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savnofilter · 8 months

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Wet Dreamz | Katsuki Bakugo

Pro Hero!Katsuki Bakugo x Pro Hero!Black![FEM]Reader

CONTENT WARNING(S): sexual content, mutual (?) pining, hint of infidelity, bakugo & reader are a duo, reader is in their head a LOT, clubbing, grinding, shifty hands mentions of perversion, voyeurism, fingering (m->f), making out, blue balling, mentions of infidelity, slight sero x reader, bakugo & reader are basically playing cat and mouse.

WORD COUNT: 10.8k words (45 mins).

I/B: wet dreamz by j. cole | wired interview w/bts

READ MORE: masterlist + [bakugo & students masterlist]

KEY:

y/n = your name.

l/n = last name.

h/n = hero name.

h/n/n = hero nickname.

c/n= country name.

g/s= grading system.

h/t = home town.

"italics" = words in full quotation marks is indicated as English.

bold = words in full quotation marks is indicated as your native language.

A/N: just because ie didnt want reader to just be a american, i left things like talking in native language to be up to interpretation. almost everything is up for interpretation in this one lol. slowly tryna get used to writing real stories instead of just fuckin. makes me wish ie was doing this earlier because it's actually really fun to think stuff up for stories. not rushing and getting smt out to have it out lol. the lyrics are… interpreted in a different kind of way, sort of play on words if you will. anyways hope y'all like it! i sure did. 🫶🏽 thank you anon!

"Cameras rolling in—"

The camera crew were finishing the set up in the background, the makeup stylists were adding their additional touches and you only had a few seconds to mentally prepare for your filming.

"Three, two …. !"

Snap.

"Hi! My name is Y/N, better known as H/N!"

"And I'm Bakugo Katsuki, also known as Dynamight."

"And we are here with WIRED to answer the web's most searched questions!" You two finished the cut unanimously.

The camera cuts to you as you turn to him with a nervous jitter, still with the joyful appearance you always kept. "I'm pretty nervous, people are wild these days."

H/N.

A hero that represented what it means to be a young, headstrong role model. A hero that was from a country outside of Japan whom Bakugo was immediately infatuated with upon first meeting.

L/N.

His interest in your last name marked your own culture, despite being foreign to him. The name you didn't say as you introduced yourself to the camera.

Y/N.

Your first name that he is always itching to say, practicing day and night how it'd finally roll off his tongue when you two could get to that stage. Today seemed to be that day.

You two had been paired up as a duo for about over a year now for some hero promotions and the chemistry between you two had been gradually growing. Indeed, you did not speak much as you had initially expressed not being confident in your Japanese abilities when you moved to Japan, but he is deeply impressed by your determination to continue learning the language.

"Oh! The boards are in English, I might excel in this." You joke, towards the camera.

"You excel in a lot of things, H/N/N." Bakugo promptly responds and he's just as quick to move on after he pulls up the cardboard and tilts it to the side, ready to officially start the interview off. Your lips purse together as you swallow the budging feeling to crack a smile at the personal nickname. Bakugo always had a knack for nicknaming people, but hearing yours out loud in front of everyone else gave you an entirely different feeling. One you couldn't place.

"Who is in…?" The blonde-haired male tilts the board as he reads it, proving his dexterity as he also rips the label off to reveal the rest of the first search. You could tell he was struggling a bit and you move your head to read it as well.

"Firecracker," You finish off with a smile, sitting closer to the edge of your seat as you look at it. "Although we just introduced ourselves, I'm sure we can spruce it up a little?"

Bakugo takes the initiative with a subtle nod, using his other hand to gesture to you as he introduces you for the repetitive round of introduction.

"This is, Y/N or "better known as" H/N. One of, maybe, only heroes I can tolerate."

You can't help but laugh at his rendition, nodding your head as you adjust yourself in your seat. "The honesty, wow! We have, uh," You turn more to your side, looking him up and down before looking into his eyes. "Lord Explosion Murder: Dynamight? But you may know him as just Katsuki." You look back at the cameras as you finish, a bit of sass as you conclude.

Katsuki.

The way you said it just sounds so much better than when anyone else says it.

An unexpected chuckle comes from him as he teases you back. "I think I liked my intro better than yours." He rips off the next label and turns the board for you to read.

"Who in Firecracker got their quirk first? " You hum and look up at him, face full of concentration now. Bakugo's gaze is completely focused on your face as you go into deep thought, scarlet eyes taking in your change of expressions. His gaze follows your body and takes in the details of your outfit, the volume in your hair, and the way that the makeup stylist (fortunately) did you justice that properly accentuated everything beautiful about your skin tone and features.

Bakugo was starting to like everything about you, and he was starting to crush hard.

"I think I got mine in, uh…" You roll your eyes to the right as you look back at the camera, perking up as it comes to you. "I guess at five years old… you guys would call it during yōchien. For me it's called, "G/S". How about you, Katsuki?"

He's smug in response, puffing up his chest as he looks into the camera with pure arrogance. "Four years old. That means I win this question."

"I didn't know we were competing." You joke back.

He soon peels off the last question for the section, turning the board to him to keep it to himself. "I want to read it."

"Oh, okay��"

"Who is the strongest in Firecracker? " Before he's finished with the question you're already grinning and pointing towards Bakugo. He scoffs and rolls his eyes, throwing the bit of paper on the floor and adjusting himself in his seat, his demeanor flustered if you were paying close attention to him.

"We're both fuckin' strong. Give yourself more credit."

You double-blink as you try to rack something up to say. Bakugo has never complimented you before—at least nothing more than "good work today" or a "nice job out there" or something along the lines of that. You did notice lately he's been more communicative with you, but you chalked it up to the fact that maybe he can tolerate you more now with the fact your Japanese is getting better. Still, you had no compass or direction to tell what he was feeling at any given moment.

To your rescue, an exasperated callout comes from behind the cameras, making you laugh out as well as the camera crew behind the director.

"Watch the potty mouth, Bakugo-kun!"

You give Bakugo's shoulder a light push, immediately going to grab the next board for a visual excuse for your nervous fiddling. "We both know how incredible your strength is! I'm being real."

— ✮ ★ ☆ —

The rest of the recording went pretty well, and the chemistry between you two was undeniable. It seemed as though the longer the shoot went, the more comfortable you two got with each other. It hadn't hit you until now that you and him never really talked before.

Of course, it's not like you two ignored each other, no, that wasn't the case. But finding out things like what his favorite meal is during a movie, or why he loved hiking so much made you want to learn more about him. He is also much funnier than you had thought.

You were pretty aware of the rabid fanbase that followed him consistently. The fan edits, the stans, the ones who truly believed they were going to marry the young man. The thought made you cringe as you thought back on your first reaction upon hearing that you two were being paired together for this joint project.

"This will be a great opportunity to reach a further fanbase across the globe in countries that love to support their favorite superheroes!" Your manager exclaimed in excitement before wiggling her brows as she nudged you. "And by support, you know what I mean…"

"Financially?" You finished her sentence, an uninterested look on your features.

"Yes! This will be such a big break for you. Think about it -- they see you paired with one of their top heroes. One, they'll think you can keep up with him. Two, this is an opportunity to grow your exposure as a fairly new hero on the scene. But third, and most importantly the country relations." She looked at you with a serious look this time, her gaze strong.

You scoffed at the implications of the "perks". You were sitting still in the comfort of your manager's old office, your unmoving reaction giving her an insight into how you had truly felt.

"Look, I know you like to be on that 'I can do this myself' tirade, but this will look great. For both of you."

"But at the expense of me though," You crossed your arms and looked down at your feet as you couldn't help but feel blindsided. "I mean, you didn't even ask me. I have never been to Japan, and I don't even know this dude. He could be a fucking creep for all I know!"

"Y/N." She said it as a warning for your tone. She sighs and softens up a bit, but still maintains her composure. "This is something that could be good for you. Think about the titles, the awards, hell even the recognition. Isn't that what you want?"

Not when it sounds like that, no. You didn't become a hero and train this much for the fame of it. You weren't an idiot, and you knew that part of the job is to get your face out there. But a part of you feared that you could become a person who would only go for things that will look good without actually doing the part.

"Do you seriously think you'll be some big-shot hero while staying a nobody in here? We need to expand."

You scoffed at her wording, eyes flickering up to look at her in offense. "So you think I can't be successful on my own?"

"Y/N-"

"I get that there isn't much of a demand here, but I feel as though I am fulfilling my duties. I don't need to be famous to make an impact. I like it here."

"You aren't thinking long term. There simply isn't enough demand, and that has to change. I know it's hard but you have to trust me." She reached across the desk to hand you the papers, the gesture not received on your end.

Sasha called out your name as you muttered a dismissal from the meeting. You stood up as you gathered your stuff from her desk, packing up the discarded papers and other supplies. You knew you were being dramatic, but rightfully so. This was never discussed, nor did you ever think you would have to live in a foreign place. It was so painfully random and left field that you couldn't help but feel slighted that such a big decision was already made for you. Especially where foreigners weren't exactly welcomed and that thought alone made you nervous.

That night was hazy if you remember correctly. You didn't have anything to attend to, you just wanted out. You were worried sick about this new endeavor. You would have to say goodbye to everything you had built at home. The community, the friends, the experiences. All for this opportunity. You were an emotional mess and honestly, as you cringe thinking about it now, it wasn't that serious but it sure felt like it. You were only given a year to brace yourself for the inevitable, train, say goodbye to the people you were used to seeing every day, and on top of that, learn a whole new fucking language.

One thing you did remember correctly though was your manager calling you to check up. When it had slipped up that you were currently out drinking and sad about yourself, she hopped in her car and immediately came to your rescue to pick you up before you could do something stupid. The car ride was silent as she didn't want to chew you out then and make you feel any worse than you already did. When the time was right, she had thought up something to say. It was her words that stuck with you that made you start to reconsider this business decision.

"Listen, if I told you, I know that you would say no," Sasha said as she held your hand, voice softer than ever. "But I know you deserve better and bigger than this." She sits up a bit in her chair that sat on the side of your bed and properly tucked your hair back into your hair cover. "It's not because I don't think you're incapable. It's because I know you would stay here in this small town without growing and staying in your ways."

"But I like it here… I like the people. My family is here… the community needs me…" Your voice cracked at the end as tears started to spill from your eyes. "I can't just leave. it's more than the accolades, the fame. I want to make a change and I c-can't do that if I'm not here."

She hums as she brings you in for a hug, a twinge of hurt coming from her. Sasha felt awful seeing you like this, and she was aware that even when in her best intentions her decisions could be harsh. Even if she wanted nothing but to see you succeed, she wanted you to be happy too.

"Listen," She starts as she wipes your tears. "We'll figure something out, okay? You won't be abandoning this place. If I can secure a deal like this, I'm sure I can sway some more from the company to get you happy. Alright?"

You meekly nod, your overflow of emotions never stopping as you can't calm yourself. You were too destroyed to come around to the idea. You were terrified of the turn of options and all the drinking you did that night did not help one bit. You are so used to being well-liked, what would the world offer when you change from a small hero in your H/T to a big international one? To what lengths did you have to keep giving yourself up to make the higher-ups happy? Were you in over your head choosing this path?

These questions were justified, but it all came back to the same common theme: boxing yourself in. If you didn't want to do this, you would've called it quits long ago. But here you were, and even with all the villains you've taken down, this seemed scarier. Nothing is more frightening than putting yourself somewhere you are emotionally vulnerable. And for the lack of a better word, alone.

You'd have to start again, meet new people, start a new routine. How would you be able to adapt?

"You'll have a year and some change before you go over. I've already been scouting for the best Japanese tutors out there." She pulled back when it seemed as though your sobbing had subsided and she smiled. "I'll get you the best of the best and I'll be damned if you're not taken care of."

You nodded wordlessly and wiped the tears from your cheeks. She handed you your water bottle once you sit up, a hand on your back for support.

"So think about it, please. I know it's scary to think about, but this can help you. Seriously." She stands up and tidies up the area before gathering her stuff. "And you won't be alone, remember that."

She smiles before closing your bedroom door leaving you to your muddled thoughts.

Later on, it was revealed that your pairing would have the "organic" formation. You two would be put together for a few big missions and soon enough when the public would notice, that's when the process of being in a semi-duo would take effect. Your manager made sure to stress how it was important the two of you kept your individual identities to cover all basis. No fan will be completely pushed out of their comfort zone while you two could rely on each other when the job needed it. The other part of the deal was that you would be able to work almost more than half of the year in Japan whilst being able to use the other days to visit back to your country and most importantly your home town.

It was a win-win and you couldn't thank Sasha any more than you did when she relayed the news. When recounting it, you can vividly remember the amount of relief that washed over you to the point it made you emotional again. The feeling of embarrassment had also risen to the surface and you profusely apologized about the prior outbursts to the initial news. In manager fashion, she hushed you before reassuring you that it was her job to get her client right and out there. If you didn't have her, you honestly weren't sure where you'd be right now.

But unfortunately, the things you overthought about weren't exactly wrong either. Most of the things that popped up in your head had come to fruition, some worse than others. Being in a duo with a male counterpart was rough. Especially if he was hot young and (seemingly) a bachelor. People didn't like to see their fave with the opposite sex who seemed to be of that same description with the added addition that they don't come from the same background as well.

Recently after the WIRED interview, the fans were starting to come along to the idea much more than it seemed. Many more positive comments were starting to pop up online and now the public perception of your pairing was really starting to kick off.

There was a mixture of comments that ranged from, "Wow! They look so cute together" "You have to admit they do get the job done" to "I fucking hate XYZ" and we don't need to address the vulgar ones…

Of course, at first, you use to read those comments for hours. You'd be stuck on an unhealthy loop, emotions from high to low as it seemed there was never a day that didn't have all kinds of comments and interactions. Some days are better than others, and some days you'd have to force yourself to log off and do other things in your life. But all in all, the interview seemed to be a hit so now both your agencies are scrambling to book more to boost engagement.

You sigh as you stretch out onto your couch, thinking about how two years have been both hell and a blessing. You stare up at your ceiling as your phone locks, setting it on your coffee table.

The idea to message Sasha as you recounted past and recent memories started to poke at you. You still hesitate on the action though considering the fact you know she's always busy with her schedule. You feel a buzz and you pick up your phone, the text catching your attention.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

Are you up for going out today?

[->] Sent 13:34.

'speaking of the devil….' you smile and swipe up to correspond to her message.

You

depends. what am I leaving for?

[✓] Sent 13:35.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

I've got a client I want you to get closer with.

Management says it'll be good for you to get more acquainted with the heroes here. You might actually like her.

[✓] Sent 13:41.

You hum in curiosity, thinking about it a bit before replying.

You

who is it?

[✓] Sent 13:42.

Chat bubbles pop up on your screen and you watch as she types up her response. Today you were taking a very much-needed break for the week and you weren't too sure if you wanted to go out and do some crazy amount of networking.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

Mina and a few others are in the top 10 for Japan.

You may have met her already, at those galas a few times.

[✓] Sent 13:47.

Your brows quirk up at the name. You're quick to open Instagram, wanting to see a more personal image of her than the one you would see from a search engine.

Oh.

Yeah, you remembered her. She was lively for sure and everyone around her seemed to like her as well. Her page was a mix of official posts and personal ones, perfectly balancing out professional and niche drives to curate an audience. There were even a few posts that were shitposts too.

You were intrigued. Now that you thought about it, you didn't have any friends here… like at all. You spent most of your time focused on work, and if not that, then interacting with your fans in person and online. When you weren't doing either of those things, you were studying Japanese. Surely the studying paid off though with the additional advantage of living in the environment to grasp the content. One could even call your behavior shut-in, but could you blame yourself? Even with your determination to get yourself out there, it was hard. You were still trying to adjust to all of this, and you haven't hit your time mark to visit home just yet. Hell, you can't even remember the last time you got laid.

Your phone dinging catches your attention again and you realize that you hadn't got back to your manager yet.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

So is it a yes? I will be forwarding your number to her.

[✓] Sent 13:56.

You think a bit before coming to a decision but you need a bit more info first.

You

yes for now, but who else will be there?

you mentioned something about a few others.

[✓] Sent 13:59.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

Well, I know that Bakugo will be there, but I am not sure who the other people are. Just got in that it's actually not just the top 10, just a few other heroes around the province as well.

[✓] Sent 14:02.

You hesitate at the information on your screen. Bakugo is going to be there? You're not sure why, but a sense of anxiousness starts to flood you as you start to think about him in such a casual setting. You blink a few times as you rub your forehead, now starting to rethink your decisions.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

Y/N, you will be fine. I'm sending a car to pick you up at 18:30. Wear something… "cunty" and cute. There might be paps there so look good pls. 👀

[✓] Sent 14:05.

You groan loudly at her text and almost want to throw your phone. Is she for real? Even when you need to go out to meet people, it's still about your image. You wanted to text her your thoughts, but a better part of you knows that this outing is probably for your good. You just hoped that these people weren't controversial and this wouldn't be hard work to clean up anything that comes along with their bullshit. You doubted the idea as you remember how much your agency wants to push you to the public. Anything that could be a blip in your appearance was always scrapped and replaced. They were your last safety net to coast safely in this whole hero-ing thing if you were being honest.

You

Sasha… 😐

"cunty"??? PLEASE.

[✓] Sent 14:09.

Sasha-Sama 👯‍♀️

↳ Liked your picture.

🤷🏾‍♀️

Love you, N/N! And stay safe, you know to call me if anything is going on. 💪🏾

[✓] Sent 14:11.

You jokingly send a thumbs down in retaliation to her message, albeit hearting the message as you know she means well. Turning your head to the side, you find yourself staring back at your TV's black mirror. You still had a lot of time left so you decided to at least start prepping for the evening ahead of time.

To prevent the inevitable disruption of hunger, you make your way into the kitchen and decide to get something to eat. You prepare leftover protein to eat with noodles that you've wanted to try all week. It's like when you think of mixing a food combo but take forever to put it into fruition. In anticipation of your ingenious meal, you eagerly await its arrival as the smell taunts you as you wait.

Once it's done you are in no rush to scarf down your food. You even sit down at one of the high chairs on your island with a half-awake presence. It was no surprise that you woke up late today due to the fatigue that comes along with being a pro-heroin. You couldn't even recount the last time you sat down and ate a meal like this. Back in the day (why did you age yourself like that?) when you were in, H/T, you always had enough time to do everything. To experience everything. Yes, you felt blessed to be here even with how hard it's been, but to be able to just sit and relax was a whole new feeling of euphoria you haven't felt in a while. The feeling was pretty nice.

You scoff as you try to think about how things can change so fast. As you blankly stare at your surroundings, you map out the different things you should get to make your penthouse more "homey". It was a very nice and very, very, very expensive place. One that you were definitely not paying for yourself, one that your company took the liberty to do. You have only been able to get the basic things you need for a living space, and only some decorations to truly make it yours. Hell, you even had more clothes than furniture and dishes combined. But that was thanks to sponsors and of course, having to properly ration your paychecks. You had to admit your living space being taken care of for you was an immense help to begin with so you didn't want to complain too much.

Your phone buzzing on the couch successfully gains your attention and you can't help but sigh in annoyance. One thing to also note about being in Japan is that you were practically on call all the time. There was a reason you couldn't leave your phone on silent. You finish up your current bite before hopping down from your chair and trudging your way to your device. You light up upon the contact on your screen. It's an unknown number but the person messaging you makes themselves known in their message.

XXX-XXX-XXXX

hiya! this is Mina!! heard you were coming out with me tonight! 🤟

hope this is the right number lol

[✓] Sent 14:39.

You

Hey! Yes, this is the right number, haha.

My name's Y/N :)

[✓] Sent 14:40.

Mina

your name is SO CUTE! it really suits you <3

[✓] Sent 14:41.

Your heart flutters as you receive the compliment, a giddy grin spreading across your lips as you get more eager to contact her.

You

Thank you! I could say the same for you 🫶🏽

[->] Sent 14:42.

Your thumbs hover over your screen as you try to think of something else to say, not wanting the conversation to die so fast. She hasn't seen your message yet and hopes something comes out of this interaction. Deciding not to stress about it too much, you resume finishing your meal.

So many thoughts run through your mind as you try to prepare yourself for tonight. Even in your hometown, you didn't frequent clubs or bars often, especially not with well-established individuals your age either. It seemed as though Mina was nice enough but you had to factor in the fact Bakugo was going to be there. Then it was also the added stress that other people you didn't even know would be there as well.

You still have no real idea of Bakugo. He seemed pretty reserved, almost goody-two-shoes-like. But honestly, you're sure you gave off the same image as well. Something about him just gave… in the clean. Saying innocent felt like a stretch but you were starting to lean towards that with his mostly clean record. But that could easily be attributed to the fact there was no doubt his agency was probably paying out-of-pocket to keep the shit he does on the low. Maybe you should take it upon yourself to look into him…

Amid your inner thinking, you had decided to clean up the kitchen after your brunch. Having just finished eating, you are now cleaning your dishes. Some dishes were left in the sink and strewn about, but the place thankfully wasn't a pigsty. You rest your hands on the edge of the sink, thinking about the many ways tonight can go before reminding yourself that any time you have tried to predict the future, shit has always gone left field. You hum as you shut the tap water off when you finish and push off the sink to find a towel to dry your hands with. You make your way back to your phone and sit down on one of the high-up chairs as you check your phone.

Mina

this is sort of sudden, but do you want to go shopping with me tonight? figured you don't have that many friends anyways

we can get to know each other!

[✓] Sent 14:57.

Well damn. She ain't have to say it like that. You feel a tad embarrassed at the wording but make up your mind anyway. You itch the back of your neck as you reply immediately.

You

Of course! I would love to. When should I get ready?

[✓] Sent 14:59.

Mina

i figured you'd say yes lol. omw what's your address?

[✓] Sent 15:00.

Your brows shoot up at the late notice and hesitate a bit. You look at the time before deciding to go along with it anyways.

You

000-0000 Shibuya-ku

[✓] Sent 15:03 P.M.

Mina

sweet! will be there soon 😉

[✓] Sent 15:04.

— ✮ ★ ☆ —

"Hey!" Mina calls out from her car as soon as the windows are rolled down. "You are so much cuter in person!" She unlocks her doors and gives you a wink as you bashfully laugh at her friendly flirting.

"Thank you, you too." You smile as you get in and adjust yourself. You look around as you get settled and admire the layout. You still have yet to get your license and being driven around could sometimes get tiring.

"I was thinking that we should go to that new store in that big shopping district mall in the district. They usually have cute stuff on sale there." Mina suggests. She expertly pulls off and looks over at you with a grin before reaching over to playfully nudge you. "No need to be so tense around me! I totally get you are probably really nervous. Don't worry, I can get you hooked up." She smirks as she looks back at the road, giving you a small glance before she finishes her thought. "In more ways than one…"

"A-Ah, I'm not too sure about that one." You nervously laugh. "If I'm being honest I haven't done anything at all since I've been here… especially, that."

With the gasp she let out, you would think that you just told her you work for the League of Villains. As she reaches a red light she looks over at you with a shocked look, completely flabbergasted at your admission.

"Are you serious?!"

"Completely."

"Not even joking?"

"I am so serious."

"...how?" She looks away completely in silence and scoffs. "Doesn't matter anyways, we'll get you laid in no time~"

You chuckle at her determination and shake your head. "To be honest I'm not really in the mood for that stuff… I kind of like being by myself. It's way less stressful."

"Well, no one said you have to be committed. A little fun once in a while doesn't hurt."

You hum in agreement and rest your arm on the armrest. Mina wasn't completely wrong, but you were totally out of the loop by now. You had to leave behind all of your suitors and sneaky links in H/T. Even then you were too busy with work. There were moments when you wanted to get out there for some sort of excitement to ease your boredom, but nothing ever came of it. Your desire to relinquish your needs always ends with you, your toys, and your imagination. A bit devastating if you think about it too hard.

The bustling shopping district Nina talked about isn't too far from your place and you have also learned that Mina lived pretty close to you as well. There are so many people moving about; lots of people doing their things and plenty who seemed to recognize you both. Luckily, she knew of some ways to avoid crowds.

By the time you two had made it to the mall, basically half an hour and then some had passed. Mina sucked her teeth as she looked at her phone to check the time, her manicured nails tapping against the screen as she spoke to you.

"Ah, who cares? The place is pretty laid back. Being a little late might make you look cooler."

Mina had persuaded you to stop by her favorite boba cafe near the newly opened stores. And surely after reassuring you a bit, she had convinced you to let her take care of the spending for today (although you decided in your head that you'd pay her back).

She grins at you as she finally puts her phone away to look at the menu board. You watch as she effortlessly orders her usual at the kiosk. You attempted to keep up with her movements but it proved to be a difficult task. This pink-haired girl was much more assertive and bold than you thought she would be. Everything she did was done with such confidence and carefree energy that you felt mesmerized by how she carried herself. Though her bluntness did shock you a bit from time to time. The way she talks to you is like you two have known each other for years instead of the fact you two have only greeted each other in passing at formal events. It was her unique sense of being a girl's-girl that made it much easier to get more comfortable with her.

The wait for the drinks doesn't take that long and soon enough you two are on your way to the clothing store. You admired everywhere around and swore to yourself to go out more often. You hadn't realized all the cool stuff you had been missing by just focusing on furthering your career. You were pretty amazed at how the store you were visiting occupied two whole floors, with another giant store on top of it as well.

You and Mina were separate in the store since you two were looking for different things. You were looking for a new pair of bottoms while she looked for accessories on the floor below. You mindlessly sifted through the clothes on the racks not sure what you were looking for specifically. Periodically you'd look out the window and admire the view outside, the day's sky shifting to a more dreamy sunset tone. The music you couldn't recognize softly played in the background, but the ambiance of the 2000-early 2010s feel certainly encapsulated the store.

You find yourself humming softly to the tunes though, a bit shocked that you could understand some of it. Some songs and artists you could recognize while some seemed to be either Japanese or from a different place entirely. As you paid half attention to the clothes while the other half tried listening to the music, the next artist that comes in makes you stop. You're unmoving in your spot and look around as you listen closely, a smile spreading across your lips as the tune properly makes its way to your ears.

It was a song from J. Cole and shockingly enough it was uncensored too. You lightly laugh to yourself as they tend to do this, playing foreign songs with the cuss words on full blast without a care in the world. You couldn't quite place your finger on which song it was though and it seemed as though the song was about to finish anyways.

Soon enough you can find a pair of pants that would suit the outfit and idea you had in mind have half a mind to try it on. You find your way through the options as the song unfolds, looking at the different clothes on your way to the dressing rooms. You softly hum along to the song although making sure not to be too loud. Lord knows you already stick out like a sore thumb, but god, you did love a good J. Cole song.

As the unnamed song comes to a finish, you are on your way to find the dressing rooms. A courteous attendant asks normal customer service questions before leaving you to be in your presence. It's not long before the next song plays and it so happens to be another J. Cole song, except you knew this song very well.

You breathe out a laugh as the intro starts to play and you have to keep your excitement in. You could hear the song much clearer in this section as it was more closed in than the rest of the other area. Despite the music being clearer now, the faint chatter around did indicate you were not alone, and many people liked this store as well.

'note to self: find the furthest stall to avoid any confrontation with anyone else.' You thought to yourself and continued your venture to the furthest spot.

By the time you had made it to the back, it seemed like there was one last stall at the end of the hall. At first glance, it seemed as though it was empty, but as you grew close, you noticed the door was ajar. You had half a mind to barge in but what you saw in the changing room made you freeze.

A familiar tuff of blonde hair and a toned figure dawning in a dark green tank that complimented his tan skin caught your eye. Your gaze followed the chain that adorned his masculine neck, his strong shoulders were next to fall into view, and his well-defined back that his shirt that perfectly molded to his skin was last. You could see he was hunched over in a position that didn't seem as though he was trying something on, but still moving nonetheless. A soft gasp that's immediately hushed makes you look up and your eyes widen. The sound was way too feminine, and it certainly was not from you. Another noise makes you squint, trying to see what was going on.

"Stop teasing me," She whispers to him and that's when you finally realize what the hell was going on.

Before you could turn around a pair of eyes makes contact with yours through the reflection of the mirror and you suck in a quiet breath at the fact now you have been caught. The reflection of his deep scarlet eyes showed no direct emotion and you couldn't read what he was feeling, much less thinking. His movements continued without faltering though and another soft sound of encouragement followed his actions. One thing was clear and there was no mistaking it: you could see him and Bakugo could see you. You know that you should leave. However, now you are dangerously curious and confused. The worst part is that you were frozen in shock.

Prettily manicured fingers lightly glide over his shoulders and trace his tanned skin before finding its way to lose itself in his hair. You could hear her question what he was looking at before guiding him to pay his full attention to her once again. It's when he breaks eye contact you can finally break out of your trance.

It was at that moment that the song over speakers reached your ears again and the irony that hangs through the air is almost laughable. No longer wanting any part in listening or seeing this go down, you swiftly turn around and walk away pretending nothing happened in the hope to find the furthest stall away from him.

When you find a stall you immediately close the door and throw the store's clothes onto the side. You rub your temples and close your eyes, another sigh leaving your lips for the millionth time today. Much to your dismay, closing your eyes didn't ease the impending headache that was about to hit, nor did it halt the memory of what you just witnessed. Your mind only brought the visualization of what you just saw to the forefront. You purse your lips as it didn't help that her voice accompanied the memory.

'it started off real innocent my ass.' You thought to yourself as that part of the song over the speakers made its way to your ears. When you open your eyes you're met with your reflection in two mirrors and have no other choice but to look at yourself. You felt like you were going crazy and rightfully so! You weren't innocent yourself, no, but have some damn grace. To be so careless like that, you're starting to realize that the coworker you thought you had a general idea of is way off.

But what did this make you? You stood there and watched them. Not for long, but long enough. Long enough that he saw you. Bakugo knew you were standing there and didn't do anything about it. At first, you thought that his expression was unreadable, but the more you thought about it, you had completely missed the challenging look in his eyes.

The piercing look of instigation with a hint of his curiosity. It was as if it was a look of provocation. As if… beckoning you to try something. Or are you desperately trying to justify why you watched two people doing lewd acts to each other while you just stood there in shock? One of them being your partner in fighting against crime.

You harshly scoff and turn around to avoid looking at yourself to hopefully put off letting it run through your head any longer. You start to strip your clothes off and face the door as you get undressed. As your mind starts to clear, you hear the song playing over the speakers and can't help but humorlessly laugh at the fact the song was about to finish. It had only been what? Almost four minutes and this whole thing had you in shambles. It would've been easier to handle if you didn't have to see him so soon—as in literally a couple of hours—but nope, your dumbass decided to go out today. To, "network". To have fun.

After finishing your haul you have long forgotten any songs playing over the speaker and now you just wanted to leave this store without encountering those two ever again, actually. Unfortunately, never seeing them again isn't an option, and making sure not to cross paths with them for now will be quite the challenge.

You slam the door open and accidentally startle the other shoppers due to your outburst. While apologizing profusely you hear a familiar voice call out to you, a wave of relief hitting over you once you realize it's Mina.

"Ready to check out?" Mina asks, completely unaware of what just happened. You wordlessly nod your head as you follow behind her, ready to get out of this place as fast as possible.

— ✮ ★ ☆ —

The club's music did not disappoint. Admittedly, you have been to a few clubs here and there that completely sucked. Like… really bad. The clubbing scene is totally different and it was clear that the culture here was adversely opposite of what you were used to. Not to say that every club you went to back in H/T was spectacular, but you could at least anticipate people having a ball and throwing ass. Consequently, you were pleasantly surprised by the one you were invited to since you chalked it up to cultural differences. However, it may have just been that you needed to find places that worked for you.

As aforementioned, you and Mina did end up arriving late but it seemed as though many of the other people in your party were milling about and having fun anyways to pay attention to that fact. You met a few others that your manager had briefly mentioned and had the pleasure to meet.

The first was Momo, a hero that had lots of prestige and was very kind. She often modeled but did other charity work as well. She had offered to put in a good word for you as she deeply admired your beauty. The next was another woman, Hagakure. You had heard about her before, and somehow her outgoing presence and energy rivaled Mina's. The downside though you knew to keep your distance since she seemed a lot more.. chaotic which is why you had already known about her prior.

Then there were the other guys there. Denki who was practically Mina's partner in crime, and another one whose name is Sero. He was pretty chill, not going to lie pretty cute too. He had a level of nonchalant charm that had you intrigued. The top hero of the country who everyone knew and loved was also rumored to make an appearance, but Sero advised you not to hold your breath. It was a whole workaround just to get the top three heroes in a public setting like this even when they could find refuge in the V.I.P section such as this one. It was a miracle that the second top hero—Dynamight A.K.A Bakugo Katsuki—was in attendance that night as well. Women and even men were always trying to find opportunities to throw themselves onto their desired hero, hoping that they'll be, "the one". The thought always made you laugh at the insanity of it all. Throughout the interaction, you did find yourself swayed to chat it up with him. He seemed sweet and Sero was honestly a calm breath of fresh air compared to the vibrant personalities that you have met so far. Even with how well you two were kicking it off, it did feel like something was looming around. Almost as if someone was watching you.

You assumed that you'd be safe on the terrace as there were a handful of people out there too. When you looked around you couldn't see anyone, and it seemed as though everyone was doing their own thing and partying. You're not sure how but at a certain point you two had gotten closer in distance, thighs touching and personal space becoming slim. You'd lean into his ear so he could "hear you better", his calloused hand resting on your knee that touched his and you had to admit that you didn't want it to stop. The small amount of liquid courage was making this easier for you. The alcohol gave you a level of confidence that made your words have a lighthearted cadence to them, much more fluid than when you are sober and worrying if your vocabulary is fluent and with the trends.

"D'you wanna dance?" Sero proposed. There was a playful grin on your face and you were more than welcome to oblige.

"I'd love to."

Both of your bodies are close and you can feel his strong hands on your hips. There is no space in between and there was no mistaking that you could feel his,,, friend down there. But you welcomed it. You even pulled his arms closer and ground against him. It had been a while since you have danced like this and he was cute enough for you to let this continue.

While feeling the rhythm (and his obvious boner and shifty hands) you catch the attention of someone you weren't expecting. You're too into feeling the motions of your environment to properly be stunned but it was no mistake that it was the same guy you vowed to avoid until further notice, Bakugo. You two never break eye contact as you tilted your head to the side, the horny male behind you taking it as a sign to kiss your neck. Your brows scrunch in pleasure as his lips are undoubtedly skilled, his teeth teasing your skin numerous times but not deep enough to leave any marks. Your hands find their way to tangle in his hair, egging him on to continue.

Bakugo's eyes are intense just like you had witnessed in the changing room. It seemed as though he had no plans on breaking eye contact with you and it scared you in a way that he was unwavering. While you cowered coming across him and his presumed girlfriend, he openly stared at you. Another challenging look with confidence oozing from him. Just when a hand starts to wander a little south on your body, he starts to move towards you and now you're starting to get anxious.

Breaking eye contact, you're quick to turn around in Sero's hold, an apologetic expression on your face.

"Too much?" Sero asks, his hand coming up to wipe a strand of hair from your face and you shake your head.

"I have to run to the restroom real quick, okay?" You squeeze his hand before leaving and take a few steps before actively making your way in the opposite direction in which Bakugo was going.

Your eyes search desperately for the bathrooms and much to your relief signs were pointing in that direction. Despite all of the dancing bodies and other people trying to make it around as well, you can find refuge and go into the restroom. You immediately walk up to the sink on the furthest side of the room and place your hands on the ledge of the sink. A deep sigh comes from you as you try to calm yourself down knowing that you were starting to get too cocky outside.

What the hell even was that?

You have had your fair share of rendezvous' and sneaking around, but never have you made eyes at someone's boyfriend or whatever the fuck he was to her. Everything about today was going way too fast, and you were sure you were going to need another drink.

You turn on the water and grab a paper towel to wet, applying the wet paper to clean off your face and skin. You were right about one thing though: Sero was pretty skilled and you wondered how he was able to contain himself and not mark your skin. Had it been any other bumbling idiot, you would've had to be covering up your neck and shoulders with makeup for a good few days or so.

You bend down to catch the water instead, fully committing to the idea that you'll reapply your makeup, if any, before leaving the bathroom to get yourself together. As you try to sober yourself up you hear the door open and close behind you and pay it no mind. The running water of the sink distracts you for a hot minute before it hits you that there was no movement at all after the door had initially opened. You turn off the water and turn around, a sharp gasp coming from you as you fully take in who's at the door.

"Having fun?" Bakugo asks in a tone you've never heard before. It was deeper, a light husk to it rather than his regular monotonous or rambunctious tone. He steps closer and you back up, trying to create more space between you. He scoffs at the action, stepping forward again and watching as you have nowhere else to go. You have no other choice but to watch him slowly make his way up to you, and you aren't sure what to expect.

"Bakugo," You start but fail to continue. What do you even say to him, how do you even start? Your mouth opens and closes as you try to collect yourself making him chuckle.

"Keep going and you might turn into a fish."

His mockery successfully makes you close your mouth and glare at him. Bakugo's calloused hand reaches out and softly touches your neck, tracing where Sero's lips once were. His thumb lightly traces your skin, a low hum in approval at how his work is pretty much unnoticeable.

"You shouldn't be in here." Your voice is low and timid. He grins at your words and places his hands on your hips, pushing you to sit back on the counter behind you. You curse yourself for choosing the last sink in the corner and you curse yourself for responding so easily to his touch. "And we shouldn't be like this either." You try to reason more with yourself more than anything.

He scoffs out a laugh and leans in close to your ear, lips brushing against your skin. "Why not? It's just us."

"But that… girl?" You lightly pull away from him and place your hands behind you to support yourself. His face shows confusion for a split second when he merely pulls inches away from you.

"Camie?" Bakugo's cocky demeanor returns as he slides his hands from your hips to your thighs, parting them enough to fit himself between them. "So it really was you at the store, eh? Didn't know my partner was such a pervert."

The nerve. He was the one who left the door ajar. If anything, you should be calling him the pervert.

"I-I wasn't trying to, you left the door open." You counter back, eyes narrowing in response. He lightly shrugs before moving in to kiss the opposite side of your neck Sero left untouched and places an open kiss on your skin.

"Must've forgot."

A humorless laugh comes from you in reaction to his answer, a soft gasp following in its footsteps. His teeth sink into your skin and you are sure that, unlike your first pick for the night, Bakugo definitely left a mark. You softly whimper as he places his right hand on your waist to press your body closer to his. Your back arches into his and you move your head to welcome his rough kisses, the stimulation undoubtedly reawakening the lust you had on the dance floor. His hand on your hip grips your thigh and slips its way to the middle of your legs, wasting no time pressing the pads of his fingers against your heat.

You moan at the pressure and hurriedly press your lips together in embarrassment. Your eyes are closed to avoid making eye contact with him as you already know he was gearing up to tease you.

"Shit, when was the last time you got fucked, princess?" Bakugo grips your cheeks and forces you to open your eyes. There's no way he expects you to answer with his grip, and you're sure he's not expecting it anyways. "Soy sauce face ain't do it for ya'?"

You look up at him with a dazed and confused look, the look in your eyes making him groan. The nicknames he picked were certainly unique, and you can't quite pinpoint why he coined Sero that; much less what their connection to each other is. He was under the assumption that like him you were actively 'busy' in your free time. You certainly weren't if that wasn't evident with how receptive you are to his touch.

"I'll get you all fixed up, baby," Bakugo leans in close to your lips, "make you forget all about that dunce's face." He finishes the declaration with a kiss, his grip softening on your cheeks and then moving to your neck.

The kiss, albeit sloppy, intoxicated you. His lumps were plump and soft, a hard contrast to his strong and calloused hands that held your thigh and waist. His tongue brushes against your lower lip asking for an entrance and you gladly allow him entrance. You moan as his tongue dominates your mouth, his wet muscle caresses yours with passion.

Your hands now gripped onto his strong shoulders like that other girl once did. You can't help but think about her, your thoughts starting to cloud about the two of them. You pull away as you start to feel guilty, a string of saliva connecting you two as you part.

"What's wrong?" Bakugo wipes the string of saliva away, a soft pant to his words as he collects himself.

"I just can't, Bakugo. You have a girlfriend."

"She's not my girl, not like that," Bakugo reassures, his thumb pressing against your lip before moving his finger to press various pecks against your lips. "I ain't never did this before, but I've had my eye on you for a while." The confession shamefully made you blush. You had always thought he was attractive but never thought deeper about it. Even a few days ago from the WIRED interview you never made the move to ask or even care about getting to know him. But here you were, sitting on a random club's sink with him between your luscious thighs.

Your cumbersome thoughts start to lose their way as he leans in to kiss you again, your worries washing away when his soft lips find yours. His kiss is overwhelmingly commanding and you love it. You were used to guys taking a more passive approach with you and the lack of control his kiss held undoubtedly made you more responsive to him. Even with that distinction from before, the kiss now is more controlled this time and his composure shows he meant business now. His tongue works smoothly against yours and doesn't shy away from wrestling with yours. You were so enraptured by the kiss you hadn't noticed his left hand had slipped into the front of your bottoms, the feeling of his fingers pressing against your clothed cunt making you buck into his hand.

You whimper as he continues his stroking, your hands never letting up their hold on his strong shoulders. His fingers welcome your grinding and he pulls away from the kiss to look down at the spot between your hips and watches in interest.

"Bakugo—"

"Katsuki," Bakugo corrects you and tilts your chin down to maintain eye contact with you once again.

You bite your lip and your eyes flutter closed once he presses his fingers against your clit eliciting a breathier moan from you.

"Say it and I'll put them in, Y/N." He lets his fingers slip down to collect your slick, the tips of his fingers lightly pressing at your entrance before tracking back up to play with your clit again.

"K-Kat," Your jaw locks up at his diddling, a frustrated pout adorning your features as you try to keep up with him. "I—thought you said you haven't done this before, hm?"

He lightly laughs at your accusation, softly shaking his head at your confusion. "Messin' around like this, princess." His eyes flicker down at your movements and softly groans.

"So it's not about me being a foreigner?"

"That too," The question gets a genuine laugh from him, his brow raising in amusement as he slips in a finger whilst he answers. "used to stealing other people's girl's, not the other way around."

"Shit!" Your fingers grip his tank top and you bring him in for another kiss. His experience is clear in the way he maintains his rhythm in both his kiss and fingering your sopping cunt. Bakugo slips in another finger when you start to lubricate more, a lewd squelch welcoming in his digits.

He curls his fingers to find your soft g-spot, his touch delicate but rough at the same time. You were a vocal one for sure and he loved it. When he presses his palm against your once abandoned clit, your sounds let him know how much you appreciated the attention again. You two break the kiss when you both need time to breathe, lips still very much pressed against one another as you two take each other in.

"Katsuki, fuck-"

"You're close aren't you, pretty girl?" He hums and you nod your head in confirmation. He barely reacts when your nails press into his skin, his eyes scanning the way your body reacts to his movements and how unabashedly expressive you were. So many other women were always focused on how pretty they looked and wanted to be prettier and more memorable than the last the young man encountered. You seemed so natural and into it and he greatly admired it. His crush that he has developed on you for some time now was growing for sure and it was all by chance that it was panning out like this. At this point he didn't care if you were using him to get your rocks off, he wanted to see you like this more often.

With bliss written across your face, your orgasm washes over you in an artful visual. Bakugo had grown to love all your expressions and this one by far might be his favorite. Your brows were scrunched as you released, eyes closed and your mouth shaped like an "O". When you opened back up your eyes to look at him, he knew what you were asking for. Bakugo softly sweet-talks you as you come down, his fingers slowing to a stop before pulling from your pants to lick his fingers.

You're a mess, a light pant to your breath as you watch him lick up your essence from his digits. You move to palm his hard-on, but his other hand immediately stops you.

"Fuck me, Katsuki." You mumbled against his lips, the look in your eyes showing nothing but a lustful plea.

"Not yet, princess," Bakugo answers back in the same manner, his lips brushing against yours as a way to tease before pulling away. "Can't spoil you too much now, can I?" He gives you a look over and scoffs at your dumbfounded seemingly fucked out state.

You call out his name as he washes up and leaves you behind in the bathroom.

You sit on the counter and stare at the door in shock. Your body felt like it was on fire. Your panties were now soaked and to add fuel to the fire you were left horny as fuck.

You slump against the corner and roll your eyes in exasperation. You no longer wanted to go back out and the pull to get another drink quickly died once you found yourself getting drunk on lust from what just occurred. You press your thighs together and groan at how Bakugo successfully blue-balled you both. You knew he was hard as fuck too the way his dick pressed against your thigh confirmed it.

You tilt your head to the side to observe yourself and have to admit you look a hot mess. Your eyes are half-lidded, you weren't sure how but your hair was a mess and now your once clear neck is now adorned in marks from Bakugo's rough kisses. You look away from the mirror and begrudgingly hop off the counter, the need to go home and take a shower finally reaching its way to your nervous system.

You

hey girlie, I'm heading out for the night. thanks for hanging out with me! 🫶🏽

[->] Sent 1:24 A.M.

You make sure to text Mina to avoid any miscommunication of you randomly disappearing during the night. You took your time to gather yourself not wanting to leave until you were ready. Once you leave the bathroom, you make a beeline towards the terrace needing to grab your things before having to leave in a cab for home.

"Leaving already?" A male's voice behind you makes you turn around.

"Ah, Sero," You smile apologetically as you properly face him. "I just… I'm not feeling well all of a sudden…" It was a shit lie and you knew it. You couldn't think of a better excuse but it wasn't a complete lie either. After your encounter with Bakugo, you needed to spend the night preferably alone.

Sero nods his head and gives you a warm smile. "I get it. Could I uh… get your phone maybe? Only if you're comfortable."

"Oh!" You light up and nod your head. "Yeah, of course."

After searching his pockets, Sero pulls out his phone and hands it to you. You quickly type in your number right before getting the notification on your own device that your ride is ready.

"It was nice meeting you, Sero." You lean up to kiss him on the cheek, leaving not too long after. It was a bit hard moving through the crowd but you were able to leave, and hopefully, you would be able to go home without any trouble tonight.

But what you didn't know was some people were paying attention and saw that whole exchange.

Quite a few, actually.

#bnha x reader #mha x reader #bnha smut #mha smut #bnha x black!reader #mha x black!reader #bnha x poc!reader #mha x poc!reader #bakugo katsuki x reader #pro hero! bakugo katsuki x reader #bnha fanfiction #mha fanfiction #bnha imagines #mha imagines #bnha scenarios #mha scenarios #n/sfw #sav's saucin'

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bunnyswritings · 1 year

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ur blog is soo helpful !!!! ive been looking into writing more lately and this is like a godsend <3 i was wondering if u could do some starter tips?? like stuff to avoid as a new writer :o ps. hope ur having a wonderful week!!!

ahhh, hello!! this is such a sweet message, and thank you, i hope you have a fruitful week ahead too ♡ i'm so glad you're writing more lately- i'll def do my best to provide some starter tips (though i'm really also a starter myself 😅 so i hope you like these, and feel free to let me know what you think!) also, just to put it out there that these are what i found helpful personally / what i think will be helpful, and may / may not resonate with everyone. Also, this topic is soooo broad and there are a million things that can be covered, but for now I'll just keep it short and go with stuff to avoid (or rather, approach differently) as per request. if you / anyone else would like another post for more specific writing tips, feel free to drop it in my ask box!

Some general writing tips — stuff to avoid; little things to not overdo

over-planning

overusing fancy vocabulary

over-describing

over-criticising your work

over-comparing

more details under the cut!

Over-planning — plan the general outline, direction of your plot, message of your story, characters and their rough personalities; yes, do all that well! good planning makes for a good story, but i think it's helpful to remember that sometimes things don't pan out the way we envision them to. and it's important to let certain things go, appropriately of course. if your initial storyline doesn't quite fit the characterisation of the protagonist etc (and vice versa), then perhaps it's time to rethink things — and NOT be too hard-up about it. [tldr: be flexible!]

Overusing bombastic vocabulary — i'm sure you've come across millions of writing advice pieces that aim to spruce up your vocabulary with bombastic phrases. by all means go ahead and pick a few that fit the mood and style of your writing. otherwise, i'd say that sometimes, less is more. throwing in fancy words for the sake of it may not be as helpful as you think. there should be a fine balance between using words that add flavour + help to illustrate nuances and using words to make your piece seem complex. simplicity goes a long way, as i've learnt. but having said that, building up a solid repertoire of vocabulary / good phrases is always helpful, the key thing is using those phrases in the right context. definitely easier said than done, so i suggest reading your favourite author's works couple of times through and pick up their way of using language to their advantage.

Over-describing — narration, descriptive language are great, and can really help to nudge your story in the right direction. it helps set the scene, the mood, and all these are critical in writing... BUT! not the same can be applied to describing actions. not every single action has to be written out explicitly — an example: she walks over to the kitchen, turns around, and opens the refrigerator. she then takes out a canned drink, and places the drink on the countertop... etc — you get the point. some things can be left implied, rather than explicit.

Over-criticising your work — ahh, the age-old piece of advice. i do it all the time, and you probably do too... sometimes, being harsh on yourself and on your work may seem like the only way to better yourself and push your limits, but often times, i personally find that this is counter-productive both on the physical and mental front. it wears you down, it is a nidus for dejection and negative vibes. i think the way i try to get round this is by taking pride in my own work; telling myself that 'this is something i wrote, these are my ideas put into prose, these are my thoughts written on paper'. the caveat here is that avoiding being over-critical of your work DOES NOT and should not mean avoiding proofreading. proofreading is extremely crucial to check for grammatical and structural errors (i recommend doing it once or twice yourself, and if possible, getting a fresh pair of eyes to do the same).

Over-comparing — this ties in nicely with the previous point. take pride in your work! this is something original from you and you only, written in your unique style. having authors/writers whom you look up to is essential in moulding your writing style and habits, but should not be the sole focus when you write. remember that every writer is different, every piece of writing is different; this goes even for pieces with similar plots / tropes / character personalities. nuances, subtleties and underlying messages can come through very differently when written by different people. after all, our life journeys are all personal, which is a factor influencing the way we convey messages across through the written word.

and... that's it for now! i really hope that this helps. honestly, i'm scratching the surface here, and there are lots more i can talk about when i have more braincells >_<

feel free to drop any other requests or questions in my ask if you'd like ♡

#writing tips #writing resources #writing inspo #writing inspiration #writing advice #creative writing #creative writing prompts #writing prompts #prompts #writerscommunity #writeblr #fanfiction prompts #new writer boost #writer #writing dialogue #bunnyswritings #bunnyrequests #bunnyrambles

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hairybirthdayclown · 10 months

Text

placements with issues in romantic relationships part i.

*(analysis based on my friends & acquaintances)

VENUS SQUARE URANUS - do you get emotionally smothered just by thinking of being in a relationship? it's not that these natives don't want to have deep connections, they want to feel some sort of personal growth within it, regardless of any sort of labels. avoidant attachment style is what i'm getting with this placement with commitment issues. a lot of the people i've sat down with rarely date/don't want to/lack commitment in their relationships.

why don't you date? (i asked these people to refrain from mentioning any external factors that hinder them from relationships & look inwards...they still said them lol. also, i spruced up what they said just for y'all to understand better because these were said to me in a different language with A LOT more profanity)

"there are many reasons. but i think one that correlates to what you're researching is that my feelings are unpredictable. like i mentioned to you, if you remember - sometimes i wake up & feel nothing towards the people i love. i'm scared that will happen too in a romantic relationship"

- friend 1 (at 8° orb)

"i cannot stand when someone i'm with makes decisions for me & starts referring to us as 'we'. no h*e, i'm me, you're you & we're together but not together. do you understand? i'm not a 'together' person, have fun with me for as long as we can tolerate eachother for & f*ck off" (yeesh)

- acquaintance 1 (at 6° orb)

"i really don't understand this generation. a lot of conflict would be resolved if everyone was honest with what they want. i don't date because i prefer being alone. i actually love it. i don't even know if i want to get married. i used to be the 'date to marry' type (when she was literally 14 lmaoooo) but now i just want to have fun with my friends. i'm not actively pursuing anyone & i'm happy. period"

- friend 2 (at 1° orb)

"b*tch i don't even bother telling my crushes that i like them. i know i'm not even gonna attempt to date them if they like me back HAHA. wayyyy too immature for all that"

- friend 3 (at 8° orb)

"everyone is so focused on romance it's actually disturbing at this point. the people who can't breathe without being in a romantic relationship make me sick. i don't date because i don't like being told what to do. 'oH yOu shoULd'nT tAKE yoUr fri3nD oUt tO dinn3er' or 'yOu shOudLd'Nt huG hiM' , there's just so many unnecessary rules. it's alarming how people care that much about stupid sh*t like that. & turning on my location for you? die"

- acquaintance 2 (at 5° orb)

not all of these natives are single or prefer to be. these people that i analysed have entered relationships at some point but i've seen them end up hiding from/avoiding their partners in the long run. one of my friends literally had to help a friend of ours to break up with their partner because they couldn't bear to even talk to them & felt "suffocated". i think that's why these natives are comfortable with long distance relationships because there's some sort of barrier that prevents them from becoming too close to their partner. these people also love excitement so the thrill & anticipation of meeting up with their person gets them estatic. but as friend 1 said, their feelings are up & down in connections. @elysiansparadise explains this furthermore here.

do you need help? (keep in mind i'm an 18 y.o with little-to-no relationship experience)

relationships aren't always perfect but if you're fully aware of your inconsistency, avoidant attachment style & flaky behaviour, you should at least try to do something about it & have compassion towards those you're involved with. what i've noticed about the people that i analysed, 3/5 deflected from themselves & put the blame on their surroundings as justification. i'm not so sure about other people with this aspect but please look at other possibilities of why you approach relationships in this manner. you could be attracted to another gender, asexual, value platonic love more than romantic love or you have some sort of trauma that's holding you back from pursuing a relationship that needs to be healed.

i suggest identifying if you're emotionally available for any sort of connection & noticing emotional unavailability in others. venus□uranus natives are also prone to being attracted to losers who are emotionally stunted & can't even cater for their own feelings - in which they prefer because they like barriers that keep them from being too close to someone (either physical or emotional distance is their drug). the perfect tiktok video came up on my fyp about emotional availability. being emotionally available & being with someone who's the same is necessary for sustaining a healthy emotional relationship.

do not be rash with the way you feel at the moment. all feelings are temporary & feelings of insignificance should be discussed with your partner open & honest. but if you feel as though your partner is making YOU feel insignificant while denying it, leave. this aspect is not just felt internally so your relationship could have moments of apathy & feels fake as opposed to spontaneity from both parties. also, being mindful about how others make you feel before pursuing them. instead of finding clues on whether they like you, ask yourself if you like them.

take things a bit slow & cherish the moments you have in your connections. remind yourself to be grateful that someone gave you a place to uniquely express your love & theirs to you. & if you feel bored sometimes, incorporate some excitement into your relationship. don't just think about yourself, include your partner in all sorts of fun.

do other harsh Venus-Uranus aspects feel the same or have similar expriences? (another analysis based on someone in my life)

i asked...

so, do your relationships with your friends even romantic relationships abruptly change? or u feel some sort of inconsistency with the way people show their love to you? like, your partner could be head over heals in love then all of a sudden they act like they hate you?

"yes haha. but when you say change what do you mean? like what sort of change? & it kind of fluctuates here & there"

change like sudden break up from your side or theirs. maybe even the way you feel about them.

"omg yeah"

-acquaintance 3 (opposition at 10° orb)

well, i ran out of people & time. i really don't know if harmonious aspects (trine, sextile) have relationship issues but if you have any other aspect between these 2 planets that i haven't mentioned feel free to comment about it. also, other factors can hinder the effect of this aspect so check other aspects.

next post on this topic: lilith prominance in woman. i only have 2 friends with lilith prominance so if you have this, tell me your experiences with men & women in your life & how navigate your difficulties dating. feel free to hit me up on somewhere...i don't know how this app works.

thank you for reading :)

#astrology notes #aquarius uranus #lilith astrology #relationship astrology #relationship asks #venus signs #uranus aspects #astrology #gemini

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princessbatears · 1 year

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Papá Noel

Pairing: Javi Gutierrez x Werewolf Single Mom f!Reader Summary: Javi appoints Astrid his little helper elf on Christmas Eve Warnings: secular Christmas themes (i.e. gift giving, Santa Claus, Christmas tree, etc.), mild sexual content, language, mention of alcohol, feelings of inadequacy, mention of spousal/parent death Words: 3k A/N: This takes place during the time skip in Casa Werewolf Chapter 9

“There’s so much snow!” Bo yells for the dozenth time from the backseat of the car as Javi drives up the winding road.

“At least a meter, right, Mama?” Tallulah guesses.

You smile. “I’m not sure there’s quite that much, but there might be soon if it keeps snowing like this.”

“How much longer?” Astrid asks, whole face smushed against the glass of the window, her breath fogging it up.

“We’re almost there,” Javi promises. “You should be able to see the house soon.”

This is his first Christmas with you and your triplets and he couldn’t be more excited. He’s brought you all to his Swiss chalet for the school break. It’s quiet and private, the perfect place for a werewolf-filled holiday that your family deserves.

“Do you remember seeing snow before?” you ask, turning around in your seat to look at the kids.

Astrid ponders. “Maybe.”

Bo shakes his head. “Just from the pictures.”

“Mama’s got pictures of us when we were really little in the snow,” Tallulah informs Javi. “It was before Daddy died.”

He smiles at her in the rearview mirror. “Those are very special pictures.”

“We’ll show you when we get back home.”

“Are we gonna take new pictures?” Astrid pipes up hopefully.

You smile, reaching back to stroke her hair. “Of course, as many as you want.”

“Is this the kinda snow you raced in as a puppy?” Bo asks.

Your smile grows childlike and mischievous. “Yep! Powdery, so you’ve got some traction.” Then, you turn to Javi. “When I was a pup, me and my siblings would spend hours racing each other in the snow. The deeper, the better, because it forced you to get creative. My tactic was digging tunnels so I could keep plowing ahead instead of using all the energy bouncing up and down.”

He laughs, loving the idea of you as a little kid and puppy. “I bet you beat them.”

“I did!”

A moment later, Javi turns a bend and the chalet comes into view: a cozy two-story house made of spruce with the classic gently sloping roof and lots of windows. “There it is, niños!”

There is a mad dash to get inside, mainly because you insist that the children help unload the car before they’re allowed to play.

“Your room is on the left,” Javi calls as they practically run each other over in their haste to get upstairs. When he’d known you were coming, he’d had a triple bunkbed put in the larger room.

“I want the top!” Bo’s claim travels down the staircase.

“No, me!” Tallulah argues.

Meanwhile, you’re staring in delight at the big, open room, bedecked for Christmas. In one corner, a tall tree glitters with twinkling lights, glass ornaments, and tinsel. Garland drapes over the fireplace mantle and large, knitted stockings hang below it, one for each one of you.

An advent calendar hangs on one wall, marking the day as December 24. Juniper and berry sprigs fill vases. A cheerful American-style Santa figurine sits on the top of a bookshelf with his reindeer.

“What do you think?” he asks.

“It’s gorgeous! The house, the decorations. Perfect.”

From upstairs, Tallulah yells, “I got there first!”

You grimace at Javi. “You might regret spending the whole week with us all alone here.”

“Never! I promise, any chaos and drama that those three bring can’t compare to my own family. If I was at my mama’s, I would be refereeing my great-aunts arguing over whose dentures are more uncomfortable. I promised this is preferable to that.”

You let out a snort-giggle of disbelief. “That does not happen.”

“It does! See this.” He points at a small scar on his left forearm. “Tía Carmen bit me with hers when she thought I’d sided with Tía Paulina. Vicious.”

Laughing, you bend to kiss the spot. “Poor baby,” you coo mockingly. Then, you shake your head. “I can’t believe we’re here, in Switzerland, for Christmas, on vacation!”

He chuckles, pulling you close to him. “How long has it been since you had a vacation?”

“God,” you ponder. “Not since Ivan and I first got married. We didn’t have enough money once we had the babies. Not to mention, it’s very hard to take a vacation with three unreliable werewolf pups. By the time they were more in control of their shifts, he’d passed.

Javi’s more determined than ever to make this an amazing rest for you. “You are long past due. For the next week, all you need to do is eat, sleep, sled, and play.”

You give him a kiss that ends with a gentle nip on his bottom lip that immediately makes him weak in the knees. “I can’t wait to play with you later,” you whisper.

He can only manage to mumble something incoherent, using all his willpower not to whisk you up to the big, plush bed that’s waiting.

A stampede behind him returns him to his senses. Three fluffy werewolf pups charge down the stairs, paws too large for their bodies slipping and sliding on the polished wood.

“You are not to go outside the fence,” you say firmly. “And as soon as it starts to get dark, your little butts need to be inside. If you smell anything larger than a rabbit, come back immediately. Understand?”

They bark their acknowledgement before scrambling for the back door. You cross to unlock and open it. They dive headfirst into the drifts of snow, disappearing completely.

He laughs as their heads pop up and down as they hop along towards the vast expanse of mountain yard.

“Ah, some peace and quiet,” you sigh happily. “They’ll probably be out there until supper.”

Javi kisses you again. “I’m going to light a fire and make us something warm to drink. You just relax.”

For the next hour, you and Javi cuddle on a nest of furs in front of the fire, drinking hot mulled cider and watching one of his favorite Spanish Christmas movies.

At one point, he glances down at you and finds that you’ve fallen asleep. He smiles, cocooning you in the furs. It’s not lost on him how much you trust him that you’re able to fall asleep while your children are playing outside and you’re in a new place.

It’s also an excellent opportunity to sort through the Christmas presents he brought.

Although Javi grew up on the Spanish tradition of the Three Kings bringing gifts in early January, he wants to honor your cultural tradition of Christmas Eve gifts.

After carefully disentangling from you, he heads upstairs with two suitcases full of presents to your room. There, he unzips the tops to double-check everything is there.

The question is, should he put them under the tree now or wait until right before midnight, when he’ll be rousing everyone to open them? Will their allure excite or torture the kids?

“What are you doing?” Astrid’s little voice startles him and he spins around, seeing her bundled in the plush robes he left by the backdoor for when the pups returned.

Then, she gasps, eyes growing huge, when spots the gifts. “Christmas presents!” She rushes over to the bed and bounces up and down. “There are so many! Can we open them?”

Definitely would be better to wait to put them out if she’s already wanting to open them.

Smiling coyly, he says, “I’m just holding onto these for Papá Noel.”

Astrid rolls her eyes. “Santa doesn’t exist.”

Javi slaps a hand against his chest, scandalized. “How could you say such a thing?”

“I’m eight,” she says like he’s the world’s biggest dumbass. He’d have expected such a response from Tallulah, who sees herself as a mini adult, but it makes him a little sad that even Astrid doesn’t believe in the mythical man.

Wait… if werewolves are real, does that mean Santa Claus might be real?

He’s distracted by her shaking more presents. “Stop using your wolf ears to try to guess.”

Then, it suddenly occurs to him that he didn’t hear her come inside. The house is too silent for Tallulah and Bo to be in it, so she must be alone.

“Where are your brother and sister?”

Her face falls. “Out racing. I got tired. And I couldn’t ever win. I’m not fast enough. I hate being the littlest!”

He crouches in front of her, pulling her into a hug. “That’s hard. But, you know what? You’re the sneakiest. I didn’t even hear you come in. And you didn’t wake your mama up. There’s no way the other two would be that quiet.”

Astrid perks up. “Yeah! I’m way sneakier than they are. They always gotta yell or crash into stuff. Not me.” She stands on her tiptoes, silently scuttling across the wood floor with a positively wicked smile on her face that makes him laugh.

It also gives him an idea. “Let’s just say Santa exists. Doesn’t he usually have a helper? A little elf?”

She shrugs. “Yeah, I guess.

“It’s an awful lot for him to have to come all the way up this mountain, so I’ve offered to put out the presents and save him the trip. Since you’re so good at being quiet, you’d be the perfect elf to assist me.”

Puffing up with pride, she beams. “I can help!”

He grins. “Okay, so we’re going to keep it a secret from Bo and Lulls. You’ll all go to bed when Mama says and then I’ll wake you up and we’ll sneak everything downstairs. How’s that sound?”

Astrid nods vehemently, practically vibrating with excitement at her new responsibility.

She clamors onto the bed and peers into a stuffed suitcase. “Oh, that one’s mine!” She snatches it up and shakes the square package. No sound comes from it. “Can I open it? As payment for being an elf?”

He pulls the gift from her hand, biting back a laugh. “Being an elf is voluntary.”

She pouts as he returns the box to the spot and zips the suitcase up.

“Go get dressed. Then, we’ll start cooking our Christmas Eve feast!”

The rest of the afternoon and evening pass in a blur. Bo and Tallulah return from their racing before everyone helps Javi heat up the delicious Christmas Eve feast that’d been prepared. Entremeses piled high with blood sausage, manchego cheese, crusty bread, olives, and pickles. Then, creamy soup, roast lamb and potatoes, followed by shortbread cookies and chocolate cake.

You and Javi practically have to roll the children up the stairs to put them to bed, they’re so stuffed and sleepy. He briefly wonders if he shouldn’t wake Astrid early, but, as he tucks her into one of the bottom bunks, she whispers in his ear, “When are you gonna wake me up?”

Smiling, he breathes back, “Half an hour before midnight.”

She grins at him before snuggling down to sleep.

You and he close the door behind you and you say softly, “You’ve really made Astrid happy asking her to be your elf.”

“It’ll be much more fun to play Papá Noel with a helper,” he chuckles.

“You know,” you purr, “we’ve got a couple hours and I’ve always wanted to kiss Santa Claus.”

He smirks, deepening his voice, “Ho ho ho!”

Thirty minutes to midnight, Javi creeps into the children’s bedroom. All three are breathing deeply, sound asleep. He presses a kiss to Astrid’s forehead before murmuring, “Astrid.”

Her big eyes flutter open and she immediately sits up excitedly. “Is it time?”

“It’s time.”

She tiptoes with him out of the room and downstairs, where he’s set out the suitcases near the tree. There’s also a pile of gifts that you’d brought that include some for him that you absolutely refuse to give him hints about.

“How do you think we should arrange the gifts?” he asks.

She hums. “The biggest ones on the bottom. Then, the other ones can stack on those. But I don’t think we should sort them by person because then, if someone has a smaller pile, they’ll be sad.”

“Very wise,” Javi agrees, although you and he made sure each kid got the exact same amount of presents.

Astrid begins pulling out each gift, setting them in piles by size. She pauses every time she reads her name on the tag and scrutinizes it. Javi’s glad he allowed a full half hour for this task because she’s in no hurry.

“These gotta go under first,” she orders, pointing at the largest packages. “Also, we gotta hide some in the back so we can be surprised when we think there’s no more presents and there still are some!”

Grabbing a long box with a scooter addressed to herself, she heaves it to the back of the tree. “That one’s got wheels, doesn’t it?”

Javi was sure he’d padded them properly, but it’s damn hard to fool Wolves. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

She humphs, going to a pile and picking up a small, flattish gift that was for him. “Well, you’ll have to wait and see what this one is. It’s from me to you.”

He bites back a chuckle as she clutches his gift to her chest with one hand and shoves at a bike for Bo with the other. It’s the heaviest gift and the only reason she’s making any progress is because she has werepup strength.

“Need some help?”

“No,” she says confidently, inching it along the floor.

Javi grabs Tallulah’s skateboard and sets it by the scooter. That’s when there’s the sharp sound of glass breaking behind him.

“Oh no!” Astrid whimpers.

He turns around to see her kneeling by his gift, which she must have dropped. Her face crumples as she starts to cry.

“It’s okay,” he says quickly, moving to embrace her. “Accidents happen.”

The sound of her tears hastens you from where you’d sequestered yourself in the bedroom while they played Santa. “Honey, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“I dropped Javi’s present and…” But she’s sobbing too hard for the rest of the sentence to be intelligible.

You crouch next to her and Javi, gently picking up the still-wrapped gift, which tinkles softly as it’s moved. “This isn’t a big deal,” you reassure, stroking her hair.

She clenches her fists, eyes now angry and amber, as she grinds out, “I can’t even be a good elf! I can’t be good at anything!”

Javi’s heart aches at this self-condemnation.

You cup her cheeks. “That’s a really hard thing to feel, that you’re not good enough. And, even if you feel that way, it doesn’t make it true.”

“I just wanted to be a good elf!”

“But you are, mi amor! Look at how organized everything is.” He gestures at the piles of presents. “We’re going to have a very stable stack under the tree where nobody feels left out. That’s something you’re very good at: making everyone feel included.”

She turns those wet, golden eyes to him, hope slowly seeping into them. “I guess that’s true. I do that at school, too. If somebody’s sitting alone, I’ll sit with them so they don’t feel lonely.”

You smile warmly at her. “You have a very kind heart.” Then, you hold up the gift. “And this isn’t ruined, sweetie. The most important part isn’t what broke. We can replace that part.”

Astrid wipes her eyes and nose on her sleeve. “We can?”

“Of course.”

“But I wanted him to open it tonight,” she sighs.

“Do you want him to peek now and then he can reopen it later?”

Astrid nods, turning to Javi. “But be careful, you don’t heal like we do if you cut yourself.”

“I’ll be careful,” he promises, setting the present down on the floor and gently opening it.

A lump forms in his throat. It’s a framed photo of the first group shot you, he, Tallulah, Bo, and Astrid took together during a day at the beach. The first picture of the five of you as a family.

“I love it!” he whispers hoarsely.

Astrid’s whole face lights up at his reaction and she locks her arms around his neck. “I’m glad it’s not ruined.”

He hugs her tightly. “You, your mama, Bo, and Tallulah being here is the greatest present I could ever have.”

She pulls back, making a face. “You sound like a Christmas movie dad.”

Javi chuckles, his hand finding yours and linking your fingers. “I do, don’t I?”

You wink at him and he grins.

Hopping to her feet, Astrid says, “It’ll be midnight soon, we gotta hurry!”

Javi nods, pushing himself up. “Yes, ma’am!”

“Do you want me to help?” you ask.

Astrid shakes her head. “Santa and Elf only.”

And thanks to her excellent direction and efforts, all the gifts are distributed around the tree two minutes before midnight.

“It’s so pretty!” she beams.

The brightly colored wrapping papers glimmer with the glow of the fire and the twinkle of the lights, and Javi has to agree— it really is pretty.

You stand, pulling your phone out of your pajama pocket. “Stand by the tree, you two, so we can document Santa and Elf’s fine work!”

Javi and Astrid stand by the tree, gesturing at it proudly.

“Can I go wake up Lulls and Bo now?” Astrid asks eagerly.

“You sure can!”

Giving up all stealth, Astrid bound up the stairs, flings open the kids’ bedroom door, and bellows, “IT’S CHRISTMAS!”

Javi wraps his arms around you. “You know I meant what I said, about you four being the greatest gift I could ask for.”

You lean into him. “The same goes for us, having you.” Then, your eyes drift to the tree with mild disapproval. “Maybe I should have told you that sooner, before you went overboard.”

He scoffs. “That wouldn’t have stopped me.”

“Not all of those things are going to fit in our apartment.”

He shrugs, unconcerned. “The overflow can stay at my place.”

Laughing, you give him a kiss. “Merry Christmas, Papá Noel.”

“Merry Christmas, mi luz,” he smiles. Then, a nagging question returns. “If werewolves are real, do you think Santa is, too?”

- - -

Thank you SO much for reading this story; I’d love to hear your thoughts! 🥰

Spanish Translations/Notes: Papá Noel - Santa Claus/Father Christmas Three Kings - the Three Wise Men from the birth story of Jesus; in many places in Spain, they bring gifts to children on January 6 and are celebrated with feasts and festivals niños - kids mi amor - my love mi luz - my light entremeses - Spanish charcuterie board, with foods like sausages, cheeses, pickles

Javi Gutierrez Masterlist

Werewolf Masterlist

#javi gutierrez #javi gutierrez x reader #javi g #javi g x reader #tuwomt fan fic #the unbearable weight of massive talent fan fic #christmas fic #werewolf au #casa werewolf series

54 notes · View notes

hertzwritings · 2 years

Text

The Barber boys and the Bakery, chapter 3

A/N: I AM HAVING BURNOUT. I want to write and write a lot, but I cannot for the life of me get to do it. I’m doing my best to get back into the groove of things, and I hope you’ll bear with me while I get back to it. Anyway, we’re getting back to my favorite fluffy boys and their cute baker!

This story would’ve been NOTHING without the amazing @buckyshattergirl who is literally my soulmate and absolute perfection. Thank you for you.

You can buy me a coffee here and support my work!

Love y’all. Remember, feedback feeds the soul (mine, in particular) and my requests and askbox are always open. There’s no limits, because I am me, and I have none at all – and I love to hear your thoughts on this story or any other story!

MASTERLIST

CHRIS EVANS MASTERLIST

SERIES MASTERLIST

ASK ME ANYTHING/REQUESTS

Pairing: Andy Barber x female reader

Contains: Language, fluff, a little more fluff

W.C: 2100

Chapter 3: The dog and the D&D

Jacob had never seemed so excited to tell you something, than he was when he practically sprinted inside the bakery, panting and grinning like a madman. “Y/N, GUESS THE FUCK WHAT??” He yelled with his eyes glinting dangerously. You quickly thrusted a walnut-muffin into his hand, and he took a giant bite. “What the fuck, Jake?” You asked, grinning. Your phone plinged with a messaged from Andy, asking if you had seen Jacob today. You smiled at your phone before answering that, yes, indeed, his lanky, overly excited son was standing in your bakery. You looked back up to Jacob, who was grinning knowingly and wiggled his eyebrows.

“Shut up.” “I didn’t even say anything!” He gasped, before taking another large bite of the muffin. “I can feel what you’re thinking, Jake. And shut up.” “All I’m thinking is that you and my dad should…” “Don’t…” He ignored you. “Get it on. Like, how old people do. Go to some fancy schmanzy restaurant or some shit.” You rolled your eyes. “One more time, one, where you try to convince me to date your dad, and no more muffins.” He gasped. “Nooooooo!” “Yes. I’m hardcore like that.” You grinned at him. “Besides, your dad would be better off with someone his own age.” “Pffht. He needs some spruce in life. And someone who can break his old man back.” “JAKE!” He shrugged. “Am I wrong? Are you going to look at me and tell me that I’m wrong?” “I’m... Not saying anything, actually. I think I’ll spare myself.” He rolled his eyes and finished his muffin. “Listen, all I’m saying is that you want to jump his bones, he wants to jump yours... I don’t see what’s holding you back.” “Jake, one more time...” “Yeah, yeah, muffins are over. I get it, I’m just trying to get you to see that maybe this isn’t a crazy idea.” “Jake...” He grinned. “Anyway, on to what I really wanted to talk about…” His eyes glinted again, and he began jumping up and down. Small crumbs tumbled from his shirt to the counter. “WE’RE GETTING A DOG!” “HOLY SHIT! YEEEES!” You jumped with him. “That’s amazing, Jake!” “I KNOW!” He was grinning wildly. “We’re going to the pound in the weekend. I don’t care how big, small, weird or normal that dog is, I’m naming it Kal-El.” “What if it’s a girl?” You asked, laughing a little and glanced at your phone; Andy had texted you again. Jake shrugged. “Kal-El.” “Okay, we’re going with straight up non-gendered names?” He nodded. “Maybe I’d go for Bowser if I am really in the mood. But then it has to be ugly as shit.” You laughed. “Sure thing.” “Wanna come?” You blinked. “Me?” He nodded. “Yeah, you have the best taste in everything.” “Oh, really?” He nodded vigorously.

“Just look at me. You love me, and that is truly great taste.” He wiggled his brows again. “And my dad...” “Stop it.” “I’m being truthful...” “High and mighty today, aren’t we?” You laughed. “We gotta get ready for D&D, can you start getting it set up?” He nodded. “Uhm, another person is joining the party.” He blushed. “Is that a blush, I see?” You asked, smirking a little, wiping your hands on your apron. “Is my little Jake falling in love?” He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, no, I’m just… She’s pretty cool. She plays cello.” “Oh?” He nodded. “Well, can’t wait to meet her. I’ll just go call your dad, he’s blowing up my phone.” It was his time to smirk, and you narrowed your eyes and pointed at him. “Don’t you dare. Don’t even think it.” He held his hands up, but the smile didn’t go away. “Didn’t say anything. At all.”

When the door to the back closed, you pulled your phone out to several messages from Andy, and quickly called him instead of trying to answer all the messages in one. He picked up quickly. “Y/n.” His voice made you shiver just a little. “Hi, Andy.” “Jake’s there?” He asked, and you heard some rustling in the background. “Yeah. We’re having D&D-night tonight.” “Right. I’m sorry, I completely forgot about it.” “Don’t worry, it’s not like you’re supposed to be here for it.” Another rustle of papers and then a shit followed. “And it would seem like you are more than busy.” “I’m… Fuck… A little overrun, yeah.” The way his said fuck made your body tingle. Stop it, Y/N, you’re better than this. He sighed and you sat down on the only chair in the backroom. “Listen, Y/N, I really apricate you taking care of him, but I…” “Nope. We’ve had this talk before, Andy. I’m good. I like his company; he keeps me young.” “You are young.” “Well, keeps me younger.” He chuckled a little. “I just… I feel bad that I’m not around as much as I want to be. You know?” “Yeah.” There wasn’t more to say to that – there wasn’t any reason to rub it in or try to make him feel less guilty, because the man was stubborn as a mule when it came to it. “I feel like I owe you something.” He said slowly, and you swallowed thickly at the tone of his voice. “Oh, no, Andy. I’m serious, Jake and his friends are weirdos and I love them. Besides, since we started playing here, I’m actually breaking even in the bakery. They eat like pigs.” He laughed. “So I’ve noticed. Growing teenagers, man.” You laughed. “Indeed. Anyway, I should…” “Oh, yeah, sure.” You didn’t hang up and neither did he. “We’re really shitty at hanging up.” You stated. “Maybe I just like talking to you.” Your face felt hot. “Oh.” “If that’s okay.” “Yeah, no, yeah. It’s fine, great, I, uhm… Just don’t know how to respond, really.” You laughed a little.

“Y/N, they’re here!” Jacob yelled from the front and you sighed. You weren’t going to lie, you did really enjoy talking to Andy too. “I gotta run before these assholes wreck my shop.” You hesitated. “You’re welcome to join us, if you have time.” Silence. “I don’t know how to do the dungeons or the dragons.” “It doesn’t matter. We’re just having fun.” You tried your hardest to not laugh at him. He chuckled a little. “Maybe I’ll see if I can get off early today. God knows I need it.” “Sure thing. If not, I’ll be happy to take Jake home.” “Thank you, Y/N.” He hung up shortly after that and you stuffed your phone in your back pocket before removing your apron, and throwing it in a corner of the kitchen.

Jake, Hope, Sam, Derek and someone, you could only assume was Emily, were loudly fighting over dice, while moving tables to make a giant one in the middle of the floor – Emily was standing to the side, a little quiet, while Derek held tightly onto the dice, that Jake was trying to pry out of his hands, while Sam was yelling from the sidelines. “YO!” You yelled and all faces turned to you. Derek and Jake still held onto the dice. “What the hell, guys?” “Derek took my lucky dice!” “Did not, I took my lucky dice!” “Liar!” And the bickering began again. You rolled your eyes. “If any of you want to play today, you better put the dice back on the table and step away slowly.” They all gulped, and the two boys put the dice on the table and took two steps back. “We have a rule, you guys. Newcomers gets first pick.” You smiled at Emily. “Your pick of dice, my lady.”

Luckily, it didn’t take long to get everyone sorted, settled and ready for the campaign – Emily was new, but before long, everyone was sweating wildly, silently praying that they’d survive the campaign. “Okay, Jake, you’re standing at the very edge of the Lessing Sea, and if you don’t take Qualnus down, the Underdark will invade the surface, killing everyone. What’s your choice?” Jake was sweating, looking back and forth from the board to his character sheet. Sam was hiding behind their hands, while Derek was chanting, please don’t be dumb, please don’t be dumb over and over. “Shit, I don’t know.” He groaned. “What’s my options?” “You can try for the Warhammer of the Diviner and see if it’ll take him, but if you don’t roll at least 12, you’re down. Maybe forever. You can try to heal, but…” Your eyes flickered to the door, where Andy stepped in, a smile on his lips when his eyes found yours. “Hey, guys.” “Dad, I love you, but I need you to be quiet like right now, I need to think.” “Oh, damn.” You stood and left the kids to ponder their life, and hugged Andy tightly. “I didn’t think you’d make it.” “Me neither.” He smiled. He was a little winded, and his hair looked way too good for someone who had been outside in the wind. it was actually unfair. His eyes roamed over your body, and you tried not to let it get to your head. “How’s the campaign going?” You sighed and looked to the kids, who looked like they all were on the brink of a mental breakdown. “Well… Derek’s halfling, Spearhead, is currently paralyzed with poison and at risk of dying from the Vampire Overlord, Qualnus and his minions. Sam’s mage is currently stuck in the current of the Lessing Sea, and his staff is about to break. Emily’s elf, Tealeaf, is suffering on the other side of the bank, and she needs help crossing the wild currents. Jake, is… Well…” You both looked to him, as he began pulling at his hair. “Y/N, this is IMPOSSIBLE. I can’t do this!” You chuckled. “He’s currently trying to survive a one-on-one with Qualnus, but he has to roll high and he’s barely hanging on as we speak.” Andy nodded and followed you to sit next to you, looking over the board. Jake held a finger out to his father. “Don’t speak.” Andy held his hands up. “Jake, you gotta make a decision, man.” Derek groaned. “Or we’ll all die.” “WAIT!!” Jake looked at you with wild eyes. “I have enough xp to get Tealeaf across the water, right?” You checked. “Yes?” “And she’s magic.” You nodded again. “I’m doing it.” Emily blushed. “Okay, go for it. You need…” “14, yeah.” He nodded seriously, and Andy leaned close, his breath on your neck. It raised goosebumps. “So… When is the campaign over?” He asked softly. You glanced at the clock. “Not tonight, but we’re stopping after Jake’s roll. It’s getting late.” He nodded. “Cool.” He seemed like he wanted to say something else, but Jake screamed with glee in the same moment. “15!!” Jake was alit with joy. “I’m getting Tealeaf over!” “Good job, Jake!” You narrated the treacherous voyage across the storming sea, and when Tealeaf and Jake’s dwarf, Bunder, had reunited, you closed it off for the night, the kids cheering loudly. “Good game, guys. We’ll find another day to get through the wonderous fight with Qualnus the Bad!” They all cheered and began packing up, and you nodded to Andy. “Come with me.” He followed you willingly to the back – you glanced back and saw Jake wink at you. “Clean, Jake.” You narrowed your eyes at him before leading Andy to the back.

“What’s up?” You grinned at him and began pulling out the stuff, you had put away for him. “So… I know you, and you barely eat when you work, and you got off late… So…” You put the basket of treats on the table. “I wanted to feed you. Or… Well, yeah. Make sure you actually got something to eat.” He smiled bashfully. “Y/N, you didn’t have to…” “I wanted to. I gotta take care of my boys, right?” He blushed. “Well, in that case.. Your boy thanks you.” He hugged you, albeit a little hesitantly. You hugged him back and allowed yourself to enjoy the way his cologne wrapped around you. It was nice. “Listen, I have to get Jacob home. We’ll see you around?” You nodded and pulled away from his hug – your faces were closer than you had initially thought, and it took your breath away. “Oh.” It sounded more like a squeak than anything else, that came form your throat and you cursed yourself. His hands were warm on your back. He cleared his throat and for a second, you might’ve believed he’d do something wild, like kiss you, but he just smiled and pulled away fully. “Yeah, I’ll… I actually have a thing with Jacob on Friday, I’ll be over then.” “Looking forward to it.” “Me too.” He grabbed the basket and left the back, while you fumbled for your phone and followed him, hugging the kids goodbye and closing up shop. You quickly texted Jacob.

Y/N: Jake you might be a little right.

J: About?

Y/N: You know what. You were right you little asshole.

Y/N: yeah, yeah, get it out, buddy I still need serious help because theres no way your dad is going to ask me out

J: can I call you mom

J: can we do family portraits

J: I require cuddles at night

Y/N: jake get a grip

J: sorry sorry im going to be the best wingson ever

Y/N: …..

J: I got an idea ill tell you all about it when im back home

And with that, the plan dubbed “Get Andy to date again” started to form.

TAGLIST: @acaceta @a-skov @angelmather1 @cooldreamlandsandwich @doubletriplepowerbomb @est1887 @enchantedbytomandhenry @fionnthebandersnacc @herroyalbubbliness @jeepgirls-stuff @keiva1000 @kebabgirl67 @littlebirdofrivia @luclittlepond @mis-lil-red @multifanficdom @one-sweet-gubler @pandaxnienke @perfunctory-username69 @penneferofvenerburg @sleutherclaw @sofiebstar @summersong69 @spookyboogyuniverse @stardusted26 @thereisa8ella @timetraveller4 @thatonechickhere @themanfromu @thelastpyle @tragicphoenix13 @yourlocalhoney @wheretheriversrunintothesea @severewobblerlightdragon @leigh70 @phildunphyisadilf @first-jumper-tris46 @capsiclesdoll

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velvet-paradox · 2 years

Text

Between (Part Three)

Fandom: Stranger Things/Marvel AU Pairing(s): Steve Rogers x Female reader, Jim Hopper x Joyce Byers, eventual Female reader x Jim Hopper, eventual Jim Hopper x Female Reader x Steve Rogers Summary: the new neighbors next door are really something, huh? Length: Medium Warnings: NSFW 18+ ONLY, ok look... one little idea pops in my head and here we have this mess; take it or leave it (PLS TAKE IT): explicit content, voyeurism, strong language, unprotected P in V, oral (m receiving), . Tagging: @synnersaint @yiiiikesmish

ENJOY!!!

The leaves danced, cascading down to the grass below. He needed to mow the lawn but it was too nice a day to waste walking back and forth so Jim took his coffee outside and enjoyed the breeze before fall had really settled into Hawkins.

As he sat down and lit a cigarette he overhears Steve talking next door, and a laugh carried through the air. Honeymoon phase was just over the fence. The grass wasn't greener but it sure was light and airy.

"Hey Hop, you got a minute?" Steve was resting his arms on the tops of the brick wall, thick arms crossing as he stood after raising his mug in acknowledgement.

"Sure thing, what's up?"

"You're good with gardening, yeah? Little lady doesn't know what to do with the backyard, think you could come over and give her some pointers?"

"Uh yeah, no problem." Jim shrugged and met you around back, hands on your hips looking at the dull landscape. Your yards were similar in shape, though Jim had dug around the corners late last June, putting on some Hastas.

"I've always wanted a garden but apartment living shoots down those sorta dreams," you said, pointing to the back of your house and then to the tree. "What do you think would look good there?”

You looked good there. Jim shook his head, he shouldn't have thought that and yet his mind went there, a flashback of you with your underwear in your mouth, rocking against your husband's face.

"Uh... you could plant just about anything there. Some Hastas would be nice or some little ferns. Get ya' a nice hedge going along that wall or some lilacs, spruce it up."

"I love lilacs! My aunt used to have them when I was growing up, loved to shove my face in ‘em." You beamed and Steve came around behind you, holding onto your shoulders.

"So any decisions? Am I gonna have to run around with a cart full of flowers or what?"

"You don't know anything about plants!" Steve kissed the top of your head. "And neither do you," Steve turned to Jim and slapped his arm with the back of his hand. "Hey, why don't you take the wife and you go pick out some stuff.

"Steve took out a thick wad of cash and slipped it into the front pocket of your jeans. He didn't mean to look or stare at the way Steve had ghosted, just for a second over the front and zipper of your crotch as he pulled his hand back.

Without a beat you glanced up at Steve then to Jim.

"If you're not busy of course. Maybe Joyce wants to come."

"Uh yeah sure, I'll ask her." Jim left quickly, getting the he'll out of there without making you two uncomfortable with the flush to his face and neck.

....

Jim had hoped you two didn't catch the way his eyes had widened, the tightness of his pants or the flush that rose to his skin. Adventurous? More like insatiable! Jim remember how they couldn't keep their hands off each other when he started with Joyce but you two seemed to be on a whole other level, another planet for fucks sake. Jim started to wonder if you two were even aware or didn't care if you got caught. There was a word for that, right?

"I'm no green thumb that's for sure, that's all Hop." Joyce prided over Jim, the two of you aimlessly looking over seated plants as Jim pushed the cart, ferns and flowers poking and swaying as he followed behind.

"That's sweet. Steve thinks we should hire someone but I don't mind getting my hands dirty. A little dirt never hurt anyone." You loved your arm around Joyce's, stopping to smell some lilies.

"You say that now, wait until you have boys mucking everything up! You should see some of the stains will comes home with, you'd think he was a rugby player!"

"No kids in our horizon," you smiled and pulled Joyce close. "Not to say we aren't careful though, Steve barely has time to pull out most nights."

Jesus. Jim didn't want to think about that, even though he was the same with Joyce. She gripped him like a vice, milked him for all he was worth, left him drained.

"Do you want kids?"

"If it happens, it happens. Steve is in his prime, you guys should come to his fight next week. See him in action. The last guy couldn't even get up, knocked out cold for a good five minutes!" ....

"So how does this work exactly?" Joyce yelled over the raucous crowd, side stepping along the bench to find your seats. "They just go at it or what?"

"Pretty much," you hollered back. "You could place bets if you want, most suit guys do like them down in front." You pointed down to some corporate looking guys by the squared circle, taking notes and muttering to each other as you all sat down.

"If you book them why don't you sit down there or at that gate thingy?"

"I like to be in the action, see and hear people's reactions up close. I may be his wife but the adrenaline from hearing the crowd lose their shit gets me excited." "Has Steve ever lost a fight?" Joyce asked, fidgeting in her seat as the smell of popcorn and beer filled the arena. It was packed.

Jim had envied Steve as he saw him working out in the yard, doing those fancy push ups that Jim could never picture himself doing. One armed ones too, glistening sweat as you lounged out back, watching and praising him, counting his reps. One evening you were pushing him back down for extra resistance.

"Oh sure! Not often but it does happen. When I book him against Bucky it's up in the air, they've gone to the end of the line for each other. One time Bucky rocked Steve so hard he spit out a tooth, that was a big win for both my guys! Pay out was huge!"

Huge enough to pay off a whole house in one go, Jim thought.

And true to your word, the audience went completely wild when Steve Roger's came out in a red and blue trimmed silk robe, his hands taped up with an American flag mouth guard in.

You all stood and cheered, Steve's opponent didn't even last three rounds before the smaller man got knocked to the ground and the ref rushed in to call it. Jim watched as Steve ran around the ring, climbing and sitting on top of the cage. He peered over his gloves and spotted your trio, waving and giving a thumbs up, he pointed and blew a kiss your way.

Another big win.

Bucky slammed a large pitcher of beer on the table after the fight, foam sprinkled on the Jim's hand as he embraced the winner.

"To Rogers! The best fucking guy I know."

You all raised your glasses and cheered. "I'm with you 'til the end of the line, pal."

"I know. Same for you, Buck."

"Now don't get sappy on us boys." You chided, fighting Bucky off even he slung you into a headlock like you were an annoying sibling and not his best friends wife.

"You know that only happens when we hit the hard stuff!" Bucky laughed and let you go, downing a whole pint soon after. Jim could drink, liked to drink but there was in way he'll he could relax his throat like that.

"You a liquor man, Hopper?" Bucky asked, wiping his mouth and leaning on the table while the rest of you sat on cushy bar stools.

"Uh yeah, sometimes." He shrugged.

Bucky slapped the table and went to the bartender, ordering shots for the group. Even Joyce indulged in the hard stuff, though she did sweetly plug her nose first. On a high note and buzzing you gave Steve a kiss on the cheek and grabbed Joyce's hand, the music in bar had you bouncing to your feet and dragged her along with you.

Jim could tell Joyce was buzzed, she didn't dance outside of the kitchen and yet there she was, following your lead as you twirled her around. Jim liked seeing her happy, out if her element but giddy with a new friend. Jim couldn't take his eyes off her as you both swayed to the beat, you were infectious and you knew it. Had this air about you that lured people in like a siren.

"She's hot, right?" Steve leaned over, taking the stool next hum as he drank, watching his own wife dance.

"What?"

"It's alright man, you can look. I know what I got, trust me." Steve smiled, cheeky and on a Hugh if his own after the fight. Bucky drank and shook his head. " Hey man you got lucky too, your old lady looks good too."

Steve looked at Joyce like that? It didn't make I'm mad or jealous but, it didn't make him feel something.

"She's not what she seems though. Shortcake is bad news, buddy."

Jim frowned and put down his glass, Bucky took it upon himself to refill it. "What do you mean?"

"She's a wild child, I knew the moment I asked her out I was in big fucking trouble. Bucky remembers, don't you buck?"

"Oh yeah. Steve was a mess! A total wreck, took him two weeks to finally ask her out."

"Y/N is a snake, slippery as they come. In a good way though. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to fuck you and your wife."

"What?"

"She's good when she wants to be. She's a minx, she'll get under your skin in no time. She plays it up, just look at her," Steve pointed with his cup and Jim eyes followed, you had your eyes closed feeling the music as Joyce spun you around with a happy glance over at him. "Truth be told she does what she wants. I don't stop her, who am I to tell her not to have a good time? She's sweet alright, great tits, perfect mouth, tight ass. You should hear some of the shit she says man, pure filth. My wife is disgusting, the shit she has me say and do to her... nudie mags would be pit to shame if they knew what nasty shit Y/N is into."

Jim didn't know what to think of that. He hadn't had a dirty magazine in some years now but he remembered some of the back stories. Strange behaviors, depraved fantasies and as he looked at you with his sweet vanilla wife, he wasn't sure if Steve was fucking with him or if it was actually true.

....

"Cum inside me. You know you want to." Jim frowned, his hands entangled with yours, so small and soft in his calloused grip. You had replaced whatever it was he was thinking about beforehand, anything else seemed to drown out completely. Just enough space for the two of you. Hopper looked down, his hips thrusting into you, rutting against your backside while he fucked you. Your ankles slipped around his calves, keeping in place, unable to move.

"Come on Hop, show me how froggy you can be. Now fuck me harder." As if out of his body and mind his hips betrayed him, landing into you. You moved your head to the side, looking back him with a sly smile. "You know you want to. You want to fuck me like a whole don't you? Like Steve does. Fuck yes. Steve fucks me so good, really knows his way around my country. Sometimes he fucks my ass too. Do you want to fuck my ass, Hop? So fucking tight, spit on it. Steve does. Steve likes to fuck my mouth too, cum’s all over me and my-"

Jim woke up with a startle, not enough to wake Joyce but enough for him to sweat. He laid back and covered his face with both hands. Jesus. That was wild. Jim hadn’t had a wet dream in ages, fucking ages! He felt guilty, for it not being his wife he was dreaming about, Joyce would never say even an ounce of what you did in his dream. Guilty for mind cheating on her too. And for paling his cocktail under the sheets before waddling to the shower to finish himself off. Shame and cum swirling down the drain.

#jim hopper x joyce byers #steve rogers x you #steve rogers x female reader #jim hopper x reader #female reader #stranger things imagine

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einsteinsugly · 2 years

Text

Fictober 19. August 1982. Newlywed Necessities.

A/N: T7S. JH. Fluffy. Jackie and Hyde really get settled in their new home, a few months after tying the knot. With a lively debate.

*****

"Steven, I want a chandelier. Wouldn't it just spruce this dining room right up?"

She magnificently markets her signature hostess stance, while proudly carousing through their new home in West Milwaukee, suddenly stopping in her tracks. Pointing to the middle of the ceiling, gesturing upwards. With a determined smirk.

Her body language is expertly dramatic, as Hyde sighs. It's one of the many things she learned as a former member of high society, and she uses her perfectly honed dramatics to her advantage.

Yes, the memories from those days are daunting and downright traumatic, but sometimes? Those memories come in handy. Hand gestures can accomplish so much, without uttering a single word.

Today, her stance obviously advertises her desires perfectly. With a longing bat of the eyelashes, and a perfect little pout.

"Imagine me, entertaining guests. In a beautiful dress, serving food since we can't afford a maid, a cook, or even a butler…"

But instead, Hyde doesn't play her former high society games, and feigns zen. Until he can't help himself, and loudly rolls his eyes, his hand playfully dancing on her chest.

And she lovingly shoves him back, with a dramatic sigh. "Steven!"

Glancing up at the largely barren ceiling, a barrier to the sky above, Jackie longs to be as bright as a shooting star. And since she can't literally blast into space, it's only fair that she enjoys some earthly pleasures. Like a badass husband, a flashy baby blue Mustang, and a shiny chandelier.

And right now, she only has a badass husband. Who clearly thinks she has bad taste, even though he tries to be all stoic and zen all the time, she can still see his distinct frown of disapproval from miles and miles away.

"Uh huh. You want a chandelier. You don't need a chandelier."

Jackie huffs and puffs, like she's going to blow the whole house down. "For you, a dangling lightbulb would be good enough."

"My standards ain't that low. A chandelier's kind of…"

The word's at the tip of her tongue, and it's only one step above the word moist. Ta...

"Tacky? Are you calling me tacky?"

"No. It's just not…" He struggles to put it nicely. "My taste."

With an obnoxious scoff, Jackie fires back. "What's your taste? Black things and broken glass?"

"Nah. Keep it simple, not flashy."

She rolls her eyes, hands firmly on her hips. "Flashy usually means tacky."

"Flashy means bold. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad."

What kind of non-answer is that? "And what kind of flashy is a chandelier?"

"I'm pleadin' the fifth."

Jackie dramatically grasps his hands, like it's their wedding day. All over again. "Steven. We're supposed to be honest with each other. Til death do us part."

"If you get a chandelier, I get to put a Zeppelin poster in the study. When we have a kid, in a few years, it'll be Zeppelin-themed..."

She lets out a small gasp, pressing her lips against his. "You said when, not if! And you even set a date!"

Hyde barely flinches, feigning zen, until a loving smile inevitably emerges on his face. "Do we have a deal?"

Naturally leading him towards the stairs, she beams. Like the stars in the sky.

"Deal."

#that 70s show #that 90s show #jackie and hyde #steven hyde #fictober #fictober22 #fictober event #my fics

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brainrattlers · 2 years

Text

Play It Cool - Tyson Jost (11/n)

Author’s notes: ... fine. Y’all win. Here’s a smaller chapter than I WANTED to post, but some of you all insisted on getting your dose of Tyson on a Tuesday ;) Just pretend whenever you read this, it’s still TysonTuesday! I promise I’m still writing this week to get a few more weeks’ worth of content ready. Also I apologize in advance for grammar/typo issues, I haven’t edited this like I normally would.

Pairing: Tyson Jost x OFC

Part 10 is at https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/688315137261797376/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-10n Warnings: Language. AJ’s a little stressed out about Christmas. She’s got a mouth. We know this.

Word count: 2097 (it’s short. But I’ve got so much coming with Christmas around the corner.)

The holiday season was in full swing, and the team was on a big road trip early in the month. Tyson and AJ spent most of their free time texting for video chatting from hotel rooms and airports on Tyson’s and Nate’s side, and often from AJ’s or Jess’ homes on the ladies’ side. It was a good feeling that things were going well with Jess and Nate as AJ didn’t want to rub it in that things were definitely going well with Tyson. She could share secrets with Jess, and Jess would definitely spill the tea about Nate. In fact, once the team got back from their roadtrip, another double date was planned: dinner out, and a nice evening at the Botanic Gardens’ Blossoms of Light event.

The two couples stayed near each other, taking photos and enjoying the festivities. AJ and Tyson shared a hot cocoa as they wandered down the path, fingers entwined. They stopped to look at some lights, with Tyson’s arms wrapped around AJ from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. The calmness washed over them as she closed her eyes, resting her cheek against Tyson’s. AJ wouldn’t admit it to Tyson out loud, but him doing that was one of her most favorite things. Tyson knew though, he could always feel the way she would loosen up and just breathe in his embrace. The two stood still for a few moments, until another family crept up behind them. They went further down the path, where they found Nate and Jess sharing a kiss under a sprig of mistletoe.

“Y’all are gross, you know that?” AJ chuckled, knowing that she and Tyson were just as bad.

Tyson added, “THERE ARE CHILDREN HERE, geez, think of the children!” to the chirp.

The couples finished up their travels through the Gardens, and met up just outside, and piled into Nate’s wagon to find dinner somewhere quiet. Talk of holiday plans was the big topic. AJ wasn’t sure what was happening, thinking she’d go home for Christmas to see her family for a bit if she could get the time off. Still being the new person, she didn’t always have the best odds of getting it though. Worst case she’d see about getting maybe a few weeks later off to trek back home possibly during the Olympic break to celebrate with the family. It wasn’t optimal, but it might have to do.

Of course, this was definitely not optimal for Tyson. While he didn’t have much of a break either for the holidays, he wanted to at least have some sort of Christmas with AJ. It was such a big holiday for him and his family. Granted, he couldn’t go home either with the schedule, but all the more chance that he could spend some time with AJ. On top of that, he was extremely bummed that the team played in Dallas on New Year’s Eve. He was really hoping that he’d get to kiss his girlfriend at the stroke of midnight. He’d likely be on the plane heading home, and would miss the countdown and subsequent kiss. He tried to keep his face as neutral as possible even though he was pretty down suddenly. Tyson stayed at AJ’s place that night. It was starting to become a more regular thing, which is weird because his apartment was way nicer than her place. For some reason though, it felt more homey than his own place. It could have been just because he moved there just a few months prior, and hadn’t really spruced up the place yet. The morning afters on weekends were a little different than during the week. AJ got to sleep in, but it was usually Tyson who had to leave early for practice, if they were having it. This time around practice was optional, and the two actually both got up and decided to do a little shopping.

To be honest, Tyson actually enjoyed playing “house” with AJ. Simple, mundane tasks like going grocery shopping, doing the dishes, folding laundry, he loved every minute of it. It was those moments that his brain would quiet down, that his life felt normal. He wasn’t “Tyson Jost, NHL player”, he was just “Tyson”.

The two of them hopped in Tyson’s car, and hit up Target on a mission. They specifically took his vehicle because what Tyson was looking to purchase may not have fit in AJ’s. She grabbed a cart, knowing that the large item wasn’t going to fit in there, but there were going to be plenty of other things that would require a cart. They strolled along the aisles, but made it to their intended destination - the holiday decorations. First stop - artificial trees.

Tyson had wanted to get a real tree, but he wasn’t sure how to take care of it, and AJ (politely) asked if he wouldn’t get one as she was allergic. With that out of the way, he started looking at the trees, as AJ was looking at lights. She was tasked with picking out lights and ornaments, as he was afraid he was going to pick things that weren’t going to coordinate due to his colorblindness. She had absolute faith in him though.

“Sometimes the best looking trees are the one that don’t match at all, but all the ornaments on it have meaning.”

He liked that idea.

As he strolled down the aisle, his eyes widened, and he stopped.

“AJ! C’mere! I found it!”

Rushing from the other aisle, she found Tyson petting a fake tree.

“This is it. This is the one.”

AJ was confused by how he was so insistent on THAT ONE being THE ONE. It wasn’t until she looked at the display sign that it hit her.

Alberta Spruce.

“It looks a little like home.”

Tyson’s eyes were almost a little glassy looking as he continued touching the fake tree. Clearly that was the one though, and AJ flagged down an associate to find one in the back to take up front for them. It occurred to her that Denver wasn’t home necessarily for him. Hell, she herself should have known better, Denver wasn’t quite feeling like home for her yet either. It was just current location. But she couldn’t deny that Tyson was making it feel definitely more homey. And she was happy she was helping him bring a little piece of home into his place, even if it was fake.

It was indeed a good thing though that the two took his vehicle to make the trip - between the tree, the lights, and all the ornaments that the two picked (they may have stopped at a couple other places to pick up ornaments, like Hallmark, and a Christmas Shoppe in the mall)... there was barely room on the way back for AJ in the passenger seat. Tyson used his muscles to get the tree up to his floor, while AJ carried bags upon bags. She wasn’t even in his apartment yet and he was already cutting the security ties around the box off and trying to unpack pieces.

Tyson clearly was preparing for this though because the corner near his fireplace was newly vacant, shifting his papasan chair more in front of the fireplace, and the sofa facing the chair and soon to be tree. AJ quickly put together the tree stand, and helped him put the tree up. Next came the lights, and then next was the ornaments. Paper wrapping went everywhere as the items were put on hooks. AJ handed them each to Tyson, letting him put them where he wanted. Ornaments like hockey sticks and red maple leafs went upon branches, followed by the ornaments with the letters T, L, K, J and E (all his family)... and then one with an A. Tyson blew AJ a kiss and winked when she handed it to him. If she wasn’t almost ready to cry from that already, she definitely let some tears fall when she saw a metal ornament with a red heart on it, emblazoned with “Our First Christmas Tyson + AJ.” And then a glass ornament that looked like a computer. “What… is all this?” “You said you get ornaments that mean something to me. Well, you mean a lot to me, and the things that matter to you matter to me. There is one more that’s definitely a you ornament…”

AJ unwrapped the next ornament and it was a bowling pin. She rolled her eyes and giggled, but deep down, it meant a lot that he thought about all these things. Not to be outdone by his gestures, she had a couple other ornaments hidden away in a bag that she snagged when he wasn’t looking at one of the stores. AJ handed him the ornaments, one at a time.

A ukulele.

A sock monkey.

And a glass dill pickle.

Tyson’s eyes lit up at the tiny uke with a flowered lei on it, to make sure it didn’t look like a tiny guitar. He giggled at the sock monkey as she simply said she liked them. But the dill pickle confused him.

“You have your reminder of home with your Alberta Spruce tree, all majestic and green. Me? I’m adding a different shade of green, and something from my own Christmases. Every year my grandmother put this ridiculous glass dill pickle ornament on her tree, looked damn near the same as this one. It was always a contest to see who could find it first. If you did, she’d give you a dollar! I know it’s not a lot, but it was just a tradition in my family. So I wanted to add a little something from my family too. I hope you don’t mind.”

AJ was a little nervous that she maybe overstepped a touch, since it wasn’t her tree, but thankfully Tyson understood the significance. He delicately placed the pickle front and center. He grabbed another bag and unloaded some stockings, and some hooks to place them on the mantle of the fireplace. While putting up the hooks, he realized he failed to tell AJ something very important.

“Uh… hey babe?”

AJ looked up as she was picking up stray pieces of tissue paper, saving them to re-wrap the ornaments after the holidays were over. Tyson had a look on his face she couldn’t decipher.

“Mom texted me while we were at the mall, she and Kacey are coming out here for a couple days over Christmas. I didn’t quite know how to tell you…”

“Oh! Wow, okay. I mean we hadn’t made plans or anything, and I definitely don’t want to keep you from seeing them either. No Grandpa Jim and Grandma Emily?” AJ was stumbling, trying to not let the feeling of let down show. Not that she expected anything super big with Tyson anyway, but she was hoping maybe for some time at least with him.

“Grandpa has some issues with the altitude here, he can’t make it unfortunately. Just mom and sis,” Tyson was catching onto the fact that the attitude did shift a touch. “Whoa, hold on. I meant to say I wanted you to meet my mom and sister. Like WE have Christmas maybe? I know you have to work and couldn’t get home, and I still have practice and a couple of games, but I thought it would be nice?”

There was a slight look of panic on AJ’s face. She’d poked her head in on Tyson’s facetimes home, said hello, but never actually sat down to talk, not wanting to interrupt their time. She tried to tell herself it was just like meeting the players and their partners. Just new people to meet. Deep in thought trying to sort the feelings out, Tyson was trying to get AJ’s attention again.

“Babe? Hey, you here? AJ?”

AJ snapped to attention. “Oh, fuck, sorry. I, uh, yeah, That’d be nice. I’d like to meet your family! Just… go easy on me, okay? I’m kind of intimidated by meeting families.”

“You did just fine meeting how many of my teammates and partners?”

“Get out of my mind, Jost.”

Tyson put the stockings up, one for himself (the largest one, of course), one for his mom, one for his sister, and he had one for AJ as well. He really went all out on this, and was excited for a little Christmas get together with some of his favorite women in the world.

With the tree trimmed, the two sat on the floor eating pizza, admiring their work. Onto part 12! https://brainrattlers.tumblr.com/post/689557201997774848/play-it-cool-tyson-jost-12n

#Tyson Jost #Josty #Tyson Jost x OFC #Play It Cool #TysonTuesday

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icarusthelunarguard · 2 years

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This Week’s Horrible-Scopes

It’s time for this week’s Horrible-Scopes! So for those of you that know your Astrological Signs, cool! If not, just pick one, roll a D12, or just make it up as you go along. It really doesn’t matter.

This week is inspired by one of the greatest new wave, punk, and dance-rock bands of the late 20th century…. ZZ TOP! –more specifically their car, the 1933 Ford Coupe, the ZZ Mobile!

Aries

You get to be matched up with the inglorious vehicle that was called, “A Mailbox On Wheels”. In Europe it was the “Zastava Koral”, otherwise known in North America as… The Yugo. Yes it was built in Yugoslavia, but it started its life being designed in Italy for Fiat. And just like the Yugo of old, and there are very FEW Old Yugos, just because you aren’t doing well now, doesn’t mean you don’t have a history to be proud of. This week, learn to speak in sign language. Not Italian Sign Language!

Taurus

You’re older than people think, but still got plenty of pep in you if you’re given a little extra work. In 1984’s “Ghostbusters”, Ecto-1 was 25 years old - and you looked better at that age. All you’ll need to get spruced up are knee replacements, hangnail removal, a pedicure, hot-oil massage, new glasses, gastric bypass, tush implants... maybe a new diet, also vocal lessons, a little psychological counseling.... And you’ll be right as rain!

Gemini

When we say “Smokey and the Bandit”, you probably think of the 1976 Pontiac Trans Am and its gold firebird painted on the front. But you know who was more important? The Snowman and Fred in their Kenworth W900A short-frame semi barreling down the road, smashing that last 4 miles of an 18-hundred mile trip like an absolute legend! And just like Bandit-2, this week you’ll be finishing every project at the last minute in class!

Cancer Moon-Child

Speaking of tractor-trailers, what’s THE MOST iconic tractor-trailer you can think of? That’s right; Optimus Freekin’ Prime! In the 80’s he was a Freightliner FL86, but in the 2007 live-action movie he was changed to a Peterbilt 379. Now, a year earlier, in the movie “Cars”, Lightning calls out for “Mac”, but he mistakes Jerry for his ride. Jerry is a Peterbilt 352. So is Jerry the ancestor of Optimus Prime? OH! Right! Your ‘Scope. Uhm… Watch more older movies.

Leo

The only way the 1948 Ford Deluxe Convertible from Grease could fly was either in a dream sequence or off a cliff. And considering it was refurbished by a bunch of high school gearheads in their school’s automotive shop class, I think we know which one is more likely. This week let loose all your inhibitions when you dream and fly that car into the skies. It’ll be your one true escape from the rest of the crap going on around you.

Virgo

Launched in 1976, the Lotus Esprit S1 wasn’t much of a splash… until it was driven underwater by James Bond in The Spy Who Loved Me. And just like the Esprit you won’t show off how good you are until you’re shoved, unwillingly, underwater. In other words, take a shower this weekend!.

Libra

Semi-Sentient, capable of driving itself, with a love of playing practical jokes, skipping across water, and armed with super-speed, shooting oil, your car, with California License Plate “OFP 857” wasn’t a racer, but it beat every car it was pitted against. This week, check your biases - because we’re referring to “Herbie the Love Bug”, and not the Knight Industries Two-Thousand.

Scorpio

You’re being paired with, arguably, THE singularly Most Iconic of iconic vehicles: the 1955 Ford Lincoln Futura; otherwise known to Millions upon Millions as THE Batmobile. Sadly you’re not nearly as easy to remember, but let’s be fair… compared to that car, who is? This week your memory is going to be sketchy, so start putting labels on anything and everything you think might be important. Things like the Atomic Reactor Pile in the Batcave… YEAH! The Batcave had a nuclear reactor in it! Meaning if The Penguin had grabbed a Geiger Counter, it would have been Game Over! Kinda like how Lex Luthor followed Superman in 1980’s “Superman II”.

Sagittarius

Just to piss off Scorpio, YOU’RE getting paired with the OTHER Batmobile, The Tumbler. Just like that… “car”? –you’re not as flashy, or as visible, or as tricked out with signage, but you are dark, got an unmistakable growl just before you pounce, and my… GOD! You can bite through someone that’s in your way! This week embrace your moods and enjoy the nightlife on your own terms. And, yes - capes after 8pm is a Fashion Do.

Capricorn

Back in the day the DeLorean DMC-12 from “Back To The Future” already had a checkered image. John DeLorean was charged with cocaine trafficking to earn some money for his failing company, but was found not guilty. Hence the joke; Why should you never drive behind a DeLorean? Because it keeps inhaling the whte lines in the middle of the road. This week you’re going to be dealing with someone making bad comments about you. Start thinking up disarming jokes now..

Aquarius

Your mood is gunna suck this week. For that reason alone you’re head-to-bumper with the 1958 Plymouth Fury known as “Christine”. Or was it the Belvedere? Or the Savoy? Truth is, it was ALL of them, and just like that your mood is going to be all over the road. The best you can do to mitigate it is get sleep, eat good meals, and for Chrissakes… Stop being a stalker! It’s over!

Pisces

You aren’t the most famous one on this list, but you are personally memorable for those that ever interacted with you. Just like the 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe with its front and rear triangle windows, T-Stick transmission shifter, and desire to just gallop on the highway, you will have people wanting to try to keep pace with you, just to watch you work. Cool people don’t look back at explosions, and cooler people ignore the fans. Your disinterest will make you MORE attractive.

And THOSE are your Hobble-Scopes for this week! Remember if you liked what you got, we’re obviously not working hard enough at these. BUT! If you want a better or nastier one for your own sign or someone else’s, all you need to do to bribe me is just Let Me Know! These will be posted online at the end of each week via Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook and Discord.

#horrorscope #funny #comdy #parody #does anybody still remember King Tut finding the batcave

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evergreenclub991 · 2 years

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15 Business Ideas for Senior Citizens

Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), started his business after retirement, with just one ‘secret recipe’ of fried chicken. So, who said you need to be young to start your own business?

While it can be overwhelming to start a little business after retirement, all you need is the initial step. And, social media can aid you with marketing — talk about your services with catchy captions along with pictures, and you’re good to go.

So, is your plan ready? If not, go through our list of 15 business ideas, specially crafted for senior citizens that require very less investment — choose the one that best aligns with your interest.

“As humans, we need a meaningful purpose to chase in life — All of us do.”

1. Online selling

With high spending power and little time, the enormous middle class is buying online. If you have a particular skill in handicrafts, soft toys, designer clothes, handmade soaps candles, and fragrances, etc. set up an online shop on various e-commerce platforms such as e-Bay, Amazon and Flipkart. You can also sell on several social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Build your reputation over time, and you can even start selling directly through your website.

If you need guidance in using computers or in setting up an online shop, take help from your family members or watch YouTube tutorials.

2. Home care services

With the young generation moving out in search of jobs, the elderly may need assistance with daily needs. They may also need simple companionship from a person of their age who is willing to listen, help them with groceries, or walk with them in the park. Make a few calls to build trust in your existing network and get regular clients.

3. Tuition services for kids

You need not have a teaching background to take home tuitions. All you need to have is a good command over a few subjects. Reach out to the parents in your neighborhood and start tuition classes at home. Parents usually feel safe if their child is nearby. As your reputation grows, your business will grow too.

4. Sell homemade food items

Are you good at baking or making pickles and party items such as biryani? If yes, start by taking small orders from your neighborhood. This kind of business usually grows organically and can scale up quickly if you provide a good service. You can even post about your business on social media — this way, you can reach more people in less time. Moreover, there’s a rising demand for organic and healthy food — so, start preparing a few of your recipes and get going!

“Did you know that keeping yourself busy with some activity enhances your life?”

5. Content writing

Brands depend a lot on quality content to promote their products and services on the internet. Several specialized agencies help brands in creating content on any topic under the sun. If you think you are good with the language that they need content in and have great research capabilities, you can start working as a content writer. To get started, begin right away by joining online writing platforms such as Elance, Freelancer, Upwork, Peopleperhour, etc.

6. Book writing/ blogging

You can start a blog on Blogger or WordPress and write about subjects that interest you. If your blog gains traction, you can get paid for the content you share. You can also write an e-book and publish it online on Amazon or Kindle. This requires zero investment but can give you significant profits in the long run, although you may have to invest in a book reviewer before publishing it.

7. Florist and garden maintenance

Flowers spruce up the mood at home or in private parties. People want beautiful and fragrant flowers to make their occasions special. If you have a knack for gardening and wish to make someone’s baby shower special with your flowers, this can be a very satisfying business option.

8. Property consultant

When people invest in property or insurance, they need assurance and the right advice. Unfortunately, with a focus on meeting financial targets, these two elements are hard to find these days. If you are consistent with your service, your name can quickly grow from word-of-mouth, eventually leading to a significant business growth.

9. Investment agent

If you’re someone with great investment insights, you can help people with their investment choices such as stock markets, mutual funds, SIPs and more. For starters, elderlies who wish to manage their extra finances can be your primary clients.

10. Baby daycare center

Managing jobs and taking care of children can be a task for young parents. Hence, they are always looking for daycare centers — so, why don’t you consider starting your own? Leaving their kid with someone experienced will instill a feeling of safety. Moreover, the wisdom, warmth, and love that their child receives will always be cherished!

11. Healing coach/ Life coach

Are you good at yoga, meditation, or chiropractic healing? Consider becoming a healing coach. Elderlies often have minor aches and sprains that you can treat. At the same time, you can form a community that they would love to be a part of for companionship.

You can also become a life coach, career coach, relationship coach, religious coach, or a marriage counselor.

“ There are endless possibilities to jump-start the life of your dreams after retirement.”

12. Tours for senior citizens

Senior adults always look for companions and a safe environment to travel. If you come from a tourism background and know all the details of this business, you can build your online community specializing in religious, cultural, spiritual and sight-seeing tours for elders. You don’t need to have a big company as you can simply make a community on social media platforms like Facebook or WhatsApp.

13. Bed and breakfast services

Do you have a few extra rooms in your house? Would you like to host people? You may want to make a small investment in sprucing up your house to welcome families or couples who are looking for homestays. You can list your house with online portals (for example, Airbnb) and charge a commission per booking.

14. Direct sales/ network marketing

Companies are selling a whole range of products using direct sales. This often requires you to attend initial training sessions on selling and their products, followed by weekly meetings with your colleagues and upline manager. This business also grows from word-of-mouth publicity and trust-building.

15. Turn your hobby into a business

Are you good at photography, painting, or home décor? Utilize these skills to make money — just a little training along with the industry updates can help you get started. If you can reliably showcase your expertise, you will be doing what you love in no time while also earning money.

Get the Ball Rolling

If you think you need to polish your skills, take an online class or watch Youtube tutorials. Your main aim should still be to enjoy the bliss of retirement while doing what you love.

Read more amazing articles in the blog section of Evergreen Club’s website online community for senior citizens.

#evergreenclub.in #evergreenclub #seniorguide

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wanderingwomanwondering · 3 years

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More 503 Buddie Thoughts

The second section of this post contains dialogue from the break up scene so it’s looonnggg.

The Locker Room Scene

The silent communication between Buck and Eddie in the locker room scene is making me feral. They said a lot verbally in the scene but the nonverbals were heavy and loud too! A string of feelings and acknowledgements hanging between them through their facial expressions and body language. Their faces screamed *i hear you, i feel you, and i see you*. Neither of them could quite stand in that feeling for too long even tho it’s what they both actually want. Both men had very vulnerable/open facial expressions in that scene - everything they felt in the moment played across their face at some point in the brief interaction. It was a moment of true presence and encounter between them, and it was glorious!

Also, in the opening of the scene buck leads with mentioning christopher and eddie getting home to him. i think it’s important to note that for the first time that we’ve seen (if memory serves) eddie refocuses away from chris and onto himself. That is huge given what just happened with Harry, which is why the lead into the locker room scene is Hen on the phone with Denny. It underscores the shift in focus that eddie has rn. He turns the focus to himself and the break up that he has to have with a*a. He chose his heart with buck’s help.

They are slowly coming into romantic alignment and i can’t frickin’ breathe!

The Break Up Scene

I really want to break down this scene bc eddie’s words but especially his body language were loud af here too.

Ana: You know. I thought that I would hate canned fruit, But it’s not bad. A little lime, some chili. Who’d have thought?

Canned fruit is not as good as fresh but you know whatever. She’s spruced up what was available in eddie’s kitchen, working with what she has/is provided by him, let’s face it during the blackout and beyond really, that’s not much. He’s not bringing his best with her, not really.

Chris: Yes!

Chris is smart and perceptive but also he has kid tastes. A*a has made do and he’s enjoying the fruits of her labor, more or less.

Eddie: It is all good. Great, actually. You didn’t have to cook all of this though.

It’s all by the recipe heteronormative society has set. It’s all good by that standard, but eddie’s not enjoying it quite as much as the “master chef” (society) said he would lol. In the second sentence it’s clear that he doesn’t want her to put in so much effort. I think it makes him feel more guilty, because he doesn’t have anything more that he can honestly offer her.

Chris: Let’s make brownies next.

Again, he’s enjoying the endless supply of treats from A*a, at least to a degree I think.

Ana: You know, I think we need to clean that kitchen first.

I think others have pointed it out but the messy kitchen is most def a visual rep of eddie. A*a is proposing that she and chris keep working on eddie and his (relationship/love life) mess.

Eddie: Maybe you should go home first. I mean, you’ve been stuck here for days. I’m sure you want to get back to your own place. Have some time for yourself.

This is eddie screaming in subtext that this is not a*a’s home. She does not fit here. She should go someplace where she belongs...which is not here. please leave. His literal words are just basic breakup prelude. not subtle but also not completely rude given the long shift he just worked and his gentle tone.

Ana: Right. Yeah. But I am not going to leave you with the disaster in the kitchen.

She can see the writing on the wall but she is resisting. she recognizes that the kitchen (eddie) is messy and needs some tlc. she’s trying to join eddie in denial that they have a problem in their relationship, but he’s over denying things at this point.

Chris: A disaster.

Chris KNOWS!!! He’s enjoying the a*a perks but he’s NOT OBLIVIOUS to the fact that his father is not quite okay. Dad’s in disarray and he kinda gets that on some level i think.

Ana: I’m sorry. I know this place is such a wreck.

We gotta remember, in this case/this episode of symbolism, the kitchen (eddie) was made messy/messier by a*a herself. The kitchen is normally functional, then she came along and joined in playing house thanks to the blackout which catalyzed eddie’s panic over ready-made family.

Eddie: Don’t worry about it.

Eddie fully knows that this whole situation is not actually her circus not her monkeys. It really is his problem, bc she’s good on paper.

Ana: Yeah, but you’ve been working nonstop, so you shouldn’t have to come home to this mess. Oh I bet the dishwasher is working now, right? You know what, I don’t know what I miss more, whether it’s the dishwasher or the refrigerator -

A*a knows eddie has been trying to sort things out, even if he’s been doing that poorly in regard to her needs/expectations. Now that he’s back home and talking to her, she hopes some little things are functioning between them again, at least enough so that she can stay. She sounds desperate at this point (which I don’t think is fair to her as a person/character, but she’s such a side character I don’t really care that much at the end of the day).

Eddie: Ana -

No, a*a, this is over. The kitchen is back to base level functioning, but not for you.

Ana: - Or, the air conditioning. It’s probably the air conditioning, definitely.

In 502 when buck had that talk with eddie, eddie was sweating bc the ac was out. Sweating is of course a symptom of panic as well. This is a fun parallel, bc a*a wants ac more than anything bc she then doesn’t have to face eddie’s underlying issues with her. they could just keep pretending together.

Eddie: Ana. Ana, stop - We need to talk.

Again, nope. We have to deal with this. A nice parallel. This breakup is mirroring eddie’s behavior during the talk with buck. He avoided that conversation and buck gently insisted. A*a avoided their conversation and eddie gently insisted.

Ana: Those four words.

She’s facing it, with salt.

Eddie: Maybe we should sit down?

Eddie wants to be good about it and create a solid space to have this conversation but a*a is struggling, understandably, bc she is more invested than eddie.

Ana: Why? You’re fine. You aren’t gonna pass out of anything. Your heart rate is not going up?

She knows about the panic and her role in it, but she’s avoidant and also sad/angry.

Eddie: What do you mean?

Stop. Pretending. eddie, are you seriously clueless that she’s NOT clueless??? I mean maybe...go off I guess.

Note that at this point, eddie scrunches his face and turns a little red. He honestly thought he was hiding something. I think he IS hiding “””something””” deep personal and meaningful to him, but it’s not really quite the aversion to a*a/what she represents. That part isn’t what’s buried inside him, the real culprit is deeper than that.

Ana: You know what I mean.

At this point, eddie places his hands on hips and drops his head down. He has to grapple with her knowing at least a part of what he’s been trying to hide.

I don’t want you to…to panic when you think about me.

Eddie crosses his arms and leans on the fridge, and returns to full eye contact. He is facing a*a and what she represents, but with crossing his arms he’s closing himself off to something deeper and more difficult. He’s not ready to explore what’s beneath it all, what fuels the urge to pretend in the first place. He only want’s to deal with ending this particular instance of pretending for now (i.e., being with a*a).

Or when you think about a future with me. I can’t - I can’t take that.

She’s hurting and this breakup is long overdue.

Eddie: I thought it would work.

Eddie’s arms stay crossed when he starts speaking and he makes intermittent but natural eye contact. Again, he’s still guarding the deeper issues that made him “think it would work”. He’s avoiding the core of the lie/decision to pretend in the first place.

I did. The idea of us. Chris loves you so much. I just thought that -

This line is huge. The IDEA!! It’s common in relationships of all kinds to have ideas about what should and should not be, who and how we should and should not be, waiting to feel something, waiting to not feel something, figuring things out. Eddie realized (thanks to buck) that chris’s love of a*a wasn’t enough to make eddie himself love her.

He’s not the same guy he was when he did mostly THE SAME THING with sh*nnon after she got pregnant and they decided to get married. I don’t doubt that eddie loved sh*nnon but there was always an excessive struggle within that love that had lots to do with who each of them was as a person and what they wanted/needed from each other.

Honestly, I don’t think repressed queer desires (which don’t necessarily have to have always been there, bc sometimes people just discover queer love!) on eddie’s part were their only problem in that marriage. Remember, eddie and sh*nnon never had trouble falling into bed, they had trouble being fully emotionally present with each other and true partners! They also had eddie’s sense of duty and the pressure to be a “provider” looming over them.

Ana: That eventually you would too?

She gets that eddie was faking it until he made it...but he never made it and now he has to fess up and end things.

Eddie: I should have said something sooner.

Eddie feels guilty about holding onto the relationship as he realized that it was not going to work. During this line, eddie sounds choked up and his eyes are a little damp. Again, the hints of guilt.

Ana: You probably should have.

A*a wishes eddie had spared her all this. At this point, eddie breaks eye contact and looks down into the space in front of him. He wishes the same thing.

Well I’m sorry about the mess,

She’s literally talking about the kitchen but symbolically talking about eddie himself. Again, a*a knows things got worse for eddie in many ways when they started dating.

During this line, eddie breathes out and closes his eyes. He’s noticeably uncomfortable and maybe still feeing that guilt. Eddie had been trying to hide the messiness of his real/deep feelings, and was succeeding for a little while. But when a*a came along with notions of ready-made family the lid was blown off of the deeper stuff. I’m hoping we get more into eddie’s “mess” over the course of the season.

but I guess it’s your mess now, right?

A*a wanted to help but couldn’t, and eddie doesn’t want her (to) anyway so she’s out. During a*a’s line, eddie looked away and honestly seemed uneasy in his own skin. Now he has to actually look at the deeper issues and feelings bc a*a isn’t their to distract from those anymore!

Eddie: Yeah, I guess it is.

He knows this mess is his but doesn’t want it. He kinda still wishes this mess wasn’t a thing he had to deal with. Like you do. Here eddie still looks uncomfortable, but manages eye contact again at the end of the moment. I think the eye contact signals that he really doesn’t blame her for anything. He know’s he was at fault, to the degree that this is something you would blame on someone. Honestly to me it just feels like growing pains. Staying would have been the real cruelty, breaking up is far better.

Ana: You’re an amazing father.

She knows that eddie is 100% invested in chris and puts chris first as much as he can, and she knows that he originally did all of this for chris. This feels like it’s part of her process of forgiving him for not saying anything sooner. At this point in the dialogue, eddie doesn’t respond to her touch on his arm, he remains closed off, guarding and protecting something.

I’m gonna - I’m gonna go say goodbye to him.

During this line eddie breaks eye contact again. He’s aware that he’s separating chris from someone chris likes.

Adios, Edmundo.

This part was SO INTERESTING TO ME. OMG! Here eddie accepted the face touch from a*a but his left cheek TWITCHED in the wake of it. He also accepted the cheek kiss too but exactly like it was from an IDEA, a distant concept that was dying away just beyond the reach of his desire. It was GLORIOUS! Ryan crushed that whole exchange.

Whew, yall. This season is crazy in terms of Buddie and we’re only three eps in!

#911 fox #buddie #eddie diaz #evan buckley#911 spoilers #911 meta

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heyiwrotesomethings · 3 years

Text

Fresh Starts

Leah (Stardew) x Selectively Mute She/Her Reader

A/N: Thought I’d try something different with this one. Sorry if I didn’t detail the instances of sign language very well, or if they are a little off, I did try. Also Kel is an asshol in this when they show up so get ready for that. Robin is cool mom and Abigail is the friend who is always ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Also, time is so weird in Stardew? There are four season in a year but each season is like a month so a year is like four months. Time is scary. I hope you like it! Word Count: 8,943

“So, someone has finally taken up that old farmland,” Leah heard Gus say to Harvey as he fixed the good doctor a drink at the bar, “‘Heard Lewis and Robin talking about it outside of Pierre’s yesterday.”

“Is that so?” Harvey was tired from a long day at the clinic, but being ever polite, he humored Gus and rested fully against the bar stool.

“Mhmm, looks like the old man’s kin is finally gonna make something of it. A few years late though I must say, that place is well overgrown. It’s gonna take a lot more than a little elbow grease to spruce up that dump,” Gus chuckled good naturedly and handed Harvey his beer, “I wish them luck, whoever they are.”

“Bah!” Leah jumped in her seat tucked away in the corner. Pam must have been listening in too. “If they’re smart they’ll just sell the heap of trash to Joja. M’sure they’d get a pretty penny for it.” Pam spoke bitterly. Shane, who was also quite drunk at this point in the night, took the opportunity to add his two cents in and yell across the bar.

“Why would they get your daughter for selling out to Joja?”

“That’s not what I meant, dumbass!” Pam roared back, slamming her beer on the table with a loud thump.

Leah decided she’d call it a night then. Without Elliott to crack jokes with, the saloon could get real depressing real fast with Shane and Pam racing each other to see who would get alcohol poisoning first. Even Clint was just sad to watch. The poor man sitting hopefully, waiting for Emily to even just turn in his direction. Leah finished the rest of her beer and paid Gus, giving the man a sympathetic smile as he left to cut Shane off.

Leah shivered in the cool spring breeze as she walked along the river bank to her cottage and her thoughts wandered back to what Gus had been gossiping about.

“A new face around Stardew Valley, hm?” Leah mused, kicking a stray pebble in her path, watching it skip across the cobbled stone. “I guess I won’t be the town newbie anymore.” She smiled and turned to look in the direction of Marnie’s home, knowing that the farm was somewhere just beyond. As Leah turned the key to unlock the door of her small cottage, she wondered what changes this new resident might bring.

***

“Have you met our new resident farmer yet?” Leah heard Caroline ask Jodi as she walked across the town square.

“I suppose you could call it that,” Jodi laughed, “It was a very brief meeting to say the least.”

“I’m glad I wasn’t the only one then,” Caroline sighed, putting a hand to her chest in relief, “I thought I had offended the girl somehow, she never said a word. She just walked into the shop and pointed to a few seeds she wanted to buy, then she handed Abigail, Pierre and I daffodils and went on her way. Not so much as a sound.” Caroline explained, still bewildered by the interaction.

“Sounds about right,” Jodi nodded, “She knocked on the front door and handed me a single clam. Which was nice I suppose, but so very odd. She gave Vincent a daffodil too,” Jodi smiled, “He was very pleased. I’m sure she would have given Sam something as well if he could wake up at a more reasonable time.”

“Oh, Leah! Good morning!” Caroline had caught her. Leah put on her most sociable smile and walked forward, greeting the two women.

“Good morning Caroline, Jodi.”

“Have you been visited by the farm fairy yet?” Jodi asked, chuckling along with Caroline.

“I’m afraid not.” Leah admitted. “Although Elliott says I am a bit difficult to track down at the best of times.” She laughed good naturedly.

“Well, I’m sure she’ll get you sooner or later. She seems to be on a mission to greet the whole town. If you can call it a greeting I suppose. I don’t even know her name.” Caroline realized.

“It’s (Y/n).”

The three women jumped and turned to a grinning Robin, walking up to them with her yoga mat swaddled under her arm.

“Her name is (Y/n). She’s quite the character, huh?”

“Robin, you helped Mayor Lewis move her in didn’t you? What can you tell us?” Jodi asked, looking for any crumb of information she could get on the mysterious girl.

“Not much to tell,” Robin shrugged, “Just a sweet kid wanting to get away from the pressures of the big city,” she sent a knowing look at Leah, “Sounds like someone else I know.”

Leah laughed politely, twisting a finger around the tail end of her braid as blush settled in her cheeks faintly.

“But why is she so... you know, quiet?” Caroline asked.

“Hm, well, she did give me her blessing to explain should it come up.” Robin took a moment to think of how to proceed, absently tapping her fingers against her mat. “(Y/n) is selectively mute. She has the ability to speak, but she’s just not comfortable enough to do so at this time. This move was a big decision for her, and she’s excited, but it’s just gonna take some time before she feels secure enough to communicate orally.”

“And how did you get all this information out of her?” Caroline wondered.

Robin secured her yoga mat between her thighs and presented both hands, pointing her index fingers outward and drew a couple large circles in the air with the tips of her extended fingers. “Sign language!” Robin grinned, before taking a hold of her mat once more.

“Oh how clever!” Jodi praised. “I wish I understood sign language.”

“I’d be happy to show you a few of the basics sometime. If you really need to ask (Y/n) something though she will have no problem writing out answers for you.” Robin informed. “Now, are we working out today or...”

“I completely forgot!” Caroline smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand, “Yes, let’s go. Poor Marnie is probably wondering where we are. Are you going to join us Leah?”

“I’ll pass, thanks. I’m heading to the beach to do some painting,” Leah explained, motioning to her bag.

“Alright, see you around!” Caroline, Jodi and Robin bid Leah goodbye and hurried to the general store.

Leah sighed, as much as she liked the people in this town they were so chatty. She could have been at the beach forever ago! Once she arrived, she saw Haley sunbathing. Not unusual, but as she kept walking closer to shore she saw Elliott splayed out over the sand laying on his stomach.

Leah rolled her eyes and walked over, playfully kicking the man’s arm, causing him to squint up at her.

“Is there some kind of new writing exercise I should know about?” She asked, playfully.

“I wish, this is simply writer’s block at its finest.” Elliott groaned. “That, and I don’t know what I’m going to do with this,” he sat up and produced a wild horseradish from his jacket pocket.

“Why do you have a horseradish in your pocket?”

“A girl I’ve never seen before in my life gave it to me. Then she took off before I could refuse. Didn’t even say a word.”

“She’s totally weird, but she did give me a daffodil so I guess she’s not that bad.” Haley called from her own spot in the sand.

“Has everyone met the new girl except me?” Leah wondered aloud.

“She’s been making rounds. I’m sure she’ll find you eventually.” Elliott said, resting his chin over his arms.

“You make her sound so ominous.” Leah laughed, lowering herself to the sand and taking out a sketch pad.

“A silent specter. A harbinger of-“

“Oh can it, drama queen,” Leah smirked, “so she gave you a horseradish, it’s not the end of the world. She was just trying to be nice.”

Elliott pursed his lips, propping his head up with one hand he turned the horseradish in the other offering it to Leah. “Do you want it? You’re all about foraging.”

“I mean, if you’re not going to use it sure. Put it in my bag.” Leah relented easily. Her eyes only leaving her paper to study the horizon for a moment, then continue to sketch.

Leah stayed on the beach with Elliott for a couple of hours, talking sketching, and painting. Finally she stood and stretched, patting the sand off the back of her jeans. “I should get going. See you around.”

“See you.” Elliott nodded, splitting off from Leah to head over to his shack.

Leah hummed to herself as she walked through town, making her way past Jodi’s house and entered the Cindersnap Forest. As she rounded the corner of her cottage, she paused in her tracks. Observing a young woman staring at her door with dandelions in one hand and her other poised to knock on the weathered wood.

Leah flinched slightly, she had stepped on a twig, snapping it and alerting her visitor of her presence.

Startled eyes met Leah’s own and the farmer straightened from her previous position, stepping back from Leah’s door.

She smiled shyly, giving Leah a short, jaunty wave before gesturing between Leah and the cottage a moment. Then she stood still. An expectant look on her face.

Leah simply stared back, blinking before she registered the silent question. “Oh! Yes, I live here. That’s my house. You’re (Y/n), right? Robin told me about you, I’m Leah.” She smiled kindly, coming forward to offer (Y/n) her hand to shake.

Instead of grasping Leah’s hand, (Y/n) cupped it with her gloved hands, turning Leah’s hand palm up and placing the dandelions inside.

“Ah, thank you.” Leah chuckled, “These will make a great salad.”

(Y/n) nodded vigorously, then moved to make her exit. Leah wasn’t sure what possessed her, but she called out to (Y/n) before she could get too far.

“Wait, I um, it’s not much but I did take an intro to ASL course my freshman year of college so, I’m a bit limited but if you ever want to talk, you know...” Leah wished she could stop talking right now. Why had no one told her that the farmer was cute!? “So, yeah, you know,” Leah fumbled with her free hand, her fingers sat just underneath her chin before she sent them forward, “Thanks again.” She smiled nervously.

(Y/n) stared at her, dumbfounded. Then she released a short, sharp exhalation of air that was reminiscent of stuttered laughter and turned back to stand before Leah. (Y/n) made a timid approach and gingerly took Leah’s wrist, still hovering midair, and guided the hand back to rest on Leah’s chin, just below her lip. Leah stood still as stone as (Y/n) held it there for a second then extended the hand forward. She repeated the motion twice more before backing away and releasing Leah from her gloved grasp. The smell of earth and grass still clung to Leah’s nose even after (Y/n) had stepped back.

“Oh, I did it wrong, didn’t I?” Leah blushed, “Is there a big difference between the two?”

(Y/n) blew out a large breath of air and nodded. One of her gloved hands came up to cover the amused smile fighting against her lips.

“What did I say? Was is embarrassing? Yoba, I need to know,” Leah carefully set the dandelions at her feet and rummaged through her bag. Taking out her sketch pad and a pencil, she flipped to a clean page and presented the materials into the rough fabric of (Y/n)’s gloved hands, “Please, tell me.”

(Y/n) shot Leah a sympathetic smile, then she looked down at the paper and wrote quickly and concisely. She looked over her work, nodded to herself, then she handed the sketch book and pencil back to Leah before jogging of in the direction of her farm.

“Eh- Hey! Wait a minute!” Leah took a few strides after the farmer but quickly gave up, electing to look at the paper in her hand instead. “Maybe I’ll tell you some other time. Nice meeting you Leah, smiley face.” Leah read aloud to herself. She scoffed, but couldn’t stop the smile that had conquered her lips. She couldn’t wait to see (Y/n) again.

***

“Hey, Maru-“

“I think I have a feeling about what this is about, but just in case, please proceed.”

The next morning, Leah had made her way to the clinic to visit Maru and perhaps get the answers she was looking for. She had made the trek to (Y/n)’s farm first, but she wasn’t there. A little note hastily taped to the farmer’s door revealed that she was spending the day fishing in the mountains and wouldn’t be back until late at night.

“Maru, you know sign language like your mom, right?” Leah asked.

“Sure do. Seb and dad do too.” Maru nodded, leaning over the clinic counter. “But I’ve got to tell you that if you’re looking for the meaning of what you accidentally signed to (Y/n) last night, we were sworn to silence earlier this morning before (Y/n) went fishing. Sorry.” Maru smiled.

“Ugh,” Leah sighed, leaning her forehead against the counter. “Can I at least have a hint?”

“Well, it’s really funny. Especially considering how chill you normally are and your kind disposition.”

“Yoba, I really need to know!” Leah groaned against the counter.

“Well my family can’t tell you. You’ll just have to wait to hear it from (Y/n),” Maru grinned and pushed away from the counter, “I have to prepare for Evelyn’s check up now so I’ll see you around Leah.”

“Yeah, bye.” Leah grumbled, watching Maru disappear into the back offices. “Well, there goes that plan.” She mumbled under her breath as she left the clinic.

Leah spent the rest of the day sculpting in her cottage. She spent hours getting lost in the chipping of the wood before finally going to bed.

***

It had been days since Leah last saw (Y/n) and if the farming life wasn’t so demanding, Leah would have been worried that she had deeply offended the farmer to the point that she was purposely avoiding her. Leah decided not to waste the time she had been presented with.

She approached Robin about sign language lessons, enough to get some basic phrases and words. She practiced the motions herself, perfecting them to allow for no mistakes. Although she knew (Y/n) could hear her just fine, she found it easier to retain the lessons this way. Not to mention that it was just a useful language to know.

“I’ve hardly seen you around. I was worried you stabbed yourself with your woodworking tools.” Elliott said as Leah came up to sit next to him in the saloon.

“And you didn’t think to come to check on me?” Leah looked at the writer incredulously.

“Nope.”

Leah punched Elliott’s arm and he laughed. Before long, Emily came by with their food and they ate comfortably.

“Would you look at that.” Elliot spoke, pointing in direction of the door as he swallowed another bite.

Leah turned to look, purple irises sparkling at the sight of (Y/n) lugging a large bag up to the bar. She watched Emily talk (Y/n)’s ear off, the poor farmer smiled uncomfortably while trying to divide her attention between her and Gus who had apparently requested a variety of fish.

“Wow, Robin said you were in trouble but you really are,” Elliott chuckled behind his beer, “You really lit up just now.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Leah scoffed, still watching (Y/n) hand Gus fish after fish. It was almost comical how such an objectively small bag could hold so much.

“You can’t keep your eyes off her. I realize the dating pool in Stardew is small, but the girl just got here.”

“Elliott, stop!” Leah blushed, looking back down at her plate to stab at her salad.

“I’m just saying, you’re already taking sign language lessons for her you might want to dial it back a little bit. You wouldn’t want to come off as the obsessive type.”

“Oh! She’s leaving, should I offer to walk her home? I’m going to offer to walk her home.” Leah dug in her pocket and pulled out some gold, pushing it over to Elliott.

“What did I just say?” Elliott called after Leah, as she eagerly jogged to the exit to catch (Y/n) walking in the direction of the Cindersaps, perfect!

“(Y/n), good evening!” Leah called jogging up to the farmer only to have the farmer gasp and take several steps away from Leah, holding her hands out as a warning to not come any closer. “I’m sorry, I’m didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable!” Leah gasped, maybe Elliott was right.

(Y/n) shook her head, slowly taking a step back towards Leah, presenting her slightly soggy bag and waving her hand in front of her nose, scrunching her face as she did so.

Leah was sure the movement wasn’t an official ASL sign, but it did help get the point across and she giggled.

“What? Do you think you smell?”

Another nod and a look that seemed to say that she didn’t just think so, she knew so. She had been in the mines all morning and fishing at the beach all afternoon. She couldn’t wait to take a shower.

“It’s alright, I won’t judge you,” Leah smiled, “Are you heading home for the night? I’d be happy to walk with you since it’s so dark.”

(Y/n) took a moment to think about it before nodding shyly and motioning Leah closer. Leah happily obliged walking alongside the farmer into the Cindersap Forest. The walk was mostly silent, but that was to be expected nonetheless, Leah was having a great time. They had even found a couple of leeks along the way which (Y/n) had insisted Leah keep. All too soon, they reached the porch of the old farmhouse.

“You’re crops look great,” Leah complimented, looking for an excuse to stay even just a few minutes more, “really healthy. What all have you been growing? Are those potatoes and turnips?”

(Y/n) looked over her shoulder as she unlocked her door. Her eyes focused on where Leah was pointing and nodded affirmingly.

“Yeah, I’m no farmer but I love foraging. I’ve got a few really good books about wild foods and where to find them and when. It’s kind of like a scavenger hunt.” Leah grinned.

“Mhmm.”

It was quiet, a little strained, but the small hum of agreement almost sent Leah into cardiac arrest. She sounded so sweet! Leah’s cheeks were starting to hurt from how widely she was smiling.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it then. So, I’ll see you around?”

(Y/n) looked like she wanted to say something, but settled for a simple nod, fiddling with the gardening gloves she had taken off. Leah smiled softly, watching how the farmer intently eyed the fabric twisting in her hands.

“Feel free to drop by the cottage whenever it suits you. I’ll leave the door open!” Leah added, waving over her shoulder as she turned to walk away. (Y/n) beamed, looking a bit more lively as she waved back.

Leah turned her back on the house and walked back to her cottage in the Cindersaps with a skip in her step and a painfully large smile on her face. Although it was already late, she prepared a new block of wood for sculpting. Her new muse had granted her a vision for a grand project and had the potential to be one of her greatest works yet.

***

“Kel, I told you to stop calling me. I’m not coming back to the city, we are through.” Leah frowned, her hand gripped the phone receiver so tightly that she could hear the plastic giving slightly under the pressure.

She was so focused on combating Kel’s useless bargains that she hadn’t noticed the timid farmer show herself in, looking at Leah’s tense shoulders and back with concern. (Y/n) flinched as Leah cut off Kel to speak again, her voice low and stern.

“There is nothing you could say, nothing you could offer me, that would make me come back. Move on, and please, for the last time, do not call me again.” Leah slammed the phone down on its perch. Pressing her palms into her eyes she let out a frustrated groan, slowly positioning her hands to rub at her temples to combat the headache she felt coming on.

Then she heard the door creak.

Leah quickly turned around just in time to see (Y/n) looking back at her with wide eyes and lips pursed thin as if she had been caught witnessing an event she had no business seeing. Which was partially true, but Leah had told her a week beforehand that she could drop by anytime.

“(Y/n), what a pleasant surprise!” Leah grimaced, watching (Y/n) flinch and look down sheepishly at her feet. One had managed to retreat back out the door before being caught and it was slowly joined by the intruding foot, so (Y/n) was fully outside again. Leah shook her head and calmly approached the farmer.

“Please don’t leave, I’m the one who told you to come let yourself in whenever. I’m sorry you had to hear all of that.” Leah was worried, watching (Y/n) linger in the doorway. Her shoulders relaxed when (Y/n) cautiously came back inside and closed the door behind her.

(Y/n) stood in the entryway and looked over Leah, her eyes filled heavily with concern. She raised a hand, pointing to Leah before signing the letters ‘o’ and ‘k’.

“I’m okay. I’m just,” Leah fumbled for the right words, “mad, sad? Exhausted.”

(Y/n) made another gesture, shaping her fingers into a ‘hang loose’-esque sign. Her curled fingers meeting her chin. She lowered the hand momentarily to give it a controlled shake before bringing it back up into the starting position.

“What’s wrong?” Leah mumbled, making sure she understood. (Y/n) nodded. “I just got a phone call from someone I didn’t want to talk to is all,” Leah sighed, “They’re an ex of mine. The person who called.” Leah disclosed, rubbing the back of her neck, agitated.

(Y/n) signed again, but Leah didn’t quite catch it that time so she motioned (Y/n) over to her dining nook and sat her down with some paper and a pencil. The farmer seemed a bit unwilling to write it out, feeling like it was more insensitive somehow but with a little prodding from Leah, she gave in.

“Was it a bad break up...” Leah read aloud. She sat back in her chair and carefully chose her words. “Sometimes it feels like we’re still breaking up,” Leah chuckled wryly, “Kel, my ex, didn’t like me perusing art. They didn’t think I could make a living out of it and wanted me to waste away at some office job and well, I didn’t want that. They weren’t respectful or supportive of my dreams, so I left. They call me a lot though, to try to convince me to come back to the city... that I won’t make it as an artist. That I can’t be happy without them. It really is exhausting and the worst part is, I worry that they’re right.” Leah released a shuddering breath, “I haven’t sold a single piece. I don’t really even know how to start. I can sustain myself on what I have in my savings account for only so long.”

(Y/n) covered Leah’s hand with her own, squeezing it. Leah marveled at how soft it was in comparison to her own, especially since it was the hand of a farmer. Perhaps the gloves (Y/n) always wore had more practical uses rather than simply being worn for aesthetic’s sake. Leah chanced a look at (Y/n)’s face and was caught off guard by the determined fire blazing in her eyes. Then Leah’s attention was brought back to the table as (Y/n) furiously scratched the pencil against the paper and forcefully pushed her newly composed message in front of the sculptor, her other hand still rooted over Leah’s.

Leah read over the note and felt her heart ache with appreciative warmth. ‘You were brave enough to know what you wanted and even though it wasn’t easy, you went for it. That in itself is an amazing accomplishment that you should not take lightly. Your dream is not unfounded either, I’ve seen some of your sketches and paintings and I think you are very talented. Once you figure out how to put yourself out there you’ll have people begging you to take their money.’

Leah sniffed and smiled at (Y/n) appreciatively, turning her hand to reciprocate (Y/n)’s strong, yet gentle hold on her. “Thank you, (Y/n). I just wish I knew how to start.”

(Y/n) tapped her chin with the pencil as she thought. When she had an idea, she pulled the paper back to herself and wrote a suggestion.

“An art show? Oh, I don’t know (Y/n). It hardly seems possible.”

(Y/n) shook her head in disagreement and wrote more.

“You really think the town would want to help? Are you sure you want to help? You’ve got enough on your plate already with how busy the farm keeps you. I don’t want to impose.”

(Y/n) looked as if she had something to say, her throat bobbed and her lips twitched, but in the end she settled for the paper again, still too anxious to speak. After Leah had read the reply, she felt (Y/n)’s thumb rub against her knuckles and looked up. (Y/n) nodded, her expression serious. She wanted to help Leah with this.

“Thank you, (Y/n)!” Leah sniffled, holding back tears. She launched herself into (Y/n)’s arms and hugged the surprised farmer close. “Thank you so much!”

(Y/n) slowly returned the hug, smoothing one of her hands over Leah’s back in comforting motions. It was a bit of an awkward position with (Y/n) still sitting at the table and Leah hovering over her, but it felt nice.

“Sorry,” Leah chuckled after a moment, leaning back and wiping a stray tear from her eye, “I kind of caught you off guard with that didn’t I?”

(Y/n) shrugged and smiled good naturedly. A look came over her face as if she just remembered something and she stood up to grab her bag from the cottage entryway. She grinned when she found what she was looking for and made her way back to Leah, holding out a brown paper package to her.

“For me?” Leah asked. (Y/n) nodded and gestured for her to take it. Leah carefully unwrapped it and gasped. “(Y/n), is this goat cheese? I love this, how did you know?”

(Y/n) raised her hand, signing the letters ‘E’ ‘L’ ‘L’ ‘I’ ‘O’ ‘T’ ‘T’.

“Elliott hm?” Leah laughed, “I’m glad you two are getting along after the horseradish debacle.”

(Y/n) crossed her arms and stuck her nose up. She wasn’t looking back on the memory fondly.

“Hey, I’m with you on this one. He was being an ass. How could you have known he hated horseradish.”

(Y/n) nodded in agreement, one of her hands reaching out as if to say, ‘exactly’. She then noticed the time on Leah’s clock and signed that she had to go.

“I see.” Leah smiled sadly, trying not to let her disappointment shine through. “Good bye then, and (Y/n),” Leah signed ‘thank you’, very mindful of the position of her hands this time around, “seriously thank you for everything.”

(Y/n) beamed, giving Leah a thumbs up before heading out the door.

***

“I can’t believe I’m doing this.” Leah kept mumbling to herself while watching her fellow Pelican Townies set up her creations in the town square. There were already some tourists looking around and Leah felt her nerves fraying.

“Hang in there, kid. Everything looks great. Don’t worry so much.” Robin snuck up on Leah, making her jump. “It’s a beautiful summer day, don’t forget to enjoy it.”

“I’m trying, Robin. It’s just so much.” Leah said, nervously playing with her sleeve. Robin noticed Elliott walking up and motioned him to help deal with the artist while she went to help Demetrius move a heavy wooden sculpture.

“Come on now, Leah. Too late to back out now.” Elliott grinned, thumping her back. “(Y/n) seems especially excited by how things are progressing.”

Leah chanced a glance at (Y/n) and Maru putting up paintings between signing each other excitedly. The scene warmed her heart and her shoulders relaxed a bit.

“Yeah, okay. I’ll try.”

“Great, now let’s go woo some tourists.” Elliott said, wiggling his eyebrows.

“What? Elliott, no!” Leah shook her head.

“Not like that,” Elliott laughed, “I know your heart belongs to someone else. I just meant,” he looks around before whispering in Leah’s ear, “woo them out of their money.”

Leah laughed and pushed Elliott away. “Alright, you focus on the wooing and I’ll focus on explaining my thought processes.”

“That doesn’t sound as fun, but okay, this is your day.”

As Elliot and Leah made their way across the square, an unwelcome guest watched them from afar. Their blood boiled as they saw Leah pause at the makeshift painting gallery to give the farmer’s hand an affectionate squeeze.

***

“I can’t believe we sold so many!” Leah spoke in ecstatic disbelief as she waved at the last car she and (Y/n) had just loaded a heavy wooden sculpture into before it drove away. “This is crazy!”

(Y/n) wore a smile that matched Leah’s, happy to watch the sculptor bouncing in place. When Leah finally stilled, still giddy, she took both of (Y/n)’s hands in hers. Once again free of the gloves, the hands were pleasantly soft against her own and she relished in the feeling.

“(Y/n) I know it’s kind of late, but I have something I want to give to you. I left it at my house so I’m going to go get it. I’ll meet you at the farm, is that alright?”

(Y/n) stared at Leah, her curiosity piqued. She nodded, easily giving Leah the answer she was hoping for.

“Great! I’ll be there soon!” With one last squeeze of the farmer’s hands, she was off. (Y/n) heard the crack of a twig, but when she turned to investigate, nothing stood out so she made her way back to her farm to wait for Leah.

When Leah came up to the porch, (Y/n) had to do a double take at the big wooden statue she was lugging along. With one last huff of air, Leah placed the statue at the base of the steps and grinned up at (Y/n), wiping a bit of sweat from her brow.

“Thanks for waiting. It was a little more ah, heavy, than I expected.” Leah laughed sheepishly. “Come take a look.”

(Y/n) stepped off the porch and circled the piece, taking in every detail. Leah felt nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach while she watched the farmer scrutinize the work and cleared her throat.

“I started working on it in the spring. I also incorporated some of that driftwood you gave me a few weeks ago. Anyway, I made it with you in mind. It’s called, ‘How I Feel about (Y/n)’ and I’d be honored if you would accept it as a gift for everything you’ve done for me.” Leah stared at her feet as she spoke, too embarrassed to keep her eyes on (Y/n) while she spoke. Then a pair of boots joined, hands came up to clasp her own, pulling the conjoined grasp into her line of vision and coaxing her to look up into (Y/n)’s eyes.

“It’s wonderful.”

At that moment, Leah thought her heart must have been beating so hard that it was affecting her hearing.

“Hh... huh?” Leah asked, rather dumbly.

(Y/n) swallowed thickly, took a deep breath, and whispered, “It’s wonderful, Leah. Thank you.”

Leah looked absolutely awestruck, purple irises shone with excitement and she laughed, pulling (Y/n) into a tight embrace.

“I’m glad you like it.” Leah sniffled, resting her face in (Y/n)’s shoulder.

“Leah?” (Y/n) wrapped her arms around the artist, it was only one word, her name, but Leah heard the concern in the farmer’s tone.

“I’m okay. I’m just happy,” Leah sniffled again, “I’m happy you felt comfortable enough with me to speak to me.”

“Me too.” (Y/n) whispered, holding Leah tighter.

The pair found it difficult when they had to part ways for the night, but they were equally excited over how their relationship was developing, looking forward to spending more time together over the summer.

***

“Come on, just a little further...” Leah coached herself. She was reaching for a piece of fruit hanging from a branch just out of her reach.

She had planned a picnic with (Y/n) for this afternoon. She had already set up under the big old tree near the pond and as she waited for (Y/n) to finish up with her crops and animals for the morning, when she spotted the unusual fruit. Now she was jumping and stretching for the fruit just out of reach.

“Almost— Ah!” Leah struggled to balance herself in the air, swiveling her head to peak over her shoulder, she saw (Y/n) looking up at her with a mischievous grin. Leah rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the side of her lips. She turned back to the task at hand and grabbed the fruit, motioning (Y/n) to put her back down.

“Show off.” Leah scoffed, lightly punching (Y/n)’s shoulder. “You wanna try a bite?”

“Yes, please.” (Y/n)’s cheeks heated when Leah pressed the fruit to her lips. She took a bite of the offering, savoring the taste. “It’s so sweet.” She said, amazed.

“Right?” Leah smiled, “It’s rare to get fruit from this tree. Usually all the animals snap it all up as soon as they’re ripe, but it seems they miss some from time to time. How is everything with the farm this morning?”

“All is well,” (Y/n) nodded as the pair made themselves comfortable on the blanket Leah had set up, “I would have been here sooner but the goats kept standing in front of my cheese and mayo machines, the chicken coup too. Made it a little difficult.” (Y/n) disclosed. “Which reminds me,” she rummaged through her bag, “goat cheese salads.”

“Mmm, this looks heavenly. Thank you for making these.” Leah said, eagerly stirring in some vinaigrette into the generous fresh salad.

“No problem. Selling my harvest is nice, but it feels so much more rewarding enjoying it like this.” (Y/n) informed, mixing her own salad.

“I can imagine,” Leah hummed and leaned her back fully against the trunk of the tree, “Ah, it’s such a lovely day for this.”

“Mhmm.”

They ate the rest of their meal in peaceful silence, listening to the birds sing and the fish leap, the breeze rustling the trees and grass around them. It was tranquil, it was perfect.

“Hey, Leah,” (Y/n) spoke, breaking the silence.

“Yes?” Leah asked, turning her gaze away from the sketch pad she had brought out.

“It’s almost Fall you know, we’ve known each other for nearly two whole seasons. Half a year, it’s crazy, right?”

“Yeah, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long, doesn’t it?” Leah giggled, “What made you think of that?”

“Well, I wanted to ask you something. Don’t feel like you have to answer one way or the other, but...” (Y/n) paused, trying to gather her thoughts.

“Hey, it’s okay (Y/n). You can tell me anything. Sign it out if you want to.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m just nervous,” (Y/n) turned to her bag and pulled out a lovely bouquet of flowers, “Leah, would you maybe consider being my girlfriend?“

“Yes!” Leah enveloped (Y/n) in a tackle like hug that sent them both to fully meet the ground, accidentally crushing the flowers between their bodies, “Oops, sorry,” Leah wiggled the flowers out from under her to look at them more closely, “these are lovely, (Y/n). I didn’t know Pierre had these in yet.”

“He didn’t, I planted them.” (Y/n) clarified, smiling up at Leah who still hovered over her, giggling.

“Of course you did, you’re so sweet.”

“I try.”

“Are you kidding me!”

Leah and (Y/n) quickly turned to face the disturbance, scrambling to sit up from their compromising position. Leah felt her stomach twist with discomfort seeing Kel of all people marching up to them, absolutely fuming.

“Seriously, what the hell, Leah?” Kel yelled, their hands clenched into tight fists as they closed in, making yard after yard disappear between them.

“No, more like what the hell, Kel? I broke up with you seasons ago. What are you even doing in Pelican Town?” Leah retorted angrily, as (Y/n) helped her to her feet. Kel watched the motion and ground their teeth.

They were already dangerously close to crossing the threshold of the blanket and that small display was enough to send them stomping over the edge.

“I came for you, obviously! I’ve been slumming it in that dusty old saloon since your art show, waiting to talk to you! Now I find you sucking face with some country bumpkin nobody!” They seethed, stepping even closer into Leah’s personal space until (Y/n) pulled Leah back behind her, making Kel even more incensed. “You stay out of this. I’m talking to Leah!”

(Y/n) held strong, stuck between the harsh obscenities attacking her from the front and the loving affirmations defending her from behind. She held her arm out, willing Kel to stay back as she slowly started to guide Leah back in the direction of town for help. Kel ignored the warning and followed after them.

“Don’t you have anything to say for yourself? You think you’re being some kind of hero right now?” Kel seethed.

(Y/n) stayed silent, she had gone mute again and who would blame her in the face of such a tense situation? She was so very uncomfortable, scared even, but she continued on passed Marnie’s since she knew the woman wasn’t home at this time and she sure wasn’t going to expose Jas to this. Jodi’s house was their next best bet.

“Hey, you obviously want to start something here. You’ve got something to say to me?” Kel continued forward.

“Kel, leave us alone!” Leah commanded, “It’s over, it’s been over, go home!”

“You think you’re too good to talk to me?” Kel yelled, ignoring Leah. “She’s just a whore. She just latched onto the first warm body she could find after her little meltdown. You’re not special.”

(Y/n) froze stiffly in place, Leah felt the muscles on her shoulders tense so she tried to pull on her arm to keep her moving.

“Ignore them, (Y/n). Let’s focus on getting to town, okay?” Leah pleaded. But (Y/n) gently pushed off Leah’s hands and took a step towards Kel with a cold glare. Leah stepped to stand beside (Y/n)’s side, nervous that a more serious confrontation was about to unfold.

“Well?” Kel spat.

(Y/n) crossed her arms, turning her head to look at Leah. The look on her face was all the communication Leah needed to understand. It was definitely a, ‘they better back off or I’m going to knock them off their block’ face. Leah had never known (Y/n) to be particularly violent, but with all the time she spent in the mines, she had no doubt that she could take care of herself.

Leah gasped when Kel suddenly roared, lunging forward. Apparently they had not liked how (Y/n) and Leah had been paying attention to each other rather than themself. Kel had rocketed forward and aimed to punch (Y/n) hard over her cheek, however, at the last moment, Leah pushed her aside and took the blow for her.

(Y/n) inhaled sharply and caught Leah as she stumbled back, noticing how blood immediately began gushing from Leah’s now broken nose.

“Ow- AH!” Leah cried, her hands muffled her voice since she had covered her nose and mouth.

It only took a second for (Y/n) to return the favor to Kel’s stunned face. She punched them fast and hard over their cheek, but Kel was quick to fight back and now it was a full out brawl.

“What’s going on, we heard yelling— holy shit!”

Leah turned away from the fight to see Sam, Seb, and Abigail running up on the scene.

“(Y/n)’s throwing hands!” Abigail yelled, sounding way more excited than worried.

“Leah are you okay? What’s going on?” Sebastian asked, noting the concerning amount of blood running down Leah’s arms and the front of her shirt.

“Don’t worry about me, stop them!” Leah winced, taking one hand away from her face to motion to her ex and her new girlfriend still going at each other.

“Damn, Abi! Go get your dad and Harvey too by the looks of it!” Sam yelled, he seemed to be looking for an opening to push the fighters apart.

“Are you kidding? You get my dad, I’m getting in on this!” Abigail cheered and ran up to jump on Kel’s back like she was at a rodeo while (Y/n) landed a good hit on Kel’s stomach. “Nice punch, (Y/n)!”

“Oh Yoba, Sam, start running.” Seb suggested, trying to help Leah with her nose. He was no Maru, but even he knew how to set a broken nose. Especially within the first couple weeks of Sam taking up skateboarding.

“Right!” Sam ran off back into town screaming. A few tense minutes later and Pierre, Caroline, Robin, Elliott, Maru and Harvey came running behind Sam to break up the fight.

“Abigail, stop!” Pierre huffed, pulling off his daughter and passing her off to his wife, “I taught you what I did to defend yourself, not to lash out like a wild animal!” He grunted, pulling Kel into his grasp and trapping their arms behind their back with Elliott coming up to assist.

“Come on dad, I was helping a friend! What’s the big deal?” Abi groaned, while her mom fretted over her, looking for injuries.

“Easy there kid, it’s over.” Robin coaxed (Y/n), pulling her back. The farmer slumped over in the carpenter’s hold, breathing heavily.

“Is (Y/n) okay? Ah!” Leah hissed as Harvey touched up her nose, giving her a nasal spray before wedging a couple wads of tissue up her nostrils.

“Sorry, Leah.” Harvey sympathized, “Maru is going to check up on her now.”

“What about me?” Kel hissed. Pierre had them resting on their knees. They looked really roughed up. A black eye was already forming and scratches and bruises littered their skin, they were also holding their stomach rather tightly.

“You’ll just have to wait a minute.” Elliott frowned, staring down at the stranger with contempt.

“Don’t you have any police officers in this backwater town? I’ll sue every one of you for withholding care to someone who is obviously hurt!” Kel threatened, grinding their teeth.

“Oh, the police are coming alright!” Caroline spoke indignantly. “You are in no position to be asking for anything right now, bringing violence to our community, you should be ashamed!”

“(Y/n) can you look up for me, please.” Maru asked, carefully tilting (Y/n)’s chin up. (Y/n) sucked in a breath when Maru touched her bruised jaw a tad to hard. “Sorry, Your jaw is bruised pretty badly. Your bottom lip split too. How is your vision?”

(Y/n) shook her head and winced, cradling her head in her hands.

“Okay, possible concussion. We’ll need to observe her at the clinic.” Maru said.

“Alright, come on bruiser,” Robin grunted, heaving (Y/n) to her feet, “Sebbie, help me walk her into town please.”

“Sure mom.” Seb took (Y/n)’s other side.

(Y/n) patted Robin’s arm, motioning her to wait. She slowly turned to Kel and leaned more heavily against Seb as she freed her other arm from Robin to snap her fingers aggressively, looking for Kel’s attention. Once Kel looked up at her, sneering from their spot in the dirt, (Y/n) turned briefly to make sure Leah was watching. When she saw that she was, she smiled as if to say, ‘watch this,’ and turned back to Kel. (Y/n) brought her flat, angled hand below her chin and sent it forward in the direction of Kel’s confused, but no less, pissed face.

“Oh ho! (Y/n) is such a badass!” Abigail laughed.

“Abi, since when do you know sign language?” Sam asked, clearly confused.

“I don’t, but I’ve spent enough time searching curses in different languages to know that was totally a ‘fuck you’. Personally I think a middle finger approach would have been an appropriate classic myself but whatever.” Abigail shrugged.

“Abigail, language!” Caroline scolded.

“Sorry mom.”

“Alright, you’ve had your fun. Clinic, now.” Robin tried to hold in a laugh as she repositioned (Y/n)’s arm over her shoulder. Then she and Seb began walking (Y/n) back into town.

Leah made to follow, but as they were leaving, the police from the the next town over had arrived and they needed her statements as a witness. Never mind that she was covered in her own blood and her girlfriend was being dragged away to the clinic with a concussion. Once the officers were satisfied, they took Kel away with promises to be back for (Y/n)’s statement and to see if any charges would be made. For now they were just going to take Kel back to a hospital in Zuzu City since they may have broken a rib or two in the fight. After that, they were going to be free to go.

Leah wasn’t too worried. She didn’t think Kel would come back after the beating (Y/n) and Abigail gave them. She watched the police car drive out of Cindersaps, taking her disgruntled ex away.

“Leah, I’m sure you want to get to the clinic but you should really clean up first.” Caroline had said patting the younger woman’s back. “(Y/n) will be fine.”

“Yeah, Harvey and Maru got her. Take some time to process.” Elliott smiled.

Leah could only nod tiredly. She trudged over to her cottage to shower and change. She still couldn’t believe how quickly things got out of hand. She looked at her bandaged nose in the mirror, hissing when she gingerly touched the bridge of it. She was wary of Seb setting it himself, but Harvey said he had gone a great job. Once she was physically put back together, Leah quickly made her way to the clinic.

“Where is she?” She asked immediately upon arriving. She sounded a little congested thanks to her clogged nose, but she was easily understood. Robin was still in the waiting room and filled her in.

“Harvey and Maru are talking her through concussion care. She’s okay, but I don’t think she’ll be allowed to work for awhile.”

“Oh no,” Leah sat down, resting her elbows on her knees and covered her eyes with her hands, “This is all my fault.”

“Aw, don’t say that sweetheart. You know that’s not true.” Robin frowned, taking a seat beside her, “(Y/n) would hate to hear you think like that.”

“(Y/n) loves her farm! If she can’t maintain the upkeep...” Leah continued, teary eyed, only to be silenced by Robin.

“I’m going to stop you right there. Nothing is going to happen to the farm. Abi, Sam, and even Seb already told (Y/n) in no uncertain terms that they were going to pitch in while she recovers. Everything is going to be taken care of.” Robin assured.

“Still none of this would have happened if-“

“If you hadn’t broken up with your ex? Moved to Pelican Town? Got a crush? Leah, you can’t punish yourself for moving on with your life. You’re allowed to be happy.” Robin chided gently. “It was hard for me and Sebastian’s father to see eye to eye at the best of times. Now I have Demetrius and although he can be a bit annoying sometimes with his tomato bullshit, not a day goes by that I’m not grateful I took that first step because I love him.” Robin smiled.

Leah’s nose hurt like hell as she tried to carefully wipe the tears from her eyes and Robin rubbed her back affectionately. Once Leah had calmed down, Robin stood and stretched.

“She’s been wondering where you are. The doc is keeping her for overnight observation, but your welcome to stay with her. I on the other hand, am apparently too old for this much excitement and need to go home.”

“Thank you Robin, for talking to me.”

“Anytime,” Robin grinned, “now go get her.”

Leah made her way into the back area of the clinic and nearly ran up to Harvey, Maru, and (Y/n). (Y/n) was signing to Maru while she relayed the information to Harvey as he examined (Y/n)’s well being.

(Y/n) was relieved to see Leah and eagerly motioned her to come sit on the edge of the bed she was sitting in which Leah did happily.

“Leah, how’s the nose?” Harvey asked while he finished up (Y/n)’s chart.

“It’s fine. Just, really sore and tingly.”

“So not fine.” Maru chuckled. “I’ll get you some pain meds.”

“Ah, thanks Maru.” Leah smiled sheepishly.

“Well, Ms. (Y/n),” Harvey sighed, turning his attention back to the farmer, “you and I are in for a long night. I’ll be waking you up every hour to check your pupils to see if your condition changes at all.” Harvey stood and stretched, “Ms. Leah, feel welcome to stay as long as you like. It can’t hurt to keep an extra pair of eyes on her.”

“I could stay overtime, Harvey.” Maru said as she came back with two pills and a glass of water for Leah.

“I seem to recall you talking about a time sensitive experiment this morning.” Harvey recalled, making Maru smack the side of her head. “You’re right! I got to go now! Good night everyone!” Maru called behind her as she rushed out to the waiting room then out of the building.

“I’m going to take the first of my many naps lined up for tonight. I’ll see you ladies in about an hour. Try to get some rest.” Harvey said before leaving to walk up the stairs to his apartment.

Finally Leah and (Y/n) were alone again. (Y/n) sunk down into the covers and sighed deeply. She turned to face Leah, concerning the sculptor by how small she looked.

“You’re not too upset with me, are you?” (Y/n) asked, surprising Leah.

“I’m not upset with you. Why would I be upset with you?”

“I just beat the crap out a person. Sure they are your ex, but you cared about them at some point so it must have been hard to watch. I can’t imagine what you must think of me now.” (Y/n) whispered, she was so quiet Leah had to lean closer and even then she was straining to hear.

“(Y/n), I like you. Nothing that happened today changed how much I like you. It certainly didn’t make me like you any less,” Leah rested her hand over (Y/n)’s cheek, “Kel made their choice when they decided to come to Pelican Town and confront us. I wish it hadn’t gone down the way it did, but that’s not our fault. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

“I’m glad you’re okay too. I was worried.”

“I wish we could start this day all over,” Leah moaned, “First day as official girlfriends and we get into a fist fight.”

(Y/n) laughed lightly, closing her eyes to combat the pain that came from her jostling. “Abigail thought it was a pretty great date activity.”

“She would think that.” Leah rolled her eyes, “she also eats rocks.”

“Well, think about it this way. Until I’m allowed to take up all my farming duties again, you can do whatever you want with me.”

“Whatever I want, hmm?” Leah tapped her lips with her index finger, “would it be to forward if me to ask for a kiss?”

“You may, just be careful with my split lip. I won’t be able to explain what happened to Harvey if you make it worse.” (Y/n) said.

“One gentle kiss, coming right up.” Leah wiggled on the bed’s stiff hospital sheets until she laid face to face with (Y/n). Their lips met in a soft brushing that was almost ghost like, but rather than leaving them with a chill, warmth bloomed between them.

“Wow.” (Y/n) grinned.

“If you thought that was good, wait until I can get more involved with it.”

“So confident. I like it.” (Y/n) squinted, “could you turn the light off? It’s really starting to hurt my eyes.”

“Of course.” Leah got up and switched off the half the lights to keep their side of the room in darkness but allow Harvey to still be able to see when he came back.

“Now come cuddle, please.” (Y/n) asked sleepily reaching her arms out.

“Nothing would make me happier.”

Leah kicked off her boots and shimmied under the sheets to join (Y/n) and wrapped her arms around her. Leah let the exhaustion of the day roll over her and she had nearly let sleep claim her before her eyes shot open and she propped herself up on her elbow to lean over (Y/n).

“Did I really sign a ‘fuck you’ when we first met?!” She asked, appalled.

(Y/n)’s response was to laugh sleepily into Leah’s chest.

#stardew valley x reader #stardew valley oneshots #sv leah #stardew valley leah #leah x reader #sv leah x reader #stardew valley leah x reader #stardew valley

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justholdingstill · 2 years

Text

joy comes in the morning (dean/cas, 2.2k, unrepentant holiday fluff)

And Castiel said, Let there be light: and there was light.

“Whooooo, looking good, my dudes!” Charlie calls out from the landing, brandishing her over-full glass of eggnog at them. A little of it sloshes over the rim and trickles down her wrist, and she’s still licking it from her fingers when Stevie charges up the stairs and tackles her into one of the squat armchairs for a series of giggly and undoubtedly boozy kisses.

“Pretty sure I gave you two a room to go be gross in,” Dean hollers back, but when Castiel turns to him, the extension cord still clasped in his hands, Dean is flushed and grinning, the warmth of the tree illuminating his skin and sparkling in his eyes. It’s possible, nigh on certain, that he’s also been into the rum.

He claps Castiel on the back and tugs him closer, cranes his neck to gaze up at all nine feet of majestic and fragrant blue spruce, strand after strand of multicolored lights spiralling around it, twinkling as if in time to some unheard melody. For a few moments they stand there together, silently appreciating that the fruits of their labor hadn’t come to bear without a fair amount of sweating and swearing from all involved first. “She's a beauty, ain’t she, Cas? Ever since we found this place I wanted one like this, but it was always too much for just me and Sam.”

“You have a reason now,” Castiel says, finding Dean’s hand down at his side and gently squeezing it. “Especially because we’ve never had a holiday together before.”

“Got a lot of things now,” Dean acknowledges, quiet. He swallows hard, though he tries to hide it, and then squeezes Castiel’s hand back. Castiel can feel him trembling a little despite the firm grip, and this--the fact of them--isn’t new anymore, but his heart races anyway as he leans in to press a soft kiss beside Dean’s ear, to the stubbled line of his jaw, and then turns his chin to fit their mouths together, slow and sweet.

They only break apart when a loud retching noise comes from the hallway behind them; Claire leans against the doorframe with her arms crossed and a smirk on, her duffel bag at her feet. “Didn’t anyone tell you there were gonna be impressionable young eyes here, fellas? Think of the children!”

“Oh, you mean the children I caught sucking face in the Oldsmobile at summer solstice?” Dean scoffs, even as he’s striding across the room to wrap her up in a too-tight hug, spinning her around until she lets out a yelp of protest and punches him hard in the arm. “When did you get here? And where is Kaia, anyway? Aren’t you guys surgically attached at the lips, or something?”

“Like you’ve got a leg to stand on,” she shoots back. She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling in earnest, twisting the thin gold band around her finger. “Someone got some new spell books for an early present, and she’s still down in the archives showing them off to your brother like a friggin’ geek. Soon as we got in the door, I swear.”

“Oh, is that where he disappeared to? That jerk told me after dinner he was going to look for the ornaments, but I haven’t seen him for an hour and a half. Serve him right if I lick his presents before I wrap them...”

“In any case, it’s good to see you again, Claire,” Castiel cuts in, nudging Dean out of the way to fold her in a hug of his own. “Can I interest you in a highly alcoholic beverage? I’m told it’s both festive and traditional.”

She laughs and picks up her bag only to shove it into Dean’s arms. “Lead the way, man. We put down a shifter a few miles outta Nashville at the asscrack of dawn this morning and then drove straight here--I think blowing off a little steam is in order.”

The kitchen is a scene of warm and pleasant chaos. Eileen has never been much for the general day-to-day of cooking, Castiel has come to learn, but she does have a soft spot for baking; once Cesar and Jesse showed up yesterday afternoon and surprised everyone with their fluent sign language, the three of them became fast friends, and some point in the conversation Cesar had apparently confessed to working as a pastry chef for several years in his twenties. After some hushed and intense conspiracy, they’ve spent the majority of their waking hours holed up together since, churning out an increasingly colorful array of cookies and tarts and dessert bars that’s made Dean comment more than once that he should have purchased stock in butter beforehand. It’s a well-oiled operation at this point, despite the fact that the gears of it have mainly been lubricated with fine tequila; they maneuver around each other with comfortable grace, chatting and joking as the containers of treats in the second fridge pile higher and higher.

There’s a brief pause for handwashing and hand-shaking when he and Dean bring Claire through for introductions and refreshments, and then another, longer pause when she pulls a face because she, quote, “doesn’t do ‘nog”. Production gets temporarily halted in favor of a pitcher of mojitos (made with fresh peppermint from Castiel’s tiny greenhouse), served in whatever drinking vessels still happen to be clean and easily accessible--that’s how Claire ends up drinking out of a large red mug that says Trust in the Lord with all your <3 on the side. She laughs and nudges Castiel with her elbow, asking, “so is the big man gonna be coming downstairs for the main event?”

Somewhere between the first round and the second, Kaia and Sam appear from the basement and the introductions have to be done all over again; a while after that, Stevie and Charlie show up, still bright-eyed and handsy and somehow even more cheerful. They’re quite intoxicated at this point, and belatedly Castiel realizes that he is too. The world has gone soft and blurry around the edges, his own senses a bit duller and slower, but it’s by no means a disagreeable sensation--he leans into Dean, only half-listening to the multiple conversations flowing around them and Dean doesn’t hesitate to lean back, slipping an arm around his waist. Dean’s body is warm, and though there are creases around his eyes as he chuckles with the others (he is, after all, only a few weeks from his forty-third birthday), his face looks relaxed and youthful in a way that Castiel hopes never stops feeling new, feeling miraculous. He could look at that face for the rest of his life and never tire of it. He plans to do just that.

The one great certainty of his storied existence is that Dean is his home. Dean is where he belongs.

“You could take a picture, Cas,” Dean says near his ear, amused and fond. “It’ll last longer.”

“Am I staring?”

“I mean yeah, buddy, but I’m not judging. That’s kinda been our thing.”

Castiel grins into Dean’s shoulder. “I like Christmas. This makes me very happy, Dean,” he admits.

Dean chuckles at that, stroking his fingertips firmly through the short hair at the base of Castiel’s neck so that he’s hardly listening when Dean says, gruff but still just as fond, “let’s wait and see if you still feel that way in the morning when your buzz has worn off.” The casual touch sends a thrill down his spine, satisfaction pooling lazily in his gut, and lower. He bites his lip. Dean is often shy about being openly affectionate in front of larger groups of people, but alcohol seems to take the edge off; almost the instant the thought forms in his mind, Dean shocks him by cupping his face in his hands, hesitating for mere seconds before he’s kissing him again, heedless of the wolf whistles coming from their friends and family, heedless of the fact that the sudden flash of light he sees behind his eyelids means one of them really is taking their picture.

It’s a little bit embarrassing in the moment, but Kaia will forward it to him later and then Castiel won’t be able to stop himself from taking his phone out of his pocket at every spare opportunity, trying to see what they had seen, trying on the outsider’s perspective. He and Dean already have a few pictures of themselves together, but nothing quite so candid or so intimate. The lights are dim in the kitchen, but not so dim that their faces are in total shadow; they’ll both have their eyes shut, and Dean will be beaming into the kiss while Castiel’s brow is furrowed in earnest concentration, in devotion. Not for the first time he’ll hardly recognize himself, irrevocably altered by simple proximity to Dean Winchester.

The oven gets shut off for the night, finally. More drinks are mixed and poured, and they migrate en masse to the library, where Dean pulls out his crates of records and the others push the tables back against the walls. He’s watched humans do it for millennia, in hundreds of thousands of ways, a natural extension of the spark that burns so brightly within them, but Castiel has never danced before. He’s seen a thousand different facets of Dean by now, seen him beaten and bloody and broken as well as defiant and loving and unspeakably tender, but he’s never seen Dean dance either, he realizes.

But then the speakers crackle to life and music spills into the room, loud enough that the heavy drum beat vibrates through him to the marrow of his bones, loud enough that he can see by the elation blooming on her face that Eileen feels it too, the deep pulse of it manifesting in the bodies around them; Dean’s lips are shaping words, though Castiel can’t hear anything he’s saying, but it doesn’t matter when he steps toward him, radiating intent, and his touch slides down to Castiel’s hips, carefully guiding him to follow the rhythm though it’s clumsy for them both. His expression suggests that he’s daring Castiel to laugh at him for being so unpracticed at this, but Castiel tangles their fingers together and tries to mirror the smooth rolling motion that he’s making with his shoulders--to some success, he thinks, because Dean’s eyes go wide with surprise, and Claire starts cheering when he abruptly lifts their linked hands above their heads to spin Castiel around and then yanks him in to press their chests together.

He’s been mostly human again for eighteen months, ever since Dean shouted down the doors between dimensions one last time, fought his way into the Empty’s depths, and refused to let it know peace once he’d got his hands on Castiel. Eighteen months, and yet he’s still relearning the acute physicality of existing in direct relation to the meat of his form versus inhabiting it as raw energy barely contained in a vessel; it doesn’t make sense that movement like this should be so fundamentally distinct from the way it feels to spar in a training session, to run, to climb whatever hills they come across until the muscles in his thighs and calves scream, but there’s something about it that’s alchemical, something revelatory about the way the music bleeds adrenaline into his system and mingles with the familiar dopamine rush of having Dean’s body so near his own, not so unlike the way they tend to become physically entangled when they’re alone, wild with joy.

Their loved ones orbit around them in ever-shifting clusters, jumping and twisting and swaying, limbs flailing, a spectacle as absurd to witness as it is beautiful. Castiel soon discovers what it’s like to close his eyes and let go of inhibition in their company, to let all of it wash through him and just move with it for the pure pleasure of being moved, light and free. It’s not long before he’s sweating through his t-shirt, his face is sore from smiling, and Dean’s even redder but smiling right back. He’s the one staring at Castiel now, the way he does occasionally--open and awestruck, as though he can’t believe the man in front of him is real and tangible.

Ever a fast learner, Castiel wiggles up next to him and grinds on his thigh a little bit, just so he can be sure.

Much to his delight, Dean sputters and goes red, but nobody is paying them any attention. Across the room Sam and Eileen are slow-dancing, heads together, blissfully oblivious to the actual tempo of the song that’s playing. Jesse and Cesar have Charlie sandwiched between them, howling with laughter, and Claire and Kaia seem to be busy teaching Stevie a short series of steps that Castiel recognizes from a YouTube video Jack has watched roughly a thousand times.

He’s looking forward to having Jack with them tomorrow. To all the other guests coming. To the feast he knows Dean’s been planning--one could even say conspiring over, with Jody--for weeks. There’s a lot he’s looking forward to.

Later, Charlie will help him print the photo, and they’ll buy a cheap frame for it at the Lebanon general store. Later, it will sit in pride of place on the desk in the room that they share, the room where Castiel eventually falls asleep in Dean’s arms with his ears still ringing, his heart impossibly full.

#castiel/dean winchester #Destiel fanfic #deancas christmas #there is more to this #I wrote it last year for a gift exchange but never could finish it #everything is finale denial and nothing hurts #like literally just so saccharine #in case like me you can't sleep and you were wondering what they're up to

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