adjusting petals here and there.

She answered cheerfully, “You can just drop me off at Nova Café. I was planning on stopping there for lunch anyways, and I can walk to work from there.” She looked up and beamed at him. “Would you care to join me? My treat, for the ride and for looking at my car.”

Azriel only blinked at her. “I don’t want to cause any problems.” Now it was Elaine’s turn to stare blankly at him in confusion. “With your boyfriend,” Azriel clarified.

Elain laughed, placing a hand on her chest and blushing. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Azriel turned to look at her. “I just figured- With the flowers …” he trailed off.

“Oh, these aren’t for me,” Elain said, awkward laughter causing her the pitch of her voice to raise slightly. “No, I’m just delivering them. I did make the bouquet though.”

“You made that?” Azriel didn’t hide the surprise in his tone.

“Yes, that’s what I do,” Elain laughed. “I’m a florist. I own Bespoke Floral Boutique.”

The name was familiar in Azriel’s mind, but he couldn’t pinpoint how he knew it. “That’s amazing.” A genuine smile graced his features. “Lunch would be great.”

Nova Café wasn’t far from his shop, so it worked out well. They grabbed a quick bite to eat and chatted, the conversation flowing easily between them. Before he knew it, he looked down at his watch and noticed it was nearly 12:15. Elain had barely made a dent in her sandwich.

“I have an appointment at 12:30, so I’m going to have to get going” he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Elain had been taking a bite of her sandwich and covered her mouth as she chewed before asking. “Appointment? Are you a doctor?”

The incredulity on her face didn’t offend him, it just made him laugh. “Definitely not. I’m a tattoo artist.”

“Oh,” she said, understanding lighting up her brown eyes. “I can definitely see that. I don’t have any tattoos.” She lifted her arms up, showing off perfect, pale, creamy skin.

“Well if you ever want to change that, gimme a call.” He smiled at her as he stood.

Elain blushed but looked down. “How can I do that when you haven’t given me your number?”

Azriel’s eyes went wide. A blush began to creep across his face as well. Elain pulled a pen out of her purse and scribbled her number onto her napkin before she handed it to him. “It was nice to meet you, Azriel.”

“You too, Elain.” He gave a her a dazzling smile, and a wink as he slid the napkin into his pocket, before heading out to his truck and heading to the shop.

As he parked the truck and looked back to make sure it locked, he saw why her flower shop had seemed so familiar.

Across the street, in a building so unlike his own, hues of pink and yellow and orange contrasting the black and greys of his own, was Bespoke Floral Boutique.

Cassian had a love/hate relationship with the night before he went back to work for the school year. He loved the idea of getting his instruments out of the closet, cleaning them all up, and setting up his room for the months to come. He loved the excitement that thrummed through his veins when thinking about the hopeful students that would be walking through his door in a week’s time.

But, he hated that Summer would be ending and he couldn’t sleep in until noon or spend his days by the lake with his friends.

He decided to spend his last night at the bar, sitting alone, on his third beer, chatting with the bartender.

“Where’s Az?” Cassian asked, taking a tip from the cold, glass bottle. “Have you talked to him? I called about an hour ago. Never answered.”

Rhysand shook his head while he poured a dozen shots of tequila for the bachelorette party a few seats down. “No, which probably means it didn’t go well this morning.”

Cassian grunted. He hated that Azriel couldn’t see his son. The whole situation pissed Cassian off to no end. Azriel didn’t like to talk about it, though. None of them pushed him to talk about it, but they could see the toll it was taking on him.

“Maybe I should go check on him,” Cassian said, draining his bottle and tapping the bartop for another.

“Don’t,” Rhysand said, popping the top off another and placing it in front of his friend, his brother. “He doesn’t want to be bothered. Enjoy your last night of freedom.”

“You make it sound like I’m going to prison.”

Rhysand chuckled as he dismissed his friend to tend to a tall blonde at the other side of the bar. Cassian checked his phone. Still no text from Az, and it was getting late. He had to be at work at eight.

It was time to go.

After a brief wave to Rhysand and a quick chug of his beer, Cassian was hurrying out the door and was tossed into the bustling streets of Velaris.

Although a Sunday night, the city was still crowded with groups of friends and giggling couples captured by the beauty of the Sidra.

Cassian breathed in the fresh air, shoving his hands into his pockets. He had a high alcohol tolerance but still liked to walk to and from the bar, just in case. Besides, he didn’t live too far away from the building in which he spent most of his nights - at least the nights that Rhysand worked.

The stars were bright, shining through the quickly growing crowds. Typically, in the cities, the stars were diminished by the bright lights of the streets and the buildings, but not in Velaris. Cassian tilted his head back and watched as he strutted down the sidewalk.

“Watch it, asshole!”

Cassian felt it before he saw her.

His eyes darted down to his foot, which was on top of a small, heeled black boot. When he met the eyes of its owner, he cringed.

With eyes like ice, a young woman about a head shorter than him was glaring.

“Sorry,” he said, stepping back. “Wasn’t paying attention.”

“Obviously not,” she muttered.

She attempted to step around him but he followed her lead.

She took a deep breath as Cassian asked, “What’s your name?”

“Can’t your overly large feet take you somewhere that isn’t an inconvenience for me?”

Cassian grinned. “You know what they say about big feet.”

“They’re attached to idiots?”

As Cassian laughed, the woman once again stepped around him but this time, Cassian watched her go.

“It was nice to meet you!” he called.

She gave him a vulgar gesture before turning the corner behind Rita’s, into an apartment building.

Feyre didn’t even realize, as she picked at her boring salad, that she was tuning Tamlin out. Something about hearing him gloat about the major investment he secured at work for the thousandth time wasn’t as exciting to her as it was to him.

“Isn’t that right, Feyre?”

She jerked her head up, looking around at the table of his colleagues. His grass green eyes were boring into her own. She could read the annoyance in them, the aggravation that she wasn’t fawning over him like the other broker’s wives and girlfriends were. She’d been content to sit this dinner out, to stay at home and paint.

Tamlin had told her, in less than sincere terms, that wasn’t an option.

“I was just telling Dagdan,” he motioned to a dark haired man down the table, “that one more deal like this and there will be a ring on your finger.”

A year ago and that thought would have filled her with joy. A year ago and nothing would have excited her more than the prospect of being Tamlin’s wife. But things had become different between them lately. More strained. More tense.

He had begun to treat her more as an object than as the object of his affections.

The declaration drew her up short. “We’ve never discussed- Tamlin, I-.”

The woman sitting directly to Dagdan’s left, Brannagh, if her memory was correct, chuckled under her breath. The woman was near identical to Dagdan. Twin, sister, lover? Feyre couldn’t tell.

“Is something funny?” Feyre asked, setting her fork down.

Brannagh’s eyebrows rose and she looked like a cat that had just spotted a fat mouse to play with. Play with, before it consumed it bite by bite.

“Nothing is funny,” Tamlin interjected, quickly turning the conversation into safer territory. As they spoke about their work, Feyre again tuned the group out. She moved her salad to the side and began to pick out a piece of chocolate cake. She didn’t eat it, just mashed it to pieces and began to use her fork to make intricate swirls of icing on the plate. She brought the fork to her lips to clean it off.

The fork was snatched from her hand, the plate removed from in front of her before she could realize what was happening. She looked up to find Tamlin moving it down the table. His coworkers were all finishing up and it seemed as if they’d finally be leaving soon.

“What are you doing?” She asked, incredulity slipping into her tone.

“You don’t need that,” he said, and threw a brazen glance at her body. “You should probably start running with me in the mornings, too.”

That quiet chuckle from Brannagh again and Feyre was seeing red.

“Excuse you?” she whispered.

“Need to take care of your body, especially if we’re going to be getting married. I need you to look your best, baby.”

In a flash, Feyre was on her feet, glass of wine in her hand. And then...it wasn’t.

Then it was in Tamlin’s face. And his hair. And his crisp white shirt.

Without a word, Feyre grabbed her purse and walked out of the restaurant.

Her phone started buzzing before she’d even made it 20 feet from the door. She let it it ring and ring, surprised he hadn’t physically come after her. She continued to walk, trying to put as much distance between herself and the restaurant before he could decide to follow her.

It wasn’t long before the clouds that had been rolling in all day decided to finally open up and all at once, it began to pour. Feyre cursed and looked around, trying discern where she could go to get out of the rain.

A doorway was nestled into an alcove and Feyre saw the neon open sign was lit. She ducked inside and leaned against the wall.

She was drenched. Absolutely and totally drenched. Water dripped off of her dress and ran in rivulets down her legs. She ran a hand over her face and looked around. It was only then that she noticed she was in a bar. A completely empty bar, not even anyone behind the counter to mix drinks.

A glance at her watch told her why. It was 8:45 on Sunday night. Most people were at home with their families. Most people would be gearing up for the work week or ready for school.

The thought had Feyre walking farther into the room and sitting at the bar itself. She held her head in her hands and tried her hardest to keep the tears from sliding down her cheeks.

“I’m never one to assume, but I think you could use a drink.”

The alluring voice a few feet to her left startled her and she quickly sat up, looking in its direction. Violet eyes stared back.

He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen.

“Do you want a drink?” He asked, quietly, hesitantly.

Feyre’s voice cracked as she whispered, “Please.”

He didn’t say anything, didn’t ask what she wanted as he turned around and poured two quick shots of whiskey, a glass of Coke, and set them down in front of her. He picked one of them up. “What’s your name?”

She picked her shot glass up and said, “Feyre.”

He clinked his glass against her own and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Feyre. I’m Rhysand,” and tossed the shot back.

#lovely #tacmc #throne of ashes and beauty #throne of ashes and beauty x tacmc collab #acotar #acowar #acomaf #nessian #feysand #elriel #acofas

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dumbchickwrites · 5 years

Text

A Preference for Vodka.

Pairings: Natasha Romanoff x Reader.

Warnings: mentions of smut.

Summary: Reader is Pepper's niece (let's just say Pepper has a sibling whose partner is black okay) and she stays at the compound while her apartment is being renovated. The boys try to make a good impression but a certain redhead catches her eye — again.

A/N: This has been in my drafts for months lmao I don’t know why I’m only posting it now? Anyway, Natasha deserved better.

Please reblog and comment if you enjoy! <3

***

"Auntie Pep', it's really not a big deal, I could stay at a hotel," you tried to talk your aunt out of bringing you to the compound even though you were already there.

"For two weeks? That's nonsense, (Y/N). Come on," Pepper pushed the large glass door with her free arm, since the other one was pulling one of your large suitcases.

"Speaking of two weeks," Happy said from behind you. "Do you really need all that?"

Since you were very close to your aunt and basically like her daughter, you had spent countless hours with her at the office, or simply visiting her and Tony. Him, Happy and Rhodey were like your extended family.

"Yes, Happy. You know I like to be prepared, and I need shoes for every occasion," you smiled.

"Shoes? These are only your shoes?!" he pointed to the smallest of the suitcases he was pulling.

"No, this is my makeup, skin care and hair products."

"Oh my God," he groaned. "Sure you don't share blood with Tony instead?"

You and Pepper laughed at his remark, the sounds echoing in the empty hallway.

Happy and two staff members took your bags to your bedroom. You thanked Happy for his help and started following Pepper to where you were supposed to meet the team, or at least those who didn't know you.

The hallway emerged in what you remembered to be the common room of the compound. The place had changed a bit, it was much homey, less formal. The team had really made a home out of it.

Steve was in the kitchen with a brown haired man you didn't know who looked kind of rough, a man whose name you didn't remember and a tall fancy looking black man who looked vaguely familiar.

"(Y/N)!" Steve exclaimed, the three men he was with turning their heads to follow his gaze. You mentally frowned at his tone. He was weirdly excited to see you. "It's been a long time."

"Hi Steve," you hugged him briefly. "It's been a minute, yeah. How have you been?"

"Good, good. How are you?"

"Fine, thanks."

Your small talk was interrupted by Pepper. Taking your hand, she brought you closer to the three unknown men.

"So this is Bucky," she pointed to the brunette. You noticed he had an arm made of metal and it struck you. He was the Winter Soldier, the man who allegedly bombed the UN the year before. You almost took a step back before realizing that if he was here now, it meant that he was not dangerous. "He's a friend of Steve's. This is Sam," that was the man whose name you didn't remember.

"How you doin'?" Sam smiled. "You look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you." You gave him a tight lipped smile, acknowledging his compliment.

"Sam, cut it out," Steve intervened.

"What? A man can't tell a girl she's pretty?"

"Alright," Pepper cleared her throat. "And finally this is King T'Challa. T'Challa is the King of Wakanda, he's in town for a conference and he came by to say hello. You're flying back tomorrow right, T'Challa?"

"I might extend my trip for a few days," the King answered, stroking his beard and keeping his eyes on you the whole time.

You heard someone kiss their teeth and you looked at a corner of the room to find a bald dark skinned woman, shaking her head. Her big brown eyes giving a stern look to the King.

"That's Okoye. She's my general."

"Nice to meet you," you smiled at Okoye, who smiled back. "All," you added after a beat, looking at the three men. "I'm (Y/N), Pepper's—"

"Niece, we know," Sam interrupted you. "She told us you'd come. Welcome. Mi casa es tu casa," he spread his arms with a big smile.

"Well I gotta go back to the office," Pepper sighed. "Steve will show you to your room," she pulled you in a tight hug and kissed your cheek. "Love you."

"Love you too, Ninya."

Pepper smiled at the nickname. When you were a toddler, you couldn't pronounce Virginia correctly, which resulted in you calling her "Ninya".

You watched Pepper walk away until you couldn't see her anymore. You suddenly felt a little uncomfortable under Sam, Bucky, T'Challa and Steve's gazes.

"So, uh, Steve... where's my room?"

"Uhh, yeah, right. Your room. Follow me."

Shooting one last smile at the three men, you followed Steve through the building. He told you that your room was between his and Natasha's. The mention of her name caused your heart rate to speed up a little.

"I—Is she here?" you asked.

You'd had the biggest crush on Natasha since... since she was undercover as Pepper's assistant back in 2010. It had been seven whole years, yet you never said anything. It's not like you didn't want to, you just saw months and years pass by and every time you wanted to confess your feelings, you were scared to be too deep in the friend zone. You flirted with her, sometimes. A little flirty remark here and there, but that was more like a game, nothing serious.

"No," Steve shook his head and you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. "She's on a mission with Clint. She should be back tomorrow or the day after that though," he stopped in front of a grey door with your name on it. "Tony wanted you to feel at home."

"It's very nice of him. I'll call him to say thank you," you smiled. "Thanks Steve."

"Dinner will be ready soon, I'll call you."

"Sounds good, see you later."

Natasha arrived in two days later in the middle of the night. You'd forgotten to ask F.R.I.D.A.Y. to enable Do Not Disturb mode so you heard her footsteps in the hallway, the sound of keys jingling and her cursing when she dropped them and when Steve stepped out to ask if she was alright. She sounded exhausted. The tone of her voice made your mind wander. You wanted to run her a hot bath, bathe her while telling her she did a good job, patch her up a little, then cuddle her under the covers.

Of course, none of that was possible. So you just rolled over in bed, turned your pillow over so that you could lay on the cold side and fell asleep once again as the moon cast a pale light on your brown skin through the large windows.

When you sleepily stumbled in the kitchen next morning, the whole team was there except Tony. A casual brouhaha animated the atmosphere. Your eyes immediately looked for Natasha. She was cutting up some fruit on a wooden cutting board next to the coffee pot, her hair in a messy bun with a few strands framing her face. Her features were relaxed, as if she just hadn't returned from a mission. Aside from the few bruises on her arms and legs, she looked fine. She looked amazing.

"Are you gonna grab something to eat or are you just gonna stand there?" Natasha asked without looking up from her bananas.

You felt your face heat up. If you were lighter, you'd definitely be as red as the strawberries in her bowl.

"Sorry," your lips curved up in a lopsided smile. "I guess it's been a while since I saw you," you said, grabbing a mug from the designated cupboard.

The rest of the team hadn't noticed you yet.

With your mug in hand, you walked towards the coffee pot to pour yourself a cup. You slid your flask out of your sweater pocket and started pouring the content in your hot beverage.

"Uhh, sweetheart," Sam spoke from behind you, leaning on the central isle. "You sure you don't want some chocolaccino with that coffee?"

"Oh my God," Bucky groaned. "Dude, stop talking," he turned towards you. "Please ignore him. Good morning."

"Morning," you sealed your flask and put it back in your pocket. "And no, Sam," you added, blowing the steam off and looking Natasha in the eye. "I have a preference for vodka."

Thank God, none of them really understood the meaning of your remark, except the person it was aimed at. Natasha smirked, peering at you through her long lashes.

"You sure it's not a little too much for you?" she asked.

"I'm sure I can handle it," you smiled before taking a sip of your coffee.

Sam gagged at the sight, imagining the taste on his tongue but what he didn't know was that your flask actually contained agave syrup. You just carried it around in a flask because it looked cool.

"What the hell is chocolaccino anyway?" you enquired, your nose scrunched up.

"That is all this gloriousness in front of you, baby," Sam pointed at himself. "And you can have a taste of it anytime."

"Man, that only works with half drunk girls," Bucky spoke low enough so that only Sam, you and Nat could hear him, putting his hand on Sam's shoulder. "Now you're just embarrassing yourself."

Standing in the hallway in front of the large windows, you observed Natasha as she stretched her limbs out before going on a run. She'd asked you to braid her hair back before going outside. There had been no conversation, no flirty remarks, just her sitting between your legs while your fingers worked on her fiery locks.

"Why don't you just talk to her?"

You jumped, a hand clutching your chest, startled by the voice coming from behind you. You turned around to see Bucky, hands in the pockets of his black sweatpants with his hair pulled back in a bun, just standing there.

You frowned, your nose scrunched up in a cute way. "Why don't you mind your own business?" you countered.

He shrugged and your features relaxed.

For some weird reason, you trusted Bucky. You'd only known the man for a week and you were already thinking about telling him the entire story of your life. He just had this calm aura, the kind you only found in your home. You started to understand why Steve loved him so much and was willing to break the Avengers for him. He was one of a kind.

You mentally chuckled at your thoughts. You hadn't even had a real conversation with him yet and you were almost calling him your best friend.

Bucky came closer to stand next to you, his metal arm glistening under the filtered rays of sunshine.

"I'm just afraid," you muttered under your breath, which he heard anyway, enhanced hearing and all.

"She's human too, you know."

"I know... Wait, if you know I'm gay, why do you let the other boys come at me all the time?" you asked, genuinely confused.

"Why do you?"

"It’s funny to see them try," it was your turn to shrug.

"Same."

You both stayed silent for a minute or two. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence, though. Natasha had went off a few minutes ago already. Now, it was just you and Bucky looking at the landscape, or a couple of Quinjets being taken care of.

"How do you even tell someone that you've had feelings for them for seven years? I mean, how do you know how they're going to react? If they'll reject you?" you ask, looking at Bucky.

"You don't," Bucky kept his gaze on something outside. "You just take the fall and hope they catch you."

He started walking back to where he came from when you called him. He swiftly turned around on the white tiles with the help of his black socks with little red falcon symbols on them.

"If I was straight, I'd definitely make a move on you," you smiled.

Bucky threw his head back and laughed. "Who says I'm straight, doll?" he said, then kept walking, leaving you to pick up your jaw from the floor.

The kitchen was quiet at this hour of the night. You woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't go back to sleep, so you'd decided to make yourself a cup of chamomile tea and read a little to help you go back to sleep.

"Didn't think I'd find you here this late."

"You people have got to stop scaring me like that!" you hissed, a hand on your racing heart.

Natasha chuckled. "Sorry, didn't mean to," she opened the cupboard where they kept the dry goods like biscuits and got a box of cookies. "I like to think the calories are asleep at night too."

She sat next to you and tore open the first packet of the box.

"What's up? Can't sleep?" she enquired.

"That's right. How about you?"

"Me neither. I'm still a little jet lagged from my mission," she bit into a cookie.

"Was it bad?"

"Nah, it was very easy. We completed the assignment in under twelve hours, but we stayed for two more days for you know, I little sightseeing. We were in Egypt," she precised and you made an 'oh' face. "I thought it was hot over there but I come home and... it's like the middle of the Sahara, now," she said, her eyes scanning your bare legs, the action making you squirm in your chair.

You took a sip of your tea, hoping it would calm your nerves a little.

Maybe now was the right moment to say it. No one was there, it was just the two of you, eye to eye. You took a deep breath.

"Uh, Nat, I have to tell you something—"

"I know. Me too."

Your eyebrows knitted together. "You too what?"

"Let's just say that Natalie Rushman had a crush on you."

"You knew? And you felt the same? Why didn't you say anything?!" you asked, confusion written over your features.

"I guess I was scared of falling in love. It just seemed too perfect, you know. First, I get this team, this new family, then I fall in love with this perfect woman who has her shit together? I don't know, this seems like a dream to me, and I'm scared I'll wake up in that Red Room surrounded by people who only see me as a weapon," she started toying with a strand of her hair.

Her words almost took your breath away. You didn't even know what to say. The only words your memory chose to hold on too were still replaying in your head.

"You... You're in love with me?" you felt your eyes welling up.

"Yes. Yes, I am. At first it was just a crush, but when you arrived at that party two years ago, glowing like a damn sunshine, I knew I had feelings deeper than friendship for you," she grabbed one of your hands. "But then Ultron happened and—"

"—And I went to Johannesburg...," you lowered your eyes. Was that blood or ketchup on the floor?

"And you went to Johannesburg," she nodded. "Why didn't you ever say anything, though?"

"I was scared of the truth, I guess."

She rose from her chair, lacing her fingers with yours. Your breath hitched as she got closer, the tip of her nose almost touching yours. Her smell, oh, her smell. You could spend a lifetime of smelling her scent. Her shampoo was probably melon or something like that, but her skin smelled like a mixture of essential oils, vanilla and something you couldn't quite put your finger on.

"Does the truth scare you now?" she said, her lips grazing yours.

That was all it took for you to kiss her. You wanted to kiss her like there was no tomorrow and take her on that table but you had to behave yourself. Instead, your lips started a slow dance with hers as you tasted the chocolate from her cookies on her tongue. She wrapped her arms around your neck and you held her close by the waist, one of your hands caressing up and down her back.

"You were wrong, by the way," you stated when the kiss broke. She frowned at you. "I don't have my shit together, and I sure as hell ain't perfect. No one is. But I believe we can be the best versions of ourselves together. And you will never, ever, go back to that awful place. I— I love you, Natasha."

"I love you too, (Y/N)."

"Well goddamn, ladies, I expected you to be fucking each other's brains out by now!"

"What the hell are you doing here, Barnes?" Natasha took a tiny step back to be able to look at Bucky while still being in your arms. It was the best feeling ever, by the way. Finally being able to feel her.

"How long have you even been here, Bucky?" you added.

"Oh, don't mind me. I only heard what you," he walked towards the fridge, pointing index finger at you. "Said about being the best versions of ourselves and blah blah blah, then the I love you's of course, so cute, by the way. Don't think I've heard Natasha say that before," he closed the fridge door with his foot, jar of jam and butter in hand.

You and Natasha rolled your eyes in sync.

"Wanna go cuddle?" Nat offered you.

"You mean fuck," Bucky pointed a butter knife at her. "Don't forget to tell F.R.I.D.A.Y. to keep it silent!" he called after you two as you walked towards Natasha's bedroom. "Ah, girls..." he sighed, starting to butter slices of bread.

Like every morning, everyone was in the kitchen, making small talk. Okoye was actually in the gym, and Tony dropped by to say hello.

He gave you a fatherly hug and kissed your cheek.

"How's my big girl doing?" he took off his glasses.

"She's doing okay, thank you. How are you, Tony?" you smiled at him. "Want a cup of coffee?"

"No, thanks, I've got my juice with me. I'm fine, sweetheart, better actually now that I've seen your beautiful smile. You talked to your aunt yet?"

"About what?"

"The people in charge of renovating your place called, said there's a leak or something, gonna take a while to fix," he said, checking the screen next to the fridge to do God knows what.

"Oh, no," you heard Nat from behind you. She faked a pout, which made you roll your eyes to fake annoyance. Her hair was still wild from the night you'd spent together, she looked tired but you could see the glow on her face.

"A leak? What kind of leak?"

"I don't know, my thing is tech, okay, not plumbing or whatever. Are those pancakes?" he took a seat a the breakfast table.

Nat came to lean on the counter next to you.

"So, looks like you're going to be stuck with us for a while," she smirked.

"If by that you mean having your thighs clench around my head again, then I definitely don't mind," you giggled.

You heard a crash and looked towards the source. Steve stood there, broken glass at his feet, shock painted all over his features as his eyes went back and forth between you and Nat. You both laughed at his face.

T'Challa, who absolutely did not give a damn nor heard what you’d just said, joined you on your side of the counter to get a coffee refill. He then stood on your left as he spoke softly.

"Tell me, (Y/N), what's your favourite cuisine? I would love to take you to dinner to discover Wakandan food—"

"Hey, back the fuck off, kitty," in the blink of an eye, Nat had a knife at T'Challa's throat, ready to slice it.

The whole room fell silent as they watched the scene unfold in front of them.

"She's mine," Natasha said through gritted teeth, making tingles erupt in your body. "If you ever come near her again I will rip your heart out of your chest and shove it up your ass," she spoke calmly, as if she was talking to a child. "Same goes for you and you," she pointed at Sam and Steve with the knife.

Bucky was hiding his smile behind his mug.

"Let's go, babe," Nat grabbed your hand and pulled you out of the kitchen as you waved goodbye to the team. Only Bucky waved back with a large smile on his face.

Tony took the pancake hanging from his mouth and placed it on his plate.

"What the hell just happened?"

"The girl I've been dreaming about for two years is a damn lesbian," Sam slapped his tablecloth on the dark wood. "That's what happened."

#natasha romanoff #black widow #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff x black reader #natasha romanoff imagine #black widow imagine #natasha romanoff x black! reader

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hopelessromanticspoonie · 5 years

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The Angel’s Share - Ch. 6

Chapter: 6 of ? (Find Chapter 5 here)

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Kate settles into her room at Allerdale, and she and Thomas share a quick and unexpected moment before dinner.

Permanent taglist for hopelessromanticspoonie (open): @vodka-and-some-sass @he-is-chaotic-she-is-psychotic @nonsensicalobsessions @myoxisbroken @blah666 @brokenthelovely @myworddump @polireader

Taglist for Angel’s Share (open): @rjohnson1280 @alexakeyloveloki @villainousshakespeare @wolfsmom1 @arch-venus25 @tamstrugglestowrite @trickstersteve

A/N: If you are bolded, you could not be tagged. If you wish to be added to the taglist, please contact either of us or leave a comment!

Co-written with my splendid sister-from-another-mister, @yespolkadotkitty

Hot damn.

He had absolutely no right to look that delectable doing something so mundane - and downright disgusting - as mucking out horse stalls. Her eyes drank him in greedily, following a bead of sweat as it trailed down the column of his neck to the hollow of his throat, before spilling down the porcelain planes of defined muscles of his torso and disappearing beneath the waistband of his jeans. The barest smattering of black hair extended from beneath his belly button to disappear beneath his trousers, matching the patch of hair between his firm pectorals. For such a slender man, he was much more muscular than she expected, built with an underlying strength that was more agile speed than brute force. Not that she had thought about him half-naked. Not at all.

Pulling herself from her momentary lapse of judgment - she was not attracted to the posh Baronet - Kate painted a smirk onto her face, shifting her weight onto one hip. “Well, you had to get all of the bullshit that comes out of your mouth from somewhere.”

He shook his head, a smile tugging at one side of that gorgeous poet’s mouth, pushing back a few sweat-dampened locks of hair from his face before tugging on his shirt. All the better, as she couldn’t let herself get distracted by his almost unmarred, marble-pale complexion. “Where is Eddie?”

Adjusting her grip on her duffel bag, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Well, he spread his plague to half of the staff, so he had to stay behind and work the pub. So, you’re stuck with just me this weekend.”

The look in his eyes as he walked over and easily took her bag from her made it seem like he wasn’t too upset at the turn of events. “I’m sure we’ll manage somehow. Come, I’ll show you to your room and then I can give you a brief tour of the house before dinner? With it becoming dark soon, I planned to save the tour of the rest of the facilities for tomorrow.”

She tried to snag her bag back off of his shoulder, but he angled his body away with a shake of his head. Not wanting to fight a losing battle against the long-limbed man, she shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans and fell into step with him. “Sure thing, Fabio.”

He quirked his brow. “Fabio?”

Her chocolate brown eyes danced across the sprawling landscape, trying to imagine a young Sir Thomas Sharpe running around just as Gideon had been earlier - perhaps terrorizing Lucille just as his tiny doppelganger upon her arrival. It was a pleasant image in her head, and the small smile that had graced her face at the thought remained when she shifted her attention back to her companion. “You know, that guy from the romance novels? My mum used to read them. He’s an American. Always shirtless, with long hair, ripped chest all oiled up as he tenderly embraces the swooning damsel in distress.”

“I can’t say that I’m familiar, but I do appreciate the comparison,” he winked, holding open a side door, waving her inside.

The interior was just as grand as the exterior, with towering ceilings, intricate chandeliers, and hardwood floors that had to be original. She followed Thomas up a grand staircase, trailing her hand up the smooth handrail, imaging years and years of Sharpe’s doing the same. This was not a world that she belonged in, one of old money and place settings with too many pieces of silverware on them. The history practically oozed out of the walls, taunting her with elegant crown molding and creaking floorboards.

He followed her into the room that was to be hers for the weekend, setting down her duffel on a cushioned leather seat on the end of the four poster bed. “Through that door is an ensuite, which should have everything you need for your stay. The balcony is private, but the French door can stick sometimes. There’s a stone outside you can use to prop it open so you don’t become trapped out there. Dinner and drinks will be,” he paused, glancing at the wide-faced, leather-strapped watch on his wrist briefly, “in about one hour. I’ll come collect you around then to show you where the dining room is, if that’s alright?”

“Sure thing,” she replied, propping her hip against a dark post at the corner of the bed. “Thanks, Thomas.”

A look of pure shock flashed across his face before he could replace it with polite indifference. He cleared his throat, backing towards the door. “Until then.”

Once the door was shut behind him, she took in the room with a critical eye. It was nice, the wooden furnishings sturdy and oiled, the mattress yielding but firm beneath her as she sat down to kick off her boots. Through the windows she was given a view of the back garden, which didn’t look wild, but wasn’t meticulously maintained, either. Perhaps she could sit out there later at night, see what the sky looked like without the bright London lights to dim the brilliance of the stars.

Humming quietly to herself, she set about unpacking her clothes, hanging them up in an antique wardrobe in the corner that looked as if it could take her to Narnia if she looked hard enough.

Her entire flat could almost fit in the large bedroom and ensuite bathroom. Even sparsely furnished as the rooms were, it wasn’t hard to imagine them full to the brim with gaudy decorations to match the faded wallpaper on the walls, fancily dressed women tittering to themselves in fine clothes about their men off hunting on horseback.

She felt like a time traveler, unpacking her toiletries onto the white marble countertop in the bathroom, glancing at her reflection in the large gold-framed mirror before her. She didn’t belong here, with her cheap flannel and worn blue jeans. Running a brush through her thick caramel hair, she mentally shook herself. Who was she trying to impress by freshening up? Certainly not Thomas, and she didn’t know what to make of Lucille just yet; the enigmatic woman was a puzzle for sure.

A knock sounded on her door, pulling her from her inspection of her heart-shaped face, making her brush clatter to the counter loudly. “Shit. Coming!”

Tugging on her flannel, she padded to the door, having spent so long looking about and lost in her own thoughts that she hadn’t thought to decide if she should change. Wasn’t that something that posh people did? Wear nice clothes to impress absolutely no one of importance, risking ruining them with a spilled bit of sauce? She tugged open the heavy wooden door, finding Thomas standing on the other side, running a hand through his damp obsidian curls. A few wayward locks curled around his jaw, kissing his freshly shaven skin. Damn.

And he wore another bloody henley, forest green this time, complimenting his creamy skin and raven hair. He smiled, a relaxed, warm expression, taking in her unchanged outfit save for her mismatched black and white socks. Bergamot and citrus wafted over her as she stepped out of the room, skirting around him so close that her arm brushed his chest. She was acutely aware of the brief contact, but refused to acknowledge why that might be.

“To dinner, then? You must be hungry after such a journey,” he swept his arm down the hallway, azure eyes twinkling brightly. “And if you are thirsty, I hear that an excellent whiskey is produced on the estate that I’m sure you will enjoy.”

She walked in the direction he suggested, crossing her arms beneath her chest. “So, there will be whiskey served besides Crimson Peak?”

*****

Thomas chuckled. Kate was a spitfire. He’d seen a softening in her today, though. He knew it. A tiny chink in her extensive armour for sure, but he’d seen it. They reached the staircase and he offered her his arm, elbow out in invitation.

“You’ll be offered a choice of mixers if you find the taste of the whiskey is not to your liking.”

She gave him the side-eye, but he saw a smile ticking up at the corner of her mouth, her eyes dancing with amusement. After a moment’s further hesitation, she slipped her hand through his arm and he walked her down the stairs as if she were a grand duchess attending her debutante’s ball.

“What is it?” he asked, when she cleared her throat, clearly mulling over whether to speak.

“I can’t figure you out, Thomas,” she said eventually, her voice soft as they reached the last stair.

He glanced at her face, her profile delicate. His name in her voice sounded like an invitation to sin. “Really. In what sense?”

“You don’t act…rich.”

“And how should I act?” he asked, genuinely curious.

Kate slipped her hand free of his elbow and looked up at him. The low light from the ancient chandelier at the foot of the stairs touched on her hair, picking out the gold in the warm honey-brown of her locks. “You shouldn’t be like this. Kind. Hardworking. Friendly.”

He lifted a hand to tuck a stay lock of hair behind her ear. “Who put the shadows in your eyes, Katherine? I’ve a mind to rough them up.”

“Thomas, I-”

“Uncle Thomas! Missus Kate!!” Gideon barrelled into the back of Thomas’s legs and he stumbled. Automatically Kate’s arms shot out to steady him and he grabbed on to her, pulling her close. The lines of their bodies fit together perfectly, and Thomas breathed her in, the faintest hint of strawberries and the freshness of soap in her scent. The whole contrary package of her made his heart thump wildly. Her effect on him made itself known further down his body too, and he made himself think unsexy thoughts to refrain from making either of them uncomfortable. His jeans were a bit too tight as it was.

“I beg your pardon.” He drew back, steadying himself, but he’d seen the quicksilver flash of want in her eyes when they’d accidentally embraced.

“No worries, GQ.” Kate slid her palms down her jeans. “Hey, Gideon.”

The boy grinned up at her. “I’ve been making aeroplanes! Wanna see?”

“After dinner, Gideon,” Lucille called out as she appeared in the dining room doorway. “Hello, Kate. Settled in all right?”

“Yes, thank you,” Kate said stiffly.

Lucille led Gideon through to the dining room by the hand. Thomas leaned in to Kate and murmured; “She’s all bark and no bite, I promise. She’s reserved.” When Kate smiled, he added, “Remind you of anyone?”

Kate rolled her eyes. “I’m not taking your bait, Sharpe, no matter how low you dangle it. I’ve been on a train for two hours with nothing but mints and I’m starved. Let’s eat.”

#thomas sharpe #thomas sharpe au #thomas sharpe x ofc #crimson peak #crimson peak au #crimson peak fic #modern au #romcom #the angel's share #hopelesswrites #yespolkadotkitty

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lilfellasblog · 5 years

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‘Cause If We’re Talking Bodies (You’ve Got a Perfect One) P.1 - Patton’s 2019 Birthday Fic!

Summary: Patton loves his boyfriends so much!! He just wish he had more to offer.

OML I accidentally missed Patton’s Name Reveal Day by two months!!! Patton, I’m so sorry, I love you and you deserve better! Here’s a little fic for you!! This first chapter turned into plot by accident, and the second half is just smut. Slightly kinky, sweet smut. That’s it. Enjoy the plot while it lasts! :3

A/N: If you liked this, please reblog. It is the only way to help this fic reach a wider audience. Tumblr ate most of my fics that I know I posted here, which makes me very sad for a lot of reasons, one of the biggest being that the love and comments and tags that folks showed this fic is gone into the ether.

TW: Body insecurity, kissing, mentions of sex, negative self-talk, crying, and LAMP sex almost happens in this chapter. Let me know if I missed any!

Word Count: 2424

Part 2 here!

AO3 here!

Fic Masterlist here!

Patton stared at his reflection in the mirror. He was the Side that encompasses Thomas’ eating habits, and they could honestly use some work. Last night, he’d devoured half a pizza and several Krispy Kreme donuts for dinner, and looked at the raw cookie dough in the fridge as a late-night snack.

It’s all your fault he feels bad about his eating and his body. Just look at you!

Patton’s eyes burned as he took in his appearance. Stretch marks decorated the sides of his stomach and thighs, and his stomach was definitely rounded. His arms were chubby, and his thighs chafed if he didn’t make sure his pants were securely belted up. He’d even slept wrong, and now his shoulder hurts!

He’d had to comfort Thomas while editing the latest Awkward Adventures video about going into a sensory deprivation tank. When the time came to edit Thomas’ reaction to the experience, they’d both broken down into tears. Patton stuffed his feelings down quickly so he could rise up and comfort Thomas. Thomas ended up deciding to not show his body at all.

Patton hugged his middle as he allowed himself his pre-breakfast cry. Soon, too soon, his alarm went off. Time to get breakfast ready!

Patton cleaned up his face in his bathroom and threw on his day clothes. They were so tight, he hated how tight they were, they left red marks on his body where the hems and elastic dug in. He used to wear his clothes looser, but then he’d gotten into a relationship with the other three core Sides over a year ago. They deserved someone with a better body. Despite his lingering sadness, he smiled at the memory. It had been Logan to confess one morning that he was in love with them and that repressing those feelings was causing him significant enough distress to impair his functioning. Patton and Roman had quickly confessed after that, followed by a soft, shy admission from Virgil.

His phone brought him back out of his thoughts. Oh rats, I’m late!! Stupid, airhead Patton! Can’t do anything right!! Patton sniffled back tears as he bolted from his room and downstairs. Thankfully, no one was up yet. He quickly started a pot of coffee and grabbed pancake mix.

Blueberries or chocolate chip? Blueberries or chocolate chip? Come ON Patton, make up your mind!

Patton grabbed the chocolate chips and folded them in with the pancake batter. He quickly grabbed some breakfast sausages and eggs, started heating up the breakfast sausages, and started scrambling the eggs. Once he had the eggs going at a low enough temperature with butter and milk, he started scooping pancakes onto a flat griddle. Careful to watch the pancakes, he whipped the eggs so they were aerated and fluffy, then just as they were almost done, he seasoned them with paprika, a pinch of salt, some pepper, and a bit of garlic. He switched between the eggs and pancakes, and soon he had a large pile of both ready.

Patton quickly set the table as he heard the other three Sides come down the stairs. Come on, this is the LEAST you can do for forcing them to be in a relationship with you, you disgusting-

“Hey Pat, smells great,” Virgil mumbled as he walked in.

“Well thanks kiddo! I do my best!” Patton chirped. Virgil grunted in acknowledgment and sleepily filled his mug with coffee. Patton tried to not let his heart break. He’s just tired, I know Virgil loves my cooking!

Maybe he would if you weren’t trying to get him as fat as you.

I”m not!

Oh? Is that why you put butter in the eggs? And chocolate chips in the pancakes? This entire meal is unhealthy, and you couldn’t even manage to swap out candy for fruit? No wonder they barely tolerate you.

Patton bit the inside of his cheek so he wouldn’t show any negative emotion. Logan and Roman entered the kitchen moments later.

“Salu-”

“GREETINGS WONDERFUL CITIZENS!!”

“-tations,” Logan finished dryly.

Patton forced a giggle. “Greetings and salutations to you too!”

Logan sent him a rare smile, one that made Patton question all over again why they were with him. Logan was the embodiment of the sexy professor and had a firm runner’s body, Virgil was edgy with an undercurrent of sweet that made his lithe body move in the filthiest of ways, and Roman… dear god, Roman was built like a hero prince. A single glance from any of them could make him swoon, and what did Patton have to offer? And unattractive, misshapen, chubby body. The least he could do was cook for them, and don’t get him wrong, he loved cooking! But he could never seem to do it right. It was never healthy enough, elegant enough, complex enough. Patton spent hours every day crying, trying to brace himself as best he could for the inevitable break up, where he’d be the singleton and the other three would finally be in a happy relationship. He didn’t want his heartbreak to affect Thomas too much.

“Ah, pancakes! In a chocolate chip mood, my perfect Patton?”

The unexpected comment caused Patton to burst into tears. He sees what you’re doing, he sees how gross you are, how you’re-

A hand started gently rubbing his back. “Shhhhh, Patton dear, tell us what’s wrong,” Logan soothed.

Patton sniffled in a weak attempt to stop his crying. I can’t tell them! “I j-just love you all s-so m-m-much a-and I have a l-lot of f-f-feelings!”

There! I didn’t lie!

Lie of omission.

Patton cried harder at failing his job as Morality. Some Side you are. Thomas would be better off without you. They’d all be better off without you. Roman came over and threaded his fingers into Patton’s hair, scratching at his scalp.

“Oh darling, goodness gracious,” Logan chuckled, “I love you too.”

Sounds of agreement came from around the kitchen, but the lies only made Patton more upset. Look at how much they have to lie just to not set you off!

“I-I’m sorry guys,” Patton whimpered, “I’ll be fine, you don’t have to worry about me. I’m sorry I get so,” Patton’s bottom lip quivered as he sniffled, “emotional,” he finished in a broken voice.

“My sweet angel, that is one of the reasons we love you!” Roman declared.

Patton looked up in disbelief. “R-really?”

“Yeah, of course,” Virgil said as he came over and put a hand on Patton’s shoulder. Patton winced at Virgil having to feel his fat.

“O-oh.”

The hand on his back stopped moving. “Sweetheart, do you think we dislike your displays of emotions?”

“Y-yes? I know they can be a lot…” And I don’t even have a good body to offer you.

To his surprise, Virgil dove in and practically tackle-hugged Patton. Patton flinched when he felt Virgil’s arms go around his belly.

“Patton, we love you. Goddammit, I fucking hate myself,” Virgil shook his head, “Sorry. I just, what did I do to make you think that?”

Patton awkwardly draped an arm over Virgil’s back. “Nothing! You didn’t do anything kiddo!”

“Was it Logan or I?” Roman asked as he moved his hand from Patton’s hair to underneath his chin.

“No! You guys are fine, you didn’t do anything wrong!”

Logan kissed the top of Patton’s head. “Know that we love you, including your emotions. Let us eat. Food can help improve mood, particularly after a full night’s sleep.”

“You’re so smart Lo!”

“Thank you.”

Roman and Logan returned to their seats while Virgil pulled up and gave Patton a kiss. “I love you too Pat.”

“Love ya kiddo,” Patton said quietly as he stared into Virgil’s eyes. Virgil smiled, gave Patton one last kiss, and sat back down. Breakfast passed normally, the Sides chatting about Thomas’ upcoming week, and Patton trying to control his thoughts enough so he could pay attention. Once breakfast wrapped up, everybody helped clean and put dishes away.

Patton expected everyone to go back to their rooms after that, but Roman came up next to Patton, put his hand on Patton’s lower back, and kissed the top of his head. He started moving his hand in little up and down motions, so his pinky finger was just above Patton’s belt.

“I would like to show you how much I love you. Would you be amenable to that sunshine?” Roman rumbled.

Patton shivered at Roman’s tone and the idea of having to be naked around him. They’d had sex plenty of times, but only when Patton had a better self-image day. Come on Patton, you stressed them all out right at the beginning of the day! Get them in a better mood!

“That sounds great!” Patton lied.

Roman chuckled darkly. “Wonderful. From Logan and Virgil’s faces, it would seem they would like to join us. Is that something you’d like as well?“

Oh jeepers, they’re all going to see me! “It’ll be a party!”

Roman chuckled again and pulled Patton against him, kissing him deeply. “Shall we go to my room? I believe my bed is the only one large enough to accommodate all of us.”

“Sure!”

Roman kissed Patton again. Patton reciprocated as best he could, and then he was being gently led up the stairs.

I can do this, I can do this, I can do this…

The door opened to Roman’s room, and Logan dragged him in, meeting him in a filthy kiss.

I can’t do this.

Patton whimpered and pulled back, hiding his face in Logan’s chest. Logan froze, then wrapped his arms gently around Patton’s back.

“Dearest? What’s wrong?”

Patton opened his mouth to speak, but no words came to him. He just pressed into Logan’s chest further.

“Do you want to stop?”

Patton hated himself for it, but he nodded his head with another whimper. He started sniffling and his breath began to hitch. Logan pressed a chaste kiss to the top of Patton’s head and rubbed the back of Patton’s neck.

“Shhhhh, it’s okay darling.”

Roman came over to put a hand on his back. Patton smelled cinnamon and roses. “It’s alright love. It’s okay, I promise.”

He sensed Virgil approach but stop, unsure. Patton took a deep, shaky breath. “I want to, I do, I love you guys, and god you’re all so attractive, it’s just…”

Roman shifted next to him. “My sweet, you don’t have to say yes just because I asked. Have you…” he trailed off.

Patton couldn’t let his prince think that! “No! I promise, I’m sorry. You’re all so hot, and I’m…” Patton’s voice broke. “Not.”

Virgil spoke up from behind him. “If you talk bad about yourself I’m going to physically fight you!”

Patton giggled through his tears.

“Darling, I can assure you we find you quite attractive,” Logan purred.

Patton looked up at Logan. “Really? You do?”

Logan’s eyes darkened as his gaze bored into Patton’s eyes. “Very much so,” he nearly growled.

Patton blushed hotly at the tone while Roman chuckled and leaned over to whisper in Patton’s ear. “I can assure you, I share the same sentiments as Logan.”

“Holy shit Pat, me too. You really don’t know you’re hot as fuck?”

“Language.”

“English.”

Patton turned around to level a disapproving stare at Virgil, who just smirked that damnable smirk of his. Patton was worried his glasses were about to melt off his face from the heat.

“Let’s go downstairs. I believe a conversation may be long overdue.”

Patton bit the inside of his cheek again, terrified as to what Logan was talking about. He followed them downstairs and couldn’t stop himself from leaning against Logan on the couch. Logan wrapped an arm around Patton and kissed his temple. Patton giggled lightly. It was the small gestures Logan did that reminded Patton what a big softie he really was.

Once everyone was settled, Logan began speaking. “Patton, love, are you insecure about your body?”

Patton tensed and looked down. “Maybe a little…”

He heard Roman about to jump into a dramatic monologue, but Logan gently raised his hand to stop him. Roman settled back with a small huff.

“How long have you been feeling this way love?”

Patton pressed into Logan’s side. “Well, I guess I’ve always known I wasn’t as… attractive as you guys, but I started feeling bad about it when we started dating. I’ve got the worst body out of all of you, and now you have to be with me when you all are so dreamy? It’s not fair to you guys!”

Noises of protest came from the other side of the couch before Logan raised his hand again. “My dear, do you think we’d sleep with you if we didn’t want to?”

Patton brought his legs up. “I don’t know… you could always pretend…”

“I find your body very appealing.”

“As do I.”

“Pat, you’re fucking hot.”

“Virgil. Language.”

“Still English.”

Patton decided to let it slide at the amused puff of air he felt from Logan.

“Darling, I know that our reassurances are hardly enough to change your mind, but I they give you some peace. I believe that Roman can conjure Dr. Picani in the Imagination. Would you like to go see him to talk further about your body image? You do not have to if it would make you uncomfortable.”

Patton sighed. “That might not be a terrible idea. I’m sorry for bringing you guys down.”

Virgil interjected. “Pat. I Will. Physically fight you.”

Patton giggled at the running joke.

“Why don’t we have Thomas watch some Parks and Rec? I think a mental health break may be in order.”

Patton smiled up at Logan. “That sounds like fun!”

Logan smiled back down. “Wonderful. I’ll go grab some snacks. Roman, if you would?”

Patton was confused until Roman pulled Patton into his lap. They both laughed as they fell slightly to the side.

“I love you, my sweet angel.”

Patton felt something in his chest unclench and thaw. “I love you to.” He bit his lip and looked down. “You really find me attractive? You’re so…”

Roman smirked. “Dashing? Noble? Handsome? Breath-taking?”

Virgil grinned. “Pretentious?”

Roman let out a series of high-pitched scoffs as Patton giggled. I gotta admit, being held by a dashing prince is pretty nice!

Logan came back with the snacks. Virgil scooted over and put Patton’s legs over his own. Logan sat on the other side of Roman and pressed against Patton’s back.

Later, they’d show Patton just how much they appreciated his body.

#sanders sides #fanfic #lamp #patton sanders #body insecurities #virgil sanders #logan sanders #roman sanders #calm #moxiety #logicality #royality #fic #fanfiction #ts sides

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suicidalcatz · 5 years

Text

DOG DAYS ARE OVER : CHAP 7

Pairing : Jake Kiszka x reader

Genre : College AU

Previous parts : Prologue ; Chap 1 ; Chap 2 ; Chap 3 ; Chap 4 ; Chap 5 ; Chap 6

Masterlist : here

AN : You’re so gonna hate me for the ending. And the twins are Taurus just like me so I based some of their personality traits after some knowledge I have of our zodiac sign... I’m writing part 10 atm ! Please feel free to message me or tell me what you thought of this part! I can’t say it enough, thanks for the love and support ! Each week I’m more excited to post the new chapter.

Chapitre 7 : Won't you come over ?

Replying to Jake's texts after what had happened felt wrong, but I couldn't leave him on read. Our relationship was great so far and I couldn't sabotage it for a misunderstanding with Josh. What I could do, on the other hand, was talking to Josh. So I started testing the waters when I met Jake in front of the school the next morning. It was the last day we were giving out flyers. The festival was coming soon and then we were all on Christmas holidays so we had to give as much as we could today. It was exhausting but every minute spent with the brunette was worth of everything else.

- Just ask.

We were both quiet before he spoke out of the blue, leaving me confused. Did I think out loud ?

- I can see there's something bothering you, he said without looking at me. Shoot.

With a defeated sigh, I let myself slouch, taking a break from our activity. Jake did the same, sitting on a step and gesturing for me to join him. Not many people wandered outside at this time of the year, and the stone was so cold under my butt I felt a shiver run down my spine. A few more minutes sitting there and it'll get anesthetized. Jake must've caught it because he gently rubbed my back in a vain attempt to keep me warm. I couldn't feel it through all the layers of clothing I had on my back but it felt good nonetheless. His caring attitude always succeeded in making me feel better.

- Have you heard anything from Josh ?, I asked tentatively.

The boy next to me raised his eyebrows in a knowing way before interrupting his back rubs, taking a pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket and politely offering me one. He lit his own when I declined his offer, and took his time blowing the smoke in the air before answering me.

- Not after his lunch extravaganza from yesterday.

The choice of words made me wince a bit. He didn't sound as patient as he had been the day before.

- I don't know what got into him, admitted Jake while admiring the park before us. He wouldn't talk to me when I got in our room after school, so we just kept silent. He can be very stubborn and never explains what upsets him, expecting you to guess. I tend to be the same, so I know it'll pass. Don't you worry about it.

Even if Jake's advice was to let it be, it bothered me too much to just wait for things to become less awkward again. Was it really siblings' rivalry ? I couldn't tell. And as much as I understood and respected Josh's choice of not wanting to adress the issue, it wouldn't solve anything at all. I couldn't possibly just sit here and wait for him to come talk to us. What if he did that with every little things we did that upset him ? We had to talk it out.

It was now my time to admire the scenery in front of us. The peacefulness of it calmed me a bit. When all the students were already lining in front of their classrooms, the quiet melody of the wind brushing the trees' leaves accompanying Jake's soft inhaling sounds put me at ease. The singular smell of tobacco didn't threw me off, in fact it mixed weirdly well with Jake's perfume. There was something very him in that mix. Tobacco, shampoo, incense, and something that I could only describe as his scent. Something I'd love to make a scented candle of. Sometimes, after spending entire hours together, I could smell it on my coat, or hair, and at times like these I'd smile to myself thinking how it'd be nice to sleep on his shirt, to bath on his scent.

- Mama are you listening ?

- I'm sorry, what ?

Daydreaming of him when he was just a few inches near made me embarrassed enough for my cheeks to turn pink and my voice to crack a little. As someone who tended to be lost in his thoughts a good portion of the time he didn't take offense in it and got on his feet, repeating the part I missed.

- I said you must be real popular because half of the flyers were taken by the Illustration Department.

Always the polite one, Jake offered his hand to help me get up and I took it this time, enjoying the light squeeze of his fingers under mine as he got me on my feet.

- Not really. But I manage to get along with everybody, curiously so.

- I don't think that is.

The brunette spoke seriously, stuffing his cold hands in his pockets as he lead the way to the nearest entrance. Can't say I was a fan of cryptic messages but I couldn't bring myself to ask him for precisions either. Truth to be told, deep down I understood the subtle praise but acknowledging it would mean falling for him even deeper than I had already. And it scared me.

Nobody came to what Mandy had baptised The Lunch Club today. And it wasn't because of the overly obvious movie reference but simply because the four of us weren't comfortable enough to eat or even hang out together given the current situation. Josh would probably skip it because he was still upset, and getting together without him just didn't feel right. Of all things it would just prove Josh's point, if I had understood it correctly. And I would lie if I said that eating in the dorms wasn't convenient. It had a lot of advantages. First of all, the heater. Comfort. And actual warm food.

Mandy came back from the workshop just as I was making pasta, already exhausted and looking like she didn't have a proper night of sleep in days.

- Are you alright ?

- I'm so tired you have no idea, I worked all week-end to finish a stupid dress.

Poor girl, she couldn't feel her fingertips and her hands were covered in band aids. She sinked into a chair and I patted her on the back to try and bring her a little bit of comfort while she explained everything that I missed over lunch, keeping me updated. We didn't have much time to talk these last few days since we were so busy working on our assignments, and also because I went home for the week end.

- By the way, she said with a mouthful of pasta, How's Jake ?

The death glare I gave her only made her grin grow wider as she set her plate aside. To be fair maybe I owed her an explanation because she got caught in that extremely awkward Kiszka situation last time and she doesn't even know anything about it. Well, she did know a bit of it but we didn't have time to properly gossip yet.

- Well... We text sometimes and he's... I don't even know how to put it into words dude, he's dreamy.

Mandy motionned for me to give her my phone so she could look at our texts and I did. There wasn't anything private in here anyway, just friends chatting. Sometimes getting cocky. Studying her face and biting my lip, I saw her blinking a few times, opening her mouth in false shock, or whistling.

- Oh my, you guys get along, don't you ?

I shook my head in disbelief.

- We do. But there's nothing that interesting-

- Not yet, she cut me with a raised finger. But I can tell you're going there, just be patient. Or maybe be more daring, you know ? Test the waters.

Of course I took note of that. Mandy didn't seem like it but she was of very good advice (most of the time). And she had way more luck with boys that I did. Hell, she even had luck with girls. Being more daring, noted. Jake himself, without being flirty, liked to tease and wasn't afraid to sound over-confident, so being bold wouldn't do me any harm, I guess. I'll show him that two could play this game. But right now, my mind was set on something else.

- Do you know where I can find Josh ? I'd like to talk to him.

Pausing, Mandy squinted her eyes, thinking hard. Every hint was good to take, the school wasn't as big as most campuses, but there was enough students to form a small town.

- Try asking Jake ? He must know, she shrugged. Last time I met him was this saturday night, he was carrying snacks and wandering around the school in his Pjs. Man he must love those cheese balls.

Although the last sentence was more rhetorical than directed to me, it made a lightbulb lit up in my brain. Without any explanation, I put my plate in the sink, excused myself, grabed a coat, my sketchbook, and stormed out of the dorms. Saying that I was running to my destination was a bit of an overstatement, but walking very fast was an accurate description. My coat was halfway wore and hung loosely around my shoulders, allowing the cold air to caress my neck and make my skin tingle. My hair must've looked like a mess because I had tied it while cooking, and don't even get me started on my panting, lungs frozen and cold sweat running down my spine because I hurried like someone was after me. By the time I got to the vending machine near the cafeteria, there wasn't anything I wanted more than to nap right here right now. But at least, I caught Josh on time.

- We need to talk.

Was it the heavy breathing or the way my back fell completely against the candy dispenser, I didn't know, but the boy jumped, letting go of his change in the process.

- Fuck you scared me ! What the hell are you doing, surprising people like that ?

- Trying to chat with my friend.

I kept my eyes on Josh as he knelt to get his money, studying his back tense and his movements stop. The boy let out an audible sigh before raising his head to me, searching for something into my eyes, probably sincerity. He couldn't hold my gaze more than mere seconds before focusing on his candy again, and a wave of panic started hurtling my body, setting in my stomach, tying it in knots.

- I'm sorry.

It wasn't me speaking, it was Josh. The boy nervously scratched his neck, refusing to look at me.

- I shouldn't have snapped at you, it wasn't fair. It's not about siblings rivalry or anything, you know ?, he murmured while idly twiddling his bag of chips. I guess I was feeling a bit left out, got a little jealous...

His voice was barely audible now, and seeing him looking vulnerable and ashamed to admit the truth had my heart tighten.

- I can't ask of you to tell me when you text my brother, I don't have any right to do that, it's just... It was stupid, I...

- Josh, I interrupted. It's okay. I'm sorry too. We should've included you or tell you. It wasn't fair of us, and I don't want you to feel left out.

My hand found its way on his shoulder, and I felt him relax a little under the comforting touch. Maybe he knew I was being honest, because he gave a small nod and a bashful smile, a look I didn't know I'd see on his face one day. It gave me the courage to keep up my momentum.

- You know what ? Why don't you drop by our dorm after school ? We'll chat and have a drink. Just the three of us.

Mandy wasn't bothered at all my our improvised get together, on the contrary. She loved the guy, in a friendly way. We both did. When I texted her this afternoon in the workshop she got so excited she said she'll buy some beer when she got out of her lecture. Josh and I had exchanged numbers too, so all misunderstanding was clarified now, and receiving both of their overly enthusiastic texts got me in the mood too. By the time the teacher said we could pack up, I was already at the door, jumping out of my shoes and tidying the room as much as I could before Josh's visit. He needed the key to enter our building, so Mandy picked him up while I was putting some music, and both were already very loud by the time I heard them climb the stairs, laughing and exchanging jokes while carrying huge bags of booze.

- Do you know it's an honor for you to get invited to our lair ?, said Mandy as she put the beers in the fridge. You're actually the first person we ask to come over.

- Are you serious ?!, Josh inquired, pretending to be shocked. Ladies, it's an immeasurable pleasure to be your first. I'll be worthy of it, I'll behave, and you'll be so amazed by my charming self that you'll keep asking for more afterwards.

The dirty joke made us snort real loud, and even made my cheeks color, as I yelled his name, outraged by his unabashed and salacious humor, looking very proud of himself. It was something Mandy and I often used to question a few weeks ago, his flirty behaviour. And whereas we thought he was a womanizer at first, it turned out that it was just his usual self. Josh was over confident, much to handle, loud, energetic, witty, kinky, and all over the place, but damn was he right. The boy was a delight to be around. We went from cracking jokes, to confessing shameful sexual anecdotes, to having passionate conversations about the meaning of life, all the while drinking, and it was amazing and fascinating. The more time passed, the more I was sure we were gonna be long time friends, and it filled me with an indescriptible sense of bliss.

- If you’ll excuse me ladies, I have to go to the bathroom, could any of you show me the way ?

Mandy got up to accompany him to the hallway where the public toilets were, and I took the opportunity to clean the mess we made on the kitchen, putting beer cans in a plastic bag and carrying it outside, with the rest of the dorms' trash. Living in the dorms wasn't exactly what you'd call quiet, since everybody invited everybody to stay for the night, have a movie, sex, or booze. What was great, on the other hand, was all the freedom we had. We were all 18 or above, so the school let us be, not being bothered by boys and girls mixing, or what we did in here, only sending a supervisor once in a while to check for any drugs or broken stuff. In times like these... we all were in trouble. Like a shitload of trouble. It happened a few times, of course, but most of it we behaved, only throwing some parties once in a while.

I put the trash in front of the building, then got back inside, gradually hearing their loud voices giggling maniacally the more stairs I climbed. They probably had way more drinks than necessary and didn't even bother closing the door to our room, voices so heavy I could hear them clearly one floor below.

- Come on, you're telling me you girls are single ? Can't believe it.

- Do you really think we have time ?, replied Mandy incredulously. Besides, she's more into long-haired, most-of-the-time-disconnected-from-reality brunettes.

Okay. This wasn't smelling good. I had a really bad feeling about this conversation. I didn't want to believe it, but deep down I just knew where this was going. Adrenaline rushed through me when I heard Josh's confused voice so out of it he didn't understand why Mandy was being so precise, and it was even worse when I couldn't hear them at all. My shaky legs ran, leading up the stairs, nearly tripping over at the last step and turning right to enter the dorm, not even taking the time to close the already ajar door behind me. They weren't in the kitchen. Why weren't they in the kitchen ? I heard noises and a low admirative whistle in the other room, where our shared bedroom was. Oh no, no no no no no no.

- Mama you've got some real talent, said Josh while glaring at something.

Lump in my throat, I took a step forward to see what he was intently staring at, only to discover a huge painted canvas of Jake's face. My heart skipped a beat, my eyes went wide. Mouth agape, I could feel all the color leaving my face, only able to stay frozen in place, watching our guest trace the outlines of his brother's long hair on the canvas with his fingers, admiring every bump of paint, every detail of the portrait I made. Never have I been so ashamed in this moment. All I wanted was to disappear, to go far, far away. There was no way he couldn't recognize his own twin. My brain, in a last attempt to save my dignity, did the only logical think it could think of at the moment. Lie.

- Why, thank you sir, it was a lot of work. Wasn't too pleased about forgetting all my magazine pictures at home, I had to use what was left. Unfortunately, a selfie of Jake. We should avoid telling him, by the way, he'll get too cocky.

It physically hurt, lying like that. First because I was keeping this secret from Josh, and second because it wasn't true. Jake would never be my last choice, ever. And speaking foolishly about him even if he wasn't here made me feel bad. It was bullshit. It wasn't a lot of work, and I didn't have a picture to look at. All of this, I painted it using my memory, only closing my eyes and remembering the glimpses I captured of him, relishing the memories... But even if it felt wrong to lie, I just couldn't tell him the truth. It was fucking creepy, he'd probably freak out or worse, tell Jake about it. Mandy must've realized her mistake because she went very silent and didn't dare contradict me when I gave Josh that false explanation. With a bit of luck, Josh won't even remember it tomorrow.

#gvf fic #gvf x reader #gvf imagine #gvf fanfic #jake kizka x reader #jake kiszka fic #jake kiszka imagine #josh kiszka fic #jake kiszka #greta van fleet fic #greta van fleet imagine #greta van fleet

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pineappleguardian · 4 years

Text

short story

Idea: our main character, Elliot, goes to a club after a long day of art school. There, he meets a cyclops by the name of Theodore, who works as a bartender.

!- There is drinking, or at least mentions of it, in this part. If you're triggered by that, then you probably shouldn't read this. There is also swearing, and mention of drugs.

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Elliot maneuvered his way through the crowd, on his way to the bar.

The pub was surprisingly quiet tonight, or as quiet as it would get, but he wasn't complaining. Any distraction from his thoughts was welcome. He marched on, past the pool table, that had been broken too many times; past the square tables, where local gangs handled their business; and past the lounge area, where the cocaine and weed people went to get high off their asses. Sometimes, Elliot wished he had the balls to do drugs. It would function as a good escape from the hell known as art school. For starters, half the student population hated his guts after he told Miranda, ugh- Miranda, that her outfit was too slutty for his tastes, and that he refused to draw it for their group project. Sensitive bitch threw a hissy fit, and the class got mad at him. That incident happened in early September. It was now January, and people still gave him shit for it. Then for Halloween, he came to class dressed up as a gorgon for a joke. Apparently, it was extremely offensive to the demigod in his class who was, supposedly, a descendant of Perseus. After that incident, let's just say that Elliot had to stop buying lunch on campus. Today, however, was the final straw. Elliot woke up late and ended up having to go to class in his pajamas. No problem, right? Falsest statement known to man. He, and his power ranger pajamas, were bullied into oblivion. Apparently, college students were complete fucking kindergarteners, but no one bothered to tell him that. Elliot was still salty as fuck about being made fun of for his choice of sleepwear, so that's why he was here. To drink the saltiness away. Elliot was violently shoved out of his internal thoughts, when his stomach hit the sharp corner of the bar counter. He yelped in pain, clutching the injured body part. His eyes darted around to make sure no one noticed his almost fatal accident. The coast was clear. Well, until he stood up straight, cast his eyes downward, and made eye contact with a.... green eye? It blinked and Elliot jumped up, banging his elbow on the counter. Its owner howled with laughter. It took a minute for his brain to register that he was staring at a cyclops, and not a floating eye ball. At first, he was a little pissed at being laughed at. Then, he decided to take a look at the offender. Damn. He was kind of cute. The first thing he noticed? The dude's hair. It was the most vibrant, multi-colored shit Elliot had seen in his entire life. Starting with copper at the scalp, his hair color changed from red, to red-orange, and ended with a vibrant hue of orange. It was short, starting behind his ears, and he had a fringe that ended just above his eye. It looked fluffy, and Elliot wanted to know what it would feel like on his fingers. Naturally, Elliot's attention was also drawn to his eye, considering the guy was a cyclops. It was just as beautiful as his hair, starting with a dark blue-green ring around the pupil, and brightening to a vibrant emerald near the whites. The guy's face was visually pleasing as well, with a line of freckles across his nose. Another thing Elliot liked? His height. Now, Elliot wasn't the tallest out there, at only 5'7, but this man was a full four inches shorter. He kinda felt sorry for him.

Elliot probably could've stared more, but, unfortunately, the guy opened his mouth.

"Is there a problem? What? Have you never seen a cyclops before?"

Elliot scoffed. Of course he'd seen a cyclops before. You know, in movies and stuff. Cyclopes were kind of rare, especially in crowded cities. They were considered a more country folk. Which was weird because this one didn't have an accent. While Elliot was thinking, his eyes couldn't help but wander downwards. If his face was pretty, Elliot wondered what his di-

"Hey! Eye to eye contact, please and thank you," cyclops boy snapped.

Elliot's cheeks burned. Did he really just get caught checking out some guys body? Before he could finish shaming himself, the guy put his hand out.

"Anyway, what's your name? Mine's Theodore William, part two. Most people just call me Theo." Daamn. Nice name. This guy was pretty straight forward, too. That was okay, though. He had a thing for straight forward guys. Elliot gave himself a few moments to get it together, before he said something embarrassing. Again. He gleefully, too gleefully, shook Theo's hand, and introduced himself. Theo gave a small hum of acknowledgment before brushing himself off, giving a small 'goodbye,' and walking behind the counter. Elliot's brain lingered on his touch. His skin felt smooth, and Elliot almost didn't want to let go. He felt his own skin and hissed. It felt filthy compared to his. ~~ Elliot spent the next half hour watching him from a stool in a corner. Not a subtle way of showing interest, but, 'hey, whatever works.' He noticed Theo blink, or wink, at him once or twice as he poured drinks or swept the floor. Wow. Elliot had almost forgot he came here to get wasted.

Wait- why was Theo behind the counter?

It took him a minute, but Elliot finally noticed what he was wearing. A white dress shirt, a black bowtie, and black pants. Oh. He was the bartender. At least, Elliot assumed he was. Did bartenders dress formally for places like this? He had no clue. Usually, he just went to the store and bought alcohol for himself. This was technically his first time at any social place containing alcohol. After several more minutes of intense staring, Elliot decided to just approach him like a normal person. He slowly crept towards Theo, who had his back turned. However, cyclopes have better peripheral vision than he thought. As soon as Elliot took a step in Theo's general direction, the cyclops turned around and stared at him. He looked at Elliot with a condescending smirk on his face and blinked. Elliot didn't know if he should be offended or turned on. Hopefully, he'd find out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Alright, fellas! That's all I got for now. I might continue this idea, or I might move on. Let me know what you think. I apologize for any mistakes made, partly because I was trying to write this while simultaneously trying to sleep. Which doesn't work well. Goodbye!

~~~Pineapple

I wrote this sometime this week, and decided to post it on here. At 10:38 pm. I’m running out of things to do, someone send help.

#short story #Ignore any grammer mistakes #writing #my characters

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darkpoisonouslove · 4 years

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“Insanity” Chapter 1

Summary: Valtor isn't all that fond of Griffin's idea to spend their weekend stuffed into a cabin with her friends that barely even acknowledge him. However, once they get there, he figures out the real reason behind his resistance and it turns out it is a different kind of insanity than what he originally thought. Modern Day AU in which Griffin and Valtor are a happily married couple.

This originated as a fill for a drabble prompt I got. You can tell how well the "drabble" part went so I decided to post it as its separate story. Hope you'll enjoy and tell me what you thought since this is different from what I usually write.

"This is insanity," Valtor huffed as they stood in front of the wooden door of the cabin. How had he allowed to be dragged in the middle of that?

"Please, just give it a chance," Griffin looked at him as she wrapped her arms around his bicep. And the look on her face made it perfectly clear that he was under her spell. He couldn't deny her anything. Even spending their weekend with her friends, crammed in a what he had to admit looked like a very spacious cabin in the middle of nowhere.

He sighed. "Okay."

The smile that lit up her face was the brightest thing he'd ever seen but his admiration of it was interrupted when the door opened.

"Griffin," Faragonda's loud voice hit his ears. The exclamation was full of excitement but to him it was just irritating if not downright offensive. And the hug that followed even more so since it had Griffin let go of him to wrap her arms around her friend.

"I take it everyone's already here then?" Griffin asked. The cabin was property of Oritel and Marion whose explanation for its remote location was that they wanted some peace and quiet away from the hustle of the city–living like royalty certainly was extremely hard–so they had to be there already. And Faragonda's presence meant that Hagen was also there, completing their group of six. Now if there was anyone Valtor was less than thrilled about having to live with for two whole days–and the Friday evening–that was the overdramatic robotics engineer who turned all lovey-dovey around Faragonda. It wasn't a pretty picture.

"Yes, we're all here," Faragonda said as she finally let go of Griffin, the smile never leaving her face. Valtor could sometimes swear that her muscles were frozen in that expression. How was she always so cheerful? "Come on in," she stepped aside to let them into the cabin.

Griffin gave him a look that he couldn't quite decipher–was it encouragement or a plea for him to try to curb his irritation with the whole ordeal–and took his hand, pulling him inside.

“Valtor,” Faragonda nodded at him when he walked past her and closed the door behind their backs.

"Griffin," Marion who was already on her feet despite being well into her pregnancy greeted as she took his wife's hand and gave it a squeeze. "Oritel, they're here," she turned to look at her husband who was so sucked into whatever he and Hagen were discussing that he needed her to snap him out of it.

"Hello, Griffin," he threw absentmindedly at Griffin's direction before focusing back on his conversation.

Hagen barely nodded towards Griffin and completely ignored Valtor as well as he kept talking, something about electrical fences and wild animals which sounded undoubtedly fascinating.

Marion shook her head before turning back to Griffin. "You know how they are," she said apologetically.

"I know," Griffin chuckled, obviously not offended by the impolite treatment from both men. She swung Marion's hand that she was still holding in hers. "And how's little Bloom doing?" she looked to Marion's belly. She was talking about the baby. Valtor would've probably known that if he paid more attention when she was talking about her friends but he tended to tune out all information about them. He could only handle so much of their dismissal when it came to him. He knew they'd only invited him because of Griffin and their attitude showed that clearly.

"She's fine. Kicking a lot," Marion finally pulled her hand out of Griffin's to put it on her belly. "She might be reacting to all the soccer and martial arts her dad and his best friend are watching." She laughed and both she and Griffin turned to look over at Oritel and Hagen who were now arguing about sports as if on cue. "Welcome to our little escape spot," she turned to Valtor, startling him. He hadn't expected to be acknowledged any further than Faragonda's nod.

"This looks like a real palace by cabin standards," he said instead of greeting her in return which had Marion purse her lips and Griffin shoot him a look. "I was afraid we wouldn't have space to breathe but it is both roomy and cozy," he commented, getting an amused smile from their hostess and a grateful look from Griffin. He could play a role if necessary. But he couldn't understand why Griffin wanted to drag them both into a situation that required that of him.

"You must be tired from the long road," Marion said. "Why don't we sit down?" she moved to one of the three couches that were all put at the sides of a coffee table that was longer than the dinner table he and Griffin had in their dining room.

Valtor decided to save the remarks since Griffin wouldn't appreciate them. He had no trouble driving long distances–especially when Griffin was sitting right next to him and he got to enjoy her company for hours on end–but he was still silently fuming about the whole situation. They could've been home, spending all day in bed and reading poetry or driving to a charming little village that was barely visible on the map and spending the night under the stars if the weather allowed it or cuddling for warmth beside the fire in the cabin they would stay in. And they were in a cabin but with four sets of prying eyes that he could've been perfectly content without.

He sat down next to Griffin and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her closer, glad to feel her lean against him. To prove his point about the prying, both Faragonda and Marion grinned at them as they were making themselves comfortable, Faragonda helping her pregnant friend to sit down.

"There's tea if you want some, Griffin," Faragonda turned towards his wife. "And there's also cooled wine," her gaze moved to him.

"Yes, Faragonda tells us that's your drink of preference," Marion chimed in, making him tense, feeling oddly exposed even from that little detail that they now all knew about him. He probably had to be glad that Faragonda cared enough to remember anything about him that she didn't have to. She'd always been the one friend of Griffin's that was easier to tolerate–luckily for him since she was his wife's best friend–even if he hated to admit it. She was so friendly that she inevitably got under anyone's skin. Griselda and him were the best examples of that even if he wouldn't be caught dead admitting that out loud. But he still hated the thought of the rest of them having any information about him that was even slightly personal.

"He could do with hot cocoa, too," Griffin said as she nudged his shoulder playfully. However, she reached for his hand and took it in hers, her fingers brushing against his skin soothingly. Yet, the touch also carried a hint of a plea. She was trying to bridge the gap between him and the rest of the company. And she was asking him to help her or at least not get in her way. So he held on to her hand and allowed her to steer him through the interactions with her friends.

He quickly discovered that he preferred to listen to the baby care tips Marion and Faragonda were discussing–especially after he'd noticed the slightly dreamy look on Griffin's face–rather than participate in a discussion with Oritel and Hagen even if their topics were right up his alley. Oritel was a businessman like him and understood economics and finances but Valtor knew from Griffin that Marion was the real talent when it came to business. And that quickly proved to be true as he listened to her talk about things that weren't even related to that. She was definitely someone who could interest him in having a conversation with her. Which probably would've been preferable to the game Faragonda and Marion insisted on playing.

After they managed to break through to Oritel and Hagen and get them out of their bubble, they explained the rules. You draw a card from the set and answer the question on it about your partner. The couple that knew each other best would win the most points and the game. Or at least so it was supposed to be but Valtor disagreed. There was no way Marion and Oritel knew each other's tastes and were in better sync than him and Griffin. Oritel had spent a total of five minutes with his pregnant wife since he and Griffin had arrived hours ago. Meanwhile, he had been by Griffin's side the entire time. And the fact that he was counting on her to not feel isolated was only half the reason.

He loved spending time with his wife and learning all the little details about her and exploring the different thoughts that ran through her head even if they didn't really go anywhere in the end. They could and had spent entire days in bed just holding each other and talking about anything from how toothpicks were made to the secrets of the universe and the meaning of life. Curiosity had always been the basis of Griffin's nature and he loved to indulge her, following whatever directionless logic she was pursuing.

So what if he didn't know the name of every single plant she was growing? She had dozens of them, all of them different since she loved variety and held the passion of an explorer when it came to botany. It didn't mean Oritel knew his wife better just because they'd beat them with one point. So he could stop fawning over himself and pestering him.

Griffin tried to distract him–very successfully–with cuddling into his side and peppering kisses all over his face while Faragonda was laughing at a joke–a rather bland one, no doubt–that Hagen was telling her. She didn't seem upset that the two of them had come in last place and very far from the other two couples. It was obvious that Hagen loved her in his own–rather clumsy and brutish–way. And as much as he hated it, that helped Valtor relax as well.

After dinner they relocated in front of the fireplace, imitating a gathering around the campfire. And in the spirit of that, they started telling stories. He hadn’t thought Faragonda had more stories about the shenanigans she and Griffin had gotten into when they’d been students that he hadn’t heard before but it turned out she did. Apparently, the two of them had set free a lioness on their visit at the zoo on a school trip, effectively shutting down the resented institution for the whole day and earning suspension for themselves. That did indeed sound like his wife.

That reminded Oritel of a time when he and his wife had taken their older daughter–Daphne–to the seaside and the girl had befriended a dolphin that had come surprisingly close to the shore. It had whisked her away while she was holding on to the fin on its back and had had her worried parents chasing after them with a boat that Oritel had outright stolen from the port.

The memory had Marion laughing nervously, saying how she hoped Bloom wouldn’t follow in the footsteps of her older sister, at least when it came to that. And the way Oritel wrapped her in his embrace and stroked her hair which had a tangible effect on her made him feel a pang of guilt for doubting the man’s love for Marion, apart from it making him uncomfortable of course. But he realized that he and Griffin must have looked quite the same with their earlier PDAs. Though, he supposed it was the unguarded emotion that the couple showed so openly that had that effect on him. It was strange. Like they were trusting him with their secrets and he didn’t know what to do with that.

More stories followed and as much as he genuinely enjoyed hearing them, he had nothing to tell himself and it left him with the same crushing feeling of isolation. And even the warmth coming from Griffin's form pressed into him didn’t help chase it away.

He excused himself, saying he wanted some fresh air and walked outside. Thirty seconds later he was regretting not taking his coat and about ready to start moving around in order to generate some heat into his freezing body. He wasn’t going to go back inside, though. He couldn’t. The atmosphere of friendship and laughter was like an electrical charge to his nerves and the cold of the coming winter was better than the internal chill he felt as he listened to their funny stories.

It didn’t take long–probably about two more minutes–for Griffin to come after him, wrapped in her jacket and carrying his coat with her. She handed it to him silently and he hastily shrugged it on, beyond grateful. And the feeling intensified as she handed him his gloves, too. She was wearing hers already.

“What will I do without you?” he asked partly because it was true and partly because he was fishing for a particular answer.

“What is troubling you?” she asked instead, seeing through him like she always did. He had to stop trying to steer her into the direction he wanted things to go in and start being honest instead. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t manipulate her no matter how much willpower he’d need to resist his instincts. He’d promised himself that he’d be better to her than... than they’d been to him.

“I was starting to suffocate in there,” he said and it was the truth but he was still running away from what he had to say.

Griffin didn’t give him a choice, though, for she stayed silent, waiting for him to continue. And he really hated that because it would be so much easier for him to just not talk about the demons in his mind that would eat him alive and try to bury them ever deeper where they’d never see sunlight again than it was to bring them to the surface and face them. It would be so much easier to not acknowledge his weakness. It would be so much easier to pull her into a kiss and get lost in her lips where the memory of being without her and more alone than anyone could ever imagine didn’t seem to exist. But he loved her for being so patient with him and loving him enough to gently take his hand and lead him down the right path instead of leaving him to self-destruct.

“Everyone started telling childhood stories and it hit so hard when I once again realized that I have none of those because I was never allowed to have a childhood.” His mothers hadn’t wanted a child. They’d wanted an heir for their business empire so that was what he’d always been. “I don’t have fun stories about the trouble me and my friends got in. I got in a lot of trouble with my mothers for barely breaking some of their countless rules and I never had any friends.” Once the words were started pouring out, he couldn’t stop them. They’d talked about this before–she knew everything about how concerning the early years of his life had been before his mothers had been sent to jail for corporate fraud, leaving him to pick up the pieces on his own–but it had jumped on him once again while he’d been listening to the happy stories. “It felt so lonely... even in a room full of people and warmth.”

Griffin took his hand in hers and he was disappointed that he couldn’t feel her skin thanks to the gloves they were both wearing. “I’m here for you and you’ll never have to worry about me leaving,” she gave him the answer he’d wanted to hear before now that he’d come clean to her. “I will always be here. And I can’t change the past but the future is all in front of us and it’s up to us to shape it the way we want it to look. That’s why I insisted on coming – I wanted to make some memories with friends.”

Valtor nearly gasped as he realized that she’d been doing it all for him. She’d dragged him there to have him bond with others when there were no distractions he could use as excuses. She was so adamant about him spending time with her friends because he still didn’t have any of his. And she’d been trying to help him make some. How had he not noticed sooner? And now that he thought about it, he’d actually had a good time. He’d just been trying to deny it because of the blockage in his mind. Griffin was right. They couldn’t change the past but they could do something about their future.

“However,” she started in that devilish tone that always meant she was up to something, “I think some alone time will do us some good. Come on!” she pulled on his hand, dragging him away from the cabin.

“Where are we going?” Valtor asked, barely keeping up with her despite his larger stride.

“There’s a clearing just a little away from here. I saw it when I was checking the map.” Of course she had. And of course her sense of direction was faultless and she could find it without any help. She’d probably memorized the entire map and orienting in the forest was not a problem at all. “We can do some stargazing,” she said as she looked up. “The sky is clear tonight.” It was indeed and it was full of tiny beautiful lights that drew her like she drew him to her.

“We’ll freeze in this cold,” Valtor objected. He was in no way against alone time with her but it was the wrong season for stargazing. And he doubted that even cuddling could keep them warm at that weather which was a shame, really.

“Unless we get that blanket I left in the car just for a situation like that,” Griffin turned to look at him, a wide grin plastered on her face. She’d planned it all even before they’d left home.

Valtor shook his head, more in amusement and awe of her, rather than surprise. “This is-”

“Insanity?” Griffin offered as she unlocked the car to grab the blanket she’d brought so considerately.

“My thoughts exactly,” he said before pulling her into a kiss that surprised her if judging by the little moan that came from her throat. He wanted to show her how much he appreciated everything she did for him but he wasn’t all that good with words when it came to emotions. So he opted for the language he was fluent in as he made a mental note to never doubt her. No matter how ridiculous her ideas may seem. She was always prepared and would never let him down and that much was clear by the love she put in every one of her actions when it came to him.

#winx club #winx valtor #winx griffin #griffin x valtor #covenshipping #winx faragonda #winx marion #winx oritel #winx hagen #marion x oritel #hagen x faragonda #fanfiction #my fanfiction #my writing #insanity #sparks of life

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