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carewyncromwell · 9 months

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"Everyone’s a writer -- painter -- poet! Everything is avant-garde or chic!

We’ll be in the know before we know it... When you’re in the know, it’s -- Oh, it’s magnifique! To find in Paris what you seek..."

~"Paris Holds the Key (to Your Heart)" from Anastasia (musical)

x~x~x~x

Jacob Cromwell's graduation from Hogwarts truly was an underdog story, to most people's minds. After getting roped into the likes of R, losing his two closest companions to petrification and death respectively, getting expelled, and finally getting trapped in a magical portrait for seven years, it was something of a miracle when he was able to turn it all around with nothing but his astounding intellect and magical talent, graduating with full honors in the spring of 1991. Many presumed that after the trauma he'd undergone, Jacob would settle into life at home with a respectable new career in the Wizarding World -- his sister Carewyn certainly did, taking a much more peaceful job at the Ministry of Magic as a lawyer.

Jacob, however, celebrated his graduation and freedom by traveling the world and doing and learning as much as he could -- and in those travels, he ended up making quite a name for himself, not as "that delinquent Jacob Cromwell," but as a freelance magical researcher. One of those people who took immediate notice of Jacob's brilliance in this regard was a witch who ended up becoming a very good friend of his -- the statuesque Headmistress of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Olympe Maxime.

It all started when Jacob finally -- after pecking away at it off-and-on for about two years around his travels and random Cursebreaking expeditions -- finished a scholarly essay applying the principles of Muggle chemistry to various Potions ingredients. It was a subject he'd first experimented with in his fifth year at Hogwarts (right in the middle of his Potions OWL, ridiculous as it was), but Jacob had felt more prepared to return to the subject after doing more research and even covertly sitting in on a few Muggle chemistry classes while traveling abroad. Then over the span of the next twenty months, he wrote out a full piece on all of the research he'd done, adding in some theories about a variation of the periodic table possibly being applied to various Potions ingredients and how applying the principles of organic chemistry to Potioneering could spur the invention of new Potions. Jacob sent a copy of his essay to his former professor and friend, Horace Slughorn, and the ex-Potionsmaster reacted with great enthusiasm.

Pleasantries aside, though -- Jacob, my boy, your essay! I spent an absolutely lovely afternoon reading it over a glass of brandy, and I was simply enraptured by it! I hope you don't mind, but I've already sent a snippet of it off to a friend of mine who writes for The Practical Potioneer, to see if he'd be interested in publishing the whole thing in some future edition -- such a thing awaiting your explicit consent, of course.

Jacob enthusiastically gave Slughorn the "go-ahead" to send the rest of his essay along, if his friend expressed interest in publishing it. Later that year, when Jacob came home for Christmas, he was able to surprise his mother and sister with their own first editions of the potioneering magazine containing his essay. Lane was so delighted and proud that she actually ended up bursting into silent tears.

"The Practical Potioneer," she breathed, her wispy voice choked with emotion. "Oh, Jay...I used to read that every month, when I was in school...whenever the Hogwarts library got in a new copy that I could check out...and now..." She brought her hands up to cradle her son's cheeks, "...now my little Blue Jay's gotten published in it!"

Jacob opened his arms in anticipation of the big hug his mother gave him, squeezing her tight. Despite being just as strong of a Legilimens as Carewyn, he'd never been as good at sensing people's emotions as she was -- but in this moment, he was positive: his mother was so, so proud of him. And that feeling filled Jacob up with so much vindication and warmth that he too felt close to tears.

Both Lane and Carewyn would put Jacob's article in positions of honor. Carewyn framed all four pages of Jacob's essay and mounted them on the wall of her office under a print of Hogsmeade village Badeea had painted for her. Lane herself left the magazine with her son's essay out on the side table by her favorite "reading window" for the rest of her life, and she shared it with every single one of the few visitors she invited to her cottage.

x~x~x~x

As fate would have it, a French Potioneer traveling abroad on holiday picked up several Potioneering magazines from the countries he visited, so as to read them on his long train ride home. One of those such magazines ended up being that very edition of The Practical Potioneer, and the French wizard was thoroughly charmed by the theories presented by the British researcher called Jacob Cromwell: so much so that he translated the essay into French and then sent it and the original magazine to the French Wizarding World's main newspaper, Le Cri de la Gargouille. The paper then published the translation of Jacob's essay in their paper in February 1994, specifically as part of their Mode de Vie Magique section -- a section that was, in fact, a favorite of one Olympe Maxime.

About a week after Le Cri de La Gargouille printed Jacob's translated article, Jacob received a letter via owl post that was sealed with a light blue seal marked with a cursive "B" over two crossed wands.

Monsieur Cromwell, Firstly, I must apologize if this letter reaches you more than once. When seeking out an address for you, I was informed that you currently have no permanent address, and so I had to get creative to find a way to contact you directly. Fortunately it seems that the Owl Office in Paris is most resourceful in locating witches and wizards while they are on holiday abroad. But now, to business. A week or so ago, while reading La Cri de La Gargouille, I came across your essay regarding the application of Non-Magic chemistry to our own Potioneering, and to put it simply, I found it absolutely enthralling. I profess no expertise in Non-Magic science, aside from the psychology books I've read by Non-Magic authors, but your knowledge of the two subjects is clearly thorough, and your conclusions in comparing the two were fascinating. Your application of Non-Magic chemistry to Potioneering is a subject I would like very much to share with my older students, in preparation for their entry into the Wizarding World. And so it is because of this that I cordially invite you to the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic for a high tea on the afternoon of March 1st, at 3 o' clock. Please RSVP as soon as possible -- I hope that since my return address is so prominent, your response should not take long to reach me. Chaleureusement, Olympe Maxime Directice of the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic

x~x~x~x

To say Jacob was thrilled at the prospect of visiting the famous Beauxbatons Academy would be an understatement. He was so over the moon at the prospect that he sent letters to Carewyn, Lane, his best friend Olivia Green, Horace Slughorn, Filius Flitwick and Madam Rosmerta about it, before he finally calmed down enough to remember that he hadn't even RSVPed to Madame Maxime's invitation properly.

Salut, Madame Maxime! Mon français n'est pas très bon, mais j'ai pensé que je devais répondre dans votre langue, parce que vous m'avez écrit dans mon langue. Le français est une belle langue aussi -- c'est ma préférée des langues gallo-romantiques. J'aimerais beaucoup te rendre visite! J'ai lu beaucoup de livres sur votre école. Je ne peux pas attendre! À bientôt! Jacob Cromwell

Jacob then had to immediately set about making travel plans to France. First he took a boat from Rebun Island (his current location) to Tokyo; then he took a very long plane ride from Tokyo to Frankfurt, Germany; once he'd gotten his bearings, he then took a train to Paris, where he was able to take the Floo Network from le Place Cachée to the Wizarding village of Lapinfort, by the outskirts of Lourdes. It was in Lapinfort that Jacob was handed a response from his sister Carewyn, which had arrived via owl the previous day.

Dear Jacob, I just got your letter. I can't believe you're actually going to visit Beauxbatons Academy! I know how much you've always wanted to go there, and to know you've been invited there by Madame Maxime herself...I'm so proud of you! I'm not exaggerating when I say I'm rereading your letter as I'm writing this and I can't stop smiling. Truly, though, I hope you get on with Madame Maxime, and that your lecture for her students goes well. I met Maxime once when she accompanied my school friend Penny's penpal Aurelie Dumont on a visit to Hogwarts, and she's a very glamorous woman. But please, Jacob, I'm begging you, don't make ANY comments about her size -- she's even taller than Hagrid, and I get the feeling she's secretly very self-conscious about it. The last thing I want is for you to make a bad first impression!! As the French say, "bonne chance!" Write to me as soon as you get this, and then be sure to also write to me all about your meeting, after it's over -- I want to know everything. Love you, Carewyn

Jacob wrote Carewyn a quick note to let her know of his safe arrival. Then, once he'd finished, he went into town and found a carriage led by flying horses that could take him over the Pyranees mountains and to the famous Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.

It was truly as beautiful of a school as Jacob's books had claimed. Just as Hogwarts was a mysterious, grand stone castle, Beauxbatons was likewise a kind of palace, though one far more ornamental and delicate: a true French chateau, framed by elegant gardens trimmed with fairy lights.

As Jacob disembarked from the carriage, he found himself enchanted by the tiny seashells embedded into the cement paths that led through the gardens. He soon found himself wandering the left of these paths, rather than looking for the entrance properly, and found himself embarking on a quest to locate the center of the hedge maze he'd found himself in. It wasn't until about a half-hour later that he found his way back out and to Beauxbatons' entrance.

When Jacob reached the grand, white front doors, they sparkled with silver sparkles as they opened for him. Clearly the school knew this was a welcome guest, rather than an enemy -- Jacob's eyes lit up at this thought, and only became brighter seeing the school's interior.

The ceilings were even high than Hogwarts's, and shining as bright white as a spring-time sky full of angelic clouds. The halls were framed by large, beautiful, painted marble columns trimmed with gold, as well as countless living portraits trimmed with ornate ivory frames. There were crystal chandeliers decorated with colorful glass flowers and ivy that sparkled with even more fairy lights. Living statues were mounted in displays of honor down the hall, and they all turned their heads to look at Jacob as he passed. Everything was so bright and pristine, and yet not flimsy. There was power here, inside of this ageless, seemingly fragile beauty: the kind found in the Greek Parthenon or the palace of Versailles.

"Ah...Monsieur Cromwell."

Jacob looked up, startled, to find a very foreboding, but beautiful woman dressed all in light blue satin with a white feathered-shawl around her shoulders, approaching him. She was large before she got close, but once she had, she towered over him, nearly as tall as the ceiling.

Like Hagrid, Jacob recalled.

The thought of the friendly gamekeeper, as well as of Carewyn's letter, made Jacob grin from ear to ear.

"...You must be Madame Maxime!"

"Oui," she said lightly. "You are late, Monsieur Cromwell -- I expected you 'alf an 'our ago."

The Directice's dark eyes flitted over the much smaller man, taking in his incredibly informal white t-shirt and jeans with muted disapproval.

Jacob, however, was blissfully unaware of this.

"Oh yeah -- sorry about that!" he said brightly. "I was just exploring your gardens -- fabulous hedge maze you've got, on par with the one at Villandry Castle. I think I found at least one of its treasures in my wanderings -- that is, if you don't count the absolutely beautiful Herbology specimens...nearly got caught in that French Devil's Snare, when trying to examine your color-changing peonies. But at the center of the maze, I found your garden of wood nymphs -- "

Maxime looked very startled. "You found eet?"

"Yeah! Bloody brilliant use of Concealment Charms, though -- took me about ten tries, before I got the order of turns right...but yeah, so I found the garden in the center, and that tree...absolutely stunning! I don't even know what breed it is exactly, maybe a variation of Wiggentree, but it's exquisite! Is it unique? It surely must be -- I've never seen one so big! Anyhow, the wood nymph Queen wasn't so keen on me getting close, but once I showed her I meant no harm, she pointed the way out for me...who knew wood nymphs would be so keen on Whitney Houston? Though really, I don't blame them -- Whitney's got a wicked set of pipes -- obviously I couldn't do her song the same justice she would've, but hey..."

Many a person had found Jacob's talkativeness exhausting to deal with, in the past. Even Jacob's first friend and love Duncan Ashe had frequently had to tell Jacob to shut up now and again, whenever he'd go off the deep end in rambling. Surprisingly, however, Madame Maxime didn't seem the least bit uncomfortable or overwhelmed -- if anything, her expression bloomed into something a bit more intrigued.

"You zaid zat you not only found our garden for ze wood nymphs in less zhan an hour," she said, "but zat you also earned zheir favor? Monsieur Cromwell -- I do not zhink you are aware of quite how rare zat is."

Jacob cocked his eyebrows, smiling fully. "Why, because of your Concealing magic? Ah, well, I am a freelance Cursebreaker, a lot of the time...puzzles are my favorite thing. And magical creatures are always groovy -- you should meet my friend Hagrid, he works at Hogwarts, he's swell with creatures..."

"What I mean is zat conquering zat maze is a test all seventh year students must face 'ere at Beauxbatons, in order to graduate," Maxime said, her smile spreading more fully. "And most only reach ze garden, before 'aving to quickly leave it. Ze wood nymphs are very protective of zheir tree -- which, yes, is a one of a kind specimen: I rescued it on a trip to Greece myself," he eyes twinkled with a bit of mischief.

Jacob blinked. Then his face broke out into a bigger smile than ever, his skull-like light blue eyes positively alight with delight.

"So does that make me worthy of touring the hallowed halls of your Academy, Directice?" he asked, raising his eyebrows eagerly.

Maxime beamed. "Quite worthy, Monsieur Cromwell."

"Groovy!" cheered Jacob. "Because I was meaning to ask about your school's architecture -- everything I've read about Beauxbatons states that it was built in the 13th century, but all of the decor and landscaping I've seen since I got here is distinctly Baroque -- more properly, Rococo-inspired, which wasn't popular until the 17th century at the earliest. I would assume Beauxbatons has gone through some structural changes thorough-out the years -- understandable, given the history of war on France's borders, in contrast to the isolated Scottish Highlands where Hogwarts is situated -- but are these original from that period, or was it brought back in a revival, after the fall of Napoleon and the virulent anti-monarchist views held by the common man had calmed enough that such beauty could be celebrated again, rather than solely condemned?"

Maxime indulged Jacob's questions as they walked down the long hall and then up a grand staircase to her office. Once there, she offered Jacob some tea (which Jacob drank to be polite) and a dish of endlessly duplicating chocolate madeleines (which Jacob couldn't stop eating). While drinking their tea, Maxime asked Jacob some questions of her own about the kinds of magical research he'd been working on, which prompted Jacob to go off on a tangent about poisons and antidotes, which in turn got Maxime eagerly talking about the perfumes she mixed herself, using the flowers grown in the Beauxbatons gardens.

"Truly, it iz also not zo different from your non-Magique 'chemistry,'" said Maxime. "Just as with Potions, you zimply need zome zort of essential oil, a proper base, and zhen different 'notes,' to achieve ze desired effect. Combine jojouba oil, lavender, and rose with just a 'int of Lady's Mantle as a top note, and voila! You have a perfume zat not only makes you feel relaxed and beautiful, but makes you both smell and appear even more beautiful, to ze people around you."

Jacob's eyes lit up. "Using Beauty Potion ingredients in perfumes! What a groovy idea! I can't wait to tell my Pip -- she's always liked lavender as a scent..."

Maxime beamed, clearly very pleased by Jacob's enthusiasm. "You can zee why your piece about applying non-Magique chemistry to Potions interested me zo much. I would frankly love to 'ear 'ow you'd explain your theories to my students...if you would be willing to let me 'sit in' on your lecture."

"Of course!" Jacob said at once, without any hesitation. His grin was so big he could hardly contain it. "Mais oui! I'd be honored!"

Maxime and Jacob would go on to talk for another whole hour, long after the tea was gone. It was only then that Maxime brought Jacob downstairs toward the Potions classroom, where a set of seventh years had just filed in, and introduced Jacob to the class before settling in the very back of the room as he started his lecture. Although Jacob went on quite a few long tangents in his lecture, his enthusiasm captivated the French students, so much so that they couldn't even look down too much on the weird Briton with the crazy hair and sloppy clothes. He was so animated and intelligent when he talked that soon all of the students were raising their hands and engaging with him, asking follow-up questions and even challenging his conclusions, which Jacob reacted to with almost more enthusiasm than he did to the questions. By the time Jacob's lecture was through, Maxime's eyes positively radiated with how charmed she was by this tiny, quirky little wizard with the messy curls.

"You will have to visit again, when next you publish anozher zuch work," she said insistently.

"Oh, totally!" said Jacob eagerly. "I'd love to come again sometime. Even just to explore some more -- your school really is smashing! I'd love to see your library next time..."

"Mais oui -- but of course."

Jacob's enthusiasm clearly pleased Maxime greatly. It made her give a slightly-too-hard pat to Jacob's cheek that ended up more feeling like a slap.

"Au revoir, Monsieur Cromwell," said Maxime with a warm smile. "I do 'ope zat you shall visit France again soon."

Jacob blinked. Then he smiled a bit more awkwardly.

"Well, uh...my travels kind of keep me on the move. I don't really know when I'll be anywhere a lot of the time -- I just sort of figure it out as I go along. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't like to come back sometime, obviously! And until I do, I could always send you letters, if you'd like. I love sending letters," Jacob added with a grin.

Maxime cocked her eyebrows. "You do not zeem to like receiving zhem quite so much, if you do not have a proper return address."

Jacob laughed uncomfortably. "Oh no, it's...not me not liking receiving letters, I just...keep forgetting to file for a proper collection box, with the Owl Office. Pip's always getting on me for that -- she ends up getting most of the letters for me, and she thinks it'd be a lot easier if people just sent them straight to me, rather than her having to figure out where to send stuff to me based on what I tell her of where I'm next going..."

"Your 'Pip' iz right about zat," said Maxime with a cool smile. "I would zuppose she is just too nice to tell you to stop making 'er pick up after you."

Jacob laughed a bit more fully, though still rather uncomfortably.

"Yeah...yeah, I guess you're right..." He smiled a bit more fully. "All right -- when I get a proper collection box, I'll let you know straight away."

"Good," said Maxime. "I would not like to 'ave to zend three of ze same letter again. I am not ze zort of woman who likes to appear desperate."

Jacob laughed again despite himself. "Desperate? I wouldn't have said that. I thought that it just made you determined, honestly. It sounds like just the sort of thing my Pip would do, to make sure she reached me."

"I have met your zister before, Jacob Cromwell, however briefly," said Maxime, her wry smile widening a bit. "Zo I know, both because of 'er and because of your clear esteem for 'er, zat your comparison is a great compliment."

Jacob grinned. "Better believe it is."

Sure enough, with Madame Maxime's prodding, Jacob opened up a collection box with the Owl Office and enchanted it so that his mail could seamlessly appear in a collection tray on the desk inside his portable room in a suitcase. With this, he was able to receive and send letters a lot more quickly and efficiently -- and it was because of this that Jacob received the news of Cedric Diggory's death so quickly from both Carewyn and Maxime and he was so quick to return home to the United Kingdom in the spring of 1995. Jacob would lose touch with Madame Maxime when she went with Hagrid to negotiate with the giants, but they would reestablish contact after her during the War and especially after, when they no longer had to send messages in code.

The two would remain friends for many years to come, sending letters and gifts to each other while Jacob was traveling. One of Jacob's favorite gifts from Olympe Maxime ended up being a custom cologne she brewed for him, made of cocoa beans, leather, Egyptian musk, and Lady's Mantle. It was a scent Jacob wore chiefly on dates, when he really wanted to look and feel his best, and whenever anyone asked him about it, he was always incredibly proud to boast about his talented friend, the stately Directice of Beauxbatons herself.

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #my writing #jacob cromwell #madame maxime #carewyn cromwell #horace slughorn #lane cromwell #yay jacob content!#I kind of felt like exploring jacob's dynamics with certain characters the way I did for carewyn with umbridge #though this one's obviously a much lighter example #another relationship I wouldn't mind exploring is the bill and jacob relationship #because yeaaaaah jacob kind of resents bill even though he knows he's not a bad person and he's his sister's bestie #but bill kind of 'replaced' jacob in carewyn's life to a degree as older brother figure for a while and that stings #and because bill is so like carewyn in a lot of ways there are definitely points where jacob has secretly felt #as though bill was a better 'brother' for her than he was #not that it'd be easy for him to articulate that either because of his own pride or because he's not as smart emotionally as carey is #but yeah anyway I find it funny how much easier it is for jacob to make friends with people who are older than him than his age #rosmerta flitwick slughorn...even mia who I've written about elsewhere ends up seven years older than jacob thanks to the portrait thing

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athetos · 1 year

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This got very long so you absolutely do not have to publish it… I just want you to know that you are seen, and there are others out there who understand what you’re going through 💜 That sort of grief is a very weird feeling. You feel helpless, but also the feeling of loss feels weird? You feel like you aren’t entitled to it somehow, but you are. You’re allowed to feel it. Even if it’s complicated or even if it feels like you’re not grieving the loss so much as feeling pain for the people in your family.

My grandfather passed back in 2018 after a short but rough battle with cancer, while I was doing a semester abroad. It would have been insane for me to try to fly home for the funeral. Like $1000 minimum. The majority of my life my grandparents lived halfway across the country out in Texas, and I hardly ever saw him, but he was still family (technically my mom’s step-dad), even if he was rather old school and that side of the family rather bigoted. But I sent flowers for the funeral, and that helped me feel like I was doing something. They were more for my grandmother than anyone else. And I baked a Dutch apple pie, because it was his favorite and his nickname was ‘Dutch’ because he was from the Netherlands.

So, my advice is to let yourself feel, and know that you are allowed it. Grief is so fucking weird already, and complicated more by feelings of guilt or being conflicted. Try not to get swallowed by the feeling. If you can, channel it into something else. Maybe celebrate the parts of her that you liked, or embrace a favorite memory. Check in with people you do have a positive relationship with, especially those feeling this loss, and let them know that they are loved. Sometimes doing something makes you feel less helpless.

The weird feeling doesn’t last forever. The empty, broken feeling does heal. It’s messy and complicated, but it will get better. Take a breath, and know that you will be fine, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now 💜

Thank you anon this actually brought tears to my eyes and I will try to follow your advice, this means a lot to me ❤️

I think the flowers idea is really good because yeah I’m trying not to think too far ahead I want to stay focused on just what I have to worry about on a day to day basis to relieve stuff but I don’t know how they’re doing the funeral, if I’ll be able to visit, etc like with money and timing but I want to do something so even if I can’t go I can order flowers because I think I remembered what ones she liked

I do have a lot of very fond memories of my grandma from growing up even if we weren’t close the past 10 years I can remember she encouraged me to read so much and would always let me borrow books or buy them for me, she got me into redwall and I read every book except for maybe 2 of them, she’d get me 3 at a time off eBay and get more when I finished them, I remember reading the first book at a cousins graduation party and getting so into it and realizing what an adder was (a snake) and stuff, very good memories. I remember watching Winnie the Pooh in her living room. I remember swimming in her pool with my brother and catching fish off the bottom. She taught me how to swim! It was so scary but I did it, and it’s my favorite thing to do. She had a garden and would let me eat snap peas and tomatoes and cucumbers. We’d go for walks in the woods on the trail and she’d point out birds. She did an Easter egg hunt that was over her entire yard and house and my brother and I were the youngest grandchildren so we got to find the most. She’d make turkey stuffed with rice for thanksgiving and homemade pies. And they made their own wine and while I’m not a big wine fan I always tasted it. She was also the computer lab advisor in elementary school and she taught me how to type, too. Our middle and high school was connected to the elementary school, so as I got older she’d let me come to the lab during my study halls so I could write original stories and make things on polyvore. She also put together the elementary yearbook and would out a pic of us at the end with her, and my other cousins. And I don’t realize until now how many things I love I learned to love from her. The books, especially fantasy, I’ve always been so fond of and she probably started that and kindled that. I was on my high school yearbook club thing and took photos and did layouts. As I said I love swimming and enjoying nature.

I love her and I still do, and I hope she knows that. It just feels so far away and distant. I’m sure it will hit me eventually. But I’m trying to disconnect my love for her from my anger towards my father. I think just by living I will honor her every day because she has become part of me and helped make me who I am today. Sincerely thank you so much anon this genuinely is making me feel a lot better. I’m still in a depressive episode and idk how long it will last but I can breathe a bit easier about this for now I think.

#insert coins to continue

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phawareglobal · 2 years

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Shavini Fernando - phaware® interview 371

Shavini Fernando discusses her severe pulmonary hypertension diagnosis due to Eisenmenger's Syndrome. After facing multiple cardiac arrests and strokes due to the low oxygen levels in her body, she developed OxiWear, the first ever wearable for continuous blood oxygen monitoring device that alerts patients who are prone to hypoxia to live life independent without having to worry about their oxygen levels. Use Coupon Code "PHA2022" to receive 20% off if you purchase a OxiWear device by 6/30/22.

Shavini Fernando: I'm Shavini Fernando. I'm originally from Sri Lanka, but now living in Arlington, Virginia. I got diagnosed in 2015. I had a hole in the heart from birth, but I never got diagnosed. When I was about two and a half, my pediatrician has told my mom that he can hear murmur. Because of that, doctors said, "Oh, there's nothing to worry about." My mom was like, "They should have at least told me keep following up." When a cardiologist says, "There's nothing to worry about. Don't take it hard with your baby." You don't worry. You think everything's fine.

I literally had breathing issues since I was small, but I was diagnosed as asthma. Every other week, I used to nebulize, because I always ended up unable to breathe in the night. But I was athlete. I was a swimmer. So I kept doing everything I liked with the inhaler. I have literally tried all the inhalers in the market, I think, because they just kept changing the inhaler as things were worsening. Doctors never wanted to do a second diagnosis. They were just following up on the previous person's diagnosis.

In 2005, I finished school, and then I went to study abroad. Because the temperature with the winter, it was all different, I started having more breathing issues. Then you think, "Oh, you were an athlete. You couldn't work out. So your cardio function has got weaker." I got a membership to the pool and started swimming again. Even when I went to the doctor there, they gave me another inhaler. Once I coughed out blood, when I was there. Then they thought it was pneumonia, so they put me on antibiotics. After that, the cough was gone. No one was checking again.

Things were going on like this. It was getting worse and worse. Then I started getting palpitations. When I got palpitations, literally they said I ate a lot of junk food and this is acid reflux. I literally had multiple episodes where I would get arrhythmias. They must have been like tachycardias. I thought those were asthma attacks. When you can't reach the inhaler up, you do everything so that you can breathe again.

After that, I started going blue. So when I started going blue, I went to a cardiologist and said, "Look, there has to be something wrong with my heart. That's why I'm going blue," because you normally go blue when your heart can't pump enough oxygen to your body. My family doctor referred me to a cardiologist and he was like, "How come no one heard a third beat until now? I can literally hear a third beat. Let's go and take an echo." Then he was like, "You need to get some serious invasive tests done because this is really bad, according to the echo."

He sent me to another hospital. He said the hospital that he's in, doesn't have the required equipment. So he referred to another hospital. Then they did a right heart catheterization. When they performed the right heart catheterization, actually I went into cardiac arrest. They had to revive me. My body has come up with its own system so it goes a bit haywire when you try to disturb it. After doing that, they said you have severe pulmonary hypertension. [My pressures were] 128 at that time. The doctor who performed my catheterization said, "There're no treatments available here in Sri Lanka, so you literally have about good two years with this pressure. Just enjoy life and we’ll give you some medicine."

I got on a flight two weeks after. My sister was living in DC. I made an appointment at Johns Hopkins. They said, "You come here, let's get a second opinion." We spoke to one of my brother-in-law's friends in Canada. He's a cardiologist. He said because you had an episode, make sure you fly with oxygen. So I came here for a second opinion. Then they said what you have is Eisenmenger’s Syndrome. The definite therapy is both lungs and heart transplant. They said, let's see, we'll put you on medicine and see because at that time they said, you will need at least in about two years with my condition, because my PH was bad. It was shunting completely, because it got disturbed during the procedure. Even when I brushed my teeth, I was turning blue because it was shunting. I couldn't do anything.

They literally put me on continuous oxygen and they said you can't go back home. I came on a three month notice from work. I had to call home to my workplace and tell them I can't come back and give my resignation over email. I stayed with my sister and they put me on continuous oxygen and they prescribed Sildenafil and Opsumit. They said, "Let's see, how do you do with this." Also, because I flew, the person who was doing my bubble test didn't know I was shunting. She wanted to do a bubble test. The bubbles ended up in my brain. I had an embolism. I went into a stroke. So I was in the ICU for three weeks.

After that, I was living with my sister. My mom has to stay with me for six months. She was from Sri Lanka, because I couldn't do anything. She had to wash my hair. She had to help me bathe. I couldn't even bend and lift anything. I was just turning blue. But, after six months, I realized, "Okay, now I'm starting to feel a bit better" because my policy was I was athlete before and I had breathing issues and I did all that. It just now it has a name. So why would I let that name define everything? Let's get back on track with it. I started like taking small steps and training myself. With my oxygen, I started walking.

First, I started [walking around] the apartment. Then after that, I started going outside. I went shopping and halfway, my battery was dying in the oxygen concentrator, because it was on high flow continuous. I went into a Pottery Barn and I was like, "I need to charge my engine. Can I borrow one of your plugs?" They were like, "Not just a plug, borrow a bed. You can sleep there and wait till your oxygen charges."

I started getting back to doing stuff. Then when I went for the three month walking test, I was first walking only 500 feet. At my three months, I was walking 998 feet. The doctor was like, "We have no idea what you were doing, but keep with it." When I went for the six month test, I literally walked 1,500 feet. Now I walk 1,998 feet. I kept doing all that.

The other thing was, I was here with visitor's visa. I had to start figuring out my visa now. I had no option, so I ended up studying at Georgetown. I already had two Master's, so I did a third Master's. Georgetown is literally the most hilliest campus. That's why it's called the University on the hills. It's all hills. But I was fine. I was walking around. I used to carry two extra batteries in my backpack. Initially, I was going completely with the oxygen but then I was able to change that again as I needed. I was able to last the whole day, with just one battery. Because the batteries are heavy, I didn't want to carry any extra weight.

While I was in school one day, I had a similar episode, like before I got diagnosed. I ended up getting a SVT, a Supraventricular tachycardia. My heart rate went really high and then I knew my heart just stopped. It's like a sixth sense. I knew, because I had had done it before. I knew what to do. My friends were like, "You're just blue, blue, entirely blue." I was like, "Okay, don't panic. Don't make me panic. Just call 9-1-1." I just wear oxygen, crank it up to four liters. I keep getting oxygen, so my body didn’t run out of oxygen.

Every time, it's the same. I get strokes. I got hypoxic strokes. I get cardiac arrests. But by the time 9-1-1 comes, I'm all normal. They're like, "Who's the patient?" I'm like, "Me." About three months before this happened, I actually started living on my own. I moved to a new apartment. My parents arranged an apartment for me so that I can stay close to the university. Then when this whole thing happened, the doctors at Johns Hopkins's were like, "You should think twice about living alone. Maybe you should move back with your sister, because you need someone by your side when things like this happen. Also, you should revisit your decision of starting at Georgetown because it's too hilly. You should go find another university that's more on the flat land." I'm like, "I don't see any reason why I should live with my sister." Because when this whole thing happened, I was between about 25 people. They all panicked. No one was able to do anything. I had to do everything on my own. So I was like, "I don't see any difference with this."

After that, I went and bought all these wrist wearables. Then they said, "Your heart rate is not your issue. It's your oxygen levels." I said, "I have a finger cuff." They said, "The thing is, you don't feel your oxygen dropping, so the finger cuff doesn't help you. The finger cuff only gives you warnings if you check it. Unless you physically feel something, you don't check it." I said, "What if there's something that measures continuously?" Then he laughed at me and said. “With all your qualifications, if anyone can do it's you. If you want to do something, do it. But jokes apart in three months, we will revisit this decision and you tell me exactly what your plans are.”

I went back to school and I said, "I have this crazy idea. I need to develop this device that will continuously monitor my oxygen so that I can tell my doctor, I can live on my own." That's how I started OxiWear, just to prove that I can live alone. Then when I took it to him for my three month visit and said, "Oh, I made it." He was like, "You should seriously think about making this, because there's so many people who can use this."

We started working on it in 2019. We did five different designs. We kept testing, testing, testing, and again, changing the design. Now, finally, we finished the whole thing. It keeps continuously monitoring. So on your phone app, you can see your numbers going in. You can set your own threshold, so we allow users to change between 92 to 97. When it comes to that, it starts vibrating on your ear. At the same time, it sends out a text alert on the application. You can put three numbers who you think will run to you first, who's the closest to you. Because you don't have enough time when your oxygen drops. It has to be your neighbor who lives in front or someone who can come fastest to you to help you. It sends a text alert to them with your location and your numbers so they know, should I first run to them or should I call 9-1-1 then run to them based on the numbers.

We are working on getting FDA approval, so we can get it insurance covered for everyone. But, at the same time, it's a blessing in disguise. A lot of sports communities are interested. Because of that, now we can go out as a normal fitness wearable, so that anyone can just purchase it out of pocket until we get the FDA approval as a medical device. Off the shelf, any of the wearables are not FDA regulated. They said as long as we don't market it as a medical device and we are just focusing on the fitness area, people can use it. The only difference we do now here is it's the same thing, but we don't allow users to put numbers below 92, so it's between the safe range. Users can set their own customer alert. We don't send data to their doctors from this app, but if they want, they can download the report and email their doctor on their own.

This version, we are going out like a Fitbit, like a normal wearable. People can just purchase it out of pocket. We got a lot of interest from patients. We even have about 50 who have signed up for beta testing. Because I did this initially for the PH community, we decided to give patients a 20% discount for the PH Global Summit. so they can place their pre-orders with the coupon “PHA2022” to receive a 20% discount till the end of this month. They will have the upper hand and they have a better discount to place their order and get it at the cheaper price than the rest of them.

I'm Shavini Fernando. I have two rare diseases, Eisenmenger’s and pulmonary arterial hypertension, so I'm very rare and I'm aware.

Learn more about pulmonary hypertension trials at www.phaware.global/clinicaltrials. Never miss an episode with the phaware® podcast app. Follow us @phaware on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube & Linkedin Engage for a cure: www.phaware.global/donate #phaware #ClinicalTrials

Listen and View more on the official phaware™ podcast site

#pulmonary hypertension #phaware #rare disease #lung disease #clinical trials #podcast #PH #asthma

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cheolbooluvr · 3 years

Text

the zest of life

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pairing: rich boy!mingyu x tutor fem!reader

genre: university au, summer, friends w benefits

word count: ~6.3k (um this was originally 4.8k words before i went in and edited it for the nth time LOL HELP)

warnings: cursing, suggestive behavior (makeouts), mentions of alcohol

a/n: IT'S HERE!! IT'S FINALLY HERE!! the long awaited oh! summer summer summer summer! collab w @mingyuwus <33 thank you emma for hosting this collab, it was so much fun to write and i'm pretty happy w how it came out! this is the longest fic i've written to date and one of my personal favorites to write, too. as always, plz plz plz let me know what y'all think -- asks are open and reblogs are HIGHLY encouraged if you do like it :)

tag list: @lovingyu04 @minkwans @haoraecane @leahxxiong (it won't let me tag you :( )

my masterlist ＼ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ／

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lemonade + humidity + grass

“How did you like the oolong, Mrs. Kim?” you asked the older woman standing in front of you. She was beautiful — her dark brown hair falling just past her shoulders that were pulled back, her face aged but only ever so slightly, and her dreamlike voice that could call sleeping sailors to sea. Every time she walked into the store, she brought with her an inexplicable air of elegance as if you were basking in the presence of royalty. It was impossible not to admire her, not just for her beauty and composure, but for the way she treated you with such warmth and kindness, offering a red-carpet worthy smile with every interaction she had with you. Mrs. Kim was one of your regular customers, always coming in to buy tins of various teas for her numerous events she often told you about. From the clothes she wore and the handbags she carried, you figured she had a decent amount of money — or, at the very least, she knew where to buy convincing knockoffs.

“It was delicious,” she exclaimed. “All of the ladies in my book club loved it as well. What do you recommend for us this week, dear?”

Your eyes scanned the top shelves, browsing the various colored bins of tea leaves. Finally, you reached for what you were looking for: a tin of lychee black tea. “This one is lovely,” you told her. “It’s fragrant and sweet even without adding sugar.”

“Oh, I love lychee.” You opened the tin to allow her to waft the scent, her face lighting up as the fragrance hit her nostrils. “This smells wonderful. One tin of this, and I’ll take another of the oolong,” she said, winking at you. You gave her a warm smile before going to fetch the oolong. She watched as you wrapped the tins in the store’s signature tissue paper. After you finished wrapping the tins, you placed the tins into a paper bag and handed it to her. “Thanks, honey. Will you be working here all summer?”

You pressed your lips together. “Yeah, all summer…” You didn’t hate the White Lotus, and actually Iroh was the best boss you’d ever had, but some days were too slow for your liking. Besides, it didn’t pay as well as you’d hoped, especially since you would be going abroad at the end of the summer and spending the semester in Japan, which meant you needed to save up as much money as you possibly could.

“And you’re at the university up the road, is that correct?” You nodded. “Well, how would you feel about another gig?” Mrs. Kim asked. Your ears perked up at her inquiry.

“An extra job?”

“Actually, my son needs a tutor. He’s not doing too well in school and I’ve run out of options. I’ll pay you at least three times what you make here for every hour you’re with him.”

Three times? Mrs. Kim surely was an angel sent from heaven. You didn’t have to think twice when you told her, “I’ll do it.” Your words came out perhaps a little too eagerly, causing her to laugh, and though it was a bit embarrassing, none of this would matter in three months when you left.

“I’m not asking you to quit your job here, but just a few days of the week. Can you do that?” You nodded knowing that Iroh wouldn’t mind. “Wonderful. Here’s my number. I’ll send you the details later today. Make sure you send me your address, okay?”

“I will,” you replied.

“Thank you, dear. You are a lifesaver. I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Kim! Have a great rest of your day!” The bell at the top of the door pinged as Mrs. Kim pushed the door open, leaving you in the shop. A bit taken back and overwhelmed by her generous offer, you fell back onto the stool behind the cash register.

Your heart palpitated at the idea that you would have another chance to make more money for your trip. Opportunities like this seldom fell out of the sky like it did today; that had to be a good sign. Right?

———

It would be an understatement to say that you were surprised when Mrs. Kim actually sent a driver for you. When the strange man knocked on the door to your dingy studio apartment, you suspected he might be a loan shark preying on university students in debt. He introduced himself as Kicheol, his name ringing bell as Mrs. Kim had told you he would be coming via text. She had even sent you a photo of him, allowing you to check the photo to the man you were eyeing through the peephole. With great caution, you opened the door, one hand on your heavy-duty umbrella in case he tried anything. Kicheol greeted you again, reassuring you that it was him by pulling out his ID. You returned your umbrella to its rightful place before stepping outside and shutting the door behind you. Without a word, he began walking towards the elevator, pausing to look back at you when he realized you weren’t following him. Step-by-step, you followed behind him hesitantly until he led you to a sleek, black BMW.

The drive to the Kims’ house was much longer than you expected, but the views certainly made up for it. Sunlight filtered through the trees along a long stretch of road leading up to the house. Or, mansion, really. You gaped at the building in front of you, eyes wide as your brain tried to take it all in. Despite joking to yourself that Mrs. Kim was like a queen, not once did you entertain the idea that perhaps she actually was living like royalty in a house like this.

Kicheol circled the car around a marble fountain in front of the house, parking it by the stairs leading up to a grand door. He got out first while you were gathering your things, coming around to open the car door for you. The second you stepped out, you noticed that even the air was different as you took in the surroundings of the massive house. He motioned for you to follow him into the house where you were promptly greeted by Mrs. Kim who was seemingly in a hurry to be somewhere.

“Hi, honey,” she said, quickly giving you a hug. “Something urgent came up at work, so I can’t chat with you today. I hope that’s alright.”

“That’s okay, I understand,” you replied.

She gave you an apologetic look before grabbing her keys from a hook near the front door. “Kicheol, I’ll drive myself today.” The driver nodded in response and she turned her attention back to you. “Mingyu should be down in a minute. You can wait in the kitchen and help yourself to any food. Give me a call if you have any problems.” It was your turn to nod and you waved her off as she scurried out the door. Kicheol showed you to the kitchen before disappearing himself. Placing your backpack on one of the chairs, you pulled out your study materials and began reviewing the chapters of your math textbook. The ticking of the clock rang in your ears as you looked eagerly at the door, hoping your tutee would show up. Twenty minutes passed and Mingyu was still nowhere to be seen. Mingyu…Mingyu… Where have I heard that name before? The more you thought about it, the name sounded familiar…

Just then, a deep voice boomed through the kitchen. “Kicheol! Have you seen the keys to the Mercedes—” You nearly fell from your seat due to the sudden sound distracting you from your train of thought. After catching yourself thanks to the table, your eyes shifted to the source of the distraction; a tall, tan, and handsome boy wearing a plain white tee and grey sweatpants stood in the doorway. It was then that you realized where you had heard the name before: Kim Mingyu. When Mrs. Kim asked you to tutor her son, you were expecting him to be in middle school, or even high school, not the most popular boy at your university who also happened to be your classmate. He was the resident campus crush who everyone wanted to be friends with if they weren’t already thirsting over him, even if they wouldn’t admit it out loud, though, in your experience, it was verbalized more times than you’d like to hear. You had seen him from afar and heard quite a bit about him, especially stories of him being a notorious player, never the type to settle down. “Mingyu” and “commitment” were words that you would never hear in a sentence together, unless you put “hates” in between the former two words. It was strange seeing his face up close; though their noses varied slightly, he shared his mother’s eyes and lips down to the same blinding smile you often saw at the White Lotus. Mingyu always seemed like he was worlds apart, hot and rich, while you were, quite frankly, neither of those things. Never in a million years did you expect that your paths would cross, no, not like this, not at all, yet here you were, sitting in his kitchen and staring at the man himself.

“Huh.” Mingyu looked at you quizzically. “I was hoping you would have left by now.” Annoyance bubbled up inside of you at the tone of his voice. He trudged over to the fridge, dragging his every step, and pulled out a pitcher of water. Your eyes followed his every move from the water he poured into a tall glass to the big gulp he took from it. “My mom left, right?”

“Um, yeah,” you responded. Mingyu took another gulp of water and nodded back at you. You sat there quietly as he opened the cupboards scanning for food. Finally, he decided on a bowl of cereal, grabbing milk from the fridge and placing it all at the seat in front of you.

“So, you’re my tutor?” he asked. You nodded and watched him pour cereal into his bowl followed by the milk. Well, at least he’s not a sociopath, you thought to yourself. He put a big spoonful into his mouth, some of the milk dribbling down his chin. “Well, you can leave now.”

Your forehead creased and all you could do was stare at him as he shoveled cereal into his mouth. There was no way you were going to give up this opportunity to make money for your trip to Japan. “I’m not leaving.” Your voice was firm, but inside, you were starting to feel nauseous. Confrontation never came easy for you, in fact, you despised it, but you had to put your foot down this time.

Mingyu paused with a spoonful of cereal in his mouth, his eyes moving up to meet yours. He raised his eyebrows, surprised by your defiance. If you wouldn’t leave, he’d have to find a way—

“You can’t make me quit, if that’s what you’re thinking,” you continued. “Besides, even if you make me quit, your mom will just find you another tutor.”

Mingyu acknowledged your comment by nodding his head in agreement. His mom would do that, and knowing her, she’d find someone even worse. At the very least you seemed to be his age, so maybe he’d find a way around this. “By the way, how come I’ve never seen you before?” he asked.

“What?”

“We go to the same university, right?”

“Oh, uh, yeah, we do.”

“What year?” He set the spoon down on the table and looked at you curiously.

“Going into my third.”

“Which means we’re the same age then?”

You nodded.

“So, how come I’ve never seen you?”

“It’s a big campus,” you offered.

“Not as big as you think,” he retorted. “You’ve never been to any parties?” You shook your head no. Before you could respond, he continued, “Don’t tell me you’re one of those people who doesn’t go to parties because they’re—” He raised two fingers on each hand, bending them a few times. “‘Not for you.’”

You scoffed. “You say that as if it’s a bad thing.”

“Not bad, just…” Mingyu shook his head. “Boring.”

You weren’t sure if it was his comment or just the sheer ridiculousness of this situation, but laughter escaped your lips. “It’s not my fault if I’m constantly working to save up money and never have time to go out. Some people don’t share the luxury of free time like you do. Besides, I’ve never been invited to any parties either…” your voice trailed off the second the words came from your mouth, regret washing over you like a cold shower. Why would you admit that to him? It was already hard enough to try and keep your cool in front of the university’s most popular guy, but maybe he didn’t hear you.

“Never?”

Never mind.

“Not a single party?” he pressed on.

You sighed. “Nope. Not even one.”

Mingyu laughed. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Why?”

“Everyone knows someone who likes to party.”

“Well, my friends don’t.”

“They sound boring.”

“They’re fun people!” you argued back.

“What do you guys do when you hang out? Watch movies? Play board games?”

You hated that he was exactly right, that that was exactly what you did with them when you had days off.

“That’s fun!”

“Sure, but so are parties.”

“You have your whole life to waste away Friday nights playing Monopoly and watching The Notebook for the millionth time. But your college days? Those are the only days you have to party it up. Live a little, you know?”

“Um, not really.”

Mingyu gave you an exasperated look. “Oh, come on. Haven’t you ever been curious about what they’re like?”

You hadn’t really thought about it before, but now, maybe you admittedly wanted to know what happened at college parties. “Isn’t it mostly people spilling drinks all over each other and throwing up everywhere?”

“I mean, yeah, sometimes, but they can be fun, too.”

“Doesn’t sound too convincing,” you chuckled.

It was impossible to ignore the feeling in his chest when he saw the way your face lit up when you laughed. “It’s something you have to experience for yourself.” For a moment, the two of you sat in silence, only the ticking clock present to fill the void. Just then, an idea popped into his head. “Why don’t you help me set up for my party this weekend?”

“I’m here to tutor you, not party.”

“Who says you can’t do both?” he questioned, only for you to roll your eyes in response. “It’ll be fun!” he whined. “I promise.”

“Mingyu, I have a job to do. I can’t just have fun whenever I want. I’m not like you.”

Something about those last four words cut a little deep, but he ignored the feeling. “Fine. What if I study hard all week? Will you help me set up for my party on Friday?”

With the way Mingyu was looking at you now, you understood why people fell for him so easily. He was charming, a smooth-talker, and on top of it all, he was really fucking attractive which made it nearly impossible to turn down his offer. “Will you actually study?”

“I will actually study,” he said, putting his right hand over his heart and raising his left.

You thought about it, running through all the possible scenarios in your head before coming to a conclusion. With a heavy sigh, you replied, “Okay, fine. I’ll help you on Friday, but only if we can get through all of the chapters I have planned for this week.”

“Okay, deal,” Mingyu said. He stood up and put his empty bowl in the sink. Instead of sitting in his previous seat across from you, he sat down in the adjacent chair to your left. He was close enough that his cologne lingered in the air, earthy, bergamot scents caressing your nose. “So, where do we start, teach?” he asked.

“You’ll probably need your books.”

“Ah, right. Okay, I’ll be right back.” It was almost cute how Mingyu ran out of the kitchen and presumably upstairs to his bedroom to grab his things. Almost. He returned to the kitchen with a lightheartedness in his steps, plopping his books on the table and opening it up to a random page. He paused and looked up at you with a gentle smile. “Oh, yeah. Before I forget, what’s your name?”

———

Before you knew it, Friday came in the blink of an eye. You thanked Kicheol for the ride and took a deep breath before stepping through the familiar entrance. It didn’t take long before you found Mingyu digging through a closet, tossing out random items behind him.

“Kicheol, have you seen the pool floats?” he asked. A shoe flew out from his hand, hitting you on the arm and causing you to yelp.

“Ow! Watch it!”

He emerged from the closet, a wide, toothy grin plastered on his face when he saw you. “You’re here! Great! Where’s Kicheol?”

It was impressive how short his attention span was, and how he managed to fly through the chapters you had planned for the week was nothing short of a mystery to you. In fact, you had planned a little extra, hoping you wouldn’t have to help him set up, yet here you were. He’s just asking me to set up for the party, you thought to yourself. Yeah, I’ll just set up and leave.

You watched him bounce around like a small puppy stuck in an extremely large man’s body. Sometimes, it was hard to remember just how big he was since you were almost always sitting down, though, there was no doubt that he was tall when he very clearly towered over you when the two of you stood next to each other. “He left to go take your mom to the airport,” you replied, rubbing your arm where he had hit you with the shoe.

“Shit. Okay, well I’m sure they’re around here somewhere.”

“Can’t you survive without them?”

“You never know who might not be able to swim. Plus, they’re fun,” he grinned widely at you, bopping you on the head and walking into the kitchen.

“Everything is fun to you, isn’t it?” You followed him and found a large array of drinks — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike — on the kitchen island.

He shrugged. “Yeah, basically. What’s your drink?”

“My drink?”

Mingyu pointed at the island. “Yeah, what do you normally drink? Or like to drink?”

“Hmm, a sparkling vodka cran,” you replied.

“What are you, forty-five?” Honestly, yeah, you thought to yourself, but hey, if he already thought you were boring, what was another comment about you basically being a middle-aged woman?

“They’re actually really good,” you stated matter-of-factly.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, here. I’ll make one for you and you can judge for yourself.” You pushed him aside to grab a red cup, eyes scanning the drinks available to you for some vodka. Unscrewing the bottle, you poured two shots worth of the otherwise horrible liquor into the cup, followed by the maroon cranberry juice about one third of the way into the cup. Your hands scanned the non-alcoholic beverages for lemon-lime soda which was the final touch you needed for the drink. Well, almost final. “Do you have limes?” you asked the party host. He nodded and pulled out an entire bag from the fridge. You grabbed one, sliced it into quarters, and squeezed the juice into the cup. With one of the paper straws he had out on the counter, you stirred it around a bit, taking a small sip to taste it. Perfect. You handed the cup to Mingyu who raised his eyebrow at you with interest. His face contorted as he tried to figure out how he felt about the drink, though it quickly relaxed, surprise registering in his eyes.

“Okay, I have to give it to you, that’s pretty good.”

“I’m surprised you’ve never had that.”

“To be fair, I started chugging cheap beers so my taste in alcohol is—”

“Questionable?” you laughed.

Mingyu laughed along with you and shrugged. “For lack of a better word, sure.”

“So, what do you need me to do?”

“Follow me,” he replied. You spent a good hour arranging the drinks on the outside bar and ensuring there were enough cups. Mingyu never told you how many people he was expecting, but based on the amount of, well, everything, it seemed to be a sizable amount. When you were finished there, you helped him roll out the ping pong table from the garage which led to you two getting distracted and hitting the ball back and forth for nearly half an hour. After you realized how much time you had just wasted, Mingyu asked you to set up the beer pong table while he finished putting up the string lights and placing the lawn chairs around the pool.

“Is that it?” you asked.

“I think so,” he said, scanning his backyard with great satisfaction.

“Alright, I guess I’ll head out then.”

Mingyu cocked his head, eyeing you with confusion. “Head out where?”

“Home?” you said as if that should have been obvious. “We’re done setting up.”

“Yeah, but you have to stay for the actual party. Besides, it’s dinner time and I haven’t eaten yet.”

“I thought you just wanted me to set up…” Your cheeks became warm with embarrassment as you realized you had misinterpreted his request.

He laughed and shook his head. “Why would I ask you to set up and not invite you to the actual party?”

“But I didn’t bring a swimsuit,” you replied. This was not what you planned as you tried to find any excuse to leave.

“You can borrow my sister’s.”

“I couldn’t possibly do that.”

“You worry too much. She buys swimsuits like they’re candies and never wears them. There will definitely be some that still have the tags on it. Come on,” he said, putting his hand on the small of your back as he led you upstairs to his sister’s room. Her room was larger than your studio apartment, the walls painted a calming lilac color and adorned with numerous photos of presumably her friends and family. Mingyu sauntered to a large dresser opposite the door and opened the drawers. He rummaged through the contents, pulling out a number of swimsuits with the tags still on them. “See? I told you.”

“We’re probably not even the same size,” you told him. He handed you a one-piece with cutouts on the side and you looked at the tag. Nope, you were exactly the same size as his sister. Damn it, why is he always right?

“That looks like it should fit, right?” he said with a big smile. You nodded hesitantly, taking the clothing when he handed it to you. “Well, I’ll let you get changed. You can use her bathroom right there. I’m going to get changed and I’ll meet you downstairs.” With that, Mingyu left you alone in his sister’s bedroom. As you made your way to the bathroom to change, you caught sight of what looked to be a photo of him and his sister. In it, a much smaller Mingyu clung onto his older sister’s arm, his face in a state of distress as his sister smiled calmly at the camera. Even as a baby, he was admittedly really cute in that photo. Curse the Kim family and their superior genes, you thought.

You came back to your senses, remembering why you were standing there in the first place and went into the bathroom to get changed. The swimsuit fit even better than you thought it would, and it was honestly really cute on you. When you returned downstairs, Mingyu was adjusting the music on his phone. You were taken aback by his shirtless figure, his toned and muscular body glistening in the sun like some kind of Greek god. God fucking damn it, why is he so hot?

“Oh? You’re done?” He looked up from his phone. “Does the swimsuit fit?”

“It does,” you replied. “That’s a great song, by the way.”

“Glad to know that you’re not only smart, but also have great taste in music,” he said, flashing his incredible smile at you. “Hungry?”

“A bit, yeah.”

“Cool, Seokmin should be here any minute with pizza.”

“Seokmin? Like, Lee Seokmin?”

“Yeah, you know him?” Mingyu looked at you with surprise.

“He was in my philosophy class freshman year. I haven’t talked to him in a while, but yeah, I know him.”

Just then, Mingyu’s phone pinged. “Oh, perfect. He’s out front. I’ll be right back.”

He returned with Seokmin trailing right behind him and saying something about how he didn’t know that blue and red made purple.

“Man, that’s some basic shit we learned as kids. Didn’t you learn that when you were younger?” Mingyu laughed at him.

Seokmin pouted, pushing Mingyu with the pizza box. “Honestly, I don’t remember.”

Mingyu turned to you and asked, “Did you know that blue and red make purple?”

“Yeah, I do. Also, hi, Seokmin,” you replied, waving at the curly haired boy.

“Oh my gosh! Hey!” Seokmin greeted you warmly. He set the box down on one of the tables and gave you a big hug. “How are you? It’s been so long since I saw you!”

He wrapped you in his embrace, squeezing you as if you were a friend he hadn’t seen in ten years. “I’m good! I’ve just been busy with work and school, same as always.”

Seokmin looked between you and Mingyu. “How do you know this clown?”

Mingyu scoffed and went to change the song on his phone. “She’s my tutor,” he said.

“Oh, good, he needs one,” Seokmin whispered.

“I heard that!” the tall boy yelled across the yard. Seokmin and your laughter blended together in the evening air. Soon, more and more people started arriving and the party started to pick up. Since you didn’t know anyone, you mostly clung to Seokmin’s side, though he didn’t seem to mind. He introduced you to his and Mingyu’s friends, two of them being Soonyoung and Seungkwan, the other members of his performance trio, BooSeokSoon. You had seen flyers around campus for their performances, but they always fell on nights you worked. Seokmin suggested they give you an impromptu performance then and there, but Soonyoung was already drunk beyond his mind. Seungkwan told you how Soonyoung insisted on pregaming, except he had only had a couple shots before they had to stop him. One misstep was all it took for Soonyoung to end up in the deep end of the pool. Another of their friends, Seungcheol, dove into the pool, pulling him to the shallow end where Seungkwan was rubbing his forehead as if that would cure him of his drunkenness. It was a hysterical sight to bear witness to and the appeal of parties was starting to become clear to you. There was something about people doing things they normally wouldn’t do sober that was amusing, to say the least. You broke away from the chaos for a bit to grab a drink when you felt a presence looming behind you.

“Having fun?” Mingyu asked. You couldn’t help but smile when you noticed that he was making himself a sparkling vodka cran. .

“Maybe just a little,” you responded, not wanting to reveal your satisfaction just yet. “Soonyoung is… something else.”

“He really is. Don’t be surprised if he tries to kiss you. Just yell for one of us and we’ll take care of it.”

“Is that one of his drunk habits?”

“Unfortunately. I’ve fallen victim to his lips more times than I can count.”

You laughed. “Is he at least a good kisser?”

“When his lips are chapped? No. But otherwise, he’s not too bad. There’s definitely room for improvement.”

Another chuckle escaped you.

“What are you drinking? Sparkling vodka cran?”

“Mm, I haven’t decided yet. Have any suggestions?” you replied.

“You like lemonade?”

“I do.”

He went behind the bar, squatting briefly before pulling out a glass bottle with a pale yellow liquid in it. The bottle made a hollow popping noise when he removed the metal cap with a bottle opener. “Try this. It’s a sparkling hard lemonade.”

You took the bottle from his hands and lifted the bottle to your mouth. The cold liquid traveled down your throat, contrasting the summer heat that warmed the rest of your body. It was the perfect mix of sweet and tart, all countered by the bubbles, and you could barely taste the alcohol. “This is really good,” you told him.

“Thought you’d like it,” he said with a smirk. Just then someone called his name from the other side of the yard. “Oop, looks like it’s my turn for beer pong.” He grabbed his cup and ran off, leaving you at the bar. You looked around at everyone around you enjoying the summer night. Mingyu was right. Parties could be fun.

At that moment, Seokmin called out to you, motioning for you to join him in the pool with some other people. You took your shirt and shorts off, revealing the one-piece Mingyu had previously offered you before making your way to the others. With careful steps, you took your time wading into the cool water, the feeling similar to the lemonade you drank just moments prior.

Seokmin took no time splashing water in your direction then looking naïve when you glared at him. It didn’t take long for him to grin and continue splashing water on you, though, you didn’t let him continue without a fight. The two of you laughed as you splashed each other back and forth. From the other side of the yard, Mingyu watched you, noting how the pool light lit the edges of your face. He knew that if he had seen your face before, he wouldn’t have ever forgotten it. Despite the large crowd, his eyes were drawn to only you, your laughter the only sound that filled his ears in the night.

Soon enough, you were joined by Seungkwan, Chan, Joshua and a (more or less) sobered Soonyoung who did a cannonball into the pool. Some of the boys were chicken fighting and you did your best to avoid getting in their way in case one of them came crashing down, which they eventually did as all chicken fights go.

Time passed by in the blink of an eye and you ended up in the hot tub with Seokmin and Joshua. Every once in a while, your eyes wandered to wherever Mingyu was, and every once in a while, he would look back at you. Under any normal circumstance, you would have been embarrassed to be caught staring at him the way that you were, but tonight, you didn’t care. He was hot. And he made you feel warm inside, even warmer than the hot tub.

Your stolen glances didn’t go unnoticed by the boy as he took them as a sign to join you. The three of you were laughing about Seungkwan and Soonyoung bickering earlier that night during a match of beer pong when he came over.

“What are you talking about?” Mingyu asked. He slid into the tub naturally, sitting right next to you, your knees barely touching with every movement of the water. You weren’t sure if it was intentional, but you certainly didn’t mind. At times, you would even press your knee against his ever so subtly to see if he noticed. And oh, did he notice.

“Just how often Seungkwan and Soonyoung bicker,” Seokmin laughed. Mingyu nodded in agreement, but more often than not, he bickered with those two as well. The four of you spent the next hour exposing your friends and soon, Joshua and Seokmin decided it was time for them to leave, leaving the two of you alone. The warmth from the hot tub and the alcohol in your body made you feel sleepy despite having sobered up a bit which was probably a sign that you too should leave, so you stood up.

Mingyu took hold of your hand with unprecedented speed and looked up at you with pleading eyes. “Where are you going?”

“It’s getting late,” you responded. “I should probably get going.”

“You have to help me clean up.” He really did look like a puppy the way he was pouting at you now.

“I agreed to help you set up, but cleaning was never mentioned, and I’m sure of this.”

“Isn’t that implied when I asked you to set up?” he asked. You glared at him in disbelief. “Oh, come on. Please, help me clean up. I’ll study an extra hour everyday next week.”

“An extra hour?” You raised your eyebrow, skeptical of his offer. Another hour of tutoring meant another hour of pay everyday which would help you save even more money for your trip to Japan.

“An extra hour. But no more than that,” he bargained.

You let out a sigh, agreeing to his deal, though maybe you didn’t mind spending a little extra time with him. Mingyu stood up and the two of you began cleaning the random mess of cups and discarded ping pong balls littered here and there. After an hour of throwing everything into bags and putting the drinks back in the kitchen, the drowsiness hit you harder than a truck. You collapsed onto the grass near the hot tub, sticking your legs in the warm water. A crunching sound could be heard as Mingyu’s footsteps became louder. He plopped down right next to you, your sweaty skin touching once more.

“So, not bad, right?” he asked, his face breaking into a sly grin.

“I had a good time,” you replied, smiling back. “It was definitely more fun than I imagined. Not too many people puking either.” Mingyu laughed at your comment. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,” he sighed, leaning back on his arms.

“No, really. Thank you.” You fell back onto the grass, the blades pricking at your bare skin, but you didn’t mind. You looked up at the night sky; the moon was out in full force tonight and the stars seemed to twinkle brighter than ever. “I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”

“So, you are boring,” Mingyu joked. You punched him on the arm and he winced.

“Not boring, just busy.”

“With what?”

“Work, school, you know, things you wouldn’t be familiar with.” Mingyu turned to you, a look of dejection in his eyes. You winked at him and chuckled.

“Hey, I’m trying, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah,” you waved him off. “Anyways, it was nice to escape that for a bit. But now it’s back to reality.” When Mingyu didn’t reply, your gaze turned to him. He was staring out into the distance, a million thoughts racing through his head. “What are you looking at?”

He turned to you, his eyes meeting yours and causing your heart to flutter. He leaned over your body, caging you in with his arms and bent down so you were face to face. “You,” he whispered. Time stopped when he placed his lips on yours, gauging your response. In a slight panic, he pulled away, afraid that maybe he had made a mistake. You quickly grabbed his face in your hands and pulled him back onto you, kissing him passionately. Your movement was intense like the two of you had been starved of any kind of intimate touch your whole lives, his hands traveling down your sides and making you hyper aware of the grass cutting into your back.

“Wait, Mingyu,” you whispered, breaking away from him despite your desire to keep going. “My back itches.”

He hadn’t realized how uncomfortable you were until then, so he stood up and moved into the hot tub, inviting you in with him. You followed closely and quickly attached yourself to him again. He peppered your forehead with kisses as he sat down. Suddenly, a realization washed over you. “Wait, Mingyu…”

“What’s wrong?” His face wrinkled in concern. “Are you uncomfortable?”

“No, it’s not that,” you said, looking at the back door anxiously. Even though you knew she was gone for the weekend, you were afraid his mom would find you in the backyard kissing her son. “I’m your tutor.”

Mingyu tilted his head, raising his eyebrows as if you being his tutor had any weight in the situation. “And?”

“And your mom pays me to do just that. Not make out with you in the hot tub.”

A low chuckle reverberated from his chest, his hands finding your waist to pull you in close. He removed one hand to caress your face, your head leaning into his touch as he placed his forehead against yours. You closed your eyes, taking in the humidity of the tub and this moment. “Well, you’re still tutoring me, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then just consider this your bonus for doing such a great job,” he replied. He pulled away to look you in the eyes, to assure you that he wanted this only if you wanted it. “Deal?”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his offer, but who were you to turn it down? Money and kisses from a hot boy, what more could you want?

“Okay, deal,” you whispered.

Your lips reconnected once more, the two of you smiling through the kisses.

｡☆✼★ ━━━━━━━━━━━━ ★✼☆｡

thx again for reading <33 plz let me know what you think either thru reblogs, replies, or asks! if you have any questions, feel free to also let me know :)

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uwuwriting · 4 years

Text

Aizawa, Todoroki and Shinsou bringing their kids to work

Request: I just binged your whole blog and let me tell you Hawks bringing his kid to school was fhrqhelfifreh so could I request todoroki shinsou and aizawa bringing their kids to work - anonymous

Okay till the end of this week I’ll be giving you fluffy stuff because starting next week we are entering angst territory . I hope I finish the fic with Shirakumo’s daughter and then I have some angst requests to get to. So this is like a parting gift to happiness. Love ya. 💖💖💖

rules

masterlist

warnings: fluff

Aizawa Shouta

-He loves being a dad.

-Unlike his students his son, Kaito, is a very very calm two year old.

-They take naps together in their matching sleeping bags, Shouta is the only one who can feed him his vegetables and they usually grade papers together.

-You are the one who looks after Kaito while Shouta is at work and once he gets home you go off to your agency.

-So basically Kaito spends half of his day with you and half with Aizawa.

-When you were called in that morning because of a villain attack, you had to leave Kaito with Aizawa.

- “I’m so sorry Shouta, Midnight was assigned on this mission with me and I don’t really trust Hizashi with a two year old.”

-He chuckled, taking a sleeping Kaito from your arms and giving you a kiss on each cheek and then on your forehead.

- “Don’t worry kitten, I’m sure he will be an angel.”

-In the teachers lounge, before class starts for the day, nearly half of the staff is cooing over the still sleeping toddler.

-They keep complimenting Shouta about how much they look alike and how cute he is.

-He just grumbles about how he wants them away from his son.

-He was saved from the bell, dashing to his class surprising all of his students with his sudden appearance.

-They hadn’t yet seen the baby in his arms until he stirred in his sleep, a few baby words tumbling from his mouth.

-Mina was ready to let out a really really high pitched squeal when Sero slapped her mouth shut.

- “Its sleeping!”

-Aizawa just let out a sigh and set his stuff on his desk.

-He went to start his lesson like usual but that apparently wasn’t an option.

-Sir you have a baby in your arms don’t expect us to stay silent and learn something useful.

-Kaito woke up a few minutes into the whisper shouting argument Shouta was having with 18 teenagers.

-He slowly blinked the sleep from his eyes, letting out a small yawn before looking around, his e/c eyes landing on all the new faces.

-Everyone was silent, expecting the toddler to start crying at the change of scenery and at the absence of his mother but surprisingly no.

-He rested his head on Shouta’s shoulder and shyly waved at the class.

-Since he was awake Mina could be a little more vocal.

-All the girls wanted to hold him, their main mission being to make him laugh.

-Some of the boys were asking Aizawa some questions while others were entertaining the toddler.

-Kaito was really amazed by Shouto’s flames and he let out a heart warming laugh.

-Uraraka made things float around the baby while Kaminari made small sparks.

-Aizawa has never heard his baby boy laughing that much before.

-At home he’s quiet, laughing only when you tickle him or when Shouta’s stumble scratches his plush cheeks.

-Maybe taking him out more and letting the class hang out with him a little wouldn’t be so bad.

-The last person who approached the kid was Bakugou, who crouched down to his eye level and they just stared at each for a solid minute.

-Then Bakugou activated his quirk and the mini explosions made Kaito giggle and reach out to Katsuki.

-The rest of the day was spent fawning over Kaito, nothing changed even after three hours of toddler entertainment.

-When it was time to leave, the kids begged Aizawa to bring him again.

- “Maybe I’ll bring him to the dorms at some point. But don’t irritate me you brats because otherwise he’s staying home.”

Bonus:

“I heard that you, little man, were a heartthrob today!”

*baby babbling*

“Yeah he didn’t let me teach.”

“Like it bothered you.”

“I never said that”

Todoroki Shouto

-You had to go on a mission abroad for a week and today the twins’ preschool had informed you that they wouldn’t open today.

-Frantically you called Shouto, proposing some solutions to your problem.

- “I’ll take them with me.”

-He wants to spend more time with his girls anyway.

-Both of them are very curious about their parents’ job and they have asked both of you to take them to work.

-This was their chance.

-You went to protest, knowing how stressing hero work could be and not wanting to stress your husband out more.

- “Love, I want them with me. I want to spend time with my snowflakes.”

-You couldn’t argue with that.

-He woke them up and helped them get dressed, leading them to the kitchen for breakfast while he simultaneously did their hair.

-The twins aren’t really morning types so they tend to be really quiet until noon.

-Telling them what they would be doing today, Shouto grabbed his things and stretched out both of his arms.

-When people at the agency saw the youngest Todoroki with two little girls clinging to his hands they were confused.

-They knew that he had a family, you two worked at the same agency after all, but they had never seen your kids.

-And let me tell you that 90% of your coworkers are now cooing at the three year olds.

-Shouto knew that his daughters didn’t really like crowds, even Rei who was the talkative one of the two would get shy and hide behind him when new people approached.

-Because of that he scooped both girls up and quickly made his way to his office.

-A few staff members greeting him and the girls but not many stopped him.

-Once inside he set them down and went straight to work.

-The girls are really quiet in general.

-They pulled two chairs on either side of their father and sat there, coloring and doodling or just staring at his reports.

-Surprisingly, Ren asked some questions while Rei stayed quiet.

-The crowd at the entrance must have exhausted her social battery.

-Pushing his chair back, he pulled both of them on his lap kissing their foreheads before going back to his reports making small comments here and there to keep them updated.

-Rei fell asleep after half an hour and it was the cutest sight.

-Ren followed soon after, the little white and red haired humans clinging to his shirt like a life line as they snoozed off.

-He took a picture and send it to you making you jealous beyond belief.

I want cuddles too!!! 😣😣😣 Someone’s jealous.🥰🥰

-He leaned his head on one of them at some point and he too fell asleep.

-His secretary walked in to inform him of his father’s arrival and had heart eyes for the rest of the day.

-She took a picture and sent it to you, informing you that your husband was sleeping on the job.

-They were too cute though so she couldn’t bring herself to wake them up.

-But alas there’s no rest for the wicked so he woke up at some point.

-The rest of the day was spent with the three of them going to meetings, filing reports and training at the agency’s gym.

-Watching two mini Shoutos running around the gym pretending to train is top tier stuff.

Bonus

“Rei sweetheart don’t freeze your sister.”

“But she’s the bad guy!”

“Am not!” *flames flying*

“Ren don’t burn the place down.”

Shinsou Hitoshi

-Kei is actually the one who wanted to go to the agency.

-She had asked both you and Shinsou to take her with you one day.

-She may be using it as an excuse to skip day care but you do you hun.

-It was her birthday and the little shit used that to her advantage.

- “Can I come with you to work? Pretty please?”

- “Kei...”

- “And it’s my birthday today.”

-You just level Shinsou with a glare.

- This is all you

-Shrugs.

-Now you have no choice but to take her with you and hope that everything goes smoothly.

-The main reason why you didn’t want to bring her with you was the looming possibility that someone could attack and your little girl would be in extra danger.

-Hitoshi reassured you that everything would be fine.

- “Her parents are two of the best heroes in the industry, she’ll be completely fine. I promise.”

-He woke her up the next morning, scooping her up and bringing her to the kitchen for breakfast.

-She was really clingy in the mornings and wouldn’t function correctly if one of you didn’t hug her until she fully woke up.

-Hitoshi is really soft for her during her birthday.

-He’s soft for her everyday but today he’s ten times softer.

-Gets her dressed and ready for the agency and is out the door in no time.

-Shinsou talks about his family a lot.

-He has like fifteen photos of you and Kei in his office and a bunch of her drawings tapped to the wall.

-He adores his family okay?

-So your coworkers aren’t so surprised when they see the small mess of violet hair resting in his arms.

-She too doesn’t like crowds but won’t cower away.

-She’ll put on a brave face and greet the strangers with acute politeness.

-As long as one of you is in a ten inch radius she’ll be fine.

-She answers all the questions that are being thrown her way.

-She even sat there and suffered through a handful of cheek pinching.

-Shinsou sees her suffering and scoops her up, excusing them and taking her to his office.

-You kissed her forehead and headed out to your own office, making her promise to visit you at some point because you too need some cuddles during work.

- “We’ll catch bad guys momma!!”

-She is a curious little girl, so for the next two hours or so she’ll be exploring every nook and cranny of Hitoshi’s office, opening drawers and cabinets, digging through case files and boxes.

-Then she might play with Hitoshi’s capture tool before visiting you for an hour or two.

-You love having her attention but you know she’s simply taking a break from her dad’s office.

-She’ll be back to Shinsou in no time.

-Daddy’s girl.....it iz what it iz.

-Around noon she starts to get tired.

-If she was in day care she would be taking her daily nap.

-Her exploring tired her way too much and that’s why she’s now snoozing off in one of the armchairs in Hitoshi’s office.

-He draped his jacket over her and let her sleep.

-Later on you two took her to a meeting, allowing her some insight in the hero industry.

-Plus she gets to hear the tea.

-For training she tags along with you, doing some laps and trying -and failing- to do some push ups.

-At the end of the day she was exhausted, sleeping soundly on Hitoshi’s shoulder as you made your way home.

Bonus

“I don’t want her to grow up.”

“Well we could always make another one.”

“Way to be subtle mister....”

“Let me smash...”

TAG TEAM AY:

@iwaqchan @the-arcana-fan-fic @angelwritings @axerrri @reinyrei @dnarez

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millenialfanfictionaddiction · 3 years

Text

Please Me Oikawa's Oasis: Part 1

⚠️THIS FIC IS 18+, MINORS DNI⚠️

Welcome to week 4 of the Please Me Series! A collaboration with @axoxtxhxh! This weeks theme is Virginity Loss featuring Oikawa and Goshiki! This weeks fics are broken into 3 parts! Please check out Joey’s fic, Guiding Goshiki! I will link it in the Please Me master list!

Warnings: Swearing, bad pick up lines

Word Count: 2,000

The sound of Volleyball hitting the floor and shoes shuffling around in the hard wood is all to familiar to Toru Oikawa.

He was finally, living out his dreams as a professional volleyball player. It’s all he ever wanted to do, all he had ever thought about from the time he was a young kid.

After high-school, his goals became centered around making his dream a reality. To accomplish this, he knew he would have to sacrifice a lot. Forgoing his personal life in order to pursue his main objective.

The thought never really bothered Torū. He was always popular with his fans, however none of them seemed to understand his deep desire for the sport he loved so much.

After countless failed high school relationships, he put his personal life on hold in order to pursue something more favorable.

He was given the opportunity to move to Argentina and become a member of Club Atletico San Juan. He jumped at the chance to further is professional career and move abroad, gaining citizenship to a country world renowned for its athletes. His dream was finally becoming a reality

Entering the training gym, Oikawa was anything but nervous. He knew his skills as a setter were exceptional and he always aimed to improve in any way he could. His specialty outside of setting was serving, which is what attracted the recruiters to him. Taking a deep breath, he walked into the bright gym for the first time, preparing to achieve his goals.

“Ahh Oikawa! It’s great to finally meet you” the San Juan teams head coach said as he greeted Oikawa with a smooth smile and a firm handshake.

“The pleasure is all mine sir” Oikawa says as he watches the various members begin to practice.

Oikawa was amazed at the level of skill he saw. These players were on an entirely different level, a level that only served to excited him more.

“Well, it’s probably best if you just join in. I’d like to see your abilities up close” coach says as Oikawa nod, running over to great the members of his new team.

“Hello everyone! My name is Torū Oikawa and it would be my pleasure to set for you” he smirks as the players study Oikawa closely.

Torū had always had a rather flamboyant personality. Often being the stand out character in a room. It never bothered him when others made comments about him because he was confident in himself as a person and as a setter.

The team looked at him, nodding as the captain made his way towards Torū.

“Show us what you’ve got Oikawa” the captain says as he signals for the spikers to form a line “the best way to learn is by doing.”

“I couldn’t agree more” Oikawa smirks as he turns heading close to the net.

“By the way, I prefer if you can get the toss as high so I can have time to correct the positioning if needed” he remarks as the men prepare for spiking practice.

One by one, the players toss the ball to Oikawa as he sends set after set to the players.

“I’m sorry, that one was a little long” he signals to one of the spikers “I can tell by your approach, you favor balls close to the next. I’ll adjust.”

The player nodded to Oikawa and the next player stepped up, tossing the ball to Oikawa.

“Man his adaptation skills are incredible” on of the assistant coaches says as the head coach watched Oikawa closely.

The door opens as the men shift to see a figure pushing open the door with their foot, emerging into the gym with a basket full of freshly laundered jerseys.

Letting out a deep breath, you sigh as you set the basket down, moving onto your next task of refilling the now empty water bottles.

You had been the team’s manager for almost 3 years now. You loved your job so much. The perks were fantastic and the pay was stellar. You worked long hours and traveled a lot but that never hindered your life. You actually enjoyed seeing the world with your team.

Grabbing the bottles, you begin to head for the fountain when the coach approaches you.

“YN, I’m going to need you to prepare a jersey for our newest team member. His name should be on the sheet I gave you this morning. Please have it ready by the end of the week” the coach asks as you nod in agreement.

“I’ll work on it as soon as possible sir”

“Thank you YN. We would really be lost without you” he says as you smile back, eyes glancing towards the gym floor.

You knew a new member would be starting soon. You had heard rumors of one, Torū Oikawa. You had seen his skills on many videos as the team prepared for his arrival. You took notes from what you could see so that you could immediately start helping the promising new setter.

You eyes glanced towards the net as they were met with gorgeous chocolate orbs. The young setter stared at you in wonder as you smiled sweetly, moving towards the door to fill the water bottles.

God you are so pretty Oikawa thinks to himself as he fails to hear the shouts of his teammates, as a tossed volleyball hurls straight for his head.

As you reach the door, a loud SMACK sounded causing you to turn your head towards the men to see the new setter rubbing his head feverishly.

Oh, this one’s a klutz you think to yourself as you roll your eyes, setting the bottles down and running to see if the setter was ok.

“Are you ok?” You ask running up to the new setter, trying to ignore the snickers of the other players as you check him over.

Oikawa rubs his head as he looks up to you.

“I hope you know CPR” he says looking up to you.

“Omg is it that serious?”

“No, it’s because you just took my breath away” he says smiling at you as you roll your eyes walking away as the rest of the players laugh at Oikawa’s cheesy line.

You get up, moving back to the door grabbing the water bottles and walking out.

Great another Romeo you think to yourself as you snicker lightly, remembering the young man’s pick-up line.

“He is pretty funny I’ll have to admit” you under your breath, smiling a little as you fill the teams water bottles.

“Hey Oikawa, are you sure you’re, ok?” the captain says laughing lightly.

Oikawa shakes his head smiling “if there’s one thing I’m accustomed to, it’s getting hit in the head with a volleyball.”

The team laughs as Oikawa looks to the door where you exited.

Of course, you were stunning. Oikawa had seen his far share of women but none quite gave off the radiance you did.

“Hey man” the captain said placing his hand on Oikawa’s shoulder “don’t worry about YN. She just takes her job serious. She’s not really one for screwing around.”

Oikawa nods as he looks back at the door, watching you reenter the gym. He had to admit, he admired how determined you were to do your job. And your cold tone wasn’t going to deter the great king, Torū Oikawa.

“Okey doke then guys, let’s get back to it” he says shaking his hands as he returns to his spot at the net as the next spiker tosses to him, sending a set perfectly to the spiker.

You watched in awe at the new team member. You have to admit, the man was good. He seemed to take the sport of Volleyball more seriously than his pick up game. You smiled as you watched the men hit spike after spike, kill after kill. It was refreshing to have such an invigorating member join the team.

“Alight guys, time to wrap it up” the coach yells as he grabs his clipboard “YN will you lock up tonight after your done please? Also leave the nets up tonight. We will have the gym open early for practice.”

“Of course, coach” you say smiling as the team grabs their towels and water bottles, leaving to change.

You went about your business, finishing laundry, logging notes and filing a few pieces of papers.

“Just mopping left” you say as you sign, leaving your office and heading to the gym.

The sound of volleyballs hitting the gym floor radiated from down the hall way.

What is someone still doing here you wonder to yourself as you walk into the gym, checking your watch.

You see a panting Oikawa, tossing a ball up, serving over the net with such intensity.

Your eyes widened as you body jumped at the power he held. His serves were so strong, so intense and so fast. How can anyone stop them?

“It’s not polite to stare” he says as your concentration is broken as you look over to him, smiling at you as he wipes his face off.

“Oh, I wasn’t staring- I just came to umm, I just came to mop up the gym floor” you said stuttering as you walk in, putting your bag down.

“Oh, I apologize. The coach said it was ok for me to practice” he said as he continues to try and cool down.

“No worries, I have sometime. I can wait” you say as you turn heading to sit down. “Oh and by the way, that last serve was out by like a centimeter” you say sitting down, pulling your phone out of your bag.

“Ughhhh” Oikawa says as he grabs his hair and pulls on it as you snicker.

You continue to watch Oikawa practice, 10 minutes turns into an hour, which turns into an hour and a half. While you didn’t want to interrupt his practice, you knew he needed to rest. You could tell he was overexerting himself.

You got up to talk with him when he sent up a serve, landing incorrectly on his leg and wincing.

Your eyes widen as you run to him.

“Ok that’s enough tonight, Oikawa. You’re going to hurt yourself” you said as you grab the ball from him.

“It’s fine YN, this happens all the time” he says wincing at the pain radiating from his knee. He really did overdo it.

“Alright well I don’t care how often it happens, I’m closing practice” you say grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the bench.

“YN –” he says before you interrupt him.

“It’s my job to make sure you don’t overdo it. I’m not doing my job if our setter can’t set after his first day” you say as you help Oikawa to the bench, running to grab an ice pack and a hot pack.

“Here, we will do 15 minutes cold, 15 minutes warm. Then I’ll wrap it” you say as you check his knee.

“Thanks, YN” he says sweetly as you smiley at him.

“No worries, Oikawa, it’s my job” you say as you out the ice on his knee, helping to reduce the bit of inflammation that was forming.

“When you get back home, you’ll need to take anti-inflamories. Do it every 4 hours and you should be ok!”

Oikawa looks at you as you help ice his knee, you really were something else.

“Alright” you say as you wrap his knee up “let’s get you home.”

You help Oikawa to get to the changing room, as you quickly go to mop up the gym floor. You turn off the lights to see Oikawa waiting for you at the doors.

“yoo-hoo Yn-chan” he says waving frantically at you as you roll your eyes at him braking into a smile.

“Yn-what?” You say as you help Oikawa out the front doors, locking the building behind you.

“It’s a personal greeting in Japanese. Often used for close friends” he says smirking at you.

“Oh so we are close friends now are we?” You say as you walk with him towards the dorms he was staying at

“O f course, we are YN-chan! Why wouldn’t we be!” he says smiling at you as you laugh lightly.

“You really are something else Oikawa” you say as you wave him off, heading towards your own dorm.

So are you YN, so are you.

Taglist: @serostapesweat @chaotic-nick @lovelyzabrak-meadow @yep-seeyalaterbranflakes

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bellshells · 4 years

Text

Right and Wrong

This was a request from a lovely anonymous person who had had a dream about our resident dungeon bat and I couldn’t pass up the chance to write it! Hope you like it, dear!

Pairing: Severus Snape x Fem!Reader Summary: Reader is a new Professor training under Professor Flitwick when she receives some help with her marking from Professor Snape. Warnings: Language, Smoking, Smut (dear lord), Dominant Severus, Implied D/s themes, Spanking(?) Word Count: 3.8k+

Marking. You hadn’t thought at all about it when you had agreed to return to Hogwarts. The transition from student to Professor had been one that you had found surprisingly easy, and when Professor Dumbledore had sought you out that evening behind the bar at The Leaky Cauldron; he had made you an offer you couldn’t refuse. The chance to train under Professor Flitwick would put you in good stead to gain the relevant skills to apply for teaching posts in magical schools abroad, and whilst you enjoyed working for Tom in Diagon Alley; you couldn’t see yourself pulling pints of Butterbeer forever. Filius wanted to retire, neither he nor Albus made any secrets regarding that fact and you wondered whether Albus would ask you to stay on at Hogwarts once the charms master retired. A large part of you wished for that greatly.

Marking. Infuriatingly, it hadn’t occurred to you how much of your time it would steal when you assumed your position. You spent hours upon hours marking tests, essays and exams and any time you had outside of that was swallowed by lesson planning. You weren’t ungrateful, not by any means, but you were certainly tired. It was the weekend, as Filius had reminded you as he wrapped his cloak tight around his chest and cast a disapproving look in your direction. “You are aware that it is Friday evening?” The short professor said as he made his way to the classroom door, he pulled it open and waited. “Well, are you coming? Minerva has saved us a table at The Three Broomsticks.” “I wish I could, Professor.” You smiled ruefully, “I’ve got all this marking to do, and I don’t think my boss is going to give me a hand. He’s so very lazy you see.” You winked. Filius clutched his chest, a look of mock heartbreak flashed over his bespectacled face. “You wound me, Miss (Y/L/N). Leave those essays, they’re only first years. They’ll have forgotten everything by Monday.” He outstretched his arm, an offer to escape. You shook your head and offered him a small smile. “Honestly sir, you go on without me. I’ll just sit and think about these essays if I don’t finish them, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself.” Filius seemed placated by that and nodded somewhat approvingly. He raised a hand and gave you a small wave, he closed the door behind him and left you alone with the rustle of parchment for company.

Another hour passed with a flurry of your quill, the darkness that had threaten to breach the castle’s walls had succeeded in its assault and with an almost distracted movement of your wand, the candles dispersed around the room flickered into life and you rubbed your hand wearily across your eyes. You didn’t want to stop, but you had worked your way through the rest of the first-year essays and were now attempting to weather the OWL practice exams. Filius really should be present, you thought. Whilst it had only been a few years since you yourself had taken your NEWT charm exam; you were hesitant in your corrections. Your eyes flickered to the closed door and you sighed heavily, your hand travelled into the pocket of your trousers and pulled out a packet of cigarettes. Smoking for students was banned completely, but teachers were granted a small patch of land beside the Forbidden Forest for a quick cigarette break. You glanced towards the window, it was pitch-black outside now, and a heavy patter of rain assaulted the window. Fuck that, you thought. You grasped a cigarette between your lips and mumbled as best you could a spell to light it. You slumped back in your hard-backed chair and closed your eyes; the only sound the crackle of the singed tobacco as you took a deep drag of your cigarette.

“I’m assuming Professor Flitwick is indisposed this evening if you are here alone and…breaking school rules.” A voice from the doorway startled you and a heat rose across your cheeks. You dropped your cigarette onto the desk it rolled onto the parchments in front of you and you panicked, you picked it up and dropped it onto the stone floor, the heel of your shoe making quick work of the burning tip. The parchment, fairly unscathed sat mockingly before you. Professor Snape stood still; a look of bemusement etched across his pale face. “Professor, you made me jump.” You exhaled; your heart thundered in your chest. You knew you were done for; he would surely tell Filius of your disregard for the school rules and you would be sent back to The Leaky Cauldron. “Clearly.” You chewed on your bottom lip and waited for him to do something, to say anything but he remained still in the doorway. The flickering light from the candles illuminated him almost menacingly, his stance was predatory but the usual sneer he adorned was replaced with something a little more human, a smile, almost. You cleared your throat. “Can I help you with something, Professor? Filius has gone into Hogsmeade, but I’m here.” “Yes, as I haven’t lost my sight Miss (Y/L/N). I can quite plainly see you.” He snapped. Professor Snape made one step into the classroom and stopped, his hand still on the door handle. “No matter. Goodnight.” “Professor?” You called after him, he had turned to leave but at the sound of your voice he stopped and turned slowly to face you. Your teeth returned to your lip, in the dim light of the room you could have sworn that Professor Snape’s eyes flickered down to your mouth, but his dark gaze was upon your face in an instant, his look impatient. “I would really appreciate it wouldn’t tell anyone that you caught me smoking in here, Professor. It won’t happen again, I assure you. It was just a stupid lapse in my generally good judgement.” You gave him a weak smile and waited. He swept his eyes from the top of your head to your feet and you shuddered, his tongue protruded from his mouth slightly to wet his lips and all the air seemed to dissipate from the room. You felt the familiar warmth cross your cheeks as your eyes fixated on the potions master, his graceful nod elicited from you a breath you didn’t know you were holding. You felt relief wash over you with the agreement from Professor Snape and you smiled widely at him. “Was there anything else, Miss (Y/L/N)?” He said quietly, you weren’t mistaken this time. Professor Snape stared intently at your mouth, almost unashamedly as your eyes lowered to your desk. You nearly shook your head until Miss Granger’s unmarked exam caught your attention. “Actually, yes.” You almost whispered, you returned to your chair and sat slowly. “I’m having trouble marking these mock exams, Professor. I wonder if you could help…direct me.”

The corner of his mouth twitched upwards; you took a breath unsure of what you were doing. You had never considered the idea of flirting with Professor Snape, he had never displayed any inkling of desire toward anyone in your presence- including yourself and so, you had just never thought about it. It wasn’t that he wasn’t attractive, well, he probably wasn’t to everyone’s tastes; but the potions master held an authoritative allure that you couldn’t deny. His high cheek-boned face was one that you had seen hundreds of times, the onyx eyes that you had avoided on many occasions as a student had now captivated your attention as he swept elegantly from the doorway to behind your chair. You could smell him before he placed his hands either side of your body, resting on the desk. He smelled of cedarwood and myrrh, a waft of Lily of the Valley reached you and it reminded you of the intense scent of churches, the feel of the wooden pews, of being on your knees. “What is it that seems to be…troubling you?” Professor Snape breathed; his voice close to your right ear. The ends of his black hair tickled your cheek as you struggled to think. You pulled Miss Granger’s exam towards you and shook your head. “It’s this question here sir, I’m not sure if it’s worded correctly. It gives the student the opportunity to be right and wrong with their answer. See?” He hummed as he read over Miss Granger’s effort, you tried to stay perfectly still. Terrified that if you moved even an inch, Professor Snape would withdraw from you. You could see his pulse in his wrist as his hands splayed in front of you, he tapped a finger. “Well, I think it’s just the nature of the beast Miss (Y/L/N). To be both right and wrong.” Professor Snape whispered, he seemed closer this time. His warm breath on your ear, your chest heaved as the seconds passed. You dared a look at him, you slowly turned your head and found his face mere inches from yours. You could smell firewhisky now, his lips slightly parted as his eyes found yours. “And sometimes,” He breathed, his nose touched yours. His face edged closer with each short breath. “You can be neither right nor wrong.”

It was impossible to say who initiated the kiss. In a second your lips crashed together, and a groan rose in your throat as he brought his hand to the back of your head and pulled on your hair. He tasted of whisky and it was almost disorientating, your mind was full of nothing but him as you brought your hands up to the back of his neck to anchor him in place. His lips found your jaw and he kissed down to your neck, his teeth grazed across your skin and you shuddered again. He pulled you up by your shirt and brought both his hands down your body and squeezed your rump roughly, his long fingers inflicting a delicious pain across your backside as he gave it a sharp smack. The shock of the impact made you gasp, and your eyes flew open, Professor Snape’s face was again only inches from yours, his dark eyes half closed and full of desire. Your stomach flipped as he pulled your hips against him, you rubbed your thighs together, in desperate need of contact. “Did you like that?” He whispered, his hands once more finding your bum. He rubbed the place where he had spanked you, and your head rolled back. His mouth attacked the exposed skin there, his hand left you only to be replaced with another smack, this one harder than the one before. You moaned loudly, and he chuckled. He withdrew from you and eyed your face; you were flushed and panting. You had never been spanked before, but the dampness in your knickers was a definite confirmation, if not for him- but for you. Professor Snape brought his hands up to his great frock coat and started to undo the buttons, you watched him meticulously, as if in a trance. As one by one, his deft fingers made quick work of his outer layer. You felt it only polite to remove your jumper, he let his coat drop to the floor as he watched you. You discarded your jumper with his coat and reached out for him, he instead sneered at you. “Continue.”

You blushed again as your fingers found the bottom of the t-shirt you wore, you tried desperately to remember which bra you had thrown on this morning, abandoning all hope for a matching underwear set, they were for celebrities and for people with more money than sense. To your dismay, a plan black bra met your gaze as you shoved your shirt over your head, you hadn’t noticed he had approached you until you felt his hands on your stomach. His fingers were featherlike as they moved upwards and to your back, unclasping your bra with ease and flinging it onto the floor. You looked up at his pale face as he licked his lips, he grasped your breasts and pushed them together. “Beautiful.” He said quite matter-of-factly, he dipped his head and took a nipple in his mouth lightly, he sucked slowly and then grazed his teeth across the hardened peak. Your fingers found his hair and pulled, you craved a rougher hand than the one he was dealing, and he seemed to understand your silent wish as he tugged hard on your other nipple, sending a wave of hot pleasure through you straight to your quim. He continued to lick and suck on your nipples as you arched your back to him and moaned wantonly, the desire which had built in you had now reached its peak and you needed more. You placed a finger under his chin and lifted his head to you, his mouth again found yours with ease. Gods, this man was beautiful. How had you never noticed this before? His features were strong and noble, and his eyes so dark like the expanse of the beyond; you felt like you could sink into them. Your heartbeat thundered in your ears as you etched every inch of this mans face to your memory, the way he looked at you in that moment. He was divine. You could feel his arousal pressed hard against your stomach and you moved a hand to palm him through his trousers, he grunted in your ear as he bucked his hips forward. He pulled impatiently at the waistband of your trousers and you shoved them down your thighs and stepped out of them, you moved to remove your underwear when he grasped your wrist tightly. “No,” he said. “Not yet.” Professor Snape pushed you forward slightly with a warm hand on the base of your back. “Grasp each side of the desk and bend over. Legs spread.” You complied silently, the knot of desire in your stomach was becoming very hard to ignore as he lowered himself to his knees, his face level with your cunt. “My my,” He whispered against the inside of your thigh, you shuddered as his warm breath hit the sensitive skin there. “You are positively soaked, Miss (Y/L/N). Is this all for me?” He asked playfully. You groaned as he drew a finger over your clothed sex, your legs trembled as you thrust yourself in his direction. “Was it from me playing with your exquisite breasts that made you this wet, I wonder?” Professor Snape spoke directly to your dripping core, it was uncomfortable with him being so close to you, the odd touch to your neediness but no relief. “Or was it when I struck you?” He mused. You felt a whimper escape your lips, you needed him to touch you. You needed him to make you come. He laughed at your turmoil. “Shall we find out?” He seemed to pause; you could feel a change in him from behind you. “If at any point you feel uncomfortable and want to stop, you are to say ‘Red’ loud and clear. Do you understand?” “Yes.” “Yes?” “Yes…Professor.”

It was only a second or two before you felt another blow on your behind, this one, rather more painful than the other two had been without the flimsy padding of your trousers. You couldn’t help the small yelp of surprise that left you as he struck you again, this time on the other cheek. You expected the harsh sting of a slap to consume you, but it never did. You found yourself moaning and thrusting your backside up to meet each swing of his hand. You had never experienced anything like the feel of his hands on your bum, the inferno that came from the impact and the delicious pain it brought with it. You felt like you were on fire, you writhed beneath him. You could feel your wetness drip down your thighs, tears pricked your eyes with need. You needed him desperately. Gods, you wanted him to fuck you. “Good girl, you’ve done ever so well.” Professor Snape praised you as he rubbed the sensitive skin of your bum, warm and slightly sore. “Please.” You whispered into the desk, you weren’t sure if he heard you but then you felt him, his torso against your back, his mouth close to you again. “Please what?” “Please touch me! Please fuck me, Professor. I need…I need-!” “You need what, Miss (Y/L/N)? You need my cock? You need me to make you come?” “Yes!” You exclaimed exasperated, “Please fuck me! Please sir!” He chuckled again and he removed himself from you, you wanted to roll over onto your back, to see him. But there was a part of your psyche that had taken over, you knew better to do something he hadn’t instructed you to do. “Would you like me to make you come before I fuck you?” He asked gruffly, he grasped your knickers from the back and thrust them down to your knees. You heard him behind you, he was close enough for you to hear various buttons and zips being used. “Yes, oh please sir!” You almost squealed, you fought the urge to stamp your foot. You were tired and so full of want; you weren’t sure you would be able to function if he didn’t touch you soon. “Well, seeing as my good girl asked so politely.” Professor Snape said as though he were speaking through treacle, you thought you would go mad. A gentle finger was pressed against your clit, he drew it at a torturously slow pace over your entrance, swirling it slightly. He plunged it inside you suddenly and slid another in to meet it. You pushed your hips back, desperate for more. You wailed in desperation, Professor Snape seemed to sense your restlessness and curled his fingers inside you, he picked a quick pace and fucked you roughly with his fingers. He brought his other hand over your thigh and began rubbing your clit. It was incredible, after all his teasing, he was finally touching you. A slew of curses left your lips as you gyrated against his skilful fingers, desperate for relief. You heard him groan as a new trickle of wetness left you as he removed his fingers, to double his efforts on your clit. He rubbed from side to side, his fingers hard against you and you bit down on your lip. You hadn’t realised until now how much restraint Professor Snape had been showing, he pressed his hips against your core as if involuntarily as you felt that tight coil inside as it began to unfurl. “Oh Professor,” You gasped, “I’m going to-” “Yes, you come! Good girl, come all over my fingers.” He commanded breathlessly, he quickened his pace and you came undone, it was visceral, and you cried out, your legs almost buckled under the pressure of your orgasm. He rubbed you until he was sure your orgasm had subsided, only when you relented in your whimpering did he slide his cock against your slick folds.

He entered you slowly, you were grateful for the time to adjust to his girth before you began to move your hips against him. He grappled at your arms and folded them behind your back. “Hold on to the elbow of your other arm.” Professor Snape commanded and you did so without question. It appeared his gentleness was at an end as he thrust into you, filling you to the hilt. You hissed at the decadent pain that accompanied it, you felt full of him. It was like nothing you had ever felt before, to be taken in this manner. His thrusts were swift, sharp and unrelenting. Like he wasn’t fucking you to make you feel good, it was all for him and that just turned you on more. You moaned with every flick of his hips as he reached deep inside you, eliciting pleasure with every movement. “You take my cock like a slut, is that what you are?” He demanded; his voice strained from the effort. You tried to answer him, but the only thing you could do was moan. The filth that was falling from his lips was like the most beautiful music you had ever heard; his deep baritone was all encompassing as he slapped your backside once more. “Answer me, girl!” “Yes! Yes sir!” “And,” He panted, he reached one hand between your legs to play with your clit. “Do you love my cock?” “Yes sir, I love it!” You cried; the pleasure was almost too much. He was fucking you hard, his fingers were quick against you and you found yourself being flung towards the wall of your orgasm. “Say it…again!” “I love your cock sir!” He slapped your clit as you came; you cried his name as your orgasm rose to heights previously uncharted and you sobbed. You were hot and sticky and so completely spent, but he didn’t stop. He continued in pursuit of his own release, your name sizzling on his lips as his thrusts became sloppy until he finally burst inside you. One, two, three more pumps into you before he collapsed on top of you. His face against your shoulder blades, he panted between the sloppy kisses he placed there, his hands coming to your arms to release them from their position. Your arms ached as they flopped to your sides.

Professor Snape pulled out of you gently and placed his hands either side of your ribs to help you onto your feet. You felt a void in your chest. Now, suddenly empty of him; you felt a longing for the stiff potions master, who had used you so deliciously. You wanted him, again. “Can you walk?” “Yes, I think so.” He offered you a quick smirk as you pulled your ruined knickers up from around your knees. “Good,” He said. “You can accompany me back to my rooms.” It wasn’t a question. Professor Snape chuckled darkly at your apparent shocked expression. He closed the gap between you in one swift movement and brought his lips to yours tenderly. “You’ve been a very good girl, Miss (Y/L/N). I should like to look after you this evening. Somewhere a little more…private.” You nodded and averted your eyes, you began to pick up your clothes and dress quickly. You wondered almost incredulously if Professor Snape desired your company as much as you desired his. “Does that sound agreeable, Miss (Y/L/N)” “Oh yes, sir.” You answered quickly, your eyes found his already dark with a renewed desire. “Good, because I think I would like to fuck you again. Once we have had the chance to bathe that is, I’m sure you’ll find my quarters adequate.” He said with a small smile. “Then I might help you with your marking.”

Marking. One thing you hadn’t thought about when you agreed to return to Hogwarts. It certainly didn’t seem so much like a chore anymore.

#severus snape #professor snape #pro severus snape #Pro Snape #snape smut #Severus Snape smut #severus snape x reader #snape x reader #professor snape x reader #harry potter #godrics-swallow

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liquid-luck-00 · 4 years

Text

Meeting for the First Time

Bio!Dad Bruce

So here is my first contribution to the Bio!Dad Bruce Wayne Month 2020,

Day 1: Meeting for the First Time

@biodad-bruce-month

~~~~~~~~~~

Okay granted noting seemed to ever go Marinette’s way. But this was the ultimate punch in the gut the universe could send her.

It started off as a normal Friday, 8 months since the liar came back to school. 8 months since she threatened to pull everyone, she cared about from her and leave her alone. Well 6 month ago Lila’s threat came true. Today she simply walked into class and ignore the cruel stares and watched as feet would pop out to trip her. Well she made it to her desk in one piece and that was a plus.

She was pulling out her tablet and then she heard and felt something slam onto her desk. It was a binder nearly exploding with paper’s and behind it was none other than Alya. “Hey Girl” she started trying to keep her voice friendly, but the repulsion was evident in her voice. “We were wondering if you could do us a favor” she gave Marinette a strained smile and when she didn’t answer continued “Can you help me plan Lila’s sweet 16 as a way to make up for bullying her.”

Marinette was beginning to become livid, her best friend, scratch that her EX- best friend, is asking her to plan a bully’s and a Liar’s party. No, oh Kwamii No she will not be doing that. She was about to say so when Miss Bustier walked in holding several envelopes.

“Please take a seat” Miss Bustier said and that was when Mari moved the binder as far from her as possible. “Today I have the results of the genetic testing we sent a while ago.” Everyone was beginning to murmur excitedly. Mari could only shrink into her seat. She was dreading this for multiple reasons. “Marinette would you please?”

Mari stood up and walked to her teacher took the envelopes and passed them out to the designated person. She kept hers and slipped it into her bag as soon as she got back to her seat.

She knew what it would say. She knew that it would not have what her ‘friends’ would think. It would only prove as Lila would claim that she was not actually wanted and that she was bullying her because she was loved, and Mari wasn’t. Luckily, no one noticed her as they were too excited with their own results. It wasn’t until the lunch bell rang that the dreaded moment came.

“So, Mari what were your results.” Adrien asked, once upon a time she would have gushed at him talking to her but now her crush was nothing but a pile of ashes in the wind.

“I don’t know” She replied as she picked up her bag and began to head out of the class.

“Wait you didn’t look at it” Adrien practically yelled and that got the class’s attention. He was giving her a frown and couldn’t believe that she wouldn’t even look.

“Why would you not look at your result Marinette?” Lila spoke in a sickly-sweet voice. “Are you ashamed that you have someone you want to hide from the class?” everyone began to murmur and was beginning to give her skeptical glares. As if she would attack them, almost no one noticed how Kim and Nino came around to block the door.

Mari was beginning to grow frustrated that they would not let her leave and that they continued to glare at her like a criminal. She had enough. “I WAS ADOPTED!!!” that made everyone go quiet and stared at her. “I was adopted when I was a couple of moths old and I have NO intention on knowing my biological family” she turned, and Nino and Kim were shocked that she simply slipped passed them and went home.

However, she knew who her biological father was. Well that isn’t the entire truth, she found out she was adopted when she was 10 years old. Her Biological father reached out stating he didn’t know until recently that he had a child. He wanted to get to know her and be a part of her life. However, Mari was stubborn, Tom and Sabine were her parents, so she told him she didn’t want to meet. Surprise though he was stubborn as well, he gave Mari his number and to call or message him even if it were to complain about him or anything at all. This had surprised her, and she did. She texted her father with things she didn’t feel she could tell her parents.

For the past 5 years she had told him about school, or mistakes she had made, and about her passion in fashion. He always seemed to listen and just let her rant. It was good for her. When she became ladybug, she was excited to tell him about the heroes of Paris. He sometimes never answered but she saw that he read them and that was comforting.

He became someone outside of Paris who helped anchor her. He would send her gifts for her birthday and messaged her when he could, and he really did help her though most of what was going on at school. She only knew him as Father, no name attached and that was fine. That was why she didn’t want to open the letter. She didn’t want a name to the person who cares for her as Marinette.

She went to the bakery and climbed the stairs knowing that it would be quiet. Her parents were taking a trip abroad for their anniversary along with her Nonna and that left her alone. “Tikki?” the little goddess floated up to her. “Should… should I… should I look at the names?” Mari wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to know but she also knew that she possibly would like to know.

“Mari the choice is yours but know that no one not even your father will think less of you if you never want to know.” Tikki really is always sure and can always make her feel better. Mari simply nodded went to get something to eat and stared at the letter she pulled out. As she finished her lunch and washed her plate, she turned to the letter with determination she opened it and read. Her Mother was blank, meaning that she probably hasn’t put her information on any site, but does say that she is of European decent. Then she looked at her father, he had a photo, black hair, and the same bluebell eyes. He was dressed in a suit and she looked at the name, Bruce Wayne. Next to her own photo was the photo of boy with tanned skin, black hair, and emerald green eyes, the name next to it was Damian Wayne. So, she had a brother, he looked close to her age, maybe he was the reason why her father contacted her years ago. Her father was also from European decent but that was about it. She’ll look into it more after school she dropped the envelope off in her room and left to go back.

She went back to class and sat in her seat before the bell rang so she was the first person back into the classroom. She kept her head down and didn’t look up from the sketch she was working on, she heard the whispers and caught a few glances at her, but she ignored them.

“Mari?” oh Kwamii why does he have to talk now again. She looked up and his expression softened into a small smile or more like a frown. “Do you…” he rubbed his neck. At this point everyone was staring between the two completely silent. “Do you want to talk about it?”

At this she scoffed “Why?” she was confused at this they wouldn’t talk to her unless it was to yell at her so why should she be vulnerable for them.

Alix spoke up “Why do you bother asking her anyways Adrien?” she snarked throwing Mari a glare. Adrien looked sheepish, and that was when Lila struck.

“Well if she puts it out in the open, she wouldn’t bully me, since we can help her. Make her feel loved since her parents didn’t want her” she spoke calmly and sweetly, and everyone nodded and agreed.

“Tell us Mari, you can trust us girl” Alya spoke from the class.

“Now why...” Mari was cut off as Miss Bustier entered to start the class. However, not even 10 minutes into the class the door opened. A man in a suit holding a folder came into the room.

“Miss Bustier” he asked, and the teacher nodded, so he continued. “I am sorry to disturb the class, but I need to speak with Miss Dupain-Cheng”

The teacher nodded and called “Marinette” gesturing towards the door. But of course, nothing was ever simple in this class.

“Sir if you need Marinette then you should also take Lila” Alya spoke up.

The man simply looked confused, “Why would I do that?”

“Marinette is bullying Lila so if you need Mari you need Lila as well” she huffed proud of her logic.

“I am sorry, but I really only need Miss Dupain-Cheng”

“Well whatever you need to say to her you can tell all of us”

Now the man looked exasperated and he turned towards the teacher. She nodded “It is for the best whatever you need to tell Marinette you can tell the class.” She stated.

He huffed and walked up the stairs to Marinette. “I am so very sorry for your loss Miss Dupain-Cheng. If you would please come with me, you are needed to verify the bodies.” This left the class in a quiet shock. They couldn’t believe what they just heard. Mari was wide eyed filled with tears ready to fall and was numb. She didn’t hear when everyone began to speak at once demanding answers of the man. And now Mari could tell he was mad. “Really I do not need to answer your questions as this matter only pertains to Miss Dupain-Cheng, this should have been done in private, so you” he pointed at Miss Bustier “will most likely be getting a call as soon as I will report this.” This shut up the class and he helped her up and walked her out.

Identifying the bodies was a blur in her mind, she was told they died as a riot stormed the airport on their way home. She was asked if she had anywhere to go “can you please give me a moment?” she spoke weakly and the woman who was in charge of her smiled and left her in the room. Thank the Kwamii that Hawkmoth had been inactive lately, so she was able to cry and mourn. She needed to tell someone anyone, but those she loved were gone and now what was she going to do. Tikki popped her head out of the bag and patted her leg. That was when she saw her phone, she picked it up and scrolled through her contacts. She got to the name Bio! Dad and pressed the call.

It rang a few times before he picked up. “Marinette is everything okay you don’t usually call?” she started to cry, and this put worry into his voice. “Mari sweetie what’s wrong. Deep breaths with me 1 in, hold 2, out 3. Again.” He repeated this until she was no longer gasping for breath.

“Maman, Papa, and Nonna died” she couldn’t keep strong anymore “please, please don’t leave me too.”

“I won’t Mari” his voice was the softest she had ever heard from him “I’ll be on the first plane over. I won’t leave you I promise” he hung up and she was finally starting to feel lighter. The woman from before came back.

“Are you okay sweetie?” she gave her a smile.

“I think I will be?” she gave a small smile.

“That call must have helped” Mari nodded in acceptance to the statement. “Who was it?”

“My Father, he is coming for me” the woman looked at her as if she grew another head. “My biological father. My maman, papa, and nonna that died were my adoptive family.” At that the woman gave her a sympathetic smile and a hug. “they were my family but…”

“Sweetie you don’t have to always be strong its okay to be sad.” She began to cry again. She was dropped off at the bakery by Officer Raincomprix, who gave her a sad smile and then left. Mari fell asleep in her parents’ room, Tikki curled up next to her.

She woke up the next morning and opened the Bakery, allowed in the staff, and went back to the apartment. Afterwards she went back up and curled up in her parents’ bed, but a notification on her phone made her stir again.

Bio!Dad: I’m in Paris where do you want me to meet you Mari?

Mari: The Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie

Bio!Dad: I’ll be there soon I promise.

Not long after a staff member knocked on the door, she recognized the voice. “Someone is here to see you”

“Mari can I come in?” she heard Bruce and that prompted her to open the door. She didn’t care that she looked like a mess, as soon as the door opened, she hugged him and started to cry for what felt like the hundredth time in the past 24 hrs. He murmured reassurances to her and led her to the couch.

---

If anyone had told him that he was going to rush onto a plane because of the daughter he has never met in person called him crying, he would not have given you any kind of reaction. But here he is on a jet headed to Paris to meet and comfort his daughter, after her parent’s death. Yikes that is a lot to handle.

The only positive to all this is that he left discreetly enough that he wasn’t tailed by the boys. And that was a relief, if Mari had to meet him for the first time that alone was one thing but meeting Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian would probably send the child over the edge. That is considering the fact that she actually deals with and processes emotions like a human and not like a bat.

He hadn’t even finished checking into his hotel and he was restless he knew that Mari needed him and if Bruce was anything, he was overprotective of his family. And right now, one of his family was hurt and he had to do something. He texted her and she told him to go to a bakery.

Well if she said to go to a Bakery then he went to a Bakery. He stepped in and looked around before going up to the counter.

“Excuse me Miss?” he stated towards a Girl no older than Twenty behind the counter placing pastries into the case.

“Hello, how can I assist you today?” she smiled.

“I am here to speak with Marinette.”

“Ah. Your first time here right.” He nodded his head. “That girl always forgets. Follow me” he was confused but followed the young woman through the kitchen and to a small hallway and up a flight of stairs. Where she knocked on a door. There was shuffling on the other side “Someone is here to see you” she plainly stated, and footsteps were heard near the door but just shy of opening it.

“Mari can I come in?” his question was tentative but even he was surprised by the softness of his voice.

The door swung open and there she stood. Oh, she was adorable. Her black hair was in a messy bun and had blue highlights that emphasized her bluebell eyes, which were red and puffy from her crying. She fell into him into a hug and she was so small, he had to protect her from everything. The worker left and he moved the two of them to the couch.

After a couple of hours, he got the full story and to say he was pissed was an understatement. First there was the teacher and how they had handled the situation was awful, but besides that he wanted Mari safe, but he had to know what she wanted instead of making the decisions for her. He learned the hard way with his boys.

#bio! dadbrucewaynemonth2020 #b ! dbwm2020 #maribat #dc x miraculous #miraculous x dc #mlb x dc #dc x mlb #bruce wayne #marinette dupain cheng #class salt #unsure adrien #bio!dad bruce wayne

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nriacc · 3 years

Text

The City | NRIACC: Part 3 |

Nothing Revealed In A Common Crisis

Plot by @imagine-that-100 and @ghostlightqueen

Written by @imagine-that-100

Description: | Here |

Word Count: 12.3k

Warnings: This series contains mature content and themes throughout

A/N: We finally have Mattyyyyyyy!!! So excited to finally get my other boy and my other favourite band in here! I’m super thrilled you’re enjoying the series so far and I really hope you enjoy the new part and all the teenage pining! x

The day after Matt’s party your Mum came home and woke you up from a very deep sleep. She was appalled to find you still in bed at 2pm and you were completely dead to the world.

Nevertheless, she got you up and forced you to pack your clothes that you wanted to take away with you for the summer. You didn’t mind too much but doing it with a bad hangover turned a half an hour job into a 3 hour event.

You got it all done slowly with the help of your best friend, as you both replied to your friend’s group texting every now and again. You let her do most of the texting though because you wanted to save your credit so it would roll over into next month.

Before you left Alex’s the previous night he made you promise again that you would text him over the summer. He even made you pinky swear on it so you couldn’t break a promise.

So to keep that promise you wanted to save as much credit as you could. It was a bitch to have to pay for each text you sent and how long each phone call lasted but it was worth it.

And you were hoping that the feeling you got when you saw Alex’s name pop up on your phone would continue. The bubbling excitement in your stomach and the smile that didn’t leave your face until you put your phone back down waiting for his next text to come though.

Saving your credit was high on your agenda and so was getting a decent night's sleep. So after your Mum cooked both you and your best friend your tea and you finished it, you politely kicked her out after giving her the biggest hug and saying goodbye.

You went to bed early for the first time in about seven years getting more than 12 hours of sleep so you woke up in a good mood the following day. Thankfully your Mum left you in bed chilling for a while too and you listened to the music channel for the majority of the day after showering.

That was until around 3 p.m. when you got all of your stuff into your Mum’s car and you both made your way over to Manchester.

You really did love your summers up there. It was something you’d done since you were a small child when your Mum used to have to go on business trips abroad.

You always went over to your Mum’s sister to spend some apparently much needed time with your cousin. And you were glad the tradition had continued on throughout your teenage years because you did love having a mini holiday away from home.

Your cousin Adam was one of your favourite people on the planet. He was amazing in so many different ways.

He had a great taste in music which meant that you always had something to bond over. Adam was also really clever in school which you were always envious of.

Two summers ago you were doing your GCSE’s the coming school year and you weren’t doing the best with your science and maths. So Adam being the gem that he was had tutored you, despite him being two years younger than you.

He learnt it as you both went through it and he explained things to you in a way that actually made sense. You loved him loads and he was a big part of the reason why you got good results last summer.

He was a fun cousin, too. Your favourite childhood memories were ones of you and Adam running around your auntie and uncles back garden.

He was creative, like you, but in a more musical way. Adam had been able to play the guitar from a young age and he was really good at it.

Adam could play any song you asked of him if he was given the chords, or he could even sometimes work them out himself. It was like something just clicked in his brain of how to do it.

He was astounding in all the best ways.

So you were excited on your drive over to Wilmslow. You and your Mum were going there early because your auntie was making you and your Mum dinner before your Mum left.

The hour drive wasn’t too bad over there. You caught up with your Mum and how her work had been treating her.

When you got to your aunties house you couldn’t wait to get out of the car, one because your Mum was starting to annoy you with her questions about how your week alone was, and two, she was teasing you about who had left the mark on your neck.

You’d tried your best to cover it up with concealer and foundation but it turns out that you didn’t do a good enough job as she easily saw through the makeup. Thankfully though she wasn’t fuming at you, she just was trying to find out who’d done it.

You ended up telling her that it was just some random boy from the pub the night of the Monkeys gig. You were grateful that she seemed to believe you and she let the subject slide.

You abandoned your bags and rushed up to the front door. You were sure your mum wouldn’t mind bringing your stuff in.

“Hi,” You say excitedly when your auntie answers her front door.

She gives you a big smile before opening her arms to you, offering a hug, “Hey, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too,” You say giving her a tight squeeze before releasing her.

You ask her quickly, “Is Adam here?”

“Yep he’s upstairs,” She nods.

As soon as thats confirmed you start to race up the stairs. But you’re shouted again before you can escape.

“Before you run off Y/N,” Your Auntie shouts you and you pause halfway up the stairs.

You look back towards her and she tells you, “I’m having your room decorated at the minute and unfortunately it took a bit longer than expected. So the paint is drying so you’ve got to share a room with Adam for a few days until I get everything set back up for you.”

“Oh okay cool, what colour have you gone for?” You ask curiously.

“I went for the white and grey like you suggested last time. Your creative mind paid off,” You Auntie smiles at you.

You laugh at that. Last year she was saying she wanted to decorate it because it still looked like a child’s playroom like it once was rather than the spare bedroom. So you had suggested a neutral but sophisticated look of white walls with a feature one in grey.

“I’m excited to see it,” You tell her.

As your Mum walks into the house with your bags, your Auntie also proposes, “I was hoping you’d help me decorate it?”

“I’d love to,” You smile down at her.

“Amazing,” She grins, “Now go and find who you really want to talk to.”

You laughed a little before you finished running up the stairs to find your cousin.

You turn the corner and push open the very familiar bedroom door into Adam’s room and find him lay down on his bed. You don’t really care about that though because you just run in and jump over him.

Adam groans loudly when you land on him which makes you laugh. You look up at him from the position you're in and ruffle the mop that was his hair.

He had Rumours by Fleetwood Mac playing on his record player that his Dad had given him and you recognised The Chain playing. You loved that your cousin also had excellent music taste.

“Hey Ad,” You giggle at him pulling a face at you.

“Y/N,” Adam says nonchalantly as if he wasn’t pleased to see you.

You ignore him and ask, “How’s my fave cousin doing?”

“I’m your only cousin,” Adam points out with furrowed eyebrows.

“Exactly,” You chuckle.

Adam laughs before admitting, “I’m good. Mum’s annoying me but other than that I’m alright.”

“Why’s she annoying you?” You ask getting up off of him.

“She wouldn’t let me go to my mates tonight because she was making us all our tea,” Adam said, picking his phone up from the side of his bed.

You ask him, “She wouldn’t let them come here before we ate?”

“Nope, she made me tidy the house,” Adam pouted and you had to refrain from laughing.

“Sorry about that roomie,” You grin, sitting yourself down on the mattress that was on the floor.

Adam sighs, “Don't remind me.”

“Hey I’m fine to share a room with,” You tell him, faking being offended.

Adam rolls his eyes, “Sure you are.”

“I am, I swear,” You defend yourself.

“Whatever,” He playfully dismissed you.

You laugh a little at what he said before you decided to change the subject, “So when do I get to meet your new mates properly?”

Adam looks to you and proposes, “Matty invited us to his tomorrow afternoon to go swimming, if you’re up for it.”

“Yeah definitely,” You nod, “I’m excited for this fancy swimming pool."

“Yeah, just please don’t tell him that I told you about his Mum and Dad. He’ll probably tell you himself. He can get a bit touchy about it.”

“Don’t worry I won’t say anything,” You assure him.

“Adam, Y/N!” You both hear your names being shouted, followed by, “Tea’s ready!”

“She better stop shouting up the stairs because I’m gunna lose it,” Adam says in a very agitated tone as he gets up from his bed.

You watch him as he abruptly picks the needle up of the turntable and puts it back in its rest. He then removes the record and puts it back where it belongs on his very organised shelves.

“Did you get anger issues for your fifteenth birthday?” You ask him teasingly as you stand yourself up.

Adam fired back, “Did you get sassiness for your seventeenth?”

“Sixteenth actually. Seventeenth was to grow some balls,” You laughed.

~*~*~*~

“Hann?” Adam could hear his friends shouting from the front door.

He couldn’t be arsed moving yet though so he shouted back, “In the lounge.”

“Yes Hann,” George came in and sat down on the other settee to Adam.

“You alright mate?” Matty asked as he walked into the room

“Hiya mate, sit down my mums making us some food,” Adam tells his Matty, moving the remote from the seat next to him.

“Would do but I came to see your fit cousin, not you,” Matty started the running joke early today.

Adam sighed hearing it mentioned again. Since your first Skype call with Adam and his mates had first got a decent look at you, they had all joked that you were attractive and that they wanted to bed you.

Adam knew you would in no way look at any of them that way and he’d tried telling them in every way that you wouldn’t be interested. But none of them listened.

So here his mates were, months later, still carrying this joke on.

“Please don’t carry this joke on, it’s really not funny,” Adam says just sick of it now.

Matty says with a smirk on his face, “Oh, it really is mate. Imma shag your cousin.”

“Like she’d look at you. You’re well younger than her,” Adam bites back.

Matty was lacking for a response but then George stepped in and said, “That’s right mate, she’d definitely go for me instead.”

“You’re younger than him,” Adam points out, trying not to laugh.

Adam didn’t need to encourage the jokes to continue in any way, shape, or form. He needed it to stop.

Especially now that you were here.

Matty then thinks of a good enough response to annoy his mate a bit more, “Step aside George, it’s gunna be me that she goes for and we’re gunna fuck on Adam’s bed.”

“Fuck off Matty,” Adam says seriously and Matty knew it was time to stop pushing then.

Matty knew that he was going to slowly have to build up his new mates tolerance for his jokes. He knew he was a handful, but that's why he had three good mates to bounce off who had a similar sense of humour to him.

Maybe the cousin topic was just a tad too touchy, though.

“You know I’m messin’… Where is she anyway?” Matty asked curiously, dropping the joking persona for a second.

Adam notices he’d dropped the facade and he tells Matty the truth, “She's up in my room.”

“George don’t let him leave. Don’t want him to disturb us,” Matty says before he hastily exits.

Matty races out of one of the lounge and up the stairs, hurtling towards his mate's room. He obviously wasn’t going to try and shag you, but he was really excited to meet you.

Adam had told them all a lot about you and your interests and hobbies. And each thing that Matty was told just made him more and more curious about you.

“Hey Y/N!” Matty calls excitedly

Matty pushed the door open a bit more but his eyes went wide when he saw you. He saw that you were completely topless standing in Adam’s room which took Matty aback a bit.

He only saw your bare back as you didnt have a bra on but he could see that you had lovely shoulder length Y/H/C hair.

“Shit, I’m so sorry” Matty says with wide eyes before turning himself around.

You turn around hearing the commotion behind you and immediately you want to dismiss the awkwardness that the room had just set in.

“It’s okay,” You laugh a little to try and avoid the awkwardness of the situation.

“I was just grabbing the strings to tie it anyway, you wouldn’t have seen anything,” You tell him honestly, actually amazed that a younger teenage boy was keeping his eyes averted from you as you changed.

“Still really pervy of me,” Matty says, still looking at the doorway he’d just walked though.

“Just a bikini, nothing you haven’t seen on holiday I’m sure,” You make light of it again.

This is when the curly haired brunette looks towards you. You see his eyes cast down to your chest for a split second before flicking up and meeting your eyes.

“Still, sorry. Bit Norman Bates of me,” Matty says, trying not to look at your boobs that were being held in a red bikini.

You smile at him before you pick up your top that you’d laid out on Adam’s bed. You then laugh, “Ey you know your films. That reference was pretty spot on.”

Matty admits to you as he watches you hide your stunning chest from his view, “I’m a bit of a classic movie watcher.”

“Isn’t Psycho an eighteen? Should you really be watching that,” You ask him, knowing he’s a fair few years younger than you.

Matty throws back in the same manner you threw the last comment at him, “Should you really be leaving doors open in a house that isn’t yours when you’re getting changed?”

“Good point, well made,” You nod.

He may have been younger but he certainly had the comebacks that your friends had. You think you’d get on just fine with him.

“Well you know…” Matty chuckles a little but then he remembers something, “Wait, aren’t you seventeen? If Psycho’s an eighteen, why have you watched it?”

Yeah you would definitely get on with him.

“I’m adventurous like that,” You shrug, knowing it wasn’t really a huge deal.

“You’re Matty right?” You ask the curly haired boy.

He nods, ”That’s me.”

“It’s good to finally meet you,” You smile and offer him a hug.

He takes the offer and steps into your arms for a quick embrace. You feel the need to say, “Sorry I’m a hugger.”

“S’alright,” Matty smiles as he moves out of your grip, but he doesn’t stray too far away.

“I love your hair, it’s so curly,” You have to tell him as you give it a bit of a ruffle.

You don’t think you’d ever seen hair with such perfect curls. He was adorable.

“Er thanks,” Matty says, not really knowing how to take the compliment.

You just continue to introduce yourself, “I’m Y/N,” You add with smile, “But I think you already knew that.”

“Yeah we did speak on Skype remember,” Matty points out.

“Yes but your video was breaking up remember,” You recall.

Adam’s webcam wasn’t doing too great that night and it kept on pixelating to the point where you couldn’t even make Adam out, despite knowing what he looks like. So you had no chance of making the other boys out.

“Oh shit yeah,” Matty vaguely remembers.

“You excited to come swimming?” Matty asks you with a smile as you pick up your towel and put it in your bag.

You smile, “I am… Adam has bigged this pool up a lot.”

Matty grins at that, “It is good to be fair. I’m lucky.”

“You really are,” You tell him as you both head to the bedroom door.

Once it’s open you both walk towards the stairs. When you start walking down though you add, “You still shouldn’t be watching eighteen’s though.”

“It’s not an eighteen,” Matty argues back with a smile and shaking his head.

“What are you two arguing about already?” Adam says, stumbling out of the lounge which takes you back a little.

You furrowed your eyebrows at his actions but tell him anyway, “I think Psycho is a eighteen and Matty doesn’t.”

“It’s a fifteen,” Adam tells the both of you.

Matty then looks at you in a victorious manner. Amusement that you were wrong was clear on his features.

“Told you,” Matty grins.

“No you didn’t,” You shake your head, “But you’re still not old enough to watch it.”

“Bad boy, what else can I say?” Matty grins at you and you can’t help but laugh.

Definitely had some confidence, this kid. You were certain all the girls at his school would be loving him.

Another young boy made his way out of the lounge then. He was another brunette and a rather adorable little one.

“Hey,” He smiled at you and you gave him the biggest smile back.

You couldn’t not. He was the cutest thing you’d ever seen.

“Y/N/N, this is George,” Adam introduces you.

“Heyyy,” You smile brightly at him offering him a hug which he seems to gladly take.

Adam sighs and says, “Sorry she’s a hugger.”

George doesn’t get a change to respond though because you say, “Aren’t you the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

“How old are you?” You ask when you release him.

“Thirteen,” George tells you.

Your eyes went a little wide at that. He looked older than 13 for sure but he was obviously still just a kid.

It certainly explained why he only came up to your chest though. Matty being a year older reached your shoulder. Adam was only a few inches smaller than you now.

“Thirteen that’s mental. You look older,” You tell him honestly.

George smiles at that. He liked that he looked older, he just wished that he’d hurry up and grow a bit. So he tells you this.

“Well, I’m hoping to grow some more before I reach your age,” George tells you and you chuckle.

“I’m sure you will, don’t worry,” You smile.

You then ask another question that springs to mind, “How’d you know each other?”

Adam starts off by telling you, “Well, I know George’s older sister because she’s in my year at school.”

Matty then takes over a little which Adam seemed fine with so you just went with it. Matty spoke quite fast as he told you, “And Hann knew that I could drum so he got his girlfriend to ask if I wanted to join his band, so I told her to get Hann to come talk to me himself and the rest is history.”

You unfortunately couldn’t focus on the story of them meeting though because some information, that you hadn’t heard before, came to light.

“Girlfriend?” You question your cousin with wide eyes.

“Not anymore,” Adam shakes his head.

Your jaw is still agape even when he says that. You have to know, “Adam why didn’t you tell me?”

“You didn’t tell me about your boyfriend,” Adam shoots back at you.

“I don’t have a boyfriend,” You say seriously.

You couldn’t understand why he even thought that. But then it makes sense.

“Your neck suggests otherwise,” Adam smirks knowingly at you.

At that point both Matty and George turn toward you.

You put your hand up to cover the mark that you forgot was there. Thankfully the ones on your boobs were gone but the one on your neck was still very bruised.

“I promise you I don’t have a boyfriend,” You tell him honestly. “It was just some fun at a party. Stop looking at me like that.”

He was looking at you like your best friend and Matt did the night of the party when they spotted it. You hated that look at the moment, he’s looking like he wants to know more information.

“Actually you can stop, I don’t wanna know what you get up to at parties,” Adam says shaking his head at you but the smile never leaves his lips.

You laugh at him then. And you decide to get your own dig in at him.

“I’m sure you lot have some fun at your parties, especially with your girlfriend Adam,” You tease.

But before Adam can reply, you turn to the smallest one of you. You throw your arm around George’s shoulder saying, “Not you though George… You need protecting, you’re too cute.”

“I’m not cute,” George rolls his eyes.

“You really are,” You grin before letting him escape.

You think back to your previous conversation though, about the band, and say a little baffled, “I’m confused though, I thought you were the drummer…” You point to George, “and you were the singer,” you then point to Matty.

“I am now,” Matty tells you, “We got George in because our original singer quit.”

“Ah right okay,” You nod, now understanding.

“And we have Ross as well. He’s meeting us at mine later though. He’s out somewhere with his mum and dad at the minute,” Matty tells you.

“Sweet, I’m excited to meet him,” You smile at the three boys.

You’re about to ask something else about the band but then you hear your auntie shout you all into the kitchen for some food. You all start making your way to the kitchen.

“Hann, are you gunna bring your camera so we can push Ross in the pool?” George asks Adam and he laughs before nodding confirming that he was.

You turn to Matty as you walk and ask, “Why’d you call him Hann?”

“We know a lot of Adams,” Matty tells you. “And by a lot I mean at least twenty.”

“Fucking hell fair enough then,” You say under your breath to him as you all walk into the kitchen.

An hour later you were splashing about in Matty’s pool with the three boys, still waiting on the arrival of Ross. You were in your red bikini which was one of your favourites.

You’d bought it for when you went away to Spain last year with your Mum in the Easter holidays. You’d been really excited and this bikini was by far the best colour and the comfiest one to wear.

You were messing around on floats that Matty had already blown up, trying to tip each other off it. You were currently on the float and the boys were trying to get you into the water when you heard a phone go off.

It seemed to grab everyone’s attention because the boys abandoned attacking you.

“Adam is that your phone?” You ask curiously.

You couldn’t remember for the life of you what his ringtone sounded like.

But your cousin shook his head, “Nah.”

“It’s mine,” Matty announces before he starts swimming as fast as he can to the side of the pool.

Something then seems to click in Georges mind because he then shouts, “It’s gunna be Ross.”

“Shit yeah,” Matty says as you slip back into the water, off the crocodile float.

“Adam quick get your camera.”

“You pushing him in or am I?” Matty asked George as everyone swam to the side of the pool.

“Y/N you’re gunna be the distraction so just keep him chatting,” Matty instructs you.

You once again felt like you were eight years old and taking orders from other friends creating devious plans in a fake story you were acting out. Your friends in primary school always made up weird scenarios to play out, like children did.

But you don’t think you’d ever pranked someone like this since you were around that age. It was going to be funny, but you also hoped Ross would see the humour in it.

“Hiya mate…” You heard one side of Matty’s conversation as Adam got out of the pool to get his camera ready and George waited near the door. “Yeah just come in, gates unlocked… See you in a sec.”

Matty then abandons his phone and jumps back into the pool near you. You guessed that you all had to make it seem normal somehow.

You think responsible for a moment and tell them, “You need to get his phone off him first before you push him in.”

“Yeah you’re right,” Adam agrees with you.

You’re about to reply before Adam abruptly says, “He’s here.”

You all settle into a weird silence before everyone loudly greets Ross as he walks in. Jesus, they couldn’t be more obvious if they tried.

“Why are you out of the pool?” Ross questions the other two.

Adam recovers quickly though, telling him, “George wanted me to film him doing a front flip.”

“Fair enough,” Ross nodded before he turned back to George.

Before a conversation could start though, Adam grabbed his attention once again by asking, “Oh Ross, whilst I’m out of the pool, can I put my new phone number in your phone?”

“Yeah sure, why’d you change it?” He asks your cousin as he hands his phone over.

Your surprised at how quick witted Adam is when he replies, “SIM card broke.”

“Ah right,” Ross believes him straight away.

“Ross, this is the famous Y/N,” Matty says, throwing an arm around your shoulder.

You laugh at that, needing to question, “Famous ey?”

“Yeah, to be fair your cousin speaks very highly of you,” Matty tells you and you’re surprised by that.

You don’t get a chance to question Adam on it though because Ross greets you, “Hey Y/N/N, how you liking Wilmslow?”

“It’s great,” You nod, “I’m loving the pool.”

“Yeah it’s sick,” Ross grins. “I’ll just change and get in.”

You sincerely doubted that, but you had to keep a straight face for the sake of the prank.

Just as Ross turns back around from the edge of the pool, George decides to take his chance as he successfully knocks his friend off balance and Ross goes crashing into the water.

The splash gets you and Matty in the face, but you aren’t too fussed because you were both laughing. Adam and George start laughing too, completely buzzing that the plan worked.

It seems that George’s victory ends up with him too jumping into the pool, and you once again get splashed. Laughter fills the whole room until the two heads pop back up.

“What did you do that for?!” Ross shouts towards George when he returns to the surface.

You could see that his once soft face was now red and bubbling with anger.

George laughs a little, thinking his friend was joking, “It was just a joke mate.”

“No, you arsehole that wasn’t funny,” Ross

“Oh, lighten up a bit,” George says dryly, throwing a small pool float at him as he walks out of the door.

That just seemed to piss their friend off more though. Ross looks absolutely fuming when he turns back and picks up the small donut that is meant to be a floating cup holder.

“Wanker,” Ross yells as he throws the small pool float at George with some force.

You try and suppress your laughter because you can see how fuming the poor boy was. But that just got ten times harder when George chuckled and Matty let out an audible laugh too.

Matty swims to the side of the pool as Adam twists the camera back around towards you. Ross had walked back out into the garden again, trying to control his rage.

That didn’t seem to be working well though because the next thing you knew he was shouting again.

“Ugh! Fifteen quid as well you stupid cunt” Ross shouted obviously even more angry after checking his pockets and feeling that the money was now wet.

“What?” George asks not hearing his mate correctly due to the water around you all still sloshing about.

Matty repeats his mate's question, “What?”

Ross appears in the doorway once more before half sighing, half seething, “Fifteen fucking pounds, George.”

Ross turns back around though, not wanting to look at his cocky mates grinning at him.

“What was?” George shouts after him.

“In my pocket,” Ross tells you all pacing back towards the doorway.

“Fifty?” George questions in disbelief obviously not hearing how fuming his mate was.

“Fifteen,” Ross confirms looking sorry for himself as he headed back outside.

George then offers a solution, “It’ll dry, hopefully.”

“Yeah but… It’s just…” Ross begins to trail off, trying to control his anger again.

Bless him, you were starting to feel really bad.

“Money’s fine,” Matty says.

“Yeah money’s fine for you when it’s in your fucking house dry Matty,” Ross shouts back before he then shouts at Adam.

“Turn that fucking camera off,” You hear and the next thing you know Adam is hastily putting his camera back into his bag.

You decide you should probably step in now and get them to wave the white flag.

You look to the boys in the pool just beside you, not wanting to completely direct it at George, “Right I think this all went a bit too far… Maybe someone should just go and apologise and ask him to come in.”

Matty shakes his head and George says, “Nah.”

“Awh come on I wanna meet him properly and you don’t want him to be pissed off at you all day,” You pout in hopes that would work.

“I guess,” George says before he swims to the side of the pool before pulling himself out of it.

You smiled at the youngest of the boys as he did the right thing and headed off to make amends with his friend. You hoped that Ross was alright and that he’d calmed down a little.

The last thing you wanted was for you to get off on the wrong foot with him.

With the peaceful water of most boys being out of the pool, you decide to just take a minute to yourself. You loved being in the water.

You forgot how fun swimming could be and whenever anyone would suggest it back home everyone else would shrug it off saying it as boring. But if you were with your friends, nothing could be boring.

That didn’t also mean that you didn’t like a peaceful moment in the water. You’d done it a few times when you went away with your Mum last Easter.

You just lent your head back and bask in the silence that the water provided. Granted it wasn’t the same as being in Spain, but the tranquil feeling was still there.

Matty watched you as you lent back into the water so only your face was above the surface. And then time just seemed to slow for Matty then.

He didn’t hear the noise outside that caused you to look back up. All he was focused on was how beautiful you looked in such a peaceful state.

He felt like he was watching you in slow-motion when your wet hair, now dark from the water, followed your movements back above the water. There were also small droplets on your eyelashes which just added to how much your Y/E/C eyes stood out.

You just looked at peace and in the moment and that was beautiful to him.

“You’re really pretty,” Matty said before he could stop himself.

Matty rarely knew when to keep his mouth shut but he didn’t want to just come and outright tell you that. He didn’t want to seem creepy so he felt like he’d shot himself in the foot when he said that.

You’d started treading water again but when you heard those words leave the young boy's mouth, you turned to look at him. You thought you’d turn to him and see him recoil and take it back, maybe feeling embarrassed and him shying away.

But no. Matty was looking at you completely sincerely.

“Thank you,” You said, offering him a small smile.

Thankfully for Matty’s sake the three other boys came racing back in and this time all three of them all consensually jumped into the pool, with George doing a front flip in the air.

Laughter once again filled the room and when the brown haired boys all resurfaced you figured now was your time to meet Ross properly.

“Hey, it's nice to meet you properly and at the same height,” You smile at him.

His hair was now stuck to his head as if it had been completely gelled back.

“Yes it’s nice to see you in person instead of a shitty video call,” Ross smiled at you.

“Yes our Adam needs to get a new webcam,” You say splashing a bit of water towards your cousin.

The water went straight into Adam’s face and when he reopened his eyes, he didn’t look too impressed. That was when he splashed you with a lot of water and it also hit Matty, too.

“You bastard,” Matty said to him.

Matty’s splash then got George and before you all knew it a massive water fight broke out. It was truly mental but it was so much fun.

You all went from a water fight to you all messing about on the floors again. Then you were all jumping in and out of the pool rating each other's jumps.

You all spent a good few hours just messing around like kids which seemed to fly by in no time. You’d had such a fun day though and because the days were longer you all hadn’t realised how much time had passed.

It was 6:30 p.m. when Denise, Matty’s Mum, decided to check in on her eldest child and his friends. She knew that they were using the pool and she wanted to check they were all okay, and to see if they were hungry yet.

So she headed out into the garden and crossed it over to the outhouse that contained the swimming pool and a handful of teenagers.

“Hiya Mum,” Matty called from the other side of the pool which caused you to turn around.

“Hey kids how is everyone?” Matty’s Mum said as she looked around the children who were in the other one.

She wasn’t expecting to see a pretty female in the water though.

“Oh hello, I didn’t know we had another guest,” Denise beamed.

You swam over to the side so you could politely greet her, “Hi, I’m Y/N, Adam’s cousin. Matty said it was okay I come. I really hope it is.”

“Oh yes of course, the more the merrier,” She smiles at you. “You’re welcome anytime… I’m Denise.”

“It’s nice to meet you, you have a really lovely house,” You smile as you get out and grab your towel to wrap it around your shoulders so you could be truly polite and say hello.

“Awh thank you darling, it’s my pride and joy along with my boys. Especially having another baby now and it's not just Matty running around.”

“Matty didn’t tell me he had a sibling,” You tell her looking down to Matty in the pool and he just shrugs at the both of you when you look at him.

Denise shakes her head a little, not surprised at her son's lack of contribution to the conversation.

“Yes we have little Louis. He’s two years old now and he’s pottering around the house like he owns the place.”

“Awh he sounds so adorable. I can't wait to meet him.”

Denise asks you, “How old are you dear?”

“Seventeen,” You tell her.

“Oh so you could be an on-call babysitter for the summer then?”

Matty then groans and rolls his eyes, completely embarrassed, “Mum don’t.”

Denise eases her sons worries by saying, “Matty I’m just joking.”

“I honestly wouldn’t mind if you needed me to. I'd be happy to help.” You tell her.

“I might take you up on it,” She grins at you.

Matty is about to complain again but then he realises that it could mean a night in with you at his house. He already liked you a lot so if he could get to know you better that would be amazing.

“Just let me know, it's not like Adam isn’t already trying to kick me out of his house,” You laugh little and Denise joins in.

She asks you where about you were from and different things every parent asked a new child that they met. She was really lovely though and you think she took a liking to you.

After a five minute chat she could see that you’d started to get cold near the open door so she let you get back to playing in the pool. Something which you were very thankful for.

The water was somehow warmer when you got back into it which was a relief to your now cold body. You started swimming about again to try and feel a little warmer.

“Mum,” Matty calls just before she leaves the outhouse.

“Yes darling?” Denise asks, turning back a little.

Matty points over to the side, just by the shelves in the corner of the room, “Could you please take a few polaroids of us all before we get out?”

Denise agrees and Matty then begins to round you all up. You all get close to each other for the picture and you decide to wrap your arms around Adams neck so you can keep yourself above the water.

Denise ended up taking a fair few different ones of you all. You did two smiling normally and then you did three funnier ones where you were posing or pulling faces.

Matty said each of you could take one home which you thought was really lovely of him. You liked that a kid of that age wanted to take photos to remember fun times as a kid.

Denise left the pictures she’d taken on the shelf on the side and five minutes later you all got out of the pool so you could go inside for some tea. Denise had told you that she was going to put some pizzas in the oven and they wouldn’t take too long so you all wanted to get dry before you went in the house.

You’re one of the first out of the pool and you’re really curious about the polaroids as you’d never actually taken a picture with one or kept a photo. You loved the retro aesthetic of it, with the white frame around the outside of the photo.

You definitely wanted to get one at some point in your life but because the new digital age was coming into the world it made the cameras harder and more expensive to get a hold of. So that would be something you would definitely look into buying when you got started looking for jobs when you got back to Sheffield.

You headed over to the shelf that now held the five pictures and after drying your hands on your towel, you picked them up. The posing ones were actually really funny but the one that you liked the most was the one of you all smiling up at the camera like goofballs.

Your arms were wrapped around Adam and you were both smiling up at the camera with cheesy grins on your faces. Ross was just to the side of Adam and Matty was to the side of you also wearing a grin. George was positioned on the other side smiling too with his arms in the air, looking like he was having the best time.

It was a really lovely picture and one that you intended to keep for a very long time if Matty would let you.

You didn’t just want to take it without double checking that he was serious about you all taking one each. So you decided to ask him if it was okay.

“Matty, would you mind if I had this one?”

“Nah, not at all. Go for it,” He smiled at you.

“Thank you, I really appreciate it,” You tell him honestly.

Matty nodded his head at you, still smiling a little before he looked to the picture.

He smiles as he looks at it, saying, “That’s a good one.”

“Yeah,” You smile. “The others are really funny, I'd choose which one your keeping before the others get a chance.”

Matty ended up going for the other one that was all smiles, leaving the other three to take their pick of the fun ones. You all ended up getting changed in the separate little changing area, which thankfully had a toilet, so you had some privacy and didnt have a repeat of how you’d met Matty.

You all then proceeded to have a really fun evening in the presence of Denise and Tim, Matty’s Dad. You also got to meet Louis and he was the cutest little thing you had ever seen.

You actually hope that you’d be asked to babysit because he was such an adorable child. Even at the age of two you could already tell he was going to be the sweetest kid growing up.

You were really thankful that Adam had introduced you to his friends, and for the fact that they all took to you so well. Instantly you had felt like one of their group, despite the age difference, and you hadn’t stopped laughing the entire afternoon.

When you all started watching some Saturday night TV in Matty’s lounge, you couldn’t help but glance at your polaroid picture very now and again. You really loved it.

Especially now it was dated and you’d all signed it.

You looked at the photo again and thought it was perfect. It had captured your joy of seeing your family and meeting some new friends perfectly and you were glad that moment had been caught forever.

The only thing that ruined it, ever so slightly, was the clear and obvious love bite on your neck.

~*~*~*~*~*~

If one more person mentions the mark on my neck I’m going to come home and strangle you x

You send that text off to Alex with a sigh. Since Adam had pointed out the mark on your neck his mates had started joking about it too, which your Auntie and Uncle then heard and also gave you that annoying knowing look.

But it had just been brought up again because the boys asked if there were any raunchy scenes in the Italian horror film that you were all currently watching. You’d told them that you’d chosen a mild one for them to watch because you don’t think you needed to scar poor little George with some raunchy sex scene.

You were watching the 1987 Italian horror Deliria which you had to explain to the boys that in the UK the film’s name had been changed to StageFright. They were actually pretty willing to watch it as you’d briefed them a little what it was about.

They asked you how you knew and why you watched Italian horror films instead of normal ones and you explained that in your love for it because you and all your college friends watched them together. This was true, it started when you all had to watch a different mild one in your English lessons.

You, Matt, Alex and your best friend had decided to all go round to Matt’s house and watch the film the night before your English exam on the film.

“What? So you watch the raunchy ones with your mates?” Matty asks you, laughing a bit.

Nod with a little smile, “Sometimes.”

“Yeah, of course she does, where do you think she got that mark on her neck?” Adam says with a cheeky smile and you immediately wanted to die.

“You’re not funny,” You tell them as you hide yourself into the sofa a bit more.

That was when you typed out the message to Alex before putting your phone down to concentrate on the film.

This film was a pretty bloody one, there were a lot of people being killed and it was quite suspenseful. And you were glad the boys around you seemed to like it.

You were watching one of the murder scenes when your phone went off again. It was about half an hour later when you got a text back.

You felt your heart skip a beat when the alert came through and a hopeful smile found its way onto your face. You really wanted it to be Alex’s reply.

You picked up your phone and you were delighted to see that it was a text back from Alex. You unlocked your phone and went onto your texts.

You click the unread one with Alex’s name in bold and your eyes go wide seeing his reply.

Can’t promise you I won’t like it xx

You felt yourself blush so hard. Your cheeks instantly heated up and you sunk into the settee a bit more trying to contain your squeal and smile.

Never in your life had you reacted like this over a boy texting you. You’d never had a boy flirt with you before either so it was an all round new experience.

You were so excited when the text came through that you didn’t notice that the boys in the room took notice of the noise too. You were so wrapped up in your phone that you didn’t know Adam watched you open it and saw your reaction to it.

You were only brought out of your little moment of weakness by Adam saying, “Come on then.”

You look up at him and note that he was talking to you. You raise your eyebrows trying to urge him to continue.

Although you wish you didn’t when you heard what he asked.

“Tell us about this boy,” Adam teases.

“There’s no boy,” You defend yourself but your voice gives it away.

You were too high pitched at the end of your sentence for you to not be lying.

“You’re literally texting him now,” Adam states pointing to the phone in your hand.

He then sarcastically adds “Or did you just go all shy and flustered because you enjoyed the murder that we just watched.”

You start to stutter over your words thinking of excuses but you can’t find the words. So you just give in and ask, “What do you wanna know?“

George gets in there first and asks, “What’s his name?”

You mumble, “Alex.”

“What’s he like?” Adam pries with a little smirk on his face.

You don’t know what to say so you just embarrassedly say, “He’s really nice.”

Ross chuckles at that but Adam doesn’t care for your embarrassment. He wants details.

“A little more enthusiasm please,” Your cousin pries.

You scoff at him then, “Excuse me for feeling a little embarrassed that I’m talking to my cousin and his mates about a guy I’m speaking to.”

Adam starts prying more information out of you but Matty wasn’t really paying attention. Not to your words anyway, he was just looking at you.

If he hadn’t fancied you the first day he met you, seeing you in that red bikini, he most certainly fancied you now a week into being here. It was a bit overwhelming for Matty.

Upon meeting you he had no intention to actually form a schoolboy crush on you, despite his joking with Adam about it. But he was sorely mistaken, he fancied the fuck out of you.

He was mesmerised by the way that your face looked as you yapped on about some other boy.

Your smile and the way he could tell you were slightly embarrassed by talking about it. He just kept watching your lips and it was mental that even with one of his favourite films playing on the TV, the only thing he wanted to look at was your mouth.

You were also playing with the ends of your hair which to Matty looked really soft. The soft grin that was on your beautiful face also made Matty’s heart rate increase.

He wanted to be the cause of the way you were feeling right now. He truly wanted you to one day be as excited to talk to him as you were about this boy.

Even at something as simple as a text.

So that was when Matty made himself a promise. Matty was going to one day be the cause of your happiness in a romantic sense.

He knew he wouldn’t succeed anytime soon because he could tell that you thought of him as a kid. But Matty wasn’t going to forget about his promise to himself.

He would work at it and try and make you see that he wasn’t the kid you thought he was. He was going to make you fall for him, whether it took five years or ten, he wanted to call you his.

~*~*~*~

A week later the love bite had thankfully faded and was no longer a problem of yours. Despite Alex texting you promising you that he’d give you another one when you got back home, you told him there was no way.

You tried not to think about the very flirty texts you’d been receiving the past fortnight as you were sat in your Aunt and Uncles’ living room listening to the band have a bit of a practice.

They were coming up with a few songs they wanted to cover as they hadn’t started writing their own songs yet. You were sat next to Matty watching him with his guitar and he started strumming away a vaguely familiar tune.

You couldn’t place it though because Matty was just playing the chords but not singing the lyrics as he was listening to Adam and Ross discuss different song possibilities.

“What song are you playing?” You ask Matty quietly not wanting to disrupt the others’ conversation.

Matty grins at you and carries on playing the tune as he asks you, “Do you not recognise it?”

You nod, “I do but I can’t put my finger on it without the lyrics.”

“Aw, what a shame,” Matty says sarcastically.

You scoff a little and say, “Aren’t you meant to be the singer? Sing it.”

“Only because you asked so nicely,” Matty laughs a little and then he plays through all the chords once more before he starts singing.

You smile as soon as you recognise it to be one of your favourite Backstreet Boys songs, As Long As You Love Me. You couldn’t help but smile at the love song.

Who didn’t love a good love song?

You sat back and listened to Matty sing. He was pretty good and you could tell he sometimes struggled with a few notes but that was nothing for him to be worried about.

Alex was the same. Singing was something that people got better with the more they practiced and you could tell that Matty and all the boys in the room weren’t going to give up on this band for the longest time.

Even the Monkeys at home didn’t have as in depth discussions as these lot were having. So you were really looking to forward to seeing how they all gelled together as a band and you were already excited for the inevitable gigs that you’d be asked to attend.

You grinned at Matty when he finished singing half of the song and you told him, “That was really good. You’re good at singing.”

“You think so?” Matty asked.

You nod, “Yeah, you’ve got a different sound. I like it.”

Matty’s face held a grateful smile and was going to express his gratitude towards you saying that but Ross and Adam stood up quickly. This grabbed yours and Matty’s attention, especially when Ross stood up too.

“Right you don’t all have to leave, I’m not that bad at singing.” Matty furrows his eyebrows at his mates.

That caused the boys to laugh a bit but they all shook their heads.

Adam informed the both of you, “Nah we decided to give it a break for a bit.”

“Gunna go park.” George said with a cute little smile.

“Ah, yes!” Matty said, sounding extremely enthusiastic, before he too stood himself up.

Ross then asked Matty who was putting his guitar back into his case, “Is all our stuff still in your garage?”

“Yeah, should be. So we can chuck the instruments round at mine for our next practice and then get the stuff and head out, yeah?” Matty said and you could almost feel his excitement.

You felt a little out of the loop at this point because you had no idea what Matty was referring to or what needed to be collected from his house to go to the park. You didn’t mind going to the park with them because it was something you still did with your friends.

Granted you don’t think you’d be drinking with 14 year olds in this park but you were still excited to go out with them.

“Come on.” Ross said, offering you his hand to help you up.

You smiled and gladly took it. As he pulled you to your feet, you asked, “So where are we going?”

“Skatepark,” George tells you and your eyes widen as you start following the boys into the kitchen. Evidently you were all leaving through the back door, possibly because you all needed to tell Adam’s Mum and Dad where you were all going.

“What?” You ask, completely dumbfounded.

“You heard. We’re off to the skatepark.” Adam tells you with a mischievous smirk.

Your Uncle looks to you all congregated at the back door and before you leave, he asks, “Which one are you all going to?”

“Just the one on the park. Think Y/N/N would be a bit overwhelmed if we went straight to the indoor one.” Matty tells you uncle.

You furrow your eyebrows at him and he looks at you with a cheeky mischievous grin. He doesn’t give you any time to argue back because they all scurry off outside and you're already lagging behind.

“But I can’t skate.” You call to the boys in front of you.

George brushes your comment off with, “Don’t worry about that.”

“Well, I am pretty worried.” You say honestly.

Adam turns to look at you and sees that you’re actually being genuine. He’s a little shocked because he thought you’d be up for it, so he just tried to ease your nerves a little.

“Look, you’ve got the summer with us, we can just teach you.” Adam says, not letting you back out of this.

He knew you’d enjoy it once you’d got the hang of it.

Ross nods, giving you an assuring smile as you now walk beside him, “It’s not like there isn’t enough of us to help you out.”

“But I don’t have a skateboard.” You say.

You were really clutching at anything to get out of this situation now.

“I have like three, you can use one of mine,” Matty tells you as you all walk down the road towards Matty’s.

“But-“ You begin to make up an excuse but you were cut off.

“No buts. We’re going and you’re gunna learn.” Matty persists and you sigh.

You knew you weren’t going to win this one. You were silent for most of the walk to Matty’s house, your nerves getting to you a little bit.

You weren’t that adventurous so you knew you were bound to hurt yourself. You just hoped that they wouldn’t leave you to fend for yourself because you’d be bored out of your mind.

To take your mind off the inevitable looming situation, you asked the boys a question in an effort to distract your mind. “What’s the band called by the way?”

“At the minute we’ve gone for ‘Me and You Versus Them’.” Ross replies and you just contain your confusion at the band name.

However, you couldn’t really say much when your friends back home were in a band called Arctic Monkeys.

Before you knew it you arrived at the local park and your stomach dropped when you saw the concrete ramps with multiple people skating across them. Never in your life were you going to be able to do this.

You looked down to the board that Matty had lent you and you can already feel your heart in your mouth.

Looking back at what, to you, looks like a mountain of concrete, you say to the boys surrounding you, “There’s no way I can go on that.”

“Oh no. Don’t worry, you’re not.” Matty assures you before he points to the caged tennis courts that were empty just to the side of the ramps.

“We’re going in there and starting you off on a flat surface.” Matty tells you before he ushers you forwards towards the abandoned court.

The other three boys went over to the skatepark and got stuck in pretty quickly. So it was just you and your nerves with only Matty to assist you in easing them.

After thinking how to start, Matty took the board he was letting you use from you.

“Right so, stay there.” He said and walked across the court from you. “Now run over here!” He called to you once he’d reached the opposite end of the court

“What?” You laughed.

“Just run over here!” He repeated. You were confused but did so anyway, Matty kept an eye on which foot you started on and chuckled a bit. “Right, you’re goofy footed like Hann. Must run in the family.”

“Rude?” You laughed a bit.

“Nah, it just means you put your right foot out first, Ross does it too. So that means, your right foot is gonna be in the front and your left will be in the back. Right, nose. Left, tail.” Matty explained and set the board he was lending you down. “When you’re on you wanna make sure to have a bit of bend in your knees and keep your balance like here.” He stated and put a hand over his stomach. You nodded as he set his board down as well. “Easiest way to start is to just...” He walked up to his board and just got on like it wasn’t even there. “Just like you’re walking.” He called as he pushed off once more, he turned back around and smiled as he came to a stop in front of you. “When both your feet are on the deck though, you wanna keep ‘em sideways. You only have your right foot pointed forward when you push.”

“Okay.” You chuckled a bit. “So right foot in the front for me yeah?” You asked him and he nodded. “And I just walk?” You confirmed.

“Kinda yeah. Same motion, more pressure to move forward. Then to stop, just put your back foot down on the ground again.” He smiled. You took a deep breath and walked up to the board, it shifted beneath you as soon as your foot put an ounce of pressure on it.

“I’m gonna eat shit.” You laughed.

“Nah, here, I’ve got you.” Matty laughed and walked up, half next to and half in front of you. He patted his shoulders. You chuckled and put your hands on his shoulders lightly. “Right now just push with your left like you’re walking.” He grinned and you did so, you wobbled as the board slowly rolled forward but Matty steadied you as he walked along with you. “That’s a good start.” He grinned. “George full on slammed his face into the pavement his first time.”

“Aw, poor thing.” You chuckled lightly and pushed off again.

“Ah, he’s a fucking klutz, none of us were surprised.” Matty chuckled, he had let go of you now, noticing you’d found your balance properly. “Now, he does shit like that.” Matty nodded to George in an empty pool, skating around with ease and doing some tricks with the other skaters. “George can do it, you definitely can.” Matty grinned at you again. You skated to the other end of the tennis court and stopped as you reached the fence.

“Hey!” Matty cheered. “Come back so I can tell you how to turn!” He called and you laughed, picking the board up and setting it down properly before just going for it and skating back over to him, picking up a bit more speed than you meant to.

You put your foot down to stop a little too late and ended up taking a few stuttered steps passed Matty as you let out a slightly panicked yell. He laughed a bit as you walked back over to him.

“So you need to work on timing, definitely.” He teased you. You rolled your eyes and lightly punched his shoulder. “There’s two ways to turn.” He stated. “Leaning... Which...” He kicked the board you were using up and caught it, checking the part the wheels were attached to. “Should work on this one, the trucks have enough give and kick turns. For kick turns...” You listened as Matty explained exactly what to do, he got on his board and showed you both types of turns.

Once you’d gotten your turns, pushing and riding down, you just rode around the empty tennis court for a bit. Matty asked if you wanted to learn a trick as you stopped in front of him.

“Already?” You laughed.

“Yeah, pretty easy one.” He nodded. “If you get two down today, you could probably kick flip pretty well by next week.” He grinned.

“You say that like I know what it is.” You chuckled.

“Ah, don’t worry about it for now.” He said nonchalantly. “I’m gonna show you a flat shove.” He said and showed you the trick a few times as he explained it. You nodded a bit and stood on your board, he walked you through it again. Really a surprising good teacher for a teenager. “Right, you’ve got it!” He grinned as you successfully did the trick a few times.

“You’re kidding, I did not.” You laughed a bit.

“No, I’m not, go on. Do it again.” He encouraged you and you did.

“Holy shit.” You chuckled.

“Now you’re gonna ollie.” He smirked.

“We’re gonna fucking what?” You laughed a bit.

“Watch then I’ll explain.” He smiled and skated away from you, the trick he was talking about put the board in the air beneath him. He landed it with ease and turned around, skating back to you with a grin.

“You’re kidding.” You stated. Matty shook his head and explained it to you. “You’re kidding.” You repeated.

“I’m not.” He laughed and explained it a bit before showing you a few more times. “You can totally do it. You don't have to be moving, you can just stay still at first.”

“If I break anything, you’re making it up to me.” You teased him.

“You won’t break anything.” He laughed. “Just don’t fully straighten your knees and you’ll be fine.”

Ollies were definitely the one that put you on your ass the most. The other guys had migrated over to the tennis courts from the ramps to watch.

“You’re on ollies already?” Adam asked, he seemed proud and amused.

“I’m fucking trying,” You laughed and tried again. And again you landed on your ass. “Ugh!” You groaned as you leaned back.

“I think she could probably kickflip by next week,” Matty told them.

“That’s ambitious,” Ross laughed.

“Can one of you lot show me a kickflip so I can decide if I even want to learn it?” You laughed.

“Yeah.” They all said together. You started sitting on the pavement of the tennis court, thankful for a bit of a break. You watched each of the guys do the trick Matty was so sure you could learn by next week. “You’re absolutely mad thinking I can do that by next week.” You told him as he skated over to you.

“Ah, ye of little faith.” Adam laughed as he joined you on the pavement.

“Shut up.” You laughed. “Fucking kickflips, you’re all mad.” You shook your head.

The first couple of days, you had to take a bit just to get to grips with the board and where you needed to place your feet to stay balanced and everything again. You got the hang of it with the help of the boys and each day you needed less time before you were trying the easier tricks they were teaching you to prepare for the kickflip.

They each took their turns helping you out whilst the one that was previously with you went and had some fun on the ramps. When you needed a bit of a breather you went over and watched them, and you were completely astounded at what you saw them do.

They were doing tricks left, right, and centre. You were jealous of their skill, but they assured you that with practice you could do all these things too.

After the first week you were skating on the flat ground pretty well and you felt really comfortable doing it. So then because you weren’t ready for a ramp or anything like that just yet you got Matty and the boys to teach you how to do a kickflip.

Something that did take you a lot of practice to get right. But the serotonin that your brain released when you actually did it made you want to do it again and again.

You felt like you could do anything. Even if it was only a little stationary kick flip. After you’d landed your kickflip a few times, George called you and Matty over to the smallest of the ramps. “Come on, Y/N.” He encouraged you to come over to where he was standing in the middle of the ramp, thankfully the other skaters in the park were preoccupied with the higher ones and the empty pools.

“What are we doing now?” You asked as you and Matty joined him.

“Pumping, get you ready for ramps at some point.” George smiled and showed you what exactly pumping was and talked you through how to do it. Matty joined him.

“Okay but you two do the opposite foot of me.” You chuckled.

“Hann!” Matty called with a laugh. Adam about ate shit at Matty’s sudden shout and you held back your laugh, Matty and George laughed loudly.

“What?” He asked as he walked over.

“Come show her how to pump, we aren’t goofy footed.” Matty said. Adam chuckled.

“Its what they showed you just reverse, Y/N/N.” Adam said as he began to show you. “All you change is your footing, promise.”

“Right, okay.” You nodded and set your board down, you fell into a rhythm with your cousin.

“Alright, Wheels!” Matty encouraged you, he’d just been watching you practice for a bit. You really were doing great for only doing this for about a week.

“Wheels, huh?” You laughed at him and smiled as he gave you a goofy grin and a shrug.

Adam showed you how to get from the middle of the ramp and up to the platform as well as a few other basic ramp things that you would need to eventually do tricks on the ramps. You leaned forward a bit too far on one of your ups, and your board flew out from beneath you but you thankfully caught yourself against the edge before you slammed face first into the edge of the platform above the ramp. The boys all asked if you were alright and you gave them a simple thumbs up before pulling yourself up to sit on the edge. Matty grabbed your board and joined you. You two joked around as you watched the others skate for a bit.

You were now at the level where you could stake to the park on the board which seemed to be much to the boys' relief. They must have all just been itching to get on their boards and skate away from you the first week.

Now you could actually do it yourself, you wanted to be moving that fast all the time and let the breeze flow through your hair.

You’re all currently skating to the park again and Matty makes a conscious effort to make sure you were alright and were straying too far behind. You were thankful that he was looking out for you but you think you could also sense some ulterior motive.

You weren’t stupid, you could tell when kids had weird crushes on people older than them. It was like how you could somehow see little girls taking a strong liking to boys that were much older than them, even sometimes to their teachers.

It was weird but you just tried to ignore the 14-year-old flirt and laugh what he sometimes said off. Thankfully it wasn’t anything that you couldn’t handle, and you just kept it to yourself.

If anything, it kept you entertained. Not that you would ever go there. The thought repulsed you.

Once you all reached the park you just assumed that it would be Matty teaching you something new in the tennis court again, so you headed straight over there. However, Matty shouted you over to near the actual skatepark.

You assumed that he was going to make you watch him do something again, maybe in an attempt to show off. But you were sorely mistaken.

Matty ran his way up the ramp with his board in hand before he turned back to look at you. You were still on the ground, not knowing what he wanted you to do.

But what he did want was a complete surprise.

“Right, come on up here.” Matty says, gesturing at you to walk towards him.

You move closer, not sure you were hearing him correctly, “What?”

“You heard me, come here.” Matty smiles, already seeing your nerves.

You walk up the concrete ramp and Matty offers you his hand which you take. He helps pull you up onto the top of the ramp and you feel very high up all of a sudden. Despite it being maybe only a meter high.

Regardless, you were missing your flat tennis court right now.

“Okay, so now you’re going to learn how to drop in.” Matty tells you and your heart drops.

You shake your head, “Absolutely not.”

“Erm yes. Come on,” Matty says, moving you both towards the edge of the ramp.

You’re very hesitant and pull back against him leading you forwards. You argue, “Matty, I can barely skate on a flat surface.”

“Are you joking?” Matty asks with furrowed eyebrows, “We all skated back to Hann’s yesterday and you kept up fine, plus George and I’ve been helping you with pumping the past couple days.”

“That doesn’t mean I’m prepared to do this.” You say looking down at the bar that lines the edge of the ramp.

“Can’t I do a slope or something first, maybe a smaller ramp?” You ask, feeling your heart beat faster.

Matty sees how nervous you are so his face softens. But he doesn’t let what he’s trying to help you complete go, “Y/N/N, this is a mini ramp.” He laughs a bit as he gestures to the higher ramps around you. He smirks, “Would you rather learn fast or just pussy out and never do more than a kickflip?”

“You’re fucking nasty, you.” You told him with furrowed eyebrows.

He knew you’d been practicing your hardest to perfect a kickflip. He was buzzing for you when you’d done it but that was a little nasty of him to now use against you.

“Listen, you’re gunna slam, no doubt about it. But you’ve gotta try it and you’ve gotta learn.” Matty tells you with a grin.

You could already tell that he was going to get a kick out of watching you fail a few times. But at least you could tell that he did just want you to progress onto the next thing.

Matty was just glad you seemed to be enjoying his company though. And every time you looked at him and smiled when you did something right made his little heart beat so much faster.

Every time you caught him looking at you, he felt himself blush and he felt the need to take a few deep breaths. Needless to say, Matty had it bad.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N: Really hope you all enjoyed it! Let me know what you thought! x

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we-dragons · 2 years

Text

I'm from a different dimension actually Chapter 14

"So, will you succumb to your doubts completely or step into the sun of this new world?"

I smooth over my dress and look for seams, I sigh in relief when I don't find any. I look back at the boy in front of me, he is straitened now with his a hand covering the front part of his face.

"Is everything alright?" I ask him. He clears his throat and inhales sharply closing his eyes. When he opens them again he smiles just slightly.

"Yes everything is fine, I just didn't have the right words for a moment. You look beautiful by the way." I feel my face brighten.

"Thank you, you don't look as bad as I thought you would either." His face crinkles and a light chuckle sounds out.

"You can't even give a compliment as your given."

"Someone has to knock you down a peg, something will boost your ego tenfold. I have to do this, who else will." He shakes his head and sighs.

"I don't have the energy to argue," He offers me his arm. "shall we head down? The party's just about started."

"I don't see why not, we can't keep them waiting." I take his arm and start walking with him. "Do you think I'll see Molly?"

"It's a possibility, did you hear the story that was given to the school and her family?"

"No."

"Apparently the government program sent you back home to deal with some things involving your family's murder. You went back to school in the Twin Cities area."

"Simple, and what about you?"

"Studies abroad."

"I wonder what that means now that we are back?" I see him smirk.

"My father has decided to sponsor you, you are staying with us." I stop.

"Sponsor? What do you mean by that?"

"The paperwork was just finished today. As per your parent's written requests, my father isn't your guardian or your stepparent. But you have become his ward under the supervision of the court for your time at school here. You are required to keep up your grades at school, and, though it was not required, they ask you to keep an extracurricular of some sort either at the school or an actual job." He motions for me to move again and we do.

"Why is it optional I get a job?"

"Because father has already set up an account for you."

"Pump the brakes pretty boy. Why is your family giving me money."

"Y/N, you could bearly pay for a broken window, food, and expenses. This is the least we can do."

"You mean a window you broke, then your family broke."

"We paid for a new one."

"I paid for the first one. 600 dollars-"

"You and your goddammed window." There is a moment of silence.

"I don't need the money you know."

"Too bad." He pushes the doors open and more music blasts in my face. People danced most chatted, and European Folk music played in the background. Though my main concern wasn't the people, I scour the area for the one thing I would go to a party for. I spot my target, but as I go to move I forget that I am attached to my escort.

"I know you weren't trying to escape to the dessert table."

"I don't know what you are talking about my good sir. I am definitely here to dance and talk to strangers." I fake a smile attempting to sparkle like an anime character.

"I will let you eat whatever you want from the table as long as you actually attend the party."

"Fiiiiinnnee!" I dramatically wave my free hand. "Show me off! I just want my food after." He stifles a laugh but drags me into the crowd. He introduces me to some people and then some. I do see Molly she and her family wept with joy seeing me alive and well. I felt terrible for lying to her but what else could I do. I told her what I could and from there she went on about what happened while I was away. All the latest gossip, what trends were relevant at school. She even talked about how her father was upset he couldn't sponsor me because Mr.Wayne beat him to it. , I had lost Damian some time ago, and now I was feeling physically, mentally, and emotionally drained. I excused myself to a table and sat down, one of the servers handed me a cup of sparkling cider and I drank that quietly trying to regain any energy I might be able to grab.

"I was looking for you." I look to find emerald eyes staring through me.

"Molly found me and talked my ear off for several hours. What about you?"

"Tsk, I was being bugged by elderly women and my brothers."

"In that order or all at once?"

"I will not dignify that with a response." He shifts himself moving his weight from foot to foot. "I would like to ask for a dance if you're not too tired." He holds out one of his hands. He looks the other way preparing for my answer. I take back the rest of my drink and take his hand.

"Why not, that's what this dress is for isn't it?" He's taken aback a slight hint of color burns his face. His hand tightens around mine and we move to the door exiting out to the garden. "Aren't we dancing?"

"Who said we would dance in there?" He smirks. "Now we will need to run so we can make it to the greenhouse."

After a struggle in the snow and a brisk sprint in heels, we make it to a large garden kept warm with thermal glass. As he leads me farther in I am struck by the beauty of the well-kept garden. Flowers of all different kinds bloomed, I wanted to stop and see more of them. When we do finally stop, we stand before a large Triste Barbaro lilac tree. I inhale deeply, the warm feeling of better times fills my brain. I can't help but smile. "How is it that we are going to dance in this place."

"Father installed a sound system a while back, I just happened to rig it so that we are hearing the live music in the ballroom." He goes to a patch of flowers and rummages around till I hear a click. The music slowly flows into the place. I recognize the tune, it's a song called Cartouche Song by Blackmore's Night.

"You know this one?" He asks me.

"It was one of my dad's favorites." I slowly sway to the music, I can't help myself and sing one of the lyrics."In between dark and light in the underworld."

"You know it by heart then?"

"Very much so." I smile, then a realization dawns on me. "I never actually learned to dance. This might be difficult."

"You went to the first one without any idea of how to dance?"

"I thought I would learn! I just needed to watch them but I was still freaking out by then. The food also distracted me." He gives me an unapproving look nearly glaring at me.

"You have an unhealthy obsession with food." He stands from his place near the flowers and guides me to the center. "Nevertheless I will show you." He lifts his hand taking mine with it. "Just mirror me." I nod and follow along watching for his feet. It takes me two turns into the motions before I settle in on the style. I appreciate the fact that we are not being watched by the peanut gallery of onlookers from the crowd. Though it would have been priceless to see their reactions those times I stepped on his feet. However he hides things fairly naturally, yet this confuses me.

"I have a question."

"Are you going to ask me?" I give him a look.

"Why here? We could have done this in the main hall."

"And become exposed to the tabloids? How would that end for you, a hiding heiress to your grandmother's fortune a person who is by all technicalities is dead?"

"Point taken." I look over his shoulder peering at the outside. The glass has a milky tint, I cannot exactly see how dark it is. "Do you have the time?" Without stopping his rhythm he checks his watch.

"It's 11:50 and before you ask how long we've been here, it's been about an hour since we got here." This news takes me back.

"It's been an hour? I guess I've been having too much fun."

"I find it hard to believe that this is too much fun for you. Seeing as you don't even let yourself have any." I feel something like a cold knife go through me. I know where he's going, his face says it all, normally it would go too far but this is Damian.

"Sure go start poking into my insecurities. I'll just take it." He gives me that smirk that makes me want to punch him. But for the sake of staying in theme, I settle with stepping on his toes. He holds back a hiss of pain, and I give him a smile matching his. We dance for a little more, then we hear counting from outside. Unlike the space station, they count from thirty.

"It looks like it's almost time," I say looking to the entrance.

"Yes, it would seem so. Would you do me a favor?" I raise an eyebrow.

"I don't see why not."

"Would you close your eyes?"

"Really? alright." I do as I'm asked. Subconsciously I listen to the slow count down.

"Y/N, I know that we met not long ago. However, my decision has not wavered." He's not speaking English anymore. "This might seem too forward, or maybe even too fast. But I am not good at words." His hand takes mine securing my wrist, it cold but not unpleasantly so. Then something slides on my finger, I open my eyes and blink at my hand. A silver ring with jagged shapes on one side rests on my ring finger. He lifts the hand interlocking our fingers, I see a similar one mirroring the shape on his ring finger. His lips kiss the ring, and he looks me in the eye contact never wavering. I feel my face burn. "I don't know when this all happened, I only came to this realization recently. Normally one would use a promise ring to signal hope for engagement, but if find this is easier than words. If you hadn't realized it yet, I am confessing. I won't ask you to answer me now, but I would like one soon." I hardly register the words, all I can do is stare at the rings. Though both are silver, mine is darker than his. And I notice a slight trembling. I grip his hand tighter clasping it with both of mine. I feel it still, but not completely. To be honest I think that I do it mostly for me. I sigh shakily, touching his ring with my fingers and moving it around his finger.

"I-"

"He proposed!" Steph pops out from almost nowhere dragging the older brothers behind her.

"Jason you owe me money."

"Like hell, I do mullet brain!"

Arguing and death threats ensue after, mostly on Damian's part. Steph brings me back to the mansion and stuffs me into a room with all the girls. I am overwhelmed by the people currently interrogating me about what just happened. And I mean an interrogation, there was the bright light and a small chair. Barbara eventually brakes it up after getting nowhere and it was time for everyone to go on patrol. Steph was disappointed after finding out it wasn't an engagement but seemed to accept it. I take a walk the long way to my room, with the party long done and over the room is empty and dark. I feel as if I can still hear the party. I look at the ring, I feel my face heat up again. I walk faster to my door and swing it open, the dog and cat run out of the room. I sigh moving into my room and locking the door. I throw off my shoes and change my clothes. I finally have my pajamas on, and flop onto my bed. The balcony door opens, I don't bother asking who, I already know.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Damian plops down next to me, hands behind his head.

"We should have known better." I twist the ring on my finger. It's quiet, too quiet for me. I turn over on my side to look at the boy. He's already watching me. I feel my face heat up again. He's changed into some normal clothes and a black hoodie that somehow hasn't messed up his hair.

"I do have an answer for you."

"Really!?" He grabs my hands quickly. He becomes red in the face as he attempts to move his hands but I stop him.

"I would be honored to be your partner, my answer is yes. I might be here for the long run, anyway. With that in mind, buckle up, you've got a seat on this rollercoaster," I cup his face and kiss his forehead. "and you can't get off till the car reaches a complete stop." He jumps up into a sitting position hand on his face. I sit up too crossing my legs on the bed. "Damian?" I reach out a hand to touch him, then I'm flat on my back again. Ebony black hair tickles my face, warmth at the side of my neck. My arms pinned between my chest and his body.

"Don't move. I can't have you seeing me like this."

"Vulnerable?"I hear his signature 'tsk' and I giggle. I move my hand from between us and card it through his hair. Each strand is soft to the touch he tenses at the feeling. When I move my hand away he catches my wrist. His face moves from his hiding place. His face is flushed to what I believe is a new color of red. I go to cup his cheeks again and he hisses but makes no attempt to move.

"Your hands are cold."

"And your face is better than a hot pocket." I take a good look over his feature once more tracing my thumbs in circles around his cheeks. "You know your eyes kind of remind me of chrome diopside." He glares at me.

"Did you refer my eyes to cheap gemstones?"

"It's not that cheap, the Greeks even used it. They said it would encourage good dreams to sleep next to one or even have one on your head while sleeping. In ancient times it was believed that he had fallen from the tree of life, so the dead had to be buried with this gem to ensure reincarnation and return to life. For the Greeks, it fell out of the sky because it was different from the other stars, it was not vain, nor did it try to outshine the others as a star would try. It already did it on its own. The heavens became jealous and trapped the star on earth." His face flushes again and he tries to move away. I pull him back reaching around him and snuggling into his hoodie.

"Now I'm rather hoping for some good dreams tonight," I snap my finger and the blanket comes over us. "and cozy warm. Now you cannot leave." He sighs wrapping his arms around me.

"You're insufferable."

"You put a ring on it."

"Yes, I did." He takes the hand with the ring and kisses the inside of it. "And I couldn't be any happier."

For once, I don't even have any kind of bad dream. Nothing from the past, no predictions of a horrible future. Just me one of me and a glowing star.

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arvinsescape · 3 years

Text

Bracelets, Amortentia and the Patronus

A/N: Did i combine my love of Tom Holland and Harry Potter? Of course.

Summary: The Gryffindor boy is in love with the Hufflepuff girl. She comes to some realisations with the help of these three things.

Warnings: None.

W/C: 3.4K

You’d been paired in classes with the Gryffindor boy for years, he became one of your best friends throughout your time at Hogwarts. He wrote to you over summer and even sent you gifts when he’d been abroad, the last gift he’d sent you before sixth year started was a bracelet, it was possibly the most beautiful and ‘you’ gift you’d ever received. It wasn’t too flashy but it was enough to catch people’s eye and pull a comment about how lovely it is.

“He loves you.” Ellie said as you made your way to the Hufflepuff common room.

“Well he is my best friend so I’d hope so.” You laughed.

“No, I mean he’s in love with you.” She teased and you snorted.

“No he isn’t. I’m sure he has his eye on a Gryffindor girl, you know one that can match his talents.”

“I don’t think so. You know they say Gryffindor’s and Hufflepuff’s make the best life partners.” She shrugged as you arrived and sat down on one of the couch’s.

“I don’t think he sees me that way.” You said.

“Look at that bracelet he sent you! You are not gonna convince me that Tom Holland is not in love with you and the way he looks at you all the time.” She said as you shook your head with a small smile. “Do you like him? And not just as a best friend.” She asked and you bit your lip. Did you?

He was always the guy you sought out when things went wrong. You practically had all the same classes together. You helped him with the book smart lessons and he helped you with the mostly spell based lessons, there is no way you’d be passing defence against the dark arts without him. You studied late together and most people assumed you already were a couple. He made you laugh and he knew what to do to comfort you when you were sad.

“I don’t know.” You answered honestly after a long moment.

“You’ll probably find out in potions this year or maybe even defence against the dark arts.” She said and you furrowed your brows.

“What do you mean?” You asked confused.

“Well we’re learning the Patronus spell this year and you know, apparently it takes the shape of your favourite animal at first but it can change if you’re in love someone, so you know, his will probably be the same as yours after he’s seen it.” She said and you shook your head. “Then potions we’re making amortentia potion, the love potion, smells like whoever you’re in love with.” She shrugged.

“First of all that potion actually only smells like the things you’re attracted to, that’s what my mum and dad told me. Secondly, maybe we have the same favourite animal, so how would that prove anything?” You laughed and she smirked.

“We shall see.” She teased. “He’s in love with you and I don’t know why you deny it. It’s so obvious, ask anyone.” She laughed.

“I think you read too much into things.” You laughed. “Come on, we should probably go to the feast, see how many new kids we get in our house this year.” You said as you made your way out of the common room.

The Great Hall never ceased to amaze you, it was huge, then again it was made to fit hundreds of people in all at once. The banners were neutral again, when you’d left before summer they held the scarlet and gold colours of Gryffindor after having won the house cup for the second year in a row. Just before you could take your seat you heard your name being called by that oh so familiar Gryffindor.

“Hey!” He said as he engulfed you in a hug, to which you happily returned, burying your heads in each other’s necks.

“Tom! I missed you.” You laughed as he squeezed you tight against him.

“I missed you too, so much.” He said as he let go, you glanced at Ellie for a second who was biting back a smirk. He glanced down at your wrist and saw the bracelet there and he grinned. “Did you like it? I saw it and thought of you.”

“I love it! Thank you so much. Although I feel bad, I didn’t get you anything.” You laughed and he waved you off.

“I’m just glad you like it. I was worried you wouldn’t.” He said and you could have sworn you saw a tint of red cover his cheeks. Dam Ellie, she was making you think too much into it.

“I love it Tom. It’s an amazing gift.” You said as you hugged him again.

“Brilliant, I should get back, they’re about to bring in the first years, see you in potions?” He said as he pulled you into one last hug before walking away. You sat down next to Ellie who had the biggest grin on her face you’d ever seen.

“You know to say you’re as book smart as you are you’re very clueless.” She smirked.

“Shut up.” You playfully glared at her as the first years made their way into the hall. They all looked the same, awestruck and nervous all at the same time. It was a look you were all used to seeing after six years here. The feast was brilliant, as always and you gained ten new first years who all had the usual look of relief that they weren’t put into Slytherin.

“You should ask him to that dance the six years hold at Christmas.” Ellie said as you were getting into bed.

“No.” You said hoping to stop the conversation.

“Nah, who am I kidding, he’ll ask you.” She laughed and you threw a pillow at her.

“If he does, it will be as friends, like he did the yule ball.” You quipped.

“Oh yes, the night everybody realised he was in love with you. You made a lot of girls jealous that night. The way he held you, looked at you, fawned all over you, need I go on?” She teased.

“Ellie, seriously. I love you but please stop.” You huffed as you turned over in bed and she laughed before doing the same. Was he in love with you? You doubted it, he could do far better than you, he could have any girl he wanted so why would he pick you? He’s always been attentive sure but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s in love with you.

Do you love him? You’re not sure, you’ve always found him attractive and of course when you’d first met him you had a crush on him. He was funny, kind, brave and you admired everything about him and maybe that admiration had been a mask for how you truly feel about him. Whenever you were separated over the summer you’d miss him, it would always feel like you had a hole in your chest, you missed him far more than you did anyone else at the school.

You huffed as you turned onto your back, running your hands down your face. You needed to sleep, you could figure this out later and so you tried your best to fall asleep but your thoughts were consumed by the brown haired, brown eyed Gryffindor boy.

“Tom, do not add that yet.” You almost shouted as you watched him move to put an ingredient into the cauldron.

“But it says here that you add this next.” He said gesturing to his book.

“Yes, but look, you need to stir it first.” You laughed.

“What difference will that make?” He huffed. “Come on I wanna finish it.” He groaned.

“You need patience Tom.” You teased.

“Of course the Hufflepuff would suggest more patience.” He laughed.

“Hey, I’m also loyal and hard working. There’s more to us Hufflepuff’s than patience you know.” You huffed as you stirred the cauldron and he laughed again as he playfully punched your arm. “Do that again and you’ll see how little patience a Hufflepuff can have.” You teasingly glared.

“You love me.” He smirked.

“Do I?” You teased as he feigned offence. You added the ingredient Tom had tried to and watched as the potion changed colour.

“Okay, just need to stir it again and then add the last ingredient.” You said as you stirred the cauldron. Meanwhile a Gryffindor girl had finished her potion with her partner and was asking Professor Slughorn to look at it.

“Very well done, now give it a sniff and tell me what you smell.” Slughorn said and she did. She took a sniff and then looked at Tom.

“It smells like you Tom.” She battered her eyelashes at him and you laughed, he was about to hear that more than once in this class.

“Erm, thanks, I guess.” Tom awkwardly said you added the last ingredient and stirred it in.

“What does yours smell like? Tell me it’s me.” She said as she watched in anticipation. You found yourself wishing that it would smell completely the opposite to her, a small feeling of jealousy taking over but you quickly tried to dismiss it.

“No, sorry.” He exhaled and she huffed turning back to her partner as he leant in to whisper in your ear. “Do you actually think it smelt like me?” He asked and you laughed.

“I don’t know but a lot of girls are gonna tell you that today so I’d get used to it.” You said and he groaned as you took your own sniff of the potion. Instantly you smelt almost everything you’d associate with Tom. You were taken aback, maybe it was a coincidence? You smelt coconut similar to what he uses to wash his hair and the familiar scent of his cologne. Loads of people use those two things, perhaps you just found the scents attractive.

“Well?” Tom asked, pulling you from your thoughts and you panicked abit.

“You first?” You said and he shrugged.

“Mine smells exactly as I thought it would.” He laughed and you felt your stomach sink slightly, so he was in love? Or at least attracted to someone and you couldn’t know for sure if it was you.

“Mine did but didn’t.” You shrugged.

“Come on give me a hint. Give me one scent you got.”

“Coconuts.” That seemed like the safest bet. “What about you? Give me one”

“Strawberry and mint.” He said.

“That’s two.” You snorted.

“Yeah well they go hand in hand.” He said. You were dismissed after that and made your way into the hall for lunch, ultimately meaning you had to separate. Ellie was there when you sat down.

“So, what did you smell?” She asked straight away.

“Tom.” You sighed and she squealed, practically clapping her hands together as you shot her a glare. “Maybe I just find those scents attractive you know.” You sighed.

“Oh come on Y/N. You are in love with him or at the very least attracted to him. What did he smell?” She asked.

“Strawberry and mint. That was all he gave me but he said it smelt exactly how he thought he would, if he did like me do you not think he’d have told me? Also I’m not sure why I’d smell like strawberry and mint.” You said and Ellie shot you a knowing look and you furrowed your brows.

“First off, maybe he’s trying to decide if you like him before he ruins a six year friendship and secondly what was the one thing you said you needed to do as soon as we could get to Hogsmeade?”

“What? I forgot my shampoo so I need more.” You were utterly confused now.

“So you’ve been using mine which just so happens to be that particular scent.” She grinned.

“But it’s not my natural scent so why would he smell that? Surely he’d smell the shampoo I use all the time. Maybe it’s you?” You said and she laughed out loud at that, drawing a few funny looks from other students.

“It’s not me, trust me. I don’t think I’ve said ten words to the guy since we started and if he’s in love with you, that potion will smell like whatever you do on that day.” She reasoned.

“Maybe. But what do I do? What if you’re wrong?”

“Listen Y/N. if there is one thing every house in this school can agree on it’s that Tom Holland is in love with you. I’m pretty sure you’re in love with him too, you just won’t admit it to yourself.”

You’d thought about what she said for a long time and by Christmas you’d come to the conclusion that yeah, she’s right, you are in love with him but you’re not sure he’s in love with you. Defence against the dark arts had been interesting because he’d cast his Patronus first and you watched a lovely dog burst from his wand. You’d done yours, after much guidance from your best friend and out shot a tiger. When you’d been asked to do it again, Tom miraculously started to struggle which makes no sense because he it was his best subject.

“They can’t change that fast can they?” You asked Ellie.

“I don’t know but he probably didn’t wanna risk it. How would he explain that? If it came out the same as yours that shows a truly deep connection and love.” She reasoned.

“But what if mine came out a dog when I did mine for a second time?” You said and she sighed.

“And you did and it didn’t come out a dog did it? He probably got nervous.” She reasoned. “Y/N, maybe you just need to approach this one.” She laughed and you nodded.

“Yeah maybe you’re right.”

You made your way up to the owlery, wrapped up for the cold weather to send a letter home when you bumped into him again. He was all wrapped up to, he looked adorable with his cold rosy cheeks.

“Hey Y/N, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.” He said and you felt your heart rate pick up in excitement.

“Sure.”

“Will you go to that Christmas party thing with me?” He asked and he seemed nervous as you grinned at him.

“Of course.” You smiled.

“Great. As friends.” He said and your heart sunk. Maybe everyone was wrong.

“Sure, yeah. Of course. I need to head back to the common room, I have a lot of homework before Christmas break.” You said.

“About that, are you staying here for Christmas again?”

“Yeah, I always do.”

“Me too.” He grinned and you returned it. Usually he’d go back home but maybe something came up this year. You said your goodbyes as you made your way back to the common room and you felt the tears.

After that you’d carried on as normal. It was quite easy to act natural with him because you’d been doing it for months and when the party came round, the night before everyone went back for Christmas you were excited to spend the evening having fun with him, you’d both been busy with homework. You made your way out of the common room and there was Tom as he said he would be.

“You look beautiful.” He said as he held his arm out for you and you placed yours through his as you made your way towards the party.

“Thank you, you look pretty good yourself.” You said as you took in his appearance. He had a lovely suit on.

“Look, I’ve got a different idea for tonight. I have something planned elsewhere.” He said and you looked at him confused.

“What, you’re throwing a party of your own. Lets go.” You said excitedly as you followed him. He was heading up to the astronomy tower and he sat down on the top step as you sat next to him. “This doesn’t look like a very good party.” You teased and he sighed.

“Can I talk to you?” He said seriously.

“Of course, Tom anything.” You replied quickly and he sighed again.

“Okay, so I’m in love with someone, like a lot, I have been for a while now, like an embarrassingly long time and I’m not sure she feels the same.” He said and your heart beat picked up with nerves because he was probably going to tell you who he was in love with.

“Maybe you should just tell her?” You suggested.

“I’ve tried, hell I’ve tried three times since we got back but I just get nervous because if she doesn’t feel the same it’ll ruin everything.” He ran his hands through his hair.

“I’m sure she will Tom, you’re an amazing guy. Maybe if you can’t tell her, show her.” You suggested as you placed a comforting hand on his bicep.

“Show her? I suppose I can think of one thing.” He sighed as he stood up and you looks at him in confusion. “Wait, I don’t know if I can.” He sighed again.

“Tom, you can. Trust me, just go and show her. Come on you’re a Gryffindor, bravery is your thing.” You teased. You felt utterly crushed that he’s just confirmed he’s in love with someone but you needed to be supportive as his best friend. He took a deep breath as he looked at you and muttered a spell you didn’t quite catch and as you watched him your heart nearly burst out of your chest.

From the end of his wand shot out a white animal and it definitely wasn’t a dog. It was a tiger, a complete copy of your own. You watched as it ran around the room for a while before disappearing. You felt tears of relief making their way down your face, he was in love with you. Your heart was beating insanely fast as you turned to look at him to find him already looking at you.

“But, when you asked me here tonight you said it was just as friends?” You said.

“It was supposed to be more of a question. I wanted to see if you’d bring it up first, you’ve not given me much to go on.” He let out a light laugh. “I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable.” He said.

“It doesn’t, I’m in love with you too.” You said and he let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank God for that. I was worried you wouldn’t. All I had to go on was coconuts and I can name at least six boys in my dorm room that use that scent in different things.” He said as he sat next to you again. “I was so nervous to do my Patronus again in front of you.” He said.

“Did it change straight away?” you asked.

“No, it took a month or so, I kept trying on my own. Looked kinda weird for a few weeks.” He laughed as you joined him. “I wanted to tell you in potions that it smelt like you but I got nervous.” He said as you rested your head on his shoulder and he rested his head on top of yours.

“You know, it wasn’t until potions I realised I was in love with you.” You admitted. “I don’t know why my Patronus has stayed the same.”

“Me neither, magic might be great but it doesn’t always make sense. You know I was hoping you’d mention something about the bracelet, I was hoping you’d figure it out.”

“Ellie did, she told me that you were but I didn’t believe her until just now.” You laughed.

“I love you.” He said as he moved his head and put his hand under your chin turning you to face him. His eyes flicked between your own and your lips.

“I love you too.” You whispered as he leaned closer to you, you doing the same.

“Can I kiss you?” He whispered as his lips were inches from yours and you nodded as he grinned and connected your lips. It felt amazing to finally kiss him, it was sweet and innocent but so full of love. He pulled away eventually, grinning.

“Wanna go that party?” You asked and he shook his head.

“Maybe later but for right now I just wanna kiss you for a bit.” He grinned and you laughed as you brought his lips back to your own.

#tom holland #tom holland imagine #tom holland one shot #tom holland x reader #tom holland fluff #tom holland x y/n

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myelocin · 4 years

Text

Redefining You | Kuroo T. , Miya A.

Summary: The three times you realize you love Tetsurou, and the fourth where you finally say it. A redefinition of the love that came to you, unanswered.

Characters/Pairings: Kuroo Tetsurou, You, (Miya Atsumu comes on ch 2)

Warnings/ Genre: Mentions of alcohol (beer?), tattooed!Kuroo, Angst, Unrequited Love, Healing, Slice of Life

Word Count: 3.2k

a/n: I felt some things last night and thought about some songs, so therefore here is an angst that is near and dear to my heart.

[Part 1] | Part 2 | Epilogue | Bonus

The first time the thought came to you was at age 13. You didn’t know what love was, never really felt it before, but as you stared at the way he hid behind his bangs and shuffled closer to his black jacket- you felt it. The first tap on your heart, first flutter of the butterflies, and the first kisses of an oncoming blush blooming onto the apples of your cheeks.

At thirteen, Kuroo Tetsurou said his hellos through cheeky smiles and light laughter. When he didn’t have volleyball, he’d be seated next to you in your orchestra class sharing a music stand, and engaging in small talk. He scoffed at your weird jokes, but he looked straight at you when you talked about your day.

You remember thinking about him in the school bus on the way home.

In him, you saw happiness; felt it even. During movie “dates” where the two of you watched Bridge to Terabithia while video calling at one in the morning because actual dates at the movie theater weren’t allowed by your mom just yet. Now, in your older years, you still often think back to those moments and laugh to yourself at how you turned beet red at Tetsurou typing ‘ur cute.’ on the chat box.

And so at thirteen years old, though still innocent towards the idea of love, through your own definitions you decided that the only explanation was that you loved him. And so love him you did.

The second time was four years later. You had moved abroad after your mother’s passing, and hadn’t really thought about the boy with the seemingly eternal bedhead. You flowed into your new routine quite easily despite the stark difference in culture and environment. At this point, though you still had moments where your thoughts ghosted over Tetsurou, you concluded it to be the stage where it had become just a funny memory.

Except, of course, there was that one vacation your dad forced you to go on (it being his hometown), the one where you literally knew nobody and didn’t speak a word of the dialect, in some weird turn of event you found yourself pressing the call button next to his name. Long story short, there was a really awkward conversation about why you were calling him at five in the morning but he eventually cracked a joke that was so like him, that the conversation with him just flowed naturally afterwards.

A call turned into two, and then before you knew it, despite on standing in the opposite sides of the world, a deeper friendship between the two of you grew.

Phone calls between the two of you became a regular fixture of your day, something that you eventually looked forward to. Still keeping in contact with the same group of friends you and Tetsurou grew up with, sometimes it felt like you never left at all. You found out that he eventually left orchestra and instead devoted his time to the volleyball team in his highschool along with Kenma. It seemed like a natural choice for him to leave. After all, you saw him often scowl at the orchestra teacher during breaks.

At seventeen, you had that feeling again. You felt the familiar flutter during every goodnight and good morning call Tetsurou slipped within your day. Snapshots within your day included a random selfie Tetsurou had sent you and various other text messages that updated you about his day. For almost three years, you saw him through a screen. You saw Tetsurou falling asleep while flipping through an algebra textbook, yelling with or at Kenma with a game controller, or just laying back in his bed tossing and catching a volleyball while you flipped through your own notes. The distance didn’t mean much to you because despite being thousands of miles apart, it felt like Tetsurou was right there.

Your favorite moments had to be the summer of your final year in highschool.

It became a routine where Tetsurou, knowing that you completely trashed your sleeping schedule, you were more than awake at three in the morning for him to call. That summer he finally got his license and developed the habit of driving around with you, plastered on the screen of his phone, your voice blasted on the speaker instead of playing the music you knew he liked driving to.

He’d stop by a convenience store to buy ice cream and eat it with you (having your own midnight snack) at a quiet parking lot some distance from the city. And the two of you would stay like that for hours. You’d muse about the three a.m. thoughts swimming around your head that night and he’d listen, with the occasional snarky comment (that became endearing to you over the years), and he’d talk about the three p.m. thoughts swimming in his.

And despite being on opposite sides of the world, you managed to watch the sun together. Though, the only difference was that as it rose on your corner of the world, he sat and watched it set in his.

“We’re watching the same sun, though,” he’d say, and in a way, it made the distance feel a little absent.

So your heart decided to beat again, during a Saturday evening that autumn: when you accepted the skype call at seven p.m. and waved a good morning to a sleepy Tetsurou. He replied with a good evening before settling back into his bed with a mug of coffee and his fleece blanket wrapped up to his head.

“If you were here we could have actually gone on a date instead of that shitty video call, you know.”

You looked at him, pouting into his mug of coffee, eyes still a little bleary from sleep and figure enveloped in a giant blanket. “I know.”

“I bet we’d look cute together, (y/n).”

You pressed your face into the heels of your hands and scrunched your nose towards the screen. “Tetsu, I would look cute. You’d look slightly cuter next to me.”

He scrunched his nose and retaliated with an equally snarky comment, but you didn’t mind. The same flutter in your stomach told you that you didn’t mind. The way your heart pounded a little faster as you looked at your best friend bathed in the morning light, hit the final nail in the coffin with the assurance that you absolutely did not mind.

The third came in scattered moments.

For a while you had kept it as a secret for yourself, but eventually coming clean to Kenma one night as he drawled about how annoying Tetsurou had gotten over his new girlfriend. The blonde gave you a look through the screen before groaning, “My God, (y/n). I was rooting for you two.”

You couldn’t find it in yourself to hate the girl. Next to Tetsurou, she seemed like sunshine and you could see it. In the way his smile tilted a little higher and the way his eyes shone when she spoke. He often replied to her with a voice as soft as hers, so you yielded. “He’s happy, Kenma.”

Kenma looked at you with a flat look, so you took his silence as his response. Huffing out an exhale and pushing the controller to the camera’s line of vision, you met Kenma’s stare. “Another round?”

The realization didn’t come as a completed that came to you at once.

Slowly, even as you told yourself that you were okay, and whatever this was is okay, you knew convincing yourself was another story. The dynamic between the two of you didn’t change, or at least on Tetsurou’s part he genuinely thought that it didn’t.

The mornings and evening calls were still constant even though the duration had become shorter. Gone were the nights you’d idly sit and watch Tetsurou fight sleep during homework. But it was fine. You knew she must have kept him awake enough to finish the worksheets.

Jealously was an ugly emotion, you thought.

You knew it didn’t suit you, but you couldn’t help but feel it bubbling during that one Sunday night he’d rang you up at five thirty in the morning, because he knew you wouldn’t hesitate to answer (you didn’t), and waved a hello before flipping the camera and showing his girlfriend shyly waving at you from the passenger seat of his car.

Your throat tightened when you looked at the watch, then looked at the screen where he forgot to flip the screen, showing the setting sun’s light cast on the two.

You laughed out your excuse of needing to catch up on a little more sleep before you clicked your phone off and turned towards the window.

The sun had risen, and your heart may have clenched a little at the thought that he was watching the same sun set with someone who wasn’t you, but Tetsurou smiled in that special way with the twinkle in his eyes, so even as you watched the sky light up from the first peaks of the sun’s rays, you decided that because you loved him—you didn’t mind.

The next year continued like that. The friendship stayed although the dynamic you two shared changed. As the year progressed, you took note of the dwindling calls, and hasty text messages. You didn’t bother to keep up with how their relationship deepened, but still had the heart to like every Instagram post either of them posted during anniversaries. You held on to the birthday messages or songs he randomly sent you and listened to the words that you sometimes imagined were what he meant for you. Once in a while the conversation would last longer than the occasional greetings and things felt like they clicked back into place again. But the next day, there never came the nostalgic good morning, or the sight of him with bleary eyes in the morning light, so you tucked that little piece of memory and listened to the same three songs you imagined were for you.

And because you loved him—for that time it was enough.

Before the autumn of the following year began, you found yourself seated on a twelve hour flight back to Tokyo where for the first time, in over seven years, you stood in front of him. Tetsurou was beaming, and you felt choked up.

Tetsurou’s hello was made known through a tight hug and a, “Glad you’re home.” So for that short while, you wrapped your arms around him and breathed the scent of his jacket, because for the first time in seven years, in a way he felt a little like home.

So as he sat across from you and said, “You would’ve loved her! She had to go somewhere that’s why she can’t come. But maybe you can meet another time!” you didn’t have it in you to let your smile crack and instead reached forward to clap him on the shoulder.

“Tetsu, you’re whipped.”

He laughed but nodded at your comment, but again, you took note of his happy smile so you let yourself try to mirror the emotion he held in his. And because you loved him, you thought of the tunes of the songs you imagined were for you and searched for the momentary peace in that.

That one time where you finally broke your silence was when he walked into your apartment with a chipped smile.

Another two years had passed where you watched Tetsurou grow into a new identity. He still cracked the same jokes from years ago, that you remembered, but his change was first subtle with the way he liked his coffee made to the resolve hardening in his eyes, and to the ink that wrapped around his arms. But he still had moments that made him reach out to you, and in those times you’d catch him animated about the most mundane things in early sunlight— you allowed yourself to love him quietly in silence.

“I have beer,” he said as he shrugged off his coat and rolled his sleeves up.

From your spot standing in the kitchen, you eyed the fresh ink on his arms. “New ink?”

Tetsurou placed the pack of beer in the middle of your table before taking a seat in the couch. He threw his head back and looked at you. “Yup. Got it earlier. Come sit,” he patted the empty space next to him with a little extra emphasis, “I really need a hug.”

Grabbing the bowl of chips from the counter, you made your way to where he was and sat at the empty space next to him. Automatically he slumped against your form and began picking at the chips.

Your hands patted the spikes in his hair and you leaned back, Tetsurou warm against your side.

“I feel like I’m dying,” he mumbled in your side.

“You’re not dying, Tetsu. Your heart just hurts.”

“I really love her,” his voice didn’t crack like you expected it to but his hand fisted the hem of your sweater a little tighter, so you sunk your hands into his hair and began smoothing out the wilder pieces. This had always distracted him, so you hoped it worked this time around.

You gestured for him to sit up and follow you as you grabbed a can of beer as you sat up. “Let’s get you some fresh air.”

Tetsurou grumbled a little before grabbing his own can and following you to the balcony. You leaned against the railing, cracked the tab open and took a swig. Tetsurou joined you by the railings and clinked his beer against yours before taking his own sip.

Tokyo’s skyline looked beautiful in the night. You peered at the man standing next to you, his own can pressing against his lips. “What made you get a new tattoo?”

He shrugs. “Don’t know.”

He paused to sigh. “Just felt like it.”

“You know you’re a good person right?” you ask.

“I’m not as much of a saint as I wish I was.”

“None of us are saints.”

He tipped tipped the can back and gulped down the remainder of his beer. “Not many people have broken a person either.”

And after a little pause in silence, you reassured him, “You’re gonna be okay, Tetsu. In time.”

“I don’t think I’m in that mindset yet.”

“Yet.”

He looked at you and sighed again. You thought even with tired eyes he looked beautiful. “Yet,” he repeated back.

And somehow along that night, the hours stretched into a comfortable silence.

This felt a little like déjà vu. With Tetsurou settled behind you, chin on top of your head as he enveloped your form in his, the both of you facing the east. Little specks of yellow lights began to dance around the sky.

Tetsurou’s voice broke through the silence as he said, “Have you ever loved someone?”

You closed your eyes and leaned into his warmth, already rehearsing the tunes of the song that brought you a false blanket of serenity over the years. “I have.”

“You did?” he asks, and his is tone sounded a little shocked, but you felt it in you that deep down he must have known, or suspected something even.

“Yeah. Eight years. I saw him in everything.”

“How,” his tone was a little more tentative his time, considering he was now dancing on unfamiliar territory, “how did you let go?”

“I haven’t yet.”

He stayed silent but he squeezed you a little tighter.

And then the two of you watched as the yellow of the sun finally broke through.

Slowly, the morning light illuminated the outline of Tokyo. You truly felt like you were in some sort of déjà vu as you looked at Tetsurou, for the first time, bathing in the same light, from the same sun, where you fell in love with him all those years ago.

You thought back to when your friend had told you that experiencing déjà vu meant that it was the universe’s own way of telling you that you’re going down the right path. And looking up Tetsurou, who felt the warmth of the sun with his head tilted back and eyes fluttered close, you knew you were right where you’re supposed to be.

Which was why you traced the ink on the side of your wrist and in a steady voice spoke, “I love you.”

He stepped back and looked at you. “What?”

His expression looked a little confused and you smiled. Holding out your wrist to him, you spoke again, “I began to tell myself that every day.”

“I realized because he made up such a big part of my life, when he moved on I felt missing and stuck. Kind of like being in a loop.” You giggled and willed yourself to remember the meaning of déjà vu again before continuing, “So like, the times where he’d be gone, I just decided to replace them by telling myself that I love me. I told myself good morning, and goodnight, and kept snapshots of my day to remind myself that I’m living this life and moving forward.”

Tetsurou looked beautiful in the morning light. Confused, but still beautiful.

“I realized in those eight years, I lost so much of myself. And he looked so happy. His eyes were literally sparkling, Tetsu! I thought that shit only happened in anime. But that kind of love happened to him so I thought I deserved that too.”

“I got this tattoo a few weeks ago, see?”

You turned your wrist to the side and watched as he traced over the inked bundle of baby’s breath. “I read somewhere that it meant everlasting love. I was in the middle of another sad girl hour moment so I thought why not give it to myself? It’s a start, right?”

Tetsurou’s lips quirked up at your words before he looked at you. “I’m proud of you.”

You looked back and met his gaze. It didn’t hold the same sparkle that it did for her but you didn’t mind. The feeling of déjà vu never went away so you inhaled a sharp breath. Tetsurou truly did look beautiful in the morning light, more so as he stands in front of you with a gentle look in his eyes. More than five of the eight years that you knew him had you spent dreaming about the morning like this where you’d stand with your hands in his own, eye to eye in the same side of the world looking at the same sun that lay witness to your growth.

You took him into his arms and buried your face in his chest, inhaling his scent. He smelt as familiar as he felt. And the moment still feels like déjà vu you feel like you could cry. Your heart constricts in the way that kind of hurts but also kind of doesn’t, and you feel his hand rub circles on your back, so you speak, “You’ll find peace, Tetsu. We’ll get there.”

His cheek presses against the crown of your head as he murmurs, “In time.”

And in that moment you realize that even though you love him, first you tell yourself a silent ‘I love you’ , and then echo, “In time.”

proceed to part 2 here!

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