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nerdieforpedro · 4 months

Text

Cigarettes and Guava

Javier Peña x Mia (plus size OFC)

Fanfiction 18+

Javier Peña Masterlist / Main Masterlist / A03 Link

Summary: Mia is tired of working the last two New Year's Eve holidays. Since she's here for a third and encounters a familiar scent, she decided to try something out in the office.

Word Count: approx 2.7k

Warnings: toxic work environment from management, masturbation, Javier Peña's lips, Javier hands (Nerdie is noticing a trend), teasing, edging, voice kink (maybe), cum eating (might be turning into a staple), every so slight begging

Notes: So I finished my pickle submission and thought about Javier some more because thots and wondered, did we see this man put anything in his mouth besides cigarettes, whiskey and pussy (maybe we didn't see that one, but my head cannon remains the same)?

No, and I know he likely hates pickles. But might be interested in a fruit that resembles something else pink and fleshy. Maybe. Thus we have this fic, not beta-ed, just out here raw.

Mia sits at her desk again on another New Year’s eve. It had been the same in the previous two years. She was told that because she has the least seniority, she'll have the graveyard shift in the consulate.

“It’s fine. I have to pay my due, I guess.”

But she has told herself this in previous years when she didn’t have plans.

This year was different, she’d actually had plans and even went as far to request the day off and put up as a suggestion that there be a rotation for working different holidays. Most workplaces that required holidays had rotations so why was the consulate so different? Maybe it wasn’t just the consulate.

Mia had maybe rebuffed one of the manager’s invites of drinks after work one too many times a few years ago. And maybe she saw him speaking with her boss. And it was maybe then she started working New Year’s eve. Who keeps a grudge that long? And sir, there are many other women here.

Sitting in her office, shuffling papers, staring at her office phone that in previous years she’s never had to answer because even people seeing asylum and wanting to talk to ambassadors apparently wait until after January first so she truly is the only one here. She rose to make a short bathroom trip, which on her way back, a scent caught her nose: cigarettes, musk, a little sweat topped off with…guava? It made her giggle as she stepped back into her office and plopped down, removing her light blue buttoned down shirt that had been tucked in, off her skirt and opened her legs a bit, feeling the cool air touch her inner thighs finally. It felt so good to just loosen her clothes a bit. The dress code always called for business casual and everything to be tucked in. Mia would feel better about it if she didn’t have a stomach that was both large and she had to pull her shirt up over the lower portion of her belly. It took quite a bit of readjusting in the morning and throughout the day to ensure that her shirts didn’t bunch, making her stomach that much more noticeable. She got up, turned off the light and returned to her seat.

Her cool hands ran over the tops of her warm thighs as she continued to inhale the faint scent, she recalled who it belonged to - one Javier Peña. Her date tonight would have been with another man, one who was willing to treat her to dinner and possibly more. Well, Mia definitely would have been up for more, it had been a few months. The holidays where everyone seemed to have coupled off already and she was taking on more responsibility as those same people suddenly couldn’t work late or arrived late.

Mia stood, huffing with her hands on her hips, it was an hour until the New Year according to the program on the radio. “Why the hell not? Seems like this is the only way I’m getting any action is if I make my own.” She used her thumbs to raise her skirt and loop around the waistband of her panties, pulling them down and placing them on her desk, she then sat back down and thought for a moment. She was really going to do this in the office? She’s the only one here so it should be fine.

The scent and all its memories had set her body ablaze. Speaking to Javier after he’s just come back inside from what his assistant calls ‘a breather’ which translated to a smoke break for him. He always puts his hands on his hips and moves his jacket away from his torso to reveal that waist of his as he assigned tasks and greeted the staff, her included. The lingering scent of the tobacco would waft from his body as he spoke combined with his baritone voice. The first time she spoke to him after he came back in, she felt quite damp afterward, embarrassed that he hadn’t touched her at all to enable her body’s reaction. Her hands slowly rose up her thighs toward her core and Mia found that she didn’t even need to lick her fingers this time before spreading her folds and slipping a finger inside. “Fuck Javi…ah!” She gasped at the sensation and lifted her left leg to set it atop the table for better leverage. With the slow pumps of her fingers beginning she reached up and pinched one of her nipples, letting herself be as loud as she wanted.

Guava had her recall when she arrived in her office last week and saw Peña eating one of the fruits off of her desk. A coworker said that she’d drop them off for her and she did, Mia was grateful that she did. The light pink juice at the corner of his mouth as she heard him slurp the fleshy rose coloured fruit. She stood in the doorway until he turned to acknowledge her with a smirk. “Buenos dias hermosa dama (Good morning pretty lady)? You’re Mia correct?” He asked, popping his tongue after licking a bit of the pink pulp off his top lip. There was a slight sheen on the tip of his nose and mustache. Mia leaned against the doorway and crossed her legs.

“I am Agent Peña, how can I help you?” His brows furrowed and she gasped lightly. “Sorry, Javi. How can I help you?” Peña gave a chuckle and gave the fruit another bite, ensuring that he licked both lips slowly this time. Mia cleared her throat and made the short trek to her desk, nearly tripping over her heels.

“Close call there. There’s no rush. It’s first thing in the morning. Though you will need to take anything you normally use for work.” The confused look on her face must have been quite something because he tossed the empty husk of guava in the trash bin and put both of his large hands on his hips. It had Mia sitting up straight. “So you’re going to be filling in for my secretary this week. She took a trip, I don’t remember approving it, but I could have so it’s fine. Who knows, you might do a better job than her.” He gave her a head nod and she stood to follow wordlessly, scooping the fruits into her purse. It was a routine week, answering calls, setting appointments, filing. Nothing she hadn't done before, though she didn’t think Javier would be in office that much. Though it allowed her to hear more of his voice, take in more of his scent and even see him eat another few fruits. She suspected he may be teasing her by the exaggerated way he was consuming them, but she'll be back at her desk next week. The fantasy is fine, right?

Mia inserts another finger as she starts to buck her hips, calling Javier’s name. By this point, she has a light sheen of sweat on her skin and she managed to unbutton her top three buttons to fish one of her breasts out of her bra. Her voice became more ragged and higher pitched to match the frenzied squelches of her core.

A voice rang out, “Mi princesa (Princesa)? Busy tonight I see hermosa.” The light in her office flipped on.

The woman’s body froze and she nearly slipped out of her chair, turning her head toward the door. Javier Peña was walking toward her and placed his palms on the desk, his fingers strumming her underwear and observing the slick coating them. The look of embarrassment and fear on Mia’s face had Peña shake his head and he spoke again. “That’s my nickname for you since you kept giving fruit to me and enjoyed watching me eat. I don’t think you ever offered me what you really wanted.” He leaned toward her as she swallowed despite her mouth being curiously dry at the moment. “Keep going. Don’t stop on my account. I’m here to watch, after all, you called me.” Closing her eyes eyes for a moment, she re-opened them with little reservation,

“I’m not proud that you caught me, but I’m not going to apologize.” Her finger started moving in and out of her again slowly, feeling herself even more wet than she had been a few minutes ago. “I deserve…ah…to feel good…fuck…” Mia kept eye contact with Javier, his lips twitching at the sight of her continuing in front of him. He hadn’t expected her to be so bold. To him, she’d been more of a ‘yes sir, no sir, thank you sir,’ type but he clearly was wrong. Mia had a fire in her and he’d been damn glad he finally had more of an opportunity to speak to her in more than just passing. Peña had glimpses of that past week, her quips, finishing tasks much quicker than his previous secretary and asking, “Is that all? Any more you need done?” As much as Javier enjoyed women, he had an elevated level of pleasure from competent women - no matter their job or role.

“I know you can do better than that. Weren’t you just calling my name louder Princesa?” Peña teased, his eyes darkening as he bit his bottom lip. He was pressing his palms into the desk, feeling his cock ache. He was dressed casually, and had come into the office to take a quick peek and see if he had left a bottle of whiskey in his office. Javi had finished the ones in his apartment and wanted some for the New Year. He didn’t expect that on the way to his office, he'd hear his name. Not moaned in these walls. Curious, he went to see who it was. His eyes widened and he waited in the doorway, watching her. Mia hadn’t noticed him and was going faster and louder. ‘She sounds close, but I don’t want her to finish yet. No one should come quickly to my name unless I want them to.’ That’s when he walked in and surprised her and why he was watching her short fingers work to try and bring her to a peak. He made sure to pat his back pocket though, making sure he had a condom with him.

Javier walked behind the desk and set his head on Mia’s, making her eyes open as she didn't see him in front of her any more. “Hermosa, let’s switch, give me your hand.” It wasn’t a suggestion or command, he just pulled on her hand that was in her core out of her and snaked one of his hands around her waist, patting her belly before reaching down to squeeze her thigh. “Let me smell you, princesa.” Her slick fingers glossed his lips before he kissed her palm, letting her fingers graze his nose. “Tienes un olor divino (You smell divine).” Javier used his tongue to make a wet path back to her fingers and placed them in his mouth, hollowing out his cheeks on them, pulling at the skin. The sounds he was able to pull from Mia changed immediately from whines that she had done by herself to low growls as soon as he began using his tongue. Her walls were clenching around nothing with her chair now soaked with arousal. Without warning, he slipped a finger into her cunt, stretching her slightly.

Peña heard her gasp and then curse, his grin felt on her fingers as he removed them from his mouth, “Been a little while has it princesa? All work and no play is no good for you.” He bit her earlobe, licking the bite and then nibbling on her lobe. His thick digit began to tease her walls, pressing into them as they squeezed. “Let me open you up some Mia.” he added a second finger and began to drag them back and forth inside of her, making her hips buckle. Peña dropped her hand and used his now free one to put her other leg on the desk while remaining behind the chair to keep her from sliding back as she humped his fingers.

“Dammit Javi! Faster! I need more, g-give me…shit, more..” Mia continued to groan, reaching back to take a handful of Javier’s hair. Her head was tilted back on his shoulder, Peña’s lips scoured her exposed neck, nipping at her skin and bit into the sot flesh of her rounded shoulder. He felt her core pulling on his fingers trying to keep them inside, just one more push.

“Scream for me princesa, say my name.” Javier cooed in her ear, he blew air into her ear before kissing her cheek. Her hips were grinding on his fingers, he knew what to do, he was just taking his time, milking her moans.

“Make me…make me come Javier, please…” She whined, turning her head to look at him, her hips making erratic circles.

“You know what to call me princesa.” Peña cracked a smile as he heard her hiss. His lips once again toying with her neck. Soft kisses planted over the bite marks.

“Fuck it all to hell Javi just let me-” Mia screamed in frustration at the agent, he gave her one more bite before having his lips claim her ear again.

“As you wish cariño (dear)” Javier’s thumb grazed her sensitive bundle of nerves before circling it, Mia cried out for Javi as her cunt quivered from his fingers, spreading her slick over his hand and her chair. The little whimpers she unleashed had Javi give her a small smile as he pulled his fingers from her. He sucked her nectar off and kissed her lips so she could taste herself. It wasn’t hungry, instead a slow deliberate kiss. When he parted from her he decided, “Smell and taste better than guava Estas deliciosa (You’re delicious).”

Mia gazed up at Javier with glossy eyes as her chest heaved. She moved her legs off the desk and slid back into the chair, able to relieve some of the strain on her back. “Gracias (Thanks) Javi. Estas mintiendo (You’re lying). Go about your New Year’s celebration. I still have to finish up here…somehow.” Javier leaned against the desk, watching as Mia was adjusting her shirt and bra back, she didn’t tuck in back in though. “You don’t need to watch. I’m fine. I’ll get up when I’m ready” Or able, that was only with two fingers and his mouth. Damn. She was buttoning the top of her shirt when his hand cupped her face and had it face toward him.

“I’m just watching you like to watch me, even before last week. Turnabout is fair play.” Planting a kiss on her forehead, he touched his nose to hers. “Come to my place with me. I’d prefer you come tonight, but if you have other plans…”

“You’re aware I don’t have other plans, otherwise I wouldn’t have been here.”

“So do something else not planned, namely me.”

Mia giggled and placed her hand on his thigh, feeling him pulse next to her hand, his bulge was moist under his jeans. “That so? Why not here?”

“I could, but we might want to be a bit kinder to your back considering what I plan on doing to it princesa, besides,” Javier slipped an arm around Mia and stood her up, having her lean on him as she wobbled a bit, “I may want to eat some guava with you instead of for you tomorrow morning.” Mia laughed and pecked Javier’s lips as he spun her around, taking the opportunity to grab her panties and slip them in his back pocket.

The radio explained that it was already ten after midnight. “Well princesa, you started the year off on a high note and with my name rolling off your lips no less.”

“You can’t just say Happy New year like a normal person? Geez…Happy New Year Javi.” Peña had picked up her purse and was walking Mia down the hallway, his bottle of whiskey forgotten.

“I could, but would you have wanted me to Mia? Just ‘Happy New Year’ instead of my fingers? No you wouldn’t.”

“You’re right and I’m not mad about it.”

As they left the office, their banter continued and they hopped in Peña's car and drove to his apartment, a little fast for Mia’s taste but that didn’t matter as much as what they planned to do when they got there.

Admirers of Javi's pouty lips 👄: @morallyinept @fhatbhabie @covetyou @pedritapascal @pascalsanctuary @nissaimmortal @grogusmum @theywhowriteandknowthings @beefrobeefcal @goodwithcheese @iamasaddie @movievillainess721 @megamindsecretlair @pamasaur @joelslegalwhre @pedrodascal @trulybetty @perotovar @chronically-ghosted @josephquinnswhore @mandoisapunk @secretelephanttattoo @for-a-longlongtime @dameron-grant-spector @legendary-pink-dot @sp00kymulderr @intoanotherworld23 @linzels-blog @guelyury @laurfilijames @missladym1981 @pedroshotwifey @alltheglitterandtheroar @din-djarins-riduur @ramblers-lets-get-ramblin @rhoorl @yorksgirl @maggiemayhemnj @saturn-rings-writes @gwendibleywrites @angelofsmalldeath-codeine @undercoverpena @musings-of-a-rose @soft-persephone @javierpena-inatacvest @mysterious-moonstruck-musings @pedritapascal @magpiepills @handspunyarns @frenchiereading

(I may do a follow up to this one as more writing practice for Javier Peña. I haven't quite figured him out yet.)

#pedro pascal characters #fanfiction #pedro pascal #pedro pascal fanfiction #javier pena fanfiction #javier pena narcos #javier peña smut #javier peña #javier peña fanfiction #Javier Peña x plus size female

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bradsmindbrain · 1 year

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I loved that prompt about Jack and Ted finding a kid, and I’d love to see more of stuff like that. Maybe Jack and Ted handing out some candy on Halloween or something?

Treats

Summary: Ted prepares for his favorite night of the year, with the man he loves the most.

TW: Mention of vomiting

Ted watched as Jack finished pouring the mixed bag of candies into the festive purple and orange bowl, preparing for the Trick-or-Treaters that would soon be filling the streets. It had been a few weeks since the Bloodstone Manor incident by now, and truthfully it was nice for some normalcy to return, at least for the time being. Halloween has always been his favorite holiday, even before his accident, all the amazing costumes, the sweets, the movies, all of it felt perfect to him. Now, he enjoyed it even more, since October was perhaps the only month he could wander out in public without causing mass panic.

Jack usually took him to a few costume parties throughout the month, and all the compliments about his “costume” made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He’d even taken a few pictures with people who asked. He wasn’t a monster to them, he was just Jack’s out of state boyfriend who stayed with him during October and had a cool costume. There was apparently another party tonight, but he and Jack weren’t planning on going. On Halloween Night itself, they much preferred handing out candy. Well, Jack handed out candy, he mostly stayed back, only coming out for the older kids who were less likely to be frightened of him.

Jack, in contrast, didn’t care all that much for the holiday until he came along. He didn’t necessarily hate it, he just thought the timing detracted from Día de los Muertos and led to a lot of misconceptions about it. Jack had explained to him in painstaking detail the differences when he asked, and truthfully, Ted could see why Jack wasn’t all too fond of it. That being said, he had gradually convinced Jack to at least give a few things a try, things that were at least somewhat similar to his beloved holiday, like handing out treats or the costumes. While Jack did like those aspects, he still did very little for decoration, nothing at all in fact. The outside of his house was completely bare, and the decorations inside were Día de los Muertos decorations he had put up in advance. He had to admit, the colorful, handmade decorations Jack put up were quite beautiful, he didn’t necessarily celebrate himself, but he knew how much the occasion meant to Jack.

He was ripped from his reminiscing when he spotted Jack slip an orange wrapper from the bowl, and he grumbled in annoyance.

Jack tried to look innocent, looking to the side, “What? Put what back?”

He rolled his eyes, he hated those damn Reese’s cups. Many of the dog-like mannerisms Jack possessed were innocuous and rather endearing, but not when it came to chocolate. For some bizarre reason, Jack could eat many things dogs couldn’t just fine, except for chocolate. It didn’t kill him, but Ted knew from experience that it made him deathly ill until it got out of his system, more often than not from vomiting. Jack was good at avoiding chocolate for the most part, but not when it came to Reese’s. Jack loved peanut butter and just couldn’t resist it if it was put in front of him. Unfortunately, Reese’s had peanut butter in chocolate, and it seemed like Jack’s self-preservation instincts just didn’t work when it came to that.

He crossed his arms, giving a grumble.

Jack sighed, “You’re right, I’ll put it back.” As promised, Jack removed the Reese’s cup from his pocket and placed it back in the bowl, flicking the front porch light on before heading to the living room.It would be awhile before Trick-or-Treating really started to begin, which meant they had time to begin another one of his favorite Halloween traditions, marathoning horror films. It was always nice to do this, even if on paper it seemed like a disaster waiting to happen because of his abilities. Jack had seen a lot worse than what the films were depicting most of the time, so the scares didn’t really faze him, and thus meant he didn’t have to worry about accidentally immolating him. They had quite the selection this year, The Thing, Halloween H20, Scream 2, and Friday the 13th: Part VI. It was always funny seeing Jack laugh at the stupid decisions the characters made, and it was fun having conversations about whether or not they could defeat the movie’s villain.

They sat on the sofa , Jack sitting on his lap and absentmindedly playing with some of the vines on his chest as the researchers at the station watched as The Thing’s dog form melted away into something monstrous. It was always nice to feel Jack this close to him, tan skin brushing against moss and vines. He could never get enough of Jack’s touches, those soft, delicate brushes against his face and those gentle squeezes from a hand so much smaller than his own, it made whatever qualified as his heart flutter.

Unfortunately, moments like those inevitably had to come to an end, signaled by the ring of Jack’s door bell. Jack grabbed the remote and paused the film as he got up, pressing a gentle kiss to his foremost tendril as he did so. His face shifted to emulate a smile as his boyfriend’s cape vanished out of view. He found it more than a little hilarious that Jack had decided to dress up as a stereotypical vampire this year, with the black cape with a red inside and fake fangs, and he knew Jack found it funny as well.

He was caught off-guard by Jake calling to him from the front door, “Hey Teddy Bear? Can you come here for a second?”

He wondered what his boyfriend wanted. He was obviously happy, not just evident from the tone of his voice, but from his mind as well, he did also feel quite a bit of excitement from the other side of the door as well. It took him a moment to realize what Jack wanted him for, but when he did, he felt excitement blossom inside him.

He made his way over to the door, and Jack stepped out of the way, revealing a gaggle of children on the other side, as well as a few adult chaperones, which he recognized from a few Halloween parties. The childrens’ eyes lit up as the adults laughed, and he supposed they’d told their kids about how cool his “costume” was.

“Wow!” One boy said, wearing a Batman costume.

“It’s amazing!” A girl wearing a princess outfit yelled.

“So real!” A boy wearing a Darth Vader costume shouted.

He was honestly caught off-guard by the attention, all of those kids with their eyes squarely focused on him. It was making him kind of uncomfortable honestly. He gave a grumble regardless.

He was quite thankful when Jack squeezed through the door with the bowl of candy, “He says that he’s very thankful for your kind words!” After a moment, he held the bowl down so the children could grab its contents, “And here you all go! I must say, your costumes are great!”

The children laughed as they received their candy, smiling and waving as their parents led them away, “Thank you, Mr. Russell! Thank you, Mr. Russell’s boyfriend.”

He gave a grumbling laugh at what the children had said as they entered the house. Something about being referred to as “Mr. Russell's”s Boyfriend,” was so endearing. Just knowing that others knew of their bond, and respected that, was wonderful, oh so wonderful. And those children, who would probably be the first to scream out of fear when they saw him, instead looked at him with awe, he couldn’t begin to describe the warmth it made him feel.

Jack gave a goofy smile as they settled back down on the sofa in their previous position, unpausing the movie, “I think they really liked you, Teddy Bear.”

He gave an affectionate grumble in response, running his thick, blunt fingers through Jack’s fluffy salt-and-pepper hair as the movie played and they waited for the next group of Trick-or-Treaters.

#werewolf by night #wwbn #wbn #jack russell #ted sallis #man thing #marvel #mcu #russallis #my stuff #prompts #once again the Halloween idea belongs to tiptapricot #tw: vomit mention

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leupagus · 2 years

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PLEEEASE any sort of modern AU, PARTICULARLY washed up rocker Ed. There are a few fics in this vein but not enough. THANK YOU ETERNALLY.

Getting Louis to sleep is fairly straightforward: a few chapters from the latest Wings of Fire book and he's out like a light, drooling trustingly into his pillow. Alva, who selects and reads her own books, ta ever so, usually needs an argument or two before she can lay her weary head to rest. Divorce is the theme for this evening, though not quite in the way Stede's been dreading for the past few months.

"Why didn't you get divorced sooner?" she demands, shoving her seventeen different Pusheens into a vaguely better arrangement so that she can sleep amongst them and suffer only mild hypoxia. "Doug is so cool, he took us to the museum and we got to paint our own versions of the portraits. And he has a cat."

"Well, if your mother and I had gotten divorced sooner," Stede points out as he settles her blanket over her shoulders, "Then your mother wouldn't have taken that art class in January, and hence wouldn't have met Doug, since he only moved here from the States in December."

Alva is only temporarily stymied by this, pointing out that perhaps Mum would've found someone even better, like someone with a dog. Stede meekly agrees, and pinky-swears that anyone he himself falls in love ought to at least have a convertible or a pony or a swimming pool.

Mary and Doug are back by nine, slightly wine-flushed and trying to tell Stede about the Lyft driver's cologne while they pull out the various desserts they'd nicked from Mary's gallery opening. "Sort of a rotted cinnamon? Flavor? I can still taste it," Mary says, dropping an absent-minded kiss on the top of Stede's head as she passes his chair on the way to the kitchen. Stede collects the essays into a haphazard pile — Frenchie's the only one getting an A thus far, with a somewhat bewildering theory about colonialism and split infinitives that is oddly compelling — and opens the boxes.

"It did kind of get into your respiratory system," Doug admits, setting out the plates quietly — any louder and the kids will be up in a flash demanding that they share, and none of them want that. "How was everything on the home front?"

"We watched Moana again, and Alva wanted to know when Disney was going to make a movie about the Heartman. I told her that's probably not a family-friendly sort of story, which she took offense at, since the Heartman only carves out bad children's hearts and there are apparently a few of her classmates whose deaths could be very funny. At which point Louis asked what the Heartman was and the evening got a bit away from us."

"Oh Christ, he's going to have so many nightmares," Mary sighs, plunking some silverware down on the table. "Stede—"

"It's not my fault! Besides, it's part of his heritage!"

"Just because we were born in Barbados doesn't—"

"You should try this chocolate cake pop," Doug says, waving it between Stede and Mary like someone in a dinghy, desperately flapping a white flag between two battleships. "Has a raspberry center that'll really knock your socks off."

Stede frowns, but he takes the cake pop. It really is delicious. "Anyway, it's fine, he got much more traumatized by what happened with Luna and the Othermind in the latest chapter."

"Spoilers!" Doug says, cheerful, as he digs into a tiny cheesecake. Stede fights back a smile, which fails completely when he catches Mary's eye. They all sit down and grab more treats, and Stede gets to tell them about his insane new client. Or Oluwande's insane old client — but until he comes back from paternity leave, it's up to Stede not to mess things up.

"So this weirdo musician offered you a job helping him write lyrics," Mary says, "And invited you to his exclusive performance tonight? And then you watered his plastic plant?"

"Please don't say that like it's a euphemism," Stede sighs. "It was a very realistic-looking fichus."

"I'm sure it was." She taps her fingers absently against her thumb as she stares into the middle distance, the way she always does when she's thinking. It used to worry him, before — about what she might be working out, what she might be trying to fix or change or realize. Now, he's startled to discover it's… cute. "If he's paying someone to mind his fucking plants, he's got to have money, right? So was he not offering enough?"

"I know I'm a mere adjunct professor right now," says Stede, sniffing a bit, "But it wasn't the money that was the issue."

"Who is this guy, anyway?" Doug asks, snagging a coconut ball. "Country music star or something? One of the Mumford sons?"

"Mmm, no, no one I've ever heard of. An Edward Teach? Used to be in a band called—"

"Blackbeard?" Doug shoots out of his chair so fast it clatters to the ground; from down the hallway Stede can hear the telltale double-thumps of small children alerted to adults having fun without them. "Ed Teach from Blackbeard invited you to an exclusive concert tonight?"

"…yes?" Stede says, glancing from Dough's round eyes to Mary's covered ones. "Should be starting in a bit, actually."

"Honey, I love you, me and your ex-husband have to go," Doug says, and drags Stede out of his chair just as Louis comes round the corner, demanding to know if there's any biscuits.

#is this a scene from Music & Lyrics? MAYBE #do I love the idea of Ed bullying Stede into being his lyricists? MAYBE #ofmd fic #our flag means death motherfuckers #ficcage of interest #promptfest '22

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queen-haq · 3 years

Text

Fic: A Woman Scorned - Part 9

Pairing: Billy Russo x Reader

Rating: R for language.

Words: ~2000 words.

Summary: You’ve been sleeping with Billy Russo for a few months now. Knowing his aversion to emotional commitments, you’re satisfied with your clandestine arrangement until you catch him having dinner with Dinah Madani one night. Then it finally dawns on you. It’s not that he doesn’t want to commit, he just doesn’t want to commit to *you*.

Billy may think he knows you, but he has no idea what he’s just lost...

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

Part 9

The smile on your face was stiff and insincere as Marcus Boyd walked you back to your car. As much as you loathed the asshole, you needed him and that meant paying him a personal visit in his home in Connecticut. He was a very successful defense lawyer, on his way to becoming a managing partner in a prestigious New York law firm in a few years. Because of his career, he had access to many seedy characters which is what you were here to leverage. You needed an unregistered gun, and he had connections who could provide you one. If that meant putting up with him for an hour, you were willing to do it.

“Y/N,” he said with a slick smile, standing next to you as you unlocked your car door. “It was wonderful to see you again.”

“No, it wasn’t,” you replied. “It never is. But we do what we have to, right?”

His eyes narrowed, shifting to something menacing. “I forgot how tactless you can be.”

You gave him a mocking smile. “Here’s hoping you won’t have to see me again soon.”

“Next time you need something, don’t come to me,” he warned.

“Same goes for you.” You leveled him with a cold look. “When can I expect a call?”

“A few days.”

“Fine.” You got into your car and shut the door, feeling relieved at no longer being around the slimy bastard.

Marcus was someone you met at college in your first year. He was a rich entitled sophomore, about to flunk out. You were good at hacking into things, and had managed to get your hands on a few exams Marcus desperately needed to pass. That was the beginning of your partnership with him. You helped him graduate and he paid you a lot of money in return. Thanks to him and his friends, you were able to get your degree with minimal student loans. Although the two of you despised each other, the threat of mutual destruction meant you trusted him to keep your search for a registered gun to himself and he trusted you not to spill his secrets.

You started driving back into the city, your mind focused on the road ahead when your phone pinged. You glanced down. An unknown number was calling you. If it was like the other anonymous calls you received, they would call you a fucking bitch as soon as you picked up and hang up on you. You had no doubt that it was Adam calling, considering the calls started after he was released, which only proved how unhinged he was. A smarter man would have been on his best behaviour when out on bail but he was so filled with rage he didn’t even bother to temper his actions. You had already reached out to the prosecutor and informed them of the calls, but you doubted it would lead to anything. Most likely Adam was using disposable phones, which meant there was no direct proof he was the one making the calls. You were scared, of course you were, which was why you’d reached out to Marcus even though you didn’t like the prick. It’s not like you could rely on Trevor, the bodyguard Roger had assigned to keep you safe. He was lazy and not very bright, and even if he was good at what he did Valiant wouldn’t be paying for your protection indefinitely. All of that meant you had to take this matter into your own hands. It wasn’t going to be easy, but it was the only way for you to feel safe again.

Your thoughts turned to Billy, something you actively tried to avoid, but there wasn’t anything else to distract your mind away from him. It had been a week since you blocked him, and as much as you hated to admit it, you missed him. He’d been a part of your life for almost a year and you really enjoyed his company before things got messy between you two. If you hadn’t developed feelings for him and then caught him on a date with Dinah Madani, you guys would probably still be sleeping together – but you did, and seeing him with someone like her made it crystal clear his lack of feelings for you. The truth hurt like hell, but you’d get over it. You were a realist after all. You knew he was out of your league and there was nothing you could do to make Billy want you.

The speaker on your car piped up with a message notification. It was a text from Davina, reminding you of the girls night out planned for tomorrow night. It was a mutual friend’s birthday and the plan was for all of you to go to a new club that recently opened. You were looking forward to it, mostly as it would keep your mind off Adam but also because you were hoping to go out and meet someone new. No doubt Billy had already found someone else to fill your spot on his weekly rotation but you weren’t built like him and needed time to process your lingering feelings. You still weren’t over him, but you were ready to move on.

Now you just needed to get back home and come up with a reason as to how you lost your bodyguard in case Roger asked. Somehow, though, you doubted Trevor would willingly tell Roger about you disappearing for a few hours so you weren’t too worried. No one knew about your connection with Marcus and you intended to keep it that way.

***

The next evening you, Davina, and a few others were at Pravda, a new club downtown, to celebrate your friend Kiran’s birthday. You were wearing a low-cut black jumpsuit paired with silver stilettos, while your lips were painted maroon. Choosing to keep focus on the lips, you had ensured the rest of your make-up was light and dewy which went well with your straightened hair. It had taken a lot of double-sided tape to make sure your breasts were in check in your outfit but it was worth the effort. You felt like a proper goddess tonight, surrounded by your beautiful friends at a private table in the VIP lounge.

An hour later you were buzzed, giggling and laughing as you and a few others headed back to the private booth from the dance floor. After dancing up a storm, you guys were all parched and desperate for a drink. Davina was holding your hand as she led you through the crowds but you knew something was wrong when she stopped unexpectedly. You thought you heard her swear but you couldn’t be sure due to the loud music.

“What’s-” The words died in your mouth when you realized what Davina was staring at. Billy fucking Russo, sitting at your table, chatting it up with Kiran who was sitting next to him. The moment you saw them, you felt red-hot anger flood over you. While Kiran was a good friend, she wasn’t someone you confided in. She had no idea you’d been sleeping with Billy so you didn’t blame her for flirting with him. But Billy, god you hated him! There was no way his showing up at the same club as you was a co-incidence, which meant he was purposely here to flirt with your friends. To hurt you.

“Want to leave?” Davina asked, looking at you with concern.

“No, it’s fine,” you replied in a clipped tone.

“Are you sure?”

“He’s here because he wants to piss me off.”

“I thought you said he was cool about the break-up.”

You shrugged your shoulders. “Thought he was.”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

You didn’t answer, instead taking the lead to walk past her. You returned to your seat across from where he and Kiran were sitting. Davina came to sit beside you. Butterflies fluttered in your stomach as his molten eyes trailed down to your breasts, lingering on you. Dressed in a simple grey t-shirt, designer no doubt, and a pair of black trousers and open leather jacket, he looked absolutely beautiful with his perfectly styled hair and trimmed beard.

“Hey guys, this is Billy,” Kiran greeted, eyeing him appreciatively. “He ordered us more champagne. Isn’t that so nice of him?”

On the table in front of you was an expensive bottle, chilling in ice. You quirked your eyebrow. Apparently Billy was in the mood to splurge on your friends. “That’s nice of him,” you remarked noncommittally.

“Billy, this is Davina and Y/N,” Kiran said.

His eyes were locked with yours, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Oh, I know Y/N very well.”

Kiran turned to look at you. “You do?”

You shrugged your shoulders. “Through work.”

Billy leaned forward, his smoldering gaze holding you hostage. “Y/N and I are very good friends.”

“Acquaintances,” you corrected.

As if sensing the tension in the air, Kiran pulled away from Billy. Meanwhile, he picked up the bottle of champagne and started pouring the liquid in the empty glasses in front of him. “You’re giving Kiran the wrong idea about us, Y/N. She might think you don’t like me very much.”

“She’d be right,” you snarked, ignoring the glass of champagne he held out for you.

“I’ll take that,” Davina replied, snatching the glass from his hands.

Your friends were suddenly talking all at once but all you could focus on was Billy’s heated gaze on you. With every second that passed his eyes on you seemed to grow more wanton and lustful, and desire coursed through your blood at how he looked at you. You wanted him so badly you cold feel yourself getting wet, and you realized you needed to get out of there right away.

“I’m going to get a drink,” you whispered in Davina’s ear, making sure Billy didn’t hear you.

“Want me to come with you?”

“No. I’ll be fine.” You stood up quickly and made your way out of there, keenly aware of Billy’s eyes boring into your back.

Few minutes later you were sitting at one of the corner bar downstairs. This floor had a different ambience than the club upstairs, which you appreciated. The music wasn’t as loud and you found yourself enjoying the lounge vibe. It wasn’t long before someone crept up next to you at the bar and you turned to find a familiar face smiling back at you.

His name was Avi and you’d run into him a few times at the conferences you’d gone to. Broad-shouldered and husky, you’d always found him attractive in an adorable way.

“You just look…” he gave you a shy smile. “Wow.”

Seeing his reaction to you, you smiled. “Thank you.”

“I’ve always wanted to approach you but I didn’t want to come across as a creep, you know?” he explained. “You can also be very intimidating.”

That made you laugh. “I doubt that.”

As Avi and you continued to talk, you couldn’t help but enjoy how he was gawking at you. You didn’t fit society’s mould for what was considered beautiful, so all of your past flings were a result of the guys getting to know you and finding you hot because of your personality. It was rare when a guy you were attracted to was also into you right away but that seemed to be the case with Avi. You didn’t have to charm or work for him to find you hot. Instead, he was genuinely enamored with how you looked which was refreshing.

His phone rang with a text notification. Scanning through the message, he flashed you an apologetic glance. “Shit. I have to go.”

Disappointed, you pouted your lips. “That’s too bad.”

“Would you want to go out sometime?” he asked shyly.

“I’d like that.” You reached for your phone and scrolled through to the contacts app to add his name before handing the phone to him. “Add your number.”

After you said your goodbyes, you ordered your third gin and tonic and were enjoying your drink at the bar when someone grazed up against you. Seated on a high bar stool, you were expecting Davina to have come looking for you. Instead, you found Billy sidling up to you. He looked pissed off and angrier than you’d ever seen him.

“Give me your phone,” he barked.

“Go to hell.”

Unexpectedly he gripped your stool and pulled you closer, throwing you off so you were forced to hold on to him for regain your balance. He perched his foot up on the bottom ledge of the stool, closing you in fully. “Unblock me now.”

‘Go fuck yourself.”

His dark eyes seemed to suddenly grow even darker, more monster than human. “Who was that guy you were talking to?”

“My future boyfriend.”

Billy’s lips curved into a sneer. “Not if he knows what’s good for him.”

“Why don’t you go back to flirting with my friend and leave me the fuck alone?”

“She was flirting. I wasn’t.”

“I don’t care. Go sleep with whoever you want, and I’ll do the same.”

Billy simply stared at you for a beat, his jaw clenched. “You’re not fucking anyone else.”

Sitting up straight, you leveled him with a hostile look. “I just met someone who was nice, sweet, and really fucking cute. And he wasn’t an asshole like you. Trust me, I will fuck him. I might even suck him off here tonight if he plays his cards right. And there isn’t a single thing you can do to stop that.”

He dipped his head towards you, leaning in closer so you were the only one who could hear him. His voice may have been flat, but his words were laced with cold fury when he spoke next. “If he touches you, he’s dead. I’ll start with his hands. I’ll break his fingers one by one for daring to touch you. Next I’ll cut off his dick, his balls, other parts of him slowly, carefully, so he feels every inch of the excruciating pain I’ll put him through. I’ll fill him with adrenaline so he doesn’t pass out from the pain. I’ll gouge out his eyes last because he needs to see that I’m the one who turned him into a mutilated lump of flesh. And then maybe, if I’m feeling nice, I might slit his throat to end his suffering.” His eyes never leaving yours, he reached for your drink at the bar and chugged it.

“You’re a fucking psychopath,” you said, your throat suddenly parched. Your heart was beating rapidly, your stomach coiled into knots. Fear should have flooded over you - it didn’t. Instead, you were aroused.

“No one takes what’s mine.”

“I’m not your fucking possession. You don’t own me.” You closed your eyes, taking deep breaths as your emotions – and the walls – started to all swirl together. Like always, just when you thought he might have cared enough to admit he was jealous, he showed his true colours. Billy’s anger had nothing to do with his feelings for you. Rather, it was about his ego. Shit. You felt dizzy, the drinks had started to hit you. “Why don’t you go bother Dinah and her new man? Didn’t you say she was seeing someone else? Go pull your psychopath routine on them.”

He tucked his finger under your chin, lifting your face up to meet his gaze again. The emotions in his eyes played havoc with your senses as he pressed in closer, so close you could feel his warm breath on your skin.

“I don’t care who Dinah dates or fucks.”

The air was thick with tension. It felt as if there was no one else in the bar but you and Billy, his one hand under your chin, the other pressed against the small of your back. You felt heady and light-headed with anticipation and desire, but you were also angry. Angry that you still wanted him, that he wouldn’t give you space to get over him. “Why can’t you leave me alone?”

His fingers gripped the side of your face, and you exhaled a sharp breath when he grazed your forehead with his. Temples touching, his eyes held you transfixed in place. “Because you’re mine.” The possessiveness in his voice was unsettling, but it was the way he was staring at you – as if he could see right through to your core – that made your stomach flip-flop. “Mine.” His thumb swiped along your bottom lip, as if marking you as his. “And I’m yours.”

Billy was a player, an asshole, and there was comfort in that because it meant you knew where you stood with him, but now he was defying expectations, crossing the boundaries you’d carefully set for yourself, and you weren’t ready for that. None of that mattered, however, because you were suddenly feeling really, really sick. “I have to go,” you mumbled. The room was spinning as you tried to jump off the chair but your knees almost gave way. Billy was there to catch you in his arms, holding you up.

“Woah, you okay?”

You pushed him off and ran.

Part 10

A/N - As always, thank you for the support, the feedback, the likes/reblogs, and the asks. I’m stoked to keep writing this because of you guys. Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter!

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Tag List.

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gif-credit: @the-darkling

#billy russo x reader #billy russo #the punisher

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highontomholland · 3 years

Text

I'd do it all again. (ch.1)

I'd do it all again. Chapter 1 Summary: Tom Holland one of the many frat boys out there, and you are his little secret. He has a “reputation” to keep up and you apparently don’t look too good next to his side, so he keeps you in the back of his pocket. Type: Angsttttt Inspired by: Reading a bunchhhhhh of frat boy!tom one shots... oops haha Pairing: Frat boy!Tom x Fem!Reader Some mentions that the reader does: -Put on makeup -Does hair -Wearing tight/showy clothes -Drinking -Partying Word count: 2.2k “Y/N you have to come to Harrison’s party with me tonight!” My roommate Paisley literally yelled in my face as I was trying to take a nap. “P, I have no interest in going to some-” She cut me off right before I could finish. “Your little fuck buddy Tom Holland is gonna be thereeee… Plus we’re on break.” She said in a little sing-song tune. Fuck she knows me so well I thought.

Tom Holland and I weren’t exclusive, nor were we in an “official” relationship. It was kind of a lowkey thing. We’re just taking our time. Well maybe he’s taking his time, I honestly don’t know… It’s complicated. But only Paisley knew about Tom and I. She smirked at me which made me laugh. “You promise you won’t leave my side like last time.” I looked at her and gave her a little death stare. “I promise! I promise! I promise!” She hugged me tightly and pulled me out of bed to go and help me do my hair and makeup. As Paisley and I were putting on our makeup, she couldn’t help but ask some questions about my “relationship” with Tom. “Does he spoil you with a lot of gifts?” “Is the sex good?” “How did you pull Tom Holland? You know Y/N/N we’ve been roommates since freshman year and I still don’t even know half of your life.” P was right… How did I pull Tom Holland? I wasn’t even like any of his ex girlfriends… Tom did tell me about them though, and they’re all the same. They all made a name for themselves, like to drink and party, social media’s definition of “gorgeous”, daddy’s money, and most importantly they pulled Tom Holland. Just like me. So how the hell did I pull someone like him when I’m nothing like his exs. “Y/N?” Paisley snapped me out of my thoughts. “Sorry P, I was just thinking… Um can you do that little bubble braid you did on me not too long ago?” I looked at her with puppy eyes. “Yes! Can I curl the ends of your hair too?” She asked. “Do whatever you want, just make me look good.” I said, I trusted P for almost my whole life. She’s crazy good at everything: dressing up, doing hair, making drinks… etc. Thirty minutes P and I were done with both of our hair and makeup. “The theme’s twinning Tuesday, is it okay if we wear hot pink?” P said while looking through her closet. “Whatever you want to do, I’m down for anything… Wait, how did you find out about this party, and the invite? Why didn’t Tom invite me?” I asked Paisley as she was going through both of our closest for a cute and similar outfit. “I don’t know, ask him when you get to the party. Here put this on.” She threw me a hot pink cropped tank and skirt that was a matching set. I quickly went into the restroom and changed into the outfit and asked Paisley if she was ready to see the outfit. And we both couldn’t help but laugh and scream together. P was wearing a hot pink bralette with shorts, she then went over to her dresser, put on a pair of pink sunglasses, and gave me a pair of pink sunglasses identical to hers… to top it off. “Are you ready to get fucked up tonight?” She nudged me as she quickly slipped on her shoes and grabbed our room key. “Unless I have to babysit you.” I said as I slipped on my shoes as well, we both laughed and walked to the party. When we got there you could hear the music blasting, red solo cups in people’s hands, everyone matching, and bottles everywhere. “Paisley! You came, I thought you wouldn’t come!” I was guessing it was Harrison? He went up and hugged her, talking/ yelling over the music... plus this was his party. “Harrison! This is Y/N, this is Tom’s girl!” Paisley yelled over the music. “No way Y/F/N Y/L/N, you’re Tom’s little fuck buddy?” Harrison looked at me up and down. I knew Harrison from History class, we worked together but I didn’t know Tom and him knew each other. “Um I guess, has he mentioned me before?” I questioned. “No, never. He’s just told all of us he’s been seeing someone.” Harrison told me. I was confused as hell. Tom has told me that his friends knew about me. That he told them about us. What the fuck… Harisson must’ve saw the disapointment on my face because he then told me to “Fuck Tom” and “Go have fun” and showed us the direction of where the drinks were. “Y/N/N, are you okay? I know you said you and Tom weren’t anything official, but I know how much you like him… And you know what literally fuck Tom, what Harrison said! Also how did you know Harrison, why don’t you tell me anything.” Paisley was rambling while I couldn’t wrap around the fact that I’ve

been with Tom for three months and he has never told his friends about us. “Take a shot with me.” I interrupted her. “That’s my girl!” Paisley poured her and I a shot of whatever there was and we cheered to have a good night. Paisley and I were talking about something random when these two guys from the frat who were hosting the party came up to P and I and asked us if we wanted to dance, of course we did. The guy Paisley was dancing with was Brandon Hiker, football team member of this fraternity, and one of the top students in our class. On the other hand I didn’t know who the hell I was dancing with. He was tall, taller than me, hazel eyes, brown hair, muscular, and he was matching with Brandon Hiker. “I’m sorry your name is?” I asked him over the loud music as we were dancing. “Daniel Case! And you?” He laughed over the fact that we were yelling over the music which made me laugh. “Y/N L/N! I’ve never seen you before!” I said. “Do you go out to the football games?!” He asked me. “Yeah of course, that’s how I know your buddy Brandon!” “I’m number #5, on the team!” He replied. How was I supposed to know who this guy was on the football team. There are so many numbers and he just adds- Then I was snapped out of my thoughts. #5 was the QB of the football team, also team captain, and also a year older than me, P, and Brandon. We were Juniors in college. “Ohhhh, I am so sorry! I didn’t recognize you at first!” I laughed. “It’s fine, do you and your friend want to go play some beer pong? Losers take a hardcore shot of winners choice.” He smirked at me as if I was going to say no to his offer. “It’s on.” I tapped P and Brandon on their shoulders and mentioned to come outside so we could play some beer pong, and told them the deal I made with Daniel. As we were walking to one of the many beer pong tables outside I noticed a familiar face playing with girls all around him. Of course Tom Holland. Him and Harrison were playing together vs these girls. I watched as he slung an arm around one of the girls beside him, watching and he tapped a finger to his cheek probably for “good luck” she did what he asked for, shot the ball, and made the cup. All the girls cheered for him and Harrison gave him a high five. He then looked in my direction where we started to set up our cups. His happy grin turned into a subtle one, tapped Harrison, and pointed in our direction. This was my time if he could go and act like I meant nothing to him, I could do the exact same thing. I saw from the corner of my eye that he started walking towards our table. “Daniel, maybe we should team up Paisley and your friend look too busy chatting it up.” I told him. “So you want to be on the winning team, huh?” He questioned me. “What no I just think that-” “Fine, you can be on MY team, but reminder… I never told you I was good.” He said and laughed, I couldn’t help but laugh at how contagious his smile and laugh was. Kind of reminded me of Tom. Finally Tom approached our table and said hi to everyone. P caught my eye from across the pop up table and made a throwing up expression which made me laugh. “Y/N it’s nice to see you.” Tom said and smiled. “Thanks, care to watch our game?” I asked him, a little snarky. “Sure why not.” He had a beer in his hand, hair slicked but still poofy enough, Our game lasted a good five minutes until Paisley and Brandon had one cup and Daniel and I had one cup. At this point there was a crowd around us wanting to see who the losers would be. It was Paisley’s turn; she gave the ball a quick kiss, flicked it, and it went. Everyone screamed and cheered for them. Daniel and I looked at each other scared but also confidently. “Daniel.” I said to get his attention, and I knew everyone was looking at us so I put a finger to my cheek and tapped it. “Good luck kiss?” I said and smirked a little. Daniel cupped my face with one of his hands and gave me a kiss on the lips. Everyone cheered and screamed, I felt my jaw drop but I played it cool. I also knew Tom saw that shit. He then whispered in my ear “Don’t miss

this Y’N.” As I flicked the ball, it hit the edge of the cup and fell off, and hit the ground. Everyone awed and was looking at Daniel to see if he’ll make his. He flicked his ball and it hit the rim of the cup, and also fell off. Everyone awed for Daniel and I but also cheered for Paisley and Brandon. I was clapping for them and I could see Tom’s mood change. People slowly started leaving, but there was still a crowd around us, waiting to see Daniel and I take the shot. While P and Brandon went to go get some shot glasses and their liquor of choice. I turned to Daniel and whispered a quick “I’m sorry.” and gave him a pouty face. He pulled me into a hug and said “It’s okay.” And we both laughed. Paisley and Brandon came back with the liquor, shot glasses, and chaser for Daniel and I. They poured the shot for Daniel and I and before we were about to take it Daniel stopped me and said “Interlock our arm and take it.” I shook my head yes, interlocked our arm and took the shot. Everyone was cheering for us as Daniel and I shook our heads from the disgusting, fiery taste of the alcohol. Hours later I’ve probably taken around five shots, I was starting to feel tipsy. I was dancing around Daniel and our friends. Paisley never left my side like she promised. I told Daniel I was going to go get a water bottle so I won’t have a bad hangover tomorrow and that I'll be right back. As I was reaching into the bucket cooler I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up and it was Tom. “What do you want, Tom?” I sassed at him. “Y/N, can we talk please? In a quiet place?” He asked. “Why?” I questioned him. “Do you really want to be seen with me at the moment! Cause you might be too embarrassed to want to tell people that we were seeing each other! Oh yeah and lets not forget the fact that you literally had someone kiss your cheek, when you damn well know what we are! I don’t even know what the fuck we are Thomas!” I was yelling at this point. Thank goodness we were in the corner of the kitchen, so it didn’t draw a lot of attention. “Y/N Daniel kissed you on the lips! Why are you upset over the fact that some girl kissed me?!” He asked me, trying not to yell but he had too because of the loud ass music. “You think I asked him to kiss me on the lips?! I asked for a kiss on the cheek! He kissed me on the lips, those are two different things!” I told him. “You could’ve told him that you were seeing someone!” “And then what, he asks me ‘who’ then I tell him what? Because Obviously you are too embarrassed to be seen with me or even tell your friends about me. Yeah Harisson told me that you’ve never told your little frat friends about me. That’s fucked up.” My voice got quieter at the end, and those shots were kicking in. “Y/N please don’t take this the wrong way. I never wanted to hurt you.” Tom said while trying to hug me. “Well too fucking bad Thomas, you already did. I should’ve fucking known the minuete you didn’t want to ask me to be your girlfriend and make it ‘official’.” I said as my eyes were getting teary eyed. I grabbed the water and quickly left Tom and went back to Daniel. Hey guys, I'm so sorry I haven't been posting a lot :( I've been so packed and writing one-shots haven't been one of my top priorities. I hope you all can understand. I'm currently writing this fan fiction for you guys. It won't be long, maybe a few chapters and if I'm honest... I was not expecting this to be 2.2k words long... If I didn't decide last minute to make this one-shot into multiple chapters then it would've been wayyyy more. I hope you all enjoy this little mini series as much as I loved creating it! -HighonTomHolland.

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argylemikewheeler · 3 years

Text

July 1st, 1985

what the first ep of (my) s3 would look like if the main concept was: both Steve and Will are gay in 1985’s Summer of Love and the town’s enemy is a little more human; loving friendships, very confused adults, and Will Byers Actually Getting Help

“Harrington!”

“Yes, sir.” Steve looked up from his desk. He dropped his crossword and looked to be at attention; the police station’s phone wasn’t ringing, though, so there wasn’t really anything he should have been doing. Hopper stepped out of his office, angling himself toward the door rather than Steve’s desk island.

“Do you think you’ll be able to-- Harrington, what are you doing?” Hopper caught sight of the pocket thesaurus sitting on his desk (the last name written on the inside cover not belonging to Steve, of course). Hopper fixed his sunglasses on the edge of his nose, looking over them and down at Steve.

“I’m just, uh, working on my vocabulary.” Steve said. Hopper blinked twice, waiting. Steve wasn’t going to say the truth: he was dating-- well seeing someone-- way smarter than him. This wasn’t for joy or boredom. He was studying to impress. “It’s college prep, sir.”

“The crossword?” The chief evened his stare. “This your old man’s suggestion?” Of all the things Steve’s father was telling him to do with himself, he wished some of it was simply pecking at a crossword over a twelve hour shift. Fucking off and being a better piece of shit son just wasn’t feasible to accomplish in one summer.

“He swears by it.”

“Okay, well. Uh, moving on from that,” Hopper grabbed his hat from the coat rack. The topic of Steve’s father always made Hopper stiffen up; it was definitely the main reason Hopper gave Steve his job at the station, but it still created more questions. Steve knew Hopper and his father went to high school together, but he never asked his father about those years-- beyond his baseball glory stories. “I’ve got plans tonight and I need to head out early. Can you handle things on your own for a while. At least until the night shift comes in?”

“I’ll be fine.” Steve made sure not to acknowledge the crossword on his desk as he nodded. He was really good at his job, he was. He was also just, unfortunately, still a pretty shitty boyfriend and needed all the vocab help he could get. “What’s the pressing story?”

“I have dinner.” Hopper was already trying to walk out the door. “So don’t call me. For the love of God.”

“Oh, don’t worry, Chief. I--” Steve was sure it was the cool July wind that slammed the door on the last half of his sentence. Not Hopper. “won’t... Have a good time, I guess.”

The police station was empty: it was another boring and wonderfully quiet Monday in Hawkins. There’d been some calls to break up disturbances at city hall in the past few days, but somehow everyone just seemed to agree that Mondays-- the longest shift of Steve's whole week-- was the day everyone went about their quietest day.

There were a few officers milling in and out of the back lounge and front door, casting a quick glance to Steve as he muttered and threatened fourteen down and six across. Nancy had been helping close the gaps of his post-high school education-- without knowing just what for-- but had been picking up most hours at the Post to try and elbow her way into their good graces; it put his tutoring on hold. So here he was, groaning at some clues about classical artists he’d never heard of.

There were other reasons Steve was sure the other officers thought he was odd-- things he was sure his father had passed along in spitting rants-- but Steve didn’t mind. No one said anything to his face.

“Hey Flo! Is, uh, is Steve here?” The question was asked with the answer already in mind.

Steve sat up in his chair, twisting around to see down the hall to the back entrance to the station. There weren’t many parking spots to fill, but he knew a certain someone who preferred it to street parking.

“Jonathan?”

“Oh, I hear him. Thanks-- hey!” Jonathan hurried out from the hall, his camera bumping against his stomach and bag slapping against his leg in the same rhythm. He’d gotten a new haircut recently: semi-wonky bangs and a closer cut in the back. All thanks to Steve’s peer pressure and Mrs. Byers’s kitchen shears.

“What are you doing here?”

“Sorry to stop by your work like this--” he lowered his voice as he stopped at the corner of Steve’s desk. “I know we said we wouldn’t do that, but we got an extra muffin in the lunch order and I know you’re always starving after a Monday shift so.” Jonathan produced a folded brown paper bag from his satchel. “Here.”

“Oh, thanks.” Steve wanted to say so much more, but had to settle. No more. None of what they’d decided they wouldn’t say. Not until the summer had ended. They wanted to see if they lasted longer than the convenience of loose summer schedules.

“Won’t I see you, uh, later, though?” At eight, when Steve got sent home he always drove straight to Jonathan’s. Jonathan started late on Tuesdays and Steve had off; they had the time to waste. “Or is this your way of telling me to stay home?”

“No! No we’re still... hanging out.” Jonathan had gotten really good at cooking and treated Steve to weekly dinner. It was a nice gesture at first, but Steve started growing fond of the company. They both did around mid-June. “But, I think Mike’s going to be over so. Be cool , alright? Keep it cool.”

“Cool, got it.” Steve leaned back in his chair. He moved his papers to leave a corner of his desk for Jonathan to sit on. No one was in the main office; it was a harmless invitation.

“I have to get going...” It sounded like an excuse, a dive for safety. ��And I’m sure you have, um, puzzles to do?” Jonathan pretended not to be endeared. He tried, he really did. He failed , but Steve pretended he didn’t notice.

“Don’t want to sit and help me figure out the title of Mozart’s last opera?” He patted the desk, daring to be more direct.

“I really have to go.” Jonathan was genuine, looking at his watch. “The Post only let me out early today because I have to go pick up Will from his doctor’s appointment.”

“Wait.” Steve put the cap back on his pen. “Isn’t Will’s therapy on Wednesday?”

“Yeah, but with Mom’s schedule and the store being all weird-- we had to move it to today. And you know we typically have a family night after-- so he feels okay, you know-- but we can’t . So, that’s why Mike’s coming over. Hopefully they’ll be idiots and tire Will out and he’ll sleep okay.” Tension rose in Jonathan’s voice quickly, explaining his day as if going over a laundry list; never rehearsing it but having it memorized.

“I can stay home if you need time, Jonathan.”

“No, really. I want you to come over.” Jonathan sighed and placed his hand on the emptied spot on Steve’s desk. “Besides, you can’t break tradition after a little over one month , then it was just a weird habit.”

Steve Harrington did not consider his summer fling a w eird habit . If anything, it was the most sensical thing he’d done in a very long time. Even after getting rejected from all his colleges, and never hearing the end of his father’s lectures, 1985 had been very kind to him. And that was mostly due to Jonathan’s inherent nature to be the same.

“I’ll see you after eight.” Steve smiled and reached for his hand-- but averted to grab a piece of memo paper by the phone.

“I’m sorry to leave in a rush.” Jonathan hitched his bag up, checking his watch again. “I just, I really need to get going.”

“Don’t worry. The muffin is more than enough.” Steve said. “And seeing you wasn’t too bad either.”

“Slow day, huh?” Jonathan said. The corner of his mouth quirked with a flattered, embarrassed smile. Steve tried to act nonchalant, like he wasn’t so goddamn relieved to see a familiar and happy face. Especially his familiar and happy face. “Well, good thing I have another surprise for you.”

“You can barely fit your camera in that bag, what could you possibly-- hey!” Steve missed grabbing Jonathan’s arm as he walked away, heading for the front door. “Where are you going?” Jonathan kept walking, checking his watch the whole way. “Hello?”

“Delivered right on time.” Jonathan pushed the front door open to the station-- but was nearly knocked over as a green dash barreled through it.

"Steve! Steve! Steve!” The dash was suddenly grabbing him by the shoulders. “You got the job!”

“Henderson! Oh my god! You’re back!” In an unlikely impulse, Steve grabbed Dustin in a hug, taking advantage of the change of height. “Holy shit, I nearly forgot! First of the month!”

“See you, Steve.” Jonathan walked across the room to the back entrance again. His hand braced the back of Steve’s chair, brushing across his shoulders.

“O-Okay! Yeah, see you!” Steve sputtered, losing his reminded cool in an instant. “Bye.”

Dustin pulled away slowly. “What was that?” It looked like everyone was too smart for Steve.

“Nothing. He brought me a surprise lunch-- which was an obvious decoy to the main event! You! How are you, buddy? How was camp?”

“Oh, it was fantastic. Steve, I have to show you all my inventions! Camp was the best four weeks of my life .” Dustin hopped up onto the corner of his desk. His heels tapped against the empty metal drawers. He was jittery, nearly uncontainable, but still so composed-- if only to be focused all on Steve.

Steve held his hands out, letting him start. “Lay it on me, Henderson! I want to hear everything. I missed you like crazy.”

“Well, first, obviously. I have to tell you about my girlfriend--”

“Whoa! Whoa! Girlfriend ? That fast?” Steve hadn’t been expecting any of his dating advice to work. It had been coming from such a poor and confused part of himself, Steve figured it was destined to fail. Apparently, it was just Steve that was-- when flirting with women at least. “Damn, there’s something in you after all!”

“She’s super smart, Steve. I’ve never met any girl like her. She’s a genius and she’s so pretty. God, I miss her already-- and I just saw her.”

Steve looked over his shoulder. He knew the feeling. “That’s great, man. I mean, I’m super happy for you. Like, that’s crazy . That’s freaking awesome.”

“So what about you? How are the ladies? I mean, you work for the Chief now. All the ladies you could need and more, am I right?”

Steve used to be really good at this part of the lie, but with Dustin it felt cheap. He didn’t need to lie to him, but that was the deal; no matter how much that person was Steve’s best and most beloved friend, their secret was a dead-bolt, vaulted secret.

“Eh, not too great. Only girl my own age I see-- besides Nancy, really-- is the night-shift girl, Robin. But she’s not really-- we’re just friends. She’s alright. Leaves me weird drawings in the memo pad.”

“Ooo, she sounds cool.” Dustin raised his eyebrows. “Do you know her from school?”

“Yeah, we didn’t really run in the same crowds but-- it’s not like that, man. It’s really not.” Steve started unwrapping his lunch. “It’s so not like that with Robin.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m not... looking at the moment.”

Steve had originally decided to not go looking for trouble. After he and Nancy split in the beginning of his senior year, he didn’t start looking for an immediate replacement. The illusion of thinking he was in love with Nancy-- capable of being in love with Nancy-- was a hard thing to have come crumbling down. Steve needed time to get his own bearings, to put his feet firmly on the ground, and have them lifted off when his father grabbed him by the lapels and--

Steve hadn’t gone looking for trouble. Hadn’t gone looking for love either. But somehow, both seemed to find him.

Jonathan was late. He usually wasn’t but Will was trying not to be worried. It was a different day than usual and he knew how awful Jonathan’s boss and co-workers were. Will tried not to be worried-- he wasn't. It was just that he had spent an hour talking about the night his father left their family; standing outside the doctor’s office was a bit nerve-wracking. It felt too familiar, even with all the talking and note-scribbling.

Finally, Jonathan’s car pulled into the lot. He was speeding, as much as his car could speed: he knew he was late, which made Will feel a little bit better. No one had forgotten him. It was just traffic or his bosses or maybe just hitting all the red lights. As Jonathan stopped in front of the curb and waved Will in, Will could see he was jittery-- he was upset that he was late. Will felt bad for counting the minutes.

Not that he did it out of impatience or anything. Will just formed the habit after getting his new watch. It matched Mike’s. Completely on accident, of course.

“Hey, buddy! Sorry I’m late. I was-- I had to run an errand really fast. How long were you waiting.” He moved his bag and threw it onto the backseat. Will would’ve held it on his lap.

“I wasn’t keeping track.” Will said, climbing into the passenger seat. Will wanted to ask if his bag had Jonathan’s camera in it. If everything was okay. He didn’t. It seemed like Jonathan had been in his therapy with Will, just as shaken up. “It’s okay. Thanks for getting me.”

Jonathan waited until Will put on his seat belt. “Of course. We’re always here to pick you up. Therapy is important; you have to go.”

Will laughed before he could stop himself. “You sound like Mom.” Why?

“Because she’s right.” Therapy was still kind of weird to Will-- since no one else in his grade had to do it-- but he humored his family. It was helping, if he had to admit it. But it was still embarrassing sometimes.

His therapist, Dr. Bright-- Rose Marie, as she insisted on being called-- was a send-out from the Lab, but disguised within a private practice just outside of town. She was able to listen to Will talk about what he saw and felt during his time with the Mind Flayer without trying to commit him. Almost nothing was off limits. Almost nothing.

Will checked his watch again.

“Are you excited to see Mike tonight?” The question was pointed, but Will wasn’t sure why it made him nervous. “I mean, I feel like I haven’t seen him in a bit.”

“Oh, yeah. He’s always with El.”

Will was sure they weren’t dating. El was just on a year-long stint of self-discovery and, besides Max, Mike was the person she trusted the most to help make as many helpful mistakes as possible. He bought her books to read and new music to try. It was really sweet, seeing Mike take such big strides toward helping their friend. But there was also a part of Will that felt dejected: his sort of help had to be prescribed and couldn’t be replaced with a warm laugh from one Mike Wheeler.

Will was sick while his friends were growing.

“Is there something wrong?” Jonathan used to ask the question like Will was one trembling lip away from crying-- but this time, he asked it like Will had his hand on the door, seconds from jumping out. “Will, are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Will nodded. “I’m fine. Just-- I talked a lot today and I’m tired.”

“Do you want to cancel with Mike--”

“No.” Will had been looking forward to having time with Mike-- just Mike-- for a whole week. He wanted to sit on his floor with his best friend and be a kid again. Just for the night-- maybe draw some of Mike’s old campaigns or sketch out an idea for his own. He just wanted to remember something good about the past four years. After his hour with Dr. Bright, it all felt painful. Like his childhood naivety had been broken and every conversation he overheard in his house dripped with venom and disdain.

Will didn’t like picturing his house that way. It was a place that loved and raised him, a place he felt safe. He didn’t like thinking the conversations he heard being screamed through the walls were trapped in the drywall.

His arms felt heavy and his chest felt like it was made of metal-- he kept tasting it in his mouth. Will leaned back against the seat and reached for the radio. Jonathan turned it down before Will had even changed the station.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I just want to see Mike.” Will said, his mouth too honest and his mind shrouded in guilt. “I just want to see my friend.”

“Okay. Okay.” Jonathan nodded somewhat somberly. “I understand. Let’s go pick him up. He’s at his house right? Not El’s-- o-or The Sinclair’s or anything?”

“No. He’s at his.” Will crossed his arms and tried to find the loose string-- the thing that could uncoil Jonathan’s still-tightening anxiety. “Are you still dating Nancy?”

Jonathan turned to look at Will, nearly crashing the car. That was the wrong string. “What?”

“Nancy? Are you still dating her?”

“I was never dating Nancy.” Jonathan laughed, shaking his head. “I’m not dating Mike’s sister, don’t worry.” The clarification was strange and felt off-topic. Like Jonathan was trying to talk about something else.

“I thought you were. You guys hung out a lot during school.” Will heard her voice through the walls too. Always gentle, never yelling. Except when she was losing at playing cards. Then she shouted.

“She was helping me pass chemistry. That’s all.” Jonathan turned the radio up a little. Will checked his watch. “And then she helped me apply to the Post internship-- she’s great at writing papers, did you know that? A real wordsmith. Is Mike a writer too?”

He was, he really was. Grammatically, Will ran out of red pens trying to help, but creatively? Will envied Mike’s ability. “I don’t know. We don’t really talk about that kind of stuff like you two do… Since you two are dating.”

“We’re not .” Jonathan laughed. Will took advantage of an upcoming stop sign to lean forward and look at his brother’s crimson face. “We’re not, Will, okay? We’re really not. I’d tell you.”

“You’d tell me?”

“Of course! I’d tell you if I… I had a girlfriend. Which I don’t!” He stayed at the stop sign for a bit too long. “Do you?”

There was an option to play dumb, to make Jonathan ask more directly: do you have a girlfriend, Will ? but it sounded far more painful than being honest, than being as lonely as he was.

“No. I don’t.”

“And you’d tell me. If you were dating someone?” Jonathan looked at Will, hopeful but scarcely so. “You’ll tell me if anything big happens in your life?”

“Yeah.” There wouldn’t be anything happening at all that summer, that was for damn sure . “Absolutely.”

Steve had about seventy percent of his puzzle done-- fifty of which was because Dustin was an unstoppable genius with no tolerance for Steve’s careful pace. It was just about quarter past seven, and Steve’s back was getting sore from sitting in his chair all day. He only liked sitting when it was in his car, on his way to the Byers's House, careful, of course, to obey all traffic laws.

Steve was packing his crosswords and pens up in the top drawer of his desk when something clattered the back door open. Steve grabbed a pen and whipped around in his seat, as if to wield it like a weapon.

“Hello? Who’s there?”

“Hey dingus.” Luckily, Steve couldn’t even see Robin yet-- or rather, she couldn’t see him or his emphasized eye roll. She could hear him groan though. “Hey, shut up and quit whining. I’m sending you home early.”

Her head popped out from the hallway. Robin’s ponytail was high on her head, the hair flopping over and getting caught in her stringy bangs. She flung her backpack out from behind her and tossed it toward Steve. She wasn’t in her uniform yet, only wearing the buttoned up shirt-- unbuttoned and showing her torn and dyed shirt underneath. She was wearing jogging shorts, her knees torn up and covered with Band-Aids. They reminded Steve of the ones taped to his face after getting a plate smashed into his forehead. Deceivingly cheerful.

“What are you doing here early?” Steve stood and followed her, holding her backpack awkwardly in his hands. “You’re never early.” Eight on the dot. Every time.

“I figure you want to get out of here tonight.” She didn’t even stop to look at Steve as they walked into the back room. “Probably want to see your boyfriend.”

Her words weren’t sharp, but Steve still recoiled. He let his arms, and her bag, hang by his sides.

“Who? Jonathan?” The only way Jonathan and Robin had ever met was in the hallways of Hawkins High. She definitely never saw them interact at the station-- or on any of their nights together: they were always indoors. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“First off, I didn't even say a name." Shit. "Second, he came in the other day looking for you.” Robin started buttoning her shirt up, fixing the collar as she finally turned to see Steve. “He was really upset-- didn’t even know what time it was to know you weren’t working.”

“Upset?” Technically, it wasn’t Steve’s problem. It was the deal; they didn’t have to care about each other’s lives. It was just summer. It was just like any other summer.

“Yeah. Crying, sniffling, snot-- the whole nine, man.” Robin sounded extremely sympathetic despite beginning to change her pants. Steve whipped around, covering his face. “You should go see him. Make sure he’s okay. Be a good boyfriend... shithead.”

“He’s not--”

“Steve, I’m the last person you should be arguing with.” Robin laughed-- and it was only momentarily threatening. Until, of course, Steve realized what she meant.

Like all good secrets kept at Hawkins PD, Steve kept his mouth shut and nodded even if she wasn’t looking.

“Yes, sir--ma'am-- Robin.”

“So, are you going to go or what, dingus?” She tapped him on the shoulder. “Get out of here-- and tell me all about it Wednesday.”

Steve blinked at her, holding out her bag. As if it was enough thanks to give her back her own property. “Are we… friends, or something?”

“No, of course not.” She winked, slapping his arm. “Just looking out for one of my own.”

After picking Mike up from his house, they drove home in uncharacteristic chatter. Jonathan was the only one speaking, humming along to the radio. Will was exhausted beyond performative small talk; the type that had to be done between two best friends when a third party was present. Mike was great at just sitting with Will in silence, but Jonathan didn’t know that. Instead, the three of them passed around quiet jokes and laughter, answering questions about their friends for Jonathan’s upkeep of information.

Once they got in the house, Jonathan let them wander off into Will’s room as he started pulling pots out of the kitchen cabinets. He wouldn’t bother or pester them about any summer work, either. They would be left alone in their own coupled silence.

Mike was sitting cross-legged on Will’s floor, twisting one of Will's crayons between his fingers. Will needed new ones but he felt funny asking for them as a near-freshman in high school. He liked the glide of wax on paper compared to the scrape of colored pencils. Well, that and the fact he ruined half of his crayons the year prior making a full map of Hawkins in a fugue state and only had two crayons able to be used normally.

“You had doctor stuff today, right?”

Will was digging under his bed for his emptier sketch book. “Yeah. Therapy. Doctor doctor stuff was two weeks ago.”

“How was it?” Mike let his hand still and rest in his lap. “Like, what do you do in therapy? Just start talking?”

“Yeah, but it’s more than that. You have to think about stuff too. Doctors ask you questions, sometimes.” Will pulled back and drug his old drawing supplies along the carpet. He sat back on his heels and was able to see Mike over the top of the bed. He didn’t know Will was looking. “You have to have answers.”

“What do they ask about?” Mike kept looking at his hands, unaware of Will. “Upside down stuff?”

“Sometimes.” Will shuffled back around to Mike's side of the bed. He could feel the tiniest bit of rug burn starting. “She asked me about my dad today.”

Mike looked up, almost immediately. “Can she do that?”

“Why can’t she?” Will popped the lid on the retired Tupperware, now his art bin. “I talked about it.”

“I thought you didn’t like to.” Will had never said those words which meant Mike had gathered it from just observing him. “Did you… like talking about it?”

“Not really.” Will laughed. He found a few extra crayons, but of all the wrong colors. “She had this big speech afterward about learned helplessness that I… really didn’t like.” Will tried to keep laughing.

Mike put the crayon back in the bin. “Are you okay, Will?”

“Yeah. It’s just… the same old stuff.” Will shrugged. “Sometimes it just bothers me more than other days.”

Mike bit the inside of his cheek, picking at his words carefully. “You never talk about your dad, Will.”

“Why would I?”

“Because it bothers you. You can talk about anything you want-- I… I would listen.”

“You don’t have to listen to it just because it happened to me, you know. My therapist says you don’t have to experience things with me for them to be real.”

“But I want to know.” Mike looked insulted, almost crushed and collapsed as he sat back on his hands. “That’s your dad,” he said. “And you’re my friend.”

They sat in silence for a while. Mike went back to studying a new crayon, picking at the wrapper. Will felt something forming in his throat. A bubble that was hot, thick and sticky. Not vomit, but not impending tears either.

“I don’t get why he left.” Will said. “I don’t know what happened to our family.”

“Nothing happened. Maybe he just… wasn’t good at being your dad anymore.”

“But then why? What did I do?” Will didn’t want to ask Mike, make him feel responsible for answering, but Will was desperate to ask the universe again.

“Nothing.” Mike said. “I just think he…”

“He what? My dad got tired of me? Didn’t want to raise me?”

“Maybe he actually learned how to take a hint and knew he wasn’t good enough for you and Jonathan-- or your mom.” Mike wanted to be hopeful, to be positive, so badly. He ached, his smile tight and weak. He didn't have the answers, and who was Will to put him in the position to come up with them.

“So he gave up.” Will said.

“That’s not what I meant--”

“I know. I know… That’s just how it feels.” Will shrugged. He smiled at Mike, accepting his help and his warmth. It hurt knowing that Mike was wrong, but still. Will could always pretend a little longer. Anything for Mike.

“Hey! You monsters hungry?” Steve clapped his hands together before gently tapping the door. “Jonathan’s got dinner on the table.”

The door was open. Steve didn’t have to knock. He wanted to, just to prove he wasn’t too comfortable, but he also knew Mike was over. And knocking would announce his entrance rather than letting it just be something that just was . Rather than being cool .

Awkwardly and with a lot of weird, throat-clearing fanfare, Steve opened the Byers’s front door and poked his head inside. Jonathan called him in from the kitchen without even needing to say hello, or being surprised by his walking in: In here, Steve! Dinner’s almost done .

Steve walked through the living room carefully, as if he’d disturb it. There was a tape playing softly-- some band Steve’s never heard of, but didn’t hate. He’d grown to like the way that every song played in the Byers house was always moody and melancholy. The music was always the opposite of how he felt stepping into the kitchen.

Jonathan was at the stove, stirring a pot of something that smelled delicious. He had what looked to be tomato sauce stains on the front of his shirt-- where he wrapped his hand up to open the sauce jar. Steve was able to hide his smile as he shouldered off his uniform jacket and toed off his shoes, claiming a chair at the kitchen table.

“How was work?” Jonathan didn’t stop stirring. He moved like the stove was turned all the way up and he was afraid of burning the food. He spoke that way too.

“It was fine. Not a whole lot.” Steve didn’t want to have anything seem bigger than whatever upset Jonathan-- and seemed to still be upsetting him now. “How was your day?”

“Fine. Will and Mike are in the other room.” He was checking things off his list. Steve stepped up to Jonathan and stood even with him at the stove. He was making one-pot pasta. It really did smell fantastic. Steve was so hungry, even after his lunch.

“How was… the other things in your day? Develop any good pictures?” Steve covered how stupid he sounded by placing his hand on Jonathan’s lower back.

Jonathan stopped stirring and looked at him. Steve tried to keep cool, tried not to show his motives-- his attempt to calm something he couldn’t believe he’d missed spinning out of control, even if he didn’t know what it was. “Nancy walked into the dark room today-- she’s actually the one who gave me the muffin-- and she exposed the photos to light too early. So no, actually.”

Steve really was a bad boyfriend. Even when he wasn’t one yet-- or at all.

“Okay… how was. Everything else?”

“You don’t have to ask about my day, Steve. It’s okay.” Jonathan sighed and spoke evenly. “I’m just a little tired. Really. We don’t have to do the whole… thing .”

The whole thing where Steve was explicit about how much he really cared about Jonathan and admitted he was sincerely and terrifyingly in love with Jonathan.

“I was asking because I was curious. Not out of obligation.” Steve clarified. His hand slid to rest on Jonathan’s hip. He moved closer, lips aiming to place a commitment-less kiss on his cheek.

“Steve! I said to keep it cool .” Jonathan ducked back, placing a hand on Steve’s chest. “I don’t want Will to see us.”

“Your brother?” Steve was surprised; of all people Jonathan explicitly wanted to hide from Will seemed kind and forgiving-- not that there was anything to forgive, but it was something Steve often checked for. Steve was sure that one of Dustin’s friends would be… like Steve. Or like Jonathan-- maybe. All of them seemed prepared to deal with any of their friends suddenly being different. Far more prepared than Steve ever was.

“Yes. My brother.” Jonathan snapped, banging the spoon against the edge of the pot. “I don’t want him to learn I’m not dating Nancy but instead seeing her ex-boyfriend in the same day.” he whispered.

“Wait, what? He thinks you’re with Nancy?” Steve wasn’t sure where they went wrong. They were trying to obscure the truth, not lead everyone to a different reality. “D-Do you think Mike does too?”

“I don’t know! I didn’t want to ask and seem weird.” Jonathan sighed again. He sounded tense again. “I told Will I’d tell him if I was seeing anyone… And he promised me the same.”

Steve knew not to press the obvious question-- well are you seeing someone, Jonathan? -- but also didn’t want to touch the obvious implication that Will needed to share a secret with Jonathan. Instead, he placed his hands into his pockets and turned to lean against the counter.

“Dinner smells really good, Byers.” There was another name that began with “B” that Steve wasn’t allowed to use, but always wanted to. Byers Byers Byers. Baby baby baby. “Thank you, again, for cooking for me-- for us.”

“You think I’m going to let you starve?” His stirring slowed; the stove cooled down. He nudged Steve’s arm with the spoon. “You coming home late and trying to cook? You mean half-drinking a beer and falling asleep face down on your bed in your uniform, half unbuttoned.”

“You picture that often, Byers?” Steve lifted an eyebrow. “Hm?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” Jonathan’s lips quirked into a smile again. “But, if you’d like a beer, I think there’s one in the fridge. No one in the house is going to touch it.”

“I can go ask Will if he wants it.”

“Shut up-- do you want it or not?”

“No.” Steve didn’t like drinking when they were together. He’d never really heard the full story about where Mr. Byers went, but he had a father of his own to make those blank spaces fill pretty fast. “But thanks. Don’t want the habit of needing a beer to forget how boring my job is.”

“I thought you liked your job?” Jonathan took a piece of pasta out of the pot and held it out for Steve to test.

He chewed and answered. “I do! It’s nice to have normal hours-- and I’m happy to help have replacements as Flo gets ready to retire but… I don’t know. Sometimes it feels boring .”

“Would you rather be chasing down a four-legged monster without a face?” Jonathan let out a bubble of genuine laughter, playfully glaring at Steve.

“Frankly, yes! At least we’d all have something to do. I feel like I don’t see everyone anymore.”

“Then throw a party. Don’t wish for anything bad to happen.” Jonathan said firmly. “Let the record show my brother is a very strange magnet for all this… weird shit.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.” Steve said solemnly. He put his hand on Jonathan’s forearm. “I wish we were all safely doing something exciting. It felt nice to be needed, even if no one knew it was us.”

Jonathan put the spoon down on the counter and pivoted to be looking only at Steve. There was something resting just on the tip of his tongue, just under the surface of their conversation. It would’ve been a digression-- Steve could tell by Jonathan’s tense and furrowed brow-- but he would’ve listened.

“Jonathan?” Steve squeezed his arm, lifting his eyebrows. “What is it?”

“I--” He clenched his jaw, trying to swallow his words. “I think--” Steve knew there was no end to Jonathan’s sentence; merely starting it meant there was trust between them. A careful admission through omission. Steve knew Jonathan was looking at his shoes and wouldn’t be seen as he took in the secret flinches of Jonathan’s face. The crinkle by his left eye, the twitch of his mouth, double blinking--

They both jumped apart as the phone started ringing, practically shaking on the wall. Jonathan stepped away from Steve and left everything unsaid. Again.

Jonathan tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder as he turned to lean against the wall.

“Hello? This is--” His face changed sharply, his eyebrows furrowing. “I told you to stop bothering us. You’re lucky she’s not here to pick up the phone-- I don’t care !” Jonathan cleared his throat and looked at Steve in a flash of uncertainty and anxiety. “I have the police here right now and if you don’t stop calling me I will send them to your house-- it’s not a threat if you’re the one bothering us. Stop. Calling.” He slammed the phone down and braced his weight against the wall with his other hand.

“Am I considered ‘the police’ now?” Steve said lightly. It was his way of letting Jonathan know he was listening, but not asking direct questions. “I’m not even allowed to have a badge.”

“It counts.” Jonathan said, letting his arms fall down by his sides. Steve stepped over and kept stirring dinner.

“Who was that?”

“No one. Can you go get the boys in the other room? Dinner’s ready.” Jonathan pushed Steve aside to hunch over the stove again.

“Sure.” Steve nodded, knowing he wasn’t seen. “Hey! You monsters hungry? Jonathan’s got dinner on the table.”

Dinner felt weird.

Will couldn’t help but feel like he and Mike had gotten into a fight. Talking about his dad made anything feel sticky, feel like it was violent or volatile. A second from snapping or tearing off, bouncing around the walls and echoing in Will's body. A small conversation between friends-- actually a little understanding between best friends-- felt like it had been a screaming match, all because it was cut off. There was no apology from Will. He didn't have the chance to tie it all up with an I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, forget I said anything.

His plea sat heavy on his tongue as he talked to Steve-- who had arrived without notice-- and let Mike make him laugh so hard he nearly shot water out his nose. Will let it all happen under the tremor, the ache, of an apology. And maybe, if he was the best brother and friend he should’ve been, no problems or therapy, it would be enough of an apology.

He wasn't hungry and only ate half his serving of pasta, even though it was usually his favorite of Jonathan's recipes. He did apologize for that though, and it felt right to say aloud. Even if it was misdirected and no one heard it.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm so so sorry. Please come back--

Mike wasn’t tired, Will knew, but he still wanted to go to bed right after their horror movie ended. It was clear Mike hadn't been paying attention to the movie; the entire plot was that dreams were a new horror-scape for monsters to get teenagers. It wasn't too scary to Will; it just felt familiar. The villain looked different, more human, but Will knew what it felt like to dream while wide awake. To watch and be unable to do anything but scratch at the surface--

Convincing Will to get ready for bed, Mike said they’d have all day in the morning. He said that maybe he could convince his mom to let him stay over again if they don’t get all their fun in. Will knew Mike's mom probably would, if only because she felt bad for Will. But he would take the pity. A sleepover wasn't the worst thing to get from pity.

Will could still hear Mike fidgeting in his sleeping bag. He was rubbing his feet together like a cricket and twisting his wristwatch. The plastic scratched the sheer material of his sleeping bag rhythmically: back and forth. back and forth. backandforthbackandforth. It was like Mike was counting the ticks of his silent digital watch. Will began to play with his own watch, keeping it on in bed only because he'd noticed Mike hadn't removed it when they were brushing their teeth that night; apparently the watch was too good to part with.

Time though, was something Will wished he could separate himself from. He could hear the seconds scraping by now. Every moment he kept his friend awake and bored because Will was too weak or (rather and) too everything to stay up late again.

Therapy hadn’t even been that bad. Not really. Maybe it could be exhausting but it didn’t count because Will sat in the same spot for an hour. It wasn’t real work. It shouldn’t have counted. Will should’ve been able to hang out with his friend until sunrise, getting in trouble with his mom for being up so late. He should’ve still been a stupid, carefree kid, not a by-gone troubled teenager.

Maybe his dad had seen that from the beginning. Will's dad was always gambling, betting on baseball games he had these incredible "feelings" on. Sometimes he was wrong, but when he was right it was an amazing prediction; having the foresight no one else had. And maybe that was what it was, leaving them when he did. Maybe he saw Will wouldn’t be the second son he wanted after all. Maybe he knew of all the damage that would be done to him, the damage he would cause. Probably saw it from miles-- years-- away. And he left without a single warning to any of it.

What if his father had known? Could've known where he was when he came back into town two years ago? Not gone forever just in the lights. Just out of reach, just through the wall, Dad. What if he had known, been able to see, able to know, but wanted to leave Will Down there being possessed and enveloped and consumed and--

Will felt a chill scurry down his back. The feeling almost had legs. Too many. He felt ice cold, his body going blank-- not numb, but blank -- for a second. He couldn’t feel his fingers, but could still feel every inch of his body, suddenly pulsing and seizing.

"Will?" Mike asked, sitting up. He gripped the end of the bed and pulled his face closer to Will's. He squinted in the darkness, feeling for Will’s hand. Will couldn’t answer, his jaw tense and breath rattling out of him. "Will, what’s wrong?"

After a (thankfully) non-awkward dinner, Steve and Jonathan washed all the dishes and let the boys watch whatever movie they wanted. Steve didn’t pay attention to what tape he put in the VRC. He was too busy thinking about the hands hidden in the warm soapy water in the kitchen sink. Neither Mike nor Will seemed too bothered by the disgusting amount of blood or the scary blade man on the TV. He felt no regret letting them go to bed right after the credits rolled. Jonathan had looked exhausted after putting the last dish away, and dozed off during the climax of the movie-- even slept through the high-pitched screaming.

They waited for the sound of Will’s door closing over before they got into bed.

Jonathan flopped onto his back, a pillow resting between his chest and crossed arms. Steve laid on his side, bracing his weight on his elbow. He poked at Jonathan's furrowed eyebrow lightly.

"What's the problem, Byers?"

"Nothing."

"You are not a really great liar, you do know that right?" That and Steve could still hear Robin's blasé recounting of Jonathan's distress. Yeah. Crying, sniffling, snot-- the whole nine, man.

Jonathan sighed and turned to look at Steve. He hated being called out. "It's about Will."

"What's wrong with Will? He seemed alright at dinner."

"Yeah, but," Another sigh. "Steve, I think my brother’s gay."

Steve's first response was swallowed and he nodded. "Okay. Okay. And, um, what's the issue with that?" He adjusted himself on the bed, hoping there was more subtlety in that.

"I can't talk to him about it. I mean," Jonathan smiled and reached to touch his face. "This is a very different thing than being fourteen and confused."

"Who says he's confused?"

"I don't mean with himself-- the rest of the world is so confusing, Steve. You see the news... I can't talk to him. I didn't grow up like that. And being with you is... Different. We dated girls before. Will... I don't know. I think he knows already."

"You think he's got feelings for--"

"Oh absolutely." Jonathan nodded, closing his eyes. "Oh, I'm so glad it's not just me who sees it."

"Hopefully Wheeler does too."

"Hey, keep your voice down, he's only a few rooms over ."

"Sorry. Sorry. Me and my big mouth " Steve rested his head on Jonathan's shoulder. "Shut me up, maybe."

"Not until my mom gets back." Jonathan said, rolling up onto his side too. "If I catch her when she comes in the door, she won't come into my room to say good night. I can't have you distracting me until then."

"Your mom is on a date. She's an adult and so are you." Steve kissed Jonathan's shoulder. "You are a working man who just finished a long day at work-- I think you can cuddle up with your boyf--" Steve choked on his own stupidity, feeling his face go red and charisma die on impact. "With me."

"I will. Once my mom is back." Jonathan kissed Steve, as if a parting promise. Only to backtrack on his words immediately. He tucked Steve’s hair back behind his ear, his hands trying not to hold his face. “No-- no . Steve, not until my mom gets back.”

“I can keep an ear out--” As Steve spoke, the power in his bedside lamp dimmed. The power hummed quietly before flickering back up. Jonathan tensed and pushed himself up in bed.

“Did you see that?”

“Yeah, it was just the light, Byers. It’s windy out tonight, maybe a tree brushed a powerline.” Steve pushed Jonathan back down to his pillow-- and back into his own skin again. “It’s nothing . What if I turn out the light? Your mom won’t even see us in here.”

“No. No, I have to wait for her.”

“What if she doesn’t come back?”

“What!” Jonathan jerked upright again.

“I meant what if she’s at Hopper’s or something?” Steve shrugged. “She’s an adult.”

“Steve, that’s my mom .” Jonathan hissed, swatting at the hand resting on his shoulder.

“I meant because she drove there on her own. If she had some wine, maybe she stayed somewhere and is being a smart, responsible parent.” Steve soothed. “Something you don’t have to be right now. You’re not Will’s parent and you aren’t your own. Lay down, will you?”

Jonathan was reluctant, but let Steve ease him back down again. He pulled the pillow tighter to his chest and sighed, his crossed arms sinking deeper. Steve laid down beside him, nose gently touching the end of his shoulder. As he breathed, his short exhales tickled Jonathan’s skin and got him giggling. It was Steve’s secret trick; something that always worked because Jonathan didn’t know it was a pattern-- didn’t know he was ticklish.

“Sorry I was weird today.” Jonathan said suddenly. He wasn’t even grinning.

“What?” They didn’t apologize. There was no need. “You’re worried about stuff-- it’s okay.”

“No, I like our dinners. And I was so uptight. I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” Steve didn’t know what to do with the sentiment. “Apology accepted?”

Jonathan sighed again, blowing it out slowly between his pressed lips. “Lonnie called today.”

“L- your dad ? Is that who was on the phone?” Steve wasn’t sure what came over him-- or his body-- as he placed an arm over Jonathan’s waist and pulled them together. There was something unspokenly intimate talking about abusive fathers while being nearly sutured together in bed, but Steve pretended he was just having problems hearing Jonathan correctly.

“Yeah.” Jonathan turned, his nose brushing Steve’s. “Said he wants custody of Will. He doesn’t trust Mom, he said.”

“How is he-- He can’t do that.”

“He’s going to try. I don't know where it came from. He still thinks he can win a case because the news says Will just disappeared into the woods . Like he ran away from us or something.”

“Everyone knows that’s not true.”

“A court might not.” Jonathan sighed, ducking his head down. Steve resisted lifting his chin to hook it over Jonathan’s head, nestling him into his neck. He laid still, listening to his breathing and the gentle creaking of the house--

Jonathan's door was thrown open, both men sitting up quickly, ready to defend themselves and their actions. It was Mike, in his pajamas with his hair sticking out in wild curls. Will stood just behind him in the hallway looking far more awake. Stilted and untousled.

"Mike?"

"Jonathan, quick!"

"What is it?" Jonathan swung his legs around and motioned both boys to come in. "Will?" Mike pushed him into the center of the door frame, although he remained in the hallway, in the light. Will’s hand grabbed at the back of his neck. His face was blank and his eyes were distant.

"Something's wrong." Will said slowly, blinking to focus. "I feel him."

"Feel who?" Jonathan kneeled in front of Will, holding his shoulders. "Feel who, Will?"

"Dad."

#stonathan #jonathan byers x steve harrington #byeler #will byers x mike wheeler #byler #finally reposting in a way that isn't a random post with a link alksdja #prompts #my fics

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fanficimagery · 3 years

Text

Misery Business pt. I

Imagine moving in with the Molina's after an incident back home. Instead of being angry, you realize this is your second chance to be truly happy and you really hope it goes better than your first attempt.

Words: 6.1K Author's Note: I'm a sucker for three idiot ghost boys which is why I'm back, only in this imagine everyone is alive. Yes that includes Rose Molina as well :) Soulmate!AU too so have fun with that. FYI, Y/N will be "musically talented" but since I can't write music to save my life then "Y/N's music" will come from a little band that goes by the name of Paramore and by James Arthur.

Julie and three of her best guy friends are in the family studio outside, writing and jamming and just having the time of their life. Alex, Reggie, and Luke are about two years older than Julie, but the boys overlooked the teeny tiny age gap because her killer voice was exactly what their band was missing. The entire high school knew exactly who the boys of Sunset Curve were so they were all surprised when they took sophomore Julie Molina under their wing and rebranded their band.

Julie's family was very supportive of her music, especially her mother Rose, and she let Julie and the boys use her studio whenever they wanted so long as they all kept up their grades. They're usually left alone when Julie and Luke are in writing mode, so it's a bit of a surprise to see Ray and Rose entering the studio.

Alex is the first to notice them, nudging Reggie and gesturing to Mr. and Mrs. Molina, and then Reggie tosses a pillow at Luke's head to get his attention. Luke's rather rude remark is on the tip of his tongue, but his eyes widen upon seeing Julie's parents.

"Jules. Julie!" He hisses. "Your mom and dad are here."

"Hmm. What?" Julie finally looks away from her journal, her eyes widening before a beaming smile breaks out. "Mami! Papi. What brings you two here?"

"Hey mija," Ray says. "Can we talk real quick?"

"Of course!"

She glances at the boys and they're quick to start packing up, but Ray gestures for them to stay put. "It's okay, boys. You can stay for this."

Rose smiles. "After all, you are family too."

Every time Rose or Ray mention that the boys are family, they can't help but smile goofily. None of the boys have the type of relationship with their parents that Julie has with hers, so they're all grateful the Molina's accept them as if they were a Molina as well. Julie smiles as the boys, who are all practically older brothers to her, gather around her and Luke to hear what's going on.

On his way further into the studio, Ray grabs a chair for Rose and she takes a seat while Ray stands behind her, gripping the back of her chair. "Okay," he exhales a little roughly, "so you know the drama your cousin went through a few months ago?"

Julie frowns. "Yeah."

"Well it seems Y/N isn't doing so well," Rose says. "Your tía thinks a change of location is what's best for her."

"Y/N wants to move here?"

"Well not exactly," Ray says. "Y/N doesn't know. If we agree to take her in, then Y/N will be told of her relocation."

Julie nods, looking thoughtful. "Okay."

"Okay?" Ray muses. "What does okay mean?"

"Well I'm assuming you're only telling me because you never make a big decision without seeing what me and Carlos think," Julie says and then smiles brightly. "I love Y/N. Carlos loves Y/N, so I know he already voted yes."

Rose chuckles. "He did. I believe his words were I will throw down for Y/N any day of the week. Bring her home."

Julie snorts. "Of course he did." Then after glancing between her mom and dad, she nods with a gentler smile. "Whatever she needs. I'll even decorate the guest bedroom for her."

"That's nice, mija." Ray then looks over the boys, eyes settling on Reggie. "No flirting."

"I- what?"

"No flirting!"

Luke and Alex snort as Reggie gasps in mock outrage, but everyone knows Reggie is the one to flirt first and ask questions later. Ray and Rose laugh as they ready to leave the studio, Rose walking over to kiss her daughter on the temple before disappearing after her husband.

As soon as the teenagers are left alone, the boys whirl on Julie.

"So who's Y/N?" Alex asks, smiling innocently.

"And what was the drama a few months ago?" Luke wonders.

Julie glances between all three boys before sighing. "I'm only telling you this because it's highly likely she'll be coming soon." She has their full attention. "Y/N is my older cousin. Last year she met her soulmate."

"Aww," Alex coos.

"Or so we thought."

His smile immediately falls. "Oh."

Julie cringes. "Yeah. Apparently some new transfer student at her school liked my cousin so much that he decided he wanted to be her one and only. Really creepy dude," she says. "So somehow he figured out what her words were and made sure those were the first words he spoke to her." Their eyes widen. "When she spoke to him in return, he memorized the words and had them tattooed on. Then he refused to let her see the words, under the guise that they were in a private spot she couldn't see until they got to know each other better, until they healed."

"What the hell," Luke breathes. "That such a-"

"Dick move," Reggie mutters.

Alex nods in agreement. "Yeah. What they said."

Julie smiles sadly at her friends. "She was with him for a year before he met his real soulmate and then he tried to juggle them both. Y/N was really torn up about it."

"Who wouldn't be?" Alex says. "That is so messed up."

"It is. But if there's one thing I know about my cousin it's that she doesn't want people to tiptoe around her." Julie grins then. "So be yourselves like you are with me, just don't flirt with her."

Alex stares down his two guy best friends until they huff and nod in agreement. "I think they can handle that."

Stepping out of the Uber in front of your tío's house, you're grateful you stopped being annoyed with your mom for making you move long enough to accept the money she transferred into your bank account. The ride from the airport to the Molina household wasn't exactly a cheap one and you regretted not letting your family pick you up when you saw what you owed.

But now you're here, one duffel bag hanging from your shoulder and a medium-sized suitcase sitting by your feet. You only have a moment to take it all in before the front door is opening, and your tío and tía are exiting the house to greet you.

"You're here!" Rose smiles and is quick to pull you into a hug. "How was your flight?"

"Decent. Just a little turbulence. I might have barfed. Twice."

Rose and Ray laugh, and then Ray's tugging you into a hug of his own. "We're so glad to have you, mija. Julie and her friends have just about finished with your room. They're really excited to have you here."

"And I'm excited to be here." Pulling out of the hug, you're met with two identical expressions that practically say Are you really?. "Well now I am." All three of you chuckle. "I was a little upset at the short notice, but I'm totally over it. I am a little tired though, so yeah."

"Oh. Of course. Just head on up, mija. You know where the guest bedroom is," Rose says. "Ray and I need to go get some groceries for tonight. Does arroz con pollo sound good?"

You groan quietly. "It sounds fantastic. My mom could never quite make it like you do."

Ray laughs. "Well my sister is not the cook she claims to be. Now go on. Rest up and we'll see you for dinner."

As Ray and Rose take their leave, you grab your suitcase and drag it inside behind you. You can hear laughter coming from upstairs so that's where you head towards, and you're not surprised to see Julie, Flynn, and who appears to be Julie's bandmate Alex tacking up some fairy lights and draping them across your headboard. The bedroom, which was usually bare except for the bed and dresser, has many of your personal things scattered about that had been shipped a little over a week ago now. However the sheer black curtains, the maroon comforter bed set, and the lights they're hanging up are all new.

"A-hem." You clear your throat, smiling when all three teens freeze and turn towards you. "Are you guys seriously having fun without me?" The blonde boy grins as the two girls squeal, you dropping your duffel bag next to your suitcase just as Julie and Flynn launch themselves at you. Your arms are spread wide as they wrap themselves around you and you bring your own arms down around their shoulders to squeeze them in return. "Did you girls miss me?"

"Uh duh!" Flynn is the first to retort.

Julie pulls back just enough to look you in the face. "We're going to have so much fun."

"So much." You can't help but chuckle, your attention then sliding to the quiet blonde. "Alex, right?"

He smiles. "Yeah. Hi. It's nice to meet you."

"You too, man. I keep up with the band on Youtube and can I just say that you absolutely kill it on the drums? I mean holy shit. You're awesome!"

Alex blushes as Julie points at him. "See! Own your awesomeness. My cousin thinks you're cool, therefore you are cool."

Both girls finally release you, Flynn stumbling back to sit on the edge of what is now your bed. Julie stays right where she's at, arm wrapped around your waist as you both stare at her bandmate. You nod and smile at him. "You really are. We definitely need to jam some time."

Alex seems to perk up then. "Y-You're into music too?"

Flynn snorts. "The Molina's are all freakishly talented. I'm almost jealous."

You roll your eyes fondly at Flynn. "Shush. You're talented in other areas." Then looking at Alex, you grin. "I sing and write. Not as amazing as Julie, of course, but I can hold my own. I like to perform-"

"Just not in front of an audience," Julie muses.

"-and just let go. The rush of it all feels good." You turn to pout at your cousin. "And yeah, not in front of an audience of strangers." You stare at Alex once more. "Friends and family is fine, just not like a legit stage. I'll projectile vomit like that one girl in Pitch Perfect." All three teens snort, that movie having been popular with all of them.

Alex then grins. "We'll definitely have to jam then once you're settled in."

A brief moment of silence descends upon the room, but Flynn is not having it. She claps her hands once, garnering everyone's attention. "So before we get comfortable, lets address the elephant in the room." You groan as she smiles broadly. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm fine, guys."

"Really? Your sudden move states otherwise."

"Flynn!" Julie scolds. Alex seems to freeze, his gaze darting between you and Flynn.

Flynn grimaces as she seems to think she's crossed a line, but you merely roll your eyes. "What exactly did my mom tell your dad?" You turn to ask Julie.

"Um," she gulps and fidgets in place. "I was just told that you weren't doing so good after everything that happened."

You snort. "Seriously?" Julie nods and you chuckle, shaking your head. "Guys, I'm fine. Honestly! I got over the heartbreak like a week after it happened and then I was just pissed off. But my friends helped me realize some things and I'm good now."

"But then why did your mom say you weren't?" Julie wonders.

"I love my mom, but she's a moron," you say. You drag Julie over to your bed, kicking off your shoes along the way and crawl to sit against the headboard. Julie does the same and you gesture for Alex to join Flynn at the foot of your bed. He does, smiling to be included. Once everyone's settled, you say, "So Jerry, who was the guy pretending to be my soulmate," you explain for Flynn and Alex, "has been trying to get in contact with me ever since I blocked him on everything I could. A couple weeks ago while I was out partying with some friends, Jerry and his soulmate were at the same party I was at. I didn't notice them, but they noticed me and they somehow managed to come up with the idea that I was stalking them."

"What a bitch," Flynn immediately blurts. Alex nods along with her.

"Anyway, Jerry's soulmate confronted me and I was completely blindsided by how angry she was with me. I mean, Jerry's the one who tricked me! Not the other way around." You shake your head in annoyance. "She made some hella stupid accusations and she threw a punch."

Julie gasps. "She didn't!?"

"She did. Now I'm not stupid, so I let her hit me a couple of times before I took my first swing. Fortunately for me, she clawed me," you pull your shirt down to show them three marks just above your cleavage, "and she was arrested when the cops got there. After giving my statement and getting statements from the witnesses, they determined I acted in self defense and let me go home. Mom took the little altercation as me spiraling and acting out, so she shipped me off."

"Jesus," Julie sighs. "That's messed up."

"It really is. But oh well. What happened, happened, and now I get to live with my favorite people."

All four of you laugh before Alex gestures towards your chest, sobering up some. "I have some cream that you can use so it'll fade the scars. My soulmate likes to skateboard and he gets pretty banged up every now and then so I keep a stash of that stuff for him."

You smile fondly at him. "Yes, please. The first time my real soulmate sees the girls," you shimmy your chest just the slightest, "I don't want him to see my battle wounds."

Julie swats you with the back of your hand and you laugh at her exasperated expression as the other two break down into giggles.

Lounging around in your room, you ask Julie about her other two bandmates but Alex tells you they had family obligations they couldn't get out of. Carlos gets dropped off by his friend's mom and he joyously jumps onto the middle of the bed when he realizes you're finally there. So that's how Ray and Rose find the five of you, laughing and joking in your new room before dinner is ready and making plans to hang out the following day when everyone could meet up.

After explaining to your tío and tía the real reasoning your mother had you sent away, it was like a weight was lifted off their shoulders and they were more at ease in your presence. You laughed at their sheepishness, at how they thought they had a rightfully heartbroken teenager on their hands with no clue how to ease said heartache. But when all was said and done, everyone seemed to be themselves around you.

Alex had shown up that afternoon, soulmate in tow, and immediately you asked to play with Willie's hair. Both boys had laughed, Willie agreed and readily sat on the floor between your knees as Julie and Alex Facetimed Flynn about any upcoming open mic nights they could book. Willie had a box of random hair supplies in his lap and you saw how he kept running his fingers over a feather and some small silver hoops. Without even asking him, you grabbed a couple of silver hoops, a feather, and set them aside. You had him tilt his head and he did so without questions, closing his eyes as you started to part and section the hair on the right side of his head. Alex smiled every time he looked over at the two of you and you happily gave Willie three thin braids about five inches long before letting the rest of his hair hang loose. The two outer braids had the silver hoops clipped in and the braid in the middle held the feather you had braided in with a thin leather cord. When you were finished and then combed out Willie's hair one last time, you told him you were done and had to bite back a laugh at the way Alex gulped. Willie eagerly went to check himself out in the mirror, beaming at his reflection before turning around and pulling you into a hug.

While your tío Ray and tía Rose worked, and Carlos spent time at his friend's house, you and Julie ordered in some pizza for yourselves, Alex, and Willie. They had no plans at all for the day so the four of you went out to Rose's studio garage when Flynn finally showed up.

Flynn has the bright idea to do karaoke, pulling out the equipment and setting up a laptop Julie had in the studio for this occasion.

Flynn killed it on Nicki Minaj's Starships, you and Julie sang Mamma Mia and were joined by a very enthusiastic Alex. Willie absolutely refused to sing, but that was okay because he knew the choreography for Backstreet Boys Everybody and you eagerly pulled him up to dance with yourself and Julie. Tío Ray and Tía Rose showed up with Carlos in tow, and you and Julie laughed joyously as her parents sang through Journey's Don't Stop Believin'.

Everyone was laughing and having a good time, but as the sun was going down the parental figures went inside to talk through dinner ideas and clean up a little.

You ask Julie if she has any originals you have yet to hear, but as she goes to go grab a journal Alex speaks up. "What about you? You said you wrote, right? I need to hear an original."

"I, uh, sure." You shrug. You turn towards Julie, eyeing the laptop. "Are my instrumentals still on there?"

She grins. "Yeah. Can I choose?"

"Go for it." You get up to go see which song of yours she's going to choose, smiling softly when you see her choice. Alex is practically bouncing in his seat, Willie is shaking his head at him in fond amusement, and Flynn looks torn between recording with her phone. When you nod at her, she beams and gets ready to hit record on her phone.

"So before Julie hits play, I just want you guys to know I wrote this song while I was Jerry. He absolutely loathed it when he first heard it because he thought I was singing about someone else." You huff a laugh. "The song was honestly about a couple on a TV show I got fixated on, but he didn't believe me. So anyway, I might be a little rusty, but Julie loves it so here goes nothing.

Julie hits play. The violin starts and you smirk when you see Alex's eyebrows raise. Then the drums, guitar, and bass kick in and his eyes widen just as his jaw drops when your attitude completely changes.

"I'm in the business of misery, let's take it from the top. She's got a body like an hourglass, it's ticking like a clock. It's a matter of time before we all run out. When I thought he was mine, she caught him by the mouth."

You keep singing, singing to Julie, but then it goes silent before the chorus kicks in and you find yourself back to back with your cousin as she joins you. "Woah, it was never my intention to brag. To steal it all away from you now. But God, does it feel so good 'cause I got him where I want him now. And if you could, then you know you would 'cause God, it just feels so.. It just feels so good."

Willie whoops and you laugh your way through the next few lines, rocking your shoulders and even throwing in a couple of head bangs for good measure.

But then the music quiets just so and you face the boys. "I watched his wildest dreams come true and not one of them involving you. Just watch my wildest dreams come true. Not one of them involving.." You head bang now, twisting your head back and forth so your hair wildly flips back and forth. Julie plays the air guitar and you're laughing, having made yourself dizzy in the process. But then as one particular part comes up, you sidle up to Julie's side, your face just inches from the side of her own face as she stares forward. "Woah I never meant to brag, but I got him where I want him now."

Your chest aches from putting your all into your own song, sweat beading at your hairline as you jump around dancing. You're exhausted by the end of the song, but it's well worth it to see Alex's gobsmacked expression.

The studio falls silent, but it's Willie and Flynn who jump to their feet. Their utter amazement and joyfulness makes you a little sheepish, but then Alex is standing to his feet. "Holy shit."

"Right?" Julie cackles. "I've been begging her to play live with us for one song, but she won't."

"Are you frickin' kidding me?!" The new voice has your head snapping in it's direction, the boy in a leather jacket and red flannel wrapped around his waist staring at you in wonder. "What is it with you Molina's and your musical talents?"

Your face flames at his praise, eyes then darting to the boy with shaggy hair and a sleeveless shirt gaping at you. You chuckle nervously and Julie wraps an arm around your shoulders, grinning as she introduces you. "And here we have Reggie and Luke. Guys, this is my cousin Y/N."

"Dude, will you marry me?" Luke's words make everyone laugh out loud, but you freeze.

Julie, having felt you tense up, stares at you. "Y/N? Are you-"

But you cut her off, eyes solely on Luke as you say, "Bro, don't call me dude." Your mocking tone makes Flynn snort.

Not only is it Luke's turn to freeze, but so do Alex and Reggie. Their eyes widen as they stare between you and Luke, your heart beating triple when you realize just who this is.

"Oh my god," Alex mutters.

"Oh my god!" Reggie exclaims, smile instantly beaming.

"OH MY GOD!" Julie shouts, arm tightening around your shoulder. "Did he just- did you just say.." You nod, your breathing becoming a little erratic. Julie notices and turns you so she grips you by the shoulders and you're staring directly into her face. "Hey, it's okay. You're fine. Luke's one of the good ones."

You gulp. "I- it's not that," you murmur. "But he said.. and I need to see-"

Before you can finish, the presence of said boy is right next to you and Julie. You startle at his appearance, but then he's holding out his arm between you and your cousin and you glance down to see the words that have been stamped into his skin since the day of his birth. There on the space just below the crease of his elbow are the words bro, don't call me dude.

You laugh, a little wetly, but no one dares to call you out on it. Instead, you turn and lift your shirt so he can see his own words stamped on your ribs. A faint touch has you flinching away and giggling, and Julie snorts as you pout at Luke who seems to realize you're ticklish.

"OH MY GOD! YOU GUYS ARE SOULMATES!" Flynn shouts. "THIS IS SO COOL!"

And just like that the tension is broken, everyone laughing and cheering. You're having trouble holding Luke's gaze, his crinkled eyes and swoon-worthy smile making you want to reach out and hug him. So when you see his fingers twitch and tap out a beat against his leg before he clenches his fists closed, you cave and pull him into a hug. He hesitates a moment before he sighs, wrapping his arms tightly around you in return.

"Hey. ¿Qué está pasando? (What's going on?) Rose wonders. Apparently the cheering had caught tía Rose and tío Ray's attention.

You and Luke break apart, but your arms remain touching as you both stare at Julie's parents like you'd been caught doing something wrong. And since the two of you can't seem to form words, Julie giggles before filling them in. "Luke and Y/N are soulmates. They said each other's words."

Ray and Rose immediately look at you in shock, and you can feel your face heating up. Slowly, you smile at your tía's concerned expression and immediately she's beaming as she makes a beeline for you. "Mija! That's wonderful news." You laugh as she hugs you and then laugh even harder when you see your tío Ray clamp a hand down on Luke's shoulder. Then releasing you and turning towards Luke, tía Rose smiles as she opens her arms wide before moving in to hug him. "I'm happy for you too, mijo. Welcome to the family." Then pulling back, she says, "Not that you weren't already part of the family, but you know."

Luke chuckles, ears turning red. "Thanks, Mrs. Molina."

"Well this is a cause for celebration," Ray says. "Anyone feeling up to pasta?" Julie, Flynn, and Reggie all whoop in unison. "You going to join us, Willie?"

Willie, never usually around for long periods of time with Julie's family, is surprised to be invited. Alex beams at his soulmate and Willie knows he can't say no. "Sure, Mr. Molina. Thanks for the invite."

"Great," Rose smiles. "Well now that that's settled, I'm going to go make a reservation so we don't give the hostess a stroke when we all walk in. Everyone has two hours before we leave."

Tía Rose and tío Ray congratulate you and Luke one last time before they take their leave. Everyone follows after them, excitingly talking outfit choices, but Reggie remains by the opened doors smiling between you and Luke. A second later, Alex returns and marches a reluctant Reggie away.

Now that it's just you and Luke, the two of you laugh nervously.

"So.."

"So.." You both laugh nervously again and then you're groaning. "This is so weird, but like I'm also really excited."

Luke loses some of his nerves and his shoulders slump. "Really? You're excited?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

He turns sheepish then, averting his gaze as he shoves his hands into the front of his jean's pockets. "Julie might have explained the shitty thing your ex did and yeah. I would understand if you weren't stoked to meet me on your second day here."

He's so genuine in his explanation that you can't help but mentally swoon at this boy before you. You're not sure where the sudden confidence comes from, but you're grateful for it when you step closer and take his face in the palm of your hands so he's staring right at you. "Okay one, my mother didn't properly explain why she moved me here. I'll fill you in later, but I'm telling you right now it's not because I'm heartbroken or anything. And two, I am stoked to meet you. You wanna know why?" Luke can only nod as he pays close attention and you grin at him. "Because the moment realization sunk in, everything just felt.. it felt-"

"Right?" He asks, voice low.

You nod. "It felt right. There was no uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach, there was just elation. Like I found something I didn't know I was looking for until you uttered the words etched on my ribs."

Luke slowly smiles and you let your hands fall to your sides, leaning in and quickly kissing his cheek. "Now come on. We need to get ready for tonight."

His cheeks turn red almost immediately, but you don't say anything as you grab his arm and drag his hand from his pocket. Then clasping his hand within your own, you drag him out of the studio and up towards the house.

Dinner was quite the affair, everyone pushing you and Luke next to one another at the table and cooing over how adorable you two were. Even his parents, Emily and Mitch, had been invited along and everyone smiled throughout the entire dinner. The table was quite loud, but not a single customer nearby or the waitresses could blame you when Reggie loudly explained that they were celebrating newly found soulmates. There was even applause that had you and Luke turning red in the face and then trying to aim a kick at Reggie's shin under the table. Unfortunately, Alex took the brunt of both kicks.

When the weekend was over, Luke and the boys stood by your side on your first day of school. The band had quite the following and those fangirls of theirs were not impressed to see you and Luke hand-in-hand. It was a bit daunting navigating the hallways with a majority of the school's population looking down their nose at you, but then Julie, Flynn, and surprisingly Carrie Wilson (your cousin's arch-nemesis) came to your aide. You understood Julie and Flynn's protectiveness, but Carrie's was a shock and she merely flipped her hair over her shoulder while giving the excuse that no one should be shit on just because they found their soulmate. The girls were stunned, but shrugged it off and let Carrie do what Carrie wanted to do.

Tía Rose and tío Ray saw a lot more of Luke at their home, but didn't put up any fuss. The only thing they asked was that if they were alone in the room, then the bedroom door was to remain open at all times. And not wanting to disappoint them, you and Luke abided by their rules. Because being with Luke.. it was the complete opposite than being with Jerry. There were no nerves, no second guessing, and no jealousy. You were happy to be with Luke and vice versa, and either of you could go out with friends with no twenty questions about who you were going with and where (Jerry seriously did a number on you).

You became Julie and the Phantoms number one fan, alongside Willie and Flynn, and sat up in the loft with Willie while the band rehearsed downstairs. The times you did go downstairs after rehearsals and Luke bounded over to you like an eager puppy, you had to fight the urge to chuck something at Reggie and Julie when they cooed over how cute you were together.

Luckily for you, Luke wasn't into PDA other than hand holding or hugs. But it still didn't stop your friends from mockingly groaning for you to get a room when Luke would hug you from behind and stay there with his chin hooked over your shoulder.

Today is one of the rare days the band left Luke alone so he could spend the time with you, but you're stuck doing Algebra II homework and Luke is going through one of your old writing journals for abandoned lyrics to give him inspiration.

You've been stuck on the same problem for what feels like twenty minutes when you hear Luke sharply inhale. You glance up at him, watching him read through something that's clearly caught his attention. You can't help but grin at his look of concentration and then his expression falls and your heart suddenly aches.

Luke glances up and you gulp. "What's this?"

"What's what?"

He glances back down at the journal in his hands before looking at you once more. "Something titled Train Wreck. It looks like a completed song."

Your expression completely goes lax then. "Oh. That's, uh, I wrote that a while back when my mom and dad were going through their divorce." You close the math book in your lap and hesitantly meet Luke's gaze. "That was not a fun time for all involved. My mind was kind of.. messed up back then."

Luke gulps. "I don't want to seem inconsiderate of what clearly was a dark time for you, but this- this is really good, Y/N. Do you have a melody for it?"

You huff a laugh, shaking your head in fond amusement. Only Luke would be this invested in a song. "I do. I think it's on the laptop in a password protected file.."

His eyes light up. "Can I hear it? You don't have to, I just-"

"It's fine." You get up, heading over to the laptop and powering it up to find what you need. After a bit of searching, you find it and open it up. Letting the melody play, you look up at Luke. "I won't sing the whole thing, but I'll sing a portion of it."

He eagerly nods. "I'll take anything."

You smile at him, nervously taking a seat on a crate in the middle of the room. He finds another crate and places it close to you, wanting to be as close as possible. You close your eyes, smiling, and let the melody wash over you as the lyrics come back to you in a flash. Your heart beat is beating double, but you inhale deeply and let it out slowly.

Losing yourself to the music, you mouth the lyrics to yourself until letting your voice ring out. "Underneath our bad blood, we've still got a sanctum. Home, still a home, still a home here. It's not too late to build it back 'cause a one in a million chance is still a chance, still a chance and I would take those odds."

You open your eyes, chest aching as all those feelings from so long ago come rushing back and make your voice just that much stronger. "Unbreak the broken, unsay these spoken words. Find hope in the hopeless, pull me out of the train wreck." Luke grabs your hand and you squeeze it for all your worth as you keep looking forward. "Unburn the ashes, unchain the reactions now. I'm not ready to die, not yet. Pull me out of the train wreck. Pull me out, pull me out, pull me out."

You meet Luke's gaze then, a little surprised to see his eyes red rimmed and teary through your own blurry vision. "You can say what you like, don't say I wouldn't die for it. I'm down on my knees and I need you to be my God, be my help, be a Savior who can-"

Your voice cracks on the next word and Luke tugs on your hand, pulling you into a hug. A sob escapes your throat as you cling to Luke, but you quickly stifle it against his shoulder. As the melody plays out, you press your forehead to his shoulder before pushing back and sniffling. "I, uh, I'm sorry about that. Everything came rushing back and I-"

"Don't apologize." Luke catches your face in the palm of his hands, thumbs brushing away your tears before his lips press against your forehead. The action is so soft that your expression crumples momentarily, but you quickly mask it when Luke pulls back to catch your gaze. "That was amazing, Y/N! So amazing. And I'm sorry it brought up bad memories, but.. wow."

You huff a laugh, pulling back so you aren't hunched over. Luke, however, refuses to stop touching you and catches your hands within his own. "I should have guessed you'd be easily impressed."

"For you? Always."

You shake your head, grinning. "You're so freakin' cheesy, Luke Patterson."

He chuckles and again you're hit with a sudden boost of confidence that you lean forward, one hand finding the back of his neck so you can bring him to meet you halfway in a kiss. He smiles against your mouth, but the smile quickly falls the second you tilt your head to deepen the kiss. Unfortunately, just as the tip of your tongue flicks against his bottom lip, you're interrupted.

"Can we come in now?" Reggie's voice rings out. "I really wanna give Y/N a hug after hearing that song."

"Reggie!" Julie scolds.

You and Luke pull apart laughing. You both straighten up and look towards the door just in time to see Reggie rubbing at the back of his head as he walks in with Alex and Julie behind him. Hand in hand, you and Luke stand up and chuckle at Reggie's put out expression.

Had you known that having a soulmate felt exactly as you feel right now, you would have known something was definitely up back home with Jerry. And though you will always hate your ex for tricking you the way he did, there's an ounce of gratefulness for the misery he put you through because had he not then you wouldn't have moved and met your true soulmate.

#julie and the phantoms imagine #julie and the phantoms x reader #jatp x reader #luke patterson x reader #luke patterson #julie molina #reggie peters #alex mercer

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tyongxnct · 3 years

Text

𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒕

pairing: Haechan x reader, Jaemin x reader

special guest: Jeno, Mark

summary: Haechan was your best friend, until he started dating Jung Youngmi, his longtime crush. One day, he told you to back off and give him space, apparently Youngmi was jealous and wanted him to spend time just with her and not with you. It broke your heart, the boy you loved left you for another girl. Your friendship ended and after a while, he left your mind and heart. You started hanging out with Na Jaemin and it felt different with him, a good different. High school is coming to an end and you go on your last school trip. Unfortunately, you had to do a project on your trip and your partner was none other than Lee Haechan. It was an opportunity to rekindle your friendship, but after everything Haechan did to you, could you forgive him?

genre: angst, fluff highschool!au, unrequited-love!au bestfriends-to-enemies!au bestfriends-to-lovers!au

warnings: making out, jealousy, alcohol consumption, swearing, almost sexual assault (reader runs away), Haechan is a jerk, stealing, a prank, some dirty jokes, (I guess that’s it)

word count: 14.8k

A/N: I’m not proud of this one lmao. This took me like a decade to write and I don’t even know If I like it, I hope you do. I’m sorry for the terrible fluff, I suck at writing fluff. kind of proofread, I’m sorry If there are any errors :)

“Look how pretty she is. She’s so pretty, (Y/n). Are you even listening?” Donghyuck poked your cheek with his finger to get your attention. “What were you saying?” you asked him even though you knew the answer. “I was talking about the prettiest girl on this planet; Jung Youngmi.” You could see his eyes form into hearts. “So, nothing new. When are you going to confess? You’ve been after her for months already.” Actually, you didn’t want to hear the answer, but you had to act like the supportive best friend, even though it hurt. “It takes time to ask out a girl like her. I need to be prepared, I’m working on it. But soon, I’ll call her mine.” He winked at you and continued staring at Youngmi. You didn’t even know If she knew about your or Donghyuck’s existence.

It’s been like this for a couple of months already. You are staring at Donghyuck and Donghyuck is staring at Youngmi, well you looked at Donghyuck that way for so many years already. It was your little secret and you shared it with no one. Donghyuck knew everything about you, but he didn’t need to know that you were head over heels for him.

You kept your little secret with you and when Donghyuck told you about his crush, you buried your feeling deep inside your heart. Every time he talked about Youngmi, you heart cracked a little open but somehow, it never broke completely. It was okay. Being Donghyuck’s best friend was great, but one day, you could hear your heart breaking into many shards.

“(Y/N)! OH MY GOD YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HAPPY I AM RIGHT NOW!” Donghyuck ran towards you while yelling all over the hallway. “I can see it. What’s up?” you asked him casually. You thought that he was going to talk about his biology project or his soccer training, but boy were you wrong.

“I’m going on a date with her! I asked her out and she said yes! Can you believe that?!” Donghyuck hugged you tightly and you would faint right then and there If you weren’t in his arms. You didn’t have the energy to hug him back, his words ripped your heart apart and you could feel the broken pieces stab your insides.

“I guess you are too shocked to say anything, don’t worry I also couldn’t say anything at all once she said yes. I have to get ready, I have to- fuck, I don’t know what to do. You are a girl, right? Tell me what girls like. Do you like flowers? Tulips? Sunflowers? Roses? What do you think?”

“Sunflowers.” You tried to hide the pain and act like the supportive best friend you are. “I like sunflowers.”

“Alright, and what about chocolate? Or champagne? Oh, hell, what the fuck am I saying? Alright, I’ll see you later! I have to get ready for my date tonight!”

After he left, you could finally breathe again. You walked home alone that day, for the first time in forever, and not even the loud music coming from your headphones, could distract you. This was the reality you had to live in. The reality of loving Donghyuck from afar.

A couple of weeks later, Haechan and Youngmi started dating and you felt invisible. Little did you know that it was Youngmi who told Donghyuck to stop hanging out with you that much, apparently, she was jealous of your relationship with Donghyuck, which was nothing more than being best friends, but Donghyuck was so blinded by love, that he believed her.

“What do you mean I’m a distraction and a threat? Do you hear yourself?” you were furious, how could he do that to your friendship.

“Look, you don’t understand because you never had a boyfriend before. I have to spend my whole time with Youngmi- there’s no time for you anymore. And I don’t want my girlfriend to hang out with other guys too. I understand her, why can’t you?” Donghyuck explained.

“Hyuck, this is so stupid. I don’t want anything from you, I am just your friend. We’ve been friends for so long and you want to throw that away because of her?!” you yelled at him, getting angrier every passing second.

“God, you are so exhausting. I would respect your decision If you had a boyfriend!” he yelled back. “I would never even think about pushing you away even If I had a boyfriend. I would rather break up with him!”

“That’s your fault. Maybe that’s the reason you never had a boyfriend! Stop clinging to me and leave me and Youngmi the fuck alone! Stop trying to destroy the best thing that happened to me! You know how much she means to me!”

“Seems like I never meant anything to you. Fine. Go fuck yourself, Haechan.” And with that, you turned on your heel and left his room. He wasn’t your hyuck anymore, he was Haechan from now on.

After your fight, you completely stopped talking to him, you ignored each other and switched seats in your shared classes. Haechan was always with Youngmi, trailing after her like a stupid lost puppy. You couldn’t believe that all of that was really happening. Some of your friends noticed the change between you and him, but after seeing him with Youngmi, they understood. He was sitting at the ‘cool kids’ table with Youngmi on his lap. Like right now, he was sitting right across from you. You didn’t know If your timing was bad or If he did it on purpose, but every time you accidentally looked at that direction, he kissed her on the lips.

“Hey, (Y/n), do you have time to study together today? But If you’re busy we can do it another time.” You thanked Jaemin for distracting you right now. “Today’s fine. Where do you wanna go?” you asked back. “Let’s go to the library and grab something to eat afterwards? What do you think?” food sounds perfect right now. “Sounds great. I’ll see you after school?” the bell rang and it was time for you to go to your class, which you unfortunately shared with Haechan. “Yeah, see you later.”

Jaemin was actually one of your close friends, but he was never as close as Haechan was. He was also friends with Haechan, but after Haechan changed tables, he stopped talking to your other friends, too.

You were the first one to enter history class, your teacher was also not there yet. You opened the window and looked out, it was raining, and you felt like you could breathe again after the cold hit your face. Your peaceful moment was interrupted by Haechan himself. “I see you finally started talking to other boys. Is Na Jaemin your new victim? That poor boy could actually get himself a girlfriend, but If you are trying to stop him from that like you did with me, it won’t be easy for him.” He said mockingly.

Ignore him, (Y/n). Just ignore him, you thought.

“I’m talking to you.” He said.

Someone’s going to enter, and you won’t hear his stupid voice anymore, you thought now.

“You have the chance to talk to me, (Y/n). Aren’t you going to take it?” he mocked you again.

This is not the boy you knew.

“(Y/n)- “before he could continue, the other students entered, and you thanked god.

You promised yourself to ignore him, to hate him, to stop loving him, and it’s going to be a long ride until you do.

“Hey, I hope you didn’t have to wait for me.” You greeted Jaemin, who was leaning against his car. “Oh no, don’t worry. So, you want to eat first? Or after?” he asked. “I’m actually starving right now, I feel like my brain won’t work If I study with an empty stomach. What do you think?”, you asked back as you entered his car. “I hoped you’d say that.” He smiled. You never noticed that Jaemin’s smile was that pretty.

You arrived at a cute little ramen restaurant and you got more excited to eat. “This place looks so cute.” You said. “Yeah, it’s actually my first time coming here but I heard it’s really good.” Jeno once told him about this place, well actually he told Jaemin to take his girlfriend here, but he thought he could take you here, too.

After ordering two bowls of ramen, you talked about so much. You learned so many things about Jaemin you didn’t know before and you were amazed. He was incredibly sweet and funny. Time was flying by and you didn’t notice that you spend hours at the ramen restaurant. You were so into the conversation, that you didn’t want it to end. But everything good must come to an end.

“Woah it’s almost 9 pm. I guess it’s a little too late to go study.” Jaemin looked at his watched. “We can go study tomorrow If you have time.” You said and at the same time the waiter arrived. “Sure, but we should eat afterwards, not before.” He laughed. You took out your wallet but Jaemin stopped you. “You really think I’ll let you pay?”

“Jaemin come on, it’s just ramen. Let me pay.”

“No way I’ll let you pay, put that back. I’m a gentleman” You laughed at his comment and put your wallet back into your bag.

He really is a gentleman.

You spend all of your time with Jaemin after your little failed study session, it’s almost the end of the school year and everything was going perfectly fine. You got closer and closer as you spend so much time together. Your little study sessions turned into hanging out at each other’s places, facetiming late at night until you fell asleep, having movie nights and late-night dates. But you never really called it a ‘date’, you never really talked about that thing going on between you two. The people around you noticed the change between you and Jaemin. Especially Haechan whose eyes were always on you, but you didn’t know that of course, because you simply didn’t care about him anymore. Your history with Haechan, well, was history and you were looking forward to the future.

“Did you pack your underwear?” your mother asked you, making Jaemin who was laying on your bed blush and giggle. “Of course, mom, god.” You punched Jaemin on the shoulder for giggling. “What about your toothbrush? And you should bring a bikini, too. I heard the beach there is beautiful. Especially in June.” Your mom checked the list she had made for your class trip. Jaemin and your friends were also going, and you were extremely excited. “Jaemin did you pack already?” she asked him. “Yes ma’am. My suitcase is ready.”

“Great. And Jaemin?” she asked.

“Yes ma’am?”

“Please take care of (Y/n), I don’t want her to get lost or kidnapped or something.”

“Mom, Jaemin’s not my babysitter.” You said annoyed as you entered your bathroom to check once again If you packed everything.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect (Y/n) with my life.”

After you heard Jaemin’s words you felt so shy. You looked at the mirror and smiled widely as your heart started beating faster. Why is he so cute and why is my heart beating like that, you asked yourself.

Jaemin left after dinner and called you on facetime as soon as he arrived at home. You were so excited that you couldn’t fall asleep and Jaemin spend the whole night with you, awake.

“We’re going to be fucked in the morning.” You mumbled.

“Hey, don’t fall asleep now. We have one hour until we have to actually wake up. If you fall asleep now, it’ll be harder to wake up. You can sleep on the bus ride, baby.”

Your eyes sprung open when your heard him say ‘baby’, he never said something like that before. He’d call you (Y/n) or (Y/n)-ie but baby? That was new. You looked at Jaemin whose eyes were almost closed, and he probably didn’t even notice that he called you baby.

“Jaemin!” you screamed, loud enough for him to hear but not too loud to wake up your parents.

“I’m awake!” his eyes shot open after you scared him like that. “By the way, I downloaded our playlist for the ride, and I added some new songs. Do you want anything else for me to download?”

“Can you download a movie?”

“Why? Do you want to sneak into my room and watch movies with me while everyone’s sleeping?” he smirked at you.

“Who knows.”

“Are you flirting?” he asked, still smirking.

“Maybe. Are you?”

“Maybe.”

Maybe it was the lack of sleep or just the thing between you two, but sometimes you looked at each other without saying anything and that was everything you needed.

Almost two hours later, you found yourself at school, next to Jaemin with your suitcases. You were waiting for the bus and your legs were about to give up. “Jaem, can you carry me?” you mumbled.

“I’ll carry you If you carry me afterwards. Deal?” he said sleepily.

“How the fuck am I supposed to carry you?”

Before you could talk about the ways of you carrying Jaemin, the bus arrived, and all the students got on. You connected your Airpods to Jaemin’s iPhone and listened with him to the playlist he created for the ride. Your head was on his shoulder and his head was on yours, something you didn’t notice, because you were so exhausted, was the hand holding yours.

What you also didn’t notice was Youngmi glaring at you. Even though you didn’t talk to Haechan for months now, she still looked at you like the devil she was. Let’s not forget the comments she always makes whenever she sees you in school. She laughed at you with her friends and always mocked you. One time, Jaemin was about to throw a chair at her, but you stopped him.

Haechan stopped bothering you after a while, and sometimes he tried to shut his girlfriends’ mouth, but nobody was strong enough to stand against her. Not even her own boyfriend.

“Look how cute they are!” your teacher, Ms. Kim said and snapped a picture of you and Jaemin sleeping like that. You woke up to the sound of the other students and your friends ‘awing’ and your teacher’s excitement. Jaemin also woke up and blushed when he saw all the people looking at you two.

“I just wanted to give you the room distribution, but I had to take a picture of you two, so cute! Here (Y/n) this is your room, and this is yours Jaemin.”

You thought it was going to be a great trip, but after you saw Yougmi’s name and of course the names of her stupid friends, you thought It could only get worse. You looked over at Jaemin’s room and he had to share the room with Haechan. “Don’t worry, if we ignore them, we can still have a wonderful time.” Jaemin tried to cheer you up and after a while you forgot that you were going to share a room with that snake.

A couple of hours later, you finally arrived, and the weather was amazing. Your hotel looked great and you couldn’t wait to explore everything with Jaemin.

“Listen, everybody. We’ll give you the keys to your rooms and don’t forget that we are here to have fun and to be productive. We made plans for the time we’re going to be here- “Ms. Kim talked as Mr. Byun handed each student a pile of sheets. “For today, you are free to do whatever you want, but we are going to have dinner together at 6 pm. You have to be in your rooms at 11pm and we don’t want to disturb the other guests, so you’re not allowed to make any noise after 10pm. Please don’t sneak out and that’s it for now. We’ll see you at 6pm.” Mr. Byun finished.

You silently entered your room and ignored the other girls. You didn’t care which bed you’d get but apparently Youngmi wanted to have yours. “Move.”

“There are four other beds. Take one of them.” You said. “No. I want this bed. So, get the fuck up.” you sighed, how are you going to survive this? You changed your bed and your phone blinked.

Jaems [14:35] : Wanna go explore the city? Or do you want to unpack first?

(Y/n) [14:35] : I’ll change my clothes, let’s meet at the reception

Jaems [14:36] : alrigthy

You changed your sweatpants and hoodie to a pretty cute sundress, and you put on a little bit of make-up, and you were ready to go. Your suitcase was under your bed and you left without saying anything to the others.

When you entered the elevator, you thought that nothing, not even stupid Youngmi, could -your thoughts were interrupted by another person who entered the elevator with you.

Fucking Lee Haechan.

When he looked up and saw you standing there, he stopped breathing. It was awkward to share the elevator with you and it wasn’t a short ride. And of course, just like in movies, you wanted to press the button at the same time, slightly touching each other’s finger.

“Sorry, ladies first.” did Haechan really just say sorry?

You didn’t say anything back and just pressed the button. You were standing as far as you could from him, trying to avoid any more interaction with him. You didn’t notice Haechan’s eyes look you up and down, too focused on texting Jaemin. Haechan never saw you in a dress before, most of the times you wore jeans and a shirt and that’s it. He also noticed the red lipstick on your lips, which was also new for him. He always thought you looked pretty without any make up and in your hoodie and sweatpants, but his view right now took his breath away.

You finally arrived and left the elevator as fast as you could, Jaemin noticed Haechan getting off after you but he didn’t care, because you looked so fucking pretty in that dress.

“My pretty girl, are you ready to explore the city?” Jaemin offered you his hand and you took it with a smile on your face.

“With you, always.”

Haechan was waiting for Youngmi to get ready, but she always, always, takes so long. You on the other side, looked beautiful without doing much. Your natural wavy hair was always perfect, and your face always shined. Everything was so much easier with you, Haechan thought. Stop comparing your girlfriend to your ex-best-friend.

You and Jaemin had a list for the place you wanted to visit. But you were most excited to see the beach. Even though you weren’t wearing your bikini, you stepped into the water until it reached your knees. You pulled your dress a little higher, scared of getting it wet.

“It’s so beautiful, Jaems, I could stay here forever.”

Jaemin held your hand, he didn’t want you to fall into the water, but that was just an excuse to hold your hand. “Be careful, though, don’t want you to get wet.”

You looked at each other for a second, realizing how sexual that sounded. “I mean-“

“I know what you mean.” You said shyly. “Um, yeah.” He glanced at his watch, “We gotta go- it’s almost six.” He changed the topic.

You arrived at the restaurant and saw your teachers waiting there. Jeno, Mark, Yuna and Minji were already sitting at a table and they waved at you and Jaemin.

“Hi.” You greeted them. “Hey, we missed you guys.” Yuna said with a smirk. Your group of friends knew that there was something going on between you and Jaemin, they teased you always because, apparently, it was cute how you and Jaemin reacted.

“Yeah sorry, we just wanted to go to the beach. We’ll hang out with you guys from now on.” You said.

“No no don’t worry about us. Enjoy your time alone.” Minji wiggled her eyebrows. “Yeah, enjoy your time alone.” Jeno also said, emphasizing the word alone.

“Anyways, what do you guys want to eat?” Jaemin changed the topic.

After everyone ordered, you were so full, you decided to go for a walk together. Everyone was teasing you and Jaemin, but no one noticed Jeno and Yuna being really close. They were practically all over each other but only you and Jaemin got teased. Jaemin and you were walking after your friends, your hands slightly brushing but none of you taking the first step. And that’s how you walked back to the hotel.

Jaemin walked you to your room, making sure your roommates didn’t do anything stupid. “Don’t worry. They won’t kill me.” You assured him. “I wouldn’t be worried If your roommates were Yuna and Minji. Do you think I can sneak you in my room?” he asked as he leaned against the door.

“Yeah so Mrs. Kim and Mr. Byun can kill us?”

He stared at you and then he leaned down to your ear, “I’d take that risk.”

“I’ll text you If anything happens and we can facetime? Is that okay?” you asked with a little smile on your lips. “I guess that’s okay.”

“Jaemin? Go to your room, it’s almost ten.” You heard Ms. Kim saying. “Alrigty, Ms. Kim. See you later.” He slightly stroked your cheek bevor he left.

Your cheeks were burning as you entered your room, ready to facetime Jaemin as soon as he arrived at his room. You plugged in your headphones and ignored the three other girls and their stupid faces. You were almost asleep as you talked to Jaemin, but you were interrupted by Youngmi’s voice.

“If you don’t shut the fuck up right now, I’ll throw your phone against the wall. Some of us need their beauty sleep!” she yelled.

“And why is it so hard for you to ask me like a decent human?” you said back, Jaemin still on the phone.

“What did you just say?” Youngmi got up.

“I said ask me like a decent human and I will turn my phone off.”

Jaemin thought that you were actually kinda hot right now. The way you talked back to Youngmi- wow.

“You don’t want to mess with me.” Youngmi said through gritted teeth.

“FOR GOD’S SAKE YOU TURN YOUR FUCKING PHONE OFF AND YOUNGMI GO TO SLEEP! MY GOD!” one of your other roommates yelled.

Youngmi turned around and muttered a “Stupid bitch” which you heard.

“I’m sorry- Jaemin?” you whispered.

“What? Oh yeah- sorry. Are you alright?” he also whispered, even though he didn’t need to. His roommates were all awake. He got distracted by your beauty.

“Yeah, but I gotta hang up before she kills me with her claws.” You joked.

“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. Good night pretty.”

“Good night handsome.”

You were always flirting with each other, sometimes you didn’t know If he was serious or not, but you knew that you were serious. Jaemin is handsome.

You had a shitty night and the next morning was also shitty. Your teachers were talking about the project you had to do here, you weren’t here just to relax. It wouldn’t be that bad to do the project If your partner were Jaemin- or any other friend of yours.

“We still have to do some work and you’ll do that with a partner, assigned by us.” You really hoped to be with Jaemin of course, but destiny hated you. The moment you heard Haechan’s name and yours, time stopped. Almost an entire day in a foreign city with Haechan? Jaemin slightly squeezed your hand, to assure you that it’ll be okay. But you just pouted at him and ignored Haechan’s gaze on you. Jaemin’s partner was Jeno and Youngmi’s was Minjun, a really shy boy who was almost scared of Youngmi.

“Haechan, do something. I don’t want to be with him.” Youngmi was really annoyed. “What do you want me to do? I can’t change her mind. Just do it, it won’t be that horrible.” Haechan said back. He was kind of happy to spend time with you. You were almost glued to Jaemin, now he could hang out with you, but Youngmi had other plans. You were talking to Jeno and Jaemin as you waited for Haechan and Youngmi’s discussion to be over.

After a couple minutes, Haechan came over to you. “Are you, uhm, ready?” he said awkwardly. You nodded “Yeah. I’ll see you guys later.” You bid your goodbyes to Jaemin and Jeno and left the Hotel with Haechan by your side. It was really awkward. Ms. Kim gave you a map of the city and marked a couple places you had to visit, answer a question, and take a picture together.

The first hour was really awkward but after he tripped and almost fell, you laughed your asses off. It was like back then when you laughed together even though the situation wasn’t funny at all. Your next stop was a little arcade, well it wasn’t marked on your map but the moment you and Haechan saw that arcade, all the memories of your childhood came back. How you played with him and how you always lost against him, but he still bought you a stuffed toy (which you still kept) to make it up to you. He felt bad when you cried, and you always stopped crying after he won something for you. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to play there.” He knew you would go with him, he knew how much you loved it. “Don’t worry, I’m going to beat your ass.”

You played for almost 4 hours, you really tried your best, but he still beat you at every game. “I didn’t play for years, of course I loose against you.” You tried to defend yourself, but Haechan didn’t go to the arcade after your fight. “The last time I went to an arcade was with you. You’re just bad at it. But don’t worry, I got you.”

Haechan almost put fifteen dollars into the claw machine until he got you a stuffed animal. “You didn’t have to.” You said but still accepted the cute little dog. “Well, I know that it’s not enough to make you forgive me, but I’m going to be honest with you now,” You didn’t except to hear that. “I’m so sorry for everything I said to you and how I acted. I was a bad best friend and I really really miss you. Like so much I can’t even describe how much I missed you.” Haechan really apologized and you were really taken aback. “W-What?”

“I’m sorry,” he took your hands in his. “I want my best friend back, I’m sorry. C-Can you give me another chance?” he kind of looked desperate, but the way he talked to you, really warmed your heart. Not like before, when your heart raced because of him. Now it just felt warm.

“Okay, I’ll give you another chance, because I know that you never would want to actually hurt me. I’m sorry that I didn’t accept your feelings for Youngmi. I should be a better best friend and just let you be with your girlfriend.” You also apologized.

“Since we are here, we should make great memories, right?” you smiled at him and Haechan just nodded, with a look on his face that you couldn’t really describe. “My phone’s battery is dead. Can we take the last few pictures with yours?” he asked you after a while. “Sure. My phone’s better anyway.” You were always team iPhone while Haechan sticked to his Samsung. “We’ll see about that.”

After many hours of having fun with Haechan, you realized how much you missed him. Of course, it wasn’t like before or how it is with Jaemin, but he was still important to you. You talked about all the things you couldn’t talk about when you were apart. No matter which show or movie, or memory you just wanted to share with him. Haechan also talked about a couple of things, but he told you his life was boring and wanted to hear more about you.

“So, you and Jaemin huh? Are you a thing now?” he asked after a while. A smile creeped to your face. “Well, we didn’t talk about anything like that we’re just (Y/n) and Jaemin. I don’t know. But he’s great. He’s super cute, funny, and handsome and he always makes sure that I’m happy. I feel alive when I’m with him and I just- oh sorry I just talk and talk. Tell me about your relationship. Is Youngmi treating you well?” You joked, but If you only knew.

Haechan felt jealous. Your eyes sparkled when you talked about Jaemin and he could see how much he means to you. It was always Haechan for you but know, you talked about another guy. You cared for another guy and you are in love with another guy. Haechan still didn’t knew that you had a crush on him, he only knew that you loved Jaemin.

Thinking of his girlfriend, he regrets dating her. He fell out of love almost a week after they started dating, but he always told himself that he always wanted this, so he should be happy and should stop acting like a fool. Her real self was- terrible. Youngmi was with Haechan just to use him. She wanted to be the most popular girl in school, and she couldn’t be on top without a boyfriend. So, she choose Haechan who was totally in love with her. Everyone knew that. Youngmi thought Haechan would last for a couple of weeks, but everyone called them the power couple, so she just sticked to him. She got everything she wanted. Whenever she called Haechan because she wanted something, whether it was a new bag, new shoes or just a coffee, Haechan bought it. Breaking up never crossed their minds.

“Well, we’re doing alright, I guess. I don’t know really.”

“Are you happy?”

Was he happy?

No, he wasn’t. He stopped being happy after he lost you.

“Yeah, I think so.” He lied. “Come on, let’s take another picture!” Haechan changed the topic. You were a little closer to him and he told himself that his heart was beating because of the thought of Youngmi, not because of you. You sent all the pictures you had taken to Haechan and Mrs. Kim.

You looked at the phone screen and zoomed in. “Oh my god, do I always look like this?” you laughed to yourself while walking after Haechan. Now you zoomed into Haechan’s face, he looked pretty cute, you thought. “You look so much better than me, we need to take a new pic- Haechan?” you looked up, but you couldn’t see Haechan. You turned around and there was still no sight of him. “Haechan?” you asked again, but still no answer. It was already a little dark outside and your eyesight was also terrible. You couldn’t see him, and you were about to call him, but you remembered that his phone battery was dead. Well fuck, you thought.

You had no idea where you were, and the map was also with Haechan. Maybe you should wait here until Haechan comes back, he was probably also looking for you. Almost two hours later, you were still sitting on a bench and waiting for him. Your phones battery was almost dead but that didn’t matter because you couldn’t even use your phone to call someone. Maybe Haechan’s lost and wandering through the streets looking for me, you thought. I have to find him.

You left the bench and walked around, nothing seemed familiar and it was really dark now. You looked at you watch- it was almost 11 pm. You walked around until your legs gave up. You were completely alone in a foreign city and you felt so small and you were scared. Scared that something happened to Haechan and scared that something’s going to happen to you.

You missed Jaemin. You wanted to hug him and cuddle with him, you wanted to feel his arms around you. You wanted to feel safe again, not scared. After you ten minutes break you tried to communicate with some people around your age, but they just laughed at you with their stupid accents, which you didn’t understand.

“Fuck you, assholes.” You mumbled and your stomach grumbled. You were so hungry, you haven’t eaten for hours. You had no money left, you couldn’t buy food nor could you take a taxi. The people you asked for help either laughed at you or just ignored you.

You were fucked.

Your mind drifted back to Haechan.

Was he also struggling like you to get back to the hotel? Was he also so hungry and exhausted? Was he also thinking of you?

Your legs hurt, your stomach hurt, and your head hurt. You started crying because you felt so helpless, there was nobody who could help you. It was getting colder and colder every second and you tried to keep walking to keep yourself warm, but the wind was strong.

“Look what we have here.” Someone said behind you.

“A pretty girl like you shouldn’t walk around in such alleys. Don’t you know that it can be dangerous here?” someone else said. You turned around and faced two guys, maybe a little older than you and they didn’t talk with an accent.

“Oh, I didn’t know.” You tried to stay away from them, but they stepped closer and closer. “Are you lost?” the guy asked with a smirk. “Uhm, not really but like, I was going to meet my friends, but they’re a little late.” You lied.

“You shouldn’t lie, Pinocchio.”

“I’m… I’m not lying. They’re going to be here any minute.” You lied again but you were so scared, your voice trembled.

Suddenly, one of the guys gripped your wrist and pulled you closer. With his thumb, he stroked your cheek and then your lower lip. “Please don’t touch me.” Even though you tried to sound strong, your voice betrayed you.

“Don’t worry, we’re just going to have a little fun with you, and then you can go.” The other guy pulled the straps of your dress down, exposing your shoulders. “I said stop!” you yelled now. You were struggling in his grip, but he was bigger and stronger than you. “No! Stop! I need help!” you were so scared that you just thought of kicking him in the balls. So, you kicked him as hard as you could in the balls and ran away as fast as you could. Your legs were wobbly, but the one guy was struggling to walk, and his friend tried to help him walk. “Stupid, go follow her!” he yelled at his friend, but you were long gone.

Your heart was beating heavily against your chest as you tried to calm down. You saw two girls around your age walking, and you tried your luck again. “S-Sorry can you help me?” you asked, and they finally understood you. “Yeah of course.”

You asked them how to get back to your hotel and they told you that it wasn’t that far. A 10 minutes’ walk and they even asked you If they should go with you, but you declined politely and thanked them. You could see the lights of the hotel and you could see Mr. Byun and Ms. Kim walking in circles. When they finally saw you and your state, Mr. Byun carried you to the hotel.

“H-Haechan?” you asked. “Haechan’s here. Don’t worry.” Mr. Byun assured you.

You were sitting at the reception with Mr. Byun and Ms. Kim. They were talking to some people on the phone about you. Probably the police and your family.

You saw Haechan, Youngmi, Jaemin, Jeno, Minji and Yuna entering the reception. Before they could say anything, you jumped into Haechan’s arms. “Oh my god Haechan, I was so worried!” you hugged him tightly and he wanted to hug you back, but he didn’t.

“Y-you were worried about me?” he whispered, you were the only one who heard him. You started tearing up again and Youngmi started laughing.

“Oh my god. You really are dumb.” Youngmi said. What? “You were worried for him? Even though he left you?”

You pulled away and looked at her. “What are you talking about? We lost each other in the crowd.” And she laughed again. “Haechan, why don’t you tell her the truth, baby?”

Everyone (except the teachers of course) looked curiously at Haechan. “Haechan what is she talking about?”

Haechan didn’t say anything. “Alright, let me tell you since he’s acting like a pussy. Haechan was with us after you got ‘lost’. He left you, on purpose and you were really stupid enough to look for him. You really thought that he wanted to be friends with you again? That he was really nice to you because he wanted you back? He just acted, to prank you.”

Your eyes widened, you didn’t want to believe her but after you looked at Haechan, you saw the truth in his eyes. She was telling the truth. The truth that Haechan’s a piece of shit.

“You’re a fucking asshole. You- I was walking around this stupid foreign city for hours to find you because I was so worried that you were lost because you always get lost at places you didn’t know. But you were probably laughing at me the whole time, how I walked around and asked people for help. I had no money, I had nothing! I was so scared, so fucking scared!” you were so angry and hurt, you didn’t even notice the tears. “I almost- “you yelled but stopped, your body was trembling, and you hugged yourself. “Almost what, (Y/n)?” Jaemin asked you, anger building in his body. “There were t-two guys who tried t-to...” You whispered and Haechan’s head shot up to look at you, his mouth slightly open.

That was enough for Jaemin. “You fucking- I’m going to kill you!” Jaemin pulled Haechan by his collar and punched him in the face. Haechan was in trance, you were alone, and anything could have happened to you because of him.

Jeno tried to stop Jaemin from killing Haechan and Youngmi was long gone. Mr. Byun came back and helped Jeno. “You never deserved her! You’re a fucking jerk! You’re going to pay for everything you did to her!” Jaemin yelled at Haechan who was trying hard not to cry. He went too far. Haechan realized he went too far.

You wanted to go to Jaemin, you wanted to hug him, but Ms. Kim told you it was better to leave the boys alone to calm down and get changed. Ms. Kim walked you to your room and she entered the room to stay with you and to calm you down.

You opened your suitcase and looked for a little money, to get yourself something to eat but the money was gone. “W-Where is it?” you asked yourself. “What’s wrong?” Ms. Kim asked. “My… My money’s gone, I can’t find it.”

After looking for it four times and Ms. Kim also looked for it, you could find your money. That was all the money you had bought with you. Youngmi looked away, but you knew that she took it.

“Ms. Kim, I need to talk to you outside.” You said. She nodded and you could see the worry in her eyes. “Ms. Kim, I don’t want to accuse my roommates of stealing, but I can’t stay with them, please.” You almost cried. You felt so humiliated, everything was too much for you.

“Of course, honey. And don’t worry about the money, we’ll figure something out.”

Ms. Kim rented a single room for you, she isn’t stupid, you were gone all day and your money was missing. It’s not a coincidence, she saw the way Youngmi looked at you when you noticed that your money was gone. That little smirk on Youngmi’s face could get her kicked out of school, but she would deal in morning with her, right now she wanted to be there for you and make sure you were safe.

“I’ll pay you back Ms. Kim. I promise as soon as I’m home I’ll give you the money you spent for this room.” You told her. Ms. Kim smiled “Don’t worry about that. I know what is happening around you and I’ll promise you I’ll take care of that. Now get some sleep. I’ll send Jaemin to you with some food. You must be starving.” You looked down to your feet, a little embarrassed when your stomach growled right after she said that. “Yeah… Thank you for everything Ms. Kim.”

You bought all your things that were left to your new room and changed your clothes. Your body was still shivering, and you decided to take a quick hot shower, maybe it could help you relax your shoulders. You slowly washed your body and your hair, your feet hurt so much, it was hard to stand. After you wrapped your body in a towel, your left your bathroom and you collided into someone. You were surprised and you couldn’t see the person who entered your room, you were about to scream, scared that the guys from earlier found you, but as soon as you saw Jaemin’s eyes, you relaxed.

“You scared me Jaemin!” you held your heart to calm it down. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I bought food for you- shit you are shaking.” Jaemin held you by your shoulders as your body stiffened, you started freezing again. “Jaemin I’m so cold.” You slightly fell into his arms, your feet were arching and Jaemin slowly put you on the bed. “Y-You need to change. I’ll wait… outside.” He didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable, but you held his wrist bevor he could turn around and leave. “P-Please stay with me. I’m scared.” Your eyes teared up, you didn’t want to be alone.

Jaemin slowly nodded. “C-Can you help me?” you didn’t care about anything right now, you just wanted Jaemin with you. You didn’t care that you looked so helpless and that you couldn’t even change without his help. “In my suitcase, uhm, my underwear… C-can you…?” you said shyly and Jaemin blushed.

Jaemin handed you your panties, well, he almost threw it in your face. “And a bra, please.” You and Jaemin avoided eye contact, the atmosphere was awkward. Again, Jaemin almost threw your bra in your face. Your bra was black, and your panties were purple, it didn’t match but who cared at that moment?

Jaemin saw a couple bruises under your feet. His heart clenched, you’re hurt, and he wasn’t there to protect you. Jaemin felt guilty for leaving you with Haechan, he felt guilty for breaking his promise to protect you.

“Why didn’t you bring any hoodies?” Jaemin asked as he took his own hoodie off. “What are you doing?” you asked. “Just wear this, it’ll keep your warm.” Jaemin was wearing a t-shirt under the hoodie. Jaemin turned around so you could change to your underwear and the hoodie. You told him that he could turn around and he couldn’t stop staring at you. You looked so cute with just Jaemin’s big hoodie and your panties- Jaemin blushed again. You couldn’t stay like that, so he gave you your sweatpants and he hoped that it would keep you warm. Jaemin tucked you to bed.

“Eat before the food gets cold.” Jaemin bought you a cup tomato soup, he was sitting at the edge of the bed, next to you. “Open your mouth.” Jaemin held the spoon against your mouth. Your body ached and you just opened your mouth, slowly swallowing the soup. “Is it too hot?” he asked. “No, it’s good.” You smiled.

When you finished your soup, you tucked Jaemin shirt. “Are you all right? Do you want more soup?” he asked you. “No, it’s just- can we cuddle?” Jaemin smiled at you, how could he say no to you? “Of course.” You and Jaemin were together under your blanket and he hugged your from behind. You were still cold and having Jaemin close to you was everything you needed.

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect you like I promised. I’m sorry that I left you alone with him- I’m so sorry.” Jaemin pulled your closer and placed a kiss on your head. “I’ll never leave you again.” You turned around to face him. “It’s not your fault, I was just stupid. It was my fault.”

“No! Don’t say that. You just have a big heart and you only see the good in everyone. Even in assholes like him.” He stroked your cheek with his hand. “You are perfect and I’m sorry that you’re hurt. I can’t imagine how scared you were.”

“I-I thought that they were going to… I thought they’d…” you started sobbing, the memories of the night still haunting you. You tried to stop the tears from falling, but whenever you closed your eyes, you could see their faces. “It’s over now, everything’s going to be all right. You are safe now. Nobody’s going to hurt you anymore.” Jaemin pulled your closer and let you cry against his chest. He slowly stroked your back to calm you down. “I thought I’d never see you again and… and that scared me the most…” you gripped his shirt tightly, scared that he’d go away. “I’ll stay with you forever, even If you don’t want me anymore. I promise I’ll never leave you because- “He didn’t know If that was the right time to confess but he couldn’t take it anymore. It broke his heart to see you like this.

“B-Because?” you looked up to him. “Because I love you.”

“I love you too.” You whispered against his lips. You felt safe in his arms and you wanted to stay like this forever. The tears stopped falling and you slowly pressed your lips on his. Jaemin’s heart was racing and yours too. It was your first kiss, and it was perfect because it was with Jaemin. You gently pulled away to hide your face.

“I wanted to tell you that I love you for a long time now. I want you to know, that no matter what happens, I’ll love you and I want to do this properly. So, do you want to go on a date with me tomorrow?” he asked you. “Yes, I’d love to.” You looked up again and smiled at him.

“Sleep now, I’ll stay here with you.” Jaemin pressed his lips on your forehead and your heart fluttered. “Thank you Jaemin.” You closed your eyes and fell asleep in his arms. You felt safe, protected, and loved.

Haechan couldn’t sleep. He was in the bathroom and washed his face with icy water to calm down. He was thinking about you. Haechan felt guilty and he knew that he lost his last chance to get you back. How could he be stupid enough to play with you? What was he thinking? He was about to get out of the bathroom, but when he heard his roommates and ex-friends talking, he listened from the other side of the door.

“Jaemin’s staying with (Y/n). Mrs. Kim bought her a room because some idiot stole her money. We all know who that was. That’s so fucked up.” Jeno said.

“For real. How the fuck could that bitch manipulate him so much? We all know that they were best friends and boom the next second, he transformed to an asshole. Youngmi isn’t even that pretty. (Y/n)’s literally beautiful.” Mark looked at Jeno as they talked. “Imagine being best friends with (Y/n) and leaving her for Youngmi. I really don’t get it.”

Jeno agreed “Yeah. I hope Jaemin isn’t as dumb as Haechan and confesses now. I can’t watch them act like a couple and not confess to each other.”

Haechan bit his lip. Mark and Jeno were right. You are a goddess next to Youngmi, you are perfect. How could Haechan let you slip away from his hands? How could Haechan leave you to Jaemin? How could Haechan break your heart so many times?

So, you were staying with Jaemin. Jealousy bloomed in Haechan’s heart. Were you sleeping with him in the same bed? Were you hugging each other? Haechan wanted to be with you. He wanted to stay with you and ask for your forgiveness until he couldn’t breathe anymore.

But he couldn’t. After what he had done to you, he just couldn’t. But there was one thing he could and would do. Haechan pulled his phone out of his pocket and texted Youngmi to meet him in front of her room. He left the bathroom and Jeno and Mark stopped talking about you and Jaemin. Haechan couldn’t even look up, he looked at the floor as he left the room.

“What is it Haechan? I was going to sleep.” Youngmi said annoyed that she couldn’t have her beauty sleep.

“Where’s the money?” he asked straightforward.

“What money?” she played dumb.

“(Y/n)’s money. I know that you took it.”

“Oh, you mean that money. I’ve spent it already. I bought a new dress. Do you want to see it?” she was about to turn around to enter her room, but Haechan held her wrist.

“You’re crazy. You have to give her money back.”

“Stop being stupid, Haechannie. I’m sorry that I didn’t bought you anything with that money- “

“Are you actually dumb or are you just having fun acting like a stupid bitch?!” he raised his voice a little. “Excuse me?”

“You’re a fucking thieve and If you don’t tell Mrs. Kim that you stole (Y/n)’s money, I’m going to do it.” Haechan threatened her.

“You are a hypocrite! After everything you’ve done to her, I am a bitch now?! It’s funny actually. You destroyed your friendship with her and now you think she’ll want you back? Haechan sweetie, you’re worse than me. Do you really think she’s going to want you back after what you’ve done today? Do you really think after being an asshole she’s going to welcome you with open arms? Cute. She doesn’t need you and neither do I. And now go fuck yourself.” She ripped her wrist out of his.

“You made me do it! You made me act like an asshole! I liked you and you used me to hurt her because you knew that she’s better than you. You were fucking jealous and that’s why you wanted me to hurt her.” Haechan tried to defend himself, but deep down he knew. He knew that it was always his own decision to hurt you.

“Let me tell you one last thing,” She said and looked him deep in the eyes. “She’ll never be yours. You lost her to Jaemin, so you shouldn’t even try to get her back,” she winked at him with an evil grin on her evil face and left him alone.

Haechan silently entered his room while trying to hold in his tears. Youngmi’s right, he lost you to Jaemin and it was all his fault. He was the one who pushed you in his arms, who mocked and hurt you.

You woke up with Jaemin’s arms around your waist. You smiled softly, the warmth of Jaemin’s body felt like home. Jaemin was already wide awake, smiling like a fool because you were in his arms. Jaemin pressed little kisses on your face and you smiled wider. “Jaemin- I have morning breathe…” but still, he pressed his lips on yours. “I don’t care,” and he kissed your cheeks and then the tip of your nose.

“Go to your room before anybody sees you here. You could- “he pecked your lips “get in- “another peck “trouble- “and again. “I don’t care. I want to stay with you,” and another peck. “I want you to stay with me too, but we have to get ready. You know today’s plan, we’re stuck with Mr. Byun and Mrs. Kim.”

“I know, but we’re still going on a date tonight.” A date. With Jaemin.

“Do your feet still hurt? Do you need me to carry you?” he asked. “No, I think they’re fine now. Thank you.” This time you pecked his lips. “Ew morning breathe,” he joked, and you softly hit his shoulder. “Jokes aside, how are you feeling?” he was serious now. “Much better, don’t worry. Thank you for staying with me,” you smiled at him and you could your heartbeat increasing as you locked eyes.

“Even in the morning, you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”

“D-Don’t do that!” you hid your face in your hands. “What? It’s the truth.”

“Stop it. Get out, I need to change.”

“Well, it’s not like I didn’t see anything yesterday-“ you slapped him on the arm again“Shut up.”

“Okay, love. I’ll see you later.” He pecked your lips one last time before leaving you with a racing heart in your room.

Today you were going to visit a couple places with your class. Even though you didn’t want to see Haechan and Youngmi, you couldn’t just stay in the hotel and you still had Jaemin with you and he was all you needed.

After getting ready, you texted Jaemin that you were waiting for him in your room. It took a little while until he texted you back, maybe he’s showering, you thought. Little did you know that he was currently fighting with Haechan.

“You are a stupid jerk, what were you even fucking thinking huh?!” Jaemin yelled at Haechan. “Leave me the fuck alone Jaemin.” Haechan was already at his limit and Jaemin pushing him to the edge didn’t help him calming down. “What would you do If anything had happened to her? What would you do? Huh? What If-“

“Shut up! Shut the fuck up! I know, okay?! I know that I fucked up! I know that I am a fucking asshole and If anything had happened to her, I would never forgive myself- now shut the fuck up!” Haechan was frustrated and yelled back at Jaemin, tears almost falling down his cheek.

“I don’t want to see you near her ever again, do you hear me?”

Jaemin looked at Haechan one last time before he left his room to meet you. He picked you up from your room and everyone was waiting for Mr. Byun in front of the hotel.

“I’m sorry you had to wait, but I’m here; so, let’s go!” Mr. Byun said happily. “Today’s going to be fun!”

Jaemin slowly held your hand and you smiled as he pulled you a little closer.

You were walking around the city and after a couple of hours, Mr. Byun and Mrs. Kim decided to go to a restaurant. But you had a little problem. How would you pay?

You were sitting at a table with your friends. Haechan was sitting behind you but you didn’t notice. Everyone ordered but you told the waiter that you weren’t hungry, even though you were really hungry.

“I’m not hungry, thank you.” You told Jaemin. “No, I know that you are hungry. Last time you ate was almost 2 days ago and soup doesn’t count as food.”

You sighed and pulled Jaemin a little closer. “Jaemin… I- I don’t have any money.” You whispered, but Haechan still listened to your conversation.

“What do you mean you have no money? When did you spent all of your money?” Jaemin asked confused. “I didn’t- it’s, shit, somebody stole it.” You whispered the last part. “What? Who? When?” he raised his voice a little. “I don’t know, I was looking for it in my bag and my suitcase last night in my old hotel room and I noticed that it was gone.”

“That bitch-“

“Jaemin!”

“What? We all know that it was that stupid bitch.” He said angrily.

Haechan was also angry. You had no money to buy food. You had no money to buy anything and he had to do something.

“Let me take care of you until I take care of her.” He said with a devil look on his face. “No Jaemin, I have no proof and it doesn’t matter. Just eat your food I’m fine.”

“No- babe, I’m not going to eat without you.” He said a little too loud. “Did he just call you babe?” Mark asked with a grin. You looked at Jaemin and Jaemin looked at you. “No?” he said unsure. “Of course, you did we heard it. What did you guys do last night for him to call you babe?” Jeno wiggled his brows.

“What the hell, dude. Just eat your food.” Jaemin blushed.

Haechan tensed up, they way Jaemin called you babe, the things Mark and Jeno said and the way you didn’t say anything. He gripped the armrest until his knuckles turned white.

“Just order whatever you want, okay? Please?” Jaemin asked with puppy eyes and you couldn’t resist him. “I can’t let you pay for everything, Jaem.”

“Yes, you can. It’s our last day here and I want you to have fun and be happy. Promise me that you’ll tell me If you want to buy anything okay?” he asked you sweetly and you nodded. “I promise.”

Haechan was impatient. He had to do something, anything. Anything to get your trust back. To get you back.

Jaemin paid for your burger and he even insisted to get ice cream. After that, he bought you two hoodies.

“But what If I only want to wear your hoodies?” you said with a grin. Jaemin looked at you for a second and then he tried to take off his hoodie. “Okay, here you can wear it now-“

“Jaemin what are you doing?! I wasn’t talking about right now. I want to wear your hoodie again when we sleep together.”

“Y-You want to sleep with me again?” he blushed.

“What?! No! I mean, yeah of course, but like, god-“ you ran back to the fitting room and closed the curtain as fast as you could to hide your face.

After you got dressed, you could convince him to stop buying so many things. Jaemin was just so excited to spend time with you in a foreign city, he wanted to see you smile.

“I’ll come and get you at 6, is that alright?” he asked you. You were in front of your hotel room, the two of you wanted to get ready for your date later.

“It’s perfect. I’ll see you then.” You quickly pressed your lips on his cheek and before he could even realize that you did that, you hurried in your room.

“This girl’s gonna be the death of me.”

After the fifth outfit, you were done. “He’ll probably like this one.” You were wearing another sundress, but this time it was wine red. Your left your hair open because you knew that Jaemin liked your long hair. After putting on some make-up, you were ready. Ready for your first official date with Jaemin.

He distracted you the whole day and you never thought about yesterday’s events. You ignored Haechan and Youngmi completely and just focused on having fun with your friends. Everything felt just right.

“So, your first date, right?” Mark asked. Jaemin nodded as he styled his hair back. Even though Haechan was also in the room, wearing his headphones, Jaemin told Mark and Jeno about his date with you. Haechan paused his music as soon as he heard your name, but he acted like he didn’t hear anything.

“Where are you taking her?” Jeno asked now. “I’ll take her to a little ramen restaurant because our first unofficial date was also at a ramen restaurant. After that, I’ll take her to the beach and yeah that’s it I guess.” Jaemin answered as he buttoned up his shirt. He was wearing simple blue jeans and a white button-up shirt.

“And then you’ll get some pussy- hey!” Jeno wiggled his eyebrows but got hit by Mark. “Shut up idiot. But he’s right maybe you’ll get some-“ before he could finish his sentence, an angry Haechan stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut.

Haechan couldn’t let that happen. Jaemin already got you as his best friend, he couldn’t let him have you as his girlfriend.

A harsh knock on your door startled you. “Holy shit.” You got up and opened the door, excepting to see a nervous Jaemin but your eyes met Haechan’s eyes. He looked you up and down, mouth slightly open and hands sweating.

“Wrong room.” You wanted to close the door, but he stopped you from doing so. “No, right room.” He entered your room without permission and your blood was boiling.

“Get out.”

“You have to listen to me-“

“No, I don’t. Now. Get. Out.” You said trough gritted teeth.

“D-don’t date Jaemin. Please- I… Jut please don’t date him.” Haechan begged.

“What? It is none of your business who I date, get out!”

“I can’t lose you-“

“Lose me? Haechan you lost me the second you ended our friendship.”

“I- I know but, fuck, I’m so sorry for what I did-“

“What exactly are you talking about? Are you sorry for treating me like trash after you ended our friendship? Or are you sorry for leaving me alone in a foreign city? There are still so many things on the list- but please, enlighten me.”

“For everything. I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to you and how I acted and treated you and I know I’m an asshole and I have no right to ask you for forgiveness but, please, don’t date Jaemin.” He stepped closer but you stepped back.

“Haechan! Leave me alone. Please.” You couldn’t take it anymore.

“I’m sorry. Can you just listen to me-”

“Leave!”

With one last look at your beautiful face, he left your room.

A couple minutes later you heard a knock on your door. The second you opened the door and saw Jaemin standing there, the sadness left your body and a smile placed on your lips.

“Wow, you look absolutely gorgeous. You’re so stunning- you just took my breath away.” He complimented you. “You also look stunning and really handsome.” You smiled. He also looked really hot, but he didn’t need to know that.

“Are you ready?” he asked and offered you his hand, which you took and nodded.

Your date with Jaemin was perfect, he was so sweet, and you just wanted to kiss him every time he looked at you.

“A ramen restaurant?” you smiled. “Yeah, I thought that it would be nice to go to a ramen restaurant since, you know, we kind of started spending time together after we ate at a ramen restaurant.” He smiled back at you. You quickly kissed his cheek and then you entered the restaurant, leaving Jaemin behind who smiled like a fool.

After eating dinner, you walked hand in hand to the beach. Your timing was perfect, the sun was slowly going down and the sunset looked beautiful. You took off your shoes and walked along the water with Jaemin by your side. You looked up to his face. Jaemin’s face was kissed by the sun and he looked eternal. He looked back at you.

“What?” he asked with a grin. “Nothing.” You said shyly.

Jaemin stopped walking and turned his body to you, standing directly in front of you. You didn’t look at him, you felt too shy with his gaze on you. His one hand was holding yours and with the other, he gently cupped your jaw and pushed your head up so you could look him in the eyes.

“Did you have fun today?” he asked you.

“Yes.” He was so close, you just wanted him to kiss you.

“I want to make you happy, I want to be with you and protect you, even though you’re the strongest girl I know. I want to hold your hand and hug you. I want to kiss your perfect lips until I can’t breathe anymore. You deserve happiness. You have a beautiful heart and every second I spend with you, makes me fall even harder for you. I don’t know If soulmates exists, but I know that you’d be mine. So, I’m asking you, do you want to be my girlfriend?”

Everything was perfect. The sunset was perfect, the person in front of you was perfect and his word were perfect.

“Jaemin… I don’t know what exactly to say, you always leave me speechless with your words. I love you and yeah, I’d love to be your girlfriend.” You smiled brightly.

“I love you.” He pulled you closer and kissed you on the lips. You just melted in his arms as he kissed you with so much passion, your heartbeat increased, and your hands travelled to his soft hair. You could see the stars every time he kissed you and you loved it. You loved how he made you feel, how your mind travelled to another galaxy. You slowly pulled away, but he was still close to your lips with his. He pecked your lips one last time before pulling you into his arms to hug you tightly.

On your way back to the hotel, Mark texted Jaemin to meet them at a bar, not far from the hotel you stayed at. “Do you want to go?” he asked you. “Yeah, let’s go and tell our friends that we are finally a couple.” You smirked at the thought.

“Alright, girlfriend.” He said and pressed his lips on your lips.

When you arrived at the bar, you immediately saw you friends waving at you. You could see almost the whole class in that little bar, hanging out and drinking. Even Youngmi and her friends were here, and of course, Haechan with his friends.

Jeno was the first one to see you holding Jaemin’s hand.

“Well, well, well. Look at this.” He said loudly.

Jaemin pulled you closer and smirked at his friend. “Yes, we’re dating. Are you guys happy now?”

“I told you it would happen this week.” Jeno yelled happily as Mark handed him ten bucks. “Yeah yeah shut up. It’s your time now.” Mark referred to Jeno’s relationship with Yuna.

Jaemin ordered you something to drink, something with no alcohol. “Sprite? I’m not a baby.” You complained. “Yes, you are. You are my baby.”

You pouted, “Not even a little bit alcohol?”

All of your other friends were drinking and even Jaemin ordered an alcoholic drink. Everyone was drinking and having fun. “Fine, but don’t leave my side.” He pecked your lips. “I’d never leave your side.”

You were drinking really slowly while the others were already tipsy. Jaemin’s cheeks were a little pink and he hugged your from behind and kissed your neck. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” You whispered as you turned around to hug him. That was a moment you’d never forget. Having fun with your friends and your boyfriend, you hadn’t felt this way since Haechan stopped being your best friend. The excitement you felt at that moment was always there when you were with Haechan, but right now, it was different, it was better.

Jeno and Yuna went outside to get some fresh air, which was a code for making out without everyone watching them. Mark and Minji were discussing about philosophy and Jaemin hugged you as he laughed at Mark’s drunk way of explaining Socrates’ philosophy.

“I need to go to the restroom.” You told Jaemin.

“Do you need me to go with you?” he asked.

You kissed his cheek, “No, I’ll be back in a minute.”

You regretted your decision going alone the second you entered the restroom.

“Look who we have here.” Youngmi was putting on her lipstick as she looked at you through the mirror. You ignored her as you looked at the mirror yourself, your make up was still there but you also needed to redo your lipstick.

“I heard you and Jaemin are a thing now. Congrats.” She said mockingly. “Did you change your room to fuck with him?” she asked bluntly. “How is he? Does he fuck you good? Better than Haechan?”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” you yelled. “What? Haechan told me you fucked with him.”

What the fuck?

“What? That’s not true!”

“Yeah, thought so. He fucked me like a virgin.” She said casually. What the hell is wrong with her?

“Why did… why would he tell you that we-“

“You know Haechan, he didn’t want to embarrass himself in front of me. He acts almighty but at the end of the day he’s a little pussy.” She turned to you.

“Well, he lied to you.”

“Just like he lied to you.” She smirked, “You think I stole your money, right? I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t need your money. It was Haechan. He was in our room when you were gone, it was his idea. Everything. Leaving you alone, stealing your money, and all the other things he had done to you. He hates you, every inch of his body is filled with hatred. And our little naïve (Y/n) always fell for his lies.”

You tried your best to stop your tears from falling. The last thing you wanted is to cry in front of Youngmi, she’s a beast and your pain feeds her and makes her stronger.

She closed her clutch and turned to you. “It’s almost sad,” she chuckled, “but mostly it’s pathetic.”

Youngmi left you alone in the restroom, alone with your disappointment and anger. You had no idea, how long you were in the restroom with tears rolling down your cheek. Your hands were formed to fists, nails digging into your skin. Your thoughts were interrupted as Minji entered the restroom, looking for you.

“(Y/n)? What the hell, what happened? Jaemin’s worried sick!” she hugged you as your body started trembling in anger.

“I-I’m fine.” You lied. “Stop lying to me, tell me what happened.”

“Youngmi s-she… Haechan stole my money.” You whispered the last part, still not believing that he’d go this far.

“What?” he mouth widened in shook. “A-Are you sure?”

“Youngmi told me, and she told me that Haechan said that he and I… that we slept together. But I swear that’s not true!” you cried out.

“It’s alright I believe you-“

Suddenly someone entered the restroom, it was Jaemin. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait any longer- (Y/n)? W-Why are you crying?”

“I love you I didn’t sleep with him, I swear.” You ran into his arms and cried. Jaemin looked at Minji with confusion written all over his face. “It’s alright, I believe you.” He slowly stroked your hair as you tried to calm down. Minji left you and Jaemin alone, and when you finally calmed down, you told Jaemin everything that Youngmi told you.

“That son of a bitch.” He mumbled.

“I’m going to talk to him.” You said determined. “What? Let me-“

“No, I have to do this, I have to- I have to tell him to leave me the fuck alone, I need to do this.”

Jaemin pulled you closer and hugged you tightly, he pressed his lips on your temple and promised you that everything’s going to be alright.

In the meantime, Haechan sat on the bar and was drowning in his thoughts, the voice in his head telling him what a piece of shit he is and how he could hurt his best, ex-best-friend, like that. What was he scared of all the time? Losing you? No matter what he’d do, he’d lose you anyways. But hurting you was the wrong way, the wrong way of pushing you away to keep his heart safe, to keep his heart away from pain.

Youngmi was right, he thought. It was always Haechan’s decision to hurt you, it was always him. He was really a hypocrite, he blamed Youngmi for everything even though it was all his fault. You suffered because of him and he pushed you in Jaemin’s arms. Jaemin replaced him and it hurt. It hurt to see you smile at Jaemin like how you used to smile at him. Haechan always saw the universe in your eyes, and now, he only saw disgust and hate. Jaemin was now the one who could fly high whenever he looked you in the eyes.

Haechan was not drunk, but he had three drinks already and he planned on drinking more, he didn’t care about Ms. Kim and Mr. Byun, right now, nobody really did, but Haechan was different, he didn’t care about anyone except for you.

He was about to order his fourth drink, but then your face suddenly showed up next to him. He rubbed his eyes and when he looked again, you were still standing there. He knew that something was wrong when you looked at him without any emotion in your eyes.

“We need to talk, follow me.”

Without saying anything, he followed you out. Jaemin was watching you leave the bar with Haechan trailing after you. “It’s gonna be alright.” Minji assured him.

You walked to an alley next to the bar, but you stopped in your tracks as you saw Jeno and Yuna making out. They stopped as soon as they heard you coughing.

“Sorry to interrupt. But could you guys, leave us alone for a couple minutes?” you asked slowly. “Is everything alright?” Yuna asked. “Yeah.”

Jeno and Yuna left you and Haechan standing in the dark alley. You were standing there and just looking at him, it seemed like you were thinking really hard about what to do next.

“A-Are you alright?” he asked slowly.

You didn’t answer.

He stepped closer. “Don’t get closer to me.” You hissed and he stopped.

“I can’t believe you.” Your hands formed fists again. “Why did you change so much?” you asked him now, your voice trembled a little.

“I-I’m still Hyuck, I’m still Donghyuck, your best friend.” He whispered.

“No, you’re not. You’re Haechan, you’re far from being my best friend, from today on, you’re nothing to me. Not even a memory.”

“D-Don’t say that, please.” His eyes started tearing up, he looked down to his feet.

“Why did you tell Youngmi that we slept together?” you asked him. His head shot up. “H-How do you know that?”

“Is that important?!”

“I-I lied because… I didn’t want Youngmi to think that I was a virgin with no experience.” He was embarrassed.

“You’re a liar, that’s nothing new to me. But since when are you a thieve?” Haechan looked at you confused. “A- A thieve?”

“Was it fun? Leaving me alone in this city, stealing my money- was it fun?”

“Stealing your money? It wasn’t me!” he said as he shook his head. “Stop lying, Haechan. Be a man and stop lying, for once.”

“Youngmi told you that, am I right? You believe her but not me?” he was angry, not angry at you but Youngmi. “Why would I believe you after every lie you told me?!”

“I’m your best friend!” he yelled now. “No, you’re not! Why would she lie to me? She hates me, but the only liar here is you!” you yelled back furiously.

“I swear I didn’t steal your money, that… that bitch stole it and I told her that-“ you interrupted him, “Let’s say I believe you. You knew but you didn’t do anything?” you asked in disbelief.

“I-It’s not like that! I was going to tell you today b-but you were getting ready for your fucking date with Jaemin I was so angry and jealous I couldn’t focus on that all I could think about was you and him!” a tear dropped down to his cheek. “Please believe me.”

“Why would you…Why would you be jealous of Jaemin?” you were trying hard to hold back your tears.

“Because I love you! I love you so much that I did everything to hurt you and push you away because I’m a fucking idiot who’s scared to love his best friend! The way I feel for you is so fucking different than how I felt for Youngmi- I thought you’d get jealous… I-I thought you’d miss me, but you replaced me with Jaemin! Did I ever mean anything to you?!” he was crying now, his vision was blurry, he missed the tear falling down your cheek.

“I loved you, Haechan. I loved you but you broke my heart so many times, when I put the pieces back together, my heart was filled with disappointment. I was jealous and I missed you, but you slowly faded, and I stopped thinking about you. And Jaemin- I love Jaemin, I love him more than I’ve ever loved you. It’s different with him- better. He’s perfect. So, you have no right to tell me that you never meant anything to me!” you said raising your voice a little. You really loved Jaemin so much.

Haechan’s heart broke like yours every time he had told you about his crush on Youngmi.

Haechan’s heart broke because he could see the love for Jaemin in your eyes.

Haechan’s heart broke because once and for all, he lost you.

Haechan’s heart broke and it wouldn’t heal for a long time.

He remembered how much fun you had yesterday before he messed up, how it felt like months ago, just you two hanging out at the arcade and enjoying each other’s company. How he watched you as he hid behind a building, how lost you looked and how lonely you were.

He remembered how you hugged him because you were worried about him, even though he was with his so-called girlfriend and friends, laughing at how dumb you looked.

He remembered how you cried in his arms because you were so scared, because he had left you alone and god knows what could’ve happened to you.

Haechan looked at you with guilt, with pain and regret in his eyes.

You wiped away your tears with the back of your hand and next thing you knew, Haechan grabbed your wrists, pulled you closer and kissed you. He held your wrists against his chest as he kissed you on the lips. Your eyes widened, you tried to push him away, but he pulled you closer, even thought it was almost impossible.

You didn’t know what to do, so you bit his lip and he pulled away with a hiss. He still held your wrists but as he saw you sobbing, he loosened his grip. Haechan looked into your eyes, he looked for a sign, a reason to keep chasing after you, a glimpse of love you still felt for Haechan, but his eyes only saw tears and pain.

“I-I’m sorry… I just-“

“Let me go.” You whispered weakly.

“I’m sorry please I love you so much, please don’t leave me again, stay with me… p-please forgive me. I swear I didn’t steal your money- I would never… Y-You’re the best thing that happened to me- I need you please don’t go to him.” He was also sobbing now.

“I don’t want to see you ever again.” Were your last words before you pushed him slightly back, with the last bits of strength you had, and with one last look, you left him alone in the alley, alone with his arching heart.

You wiped away your tears as you entered the bar and almost ran Jaemin in the arms. Jaemin was sitting next to Jeno, his leg bouncing up and down as he nervously waited for you to come back. Jaemin saw you coming towards him and he saw the redness of your eyes. He pulled you into a hug and whispered in your ear that everything’s going to be alright.

“Please bring me back to the hotel.”

Ms. Kim and Mr. Byun didn’t know that almost the whole class was at the bar, they thought everyone was in their rooms, but they didn’t really care If the students stayed a little longer outside since it was their last day. You and Jaemin quickly entered your room, tiptoeing so nobody could hear Jaemin enter your room.

Jaemin sat on your bed and pulled you softly on his lap. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

You nodded and started telling him what happened, what Haechan told you and what he did at the end.

“H-He kissed you?” Jaemin asked, anger boiling in him.

“Yes, but I tried to push him away, he was a little stronger and I just bit his lip. I’m sorry, I’m really sorry that he did that. I didn’t think he would do something like that. It just made me hate him even more.” You confessed.

“It’s alright, you didn’t do anything wrong. I just want to punch the shit out of him.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore, Haechan- he’s nothing more than a piece of our past. I don’t need and I don’t want him in my life,” You said as you breathed out, “I love you.” You added and kissed him on the lips.

“I just want your lips on mine.” You whispered against his lips and then you kissed him again.

Everything was spinning around, you could taste the alcohol on his lips and the way Jaemin held you in his arms, with you on his laps, made you forget everything that happened, every bad memory of Haechan just vanished.

Jaemin put you on the bed and hovered above you, his lips never leaving yours. His tongue slipped in your mouth and your tongues were dancing with each other, his hands travelled your body up and down and your sundress exposed your legs. His hand slowly stroked your thigh as he deepened the kiss.

Jaemin pulled back and looked at your rosy cheeks, your plump lips and your chest raising up and going down. He left your breathless.

“Mark me.” You said softly.

Jaemin’s lips travelled from your lips, to your cheek to your neck. He placed wet kisses on your neck and when he started sucking, you moaned. You never felt like this before and Jaemin brought you to the edge. His lips on you, sucking and licking at you neck, leaving marks. Your mind was full of Jaemin, Jaemin and Jaemin.

After leaving a couple love bites on your skin, his lips landed on yours again. He kissed you deeply and with so much love, you felt like you were on cloud nine. He pecked your lips one last time before locking his eyes with yours, looking deeply into your eyes and seeing a whole universe in them.

“I love you.” He said.

“I love you more.”

“I love you the most.” He grinned and pulled you closer to hug you with his whole body.

That night, all of your worried faded away, leaving you in the arms of your boyfriend, your safe place.

Your class trip, well, it wasn’t how you wanted it to be, but that was alright. Jaemin asked you to be his girlfriend, you had fun with your friends, and you could spend as much time with Jaemin as you wanted.

It was your last class trip before going to college, your last year of being a high-school student. You spend all of your time with Jaemin, studying until it was dark outside, making out until you needed to break apart because of the lack of oxygen, cuddling until you fell asleep in each other’s arms. It was too good to be true. You even got accepted to the same college with Jaemin and your other friends, everything was going amazingly well.

It was prom night, your date was, of course, Jaemin. You looked stunning and he looked incredibly handsome. He picked you up, and of course, your parents took millions of pictures of you together. Prom was breathtaking, everything looked so good and the mood was great. You danced with your friends and you slow-danced with Jaemin.

Jaemin held you close to his chest, your favorite song was playing, Jaemin paid the DJ to play this song for you. Your eyes were shining, and your smile reached your ears. You pulled him closer and pressed your lips on his. You felt like you were in a movie, the happiness you felt at that moment, it couldn’t be real. Jaemin deepened the kiss as his hands held you by your hips. Your arms were around his neck as you slowly danced with him. Jaemin pulled back and looked at you with so much love.

“I love you so much, you’re the most beautiful girl on this planet and I can’t wait to go to college with you and one day I’m going to marry you.” He promised you.

“I love you more, thank you for being with me.”

“I love you the most.”

After your dance with Jaemin, you excused yourself to go to the restroom, but you should’ve known that you’d see Youngmi there. “Hey.” She said and you looked at her, confused.

After your class trip, Youngmi lost many friends and, of course, her boyfriend Haechan. She focused on her studies and you almost forgot that she existed.

“Hi?”

She put on her lipstick and turned to you. “I know we are almost like enemies, but the last couple of months, I was all alone- I had no one, and I had time to think about everything I’ve done to you- or anyone on that matter. What I’m trying to say is; I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being a bitch and I’m sorry for just everything I’ve done. I was jealous, you know, of your relationship with Haechan and your friends, and I’m sorry for destroying your friendship with Haechan.” She almost cried.

You never thought that Youngmi would apologize to you.

“There’s another thing I have to tell you and If you want to hate me forever after that, I understand.” She looked down to her hands, “H-Haechan wasn’t the one who stole your money- it… it was me. I feel ashamed and I know that you hate me, I’m sorry, for telling you that it was Haechan, I’m sorry for stealing it in the first place, I want to give you your money back and I’m sorry for lying.” Youngmi grabbed her clutch, but you stopped her, “I don’t need it, and I don’t hate you. Thank you for telling me and thank you for apologizing.” You slightly smiled at her to show her that she shouldn’t be embarrassed.

“T-Thank you.” She whispered.

You left the restroom and went out to get some fresh air after the information you just got. It didn’t change much, you forgave Youngmi because you could see that she was being genuine, and about the Haechan thing, you let out the breathe you didn’t know you were holding.

You looked to your left, not excepting to see someone sitting on a bench, let alone excepting to see Haechan sitting there all alone. You wanted to apologize for accusing him as a thieve and you made your way to him.

“Can I sit here?” you asked.

He looked up and met your eyes with his, “S-Sure.” He stuttered, not excepting you to sit down next to him, well, you were sitting at the edge of the bench, too far for his liking.

“I talked to Youngmi just now, well, she apologized and told me that she lied to me.” You said as you looked up to the full moon.

“Lied about?” he asked.

“About you. About the class trip and my money. I’m sorry for accusing you, even though you didn’t do it.” You apologized. “But I did other stuff to you.” He mumbled.

“I know, I still wanted to apologize. It doesn’t change anything between us.” You said, maybe a little too harsh since you could almost hear Haechan’s heart breaking.

“Oh.” He looked also up now. “I’m sorry.” He breathed out a sorry before closing his eyes. He was tearing up again. “We could be here together, as a couple, If I hadn’t destroyed everything.”

“I could be the one slow-dancing with you and telling you how breathtaking you look. I could hold your hand, hug you and kiss you. But I fucked up, I never deserved you.”

You turned your face to him, you could see that he was suffering, but there was nothing you could do. He felt your eyes on him, he turned his face to you and opened his eyes, looking deeply into your eyes. He didn’t see hate or disgust anymore, he saw something else, something nice and warm.

You stood up and walked away. Haechan looked after you, his heart clenching because he knew, this was the last time he would see you. You looked breathtaking in that dress, the moon was shining brightly on you. You looked like an angel.

“I love you. Look how pretty you are. You’re so pretty, (Y/n).”

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witcher-and-his-bard-archive · 4 years

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All his life, Jaskier has only wanted to be enough. In forty years, he’s found a lot of people he can't please no matter how hard he tries, but never any who are willing to try in return. He's too loud, too annoying, too much. There are also a startling number of people who want him only as a placeholder - a bed warmer, an entertainer - before quickly ushering him from their lives once they've had their fill. As a child, it was devastating every time he was told to be quiet or to find someone else to talk to. As an adult, he thought he'd grown numb to disinterest or fleeting interest, but then he'd met Geralt.

With Geralt, he thought he had finally found someone who might keep him. Even if it wasn't perfect, even if Jaskier still found himself longing for more, Geralt allowed him to stay. His jabs didn't hurt the way others did and after some time they even started to sound fond coming from his Witcher. And he was truly happy for the first time in a long time.

But good things are not meant to last. Not at least, for Jaskier. And on the top of a mountain north of Barefield, Geralt had proved without a doubt that Jaskier wasn't numb to heartbreak.

But that seems like a lifetime ago, now.

When their paths had crossed again, it was by complete accident. Jaskier had been in Oxenfurt over the winter to regroup after a difficult autumn and he'd headed back out into the wilderness late. It was a routine of sorts, setting out on the road after winter, and he'd followed the Pontar east, heading nowhere in particular. The last person he had been expecting to come across was his Witcher.

But there they both were; Geralt with his child surprise in tow and Jaskier with nothing but the lute on his back and a notebook overflowing with verse after verse of heartbreak. Ciri, at least, had been happy to see him, but it was plain to see Geralt didn't share her enthusiasm. She is the reason for their (somewhat forced) reconciliation, not some change of heart or some grand apology; just a lost little girl clinging to whatever sense of normalcy she can find. And an unwilling father trying to give it to her.

Lucky for him, Jaskier is a familiar face to the young princess and Geralt had agreed when Ciri had asked for him to come along with them. And it's not all bad; travelling with companions is much less lonely than travelling alone and he and Geralt have made things work between them, enough at least, for Ciri's wellbeing.

But there's a feeling Jaskier gets right before he's ousted from someone's life, a tingling sort of ache right in the pit of his stomach, and he's been feeling that for months now.

Spring has faded into summer and their little group carries on. They keep to the path most nights, camping amongst the trees or tucked away under a shelf of rock or in an abandoned cave. Jaskier doesn't know the whole story, but he knows Nilfgaard is looking for Ciri and as good a protector as Geralt is, he's unlikely to defeat an entire Nilgaardian troop should they run into one. So he keeps them away from town unless they need to replenish their supplies or the weather is too bad to allow for sleeping outside. On those occasions, they prepare in advance. Geralt will go ahead and ensure the room is ready and whatever else they need, while Jaskier will wait behind and do what he can to disguise Ciri. She's the most important thing in Geralt's life now and if he can't make amends with the man himself, he'll do what he can to help Ciri. At the very least, it gives him a sense of purpose and keeps him from feeling quite so out of place with them.

Tonight is a camping night. Geralt is asleep already and Ciri appears to be if she isn't, but the grass is damp and cool beneath them and Jaskier can't get comfortable. In the morning, their bedding will be damp at best and that means packing damp bedding and sleeping on it again tomorrow night. He's mulling over the idea of hanging his bedroll over a tree branch and lying directly on the grass - at least it will save him one night of discomfort - when Geralt stirs across from him.

Jaskier looks up, instinctively alert, but Ciri is still peacefully asleep and there doesn't appear to be any sign of danger. Geralt's face is twisted though, pinched tight in pain or fear and Jaskier recognizes the expression. For years, he'd been there to soothe Geralt’s discomfort, to curl up against him and run a hand up his chest until his breathing evened out again and the pain eased from his face. Geralt’s nightmares have never been uncommon, but since joining up with him again, Jaskier has noticed a marked increase of uneasy nights for the Witcher.

But he's no longer in a place to soothe him and so he watches regretfully as Ciri blinks awake and props herself up to look at him. She crawls from her own bedroll and in a practiced motion, slips between Geralt's arms, pressing herself up against his chest. She whispers something that Jaskier can't hear and he squeezes his eyes shut as Geralt hums sleepily against her hair.

He aches to fill that space against him once more, to be able to soothe the turmoil in Geralt’s heart, to give Geralt anything. He used to be the one who could ease his pain, but he's been replaced. And he can't blame Geralt for it; he was never a very good travel companion, but he did try and he'd like to be able to try again, but that doesn't seem to be the way things are going for him.

"Who is she?" Ciri asks, only just loud enough to Jaskier to hear her. "Who's Renfri?"

"I don't know," he breathes, low to keep his voice steady, "Geralt met her before me and he doesn't talk about it."

Ciri makes a disappointed sound and Jaskier doesn't have to be able to see her face to know she's scowling at the man wrapped around her. He would be too. Geralt does so much to protect the ones he loves and yet refuses to accept anything in return. Jaskier understands the frustration and once upon a time, he'd developed a method of tricking Geralt into doing things for himself, making it seem like it was for the good of someone else. He makes a mental note to tell Ciri about it.

Once Ciri and Geralt are settled once more, Jaskier slips from his bedroll, picking it up and hanging it in the hopes that it will dry some before morning. He's awake now, his head swimming with things unsaid and what ifs and he knows he won't sleep any time soon, so there's no point in trying.

He crosses the camp as silently as he can to where the horses are tethered and he settles himself between the thick roots of a tree, leaning back against the trunk. Roach leans down to him, nudging his shoulder and Jaskier looks up to find both of them looking at him, Jaskier's own horse with her head over Roach's back to see what he's doing. She gives a snort of confusion and Jaskier just looks up at her with a forced smile that does apparently nothing to appease her curiosity.

For some time, he just sits there, wondering where exactly he went wrong in his life until eventually, cold and emotionally exhausted, sleep overtakes him.

At first, Jaskier had hoped that this distance between them was just a side-effect of Geralt adjusting to parenthood and he tried to help in any way he could. But he can't teach Ciri to fight and Geralt knows more about herbs and how to use them than he does, and otherwise, Ciri is mostly self-sufficient. Other than her magic, which Jaskier soon learns, she's being trained in as well.

Yennefer blows back into his life in a big way on a sunny afternoon in mid-summer. She seems softer than the last time they'd seen each other and she smiles when she spots Ciri practicing with a wooden sword next to the river. Jaskier has learned well enough in the past not to disturb her, so he keeps quiet and continues with his task of gathering firewood. He hadn't understood at the time, why Geralt had wanted to make camp so early in the day, but it seems clear now that this was an arranged meeting place and he doesn't suspect they'll be leaving again before morning.

So while Geralt is busy with Yen and Ciri, Jaskier may as well make himself useful. Maybe he can't be emotionally available to Geralt the way he used to, but he can still help. So he sets off deeper into the trees, intent on finding enough wood to keep them going for the evening. But when he returns to the smell of smoke and a crackling fire, his heart sinks. As he sets his gathered firewood down, his only solace is that no one seems to have noticed him and he's able to slip away again quietly.

Yen travels with them after that. She doesn't seem concerned about Jaskier's presence and, on occasion, she'll even speak to him without sounding inconvenienced. It's more than she's ever offered in the past and considering his tenuous position with them, Jaskier's almost pleased about it.

But with Yen comes more training for Ciri, this time in magic, which means she has less time to listen to Jaskier play or tell him about her adventures with Geralt. Which is fine; she's still young and she needs to be able to understand her power as much as she needs to be able to fight with a sword. So Jaskier takes another step back.

After the mountain incident, Jaskier had hoped someday that things might go back to normal for him and Geralt. Now, despite Yennefer's improved attitude toward him, their relationship seems tenser than ever. And after a couple of weeks travelling with Yen, Jaskier starts to wonder if he really fits with them anymore.

But he can barely complain, what with Ciri having lost everyone she ever knew and loved. And Yen's history. And Geralt's inability to enter certain towns without being shouted at and called a monster. In relation, Jaskier's problems are not that bad. It doesn't stop it from hurting, but it stops him from talking about it because he doesn't really have a good enough reason to be upset. And his relationship with Geralt is already strained at best, he doesn't want to make things more complicated between them and end up losing Geralt again, maybe for good this time.

Only keeping things to himself is harder than it seems because Jaskier constantly feels unwanted and unneeded. Because Geralt has Yen and Ciri, Ciri has her training with both of them, and Yen never really much cared for him to begin with. So where is he supposed to fit in with that? What can he do for them that someone else isn't already doing? Everything he used to do for Geralt has been taken over by someone new and as the days drag on, Jaskier begins to wonder if he's not just hindering them by tagging along.

But where would he go without him?

They're all sitting around the fire one night after Ciri's gone to bed and Jaskier's writing in his notebook, trying to force the lyrics to a ballad that just doesn't want to come. He has the tune, but he can't quite get the words right, so he hums under his breath, trying to work through it as Geralt pokes at the fire.

"Jaskier," Geralt grunts and Jaskier looks up at him, surprised and a little nervous. "Be quiet, Ciri's asleep."

"Oh," he says, "right."

He shuts his notebook and measures his breathing, trying to keep from getting too upset. It makes perfect sense that Geralt would ask him to be quiet, Ciri doesn't sleep well a lot of the time and he shouldn't disturb her when she does. It still hurts, but he packs his things back up and turns in for the night.

Geralt seems unfazed but Jaskier lays out his bedroll right at the edge of their camp and settles in. He doesn't know what else to do with himself; whatever he and Geralt once has is clearly gone now, everything is about Geralt and Ciri now or just about Geralt, off on his own to provide for a child he never wanted. There’s no room in his life for Jaskier now that he has Ciri.

As he lies down, he tries to think back to before Geralt, but he doesn't remember what he did with himself back then. He was young and foolish and a very different person than he is now. And even after, when he and Geralt were separated but still friendly, Jaskier would write about him or sing about him and tell stories about their adventures together. But it was all about Geralt. For two decades of his life, everything centred around Geralt and now he's faced with the prospect of losing him completely.

Geralt is a simple man; he needs food and coin and sex - most nights he won't even blink at sleeping out in the rain. Jaskier can offer him none of those things when they're staying away from towns, so why is he still here? He wants what they used to have when he could at least keep Geralt company during the long nights. Now, he can't even offer him that. Things can't go back to the way they used to be because Geralt has Ciri now and Yen is back in his life and Jaskier just... is.

And every time he tries to think about what he did wrong, he can only picture Geralt's face on the top of that mountain, how angry he sounded when he told Jaskier he wanted him gone.

Jaskier looks at Ciri, curled under Geralt's spare blanket, and he knows Geralt blames him for this responsibility that he never wanted. And maybe it is his fault because Geralt never would have been at the banquet otherwise. And maybe Yen leaving was his fault, too because Geralt never would have met her if Jaskier had just left the damn djinn bottle alone. Maybe all of this is his own fault. Jaskier lays his head down, fighting back tears as he wonders how he could have single-handedly ruined the one good thing that life ever gave him.

Summer fades into autumn and things only get worse.

Yen joins them again when the air starts to cool and Jaskier finds the only thing left for him to do is to distract Ciri when Yen and Geralt disappear off on their own. He doesn't want to think about what they get up to and he's certain Ciri doesn't want to know. The pair of them share a tent, which Jaskier is thankful for only because it means he shares with Ciri and he would prefer that to sharing with either Geralt or Yen. Ciri trusts him and when they're alone she still likes to sit and listen to him sing, plus the one perk of travelling with a sorceress is extravagant magic tents.

When it starts to get really cold, Jaskier's thoughts turn back to Oxenfurt. If he's going to go back for the winter, he needs to leave soon before it gets too cold to travel. He knows Geralt is taking Yen and Ciri to Kaer Morhen with him and he doesn't think he could stand spending the entire winter with them, even if he was invited.

He gives it a couple days' consideration before deciding he can't bear this any longer. He'll go to Oxenfurt for the winter and come spring he'll just have to figure out how to move on with his life because all of this is too much. Ciri has both Yen and Geralt now, and if he thought being in love with Geralt was hard before, it's nothing compared to how it feels now.

He's in the middle of organizing his things for the long ride out to the coast when Ciri finds him. She comes up and plops herself next to him, peeking over to see what he's doing.

"We're not leaving yet," she says, "why are you packing?"

"I have to go."

"You aren't coming to Kaer Morhen with us?"

"No."

He doesn't elaborate because he can already feel his chest contract and he has to be able to hold it together for a little longer. Ciri huffs and as she walks away, Jakier's hands still on his pack. He doesn't want to leave her and he feels bad about it, but it will be better for all of them in the long run.

Jaskier finishes packing and getting Buttercup saddled and he's just about ready to leave when Geralt approaches him. Jaskier hasn't spoken to him about leaving, but since he and Yen rarely talk to him, he didn't think he had to. But Geralt rests a hand on his forearm and when Jaskier turns to look at him, he seems conflicted.

"Ciri wants you to come with us," is all he says and Jaskier deflates a little. He was so close to making a clean break, but Ciri has lost so much and if she wants him there, who is he to deny her a little familiarity? He doesn't say anything to Geralt, but he unslings his lute from his back and leans it up against the tree and it seems to be enough.

But they travel to Kaer Morhen and once Jaskier is over the stunning scenery, it's just more of the same only warmer. The guest room in the keep is spacious and the fireplace is more than enough to keep him warm, but he stands at the top of the stairs and as he looks around, his shoulders slump. He and Geralt have always shared a room, even when an abundance of coin would have made it easy to rent two rooms. Jaskier didn't really expect to be sharing with Geralt after everything but knowing it wasn't even a thought hurts.

He reminds himself that he's doing this because Ciri wanted it and urges his feet to move, crossing to the bed in the centre of the room. At least when he needs a place to escape to, he can come here and not want for warmth or inspiration. His balcony has a beautiful view of the valley and so long as he's willing to fill it himself, there's a large tub to one side of the room. He's stayed in much worse places all in all, and he's grown accustomed to spending a lot of time alone. Maybe it won't be so bad.

But once everyone has arrived, he realizes he was wrong. The Witchers are friendly enough, even the two from other schools who Jaskier has never heard of before. Ciri tells him one of them is Lambert's boyfriend and it was a big scandal last year when he showed up. Jaskier's heart just sinks, realizing even Ciri is included in all of this and he knows nothing of them. He's not even sure which one Lambert is because Geralt has never been a very descriptive person. It’s just another reminder of what he’s lost and he forces a smile to keep from showing his feelings.

Watching them all finally gathered together in the main hall, Jaskier realizes he's made a mistake in coming. He felt like an outsider with their little group travelling the wilderness, but it's nothing to the way he feels now. Like an intruder, an interloper who's snuck his way in when no one wanted him. Even the reminder that Ciri asked for him doesn't help now because Geralt has his old family and his new family and what could a bunch of Witchers and a sorceress possibly want with a bard?

He has enough rations left in his pack that he skips supper the first night. He can't bear to listen to Geralt talking to everyone when Jaskier can barely get a few words out of him these days. Some things just aren't destined to be. Sometimes it's better to let something die than it is to suffer meaninglessly.

Jaskier slips away up to his room and goes to sit on the balcony. The weather is still fairly decent, warm enough that the cold doesn't get to him until after dark. It's only when he returns inside that he realizes he only has one lit candle and it's too dark to look around now. So he strips out of his clothes and climbs into the cold bed, blowing out his single candle before curling in on himself and shutting his eyes.

In the morning, Geralt and Eskel set out to clear some mine or other of kikimores. Jaskier doesn't come down from his room until later that evening and the only joy he gets from it is catching the tail end of Eskel's story about the mine. But that doesn't last long, so he makes his way down the halls because if he's going to be staying here a while, he might as well get to know the place.

But barely half an hour into his exploration and just as his nerves are starting to settle, Jaskier comes upon a room with an open door. He doesn't look in, but he hears Geralt's voice, grumbling about something or other and then Yen mumbling, just get in the damn bath so I can wash this shit out of your hair and something inside him that was just barely holding on shatters.

That one hurts more than anything. It had taken him years for Geralt to be comfortable enough to let him stick around while he was in the bath. Longer, even, to let Jaskier take care of him the way Yen apparently does now. Something sticks in his throat and as soon as he rounds the corner, he slumps against the wall, choking back a sob.

All he ever wanted was to love him, in whatever way Geralt would let him, but this is almost worse than being told to leave. This time, Geralt won't even do him the service of telling him he wants him gone, this time he'll just replace him slowly but surely, finding someone new to do all the things Jaskier once did for him. This time, Jaskier doesn't need to be told to leave; he can tell when he's not wanted.

He waits three days, ensuring he has enough supplies, before seeking out Yen. She won't care enough to tell anyone right away, but she cares for Ciri, so if Ciri asks after him, she'll know. Plus, if he tells Geralt he’s leaving, he'd have to see the utter lack of emotion on his face, and he couldn't bear that.

Jaskier makes his way down through the courtyard without interruption, stopping at the stables to bid farewell to his horse. He hasn't had her long, but she's been good to him and he hopes she'll be just as good for Ciri.

For hours, Jaskier walks, recalling the path from memory, then just as it gets dark, it starts to snow. And once it starts, it doesn't stop and he's forced to take shelter in the first place he can find. It's cold and hard to trudge through the deepening snow and he didn't consider how hard it would be to find food up in the mountains. But none of that matters because the only place he can find to sleep is a cave, the entrance just barely visible to him in the dark, and when its resident comes home, he's liable to be eaten before he has to set out again.

He tries to build a fire, but the only wood he can find are the small trees just outside the mouth of the cave and they're soaked from the snow. Bitterly, he thinks that it's never this difficult for Geralt and at once, something clicks into place.

This isn't his life. The reason he doesn't fit is because he doesn’t belong. He tried to make it work and maybe for a little while he did, but he belongs in the city, not out in the wilderness. The reason he doesn't fit is because he's trying to be something that he's not. He's a bard, not an adventurer.

With a sigh, he sinks to his knees and wonders if he'll make it through the night. Maybe he should have waited at the keep until spring. He's never been out on his own like this - not so far north in unfamiliar territory -, but even now the thought of staying up there with Geralt and Yen makes his stomach turn. So he pulls his knees up against his chest and wraps his blanket around him. He tries to sleep, but the wind howls and snow blows in through the mouth of the cave and he just ends up damp and cold and miserable.

Jaskier hadn't realized he was asleep until a sound near the mouth of the cave wakes him. Assuming it's whatever lives here, he's thankful that at least the cold will no longer be a problem for him. He doesn't want to die, but being eaten by a monster is better than slowly freezing to death. But when he opens his eyes, there's a person at the mouth of the cave, not a monster. The first thing he thinks is who the hell is out in this storm? but it doesn't take long before he has an answer.

"Jaskier?" Fuck. "Jaskier, are you in there?" He wonders if he's quiet if the monster might come back and eat him after all.

"Yeah," he mumbles and it's all he can manage, but he knows Geralt will hear. And he does. And he pushes through the snowdrift, breathing heavily as he drops to his knees before Jaskier and hauls him into his arms.

"What were fucking thinking?" he growls and Jaskier winces at the anger in his voice, but then he's being pulled forward against Geralt's chest. "Idiot. You're frozen."

"Snow," Jaskier mumbles, not quite sure what to do with his arms. He doesn't know what's happening, but it ages before Geralt moves again, though he never stops telling Jaskier he's an idiot. That much, at least, feels familiar.

When he does finally pull away, Jaskier can barely see him in the dark but he knows Geralt can see him. Which means he can see his puffy eyes and he probably knows how scared and confused he is right now. And he hates it. He wants to push him away, but Geralt is warm and Jaskier is freezing and he finds himself swaying back toward his body. And after a quick once-over, Geralt lets him.

Once he's apparently satisfied that Jaskier isn't in immediate danger, he settles against the wall of the cave and pulls him into his lap.

"Why didn't you light a fire?" he asks and most of the anger has left his voice, replaced with soft concern.

"Couldn't get it lit," Jaskier shrugs, "wet wood."

For a while, Geralt is quiet again, tugging Jaskier's blanket up around him and just holding him. It doesn't occur to him until much later that Geralt is trying to get his body temperature up.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Hmm?" Jaskier had nearly drifted off, wrapped in the warmth of Geralt's body, but the question startles him awake again.

"Why did you leave without telling anyone?"

"I told Yen," he offers, but he knows it's weak.

"You told-" Geralt scoffs, exasperated and Jaskier can't figure out what the big deal is. No one wanted him there, anyway.

"Why are you here?" he counters, "why didn't you just stay in the keep?"

Geralt stills and Jaskier turns to look at him, knowing he won't be able to see much in the dark, but it feels better having this conversation face-to-face.

"Why the fuck do you think, Jaskier?" And Jaskier just looks at him because he doesn't know. He can't fathom what brought Geralt out here in the storm. Because even if he did come to retrieve him out of some kind of sense of responsibility, surely he wouldn't risk leaving Ciri without a caretaker. When he doesn't answer, Geralt gets very quiet.

"Where were you going?" he asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Oxenfurt."

"You'd die before you got there," Geralt exclaims, the anger returning to his voice with a vengeance.

"I brought provisions. Where's Ciri?"

"With Eskel and Lambert. Why would you just leave without telling anyone?" Geralt asks and Jaskier realizes in this context, that anyone means me.

Jaskier pulls away from him, irritation winning out over the desire to be warm. "Because I didn't really think anyone would care," he says "I don't belong anymore, not since-" he sighs and readjusts so he's sitting across from Geralt. "What happened on the mountain can't be fixed, Geralt. And I told Yen, I figured she'd pass the message along."

Geralt lets out an exasperated laugh and Jaskier wants to slap him for it. He never should have come up here in the first place.

"Jaskier, if anything from that day is irreparable, it's my relationship with Yen. We only travel together because of Ciri, because it's beneficial for both of us."

"So why do you keep me around then? What good am I?" He doesn't mean for it to come out, but it does and he holds his ground, hoping he looks more determined than he feels.

"You're my friend, Jaskier. And Ciri loves you. You're the only one who feeds Roach those little sugar cubes she likes so much. You know, she gets snippy with me now if I don't have them for her. I even think Yen is beginning to enjoy your company." Geralt's voice softens and he reaches out, tentatively brushing Jaskier's hair away from his face.

"What about you?" Jaskier asks, trying to keep the unsteadiness from his voice.

"Do you really think if I didn't want you around I would have let you follow me out of Posada? Roach could easily have outrun you if I wanted to." His hand slips to cup his cheek and Jaskier barely resists shutting his eyes. It feels too close to intimacy, but he knows Geralt better than to think this is anything real. But he's forgotten what it feels like to be touched so softly and when Geralt bundles him back into his arms, Jaskier sinks into it despite his reservations.

"Jaskier," he breathes right next to his ear. "That day on the mountain, I was angry because Yen was right about me and I didn't want to face it. I had to take responsibility and then you-" he exhales deeply, tucking his head into the crook of Jaskier's neck. "I was struggling with my… feelings. I felt like I'd somehow forced you to stay with me the way I did with Yen. I couldn't bear to hear the same things from you so I-"

"Pushed me away?" Jaskier asks.

"Hmm,” Geralt says and his voice is tense with understanding. “You left tonight because of me."

"I didn't think you wanted me around anymore," he mumbles and it's not until Geralt shifts that Jaskier realizes he's got both hands fisted in his cloak. "I thought I'd save myself having to hear it from you. I didn't want anyone's pity."

Geralt hauls him up into his lap so the only way for him to sit comfortably is to wrap his legs around Geralt's waist. For a moment, that ferocity is back, but then Geralt tugs the blanket tighter around him, holds him closer.

"Why wouldn't I want you around?"

"You have Yen and Ciri and the other Witchers, what could you possibly want me for? Everything I used to do for you-" he chokes on a sob and curses himself for it before burying his face in Geralt's shoulder. "Everything I did for you, someone else does now."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just... everything. All the things I used to do for you. When you don't sleep because of your nightmares, Ciri goes to you. When I tried to get wood for the fire it was already done when I got back-" he sighs and shifts away from Geralt a little. "The other night in the bath, Yen-"

"Yen?"

"I heard you," Jaskier says, "you don't have to hide it now. I know. It doesn't matter that much I just... I don't know what I can do for you when everyone else is doing what I used to do."

"Jaskier you don't need to do anything. You're my friend. And Yen- that's not what you thought it was. "

Jaskier isn't quite sure what to do with any of that, but when Geralt tugs him close again, he lets himself be held and buries his face in his shoulder. Geralt allows it, letting one hand slip up between his shoulder blades and bringing him closer. They stay like that for some time and Jaskier's heart aches for more than he should want. This is so much more than he ever expected but now with Geralt wrapped around him, he wants more.

When Geralt finally pulls himself away, he regards Jaskier for a moment before running a hand down his arm.

"Are you warm enough," he asks and Jaskier nods because even if he wasn't, he can't take much more of this before he breaks and says or does something he'll regret. "We should get you back to the keep and into a warm bath."

The idea of a bath is tempting, but more so is the idea of staying here in Geralt's arms for as long as he's allowed. Stil, Jaskier lets himself be pulled to his feet and led toward the mouth of the cave.

Their return to the keep is quiet and Jaskier isn't sure anyone else even realized he was gone until Geralt pauses and doubles back on himself, heading toward his own room rather than the guest room.

"Eskel's got a bath ready," he says by way of explanation.

"How did he-" Jaskier starts but he realizes the answer before he can finish. They were probably keeping watch, waiting for Geralt to return.

"I told him to," Geralt says, approaching the door and stepping back so Jaskier can enter the room first. It's darker than the room he's staying in, but there's a balcony off the far wall that lets in a little light, and candles placed on every surface. The bath is at the right side of the room and Geralt guides him toward it.

"It shouldn't be too hot," he says, "so it doesn't shock your body, but there's more water boiling by the fire if you need to warm it up."

"Thank you," Jaskier whispers. Guilt curdles in his gut and he pulls the blanket a little tighter around his shoulders. He's still cold and eager to get into the tub, but more than anything he's dreading having to get undressed in front of Geralt. Luckily, he's spared that embarrassment.

Geralt claps a hand on his shoulder, lingering just a moment too long. "I'll find you something to eat," he says, "try to warm up."

Jaskier nods dumbly, waiting until Geralt has left the room to let the blanket slip from his shoulders. To say he doesn't understand would be an understatement. He's never seen Geralt like this, not even with Ciri, and a part of him wonders if he didn't freeze to death in that cave and this is some sort of weird afterlife. But the water is hot against his skin, a little too hot to begin with and his skin tingles as he slips into the bath and shuts his eyes. And Geralt's hands felt real, right down to the callouses. But it all seems a bit off.

Jaskier has been hypothermic before, more than once, and it wasn't like this. He's left Geralt in much worse ways than this and it's never ended with him in a bath drawn especially for him. But Jaskier isn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he warms himself up without even having to use the extra water and upon getting out of the tub, realizes all his clothes are cold and soaked.

Frowning, he looks around the room and spots Geralt's pack dumped on a chair in the corner. Surely, Geralt wouldn't mind if he just borrowed some of his clothes. Just for a little while. Jaskier is the one who washes them anyway - or he used to be. His heart sinks again, but he pushes away the feeling, crossing to pull clean clothes out of the pack.

They fit him surprisingly well and they smell like Geralt which is both comforting and nerve-wracking all at once. The blanket is wet now too, so he hangs that with his clothes where they won't drip on anything important and heads down to the kitchen.

Geralt isn't there, but he can hear him shuffling around on the opposite side of the fire, so Jaskier settles himself at one of the tables to wait patiently. He doesn't hear Eskel approach, so he must already have been there, talking to Geralt, but their conversation suddenly gets louder before something crashes to the floor.

Jaskier keeps quiet, trying not to listen in because he knows it's not his place, but they're arguing in earnest now and Geralt sounds passive and ashamed in a way that's very unlike him. Then there's a grunt from Geralt and Eskel says, "you didn't fucking tell him," like he’s only just realizing this. Jaskier focuses very hard on a knot in the tabletop.

It's an accusation, not a question and it's followed by heavy footsteps coming toward him. He tenses up, not prepared to deal with an angry Geralt, but it's Eskel who comes through the door. He pauses when he sees Jaskier, gives him a sympathetic sort of look and mumbles something that sounds like goodnight before continuing onward up the stairs.

Jaskier sits and waits and eventually, Geralt appears through the doorway with two bowls of stew and rolls. He sits next to him, pushing one of the bowls toward him and Jaskier tries not to show just how hungry he is. They sit in companionable silence, which is more than he can say for the last few weeks and Jaskier settles. When they're finished, Geralt is the one to speak first, angling his body so he's facing Jaskier but not looking directly at him.

"It's getting late," is all he says but Jaskier understands. He moves to take their bowls away but Geralt rests a hand on his wrist and takes the bowls from him. "I'll meet you upstairs."

Jaskier nods slowly, not quite understanding. He makes for his own room, climbing up as far as the staircase goes and pushing the door open. He's quite frankly exhausted and doesn't even think to get changed before climbing up onto the bed. The snow on the balcony lights the room well enough, but he fumbles with a candle for a few minutes anyway before giving up on that idea. He's alone in the dim room for a few minutes before Geralt knocks on the door and Jaskier mumbles for him to come in.

Geralt comes to sit on the side of the bed and Jaskier's heart feels like it's pounding out of his chest. He doesn't know what to say or even how to process what they've already said, but in his need to fill the silence, he blurts out, "why do you and Yen share a tent?" And it's the last thing he means to say and he does want to know, but this is not at all the time.

Only Geralt smiles. It's a small thing, barely a quirk of his lips, but it's there and for the first time in forever, Jaskier feels comfortable in his presence.

"Because Ciri asked to share with you. You're a good memory for her, one of the few she has of home."

"Oh."

"Before you came back, she shared with Yen." Geralt looks down at him and the almost-smile turns to confusion. "You're wearing my clothes."

"Mine were wet, I can change if-"

"No," Geralt interrupts and Jaskier can feel his eyes on him, taking him in, "it's fine."

"Oh. Right. I'll wash them in the morning then."

"You don't have to, they look good on you. You should sleep now, though. Goodnight, Jaskier."

Jaskier's heart thuds. He doesn't want to let Geralt go before he gets a chance to finish their conversation from earlier. "Geralt?" he asks and the Witcher turns back to him in the dark. "If it's not too much to ask, could you stay? Just for a little bit?"

Geralt doesn't say anything, but he comes back, pulling off his boots before climbing up onto the bed next to him. He lays still and Jaskier doesn't reach out and touch, as much as he wants to.

Geralt is the first to move, shifting onto his side and reaching into the space between them.

"Can I-?" he asks and Jaskier nods without hesitation, unsure of what's being requested. Seemingly pleased with his consent, Geralt's hand slips over his side and around his back, nudging him a little closer as he gets comfortable. Jaskier doesn't know what to do with himself.

It's too much and not enough all at once and he wants to pull away, but he doesn't want to break this moment of trust. So he pushes through, presses into the touch and tips his head down to keep Geralt from seeing the mess of emotions that are sure to be plain on his face. Not that he wouldn't be able to feel them anyway, but still.

"I'm sorry things have been different since you came back," he breathes. "Sorry if I made you feel..."

"Unwanted?" Jaskier offers and Geralt winces at the word, his arm pulling just a little tighter around Jaskier's back.

"Mmm."

"Are we... okay?" Jaskier asks tentatively, finally risking a glance up at Geralt's face.

"As long as you don't do that again," Geraly mumbles, "you... scared me tonight. I've been thinking so much about how to protect Ciri that I didn't consider losing you."

"You won't," Jaskier promises. "I won't." He moves closer, testing Geralt's limits, but his guard seems to be down tonight; Jaskier presses right up against him before Geralt so much as moves. And then, it's only to hold him closer.

He must have been genuinely worried, Jaskier thinks, to allow this right now. Which is the only reason he says the next thing that comes out of his mouth.

"I didn't mean to worry you," he says softly, slipping one hand up to cautiously rest against Geralt's chest. "I didn't think-" he shakes his head, pushing away the thoughts, "well, I didn't think you would come out after me. I'm sorry."

"Maybe..." Geralt starts then turns his head away like the words are difficult for him. Jaskier braces himself for something he doesn't want to hear, trying hard not to pull away defensively, but Geralt surprises him. "Maybe we both need to be better at saying what we mean."

Instead of drawing away, Jaskier slips his hand up to rest against the side of Geralt's neck. This is absolutely uncharted territory for them and he's not quite sure what to do here. What do you do when the least communicative person you know says you should talk about things more. But he's not wrong and Jaskier's touch seems to relax him a little, so armed with that information, Jaskier presses forward.

"You're right," he says. "So if we're going to... say what we mean, I should tell you that all of this with Ciri and Yen and everyone up here - it scares me, Geralt." Geralt opens his mouth to speak, but Jaskier just shakes his head. "Please just let me finish. Yen is a sorceress. Even if your relationship with her is over, she will always be a part of your life. Ciri has powers I can't even begin to comprehend. Your brothers and the others- they're Witchers, Geralt. All of them will be with you for years to come and all of them have been with you - barring, Ciri - for years. How can I live up to that? How can I possibly find a place in your life when soon I'll be gone and they'll just-" he chokes on the last word and can't bring himself to continue.

Words are his livelihood and yet when he needs them the most, they seem to fail him entirely. Luckily for him, Geralt is accustomed to non-verbal communication and understands. But in the faint light of the room, he looks like he wants to retreat, to pull away and forget everything he said before. He doesn't and Jaskier realizes this is just as difficult for Geralt as it is for him.

"Jaskier," he shuts his eyes and Jaskier holds his breath. For one awful moment, everything is silent, then Geralt speaks again, quiet and soft. "Everyone else in my life has been brought to me by forces outside of my control. I never chose to become a Witcher, to be brought here as a child as raised with dozens of other boys who would never make it to adulthood. I never intended to bind myself to Yen - Djinn are tricky and bend wishes to their own amusement. And Ciri- how was I to know Pavetta was already with child when I claimed the law of surprise?"

Jaskier wants to remind him of the multiple other occasions in which the law of surprise has gifted someone a child, but he doubts this is the place to bring up Geralt's mistakes.

"But you," Geralt continues, speaking slower like each word is pulled unwillingly from his lips. "You came to me on a whim. I could have left you in Posada, ridden away and left you in the tavern." He sighs, tips his head up so his forehead presses against Jaskier's. "But I chose not to. I chose to let you come with me. And I regretted it, in the beginning."

"I certainly hope you said nicer things to Yen when you found each other again."

Geralt huffs a laugh, just the fainted sound in the dark, but his breath is warm against Jaskier's cheek. "Let me finish."

"Do you promise you'll say nicer things about me?"

"Hmm, maybe."

"Fine then, finish your story."

"I regretted it, in the beginning, but it was still my own choice, mine to regret. Over time I grew... attached. That first time you left me was the first time I really felt lonely since undergoing the trials."

"You leave your brothers every spring," Jaskier says, an attempt to mask the hammering of his heart.

"I do, but so is the life of a Witcher. It's the way it's supposed to be. There's no room for loneliness. There were no rules attached to you and so when you left it seemed too quiet."

"Are you... are you saying you like having me around?" Jaskier asks, the hopeful tone in his voice a backdrop to the thudding in his chest.

"Yes," Geralt replies, "I dread the winters when I come up here alone."

"Then why do you? And why did you say Ciri wanted me to come?"

Geralt makes a noise that sounds something like embarrassment and Jaskier's sure if he could see properly, he would be blushing.

"I'm sorry," he says again, "I couldn't ask because if you said no I- but I knew you'd never say no to her. She told me you were leaving and I knew if I let you go I wouldn't see you again."

"You idiot, you could have just asked me. I follow you into swamps and monster dens and worse- why would I say no to spending the winter here?" He shifts to run his fingers along Geralt's jaw and sighs. "You're my-"

"Friend?" Geralt offers and the sound of that word on his lips makes something warm swell in Jaskier's chest, but he remembers his promise to speak plainly.

"More than that" he admits. He ducks his chin, unable to look at Geralt while he speaks, this time. "I tried so hard to just be a good friend to you, but it's always been more than that. I don't expect anything from you, of course, but you said we should-" He's cut off by gentle fingers tracing the line of his jaw and he shuts his eyes, waiting for the inevitable downfall. But it doesn't come.

"Jaskier," he breathes, "if you're worried about your place in my life, this is it." Geralt tips his head up and their lips brush against each other just for a second, but Jaskier is certain his heart stops beating altogether.

"Geralt?" he whispers but it comes out as an uncertain whimper. Geralt hums in response, shifting to cradle Jaskier's head in one hand, and he presses in again.

This time Jaskier knows it's intentional. The lips against his own are warm and soft, whispering silent promises and asking for the same in return. Jaskier responds tentatively, but as soon as he does, Geralt is gathering him up against him and his uncertainty vanishes.

He's seen Geralt kiss before, but this is nothing like that. Geralt kisses him with a passion that speaks of years of repression and guilt, begging for forgiveness for something Jaskier hadn't realized he was even doing. And Jaskier forgives, tangling his fingers in Geralt's hair and submitting readily when Geralt rolls him onto his back.

Geralt gets a knee between his thighs and Jaskier's breath catches as Geralt's hand slips under the hem of his borrowed shirt. He'd be more than happy to lay here and let Geralt kiss him senseless, but when Geralt's teeth graze against his lip, Jaskier groans, effectively shattering the moment.

Geralt draws back, looking down on him and Jaskier slips his hands around the back of his neck. "Do you mean that?" Jaskier asks, “about me belonging with you?” Geralt nods.

"Of course, if you want to leave, I'll take you back to Oxenfurt, but I'd prefer if you stayed here."

"Right here?" Jaskier asks, sprawling under him against the mattress.

"Right here," Geralt confirms with a soft smile. "With me."

#geraskier #geralt x jaskier #jaskier x geralt #the witcher #rex writes

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aminiatureworld · 3 years

Text

A Little Rest II

Characters: Xiao, Zhongli, gn!reader

Word Count: 2,104

Warnings: Swearing

Premise: Sometimes life is just unbearably tiring. And a comforting shoulder can be the perfect substitute pillow. In which the reader falls asleep on their partner.

Author’s Note: Second part!!! I realize the first didn’t get a ton of traction, unfortunately, but hopefully, this’ll still be welcomed. I realize since most of these are basically pseudo fics, would you guys prefer it to be bullet-pointed or paragraphed? I’m just wondering if one format is easier or more pleasant to read than the other.

Also, adepti’s rules and personal needs are kinda nebulous to me so I sort of made them up myself. Watches also weren’t a thing until the 1800s, and specifically didn’t really become a thing in China until the mid-20th century. But this is fantasy so I do what I want.

Xiao

You loved Xiao more than you could say. Every little moment spent with him made your heart flutter, every habit of his that you’d noticed, every little way he revealed his soul to you.

It seemed so improbable to you sometimes, than an adeptus, someone so very disconnected from the world of humans, should choose to love you. Although Xiao would never let you think you were any lesser than him, would never let his nature put you down, you were still somewhat in awe of the whole setup, and little reminders of his adepti status often brought you back to when you two had first begun to fall in love, when Xiao had explained that he didn’t quite understand the human way of life.

And one of those things that he didn’t understand appeared to be the concept of sleep itself.

It wasn’t that Xiao didn’t know what sleep was. Nor was he unable to sleep, he once told you. Theoretically he could sit down and take a nap much like any normal human. It was more that he didn’t need to sleep, and didn’t see the need to do something that took up so much time and left one so vulnerable.

Not that he didn’t pay attention to your needs; he wasn’t about to disrupt your sleep schedule on purpose, in fact you often joked that Xiao cared more about your rest than you did. It was only that, after spending so many years simply not thinking about things like sleep, it became hard for him to suddenly remember that he had a partner who needed said sleep every day. And a day was oh so short in Xiao’s mind.

It was a beautiful evening at the Wangshu Inn. The air was warm without being stifling and a breeze blew, light and cool. You were on the roof with Xiao, the place that had become your normal meeting spot. For as much as Xiao adored you with every fiber of his soul, he was still an adeptus, and his comfort level around most humans was that of an anxious cat – always ready to bolt.

Besides, the roof of the Inn was such a lovely place to relax. You gazed at Xiao’s profile as he looked up at the stars, noticing the way that the wind ruffled his hair slightly, the way his posture seemed so relaxed, so comfortable. One of his hands was clasping yours, fingers linked together, his palm nice and warm; the other pointed out constellations to you, each bearing a story, some which had long been forgotten by the residents of Liyue.

It wasn’t often that Xiao was so talkative, so open. Although he still barely mentioned his past – keeping that part of himself shut away with only the occasional crack through which you might learn of his sorrows – he’d become much more willing to disclose his everyday thoughts to you, as well as share stories that he knew. The latter was something you always loved to listen to, not just because the stories he told were always interesting and so full of life, but also because they gave you the sense of knowing him better, something that always made you happy.

Unfortunately, tonight was one night where, though you were more than happy to listen to Xiao talk about the stars, you were kind of dying of fatigue. A headache slipped in and out of your consciousness, and you found it more and more difficult to concentrate on Xiao’s words, finding they were all melting together into some semi-coherent monologue.

Your fatigue must’ve been very apparent, for when Xiao glanced over at you his whole demeanor changed; the carefree look on his face was gone, replaced with one of slight confusion and definitive worry. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” You shook your head. “Just a bit tired, that’s all.”

“Then you should rest.” Xiao squeezed your hand slightly before moving to stand up. However, as tired as you were, you cared more about spending time with him, and weren’t about to cut said time short.

“Wait!” You exclaimed, causing Xiao to pause, looking at you in a puzzled way. You smiled, slightly sheepish, but pressed forward. “I’ll be fine. If you don’t mind though, may I, uh, may I lay my head on your shoulder.” You gazed up at him, but inside you were struck with the urge to suddenly look away. Xiao was still a bit reticent with affection, not that it bothered you. He’d told you that he was simply unused to it, not averse to it. You weren’t about to pressure him into anything though, no matter the cause, and thus you waited for his response, hoping your expression conveyed that it’d be perfectly fine if he declined.

Your worries proved to be without ground however, for Xiao’s expression grew only fonder. Lying back down he gestured towards you. You gladly scooted closer to him, laying your head on his shoulder, hand once more in his. “You were saying about the boar constellation.” You murmured.

Xiao smiled, kissing the top of your head, before once more going on speaking about the stars. You smiled too, allowing his stories to carry you off to sleep, your head already swirling with half formed dreams about creatures who walked among the stars.

Xiao listened to your breathing even out, still talking a little after it seemed you’d dozed off, making sure that the sudden stop of his voice didn’t wake you up.

Gazing down at your peaceful face he pondered for a moment how much his life had changed so quickly. Even a month ago the idea that he would become friends with a human seemed impossible, much less that he would fall in love with one.

When he’d first met you it was as if something that had been frozen inside him for a long time began to thaw. He was terrified at first, terrified of you, terrified of himself, terrified of the unknown that loomed before him like a vast chasm. It had taken every ounce of courage to hold your hand at first, and every ounce of courage for every step after that.

But he would do it again if he had to, for being with you was the best part of his long, often cruel life. And he would do anything to protect you, anything to make sure you were comfortable and happy and healthy.

“Goodnight.” He spoke softly. Up above the stars kept silent vigil along with him. Tomorrow would be a bright new day, but for now he was simply going to enjoy the moment he’d been given with you.

Zhongli

For someone who’d lived thousands of years, you’d think Zhongli would remember that tea had to be decaffeinated sometimes.

Not that you could really blame him for forgetting. After all it’s not like he needed to pay attention to whether or not his tea was caffeinated. To one of the Seven sleep was something more akin to a perk than a necessity. Sure, it was nice to sleep. But it’s not like Zhongli was going to feel regret if he accidentally downed five cups of tea right before midnight and spent the rest of night starting at the ceiling, wondering where he went wrong.

Unfortunately, you were definitively not a god, and did, in fact, need sleep. So, when you found yourself staring out the window at 5 am, having long come to the conclusion that sleep was just not going to happen, the emotion going through your mind was something more akin to: “Oh. Fuck.”

This turned into an “Oh you’ve got to be fucking kidding me” when you saw the list of your daily commissions. Yeah, someone had to go to Jueyun Karst and Qingyun Peak to collect Cor Lapis, and considering your relationship with Zhongli and the adepti it should’ve been unsurprising that you were going to be the one to do it. But your sleep addled brain was having a difficult time processing things logically, and all you saw when you looked at the list Katheryne gave you was the fact that today was going to hurt.

Your prediction turned out to be only too true. No adepti came to ask why you were mining outside their front doors – honestly what would you even respond to something like that – but the amount of treasure hunters that ran into you began to feel less like a likely coincidence, considering the location, and more like a targeted attack. Thankfully there was nothing you couldn’t handle, but by the end of your expedition you were more than ready to go home and take a nap.

Hurrying through the rest of your day, barely responding to the people you interacted with, by the time you’d finally finished up with your adventuring duties you felt like the most irritated person on the planet.

Arriving home, throwing your pack haphazardly onto the floor you almost tripped and fell flat on your face in your hurry to get to the bedroom. Not bothering to take off your adventuring gear you threw yourself onto the bed and quickly found yourself lost in long overdue sleep.

Zhongli glanced at his watch, frowning as he saw the lateness of the hour. The sun was already beginning to set, and though he’d walked as fast as possible, he still found himself feeling vaguely guilty about being so late. You two hadn’t spoken much in the morning, you’d seemed a bit restless and hurried out right after breakfast, so Zhongli was anxious to spend as much time with you after work as possible.

“Darling?” He called out, walking into the home you two shared. He glanced around uncertainly, surprised that you hadn’t greeted him at the door. The sight of your pack sprawled about the hallway only made him more confused, and vaguely alarmed, and he hurried down the hall, checking each room to see if you were there.

His worry immediately faded upon seeing you, curled up above the covers, evidently fast asleep. Unsure as to whether or not to wake you up he instead headed towards the kitchen, thinking you might like something when you got up.

You woke up in the dark, something that surprised you. You’d been out for a long time. Seeing that the door had been opened you shuffled down the hall, still a bit groggy from the extended nap you’d just taken.

Zhongli smiled as you entered the kitchen. “Did you have a good nap my darling?” He asked, kissing you on the forehead. You nodded sleepily, propping yourself up by your elbows on the counter. Zhongli chuckled. “Here, something to warm you up.”

Yours eyes widened as the cup of tea was placed in front of you. For a moment there was silence, then you glanced back at him.

“Zhongli?”

“Yes?”

“Uhm, is this tea, well, does it by any chance have caffeine in it?”

The look on Zhongli’s face was enough to make you burst into giggles. Perplexion melted into realization, which evidently caused some sort of embarrassment, for the former god blushed a bright shade of red before bringing his hand to cover his mouth.

“Ah, I see. That’s why you were so tired this morning.”

“It’s alright.” You finally replied, the initial fit of giggles having passed. “I know that you don’t have to think about these sorts of things normally. Only me making the same mistake two times in a row would be a bit hilarious, wouldn’t you think” You placed a kiss on Zhongli’s cheek, finally causing him to calm down a bit.

“I suppose you’re right. I’m sorry. Next time I promise to pay more attention.”

“Thank you.” You smiled, fatigue coming back after the initial burst of energy. Leaning into Zhongli’s neck you sighed slightly.

“Still tired?” Zhongli asked, voice soft and caring.

“Yeah, a bit.” You admitted. Zhongli nodded, before scooping you up.

Carrying you over to the couch you both settled in a bit. Zhongli began humming a sort of lullaby, and you smiled despite yourself. “You’re too good for me.” You mumbled.

“Nonsense.” Came Zhongli’s reply, just as full of love and affection. “You’re too good for me. And I won’t hear otherwise.”

“If you say so.” You replied, too tired to really fire back, already drifting off.

“I do. It’s only the truth.” And with that he began to hum again. As you fell asleep one last thought lingered in your mind.

If such contentment comes from staying up too late, then I’d be glad to do it again.

#I was today years old when I realize Xiao's VN is Soma from Food Wars #I can never unhear it #That show is my guilty pleasure #anyways... yeah #I hope people like this #xiao #zhongli #xiao x reader #zhongli x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact fanfiction #scenarios #my writing

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sequinsmile-x · 3 years

Note

prompt 28 or 40 fluff!!

Oh I enjoyed writing this one!! Prompt 28 from the fluff list:

Can I stay here tonight?

Prompt list is here - feel free to send me more :)

Words: 750

Warnings: some suggestive content

Aaron always knew that their agreement to sleep separately on cases would never last. They had done well the first couple of cases after they started seeing each other. Despite the fact he was already very used to sleeping next to her, he managed to get some sleep, albeit broken up.

Emily loved to tease him. She threw him heated glances across conference rooms and the table on the jet. She touched him whenever she could get away with it. A hand on his shoulder as she looked at a file he was holding, or her fingers stroking over his as he handed her a tea. Sometimes she just stood very close to him, just marginally closer than deemed socially acceptable so the team wouldn’t notice, and he could smell her perfume, the shampoo she used.

He fell for it every time, giving her the reaction she wanted - which was pressing her against his bedroom door as soon as they got back there, Jack already fast asleep in bed, and Aaron’s hand over her mouth as he made her come again and again.

They were in Montana. It was December so it was freezing, and the case just kept dragging on. They were on their fourth day with no end in sight, and he found himself missing her, and the tired look on her face that morning had told him that she felt the same.

Aaron was genuinely considering breaking their agreement just so he could sleep next to her when he heard a knock at his hotel room door. He opens the door to reveal Emily standing there, wearing a pair of thermal leggings, one of his sweaters and a scowl on her face.

“I’m annoyed at you.” She grumbles, walking past him into his room and immediately sitting on his bed. She sits on what had already been designated as ‘her side’, her back against the headboard.

Aaron smirks at her, closing the door and locking it as he walks over, taking a seat on the bed. “Really? Why?”

Despite her apparent annoyance she immediately rests her head on his shoulder and loops her arm through his. She throws a leg over his lap, wrapping herself around him as if he was her anchor. The thing that kept her grounded. “I slept perfectly fine by myself for years. Slept in the middle of the bed and everything.” She says, annoyance in her tone that he knew was playful more than anything. “And now, three months into dating you I can’t sleep without your big, stupid, overly warm body next to me.”

Aaron thinks he would have been offended if she wasn’t literally clinging to him like a koala bear. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He says sarcastically. “That must be really inconvenient.”

“That’s ok I forgive you.” She says, pressing her face into his neck. Aaron wraps his arms around her. She sighs happily when his hand goes up the back of the sweater she is wearing, the heat of his palm warming her cool skin. “Can I stay here tonight?”

He smiles, because she’s already half asleep against his side, her breath skipping across his neck as she curls in closer to him.

Aaron kisses her forehead and turns off the light on the nightstand, sending the hotel room into darkness before he eases them down so they are laying on the mattress, Emily half across him, using him as her own personal bed. “Of course, sweetheart. Just for tonight though. We can’t have the others getting suspicious.”

“Just for tonight.” She repeats, voice thick with sleep as she clumsily pats his chest reassuringly. He grabs her hand and links their fingers, resting their joint hands over his heart. “Night, Aaron.”

“Goodnight, Emily.”

She sleeps in his room every night from then until they go home. Derek catches her on their penultimate night as she sneaks out of Aaron’s room in the morning. She glares at him as he announces loudly, with a shit eating grin on his face, that he had won the bet of when they would get caught out.

When she realises he had known her room was empty from the first night she had tiptoed down the hallway to Aaron’s, and had spent the rest of their week setting his alarm early in order to catch her out, she forces him to split the winnings with her.

She uses her half of the winnings to buy some very nice lingerie to surprise Aaron with, and takes great pleasure in telling Derek how she spent the money.

#hotchniss #hotchniss prompt #hotchniss fan fic #mini fic #aaron hotchner #emily prentiss #aaron hotchner x emily prentiss #i'm a bit sad #so i wrote something happy #this is just fluff my friends #self indulgent fluff

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mochegato · 3 years

Text

Colossal Debts

For @maribat-secret-santa-2020. Timinette and platonic Jasonette requested.

Jason owed him big for this. Tremendously. Monumentally. Colossally big. This was Tim’s night off. His night to relax at home… with a few cold case files and maybe video games. No family, no obligations, no playing nice. Just him, alone. Not even his friends were going to be over. Just relaxation. But nooooo. Jason called and coerced him into helping him, or more specifically one of his drunken, loud-mouthed, idiot friends. Make no mistake just because he let Jason coerce him into helping, that in no way meant he wasn’t going to collect big on this. Tremendously. Monumentally. Colossally big.

He scanned the room looking for someone who looked like he would be a friend of Jason’s but didn’t see anyone who stood out as an obnoxious jerk. If Jason made him come all the way down here for no reason, Tim was going to make him take his nights for the next month. He yanked his phone out of his pocket to give him a call only to have the phone start ringing before he could get past the lock screen. Speak of the Devil… He pushed the answer button and opened his mouth to ask Jason what the hell, but Jason spoke before he could.

“Where the fuck are you?” he demanded. “You said you were going to the bar.”

“I am at the bar,” Tim hissed back. “I’m looking for your friend but I don’t see anyone that stands out. Are you sure he’s still here?”

“I said ‘her’, dumbass. And yes she’s still there. She just called me saying she was going to walk home since you weren’t there,” Jason growled back. “I swear to God, if something happened while you were fucking around…” he gave an aggrevated sigh. “Look for a woman who looks completely out of place in a seedy bar and way the fuck out of your league. Someone who seems like pure innocence and sunshine… drunk sunshine, very drunk if her friend is anything to go by. Probably pouting and sitting back down after I threatened her to get her not to leave on her own.”

Tim scanned the bar again and saw a petite woman slump into a chair at the end of the bar and drop her head on her arms dramatically. “I can’t see her face, but black hair, small?”

“Probably. Her name is Marinette. Don’t call her small to her face unless I’m there to see you do it. And Tim?” He waited a beat to make sure he had Tim’s attention. “Mistreat her in any way and I will throw parties in your townhouse every night during your entire three month stay in the ICU.”

“Yeah, yeah, got it.” Tim rolled his eyes. Jason could at least come up with a somewhat new threat. “One wrong move with your drunk girlfriend and you’ll kill me.”

“Not my girlfriend and I won’t be the one to do it. There will be a line. She’ll be at the front of it.” He hung up without further explanation.

Tim sighed and made his way over to the woman he was pretty sure was Jason’s “friend”. He sat down next to the woman close enough to make sure she knew of his presence but far enough away not to invade her personal space.

“Not even remotely interested. Thank you, next.” She mumbled into her arms, lifting one of her arms to clumsily wave him away.

Tim cocked his head to the side with an amused smile. She had an adorable French accent. “First time I’ve been turned down before the person even interacted with me.”

“Exciting day for you. Congratulations.” He was pretty sure she was slurring her words slightly but between the mumbling into her arms and her accent, it was hard to tell.

“Thank you.” He nodded to her even though she couldn’t see it. “I’m Tim.”

“Don’t care,” she singsonged in an annoyed voice.

Tim gave an amused snort. At least she was an amusing drunk. “I’m Jason’s brother. He sent me to come pick you up. I take it you’re Marinette?”

Marinette’s head popped up to take him in and she immediately regretted it, dropping her head back down with a groan. “Too fast. That was a mistake.” She kept her head buried for a few moments to let the blood settle before slowly turning her head to face him, still resting her head on her arms. Tim’s breath hitched slightly when her eyes met his. Her eyes were bright and brilliant and utterly captivating. She was looking at him with a soft smile. “So you’re Jason’s brother. Not what I was expecting. Which one are you?”

“Tim,” he repeated with a smile.

“Oh, you’re the smart one.” She nodded with a teasing smile. She raised her head slightly to see him better.

Tim scoffed. “I’m surprised he didn’t say the annoying one.”

“You’re all the annoying one.” She gave him a knowing smile, as though she was letting him in on a joke. Her face suddenly turned serious and penitent. “Thank you for picking me up. I’m sorry for whatever threat he used to get you to come. He’s always been so overprotective. I’m sorry you got caught up in it.” She smiled gratefully at him and Tim’s heart skipped a beat at the sight.

She suddenly straightened up in her seat and turned back to her empty drink in front of her, frowning at the sight. She moved the ice cubes around, searching intently for liquor she hoped it was hiding. “I’m sorry for interrupting your night.” She turned back to him with concerned eyes. “Oh! Did you have plans for tonight? Were they fun?”

“Uh, no.” He looked down sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck. “I was just relaxing.”

“I’m sorry. Oh, you should get a drink! You can celebrate with me. You can’t celebrate without a drink.” She motioned wildly to get the bartender’s attention. She was suddenly very excited, her grin incredibly wide and all signs of weariness and serenity gone.

Tim stared at her for a few moments trying to figure out how to respond. “No, I’m good,” he said calmly, trying to bring her emotional levels back down. She pouted at him and gave him puppy dog eyes. Tim looked over to her drink to keep from looking her in the eyes. He needed to distract her, and himself. “What are you celebrating?”

“My company! I just officially launched my company on Monday! Isn’t that so cool? It’s so cool.” She nodded to herself. “Oh! We should have a drink to celebrate.”

“Yes, very cool. Congratulations,” he confirmed.

She narrowed her eyes at him and huffed. “I know you’re just patronaging… parrotizing… patronizing! Patronizing me, but I’ll take it anyway because you’re one of the only ones to say it. So, thank you very much.” She gave him an overly wide smile. “You should get a drink to celebrate!” She exclaimed excitedly, eyes opening wide as though she just thought of it.

Tim chuckled. “No, thank you. I’m good and we should probably cut you off too.” He handed his card to the bartender. “I’d like to close out her tab, please.”

She pouted at him, her euphoric mood suddenly plummeting along with her shoulders. “But it’s a celebration.”

“Is this man bothering you?” The bartender eyed Tim suspiciously.

“He doesn’t want to celebrate with me.” She sighed and slumped onto the bar again, resting her chin on her arms. “Nobody wants to celebrate with me. Even my friend left,” she reported morosely.

“I was sent to take her back to her home,” Tim assured the bartender.

She kept a skeptical eye on him and addressed Marinette again. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“Hm?” Marinette looked up at her with a confused look. She looked over to Tim again. “Oh, right. No. Yeah. I’m fine. My brother sent him. If he tried anything, Jason would cut it off.” She returned her unfocused gaze to the bartender. Suddenly she straightened up, hands grasping the edge of the bar almost knocking over her empty glass in the process. “His hand! I meant his hand. He’d cut off his hand! Not…” she surreptitiously looked Tim up and down. She slumped back down into her seat and hid her head in her arms again. “I’m not drunk enough to finish that sentence.”

The bartender nodded with a chuckle and left to ring up the tab.

“So… brother?” Tim prompted her laughing.

“Hm,” she hummed in confirmation. “Self-proclaimed.”

“How did you two meet?”

“Bar fight. In Paris.”

“Of course you did. Did he step in to protect you in the middle of it, start it, or both?”

She scoffed at him. “I started it. Actually, legally, I didn’t start it. The guy who grabbed my ass started it. I just finished it. Jason pretended to be my brother to the cops and made sure I got home safe. We hung out a lot after that for…” she eyed him critically, “… reasons,” she finished uncertainly. “The brother title stuck.” She looked around the bar, eyes drifting from one thing to another with no apparent link. “Stupid cover. Brother,” she scoffed. “His French wasn’t that good.” She turned to Tim with a bewildered look. “And do we look alike? Even a little bit?”

She scoffed again and faced forward, moving her arms to rest them on the bar with a thump but missed the bar. The momentum threw her forward and her reflexes were just a beat too slow to stop herself from crashing into the bar. She braced herself for the impact but instead felt a soft, warm embrace halting her movement. She looked up at her savior in awe. Tim looked down at her with a soft smile. “Careful. The bar moves.”

Marinette blushed as she settled back on her seat. “Thank you,” she answered quietly, looking away from his eyes.

Tim nodded and moved back to his seat, but kept his arms around Marinette until he was certain she was stable. “So was the reason you hung out so much after that so he could cover for you in more bar fights?” Tim joked.

Marinette hummed affirmatively. “I know you’re being condensate… condescend… joking, but kind of. They seem to follow us. Or maybe it’s just fighting in general that I can’t get away from.” She frowned at the bar, remembering something that Tim desperately wanted to know more about. He didn’t like the frown on her face. He wanted to get her to smile again.

“I wasn’t trying to be condescending or patronizing. Promise. At least not towards you. Jason, yes absolutely. But not you,” he spoke with sincerity in his voice.

She stared at him wide eyed for a few moments before looking away shyly. “Okay.”

As if to accentuate her earlier point, he heard loud yelling halfway down the bar. One man stood up and started shoving another over something Tim couldn’t quite make out. Tim jumped out of his seat and reached for Marinette to get her to safety. He’d just come back later to get his card. Protecting Marinette was more important right now.

Marinette brushed his hands away inelegantly. “We’re fine here. That guy there, with the glasses? He’s going to jump in any second now. That’s going to push the fight in the other direction. Once he jumps in his friend is going to jump in too. They’re going to be fum… stum… fighting around that big table there. One of them is going to be thrown on it. Probably glasses’ friend. That’s going to get Curly, the bald one? Curly was the bald Stooge right?” Tim opened his mouth to respond but she was already moving on. “So Curly’s going to jump in, right? Once he’s in the bartender is going to pull out that bat and probably the gun she keeps under the bar and stop it, ‘cuz she likes him.” She looked around in panic. “Don’t tell anyone! That’s a secret. I think.” Deciding nobody was around to hear, she slumped back down and continued her narrative. “The fight will move away from us until the bartender ends it.”

Tim eyed her skeptically and turned to watch the bar fight unfold. His mouth dropped as it happened exactly like Marinette had predicted. He whipped his head around when he heard a loud bang next to him. “Oh my God someone stole my phone!” she whisper shouted to him, searching around frantically.

Tim looked down to the source of the noise, something hitting the floor, he sighed disbelievingly. He bent down and picked up her phone she had dropped and handed it back to her. “It’s right here.”

She looked between him and the phone a few times. “Oh my God,” she whispered out, “you stole my phone.”

Tim stared at her for a few moments and started laughing incredulously. She could predict the events of the fight, incorporating observations of multiple figures, inputting social relationships, attitudes, and physiques, but she couldn’t figure out she dropped her phone. He looked at her fondly for a moment before furrowing his brow when a thought occurred to him. “So… you were here with a friend and your friend just left you alone?” It seemed incredibly irresponsible considering her current state and honestly, Tim was a little worried about what Jason would do to the friend when he found out.

Marinette scoffed. She turned her head to give him an insulted look. “You think he’s better at taking care of me than I am?” She straightened up in her seat to her full height attempting to look more intimidating and faced her body toward him. “Even drunk, I could handle myself as well or better than him.”

Tim held up his hands in mock surrender. “No. I am not doubting your capabilities,” he tried to placate her. “I’m just saying having more than one person, especially when drinking is involved is safer.

Marinette stared at him for a few moments deciding if she thought he meant it or not before seeming to come to the conclusion he meant it. She nodded at him. “Agreed. To be fair though, he…” She raised her arm up, propped her elbow on the bar, and sloppily plopped her chin on her hand, staring at him intently. “…you have gorgeous eyes.”

Tim gaped at her and blushed, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. “Than…”

“To be fair,” she continued not letting him finish his expression of gratitude and returning her glossy stare toward the bar. “He wasn’t exactly sober either and his girlfriend was caught in that rogue attack across town and he was too worried about her to think straight. That’s probably why you’re here instead of Jason anyway.” Tim whipped his head around to see who was close enough to hear her, but almost the entirety of the bar was focused on the remains of the fight. There was nobody close by, but she was drunk enough to suddenly start announcing things loudly enough for everyone in the bar to hear. He really, really needed to get her out of there but they were still waiting on his card and the receipt.

Marinette suddenly furrowed her brow and looked down at the bar top. “Oh. I don’t think I was supposed to say that.”

He tried to fix her with a stern look but it came out softer than he intended. “What did you mean by that?”

Her face quickly morphed to a blank expression when she faced him again. She blinked a few times. “By what? I don’t know what I said. I don’t know anything, not a thing. Mind completely empty.” She tried to tap her temple to indicate where her brain should be, in case Tim needed the visual reminder, but flinched back when she accidentally poked herself in the eye instead. She scrunched her eyes shut and turned toward the bar again. “And filter completely missing,” she tried to mutter under her breath, but instead said it just as loudly.

Tim stared at her for a few moments uncertain how he felt about her clearly knowing their secret, or at least Jason’s and having the will but clearly not the ability to keep quiet about it. He burst out laughing, deciding giving into the absurdity of the situation was the best response. “You’re a terrible liar, you know that?” He nodded to the bartender who just returned his card after dealing with the fighters.

“I know,” she announced in an exasperated voice and throwing her arms out to the side. “You would think I’d be better by now. You should hear… I really like your smile, too.” She smiled sweetly at him.

Tim smiled self-consciously. “I like yours too.”

She beamed back at him and turned back to the bar. “… hear some of the excuses I’ve come up with.” She turned to Tim with a desperate look on her face. “I once said I had to water my hamster. I don’t even have a hamster.” She looked back to the bar again and slumped back into her seat. Her face turned sad. “I want a hamster.”

She waved her arms wildly as a thought occurred to her. “Wait!” She looked at him with panic in her eyes. “If Jason’s your brother and my brother… does that make you my brother too?”

Tim stared at her for a second. “No. Not even remotely.”

“Are you sure? Transitive properties and all.” She looked at him uncertain.

“I am absolutely positive. In no way could you be considered my sister,” he promised.

She sighed in relief, relaxing back into her seat with a contented smile. “Okay, good. You should get a hamster.”

“I think it’s time to get you home,” he said shaking his head and getting up. He reached out to help her up and support her.

She looked over at him stricken. “Oh no, I made you uncomfortable! Do you have a pho… phoban?” she scrunched up her face in concentration. “Phobia!” she announced proudly. Before leaning into Tim. “Do you have a fear of hamsters? I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have brought them up. It’s okay, you don’t need to get one.”

Tim fought the smile that wanted to appear on his lips at her concern. “No,” he assured her.

“Oh.” She looked down trying to come up with another reason for his sudden decision to leave. “Did I make you mad because you hate hamsters?” She asked in a very serious tone like that was the most rational next explanation.

He didn’t even fight the smile and chuckle this time as he wrapped his arm around her waist to help her toward the exit. “No. I have no opinions on hamsters at all.”

“Well that’s just sad,” she dismissed him and curled into his side, allowing him to guide her outside. After a few steps she stopped and stood up straight. “I annoyed you!” she moaned ruefully.

“No.” He ran his hands up and down her arms to calm her and get assure her he was not upset. His breath hitched when she turned her watery, shining blue eyes to his, pausing his hands as he got lost in her gaze. He shook his head to focus back on the task at hand, not hitting on the beautiful, sweet, funny, interesting, drunken friend of Jason. “It’s just getting late and I think you could use some sleep,” he said gently.

“Oh… okay,” she answered slightly dazed from his gaze as well. Her gaze shifted to take in his face. “You’re very handsome. You have great hair too. Does it naturally do that?” She reached up to touch his hair, but jerked her hand back so violently she would have fallen over if Tim wasn’t supporting her weight. “I am so sorry. That was not okay. I forgot you’re just here because Jason asked you. I don’t know you and I can’t just touch you without your permission.”

Tim looked down pointedly at his arm around her waist but she completely missed the look. She groaned and hid her head in her hands. Tim tightened his grip around her waist and continued leading her to his car. “It’s okay. I’m glad I came down and met you. And, if I was offended I would have tried to move away instead of leaning into it. You can touch my hair if you want,” he assured her. “And anything else,” he muttered under his breath.

She looked up at him with a cute look of wide eyed confusion. “What?”

“What?” he answered back just as innocently. “Um… So… You and Jason are close?” He asked carefully trying to distract her while he opened his car door for her.

She hummed noncommittally. “As close as Jason lets anyone get. He’s like the big brother I never wanted. I think I was adopted against my will.”

“Oh?” He prompted as he closed the door. He needed her to stay awake so he knew where to take her. And it had the added benefit of allowing him to get to know her a bit better… and possibly blackmail on Jason.

She hummed again when he got in on the driver’s side. He watched her fumble with the seat belt as she spoke. “Something about the dead heroes club?”

He froze. He snapped his eyes to hers. “You were a hero?”

Her eyes bugged out and snapped up to his. “Noooo, what?” She looked back down at the belt latch, trying a few more times to get it to click. She huffed after a few more tries. “Reverse polarization.”

“What?” Tim asked her trying to figure out where the hell that had come from.

“Reverse polarization. That must be it. The… the square part is repelling the other square part. That’s why I can’t get it to work.” She nodded to herself. “Reverse polarization. They don’t want to be together.” She paused for a moment. “If that isn’t some kind of symbolism… I don’t know what for, but something.”

Tim gave an amused smile and pushed the latch into the buckle. Marinette gasped and looked at him in awe. “How did you stop the polarization?”

“Magic,” Tim answered looking away, fully realizing there would be no way to explain the lack of magnets involved.

Marinette gasped. “You’re magic too?” She stared at him excitedly for a few moments before her face scrunched up again. “You guys aren’t magic. Batman doesn’t like magic. You lied.”

Tim stared at her, thinking very carefully about his next words and running through all the things she just revealed. First, she knew he was a bat. Second, she knew Batman didn’t like magic. Third, she said ‘too’. So either she knew someone who was magic or she was magic. Fourth, she had taken him seriously and thought he was lying to her. He decided the last one was the immediate issue. The rest could be dealt with when she woke up in the morning. Or when he could corner Jason. “Sorry, it was a joke. I didn’t think you would take me seriously. I’m sorry for misleading you. It was not my intention,” he promised solemnly.

Marinette studied him and cocked her head to the side and finally nodded. “Okay. I don’t like liars. Even though I am one, but I don’t like it.”

“So why do you?”

“Have to,” she shrugged.

“Because you’re a hero, like Jason?” he prompted again.

“Hero’s not the right word.” She shook her head jerkily. “You don’t have heroes.”

Vigilante,” he suggested.

“Yes!” She looked excitedly at him then realized their conversation. “Nooooo.” She looked straight out the windshield. Tim focused on the road as well and pulled out into traffic. “I was never a vigilante,” she continued absentmindedly.

“Were you a hero?” he asked again. “A hero that died and came back?”

“Hm? What?” She raised her eyebrows at him as though seeking clarification. “I’m sorry my English isn’t very…” she screwed up her eyes to think, “… well.” She nodded proudly at herself.

Tim scoffed at her. “Your English is excellent. You have to focus to mess it up.”

“Aww, thank you!” she beamed at his praise. “I haven’t been speaking it very long.”

He opened his mouth to press the subject but decided that wouldn’t be fair to her. He wouldn’t want someone to take advantage of him if he were in a weakened state. He wouldn’t do it to her. “Where do you live?”

She closed her eyes and leaned her head against the door’s glass. She rambled off her address. Tim chuckled lightly. “I meant here… in Gotham. Not France.”

Marinette’s eyes flew open. “Oh! Um.” She frowned to think about it. They hadn’t been living there very long and she remembered more by sight than by actual address. “6th street. No 7th. 8th? 9th. Definitely 9th. Sorry,” she smiled sheepishly at him and closed her eyes again. “No!” she jumped forward, “27th!” She looked away and frowned. “No, that’s not right either.”

Tim sighed and tried not to smile at the cute faces she was making. He decided this was absolutely fruitless. The only solution would be to call Jason. He picked up on the fourth ring with an annoyed voice. “No, you can’t date her.”

“That was not the question. And also, fuck you. Where does your girl live?”

“She’s not mine and why don’t you ask her?” After a beat, he amended himself. “Actually, she is. She’s mine. You can’t date her.”

Tim scoffed at him. “She already said you adopted her like a little sister. B rub off on you, Jay?” He smirked as he drove knowing exactly the face and gestures Jason was making to that. Before he could respond, Tim continued, “She doesn’t remember her address.” He looked over to her. Her head was resting on the glass again and her eyes were closed. Her breathing was even and her mouth hung open slightly. “And I’m pretty sure she just fell asleep. I can link to the batcomputer and look it up, I guess.”

“NO! I don’t want B to know about her yet.”

“Why,” Tim asked suspiciously, the previous conversation about magic popping into his mind. It could be just Jason being Jason and wanting to keep everyone at arm’s length or it could mean something was going on with this woman and he didn’t want Bruce to act on it.

“Because it’s B. I want her off his radar as long as possible.”

“That tells me exactly nothing.” He rolled his eyes. “Is she dangerous?”

“Only if you try to grab her ass or try to hurt someone. I just don’t want Bat dad getting his hands on her,” he explained, his growing annoyance clear in his voice.

“So, she is a hero, a magical one.” Tim nodded at the confirmation.

“No…” Jason answered tentatively. “… It’s complicated. And I’m not going to explain it. Just… take her to your place for tonight.”

“Why my place?”

“She needs some place to crash. She’s a good person. And you want to hook up with her despite me telling you to back off.”

Tim nodded his head to the side in acknowledgement. He wasn’t wrong. And if she slept at his place tonight he could keep an eye on her to make sure she was okay and maybe talk to her in the morning. “Fine. I’ll take her to my place.”

“And Tim?”

“Yes?”

“You sleep on the couch.”

“You know I have a guest room, right? A few, in fact.”

<><><><><>

The next morning came earlier than Tim was prepared for. He really wanted to stay in bed for a few more hours, but he was afraid of Marinette waking up in a strange bed and freaking out with nobody there to answer questions. He dragged himself out of the guest bed and started making coffee for them. He would have started breakfast for them, but he didn’t know how long she would be sleeping and he couldn’t cook. He just decided he could order some food to be delivered when he heard shuffling from the kitchen entrance.

He looked up to see Marinette in the doorway, nervously rubbing her arms, an anxious smile on her face. She looked absolutely beautiful despite being a bit rumpled and disheveled. “Hi,” she waved awkwardly.

Tim gave her a disarming smile. “Hi.”

She looked around uncertainly. “Um… if you don’t mind me asking… Where am I?” The apprehension was clear in her voice.

Tim smiled calmly, trying to reassure her that she was safe. “You’re in my townhouse.”

“Right, right. Cool. Cool.” She shifted nervously. “And we didn’t?” She motioned vaguely between them.

Tim’s smile widened at her expression. “No. I slept in the spare room.”

“Oh thank god.” She let out a relieved breath. “I didn’t think we did considering I’m still dressed but… Oh, no offense to you. I just…”

“Weren’t yourself or able to make responsible decisions last night?” He asked with an amused glint in his eyes and a smirk. He motioned to a chair at the counter.

“Yes.” She sighed out, grateful for his understanding. She suddenly straightened unnaturally stiff and studied him apprehensively for a few moments. “You say that like you know I wasn’t making responsible decisions last night. Tell me I didn’t do anything I should regret or be embarrassed about last night, please.”

“Other than saying you wanted to jump me and get married and have babies in a house filled with hamsters?” he offered innocently.

“OH MY GOD!” Her face turned bright red faster than she could bury it in her hands to hide it.

His laughter boomed out of him. “I’m kidding. I’m totally kidding.” He only laughed louder when she gave him an absolutely adorable pout.

“That was not funny. You’re mean.” She sat down in the offered chair with a huff. “Stop being mean to the hungover urchin you housed for the night.”

His laughter calmed quickly and he had the decency to look guilty. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That was mean. You were perfectly polite and sweet all night. You didn’t do anything embarrassing at all. The only thing I would be embarrassed about in the morning was telling me my eyes were pretty and I was handsome. Which isn’t even embarrassing, I’m just easily embarrassed. It was very nice to hear though.”

The rosy color returned to her cheeks as she studied his eyes searching them to see if he was telling the truth this time. She must have found that he was because she looked down and nodded. “Yeah, drunk me is very honest.” Tim blushed slightly at her admission. “I swear I’m not usually like that. My friend and I were just celebrating and things spiraled.”

Tim nodded in understanding. “Congratulations again, in case you don’t remember me saying it last night. You never said what kind of company it is.”

“Thank you.” She gave him a grateful smile. “It’s a fashion company. I’m a designer. I’m really excited to finally have a store front up and running.” She looked around his townhouse, really looking at it for the first time. “Um… no offense. Who are you?

Tim chuckled. “And drunk you has no memory retention.”

“I am so sorry,” she moaned into her hands.

He chuckled. “Don’t be. I don’t drink often but when I do, I’m pretty much the same, and significantly less cute in the process.” Marinette blushed and looked down to try unsuccessfully to hide it. “I’m Tim. I’m Jason’s brother. He asked me to pick you up last night since he was helping with the rogue attack.”

“He was?” She looked at him, the picture of innocent confusion.

“Oh, sober you is much better at acting dumb than drunk you.” Tim commented with a shake of his head and handed her a cup of coffee. “I’m impressed. I would have believed that if I didn’t know better.”

Her eyes widened at him. “What did…”

“Just that you knew Jason was a vigilante. Is there more?” he asked with a teasing smile.

She opened her mouth to deny it before she thought better of it and narrowed her eyes at him playfully. “You were going to be nice to the hungover urchin. I’m too hungover for mind games.”

“I actually never said that. But I’m willing to make it up to you.” He offered her a charming smile and leaned across the counter toward her. “Want to go get breakfast? My treat. We can talk and get to know each other… if you want.”

Marinette beamed at him, “I would love to.” She suddenly got a mischievous glint in her eye. “How pissed do you think it will make Jason?” Tim hummed noncommittally. Honestly he wasn’t sure. Jason seemed surprisingly okay with Tim bringing her to his house, but Jason was also extremely overprotective of the people he cared about so…

She leaned forward conspiratorially with a devious grin. “We should take a picture that makes it look like more is going on and send it to him.” Tim raised his eyebrows in surprise. Did she just… “Actually, maybe not.” She waved away the idea and leaned back in her chair again. “You’d be the one that would have to deal with the aftermath of that. That wouldn’t be fair and Jason can be an absolute asshole when he’s being protective.”

“Jason would hate it. Let’s do it.” Tim’s expression morphed to match her previous grin.

Marinette’s face brightened with excitement. “Really?”

Tim nodded, “I am always up for messing with my brothers.”

Marinette looked away shyly. “Okay, well, I was thinking you could take a picture of me kissing your cheek and send it to him? If you’re okay with me doing that.”

“I am absolutely okay with you kissing me,” Tim nodded, pulling out his phone. His cheeks colored quickly when he realized what he said. “I mean…”

“Ready?” she interrupted, the slight blush on her cheeks the only indication that she had heard him.

He nodded mutely and positioned the phone to take the picture. He nearly dropped the phone when he felt her soft lips brush against his cheek. It took a moment for him to remember he was supposed to be taking a picture of the kiss, not just enjoying it. Too quickly, she pulled away, looking at him with expectant eyes. “Did we get it? How does it look?”

He stared at her dumbly for a few seconds, still recovering from the kiss. “Um, right,” he turned to view the picture. “You look gorgeous. It! It looks gorgeous. I’ll just… I’ll send it to Jason.” His fingers fumbled through the screens to send the picture. Would she mind if he set it as his screensaver? It wasn’t creepy if the picture was her idea, right?

“And… could you send it to me too?” she asked timidly.

He looked up at her in surprise and quickly gave her a happy grin. “How about you take one with your phone. Maybe I can kiss your cheek this time.”

Marinette’s cheeks turned bright pink. She bit her lower lip and nodded at him. Tim grinned as he leaned forward to press a kiss to her cheek. Maybe he owed Jason instead. Tremendously. Monumentally. Colossally big.

#maribat #maribat secret santa #timari #timinette #platonic jasonette

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watermelonsugar2612 · 3 years

Text

'MY DREAM WEDDING'

Chapter 1: 'You're serious?"

Author's note: Heya! I’m writing a new Hinny fic, all the way from the proposal to the wedding. It will have 10-15 chapters I think! Let me know if you like it and if I should continue!! <33

It was 1 am. Harry and Ginny had just had sex. They both lay on top of each other in a heap of limbs, panting. “I love you Gin,” Harry said as he stole a soft kiss from Ginny. “Me too,” she let out a satisfied sigh. “Set the alarm, we’ll go running tomorrow. 7 am, sharp! I have practice from 9:30 and your training starts at 10,” she instructed. “Aye aye captain.” Harry replied in a lost but wonderful tone. He picked up the alarm clock and twisted a few knobs. “Mmmm… I’ve set the alarm baby,” he said as he pulled Ginny back onto the bed while she was trying to put on her robe. The half-untied robe fell off her shoulders and she lay completely naked on top of Harry. “No Harry! We just finished,” she whined in an explanatory attitude, she tried to pull away but his grip was too tight, “Harry! We have an early day tomorrow, no!” she whined even more. “Okay, I’ll let you go but we both sleep just like this tonight? Deal?” he grinned cockily. “Like this? What do you mean?” she thought for a second and her mouth rounded in shock, “Completely naked?!” she gave him a questioning look and shouted. “You heard me right! Just. like. This.” his grin spread to both his ears. “Fine!” she gave up and muttered, “prat.” Harry had heard her, he pulled her down onto his lips in a greedy kiss, full of hunger. As soon as he felt her getting lost in the kiss, he pulled away. “Not fair!” she cried. He laughed and pulled her onto the bed beside him, spooning her, one hand on her breast, the other on her thigh. She gave out a satisfied sigh. Both of them were utterly spent, every ounce of their body was ready to give in, to sleep, but somehow neither of them could give in to the temptation. They lay there silently feeling each other's presence, it was enough, they were happy, complete. “Gin, will you marry me?” Harry broke the ice. Ginny turned her head and looked into his beautiful bespectacled green eyes, in utter panic, “Gin, would you like to have another round of sex? Or Gin, do you want to organise a party at Grimmauld Place? Or Gin, do you want to go to dinner? Or Gin, do you want to go on vacation, would’ve been- acceptable! It's 3 in the morning, Harry James Potter! You want to marry me?” she blurted out. “I’m sorry Gin- I- Please don’t leave me, I was just wondering if you would- I saw a future, I’m sorry if I’m going too fast! I’m such a git we’ve only been dating for 2 years- sorry. I’ll wait for as long as you want… sorry Gin, what can I do to make it up to you?” he stammered. Ginny instantly regretted her panic, truth be told, she was waiting for him to talk about marriage, what had she done!? “Shit.” she muttered, “Harry, Bubba, I’m so sorry-” she said as she felt tears well up in both his and her eyes. She immediately engulfed him in a hug. Still tightly embraced, she said softly into his ear, “I’ll marry you, I’ve always wanted that,” she snorted softly and pulled away, “I love you,” she said into the kiss. He pulled away and looked deep into her chocolate eyes as if he was looking at her soul, “Gin, you are the most incredible, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, everything with you is so much better than it could’ve been with anyone else in the entire world. When I'm with you I- I feel complete. The passion we share, the amount we love each other, and care for each other, I don’t think it's possible to do that with anyone else. I realise, this isn’t any girl's dream proposal, hell, I don’t even have a ring for you, and we’re naked, in bed! And, 'm sorry to just blurt it out like that, but if you’re serious about marrying me, I’m the happiest man in the world.” he said. “Oh, Harry! My sweet, sweet Harry! I love you so much, I don’t think it’s possible to love anyone as much as I love you! Yes, I’m serious, I want to marry you, love!” she replied with a large smile on her pink face. “You’re serious?” he muttered again. “Yes I’m serious, and honestly, I’ve kinda imagined my boyfriend asking me to marry him after we had hot steamy sex.” she winked. “Oh, one more thing before we finally sleep, can we not tell the family until we

have rings and also can we give them a different version of the story, because if your brothers find out this is when I proposed, they might kill me.” he chuckled. They both laughed and as soon as their heads fell to the bed, both of them fell asleep, now feeling much more complete than they ever had before.

***

The alarm rang all of a sudden and Harry opened his eyes slowly, taking in the sight of the gorgeous redhead lying naked beside him on his bed. “Morning baby,” he hummed softly. “Morning to you too, Fiancee dearest,” she muttered, still half-asleep. They both laughed and Ginny gave Harry a quick and sloppy kiss. “Would you like to go running with me Ms Weasley?” Harry grinned. “Let’s see? Would you like to marry me, Mr Potter?” She tried hard not to laugh and played along. “Why, of course!” he chuckled, “Then, I shall go running with you.” she laughed and bowed down gracefully putting her hand near his mouth. He took it in his hand, gave a slight bow and brushed his lips against it. Ginny changed into an exercise set, leggings which made her arse look hot and a cropped sweatshirt, in a very light beige colour. Harry wore a pair of loose basketball shorts and a large hoodie on top. This hoodie was his, but it was generally worn by Ginny on movie nights with Harry. Both of them loved it. It was monsoon and they were worried it would rain, but they didn’t pay much attention to it. They stepped out to the pavement outside Grimmauld Place feeling a gust of cool, humid monsoon air blow in their hair. They began running, they talked and laughed. The roads were rather crowded, it was rare to see a couple so randy for each other, even after 2 years. It was visible as both of them ran, how much in love they were, stealing kisses, giving playful nudges, saying that they loved the other every 20 seconds in a way that they thought the other might forget, but the truth being said, the love they felt for each other could never lessen, forgetting was a far way forth. “Gin, do you wanna get some coffee?” Harry panted as they took a brief halt. “Hmm… yes, let’s get coffee,” she caught her breath and hummed. “Let’s go to that muggle cafe you like?” Harry smiled. Ginny nodded and they made their way to a secluded corner and apparated a little away from the cafe. It was called ‘Episode’ and it looked gorgeous. The early morning sunlight fell on its entrance which was green, full of plants. There were tables outside with umbrellas above them and there was a gazebo as well. The signboard of the cafe was covered with vines. They both took a seat in a corner outside. “So, when do you want to go ring shopping?” Harry asked expectantly, “I’m free this weekend. We have an offseason, we don’t have a game for another 3 months, today is just a meeting with our trainers to make sure we are all following our diet.” Ginny shrugged. “Done then, this weekend it is!” Harry pecked her lips as the waiter approached them from behind. “Morning to you sir, ma’am! What can I get you today?” the waiter asked politely and handed them a menu with several beverages written on it. They both glanced through and Ginny spoke up, “Good Morning! I will have a thick and frothy Hazelnut Frappuccino, with extra whipped cream.” she spoke to the waiter and winked at Harry. He grunted and spoke, “I’ll have a shot of espresso, extra hard.” he grinned back at Ginny. The waiter looked lost for words, he cleared his throat and said, “Will that be all?” They nodded and he left. “What was that about Harry?” Ginny asked in a concerned voice, “the waiter was right there!” she whispered in his ear. “Hey! You started it, and just for your information, I’m kind of turned on!” he replied in a panicky voice, saying the end of his sentence into her ear. “A secret, me too!” she whispered back and bit his earlobe softly. He shifted in his seat a bit. Their foreplay continued for a little while and they both tried not to be too conspicuous. After a few minutes, the waiter appeared with their coffee. “There you are, your coffee’s! Call for me when you’re ready to pay.” he put down their coffee and left again. Ginny seductively took a sip of her coffee and a thick layer of whipped cream settled on her upper lip. She was about to lick it off but Harry lurched forward and darted his tongue to her lip. He licked it off in one swipe and Ginny moaned. “Keep it down baby, someone might hear you,” Harry

whispered in a raspy voice in her ear. She sighed and felt a chill run down her spine. “Harry, home. I need you.” she moaned. He ignored everything else, shoved a 20-pound note on the table, which was much more than their bill, but he didn’t care. He pulled Ginny into a corner that wasn’t visible to anyone around and apparated them to 12, Grimmauld Place. They entered the kitchen, both of them completely lost in lust. Harry picked her up as if she weighed nothing and put her down on the counter. He pulled his hoodie off with urgency and she ran her hand on his perfectly toned abs which glistened with beads of sweat. He caught her lips in an urgent kiss. She pulled her top off as well, separating with Harry’s lips for a brief second. Harry moved his hand to the back of her head and pulled off her hair tie. “Quick Harry! I need you inside!” she muttered into the kiss. Harry’s hand went to Ginny’s waistband and he pulled down her pants and knickers, he slowly inserted a finger and she moaned his name. He pulled down his pants and boxers and withdrew his finger, instead, entering her with his cock a second later. They both moaned with the sensation. He completely withdrew and entered her again after a second. He thrust slowly for a few minutes. “Yes! Ah! That’s the spot! Harder!” she moaned and Harry sped up at once. He went at an unbelievable speed and he felt her contract around him, he knew she was about to come. He twisted his hips in a way that made her scream. “Cum for me Gin!” Harry said loudly. “Fuck. Harry!” she shouted into the kitchen and spilt her juices all over Harry and the kitchen floor. Harry kept thrusting, riding out her orgasm and his was triggered soon too. He didn’t stop and caught her lips in a needy kiss. Just as he was about to pull out, someone walked into their house through the chimney. Shit. It was Ginny’s brother, Harry’s best mate, Ron Weasley. Harry immediately pulled out and bent down to pick up his boxers. Luckily, Ginny was still wearing her bra, she bent down to pick up her underwear but it was too late. For both of them. “HARRY JAMES POTTER! YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!” Ron screamed. “Ron, it’s not what it looks like!” Harry said and pushed Ginny away who had engulfed him in a hug from the side as soon as they had heard someone come in through floo. “Do you realise what this looks like Potter?!” he said with widened eyes, “Merlin! Put on some clothes, you two!” he said and walked away to the living room as if calling Harry to sit and talk. “Gin-” he grunted. She laughed and pushed him away, signalling to the living room. He put on his clothes quickly. “Ron-” he tried to talk but Ron cut in, “How dare you!” he shouted, “she’s my sister Harry!” he said. “Ron, she’s my fiance and-” he tried to speak but Ron cut in again, “Fiancee?” he shrieked and stood up from the sofa. “I mean- I- I-” he stuttered and he saw Ginny walk into the room. “Yes! Fiance and he proposed after we shagged last night! Just for a count Ron, we’ve probably had sex more times this week than you have in your whole life.” she grimaced. “What-?” Harry said in a confused voice and signalled toward Ginny. Ron threw glances at both of them who stood on either side of the room. “No Ron, she’s lying, we- we- we-”he continued stuttering. “Okay, Professor Quirrell!” she grinned at Harry and continued, “Ron! It’s all in front of you! Whatcha gonna do?” she laughed. “Gin-”Harry eyed her to stop. “Oh, and if I am telling you my secrets, we’ve even shagged in your room, Ron! At the burrow!” she finished. “My room!?” Ron said with a terrified expression. Harry rolled his eyes. “Whatever Ron! That’s the truth! We’re both consenting adults, there’s nothing you can do! Plus, we’re in love.” he said. “You two are bloody minxes!” he barfed. Ginny winked at Harry. “Fine! I won’t kill you then Harry!” Ron said his eyes now moving from the ceiling to the floor. “As if you had the balls to do that Ronald!” Ginny laughed and walked toward Harry. She stood in front of him and gave him a little kiss, whispering in his ear, “That was amazing.” They both

grinned and Ron looked at them with an expression of pure disgust. “I’d trusted you, Harry! If you end up getting my sister pregnant or something, I will never forgive you!” he whined and continued, “Anyway, when did you get engaged? And when were you going to tell me and ‘Mione?” he finished. “As Gin already mentioned, I proposed last night after we shagged like, 4 times. She said yes, we are going ring shopping on Saturday and we were supposed to tell you after we got the rings and make a more acceptable story, but there you go!” Harry chuckled. “4 times?! Couldn’t you have skipped the details? Bleugh.” he muttered. “Ron! If you don’t want to get your bits hexed, then you better not tell anyone else, except ‘Mione!” Ginny cut in. Ron rolled his eyes. “I’d originally come to tell you lot that me and ‘Mione are having a hang out session tomorrow, at 8 in the evening, it’s been long since we all met, so, I’d come to invite you two. It would be good if you could go shopping today and come up with a better story before it slips out of your mouths. It’s for your good,” he said and shrugged his shoulders. “I’ve taken a leave from work today too, to help ‘Mione with party prep, you should too!” Ron finished. “Well, alright, I wanna be officially engaged to you as soon as I can!” Harry said to Ginny, winked and kissed Ginny who he was still holding from around her waist. Ron gagged again. “Shut up! You just ruined the moment!” Ginny shouted and pulled away. “So? Are you going ring shopping?” Ron asked expectantly. “Hmmm… okay, I’ll call in sick,” Ginny shrugged and Harry held her tighter. “I’ll take a leave too!” Harry said and sat down on the settee with Ginny on his lap. “Where’s ‘Mione though?” Ginny said, looking at Ron. “Oh! She’s coming. She was meeting with one of her colleagues from the Ministry. She’ll floo in any minute now!” Ron replied. “Fancy some breakfast Gin? Ron?” Harry said. “Yes, please! I am starving!” Ginny grinned. “I think I’ve lost my appetite!” Ron said looking at the ever-randy couple in front of him who was now making out. Harry reluctantly pulled away and went to the kitchen. About 10 minutes later Harry walked back into the room with two plates, both with two slices of bread, each topped with a sunny side up and three strips of bacon. He handed one to Ron, “You could never lose your appetite!” he laughed and walked back to Ginny who stood up. He sat down and pulled her back on her lap. She picked up one of the pieces of bread and took it near Harry’s mouth. He took a bite and licked his lips. He did the same to Ginny and Ron looked up from his plate of food now to find Ginny licking Harry’s lips. “I think both of you are bloody capable of eating on your own!” he shouted and they heard the sound of someone coming in through the chimney. Of course, it was Hermione, Ron’s wife and Ginny and Harry’s best friend. She walked in and all of them greeted her with a pleasant hug and Ron with a kiss. They all took their places, now Hermione sat beside Ron on the large sofa in the middle of the room. They all ate and chatted, Ron told Hermione what had happened when he came here and the room filled with giggles from everyone except Ron. They talked for about an hour, “I’m going to go home, prepare for the party?” Hermione said as she got up and pulled Ron with her. They said their goodbyes and Ron and Hermione flooed away. “Now, Fiancee dearest, would you fancy making some calls to your office and mine for a holiday?” she asked, smiling. He nodded and they made their calls. “I’m going to take a shower, then we’re going to go get some rings!” Harry said as he walked into the bathroom. He took a quick shower and as soon as he stepped out, completely naked, Ginny walked in. He pulled her toward him and threw her over his shoulder. They both laughed as Harry put on his boxers. He put her down then and put on the rest of his clothes. Ginny stripped quickly and hopped into the shower. Harry tried not to look because he knew that it wouldn’t be too good if he was turned on while at the shop. He walked out and sat on

the sofa waiting for Ginny. A few minutes later, she walked out, completely naked. “Gin- you, you’re- you’re not wearing a robe or a towel?” he stuttered. “I forgot Harry! It doesn’t matter anyway, we’re going to be married soon!” she said and walked toward Harry, holding a tube of lotion in her hand. “Put this on my back,” she said normally. “But- but- Gin- I- okay-” he kept stuttering and took the tube from her. He looked away and squirted some lotion on her back. He started rubbing slowly in circular motions. “Harry! Do not tell me your awkward! We are going to be married for god’s sake! Shut up and rub it properly.” she shouted. “Yeah- yeah of course, god, I’ve done it before so many times!” he said a little more confident. “Oh my god! This reminds me of our first vacation together! In Long Island, our first trip to the US was together!” Ginny reminisced. Truth be told, Harry’s bulge was harder than ever. In long Island, they had sex inside the ocean, in the depths and it was probably one of the best Harry ever had. It really turned him on. He suppressed it and carried on, now using both of his hands to rub her back and massage her shoulders. He moved her hair and rubbed the bottom of her neck, timely whispering into her ear. Soon later Harry faced Ginny and caught her lips in a needy kiss.

#hinny smut #post war hinny #harry x ginny #hp fanfic #hinny fluff #harry potter #ginny weasley #ginny potter #hinny wedding #domestic hinny #hinny au #hinny proposal

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