#i am so tired we have done so many team dinners / lunches/ today was the charity happy hour and tomorrow we have a lunch

[skellydun]

IT IS OVER!!!!! WORK IS OVER FOR THE DAY!!!!! EVERYBODY CLAP!!!! YAY END OF WORK DAY!!!

#end of workday would also be good but we will celebrate what we can #i have been part of this charity committee which we love bc its a good cause bUT IM HAPPY ITS OVER!!!! #i am so tired we have done so many team dinners / lunches/ today was the charity happy hour and tomorrow we have a lunch #i cant socialize this much. i cant. im antisocial i am so drained. #i had to drink a Yuengling at the happy hour like a straight dad and worked the door

[seoheesoo]

What if Sakumo had lived and how much did Kakashi's life change after Minato became Hokage?

[Part 5]

"Did you want to see me, Hokage-sama?" - Kakashi silently entered the office and quietly closed the door behind him.

Minato looked away from the documents and looked at the teenager.

"Yes, thank you for coming so quickly", - Minato put the folders aside and motioned for Kakashi to come closer. - "I need to discuss something with you."

Kakashi nodded and involuntarily straightened his back.

"I want to give Obito the rank of jonin", - said Minato.

"He will be overjoyed", - Hatake grinned, imagining his friend’s face.

"Obito has been working hard lately. I think he fully deserves it", -Minato bound his fingers and put his chin on them. - "There is something else."

Kakashi silently waited for the continuation. He noticed traces of fatigue on the Fourth Hokage's face. The work was not kind to him at all.

"I want Obito to lead a new team of three", - Minato broke the silence. - "And I also want you to join the ANBU and become the captain of my personal guard."

Fourteen year old teenager froze in one place, stunned.

"New team?" - the teenager frowned in confusion.

"The three of you have done well on missions under your leadership, Kakashi. But if Obito plans to become Hokage in the future, he needs to gain experience in leadership."

"Do you want me to join ANBU?"

Minato sighed heavily and closed his eyes for a few seconds.

"I understand that I've been putting too much on you all this time. I left you as captain in my place. You couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility. But now I ask you for more. Many in the village believe that I am unworthy of the title of Hokage. With you as my right hand, I would feel much more stable. I need you in ANBU, Kakashi."

Kakashi covered the distance and stopped in front of the guy. Minato looked up at him with tired eyes. Kakashi tried to give his face a determined and at the same time calming expression.

"I will always be on your side, sensei", - the teenager got down on one knee. - "And I am honored to be your right hand."

"Thank you, Kakashi", - Minato exhaled with noticeable relief and smiled. - "Now, won’t you run after Obito?"

After Kakashi found Obito and brought him to the Hokage's office, dusk began to fall on the village. The teenager headed towards the house. All the way he thought about Minato's words.

"I’m home", - he said automatically, closing the front door behind him.

The delicious smell of food reminded him that in today's chaos he had missed lunch. Sakumo's cooking skills improved a lot after he took several lessons from Duy. But despite his hunger, Kakashi barely touched his dinner.

"You’re too thoughtful today", - the teenager heard his father’s voice. - "Something happened?"

"Minato sensei is disbanding our team", - no matter how hard Kakashi tried, he could not hide the bitterness in his voice. - "He wants Obito to become captain of another team, and for me to join ANBU."

"ANBU?" - Sakumo put down his chopsticks and bound his fingers. - "Minato wants you by his side."

Kakashi nodded.

"What's bothering you?"

"I…" - the teenager sighed heavily. - "I don’t want our team to disband."

Kakashi looked away. Sakumo pursed his lips.

"We worked well together", - the teenager continued. - "And I’m used to always being with them. I'm used to the fact that I'm nearby and can always protect them. And now I will work alone, while they will be in a team with people they don’t know. I… worry about them."

"It’s completely normal to worry about your friends, Kakashi," - Sakumo said slowly. - "You worry about them and want to protect them. But, unfortunately, you won't be able to always be there for them."

"I know", - Kakashi answered barely audibly. - "I’m just afraid that something might happen to them when I’m not around."

"I'm sure Obito and Rin can take care of themselves. They may be just as confused as you right now. You need to talk to them and give them confidence. You're a great friend, Kakashi."

Kakashi winced and looked up at his father.

"Do you have friends, father?"

"Don’t worry about me, Pup", - Sakumo smiled at his son. - "I have one and it’s quite enough. Finish your dinner before it gets cold."

Kakashi nodded and picked up his chopsticks.

"Thank you, father."

The next morning, Kakashi stood in Minato's office in full ANBU uniform.

"Kakashi, please take off your mask", - Minato asked. - "I have great news. You are the first person to know about this."

Kakashi nodded seriously.

"Kushina is pregnant," - Minato said quickly and smiled widely.

"Congratulations!" - Kakashi felt himself smiling back.

"Thank you", - the guy sincerely thanked. - "I have a first mission for you. I want you to guard Kushina throughout her pregnancy."

Kakashi froze in shock. Of all the people in the village, Minato decided to give this mission to him - to protect the life and health of Kushina and the unborn child. Emotions quickly changed on Kakashi's face. He still hasn’t answered anything, trying to put the information in his head.

"Kakashi", - Minato’s soft voice brought him out of his thoughts. - "There is no person in this village whom I trust more than you."

The teenager held his breath and bowed deeply.

"I won't let you down, nii-san!"

"I believe you," - Minato smiled at the usual address; it seems that Kakashi didn’t even notice how he called him big brother. - "Do you know when your uncle is coming back?"

"No", - the teenager shook his head. - "I can send Pakkun to him."

"I will be very grateful to you. I want to tell Jiraiya sensei this news as soon as possible. I don't have much to do today and I'm already heading home, so you can start your mission tomorrow. In the meantime, rest."

Kakashi nodded goodbye and left the Hokage's office. He headed to the nearest training ground and called Pakkun. Having conveyed the message to Ninken, Kakashi looked after him thoughtfully.

"Rival!" - he heard a loud voice behind him.

A few seconds later, Guy materialized opposite him.

"You look somehow different", - Guy carefully examined the teenager from head to toe.

"Minato sensei appointed me to ANBU", - Kakashi nervously moved his shoulder, he was still not used to his new form.

"Cool!" - Guy threw one fist up. - "You never cease to amaze me, Rival!"

Kakashi felt his cheeks turn slightly pink at the seemingly simple compliment.

"Will you sit down?" - Kakashi patted the ground next to him, Guy immediately sat down. - "I have great news."

"Anything even cooler than your promotion?" - the teenager was sincerely surprised.

Kakashi nodded.

"Kushina-san is pregnant."

Guy opened his eyes in surprise.

"Congratulations, Kakashi!" - he exclaimed loudly and hugged a teenager in his arms.

"Are you congratulating me? Why?" - Kakashi said barely audibly, trying to get out of the suffocating embrace.

"What do you mean why?" - Guy pushed the gasping teenager away from him and looked carefully into his eyes. - "Your little sister will be born soon! Or little brother!"

"Little brother?" - Kakashi asked in bewilderment in a hoarse voice.

"Or little sister", - Guy added in a serious tone, and then smiled brightly. - "You will become an older brother!"

Kakashi blinked in shock.

"I…"

"I can already imagine you with a little baby in your arms", - Guy sighed dreamily, still not letting go of the teenager’s shoulders.

Kakashi remained silent, ignoring Guy's passionate monologue. Too many events happened in these two days.

*** 

Kakashi walked quickly towards the Hatake family residence. Minato returned home a little earlier and let him go, knowing that today all the teenagers were going to celebrate Obito's birthday.

"Kakashi!" - a loud voice came from behind the teenager.

Kakashi skidded to a halt and looked around. 

"Do you have a minute?"

"You know that we are a little late for your birthday, right?" - Hatake asked, raising one eyebrow up questioningly.

Obito ruffled his hair in embarrassment and laughed awkwardly.

"Something happened?" - Kakashi immediately tensed.

"No!" - Obito shook his head negatively and put his hands in front of him. - "I just... wanted to talk to you."

"Okay", - Kakashi narrowed his eyes skeptically. - "About what?"

"Well, you know", - Obito’s eyes nervously darted around. - "You are now in ANBU, I was given a different team, and Rin decided to stay to work at the hospital. I... now I will spend less and less time in the village. Although I would like to stay here longer..."

Kakashi sighed tiredly.

"Get to the point."

Obito flinched when he heard Kakashi's sharp, commanding voice.

"I know that Rin is in love with you", - he said suddenly. - "And I know that you like her too. Now you will spend more and more time together while I am somewhere far away on missions..."

As Obito continued to speak, Kakashi noticed a flash of green color out of the corner of his eye. Hatake swore quietly and frowned.

"Obito, stop, shut up", - he interrupted his friend’s monologue. - "I don't like Rin. And she's not in love with me."

Obito froze, stunned.

"Just ask her out, idiot!" - Kakashi finally said before disappearing into thin air, leaving his discouraged friend alone.

Kakashi landed silently on a tree branch. As he had expected, Guy was training at his favorite training ground. He practiced his blows with a completely unreadable expression on his face. Sighing heavily, Kakashi jumped to the ground.

"Yo."

Guy flinched and put too much force into the blow, breaking the wooden post. Kakashi swallowed. Guy stood still for a moment, then turned to him, a broad smile shining on his face.

"Rival! Have you come to challenge me?" - the teenager exclaimed too loudly. - "What is it this time? Rock climbing? Arm wrestling? Or maybe…"

"You heard everything", - Kakashi interrupted him.

Guy's smile faltered.

"Yes", - the teenager lowered his eyes to the ground and shrugged his shoulders embarrassedly. - "Sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, I was just passing by."

Kakashi took a step forward when Guy immediately took a step back.

"In any case, even though I had no right to overhear a conversation about your personal life, this is still great news!"

Kakashi frowned. He tried to catch Guy's eye, but he stubbornly did not look at him.

"You... both of you deserve to be happy. I..." - Guy paused, and then added in a muffled voice. - "Happy for you."

"It’s not like that," - Kakashi said quickly. - "I don't like Rin."

He immediately felt a prick of shame. This is the second time this evening he has uttered these words. He really liked Rin, but never in a romantic way. He always treated her like a sister.

"And Rin was never really in love with me", - he continued. - "In fact, she has been liking Obito for some time, and this idiot can not understand it. They are even worse than Asuma and Kurenai. Those two don’t announce their relationship, but at least they confess to each other, and these two will be beating around the bush until the end of time."

Guy remained silent, which made Kakashi very nervous.

"So, you don't like Rin?"

"No", - Kakashi shook his head to be convincing. - "Actually, I..."

"There you are!" - they heard an exclamation and turned towards the voice. - "Everyone was already tired of waiting for you and sent me on a search."

Genma leaned his shoulder against the tree and cast a lazy glance at them.

"How long will you stand here? We’re late for the party."

Guy shrugged and stretched his lips into a smile.

"It's not good to keep friends waiting."

Kakashi was still trying to catch his eye, but the teenager had already walked towards Genma. Hatake sighed heavily and followed him. Guy noticeably took the lead, while Kakashi and Genma walked leisurely behind.

"Interrupted some important conversation?" - asked Genma, the senbon clutched in his teeth flashed brightly in the moonlight.

Kakashi chuckled.

"Don't pretend like you didn't hear anything."

Genma smirked at the edge of his lips. They continued walking in silence until they reached the cafe. The loud voices of their friends could be heard from the establishment.

"If you break his heart, I’ll break your face", - Genma drawled slowly, making Kakashi freeze at the entrance.

"You know that this will never happen", - Kakashi gave him a serious look.

Genma shrugged. There was a barely hidden worry in his dark eyes.

"I know, but I still have to warn you. I am his best friend. And I will protect him from everyone. Even from you."

Kakashi nodded silently and entered the cafe, still feeling Shiranui's gaze on his back.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 6

#kakashi hatake #sakumo hatake #minato namikaze #might guy #obito uchiha #rin nohara #genma shiranui #kakagai #I'm sure that if Sakumo had lived #then Kakashi's team would never have had problems with teamwork #which means that they performed all the missions perfectly under Kakashi's leadership after Minato became Hokage #I love Obito and Rin's relationship so much #I also really love Genma and his friendship with Guy

[tonystarksfavoritedaughter]

Crazy Rich Avengers

Chapter 1:

Summary: You and Peter have been dating for a little over 6 months and have not yet met the Avengers. You were getting curious as to when you would meet them, until you get an invitation from Tony Stark himself, inviting you and Peter to Wanda and Vision’s wedding in Hawaii over Spring Break. You thought that it would be nice to go and finally meet everyone, but what will you think after you’ve been tested by the team?

*Based on the movie Crazy Rich Asians, each chapter will be a different scene from the movie. There will be 15 chapters. Also includes a GIF from the movie scene at the beginning of each chapter.

A/N: I’ve had this series planned for a little while now, and I just got this chapter done and edited and I feel really good about it. I didn’t know if anyone would want to read this until I posted about it yesterday and got some really good feedback, so thank you all who liked it and asked to be on the taglist so much! This chapter is the first scene of the movie, just some things are switched up to fit Peter and the Avengers. Just note that this one is kind of short and nothing much really happens in this chapter since it is just the beginning, but hopefully the next one is a bit juicer. 

Warnings: swearing and fluff 

Word count: 2166

Chapter 1

“Okay class, make sure to email me those presentations by Monday. I don’t want to keep reminding you guys over Spring Break because I’ve still got a life outside being a professor.” The whole class laughs at your professor’s bluntness. It kind of reminds you of your friend from high school, who would always spoke her truth, even when no one asked for it. You packed your things and waited for a clear space to exit your row. Who knew so many kids would be in a business class? Not you apparently. You were a culinary student at the Institute of Culinary Education or ICE for short. Your dream was to become a baker and own your bakery, hence the business class. This was your last class of the day, and you couldn’t wait to see your boyfriend. You two had been dating for a little over six months and it was the best six months you could ever ask for.

You exited out of the classroom, finally, and made your way towards the elevator. On the way down, you looked through your messages and saw that you had five new texts from Peter.

Peter: Hey babe! I’m out of my photography class now. (1:15)

Peter: Waiting by the couches (1:15)

Peter: I miss you (1:17)

Peter: I’m hungry. Let’s go to that pizza place for lunch. I really want some of their cannoli’s (1:20)

Peter: Y/NNN!!! WHERE ARE YOU??? (1:23)

The elevator stopped at the lobby and you walked over to Peter, who sprang out of his seat and practically ran over to you. He hugged with the force of what you assumed felt like ten tons just based on how tight he held you. You laughed at his clinginess and pushed him off of you.

“Dude my class ran like ten minutes late. What’s the matter with you?” you laugh.

He held your hand in his own and smiles at you. “Just missed you is all. Did you see my text about the cannoli’s?”

“Yeah I saw it.”

“And?” he asks hopefully.

“Aaaaaand what?” you played dumb just to see his cute pouty face.

“Can we get cannoli’s?”

“Yes, we can get a cannoli.”

“Ah! You’re the best! Cannoli’s!” he yells at an insane volume for someone who’s just walking down the street. This earns you both a weird look from the people on the sidewalk. You were about to kiss his cheek until he just took off down the street with your hand still in his. You guessed you never knew he liked cannoli’s so much. Maybe you should try out a recipe and make him some one day.

You get into the pizza restaurant and sit down across from each other and waited for the waiter to take your order. You order your drinks; Peter gets Diet Pepsi and you get a Sprite. Both of you talk about how your classes went and held each other’s hand while you talked.

“So, I’ve got to do this project for my class,” Peter began, “And my camera is at the Compound, so tomorrow I’ll be a little late getting home.”

“Okay, that’s fine. Oh! Speaking of which,” you slam your palms on the table, which makes Peter jump a little. “When am I going to meet them? I mean we’ve been dating for going on seven months now, and I still haven’t met them. And I know they know about me because I got a message from Nat telling me happy birthday two weeks ago.” You raise an eyebrow at him waiting for his answer.

“Speaking of said topic, that reminds me. We got invited to Wanda and Vision’s wedding. And it is next Friday in Hawaii, which is perfect because a) we don’t have classes because it’s Spring Break, and b) I know Hawaii is one of your bucket list places.”

Your jawed dropped for several reasons. One, it’s Wanda and Vision’s fucking wedding! You never met them, but from the way Peter talked about them, you could tell they were meant to be. You always thought that they were like what you and Peter had times one hundred.

“Are you serious? They’re having their wedding in Hawaii?”

“Yeah. They thought that since Mr. Stark – “

“What can I get you two today?” the waiter asked breathless. You didn’t even realize how busy they were.

You looked up at him, “I’ll have a slice of the cheese pizza please?”

“And I’ll have two slices of the meat lovers. And can I get three of your best cannoli’s please?” Peter smiled at the waiter as he wrote down your order.

“Alright that’ll be right out.” He walked away almost jogging to get your order in. Goodness they were slammed.

“As I was saying,” Peter continued. “Mr. Stark has one of those beach houses in Maui and so, they thought that it would be the perfect place for them to tie the knot.”

“Wow, so, we’re invited? Like we’re going to Maui and attending the wedding? And meeting everyone?” you asked now slightly worried.

“Yeah,” he drags out confused. “That’s what kind of what ‘You’re Invited’ means.”

“I know, it’s just…this will be the first time I’m meeting them and I always imagined it would be at a like Sunday dinner type of thing. Not a fucking Avengers wedding!”

“It’s okay, I know they’re gonna love you no matter what.”

You take a sip of your drink, “This is also works out for another reason because MJ has been asking us to come see her ever since she moved to Kahului.”

“All the more reason to go.”

You both get your food and Peter immediately starts on the cannoli’s that he’s been longing to eat and practically moans at the taste of them. You get the check and pay and tipped extra for your waiter, because they need to be paid way more than minimum wage. The two of you walk out and head home so you can spend the rest of the night together.

“So, when do we leave for Maui?” you ask, swinging your intertwined hands between the two of you.

“Umm, I believe on Saturday.”

Today was Thursday so that means that you only had tonight and tomorrow to pack for a whole entire week. “Shit! I have almost no clothes washed, are you kidding me?” you yell. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

“I just found out this morning!” he yelled back.

“Okay, well it’s a good thing tomorrow I don’t have classes because now I have to do laundry all damn day.” You reach your shared apartment and go to change clothes and you go straight to the laundry room, faster than Peter could imagine. All of your good, cute clothes had to be air dried and so that’s what you did first. After half hour of folding, and drying, and hanging up clothes non-stop, Peter came in wrapped his arms around you.

“Baby, you’ve been here for forever, come sit down with me,” he pleaded.

“I will once I have all the clothes done, but until then,” you pat his cheek. “I can’t.”

He sighs an ‘okay’ and plants a kiss on your cheek and walks away. About twenty minutes later you had gotten all the laundry done and went to join Peter on the couch. He was watching reruns of Brooklyn 99 which was one of your favorite shows. He put his arms out and made grabby hands and you leaned into his touch. You laid your head on his chest with the rest of your body sprawled out on the couch. He put his arm around your shoulders and kissed the top of your head. You looked up and kissed his lips and sat up just a bit straighter. One of his hands went to the back of your neck and the other rubbed your thigh, and you relaxed even more into him. Your right hand carded through his hair and the other sat splayed on his peck, slightly gripping his shirt. You two stayed like this for what felt like hours, just basking in each other’s comfort. You pulled back to breathe and gave him one last kiss before going back to your original position, laying on him.

“What do you wanna watch?” He yawned.

“Well since your yawning and –“ you yawned this time. “And so am I, let’s just take a nap.”

He hummed in agreement and led you to your shared bedroom and he changed into just a pair of sweatpants. You laid down and he did shortly after. You turned, facing him as your chests were touching. You stared at him for quite a long time before you even realized that you were. His face scrunched up that was so cute you wanted to take a picture.

“What?”

“Nothing. You just look cute,” you said back.

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“Nope. I do,” he challenged.

“That’s impossible because I love you to Jupiter and back,” you kissed his nose, ultimately shutting it down because you were tired. School had kicked your ass this week and you hadn’t really had anytime to just lay with Peter. You scooted down a bit so, you could lay your head on his chest, your legs intertwined, as he held you against him so tight that nothing could slip in between you two.

The next morning you had woken up extra early to make some French toast for you and Peter. You got out the bread and butter and the rest of the ingredients and started cooking. Since you were the one who was in the culinary department, the silent agreement between you and Peter was that you would cook, and he would clean your mess. You tried to not make too much of a mess, because you weren’t that mean. After a couple more minutes you got breakfast done and at that exact moment you put the toast on the plate, Peter comes waddling out with his hair a mess. It was almost like it was scripted like a scene in a movie.

“I smelled French Toast,” he smiled.

“Mhm, I thought that I would be nice and cook breakfast for you this time.” You pecked his cheek and gave him the syrup.

“Eat up and get ready for a long day of packing suitcases, babe,” you winked at him.

“Oh boy.” You didn’t hear his sarcasm often, but when you did it always made you chuckle.

He went over to the couch and you followed setting up the coffee table and turning on Spongebob to watch as you ate. You turned towards him and smiled and received a kiss on the nose. Today was going to be a good day, you thought.

It was now four thirty in the evening and you and Peter were packing up all your belongings into your suitcases. “Okay so you need your swim trunks, flip flops, sunglasses, and what else?” You ask.

“Is that just for swimming?” You nodded. “Then yeah I think that’s it.” You went over to his drawer grabbing his trunks out along with your swimsuit. You had all your clothes spread out into separate piles consisting of swimwear, pajamas, nice shirts, casual shirts, and wedding attire. Peter grabbed all of his clothes and stuffed them into his suitcase and you did the same. After that you went to the bathroom to grab all extra stuff that consisted of teeth and hair products, and everything in that category. Peter went into the kitchen to the medicine and started to pack anything that might be needed for allergy’s and whatnot. You figured you would pack your purse of carry on items before you left tomorrow morning.

After two hours of packing and double checking, and once the bed was cleared, you flopped down face first and groaned. “I’m so exhausted,” you huffed.

“Aww, is my baby tired?” He asked this as he pressed feather-light kisses to your neck that always made you shudder.

“Yes,” you say as you awaited a kiss on the lips. He happily kisses you, slow and lovingly, and you feel like you could stay there for eternity. He pulls away for minute to catch his breath. “We should probably figure out what we want to do for dinner.”

“How ‘bout leftovers? There’s still some enchiladas or lemon pepper chicken in the fridge.”

“Ooooh, let’s do chicken.”

You get up from the bed to heat the chicken up in the oven. “Imma make some garlic cheesy rice too!” You shout from the kitchen.

“Sounds good, baby.”

You two make your dinner and eat in a comfortable silence, watching TV. You both decided to watch one more episode of Parks and Rec before calling it a night, and Peter figured it would be smart to go to bed early since you would both have a long day of checking flights and meeting the Avengers tomorrow; and that was tiring by itself.

Tag-List: @randomstufflol29​ @spideyspeaches​ @binnotjin​

#peter parker fluff #peter parker x reader #peter parker #peter parker angst #peter parker imagine #peter parker smut #peter parker x y/n #peter parker series #peter parker oneshot

[pbandjesse]

Just got done having my yearly birthday cry. Didn't know if it was going to happen this year but we got it in late. It was still a pretty good birthday all in all.

I slept really well last night. I missed James this morning but they left me a card. The 3rd one this week I believe. They have all been so sweet and made me feel so loved. I know sometimes James has trouble expressing how they feel so the long written notes have meant the world to me.

I got up a little early. I wanted to enjoy the whole day. I actually wore jeans. At least for most of it. I had texts from Jess and my parents. Steve would message me after noon. Out of the ordinary for him, he usually it the first to text me at midnight. Midday is still good. Kim sent me a voice memo of her singing and that made me feel so loved.

I would have cereal for breakfast and did my knitting. I baked cookies. I laid in my hammock. I was in a good mood.

Until I got a little overheated and then I felt upset but it was fine. I put on a tank top and calmed down.

I baked three dozen cookies. Mostly to give to Stanley at work. I haven't seen Mr Will in a bit. He is going to be retiring soon and I want to make sure I get him some cookies as well. The house smelled very nice.

I did some organizing. I made a bunch of outfits. Pulled out some colorful clothes. I think at the beginning of March I will do a full swap again. But for now this was good progress. I also went through all my bags. I have so many bags. I would get rid of 4. Which is so few but it is so hard to get rid of any for me. I love a bag. I would sort them in leather, tote, backpack, travel (big and small), and camp. I got rid of one from almost all the catagories so that was something. I picked out ones to keep out and put the rest in my storage box. I am pretty good at swapping out every few weeks. But it was nice to be reminded of what I have.

I would play a lot of Pokemon today. I beat the main game and now I'm doing missions and such. But it would take me a lot of time today to make my way through the bosses and such.

James ordered me sushi for a special birthday lunch.

I went to get that and the mail and ran into Kim. It was nice to get a birthday hug and a birthday pat from her dog, Kia. And then it was sushi time.

I got a seaweed salad, an avacado roll, and spring rolls. Those were just to make it to the delivery minimum. But were also very good. I had my lunch and played my game and felt really happy.

I would go lay in my hammock until James got home. I tied it up tighter and it's much easier to get out of now. And when James got home they had a smoothie for me. Love them very much.

They worked on dinner. I played video games. They would join me and cheer me on and they said I am very fun to watch so that felt good. I have a very silly team if you know anything about Pokemon but I stuck with them and made them the best team and I'm very proud of that.

We had our dinner. James got a cheesecake with strawberries for me. Sang and tried to hold the cake and Sweetp and that went as well as expected. And then I had a few little gifts to open. A beautiful solid perfume. A cloisonne knife letter opener. And a eyelash knit cardigan with gummy bear embroidery all over it. It's darling and I'm excited to make an outfit for it.

I would start to get a little sad after that. I don't exactly know why. I would spiral soon after and have a good cry with James in the hammock. We were squish in there and I got very upset. But I feel a little better now. Mostly just tired.

I am clean and wearing a soft sweatshirt and I have my hair ties up in silk scrunchies and I'm 31. I'm happy to be here. I'm privileged to be here. And I'm excited to see what the next year brings.

Goodnight everyone. I love you all.

[charlotte-lavender]

Spring Blossoms, as does Love (pt. 5)

📷

Summary: Y/N and Kuroo share their first night together in what is now both of their home. In the morning, Y/N faces some anxiety about meeting Kuroo's volleyball team, whom he considers his friends.

A/N: Hey y'all! I hope you missed me, but I'm back!!! I was going to publish chapters five and six tonight, but decided against that, because it's almost three a.m. as I am writing this. (Sleep? We don't know her.) Also, let me know who you would like included on the team! I will write anyone in as a supporting character, just make sure that they have enough screentime to base some characterisation off of. Should I do MSBY? or Karasuno? Aoba Johsai? Let me know! Also, I know that this author's note is already long, but I just wanted to mention again briefly that I am writing for new fandoms! I will be adding a list to my pinned post, so go check it out, and if you have a request, please submit! Finally, remember I use British English, start in Y/N's POV, and stay safe! Love y'all!

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pro·ver·bi·al /prəˈvərbēəl/ 📷Learn to pronounce

adjective (of a word or phrase) referred to in idiom or expression. "I'm going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb"

Coming home to Kuroo was a new experience. When I get home, I'm covered in dirt and sweat, and I usually jump right into the shower before putting on sweatpants and making dinner. Today, however, was different for obvious reasons. "I'm home!" I announce to the house as I enter. Dropping all of my stuff on the floor, I turn and see Kuroo looking at me from the counter, his laptop open and papers strewn about beside him. "Hi, Kuroo. How was your day?"

"Just fine. I got all of my stuff in, the important things at least. How about you?"

"That client of mine is really nice, but they have lots of property. It always takes me forever to get to everything."

"Aww, I'm sorry. I got takeout if you would like it. It's in the fridge."

"Thanks babe, I appreciate it."

Kuroo gives me a quick hug before releasing me to go eat.

**POV SWITCH**

After Y/N was done eating, he moved to the couch, and I went and curled him up next to me. "Tell me about your day." I ask him before realising that he was moving to get up.

"Sorry, babe, I really need to shower. It's almost seven, and you have work tomorrow, right?" He says, getting up and stretching his arms over his head, exposing his lower stomach for a quick second.

"Yeah, I do. But I want to make sure you're comfortable. It'll be a long day with the team tomorrow."

"Well, how about you take a shower with me? No funny business, though. I'm too tired."

"Okay, I'll be up in five. Just gonna save my document and get my paperwork put away."

He walks away up the stairs, and I hear the tap turn on. I feel my face begin to flush scarlet. He wants to shower with me? Since when is he that suave? Usually, he's a dork, but...

Realising that I've taken too long, I close my laptop and head upstairs. Opening the door to the bathroom, I see his clothes on the floor and his silhouette behind the shower curtain. I slowly strip and pull away the curtain, and he turns to look at me. Stepping into the shower, he wordlessly motions for me to turn around and get my head wet. He then reaches for the bottle of shampoo, squirts some on his hands, and begins to massage it into my hair.

**POV SWITCH**

After the shower, curled up on our bed, I finally feel calm. Wow. Our bed. That feels really weird to say. "Kuroo, babe," I whisper out to the dim room.

"Yeah?"

"I-," I take a deep breath. "I love you..." Realising the gravity of what I had just said, I snap my hands up to cover my mouth. Kuroo, having seen the whole scene, wordlessly reaches down and takes ahold of my wrist. Tugging on it gently, he eventually forces it to part company with my lips, instantly replacing it with his. Grabbing my waist and pulling me closer to his side, I melt deeper into his kiss. After what felt like a blissful eternity, Kuroo pulls away and whispers, "I love you too, cutie. Now get some rest. I want you to come meet some people tomorrow."

The following day comes a lot sooner than expected. My eyes flutter open to Kuroo's shining smile. "What time is it?" I ask him.

"Six o'clock. Now, get up, I have coffee."

"Yay!" I mumble, somehow managing to sound both annoyed and excited.

"So, Y/N, today I thought that I'd introduce you to the team." I sputter into my coffee, but Kuroo keeps talking. "Me and the guys that I coach, we aren't that different in age, so we get along quite well. It'll be more like meeting a bunch of my friends than some random group of college kids."

Hearing that, I sigh in relief but then begin to hyper-focus on something. Friends. They're Kuroo's friends. Oh no. Insecurities and past experiences begin to overwhelm me as Kuroo pulls me up and nudges me in the direction of the bathroom, promises of breakfast vaguely heard over the roar of thoughts in my head. I can't help but feel as though I'm stuck in a current and just along for the ride.

**POV SWITCH**

Packing lunch into small containers for our busy day is what I'm doing when Y/N stumbles into the kitchen. His hair, while dried, is a rat's nest, and he only has on one sock. Knowing where this is going, I pause and walk over to him. He freezes but lets me hug him. As I bury my head in his hair and smell his shampoo, I ask, "What's all this about?"

"Wh-what are you talking about, babe? I'm excellent." Y/N says unconvincingly.

"Come on, Y/N. You only ever get this frantic when you're anxious about something. You know you can talk to me, right? Is it about meeting the team?" I see him freeze, and I know that I've hit the proverbial* nail right on the head. "What about today is making you anxious?"

"I'm worried that if I don't make a good impression, they'll all convince you to dump me because they don't think I'm worthy of you, or something like that."

"Y/N, babe, I've told you once, and I'll say to you as many times as you need to hear it, I don't care what anyone says about our relationship. I will never, ever leave you. Besides, knowing them, they'll worship you like a god and wonder how you ended up with a guy like me."

"Thank you, Kuroo. I love you so, so much, okay? I can't wait to get a better view of your life."

Hearing that, I gave Y/N a quick peck on the cheek and ducked back behind the counter, placing our lunch in a bag while he finished getting ready.

**POV SWITCH**

Kuroo is a surprisingly good cook. That's what I'm thinking about, the remnants of breakfast churning happily in my stomach while he rolls down the road towards the city. I don't like the city. I don't go to the city. Somehow, though, this all feels okay.

#haikyuu x male reader #haikyu x reader #hq kuroo #hq x reader #haikyuu!! #haikyuu x y/n #haikyuu x reader #kuroo x male reader #kuroo tetsuro x reader #kuroo x you #kuroo x

[official-weasley]

Meant to Be (Charlie Weasley x OC)

What happens when Bill brings home a girl and Charlie is completely awestruck by her?

WARNINGS: mentions of alcohol & sex, curse words, angst

CHAPTER 7

Charlie

9 months later…

I woke up to the knock on my door. I put on some pants and went to see who it was.

“Peter, what’s wrong?” I looked at the clock on the wall.

It wasn’t even 5 in the morning.

“I’m just passing by to tell you that you should go to see Ernie before you finish work today.” He was leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. “We are getting 2 new dragons soon and I think we’ll need more people.”

“Sure.” I nodded sluggishly and rubbed my eyes.

“I want to add a person to your team. I know you can handle it but I don’t want you working extra hours when we can expand our crew.” He explained. “What do you need me to do?” I yawned.

“I picked someone with an impressive resume. Ernie will have the paperwork for you to fill out and just make sure you send it back tomorrow morning.”

“No problem. I’ll get it done.” I gave him a thumbs up.

He grinned at me and walked away.

A newbie. This should be fun! I never got to train anyone before. Everyone that I work with was already here before I arrived so I can’t lie that I was excited about this. I knew that Ernie wasn’t in so early in the morning and by the looks of the clouds I wouldn’t be able to see the sunrise today so I decided to go straight to Aami.

He was outside now. He had his own little habitat and everything! His wing never grew as Tina and I hoped it would so he will never be able to fly. He obviously didn’t care as much as I felt bad about it. He was such a cheerful dragon and obedient too. I love every single beast in this reserve but I can’t help to admit that the little Fireball became my favorite. He wasn’t little anymore, he was a head taller than me now but I will always see him as he was in the nursery when I watched him drink chicken blood and brandy.

As I promised Peter I went to the Admission Office after work.

“Hi, Ernie.” I greeted him when I stepped inside.

“Charlie!” He grinned at me.

He was the most cheerful person I will probably ever get a chance to meet.

“Peter said you have some papers for me?” I leaned on the counter.

“Right! The recruit!” He clapped. “Not going to lie, was a bit surprised when I saw it. Don’t tell Peter that I peeked.”

“I won’t.” I chuckled. He placed the papers in front of me. “Any letters for me?”

“Not today, no.” Ernie looked through the pile of envelopes that weren’t delivered yet.

“Have anything to send out?”

“No.” I shook my head. “But I do need to sign these and I need to send them first thing in the morning. When will you be here?”

“At seven. Is that too late?” He scratched his nose.

“No. That’s perfect. Thanks, Ernie.”

I gave him a high-five and said goodbye. I looked through the papers while walking back home and stopped when I saw the name on the application.

Rhylee Pertinger

No way! I took a deep breath. It can’t be her. I couldn’t know for sure because I didn’t even know her last name. There are many Rhylee’s out there, right?

I hurried to unlock the door, placed the pieces of parchment on my kitchen table, and sat down. I went through them. No resume. No details about who she was or where she was from. Just the name. It would be too much of a coincidence if it was her! Merlin can’t mess with me so much.

I was doing good. Not great but good. Considering that Bill barely sent me a letter and that I didn’t see him since that Christmas break, it was safe to say that he knew something.

I never saw Rhylee after that and never spoke to her and I was planning on keeping it that way. Her coming here would be a disaster. I can’t work with her. She can’t be on my team.

Calm down, Charlie. This doesn’t mean anything.

I checked the papers again. She’s arriving in two days. I can’t panic for two days. I was doing so great bottling everything that happened for a year and nine months and I won’t stop now. Even if it is her, nothing has to change.

When we work we rarely speak and since I still remember just how breathtaking she was, I know my co-workers will be all over her so I can just go back to living my normal, busy life.

—

“I think we are all done here.” I looked at my watch. “And with 20 minutes to spare.”

“Wow.” John looked impressed.

“Peter made a mistake recruiting that girl. We are just too good.” Evan looked proud.

“Oh, right! She’s arriving today. Fresh meat!” Theo clapped his hands together.

“Please don’t scare her away.” I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose. “You better behave or I will fire you.” They all started laughing and we walked back to the village together to get lunch.

“Are you ready?” Peter came to our table just as we were finishing eating.

“For what?” I said with food in my mouth.

“Your new co-worker. She’s here.” He winked at me.

I got up and followed him to the main gate.

“I am so sorry, Charlie.” Peter put his hand on my shoulder as we were walking.

“What for?” I asked, puzzled.

“You will have a lot of trouble keeping your boys in line for the next few weeks.” He laughed.

“You lost me, Peter.” I wanted to laugh with him but I didn’t know what was so funny.

“I met the girl that’s joining your team. She’s about your age. Very pretty.” He started to explain. “She went to Beauxbatons and decided that Gringotts wasn’t really doing it for her anymore.”

My heart sank.

Gringotts?

Did he say Gringotts?

“Gringotts?” I asked, pretending to not know what he was talking about.

“C’mon, Charlie. We all know they have dragons down there.” He grinned at me. “She said that the work got boring so she applied for a transfer.”

He finally let go of my shoulder. I prayed to Merlin he couldn’t feel me stiffen up. There was no doubt in my mind now that I was right to panic two days ago.

It was her.

She was here.

Why?

I can’t do this. This was my safe place. I didn’t go home for such a long time, because I felt so guilty, that my parents actually came to visit me. And now she was here.

I wish I could say that I forgot all about her but it would be a bold lie. I didn’t. I still think about her from time to time. I still remember the feeling I had when I was with her. I remember every detail of her face and her body as if I saw her yesterday. I hated the feeling in my chest. The happy, excited feeling of seeing her again.

I sucked in a breath and suppressed it. Bottled it down like everything else from that few days at the Burrow.

“You okay?” Peter looked at me.

“Fine. A bit nervous. I am too young to boss so many people around.” I chuckled nervously, hoping he will interpret it as a joke.

“You’ll do fine.” He said with a serious face. “You have been working here for 5 years Charlie and I don’t regret putting you in charge of a team.”

“Thanks.” I smiled faintly.

It meant a lot coming from him.

We arrived at the gate and my legs stopped working when I saw her. I had to use every muscle on my face to keep my jaw from dropping. How could she be even more beautiful than when we first met? My heart started racing and I swallowed hard. This was not good.

She can’t do this to me! Can I fire her before she even starts working?

“Hi, Rhylee.” Peter waved at her and I was finally able to move again. “This is…”

“Charlie.” She grinned.

Was she happy to see me?

“You two know each other?” Peter turned to me.

Great. Now they are going to ask me how I know her. What am I supposed to tell them!

“Kind of.” I said, my voice barely audible.

“You’ll tell me later.” Peter whispered to me and pushed me forward.

Rhylee and I awkwardly shook hands.

Her touch sent shivers down my spine and I couldn’t stop the night we spent together rolling in front of my eyes.

There it was again. That feeling I got when I was around her. The feeling in my chest, pushing me toward her. I hated it. I hated that I couldn’t ignore it.

“I’ll leave you two alone…”

Oh, please don’t.

“And I’ll see you at dinner.” Peter waved at us and walked away.

Okay. Act professionally. You are her boss and she is just going to work here. No big deal, right?

“So, I’ll show you to your cabin first. And then if you’re not too tired I can show you around. Where everything is…you know…dragons…” I couldn’t look at her. I was looking straight ahead but I could feel her eyes on me. “…and stuff.”

I swallowed hard. I don’t think I was ever so nervous.

We walked in complete silence until we reached her cabin. Surprisingly, it wasn’t awkward at all. How could it be that I was enjoying walking through the Reserve with her in silence after not seeing each other for almost 2 years?

I wanted to say something. I wanted to know why she was here. I wanted to ask her why she came here. I wanted to know how she is. But I couldn’t gather up the courage to do it. She didn’t say anything even though I know she glanced at me a few times.

In the end, I decided to just stay quiet. I did say that I won’t talk to her outside work so at least I was doing something right.

“Here are your keys and my cabin’s right over there.” I pointed at the one between the two opposite hers. “We meet every morning around 7 in front of it and we go feed the dragons together.” I handed her the keys and she slowly unlocked the door.

She placed her bag inside and locked the door back up. She put the keys in the back pocket of her jeans, all while looking me straight in the eyes. The expression on her face was as if I was looking at myself in the mirror.

Awestruck but horrified at the same time.

She had to know I still work here. She had to know that we would meet sooner or later. Perhaps she didn’t think that she would be on my team or that I would be her boss.

Well, neither have I so welcome to my club!

We stood there for a few more seconds, looking at each other like idiots, and just as she opened her mouth to say something I gestured for her to move.

“Let me show you around.” I had to stop her from speaking.

I was terrified of what she had to say.

“We have 15 dragons in the Reserve and our team works with 5 of them. Up there…” I pointed my finger at the boulder to our left. “Is our Chinese Fireball, Gorra. Behind that hill is Ogto, our Ukrainian Ironbelly. On the other side…” I turned my head to the right now. “We have Ren the Romanian Longhorn, for which you already heard about.” I swallowed hard when I remembered that she asked me if Ren was my girlfriend. “And right next to his habitat is Bunny, our Common Welsh Green.”

She turned to me and I wished she wouldn’t have that look in her eyes. If it was possible, sparks would fly out of them. She seemed so excited to meet every single one of the dragons I just mentioned.

“The last one is the newest member of our family.” I tore my eyes off hers and turned around. “I don’t know if you’ve heard what happened at the Triwizard Tournament last year at Hogwarts when the Chinese Fireball stepped on her eggs.” She gasped and shook her head. “We only managed to save one egg and since it was cracked he couldn’t evolve properly so he can’t fly.”

“Otherwise, he’s okay?” She whispered.

I just hummed.

“I took care of him and still do. His name is Aami and he isn’t big on trust yet so I can take you to meet him tomorrow but I usually go feed him alone.” I looked at her to see how she will respond.

“I understand.” She said with a gentle voice.

“So in the morning, we feed them. Then after lunch we train them and then before dinner we feed them again.” I explained our daily routine while taking her to see where the Admission Office and the nursery were.

“If you want to work with hatchlings you have to talk to Peter.” We stopped in front of the nursery. “He allowed me to be with Aami before we could move him and I’m in charge of a team so if you have a wish to work with baby dragons I am sure he could do something about it.” I grinned at her.

I couldn’t stop my lips from spreading into one. I was getting soft. Getting comfortable around her again. This wasn’t good. I have to keep it together. But it was so hard. It was so easy to just talk to her even if she barely said anything back.

I know she was just taking everything in. She loved the dragons at Gringotts more than anything and I am sure she couldn’t wait to start working with the ones we have here.

I felt as if she didn’t change a bit. She was still emitting positive energy. She still had that playful look in her eyes. She looked excited and she was just overall a pleasant person to be around. The only thing that changed was the fact that she was nervous and she tried hard to hide it too. It made me feel more at ease but bothered me at the same time as I couldn’t shake the feeling she felt like this because of me.

“Charlie…” She started, her voice barely audible.

“It’s Friday today and we only work tomorrow, we have Sunday off this week.” I interrupted her. I didn’t know what she was about to say but her voice was telling me that she wasn’t about to ask a question concerning her orientation. “You can also work on your days off, of course.” I continued.

I was only doing my job after all.

“On those days you go to Ernie, who works in Admission Office which we passed before and he will appoint you to where they need more hands to help.”

She simply nodded.

I told her everything she needed to know. What am I supposed to do now?

“You must be tired.” I said, looking at nothing in particular behind her. “I’ll let you settle in.” I glanced at her and quickly looked away. I couldn’t deal with the curiosity with which she was looking at me. “On Friday we all usually grab a beer in the tavern. You can come if you’d like.” I blurted.

I was so weak gazing into her eyes. I already knew that her working here is going to be my downfall. I loved my job and I have to do everything to keep her from ruining it for me.

“I’ll see how long I’ll need to finish unpacking.” She smiled shyly. “Emm, could you tell me in which direction my cabin is again?” She looked embarrassed.

It was only natural that she felt a bit disorientated. The Sanctuary wasn’t exactly small.

“Why don’t I accompany you? I have to change anyway.” I offered.

I knew it was a bad idea but I have to be nice to her. She didn’t do anything wrong. It’s not her fault I’m feeling this way. She was my co-worker now and I need to make her feel comfortable at her new workplace.

We walked to her hut in complete silence. The questions of how she is and what she is doing here resurfaced but I didn’t say anything. I could sense that she wanted to speak but thought better of it.

We awkwardly said goodbye and I rushed to my home as fast as I could. I unlocked the door and shut it loudly behind me. I leaned on it and let my body slide down until I could feel the floor beneath me.

This is seriously not happening!

I was panicking again. I didn’t even know why but I knew this wasn’t good. It wasn’t good for me. I have been bottling everything up, hiding my feelings. Pretending that nothing happened, that I didn’t feel guilty about what happened that Christmas. Her being here made all of that come right back up.

All the guilt, all the sensations, all the memories.

The pain of the thoughts of what I did to Bill.

Everything.

I didn’t even know why Bill stopped talking to me. The letters just got rarer and rarer and now I’m lucky I get anything from him and when I do, it’s short and to the point. I miss him. I miss my best friend, my brother. I miss talking to him and telling him everything.

I was too afraid to ask him what was wrong. Too afraid to say something. Mum didn’t mention anything out of the ordinary so I knew he was okay but I knew that our relationship changed.

Did he know what happened between me and Rhylee? He couldn’t. He didn’t even tell me if he ever got around to asking her out that’s how much silence was between us.

I buried my fingers in my hair and started pulling. Why was this affecting me so much? Why did I have to put such pressure on myself? I can’t escape this time. This is my job. I could lie and apparate away from my family but I can’t just pack my bags and leave.

I can’t just run again.

But I can’t face her either. I can’t talk to her about us or how I feel. She can never know. She’d think I’m insane. This is the second time I’m seeing her. She probably forgot all about me.

Yeah!

That’s why she was so shocked when she saw me. She remembered that I worked here. That had to be it. And here I was, pounding my head like an idiot, overthinking everything again.

It’s my fault I feel like this and I have to get my shit together. I have to do it for my job. If I could talk about nothing else than dragons for seven years at Hogwarts and if I could study like an idiot for my O.W.L.s and my N.E.W.T.s to get this job I have to do everything to make myself comfortable and enjoy it as I did before she showed up. I won’t let myself ruin this!

I can’t.

It’s the only good thing I have going for me.

I don’t have a girlfriend. Yes, I did sleep with April three times. And I slept with two other girls but it was meaningless. I felt so empty doing it. It didn’t bring me any joy. It didn’t even come close to what I felt that night with Rhylee. So I just stopped.

I gave up all hope to ever find a girl like her and to be honest, at this point I wasn’t even trying. I’m better off alone. Most of the people here are single.

Why would I have to be the special one? Why would I have a perfect job and find the perfect girl?

I took a deep breath and held it in. I was hoping it would make all the feelings inside me disappear. At least it made me calmer. I took a quick shower and changed my clothes. A part of me wanted to just stay in tonight but I knew my friends would ask questions tomorrow and I can’t have them doing so in front of her.

I closed my eyes before leaving my hut.

You got this, Charlie.

Just breathe.

She’s just a girl.

I locked the door behind me and headed to the tavern.

“You drunk already, Theo?” I joked as I sat down.

“Sober as a Pixie.” He shook his head.

He looked disappointed that he wasn’t drunk.

“What does that even mean?” Asked John as he reached our table.

“I’ll tell you what it means.” Theo gestured for him to sit down next to me.

“Do you know Gerta?” He looked at every single one of us. We all nodded. “I asked her out before coming here.”

I pressed my lips together, trying hard not to laugh. Gerta was the only woman in the Reserve with whom nobody dared to mess. She was taller than all of us and she had strong hands, covered with tattoos. She started working here a little after I did and I always felt so intimidated by her.

“You’re joking!” Andrew shouted.

“You didn’t!” John slammed his hand on the table.

We looked at each other. We couldn’t hold it in anymore. We started laughing.

“And how…” I couldn’t breathe. Theo mentioned on several occasions over the years that he was going to ask her out but never mustered the courage to do so. “How did it go?” I tried keeping a straight face even though I knew I was failing miserably.

“At first she laughed.” Theo looked offended. This was too good. After all these years of teasing me, this was just what I needed today. “Then she slapped me so hard that everything turned dark for a second.”

I have never seen Evan laughing as hard as he was now. John was slamming the table with both of his hands now, making the beer glasses jump. I actually shed a tear, that’s how funny it was as I imagined Gerta slapping the complete shit out of him. I didn’t think anything could make my day today but boy was I wrong. This was priceless.

“Did you at least walk away?” I asked as I wiped away the tear.

“Of course, not! Don’t you know me?” Theo facepalmed himself.

“Oh, no. What did you do?” John asked after finally catching his breath.

“My stupid arse asked her if the slap meant no or was she just kinky.” Our laugher filled the air around us once again.

He didn’t do that! Why didn’t he ask her out in front of us? I would do anything to see that happening!

“And what did she do?” Andrew was holding his stomach.

His muscles probably hurt from laughing as much as mine did.

“What do you think she did?” Theo was now laughing with us. He knew he wouldn’t be able to stop us and was better off joining us. “She slapped me again, on the other side.” He pointed at his left cheek.

“What are you idiots laughing so hard for?” Peter joined us and sat down.

“Theo asked Gerta out.” John managed to say before starting laughing again.

“What?” Peter looked at Theo in disbelief. “You…”

“There’s our new girl, mates!” He interrupted himself and nodded his head behind me, John, and Andrew.

We turned around and Rhylee was awkwardly standing by the bar, waiting for her drink. She was wearing an old oversized t-shirt and still managed to look so cute.

“That’s our new co-worker?” Andrew forgot how to close his mouth.

“How in Godric’s Hollow are you expecting us to do any work around here with her working alongside us?” Evan moaned.

“And guess what?” Peter smirked, looking at me. “Charlie knows her.” They all turned to me. “So I think she’s off-limits.” He winked at me.

“She’s Bill’s friend.” I said quickly.

I didn’t want them to ask any further questions. I already didn’t like the smirks on their faces.

“We made friends with the wrong brother.” Theo shook his head and if he was sitting next to me I would punch him in the gut.

“I don’t buy it.” Evan said.

“Buy what?” John wasn’t paying attention.

“I think Weasley’s lying to us.”

They were on to me.

“Interesting.” Said Theo slowly.

“What’s your theory?” They all turned to Evan.

I wish the ground beneath me would open up and swallow me.

“I believe him that she’s Bill’s friend.” Evan started. “But I don’t think the story ends there.”

I swallowed hard.

Why was I friends with these gits?

“C’mon, Charlie. Tell us.” They blinked at me like a bunch of girls at a sleepover.

“I…”

“Hi.” This was the first time I was glad Rhylee showed up. “I didn’t know where to sit and I only know you two.” Her eyes went from Peter to me.

“I don’t think we were properly introduced.” Theo stood up so abruptly that he banged his knees into the table.

He extended his arm and Rhylee shook his hand.

One by one they all introduced themselves and offered her to sit down. Thank Merlin she didn’t decide to sit down next to me.

“So you transferred here from Gringotts. You have to tell us about the dragons there!” Andrew broke the silence and I could see Rhylee appreciated it.

“I can’t really tell you much.” She smiled. “I am still sworn to secrecy even if I don’t work there anymore.” The boys started whining. “But I can tell you there are three dragons and one of them is an albino.” Her eyes kept escaping to me.

“Albino! Did you hear that, Charlie!” John bumped my shoulder.

I only hummed in response and tried looking anywhere but at her. They all knew one of my life goals was to see an albino dragon.

She told them why they are keeping dragons in Gringotts and what her job was. She told them that she was in charge of her own team and Theo teased me that she might steal my job. She told them about their feeding schedule and that the Norwegian Ridgeback has only been with them for a year and nine months.

A year and nine months.

That’s how long it has been since we last saw each other. And I still remember that she wanted to name the dragon Nyx. I wonder if she chose that name. I hated that I couldn’t ask her. I would give myself away that she is not just Bill’s friend and if I start a conversation with her, I am not sure I’ll be able to stop.

“How come you came here?” Andrew asked her.

“I was having a hard time watching the dragons be so secluded.” She admitted. “And…” She shook her head, stopping herself from finishing the sentence, and gazed at me.

They were all looking at her with raised eyebrows.

There were so many words on her lips that just couldn’t wait to escape her mouth. I knew she wanted to say more but for some reason, I knew she only wanted me to hear what she has to say. I sunk in my seat. I was feeling bad for her. This was as unfair to me as it was to her even though I had no idea what was going through her head.

A pretty girl like her…she has to be with someone. She moved on. Nobody is as stupid as me, obsessing over someone who I can’t be with and for a year and nine months too. For all I know, she could already be married and have a child.

My eyes scanned the fingers on her left hand. I couldn’t stop myself from looking.

No ring.

Why did I feel relief?

Why did I feel good about it?

“It was nice meeting all of you.” She emptied her glass. “I would love to stay and get to know all of you better but I’m quite tired.” They all started mumbling that it’s alright and that they understand as she stood up.

She said good night to us and walked away. I could feel her eyes on me before she walked away but I couldn’t look at her.

I wanted to stand up and run after her. I felt like I was going to burst into flames if I don’t. I wanted to tell her that I still think about her and I wanted to finally tell her how I felt that night. I wanted to bury my face in her hair and wrap my hands around her waist and kiss her so strongly that she would have to hold tight to me not to fall.

“You’re drooling, Weasley.” John whispered to me, disturbing my train of thoughts.

“Okay, now I’m with Evan. She is not just Bill’s friend.” Theo said after she was out of our hearing distance.

“The awkwardness between you two…” Said Andrew.

“And the way she was looking at you.” Continued Peter.

“What happened?”

They all turned to me after John’s question.

“I told you that she is Bill’s friend.” I said through my teeth.

They cornered me. They knew me too well to buy my lie.

“And…” Peter pushed my beer closer to me and gestured for me to say more.

“I can’t.” I said, my voice rusty.

I shook my head. They can’t know. I promised myself I will keep this to myself. That I will never tell anybody. I kept it a secret for so long, I can’t give up now.

“Charlie,” I felt John’s hand on my shoulder, “we’re your mates. What the fuck is going on?”

“Bill brought her home last Christmas. He fancied her.” I blurted out. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I was looking at the beer glass in front of me. I couldn’t look them in the eyes. “We got drunk together while the rest of the family was in the village and we had sex.” And I couldn’t stop talking either.

It felt so good saying it out loud. Admitting it. I told them everything. How Bill doesn’t know or at least I don’t think he does. How guilty I feel and how she made me feel and just how bad I feel that she is here.

Everything that I bottled up for almost two years came running up and I just couldn’t stop talking. I was a rat’s hair away from bursting into tears that’s how many emotions were running through my body but I blinked them away.

It might’ve felt good telling them this but I am not going to cry in front of them. We were drinking beer for fuck sake. We were adults. I’m not going to cry about a girl I barely knew. I already told them too much.

“Bloody hell.” Andrew was the first to speak after a long pause.

I was still staring at my glass. I wasn’t ready to see their expressions.

“Why didn’t you ever tell us about her, Charlie?” John asked gently.

I finally lifted my chin. They all looked like they felt sorry for me, as if they understood where I was coming from, as if they were on my side.

I had to be reading them wrong.

They can’t be.

Don’t they understand what a terrible person I am? What I did to my brother?

“I promised myself I would never tell anyone. I was doing so well. I didn’t think she would start working here.” I admitted.

“Doing well?” Theo scoffed. “You’re miserable, mate.”

I looked at him and then at Peter and Andrew who were both nodding in agreement.

“We might joke around a lot and tease you Charlie, but this is not okay. You still feel guilty after all this time and we can see that it’s tearing you apart.” Evan continued.

“Is she with Bill?” Peter asked carefully.

“I honestly don’t know. I never brought myself to ask.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Bill changed his attitude in his letters soon after and now I’m lucky enough if I even get a response from him. I don’t know how he could find out but it would be the only explanation why he’s not talking to me.”

Saying it out loud hurt.

I felt like I lost my brother.

And for what?

For a girl?

I was ashamed of myself.

“No wonder you never take a day off. You overwork yourself thinking it would help with all your problems.” John sounded disappointed.

“You can’t keep doing this to yourself, mate.” Andrew said gently.

“And what am I supposed to do?” I raised my voice. I didn’t want to talk about my feelings. Everything I felt on Christmas day came right back up but this time, it hurt twice as much. “Do you even know how pathetic I sound that I’m still not over a girl that I spend one night with? What a terrible person I am to sleep with my brother’s girl?” I buried my face in my hands.

“You’re not pathetic. You two had a real connection. Do you know how rare that is?” I looked up at Peter.

“It is?” I said more to myself than to them.

They all nodded.

“We might joke around with women but deep down we all want what Peter has.” Andrew admitted, putting his arm around Peter’s shoulder.

He was the only one of our lot who was married. Who was in a relationship for that matter. I knew that Peter met Tina before I got here and they seemed happy to me but he never really talked that much about her. John told me once that they got married rather quickly but that was pretty much it.

“I have that with Tina,” Peter explained, “what you described, Charlie. And if that’s really how you feel you have to talk to her.” I shook my head.

Was he mental!

What was this?

What happened to us messing around and drinking beer on Friday night? Since when were they giving me relationship advice?

“You have to clear the air otherwise it will eat you alive.” John followed his lead.

“Talk to Bill if you have to. I’m sure he would understand.” Andrew continued.

They were all losing it.

Understand? There is nothing to understand. Everything is clear as a Summer’s day. What am I supposed to do? Apparate to Egypt and say “Hey, Bill. So…yeah…I fancy your girl. You understand right?”

“I don’t know in what fucking fairytale land you are all living in, but this is real life and things are not that easy.” I chugged my beer and slammed the glass at the table.

“They are, Charlie.” Peter tried to convince me.

This was too much. They lost it.

“Stop it!” I shook my head and stood up. “We are not talking about this anymore. Not now, not ever.”

Why did I have to open my mouth?

“Forget about it and I’ll see you tomorrow at seven, okay?” I walked away without looking at any of them.

I felt their eyes piercing through me as I got further away.

I am not going to allow them to feel bad for me. I was the antagonist here. I was the one who made a mistake. I wasn’t allowed to be forgiven. I can’t be. Why couldn’t I just keep my mouth shut? Why did I have to be so honest? And the worst part was, this time I wasn’t even drunk.

#harry potter fanfiction #charlie weasley #charlie weasley fanfiction #the weasleys #weasley family #hp imagine #charlie weasley x oc #charlie weasley imagine #the burrow #harry potter imagine #weasley fanfiction #charlie weasley x mc #bill weasley #harry potter #wizarding world

[leafs-lover]

I wish you were here

A/N: This was requested. I thought about making this a fluff piece, but had a change of heart and re-wrote half of it. I just have a thing for Freddie, and not going to apologize for it ;)

Also I am really bad at coming up with titles

Summary: After a stressful couple of weeks apart Fred surprises you.

Warnings: Smut, swearing, NSFW

“Hey babe” you mumble into the phone. You look to your clock on your bedside table 4:17 is illuminated on the screen.

“Hey how’s it going?” he asks as you rub your eyes open.

“Good, just lying in bed” you say yawning.

“You sound tired” he says through the phone.

“Yeah most people are at 4am” you joke.

“Oh shoot. I’m sorry babe I didn’t even realize. Why did you answer?”

“We have been pretty busy, haven’t had much time to chat” you explain.

Fred returned to Denmark almost 8 weeks ago and you weren’t able to go with him due to the pandemic. You don’t have enough vacation days left; you would only have a couple days in Denmark.

You had only started dating in January, and when the NHL paused in March Fred tried to return to Denmark but the borders had closed prior to the pause. When Auston offered for Fred to quarantine in Arizona, Fred asked your thoughts on it.

If he stayed you would have to quarantine together otherwise you wouldn’t get to see him at all. That would have meant after only being together for 7 weeks you would temporarily move into his condo, and spend every second together for who knew how long. Neither of you really wanted to do that, it would be a lot of pressure on a new relationship so he opted to go to Arizona.

You hadn’t talked about labels, and didn’t know what to expect. While he was gone Fred would facetime with you once or twice a week, and you exchanged texts almost daily. He constantly complained about Auston’s terrible taste in TV shows, you complained about your roommate’s terrible attempt at baking.

You didn’t anticipate being in contact with Fred that much, but he always carved time to talk with you, he even sent you flowers a couple times and ordered you dinner from your favourite restaurant. Neither of you thought it would be almost 3 months before Fred would return to Canada.

But when he finally did, you were the first person he saw. You had just over 3 weeks together before he had to enter the bubble, and you spent much of that time together. It was so nice to have Fred back, cuddled up on the couch relaxing with him. When you finally saw him you melted into his touch, and your relationship felt like it had been catapulted forward instead of back even with the time apart.

When he went into the bubble, you didn’t expect to see him again until September, you wanted to see him but you hoped it would be three months, but it ended up being less than three weeks. He carried so much of the strain of that loss on himself, and you tried to tell him it was a team effort. The weight isn’t his alone, but the media and a lot of the fans had a different opinion. Everyone was calling for him to be traded, if the disappointing end to the season wasn’t enough that didn’t help.

He spent a couple weeks back in Toronto, but you could tell he was defeated and needed to get out. He needed to get away from the media, the rumours and spend time relaxing with his family. Fred tried to fight you on it, he wanted to stay and spend time with you. Obviously you did too, but you knew he needed this.

When he left the NHL had hoped on a December start to the season, meaning Fred would be coming back in October or early November. But as the date for the season got pushed so did his return date. You had some late nights at work, and with the time change it made it hard to talk all the time, so when you had the opportunity you took it. Leading you to this 4am phone call on a Saturday morning.

“Go back to bed skat, we can talk later” Fred says into the phone.

“No Freddie, we barely talked this week. Now that I have you on the phone I don’t want to hang up” you whine causing Fred to laugh.

“Okay, but if you get too tired Kære let me know. I don’t have any plans today so we can talk later.”

”I’m just going to make some coffee” you say getting out of bed and heading to your kitchen. ”I only planned on getting some groceries later so I can take a nap later if i want.” You start scooping the beans into the coffee maker, opting for a large pot due to the time.

”Wish I was there for your nap” Fred says to you.

”Mmm same. You are perfect for napping with” you respond.

”Oh yeah, why’s that?”

”Because you are perfect for cuddling with. I just fit perfectly in your arms, and you are like a pillow and a blanket in one.”

Fred laughs into the phone “you just use me for my body eh?”

“Well can you blame me?” you joke walking back to your bed with your mug in hand. “No I don’t actually, I mean it’s definitely nice –“

“Nice? My body is nice? That’s what you use to describe a haircut” he jokes.

“Obviously it’s much better than nice. I just meant it’s nice that you have that body, but I wouldn’t care if you didn’t. That’s not why I’m with you though.”

“Obviously not if you just think it’s nice” he mumbles jokingly. “How was your week?”

“It was so long, I had to stay late almost every night, and there was 3 nights I didn’t leave until after 9. My boss actually wanted me to work today but I had to say no. I felt like I was getting sick from lack of sleep, so it’s nice to have the weekend off.”

“You work so hard you deserve the time off” he says to you.

“Yeah, I have a couple vacation days left, maybe I’ll take a long weekend or something.”

“Yeah you should do that, don’t want to get run down working so much” Fred replies.

“But what would I do? I wouldn’t have enough days to fly to another province. And parts of Ontario are shutting down” you explain.

“Have a staycation, I’m sure a couple days doing nothing would be nice” he replies.

“Yeah I guess” you say.

“So how are my plants doing, kill them yet?”

“Nope, they are still alive, but I should get over there today to water them” you respond.

“When you say alive, do you mean alive and thriving or clinging to life?”

“Uhh, somewhere in the middle” you say causing Fred to laugh.

You continue to talk for another hour; you curl up in your bed wrapped tightly under your duvet. You can feel your eyes getting heavy, but you try to stay awake to talk to him. You are unsuccessful and end up dozing off.

When you return to work on Monday you talked to your boss who approved for you to take Friday and Monday off work, giving you a four day weekend. You are excited for your days off, but you have to get to end of day Thursday. Your week is filled with multiple zoom calls and long days, you are actually surprised your boss is okay with you taking time off.

When Wednesday comes you are completely drained. You had multiple meetings, angry clients and have to finish a project before you take off for the weekend. You were so busy you didn’t even notice you hadn’t had lunch until it was almost 3.

It’s almost 9pm when you walk through your door with some papers and dinner in hand when you hear your phone ring. Your apartment is dark and empty, your roommate away at her parents. You drop everything on your table, answering your phone as you head to your room to change.

“Hello?” you say not even looking at the caller-id, turning on your bedside lamp.

“Hi min kære, how are you?”

“Hey Freddie” you put him on speaker phone to change out of your work clothes. “I’m good, got home not too long ago.”

“Another late day eh?” he asks.

“Yeah I was trying to get my project done before my holidays tomorrow” you explain.

“Finish it?” he asks as you move to the kitchen to start eating dinner.

“Almost, should only take a couple hours tomorrow.” You look to your stove and see the time 9:09 illuminated on the screen. “Fred why are you calling so late; it’s like 3am there.”

“We haven’t talked since the weekend, and you haven’t sent many texts the past couple days” he says lightly.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’ve just been so busy with work. I’ve been having late days and have basically gone straight to bed. I also didn’t want to call you so late, I know you had a golfing trip one day” you begin to explain.

“Oh I know babe, you don’t have to explain. I just thought you could use a pick me up” Fred says to you.

“Honestly I would love one. My week has been brutal and it’s only Wednesday. Can’t wait for tomorrow” you say sitting at your table. You didn’t realize how stressed you had been until you sat down and thought about the week. The angry clients and long hours have really taken a toll on you. Stopping to think about things brings a lump to your throat, as you feel your eyes begin to well up.

“(Y/N) you there?” you hear through the phone. You zoned out trying to not cry, you thought you could wait until you got off the phone with Fred to break down. You were wrong, and now you are trying to stifle your tears so Fred doesn’t hear you, but are unsuccessful.

“Skat, what’s wrong?” he asks hearing your quiet sobs through the phone.

“I don’t know” you cry into the phone. “I don’t think I realized how stressed I am, and tired. Just everything. It’s a lot.”

You move to your bed and crawl under your duvet, wrapping yourself tightly into a cocoon. Fred stays on the other end; he doesn’t say anything for a while, letting you cry in silence. After a couple minutes your eyes begin to get heavy, as your sobs have stopped.

“I wish you were here” you say lightly.

“Me too kære” he says. He stays on the line while you lay in bed, not hanging up until he hears your soft breaths through the phone.        

“You should go” your boss says poking her head in your office at 3pm. “Start your weekend a couple hours earlier” she says smiling at you.

“You sure? I don’t want –“

“(Y/N) this place won’t fall apart without you, enjoy your time off.” With that your boss walks away, you shut down your computer and grab your jacket. You reach to grab your phone and see the blinking light. You unlock it to a text from Freddie.

F: Don’t forget to water my plants

Y/N: I watered them Monday…

F: That’s 3 days, you trying to kill them? ;)

You laugh at his message. Instead of responding you decide to go to his condo and send him a picture of you watering his plants. You jump in your car and head to his place. You park in the underground lot and make your way to the elevator. You walk down his hall and unlock his door when you hear music playing in the kitchen.

You don’t remember even listening to music when you were last here. Did someone break in? But who breaks in and plays music? You set your bag down and look around not noticing that anything missing or broken.  You walk through the living room and hear clattering in the kitchen and panic sets in someone is in here.

If you weren’t so panicked you would have noticed the bag in the living room, and the pair of shoes by the front door. You hear footsteps in the kitchen and turn around to run and hide when you feel hands on your hips.

They spin you around and pull you in tight to their chest and wrap their arms around your back. You go to push yourself off the person when you smell the familiar cologne.

“You’re off early” he mumbles kissing your head.

“Fred?” you whisper in disbelief, looking up at the person in front of you.

Your eyes meet his golden brown eyes, and red hair. You bring your hands up and stroke his beard “what are you doing here?”

Instead of answering you he smiles and kisses you. Your hand tangles into his hair when he pulls back slightly “I missed you” he mumbles against your lips.

“I missed you too” you say smiling. Without warning you jump, Fred catches you and carries you into the kitchen setting you on the counter.

“Can’t believe you’re here” you say pulling him to you for a kiss.

“I know, I didn’t know when I was going to come back but after last night I knew I had to come see you. Hearing you cry broke my heart, but the worst part was not being able to do anything about it.” He brushes a piece of your hair behind you ear “I booked a flight right after you fell asleep.”

He leans in to place a soft kiss on your lips, you snake your hands into his hair, stroking his beard on the way. You pull him closer, locking him in for a passionate kiss. You don’t want to ever be apart from him again, and you groan slightly when Fred pulls away from you.

“I wasn’t expecting you for a little bit longer. I wanted to have dinner ready when you got here to try and salvage the life from my plants” Fred jokes looking over at his wilting plant on his table.

You laugh “yeah sorry about that. I was doing a good job at it, then work got crazy and I didn’t get over here as often as I’d like” you explain to him.

Fred kisses your neck “its fine, I didn’t expect them to be alive” he mumbles.

“Rude” you say turning your neck to allow him more access as he peppers kisses. Fred laughs before walking away from you. He walks over to the cupboard and pulls out two wine glasses and pours you each a glass.

He walks back and hands you a glass, he puts his other hand beside you on the counter.

“When did you get in?” you ask.

“About 2 hours ago” he replies kissing your cheek. “8 weeks is too long to be away from you.” You take a sip from your wine and turn your neck to allow him more access.

Fred runs a hand up your thigh, giving it a light squeeze. “We’ve gone longer than that Fred” you whisper.

“Yeah because the border was closed” he whispers kissing your collarbone.

“Wait it’s still closed, how did you get in?” you ask pulling away to look at him.

“I have a Visa to play on the Leafs, it allowed me back in. Should have come back sooner” he mumbles kissing down your neck again. His hands lift your legs; he places his hands under them pulling you closer to him.

“Why didn’t you?” you ask running your hand up and down his biceps as Fred sucks on your neck.

“I’m a stupid man” he mumbles his hands stroking up and down your thighs, nipping on your neck. You moan lightly, placing your wine glass on the counter. Fred moves his hands to the back of your thigh and hoists you up. You wrap your legs around his waist as he carries you down the hall to his bedroom.

He kicks his bedroom door open and reaches to the wall to turn on the light. He gently places you on the bed, his mouth attaches to yours as he hovers over top of you. Your hands gently rake through his beard, as his tongue swirls in your mouth. His hand slides up your shirt gently, his thumb pressing circles onto the skin of your stomach.

Fred grabs the hem of your shirt and pulls it over your head; he sits up on his knees and removes your pants from you leaving you in your underwear.

“This is nice” Fred says taking in your matching red set, his finger lightly grazes the fabric.

“It’s new” you respond “thought of you when I bought it.”

Fred grins, stroking a finger over your clothed core. He quirks an eyebrow at you when he feels the wetness that has accumulated “it’s been a while” you say smiling at him.

“Let me fix that” he says pulling your underwear down your legs. He lies on his stomach, hooking your legs over his shoulders. He stares into your glistening pussy for a minute; his beard rubs against your thighs his breath makes you quiver.

He finally attaches his tongue to you, licking up your juices. You moan at the contact, his tongue is still dancing outside your folds. He groans at the taste of you, before he pushes his tongue inside you. You throw your head back into the pillow as his tongue slips inside your walls.

He brings his hand up to your clit and begins to press circles into it, as his tongue slowly licks the inside of your walls. Your hands slide down to his shoulder and you squeeze them firmly as he keeps fucking his tongue in and out of you.

“Freddie” you moan as his tongue continues to press deep inside you.

You grip his shoulder and attempt to pull him up to you. You feel Fred chuckle against you, but he doesn’t stop, pressing his thumb harder into your clit.

“Babe” you groan pulling harder on his shirt “I need you.”

Fred pulls back slightly staring at you with eyes dark from lust “you have me smuk” he chuckles. He attaches his lips to your clit and sucks on it, a fuck falls from your lips. Your legs begin to squirm slightly at the feeling.

“Fred…Fred…Fuck…I” you can’t form a coherent thought as he slips two fingers inside you, sucking on your sensitive bud.

His fingers begin to pump in and out of you as he pulls his mouth from you and begins sucking on your hip. He alternates between sucking and biting on your hip. Your hip arches off the bed as he continues to pump his fingers inside you.

“This what you want babe” he asks bringing his other hand to your bra, massaging your breast.

You bring a hand down to his wrist and clamp it. He stops moving his wrist and looks into your eyes.

“I need you Fred, I can’t wait” you say panting. Fred grins and slips his fingers out of you, and quickly pulls his shirt over his head. You reach up and grip his neck pulling him down to you. You lock lips with him, your hand slides up and down his firm bicep. Fred slides a hand under your back and unclasps your bra, freeing your breasts.

His firm shirtless body is pressed against you; you can feel his erection straining through the fabric of his clothes. You palm over his pants lightly before sliding your hand around to his back. His mouth leaves you and slides down to your breast and begins sucking on it, he brings a hand up and starts rolling your other nipple through his fingers, pinching it slightly. Your hands slide down his back and reach his sweat pants; you begin to push them down his large thighs.

Fred pulls away and pushes his pants and boxers down his legs and onto the floor. He falls on top of you and returns his mouth to yours; you roll and push him onto his back. You straddle him and begin grinding against his hard cock, desperate to have him inside you.

You hear Fred mumble in Danish as you continue to rock your hips against him. You fall forward kissing Fred, his hand tangles into your hair locking you in a passionate kiss. You reach over to the side table and pull a condom out.

You pull back and tear the foil, sliding it onto his hard member. You give him a few strokes before you rise up and line him up with your entrance. Fred brings his hands to your hips; you slowly start to drop down on him.

“Fuck” you mumble at the feeling of Fred inside of you, your hand goes onto his abs and you brace yourself. Fred is longer than any man you have been with, you had started to get used to his size but then he left to go to Denmark. You know Fred will hit areas nobody has ever hit before, but you just need to adjust.

“You okay smuk?” Fred asks looking up at you.

You keep dropping yourself down on him “yeah” you whine “just been a bit.”

He chuckles pulling your head down to his. You moan at the change of angle before Fred kisses you lightly.

“Don’t worry, take your time. I’m going to get you used to it soon” he smirks kissing you.

You haven’t taken all of him but you rise up and drop down on him. You moan into the kiss, Fred’s hand holding you to him, his other hand rests on your hip. You pull away from the kiss, Fred sucks on your bottom lip as you rise up and drop back down. Fred bottoms out in you, your ass hits against his thighs as you thrust on him.

“Ahh” you moan feeling him hit the deep spot inside you. Fred is still under you allowing you time to set the pace and get comfortable with him. You continue slowly thrusting on him, pushing yourself up. Your hand returns to his abs as you increase the pace.

Fred snaps his hips and pushes in you, as you drop onto him. His hands are on your hip, gripping you tightly as he helps guide you, keeping the slow pace. Your head falls back as you thrust on him; Fred slowly increases the pace under you.

You push into his stomach as your pace increases, rocking your hips against him. You bounce on top of Fred, his cock sliding in and out of you with ease. He brings a hand up to your breast, cupping it as you ride him. He rolls your nipple through his fingers, as your nails dig into his firm stomach muscles. Your hand slides down his treasure line, pressing hard into his groin as you feel your high approaching.

“You gonna cum baby?” Fred asks noticing you are chasing your high. He squeezes your breast hard, pinching your nipple in the process. You hum in response unable to form words. Fred releases your breast and slides his hand down to your clit to press circles into it.

“Yeah, cum on me baby. I want to feel you, feel you’re cum drip down me” he says pressing harder into your sensitive bud. His hips snap and the pace is fast, you are a mess on top of him. Sweat is dripping down Fred’s stomach; you can feel it under your hand.

“Fuck Fred” you scream out, your orgasm is close. With every thrust Fred his your g-spot, your skin flapping has filled the room, followed by occasional curse words. You notice Fred becoming erratic under you as you continue bouncing on him.

Your orgasm crashes over you, the most intense one you have had in a while. You clench around him, your walls tighten, and you feel it in your stomach. Your eyes roll back into your head as Fred continues to thrust inside of you. Your juices dripping down his cock.

He strains to keep going, allowing you to finish your orgasm. As you finally come around you feel Fred still under you. You collapse onto his chest, his arms wrap around you. You lie on him, both your breaths slowly return to normal.

A couple minutes later Fred rolls to be on top of you, he kisses you briefly before heading to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. He pulls on his boxers and throws a t-shirt to you. You smile and pull it over your head; Fred climbs into bed and pulls you into his arms.

“I was going to make you dinner, but I think I’m too tired now” Fred jokes, stroking up and down your arm. “You okay with ordering in?”

You look up and into his golden brown eyes “sounds perfect” you respond. Fred leans down and kisses you, wrapping you tightly into his arms.

“So you should spend your long weekend here with me” Fred mumbles against your lips.

You smile and stroke his beard “I don’t plan on leaving; I want to spend as much time with you as possible. When are you heading back to Denmark?” you ask lightly, not really wanting to know the answer.

“I’m not” Fred replies. You look directly into his eyes “not unless you come with me” he says lightly kissing you again.   

#Freddie Andersen #fred andersen #frederik andersen fic #frederik andersen smut #freddie andersen smut #freddie andersen fic #fred andersen smut #Fred Andersen Fic #toronto maple leafs #Frederik Andersen #toronto maple leafs fic #toronto maple leafs smut #nhl fic #nhl snut #carolina hurricanes

[sigillaria-svt]

Weekend Drives

Pairing: Idol!Choi Seungcheol/S.Coups x Reader

Word Count: 5,654

Warning: None

Genres: fluff, slice of life, weekend together

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Synopsis: For the past several years, you have been working hard in building your career and working yourself near the point of burnout. One person that has always been your stronghold during these times has been Seungcheol. You’ve known each other since you were in college, but it’s only been a few years since you started dating. Although you were completely happy just the way everything is, Seungcheol has something else in mind.

READER POV You slowly push down on the breaks of your car as the stoplight turns red just as you were about to reach the intersection. It was almost midnight, but you’ve just gotten off from work. Your team was preparing for a big project next week, and everyone had to stay late to finish everything on time. Although these busy seasons happened for only about a week or two, it still drained you to drive several miles home late at night only to get up early the next morning.

Tonight in particular, the tiredness was getting to you. You try to keep yourself awake, but your eyes are on the verge of closing themselves shut. When the stoplight turns green, it takes you a few seconds to notice and push on the gas pedal. Thankfully, there were barely any cars on the small road you were on.

Moments later, your phone rings, jolting you awake as the name of your caller pops out of the small screen just beside the steering wheel. You tap the receive button on the screen, his voice filling your car through the speakers.

“Hey.” Seungcheol says, who also seems tired from the other side of the call. “Are you home?”

“No, not yet. Took us a bit of time to finish editing and reviewing today.” You take a left turn at an intersection, making your way to the bridge that connects you to your home city. “I’m sorry if I haven’t been able to reply to your messages lately. I’ll make it up to you once we’re done with the launching, I promise.”

“No, it’s okay. Don’t be sorry. Keep doing what you’ve always been doing. I’ll be waiting, just tell me if you need anything.” He replies softly. During stressful times in your life, he has always been generous with his time and affection, so much so that you regret not being able to give the same back to him. “Should I hang up? You must still be driving right now.”

“No, you can stay on the line. I need someone to talk to so that I won’t fall asleep on the road.” You say, now near the middle point of the bridge. “How was your day?”

“We just got back to the dorm after practicing for a performance. It would be nice if you could watch us live, but I think it’s going to be on the day of your project’s launching.” You hear a few muffled noises as he shifts in his place over at the other side. “We also got some fruit from our manager today. Do you want me to come over and bring you some?”

“I live an hour away from your place, you should be taking time to rest.” You reply halfheartedly. You really wanted to meet him--it’s been almost a month since the both of you went out together, but you didn’t want him to go out of his way.

After a short pause, Seungcheol continues. “I really wish that we lived closer to each other. I miss you so much.” From his tone, you know that he’s pouting from the other side. “I don’t care how tired I’m going to be, I’m going to come over and visit you once you’re done with your project.”

You finally break out a smile. For such a tall and strong person, Seungcheol had always been soft when it comes to you. Many times have you heard your peers call him intimidating, but you know that he is far from what he shows on the stage.

“I’ll take that as a promise. Let’s eat something nice when you do come over. I heard that Joshua has been teaching you how to cook pasta lately.” You reply, now feeling more awake.

“Sure, sounds like a plan.” He says with a small laugh. “Where are you at right now?”

“At the highway. I’ll probably get home in ten minutes.”

“Alright. Tell your mom that I said hi, and that I’d bring over some oranges when I come over.” He says, remembering your mom’s love for citrus fruits. To be honest, it always made you so happy whenever he’d think about your family. Your family adores him too, so there’s really nothing to complain about.

“I will. See you next week, then. I love you.”

“Love you, too.”

Over the next few days, Seungcheol starts to call you more frequently. He tries to match the time when you’d be having a break, may it be during lunch or during your ride going home. Usually, those talks would happen for a minute or two, but it was enough to brighten your day--and hopefully, his as well. Although it wasn’t unusual for him to call you, it was a bit odd of him to call you that frequently. Perhaps he’s been getting really stressed out at work. At one particularly stressful period, he stayed over at your house for the whole day just to snuggle and recharge. You knew that if he was particularly close than usual, he was in need of someone to lean on. So, despite your busy schedule, you always made it a point not to miss a single call.

However, one time during a prolonged meeting a night before the launch, you were unable to pick up. You quickly find a quiet spot outside the office and call him back.

“Hey, I’m sorry I couldn’t pick up your call. I was in a meeting.”

“You’re having a meeting this late into the night?”

You check your wristwatch, seeing that it’s already 12:54 AM. “Oh wow, I didn’t know we took that long. We’re just making the final preparations for the launching tomorrow. Thankfully, we got everything settled.” You try to force a smile. “More importantly, how are you doing? You have a performance tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah. The kids and I got back to the dorms a few hours ago. The managers told us to have a good meal so we went out for a bit.” He replies. “Get home safely, alright?”

“Yeah, I will. Good luck on the performance tomorrow.” You shift your weight to your other leg. “I’m sorry that we couldn’t talk long.”

“It’s alright, hearing your voice is good enough for me. I love you, good night.”

“Love you too, sleep well.”

Just like that, the call ends. You can’t count the number of times you had to say sorry to him for not being that available. He assures you every time that it’s alright, but you wanted to actually be there for him, and not just be a voice on a phone call.

With your worries in hand, you return back to the office to get your things and head home to get as much sleep as you could before the hectic schedule prepared for you a few hours later.

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Although the launching event finishes at 4 PM, you take a few more hours with the team to help with the clean-up and logistics. By the time you finally finish, Seungcheol’s performance is long done. You quickly make your way back home tired but relieved that it’s all finally over.

Just as he promised, he’s already at your house, talking to your brother in the living room.

“Hey, you’re home.” He says with a smile, although he couldn’t really hide the tiredness in his eyes. “How was the event?”

You nod with a smile, changing into your house slippers as you come in. “It was good. There were more people than we expected, but we managed.” You take a seat across Seungcheol, right next to your brother. “Do you have a recording of your performance earlier? Let’s watch it together.”

Seungcheol takes out his phone and pulls up a video of their performance that was posted on YouTube. You smile the entire time, happy to see him doing what he loves. When the video is over, you give him excited applause.

“We did great right?”

“That’s was really, really good. I mean it.” You put a hand over his knee. “I mean your performances were always good, but you’ve really given it a big twist this time.”

He smiles and puts his phone back in his pocket. “This was the last performance we had for this promotion period, so we all wanted to end it with a blast.” He gets up and gently pulls on your wrist. “More importantly, it’s about time we make dinner.”

“You guys haven’t eaten yet?” You ask as you get up from the couch and move over to the kitchen corner.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about us,” Your brother says, not looking up from his phone. “I’ll be taking mom and dad to our grandparents’ house for dinner, then we’ll be staying over for the weekend.”

“So we’ll just be cooking for two, then?” You ask Seungcheol, who’s already getting the ingredients ready.

“Three, if you’re feeling extra hungry for pasta tonight.” He says, handing you an apron hanging from one of the walls. “And a movie afterward?”

“Sure.” You reply, a bit too enthusiastic than you would want your brother to hear. You slightly lean into him, but quickly pull away to a safer distance. 

Although you and Seungcheol have been dating for four years, you’ve never been openly sweet to him when your family was around. Even if they were fine with the relationship, they have always been more on the conservative side.

Seungcheol proceeds to prepare the pot of boiling water, reaching up to open one of the cupboards. While he faces his back to the living room, you take a small peek at your brother. You’re surprised to find him looking back at you.

Even without saying anything, he understood what your gaze meant.

“Go ahead and do what you like, the house is yours for the weekend.” He says quietly with a shrug. “Just you know... don’t go overboard.”

You could feel your face heat up. “What do you mean by that?!”

Just in time, your mom and dad descend from the stairs, bringing with them bags with clothes for the weekend. When they see you, they give you a small greeting. Your mom gives a wide smile, but you could feel your dad linger a bit too long on Seungcheol.

“Ready to go?” Your brother asks, getting up from the sofa. “Did you make sure to bring all your meds?”

Your mom nods and moves over to hand her bags to your brother. Meanwhile, your father stands there near the kitchen, unmoving for a moment. Seungcheol looks up from the kitchen counters and gives him a small smile.

Without saying anything else, your dad nods and looks at the both of you before heading out the front door. 

“See you this Sunday, sweetie.” Your mom says, giving you a small peck on the cheek. “Call us if anything comes up, alright?”

“Alright, have a safe trip. Oh, and bring back some strawberries if they have some.” You reply with a hug.

You hear the familiar sound of your dad’s old car, and moments later they’re out of the house and on the road. When he hears the car leaving the garage of the house, Seungcheol puts his hand on your waist and pulls you closer to him. He leans his head on your shoulder and gives a big sigh.

“I miss you so much, you know?” He says softly, almost melting into you.

You put the jar down on the counter and run one of your hands through his hair. “This week was rough, wasn’t it?”

He nods into your shoulder before pulling away. He checks the pot and finds the water boiling. You hand him the salt and the uncooked pasta, and he carefully places them in the pot.

“We had a few fights with the kids this week.” He says, leaning one of his arms on the counter as he stirs the pasta with his other hand. “I don’t know, maybe everyone was getting sensitive because of everything that’s going on.”

“Were you able to talk it out?” You say, putting your hand over his.

“Yeah, it’s all good now. It’s just... you know, that lingering feeling after an argument?” He says. “I feel like it’s my fault for not really going a good job.”

You lean your head on his shoulder, trying to comfort him the best that you can. “But you know you did all that you could, right? I know that you feel disappointed in yourself a lot, but I’ve always been proud of you for everything that you’re doing--perfect or not.”

He gives a nod and turns his head to put a kiss on your forehead. “Thank you.”

You spend the rest of the night cooking dinner and talking about all the things that you couldn’t over your series of phone calls. All the anxieties that have been building up, all the frustrations and disappointments. Time flew by so fast that midnight eventually came without a single movie watched. If not for a random call from your coworker, you would have stayed up until morning without a single dish washed.

“You cooked most of the meal tonight, I’ll wash the dishes this time.” You say as you pick up his plate and walk to the sink. “You still want to watch a movie after this?”

“I want to talk a bit more.” He says as he walks to you and puts his head on yours. “You didn’t finish your story about the broken photocopier.”

You laugh a bit at his pouting. “It’s not much of an exciting story. Just a little inconvenience that made me skip lunch trying to fix it so that I don’t have to pay for it.” You continue to wash the plates even with his weight on you.

“And what about the guy that helped you out?”

“Oh, him? He’s a guy from another branch that was brought over to help with the hectic preparations. And...” You stop in your tracks. “Wait, are you jealous?”

He doesn’t reply, but stands there behind you, shifting his weight from one foot to another. You quickly rinse off the plates and forks and put them over the metal rack next to the sink.

You turn around to see him a bit sad. “You don’t have to be jealous. You’re the one here with me right now, not him. Besides, he already went back to the main office. I’m not going to meet him again.”

You cup his face in your hands and give him a small kiss on his chin. “Are you alright? Do you want to head over to bed?”

“It’s okay, you’re mine for the rest of the weekend.” He intertwines his hands with yours and leans his forehead on yours. “Let’s go.”

The both of you make your way to your bedroom upstairs, but not before making sure that all the lights downstairs are turned off and all the doors locked. You grab your pajamas and head over to the bathroom to change. When you got back to your room, you see Seungcheol snuggled up well under your sheets.

You stroke his hair before getting under the sheets with him. “What do you want to do tomorrow?” You ask him, who seems to already be half asleep.

“Let’s watch a movie for real this time.” He mumbles, pulling you closer to him until you’re completely within his arms. He burrows his nose into your shoulder and breathes in. “Let’s go for a drive tomorrow evening. I want to go to that spot in the mountain with the city view.”

“That sounds great.” You say as you trace circles on his forearm. “Let’s bring my Polaroid camera, it’s been a while since we went out on a drive.”

“Mmmhmmm.” You could feel his breaths become slower and deeper. He must have had a really tiring day to fall asleep right away like this.

To be honest, you’re really proud that both of you held out for this long. Your parents made it clear from the first day of the limitations in place before marriage, and although it frustrated you and Suengcheol, he really tried his best to follow through, out of respect for your parents. Even though there were many times when he disagreed with your parents on the inside, there was not a moment where he didn’t respect them; it made you love him all the more.

“Cheol, are you asleep?”

No reply.

“Well, just in case you are, I want to thank you, really. Thank you for always keeping up with me even when you were busy with all the things going on. I love you so much.”

You feel him pull you even closer to him. “I love you too.”

“So you’re awake after all?” You say with a small laugh.

“I wanted to know what you’d say to me if I were asleep.” He gives you a small kiss on your shoulder. “I’m always more than glad to give what I can to you, don’t think that my sacrifices for you are a burden to me.”

Hearing those words makes your eyes water. Even though you know that he loves you, hearing those words from himself washes you over with a wave of reassurance. Although you’ve never doubted it, during a night like this, you become more certain that you really are safe when you’re with him.

“So stop beating yourself up for all the times when you think that you haven’t repaid my love enough. I do all this for you because I love you, not because I need you to pay me back. Alright?”

At this point, tears flow out no matter how hard you try not to let them. “Yes, I’m sorry.” You couldn’t keep the shakiness out of your voice. “Well... you know, I can’t put it to words. I’m just so sorry.”

“No, don’t be.” He puts a hand over your forehead and you turn to bury your head in his chest. He strokes your hair and continues to speak softly, “I understand that we can’t always be together, but being with you tonight and holding you close is more than enough for me. You don’t know how much comfort I feel just by being by your side.”

“Why do you have to say it like that, you’re making me tear up even more.”

“You don’t like it?”

“No, no, it’s very reassuring. Thank you.” You wipe your tears off, giving him a kiss on his jaw.

“Is that all?” He looks down at you and leans in closer. “Can I get more?”

This time, you let out a bigger laugh. “You’re such a baby for someone your age.” You say lovingly. Despite it, you lean in and meet his lips. He smiles as he kisses you back, all while keeping his hands on your waist.

After a few seconds, he pulls back. “Let’s stop here, we might not end until morning.” He says, planting one last kiss on your cheek. “Let’s rest well, we have the entire weekend, anyway.”

“Alright, alright.” You say softly. “Good night, for real this time.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

With that, the both of you fall into a deep sleep, tangled in each other’s arms.

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When you wake up, you find yourself alone on the bed with Seungcheol’s scent still lingering faintly on the bedsheets. You shuffle in your place, trying to get yourself adjusted as you ready yourself to get up. After a brief stretch, you pull the bedsheets off of you and head over to the bathroom to wash your face.

“You up?” You hear Seungcheol from downstairs.

“Yeah.” You mumble, still half asleep. 

You hear heavy footsteps on the stairs, followed by a pair of hands on your shoulders as you rub your face with soap.

“How long have you been up?” You look at him through the reflection in the mirror, hair disheveled and faint stubble apparent on his jaw.

“Probably thirty minutes or so. I went out and got us some coffee and bread from the bakery down the street.” He rubs small circles on your back. “Let’s eat and go out for a walk.”

“Sounds good.” You say as you wipe your face with a towel.

The two of you spend the rest of the day relaxing in different ways possible. After a small stroll in the nearby secluded park, both of you went back home to watch a series of movies. On his days off, you knew that Seungcheol was the type to enjoy lying around rather than going up and about. You didn’t mind either; cuddling up to Seungcheol was like hugging a giant teddy bear. To be honest, it relieved your stress more than the movies you watched.

After a short nap and a few snacks, the both of you get ready to head out for your promised drive. You take with you some extra snacks and your polaroid camera, making sure to bring his favorites along in your small backpack. You return to the living room wearing a comfortable dress and some sandals, earning a dimpled smile from your boyfriend.

“You look nice.” He says, car keys in one of his hands. “Got all you need?”

“Yeah, let’s go. We have to get there before the sun sets so we can take good photos.” You say excitedly. After all the long hours at the office, going outside was literally a breath of fresh air. “Let’s stop by at the noodle shop at the mountain for dinner afterward.”

“Is it really just about food and photos?” He says jokingly. He takes your hand and the both of you walk out together. Seungcheol makes sure that all the doors are locked before both of you get into his car and drive out onto the highway.

You pull up your phone and connect it to the car, choosing the playlist you reserve for going out on long rides.

“Don’t tell me, you actually made a playlist just for this?” He asks, putting one of his hands on your thigh as he makes a turn to the left. “You even have some of our songs on your playlist.”

“A road trip isn’t complete without music. I’ll be in charge of the song, just focus on driving.” You say as you flip through the playlist.

He says nothing and simply smiles, tapping your thigh to the beat of the song. When one of the old ballads comes on, the both of you burst out singing. When one of his rap songs comes up, you try to catch up to the lyrics, only to get a burst of laughter from Seungcheol.

Even without talking much during the drive, these little moments made you happy. You didn’t want to forget it when the both of you would get back to your daily schedules, so you pull out the polaroid camera from your bag and take a photo of him as he drives.

“Hey! I wasn’t ready!” He says, looking to the side as he drives.

“Eyes on the road, Cheol.” You say, satisfied with the picture as you pull it out of the camera. “What are you so worried about, you look good in the photo.”

“You know, I gained a bit of weight during the promotional period.” He said in a soft voice. “I thought that I’d be able to make up for what I eat by practicing hard, but that wasn’t the case.”

You turn to him and put your hand on his stomach, giving it a tiny rub. “I think you look better and healthier nowadays. So long as you’re in a healthy weight, you don’t have to worry about it.”

You smile and run your hand through his hair. Seeing him putting on weight was much better than seeing him sad and deflated. You remember him back in 2019 when he lost so much weight because of his mental health. It was the time the two of you almost broke up; you wouldn’t want to see him being sad like that ever again.

“We’re almost there,” Seungcheol says, slowly hitting the breaks as he approaches a stoplight. “Give me the camera, I want a photo of you in the car too.”

You hand him a camera and give him your widest smile. Just as the photo was taken, the stoplight turns green. He quickly gives you back the camera and focuses back on the road.

“I’m sorry sir, you have failed your driver’s test.” You tell him, giving him an exaggerated look of disappointment.

“Your fault for being distracting.” He replies with a pout.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

As you go up the sloped road into the mountain, you’re filled with a sense of glee. You press a button to pull down the windows and feel the fresh air rush into the car. Just in time, one of your favorite acoustic ballad songs comes up.

“Today is such a good day.” You say under your breath.

Eventually, you arrive at your stop. At the end of the mountain road, there’s a small garden cafe that overlooks the whole city. At the back, there’s a small open field where a few families and couples have set up their picnic blankets as they await the sunset.

Cheol turns off the engine after parking underneath one of the trees. You hurriedly open the door, slinging your bag behind your back. You run over to the door of the cafe where they’ve set up a small flower booth. “Cheol, come on! Look, it’s so nice over here!”

“I won’t even be surprised if you trip out of excitement.” He says with a laugh. He locks the car and heads over to you.

You take out the polaroid camera and take picture of the both of you. You wait for the photo to come out, only to see the Seungcheol wasn’t looking at the camera--he was looking at you. It makes you a bit flustered, and you quickly tuck the picture into your backpack.

“What? You didn’t let me see it.” He puts his hands on his hips, but you’re already making your way into the cafe. “Hey!”

You can’t help but have a smile on your face. Even though you’re already moving into your late twenties, you still feel like a teenager when you’re with him. It doesn’t help that he also has a childish side to him that makes you want to tease him even more.

“Look, they’ve got all kinds of cake.” You say as you look through the glass counters. “Oh, and macarons too!”

“Let’s get the macarons, then. It’ll be easier to bring out on the field.” He says as he pulls out his wallet. However, you put your hand over his to stop him.

“I want to pay for this one, at least. You’ve been buying everything since yesterday, I should at least treat you just this once.” You say firmly. He opens his mouth to object, but you quickly cut him off. “If you’re saying no, I’m going to leave you behind in the mountains and you’ll have to sleep in a tree trunk.”

He gives you a look of both confusion and amusement, but ends up laughing it off anyway. “Alright, fine.”

You finish the transaction with a box of macarons, some tea, and a slightly thinner wallet. The both of you settle down at a spot near a tree with a wooden table and two chairs. 

You take out your camera and take more photos of him, happy to see his dimpled smile. He does the same for you, smiling as every picture comes out. For a moment, he lingers on the last picture.

“Hey, do you remember when we first met?” He says, putting down the photo on the table as he looks up at you. “We had a very weird way of meeting.”

“You just debuted around that time right?” You say, taking a bite of one macaron. “I was a working student that happened to get lost at the hectic backstage. If it weren’t for you, I’d probably never be able to find my way home that night.”

“I don’t know if I’ve said this before, but it was like meeting a lost cat, for real. I was panicking inside because I thought that I’d end up making you cry.” He says with a small chuckle. “You’re still as clumsy, but at least you’re now responsibly clumsy.”

“I almost made you late for your performance.”

“But it ended up well anyway.” He says with a shrug. “Who knew I’d be meeting you more than once for other promotional activities? It was only when you were transferred to another branch that I didn’t get to meet you as often.”

“We had our first big fight that time. You wanted to live together, or at least closer to each other, but my parents wouldn’t allow it.” You run your finger through the rim of your cup.

He puts his elbows on the table and leans in closer to you. “You’re not going to cry again, are you?”

You wave him off with a laugh. “Of course not. I’m just, you know, happy that we’ve come this far. We’ve had to hide to for quite a while, even going as far as telling people that I’m a staff member.”

“But what if we don’t have to hide it anymore?” His tone suddenly goes serious.

“You know we can’t do that.” You say with a sad smile. You look down at your cup. This time, you really are trying to bite back the tears. You didn’t want to cry, not when the day has been going well so far.

You hear him shuffle in his seat, but you keep your head down. He stays silent for a few moments before sliding something on the table.

“Look at me.” He says gently. You look up and see both of his hands on the table, with a tender look in his eyes. “What if we don’t have to hide it anymore?”

“Then I’ll go to your schedules every day and say cute and embarrassing stuff in front of your members. I’ll post wacky pictures of us without having to worry about all the comments.” You say with a laugh as tears fall down. To be honest, you don’t even know why you’re crying. Perhaps it’s the accumulation of all the times you’ve missed him, or of all the times you wished that he was just a normal person. You’ve always made sure to be careful not to let it show.

He takes your hand and puts it on top of his other hand. After a short pause, he puts both of his hands over yours. That’s when you notice a small box beneath your hands.

Your eyes quickly shoot up to his, and you see a faint hint of tears threatening to fall. “Open it.” He says simply.

You pull out the box, your heartbeat beating faster and louder than it has ever done before. With shaky hands, you open the box to find a silver ring inside with your name on it.

“I’m sorry for making you wait all this time.” He says.

You look up at him, now crying uncontrollably. You love this man so much, you couldn’t explain it. A part of you is in shock at what’s happening, while another part is leaping over in joy.

“I’ve talked about it with the company, had a long talk with the kids.” He says, wiping the tears off your face with his thumb. “I talked with your parents too. It took me a lot to convince them, but they said that they’d allow it.”

You put a hand over your mouth, trying not to let him see the mess that you’re in.

“So what I’m saying is, will you marry me?”

You nod your head, still unable to contain your emotions. “Of course I will.”

Seungcheol tries to contain his smile, but ends up crying along with you. “Ah, come on, we need to stop crying.” He wipes away his own tears and pulls the ring out of the box.

Your vision is blurry, but you manage to give him your hand. He puts it on you and pulls out his own ring afterward. With a shaky hand, you put his ring on him, albeit not without a fit of tears.

Moments later, you hear a loud cheer from behind. When you look back, you see all his members smiling and waving. You quickly wipe away your tears, trying to at least cover up the mess you were in. From now on, these aren’t just going to be Cheol’s kids, but they are also going to be yours.

“Congratulations!” They say, giving Seungcheol punches and slaps on the back.

“Didn’t I tell you guys not to follow us here!?” He says angrily. However, you can’t help but laugh at him being embarrassed. “I made sure to go somewhere far so that you wouldn’t even think of stopping by!”

Nevertheless, he gets showed with calls and cheers.

At that moment, you finally compose yourself. This was going to be the start of the time where you would no longer have to hide. You’re happy. You’re excited.

Seungcheol looks over at you in the midst of the chaos, smiling back.

“Let’s take a photo with both of your rings,” Jeonghan says as he picks up the camera from the table. “It’s a shame to come all the way here just to cry and go home.”

With puffy eyes, both of you stand in front of the camera with your hands up to show the rings. Now, he had more than one ring in his hand--one for his brothers in the group, and one for you.

Here’s to great years ahead.

- END -

#S.coups #Scoups #SVT #Seventeen #SVT Fic #Seventeen Fic #Seventeen Fanfic #SVT Fanfic #svt x reader #seventeen x reader #choi seungcheol

[unstablesophistication]

4/11/22 - Day 7

Today was busy, but good.

I woke up around 9:30 and got coffee right away (still felt hungover from Saturday — just foggy and anxious). I sat at my desk with my coffee and did the tasks I needed to to start the day, checked my email and slack messages, and slowly woke up. After I finished waking up, I took a shower and got ready for the day. I had a meeting at 11 with my Englewood evaluation team. Ate breakfast on the call. Didn’t love the way I looked in my zoom window. I had to do majority of this meeting from my car on my way down to campus. I got to my noon class just a couple of minutes late, but it didn’t matter. Started feeling really tired in my class, but repeating my affirmations actually helped me a lot. Class got out at 2:45 and I met with AS about our GIS final project. I was anxious because this class has been kicking my ass, but she and I were on the same page as far as what we want done for the project and where we are in actually getting it done. That was reassuring. After the meeting I got some lunch at Roti and a coffee from La Colombe. I had to get back to campus quick for my 4pm meeting on the corridor. Thankfully the corridor team has been showing initiative and came to the meeting with actionable ideas. Felt really scattered throughout the day, but especially during this meeting as I hadn’t prepared at all for it and there were three or four things I wanted to have finished. I barely even remembered we were having the meeting. We finished around 5:30 and I had 30 minutes before my next class. I booked my flight for Thursday and texted my mom. My econ dev class was next. Only nine of us showed up, so I had to really participate. I enjoy this class and I’m genuinely glad it’s my concentration area. It combines so many of my interests yet still provides me with career advancement and opportunities to both make money and have a large positive impact on people and communities. During break I noticed M’s hydrangea tattoo and she told me she got it because she had hydrangeas in her front yard growing up. Made me think I might want a lilac tattoo. My parents have three lilac bushes in our front yard. One from my grandparents house, one from their first house, and one they planted 30 years ago when they built our house. It’s perfectly fitting. Class got out at 8:45 and I was out of there. I was just exhausted and really on edge. Irritable and hungry and tired. I called my mom and we chatted on my way home. Walking to my apartment from my garage I realized it was beautiful outside and I was so sad I didn’t get a run in today. In the elevator up to my apartment I had these overwhelming thoughts about bashing my head into the wall or slapping myself. This has happened a couple times this semester. I haven’t self-harmed in probably six years, and I haven’t had to fight the urge either. I’ll talk about this in therapy tomorrow. S had dinner waiting at home which was as wonderful as ever. We chatted a bit and I bitched about my day which was cathartic. After dinner I texted with AD about setting the agenda for our meeting tomorrow. Took a lot in me to get off my bed and sit at my desk to do the work that needed to get done. Worked for another two hours, but still didn’t finish everything I needed to, so I’ll be getting up early to finish it. The next four weeks will be this way, and I’ve accepted it. I did a very good job today of having a positive mindset and not ruminating/analyzing/judging myself today despite it not being perfect. It’s funny how some days it’s so easy and some days it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I really do think so much of it is mindset. When I believe I’m in control I am able to be the person I know I’m meant to be. I just need to keep reminding myself that I already am him, so I can be him whenever I want. Tomorrow is another busy day. I will be disciplined and industrious and show myself again that I am capable of achieving my goals and I am deserving of that success. I hope you know it’s never too late to have the life you want. And every day is an opportunity to change course. Sleep well. xoxo pat

#journal

[strongsassysexysloane]

Twelfth day of Twelve - A Finale Worth Waiting For.

A/N - well. I made it. >.< Thank you for all the likes and love. I really did enjoy writing these no matter how tired I have been ( I just slept 11hrs) I hope you enjoy it as much I just did writing it.

Happy Holidays! However you celebrate it or not 😊

Click below for previous days

Gif by @regal-roni

. . . .

The day had finally come and to say you'd woken up with a bounce in your step was an understatement. Regrettably and something you wouldn't share with anyone if they asked was that you ran to your front door when your eyes popped open at 0710.

Nothing was there of course but a thin layer of snow dusting your front porch. You'd even gone to your regular coffee shop this morning just in case they dropped it off there or ordered you something but Sharon didn't have anything for you but a knowing smile. So you order a cup to go and a freshly baked muffin to fill you up.

You'd stayed home all day other than the coffee run, never mind the things you needed at the shops you wanted to catch the person of they dropped something off. It was day 12, finale, so where was the surprise?

All your hopes and prayers were on it being Jacqueline, to no one's surprise, but there was massive doubt that it was actually her. She had an outstanding poker face, spending so much time with her last night, she gave nothing away even when you hinted towards it and there was no way she could be pulled it off unless she had help. Help in the form of the team and no one was that good at hiding secrets other than Gibbs. There was no way he would be in on it.

You thought about all the gifts, all the time it took for this person to go to so much effort, not just to get them, but to plan and organise it all so it was a secret.

It was getting late, the hope for the twelfth day was fading as the sun went down bit you pottered around your place, tidying up at bit as.youd neglected your home from working so much.

There was a sound that came from your front door and you sprung to check but there was nothing. Only footprints on the snow of a bird landing there and taking off again. You'd checked your front door more times than you'd like to admit today. Even Ellie had messaged twice, once at lunch and then an hour ago even though you assured her you would let her know when you found out. Your gut was telling you she knew something and was busting at the seems to tell you. If today was a work day you knew the secret would be out by now.

The sun was almost gone on another chilly December day and you were thinking about dinner. There was hardly anything in the fridge or pantry, you really shouldve done a quick shop while you were out for coffee. The only thing left that resembled some kind of dinner was a frozen cheese pizza so you turned on your oven, not wanting to go out for takeout and not wanting to spend the money on delivery. The snow had started to fall about an hour ago and you knew delivery would take longer, patience was lost around 0900 this morning.

You were about to unwrap the plastic from the pizza when the door bell rang. Your stomach dropped but your heartrate tripled and you couldn't move. The thought that it was just another delivery with no clue had crossed your mind but would the person be that sneakily cruel?

Yes.

They'd clearly been close enough the past 12 days to hear one or more of your conversations so...There was that hope again.

The knocker thumped three more times and your legs managed to skip to the front door in a calm manor unlike the pace of your heart right now. Taking a deep breath, you plastered a on smile your very nervous face and twisted the door handle.

The door cracked open a few inches and there was silence. A million things running through your mind all stilled when you finally got your answer.

"I was going to get Ellie to rock up and video your reaction but I thought, best not." She waited for you to say something, do something but you were searching for the right words. "Well, you going to let me in?" She shivered, looking around nervously as the snow started to pour down again.

You were shocked. The moment you'd been waiting for for twelve days was here and you had no words. Well, you had one. "Why?"

"Why should you let me in? Well the food is getting cold as I got your favourite from the little Italian place across town and it's been a traffic filled drive because no one in DC knows how to drive in snow so I took some back streets to get to your place so-"

"No, Jack. Why?" You were gripping onto your solid wooden door for life. She was nervous too, you could tell by her avoidance of eye contact and rambling. You couldn't tell if her cheeks were pink because of the chill or the situation.

Covering her mouth and clearing her throat, she looked up at you then. The first actual solid eye contact since you opened the door. "As good as I am at reading people and figuring out what to say at work. When it comes to this-" She gestured with her spare hand between you both. "- I fall awfully short." She paused, looking down again and you opened the door. "Thank you." She smiled, walking past you but you grabbed her hand to stop her in the doorway.

"You didn't need to buy me gifts to tell me you..." You didn't know how to finish that sentence. To date you? lo- no.

"I've always enjoyed buying gifts for people and receiving them, of course, but seeing your face, albeit frustrated sometimes, it was worth the surprise tonight." She shook off the cold and some snow fell to the floor.

"Jack!" You tugged her, closing the door and grabbing the bag of takeout from her and putting it on your small entry table. You laced your fingers together and brought your other hand up to cup her face, her eyes finally meeting yours. "Please."

She smiled, a soft curve to her lips and the best gift of happened, she was kissing you. Your eyes took a second to fall shut at the sudden soft contact. You melted into each other, her hand gripping your waist, grounding you while the soft kiss turned heated.

She pulled apart just far enough to catch her breath, your laced hands falling away as you picked up the takeout and lead her into your lounge room. The kiss had ignited something in you, you felt invincible and the nerves suddenly vanished. Nothing was said while you unpacked the meals she brought, you were about you hop up to get cutlery because the wooden ones they'd given you just wouldn't do but her hand squeezed your thigh stopping you in your tracks.

Your heart rate picked up again, not from nerves but from her touch. You hadn't looked at her since the kiss, although you felt like you could do anything right now, you couldn't look at her and see regret in her eyes. Unsure why you suddenly felt that way was a shock but -

"Y/n.." She breathed, her hand moving in soft circles over your thigh.

The low tone, almost a whisper, made you swallow hard. Her hand came up to cup your cheek and guide you this time to look into her eyes.

"Y/n -"

"Jack, please stop saying my name like that. I need dinner before I can do the things that that voice makes me want to do..." You rolled your eyes at how bad that sounded but relief came when her lips curved into a sultry smirk. Your avoidance of emotions wasn't lost on her but for now it would have to do.

"Fine. Dinner then dessert."

"Oh my god you didn't bring dessert did you?" She kissed you instead of replying, the answer on her tongue as she explored your mouth once more. "Right.. Shut up." You poked your tongue at her cheeky expression before turning back to dinner.

Surprisingly you managed to eat all the dinner before the make out session returned. At this point you were unsure if the dinner or her was the twelfth gift.

"What are you laughing at?" Her hand came up to cup the side of your face as her other ran down the side of your body, slipping under your shirt, again.

You were both stretched out on your sofa, Jack slipped in between you and the back of the sofa. You couldn't stop looking at her. "I wasn't laughing."

Her lips came down and ghosted over yours. "Your eyes were." She murmured before kissing you hard and fast.

You swallowed when she broke free, such a tease. "Was wondering what my day 12 gift actually was?" You smirked and squirmed under her ticklish feather light touch. You'd get her back for it later.

"In other words me or the dinner?" She said with a raised brow.

This time you did laugh.

"Think I got the best gift..." It was almost a whisper and you immediately stopped laughing and saw how serious she was.

You rolled onto you side so you were face to face. Your fingers tucking a few strands of hair that had fallen over her face, behind her ear. "Think we have different opinions there." You bumped your nose against hers, lightening the mood.

You were rewarded with a cute curve to her lips. "Don't fight me on this. You'll lose."

"I'm sure to lose many things that will come up in the next few months but my feelings for you. You can't win." You heart picked up, the feelings you just have away were much more than you planned in revealing.

She brushed her nose against yours, placing a gentle kiss to your lips which you tried so hard to extend but you pushed back with a laugh. "As much as I want to kiss you til the sun comes back up on Monday morning. I need to say something."

"Of course you do." You smirked at the light shove you got but you didn't care what she did to you. Right now Jacqueline Sloane was on your couch, in the middle of make out sessions. If you died tomorrow you'd be a happiest person in the world.

"I'm definitely going to win all the arguments over the next many years."

With that there was nothing else to say, the past twelve days had been fun and exciting with all the gifts you'd received but nothing compared to day twelve.

. . . .

I tried so hard. SO hard to not make who the gift giver was so obvious but like... You all know what stories I write. If Jack Sloane isn't the centre of the story then why am I writing it??

Drop a comment, I'd love to hear from all of you :)

#ncis reader insert #ncis christmas #ncis x reader #ncis 12 days of christmas #jack sloane #jack sloane x reader

[spooks-and-tea]

Entangled (Spencer Reid x femReader) [Ch.2]

Summary: You don’t know how it happened. One moment you were watching Criminal Minds, and the next moment you were literally in the show. Can Spencer be the key to helping you find your way back home?

Warnings: minor character death, mentions of su*cide, bad explanations of quantum mechanics, sexual situations, the usual criminal minds-type content

A/N: 2 chapters in one day for you :)))). I plan to make this one into a few parts if people like it. If this has any relation to other fics it’s not intended. Literally just an idea that popped in my brain. I’ll also eventually add it to my wattpad .@ kittentastic

Word Count: 3,401

Chapter 1.  Chapter 2.  Chapter 3.  Chapter 4. Chapter 5.  Chapter 6.  Chapter 7. Chapter 8.  Chapter 9.  Chapter 10.  Chapter 11.

************************************************************************

Spencer left you laying in the backseat, finding a spare blanket in your trunk to wrap you in. He dressed in his now semi-wet clothes and you threw on yours as he drove. He didn't speak to you. You caught him looking at you through the rearview mirror, but you had trouble reading his exact emotions, some profiler you were.

Spencer parked the car and you managed to stand with his help. You threw the blanket back inside and, with Spencer's arm around your waist, you managed to make it up a flight of stairs to a familiar apartment door.

No way.

This was Spencer's apartment.

When the door opened, you stood still at the doorway, eyes wide as you scanned the room. Spencer looked back at you, curiously, as you had stopped him in his tracks.

You looked like a child visiting a Disney park for the first time.

The apartment looked exactly as it did in the show; filled with books. You felt almost giddy as Spencer placed you on the couch. This was Spencer Reid's couch! These were his things! Your brain screamed, but your pain returned and you were thrown back into reality.

Spencer sat next to you, handing you a warm cup of tea, while clutching his own. He looked down at the swirling steam rising from the cup, taking a shaky breath, and finally spoke.

"Why? Why would you do that? Why would you just- try to take your own life like that?"

You sipped at your tea, trying to think of an answer. You hadn't fully come to terms with what had just happened.

You didn't want to die, and you hated the water. The thought of what you had nearly done sent a spark of fear through your spine, but you were so sure that this had been a dream.

"I wasn't trying to end my life," you answered; truthful, but vague.

"Then please explain to me exactly what you were trying to do because I don't understand why you would even want to step foot near a large body of water." He sounded angrier now, rightfully so.

"You know I hate the water?"

"Yeah, your dad. Something to do with your Dad." Spencer narrowed his eyes, subconsciously trying to find answers in your features.

"Spencer I want more than anything to tell you why I did that, but I'm afraid anything I say will make you think I'm absolutely insane."

"Does this have something to do with your memory loss? Is it the lack of sleep?" Spencer tried to reason.

"Yes and no. I've been sleeping just fine." Your throat began to burn again as you took another few sips of tea.

"You know you can trust me. If something's been bothering you, we can find you help. This can be between us and I can get you the best treatment in the country."

"I'd like it if we just kept this between us, Spence," the nickname fell easily from your tongue, "but I don't need treatment. I'm fine, really. I'm not depressed and I'm not suicidal, I swear. I can't explain why I did it, not yet." You looked at him earnestly, hoping he could profile that your were telling the truth.

Spencer's face fell, his eyes going glassy.

"What can I do that will help you then?"

Your heart clenched in your chest. Never before had you imagined you would make Spencer Reid cry. You must be really important to him in this reality.

"Spence." You set your now finished tea down on the coffee table next to his and reached up, wiping a stray tear from his cheek.

"Please don't cry, Spencer."

He held your hand over this cheek. His touch was magnetic, you hadn't noticed the pull before, but now it was obvious. You wondered if he felt it too as he grasped your hand tighter.

"What am I supposed to do then? I-I nearly lost you today! I just want to help you get better."

"You saved my life. I can't thank you enough. And you don't have to do anything more than be your normal, amazing self."

From an outsider's perspective the man in front of you should have been a complete stranger to you, but in your eyes, you already knew him. You've watched him fight his addiction, prison, relationships. He had been through it and yet he still found it in himself to dedicate all his time and energy into saving lives and putting unsubs behind bars. The last thing he needed was someone else to worry about.

You weren't sure where you fit into the canon of this universe, or if Spencer's struggles had even played out the same way they did on the show. You only knew that you had one goal at the moment and that was to make Spencer Reid happy.

"At least- at least stay with me today. Let me take care of you," Spencer spoke, rubbing at his tired eyes.

You opened your mouth to protest despite the butterflies in your stomach, but decided it was best you stayed. Letting Spencer care for you would probably give him some much needed peace of mind. This was just as beneficial to him and, truthfully, you didn't want to leave his side. That magnetic feeling returned, pulling you to him. Before you knew it, you were hugging him close to you.

"I'll stay as long as you'll have me." This wasn't just your hopeless crush on the man talking, you had a feeling this magnetic pull could be what pulled you into this alternate reality in the first place.

************************************************************************

Loyal to his word, Spencer took care of you. He made you warm soup for lunch and spaghetti for dinner and repeatedly checked your temperature throughout the day. You even made him check his own temperature a few times.

He gave you some of his clothes to wear, changing out of his own. Thinking about his daring rescue made your stomach tighten, he really was a superhero. You told him so as you both, ironically, watched a Marvel film together.

He gave you a small smile. You were happy he was smiling again, it was one of the first things that made you love his character. Come to think of it, now that all of that adrenaline and confusion was gone, your nerves were setting in. This was the man you wanted so badly to be real and walk into your coffee shop on one of your painfully long shifts. It was one thing to daydream about it, but to actually have him in front of you was beyond nerve-wracking.

Now that you physically had him here, you didn't know how to react. Like a fan girl? He had thousands, and he didn't even know it. Were you canon in this story? Were they watching you on their television screens right now? Had they seen the way he held you in the backseat of your car?

Your vision focused as Spencer waved his hand in front of you. You swallowed, feeling dirty and guilty for the past thoughts you've had about those restless hands as they trailed down book spines. You felt guilty for ever sexualizing the kind-hearted, selfless man taking care of you.

"What are you thinking about?" Spencer asked.

Way too many things.

"How did we meet, Spence?" You could see the eidetic brain gears turning as he looked down at his wringing hands. He scrunched his nose in thought.

"I-I don't- I don't remember," he looked up at you in disbelief.

"How could I not remember? The...the only clear memory I have of you is you leaving my apartment last night." Spencer's hands started to shake.

This was his worst fear coming true. You instantly hated that you had even brought it up. This universe had somehow written you in from the time you fell asleep to now. Everything else was just planted information, it never happened. You and Spencer had never had a first meeting because you've only just started existing here. How could you explain this to him?

"Spence. I have to tell you something. It's going to be hard to grasp, and I know we've already had a hell of a day. I'm sorry I've caused you all this pain when all you've done is help me, but you have to promise me you'll keep an open mind. Please don't think I'm crazy. I can explain why you and I don't remember. I know I asked you to wait for an explanation, but I can't deal with this alone. I need someone else here to know the truth." You gently cradled his head between your hands as he looked at you with wide, fearful eyes. Not fearing you, but fearing his own mind.

He nodded, appreciating your touch grounding him to reality.

"I'm a barista and an aspiring actress. I live alone in a small apartment in L.A. The last thing I remember before waking up in the bullpen today was falling asleep on the couch of my apartment. I was watching a television show called Criminal Minds and had an audition lined up for it tomorrow." You swallowed as Spencer stared at you, unblinking.

"The show is about a team of behavioral analysts who work at the BAU headquarters in Quantico, profiling and catching criminals. The team changes, but consists of Hotchner, Garcia, JJ, Prentiss, Morgan, Rossi, Gideon," Spencer inhaled when you listed Gideon's name, "and my favorite character, Dr. Spencer Reid."

A second of total silence filled the apartment.

Spencer's hands dropped limply at his sides. He looked at you now as if you were a stranger, and you technically were, but that didn't make it hurt any less.

"I know you don't believe me. I wouldn't believe me, but think about it Spencer. You don't remember me. You remember assorted facts about me, but today was the first day we met. Last night didn't actually happen. Isn't there a scientific theory out there that explains alternate realities?"

Spencer stood up suddenly and covered his mouth with his hand, raking his other hand through his hair. He walked to his bookcase and back, pacing, while sometimes glancing down at you. You couldn't begin to imagine what was going through his head. You decided to relate it to something you knew he knew well.

"Doctor Who." You stood up on shaky legs, Spencer moving to catch your elbow before you lost balance. He looked at you, waiting, listening, wanting to believe you weren't a stranger.

"Rose Tyler gets stuck in an alternate dimension in which she previously doesn't exist, but her deceased father is alive and well there. The Doctor can't traverse to see her without threatening to rip time and space apart. This is my alternate dimension, Spencer.  Please, if you know me at all, you'd know I am not smart or creative enough to make something like this up." You pleaded with your eyes for him to understand, for that crease in his brow to disappear.

He stayed silent, looking straight through you.

I'm losing him. I've fucked up.

"Please say something, Spencer, you're the only thing that has felt real since I woke up here. I just got cleared at the hospital, my brain is functioning fine, I'm healthy."

"When you jumped into the lake. You were trying to return to your reality. You thought it would wake you up." Spencer shook his head, putting pieces together as he went back to pacing.

"Look at me, Spence. Profile me if you have to. I'm telling you the truth."

"There are plenty of unsubs that think their contrived reality is the truth, you've seen them."

You deflated, feeling your shoulders go slack. He was comparing you to delusional criminals. You should've expected that it would be too much for the analytical Spencer Reid to accept. What else could you say to prove to him you were telling the truth?

Spencer suddenly stopped pacing, staring at his bookcase.

"Quantum mechanics," he spoke.

"What?"

He turned around to look at you.

"There's an interpretation of quantum mechanics called the many-worlds interpretation, created by physicist Hugh Everett. Though many physicists call it a theory. The interpretation can be explained through the Schrodinger's Cat equation in which the cat, placed in a box, exists in two different realities. One in which it is alive in the box and one in which it is dead in the box. These realities then branch off into more realities, like tree branches. There is a consequence to this theory, as observations of events are constantly taking place, the number of possible, simultaneously existing realities, is always growing as the interpretation chooses to discard the wave function collapse process. Subsystems may exist independently, but once they interact, they become relative. Once the observation is made the observer and the object become entangled and new states are created. Every reality created is equally real, but do not interact with each other unless this entanglement occurs. It's a highly debated interpretation in the scientific community."

You stared at him, mouth open in shock, trying to process all of the information he was throwing at you. He took a step towards you, one hand in his pocket, while the other accentuated his speech.

"Essentially if multiple universes exist. If what you're saying is true, then our subsystems have somehow become entangled, yours and mine. One universe in which you exist, and one in which you never existed. We're both the observers of our own universes and you've crossed over into mine, creating another branch in the system of my universe in which you and I can exist simultaneously." Spencer licked his lips before continuing.

"The problem is this is nothing but an interpretation of quantum mechanics, an ongoing debate. There are so many theories that exist in that realm of science that all have their inconsistencies. There's no way of knowing for sure how or why this is happening to us, or what will become of it."

You weren't sure if you had fully understood his theory, but he sounded serious, he believed you. Suddenly, you didn't feel so alone.

"Oh, Spencer. Thank you!" You threw your arms around him, hugging him.

He stiffened, but slowly wrapped his arms around you. "It was my memory that made me believe. I could never forget you. Doctor Who helped too."

"What are we going to do, Spence? What if this happens to me again, where will I end up?" Cosmic fear gripped you as you imagined yourself as a character in a Twilight Zone episode, doomed to dreading the unknown.

"We're going to continue living as normal. This is real, though it might seem like a dream to you. There's something that pulled us together, a magnetic force that entangled our worlds. The possibility of you being here at all is infinitely improbable. The probability of this to happen again is just as infinitely unmeasurable. You're a physicist's dream girl, Y/N."

You blushed as he called you a "dream girl." His explanation put your nerves, and existential dread at ease. He was always better at statistics than relating to others emotionally on the show, but his info-dump in this case made you feel sane.

You felt emotionally and physically drained. This was definitely the longest day of your life. Spencer felt your weight against him and pulled away.

"It's been a long day, how about we try to get some sleep? We can talk about this more tomorrow."

You nodded, eyelids already growing heavy. You turned to collapse back on the couch.

"Oh no. You're taking my bed tonight." Spencer stated.

"I'm fine, Spence, you're too tall to comfortably sleep here. You can have the bed, it's the least I can do after all you've done for me."

"No, you said I could take care of you today. This is me taking care of you." Spencer held out his hand, leaving no room for arguments.

You rolled your eyes at his stubbornness, finding it fitting for his character. Would you ever stop referring to him as a character? Clearly if he existed here, Mathew Gray Gubler didn't. That thought made you feel a little upset.

You took his hand without further protest and he led you to his bedroom. He turned on a light and pulled back the sheets, gesturing for you to climb in.

"Try not to sleep on your back, you swallowed a lot of lake water today, there's a good chance it won't stay down. Tomorrow I'll check your temperature again. You seem to be recovering well, but there's always a chance of pneumonia." You nodded, sitting down on the bed in front of him.

"Will you stay?" You asked as you pulled to blankets up, feeling so small in the large bed. The infinite universe and its sub universes had already had you feeling tiny. 

Spencer to hesitated.

"In here? On the floor?" Spencer asked, a bit flustered.

You shook your head and pat the empty spot next to you. It wasn't a plot to seduce the man, honestly, you just didn't want to let the only other being in the world who understood your predicament out of your sight.

"Please. I don't want to be alone." You said, after he stopped to consider it. The magnetic pull gave a tug, you absentmindedly leaned towards Spencer. You didn't notice him do the same towards you.

"Okay."

He turned off the lights and crawled in. You turned on your side to face him. His face was illuminated by the moonlight, the shadows accentuating the sharp angles of his face.

If this were a dream, you would reach out and trace the lines, feel the coarseness of his stubble. If this were a dream he would reach up to leave a gentle kiss on your forehead and pull you close to his chest. If this were a dream you wouldn't feel so nervous to be close to him. You would show him just how grateful you were to have him around; just how lucky that, of all the possible universes, you ended up in the one with Spencer Reid.

"How does it feel?" Spencer whispered, not daring to clash with the stillness of the night.

"Hmm?" You hummed, meeting his eyes.

"Before today, I was nothing more than a character in a crime show. A writer created me, and an actor brought me to life on the screen. How does it feel to meet your 'favorite character?'" Spencer smirked.

"Of course you remember that. I can't believe I told you that you were my favorite." You chuckled, Spencer's own smile reflecting yours.

"I guess I accepted you as a real person when you saved my life. Although, it's strange, knowing who you are, your likes and dislikes, your characteristics, seeing your triumphs and trials. I still find myself relating the small things you do, like scrunching your nose and info-dumping, to the character I've observed."

"Why am I your favorite?" Spencer sounded genuinely curious.

You tried to think of a way to explain in which you didn't sound like a fan with a blog full of Spencer-centric gifs. Not to mention, the staggering amount of fan fiction you consumed on lonely nights.

"I-It's okay, you don't have to answer that, but it's nice to know that you think so highly of me. Don't let Morgan find out, you'd ruin his ego." Spencer laughed to himself. "Although I'm sure he's a fan favorite and you're an exception in the viewership."

"You're plenty of people's reason to watch the show, Spence. You don't even know the half of it."

"Do they like me, or the actor who plays me? Wow, that feels weird to say."

"Both. You two are alike in some ways, but I think you are different enough that it's easy to love the character while knowing nothing about the actor. I should also say, you're a bit of a teen heartthrob, they seem to really like you."

Spencer snorted out a laugh at your last comment.

"Me? A heartthrob? You really are from an alternate reality."

You rolled your eyes.

"Sometimes you can be absolutely clueless."

"What? How?" His voice raised an octave.

"Forget it. Goodnight, Pretty Boy." You closed your eyes, not trusting yourself to hold back a blush if you met his eyes.

"Goodnight, Y/N."

Next Chapter

#spencer reid #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fic #criminal minds #criminal minds fic #drama #romance #spencer reid x reader #fanfiction #cm

[ourplaceinthecosmosphff]

Chapter 18. Three’s a Party

‘Sometimes being offered tenderness feels like the very proof that you've been ruined.' Ovean Vuong, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

I don’t know how long we stayed in the bathtub, but it felt quick. Harry held me until I stopped crying, his hand caressing my hair, his smell bringing me peace – it was almost easy to allow my breath to slow. When it did, while he still held me to his chest, I told him everything.

I told him that there were days I barely said anything to anyone that wasn’t ‘good morning’ or ‘good night’. I told him about feeling bursts of anger towards everyone and everything. I told him about the many attempts to clarify with multiple people what I was supposed to be doing and receiving condescending dismissals. I told him about my mother’s general apathy, about my sister having swollen, bloodshot eyes so constantly I stopped thinking it was unusual, about her sudden parting with her lifelong dream. I told him things I hadn’t even realized I felt before I said it aloud.

Like the guilt of being alive when Louis was gone, like the guilt of sometimes forgetting he was, or feeling boredom, or even the slightest joy, when he wasn’t around anymore for any of it. Like feeling so guilty about inheriting his title that sometimes I googled myself to see the negative stories in the press as punishment.

Afterwards, I had a shower and when I stepped outside, there was a fresh glass of water in the nightstand on the side I had slept in the night before.

I had a few sips, feeling my eyes heavy – they were swollen from crying. It was early at night, but I had no desire for dinner or doing anything at all. So I just laid in bed, on my side, feeling the kind of tired sleep doesn’t cure, but still I closed my eyes, letting his smell in the pillow lull me to sleep.

I woke up – God only knows how long after – with his hand on my shoulder, warm and firm, slowly running down my arm almost until my elbow and back up, delicately.

I took in a deep breath and let it go, then I turned around in bed, to face him. His other arm was under his pillow. I didn’t look at his face, just laid my head on his pillow, over his shoulder, eyes closed to go back to sleep. A little thrown, it took him a second or two, but eventually he let his arm relax as it embraced me, before starting to caress my back.

I didn’t let the guilt in. I refused to. I was just… broken, an open wound, and he made me feel at peace. That was all that mattered.

In the night, I woke up to use the bathroom and when I returned, Harry, still in deep sleep, was facing the other side of the room. I laid next to him, and tentatively dropped my arm down his waist. When I raised up my knees, my legs fit into his, and I let it. I touched my nose to his back, letting his smell calm me again, and brought my hand across his chest to his heart. Feeling it beat, I was so close to sleep I didn’t hear or feel when he moved his hand until it was over mine. He interlaced our fingers together and sighed, content. With his fingers caressing mine, I fell asleep easily.

— ---- —

We slept in the following day. By the time I gave up trying to go back to sleep, it was almost noon. I turned in bed to find Harry scrolling through his phone, his face still slightly swollen from sleep.

“Morning.” I said, my voice lower than usual.

He smiled at me, letting his phone fall to the mattress and hugging his pillow to look at me upclose.

“Good morning.” He reached out with a hand to brush my hair out of my face. “Or should I say good afternoon.”

“Afternoon?!”

“It’s almost two.”

“What?!” I asked, slightly exasperated. “Why didn’t you wake me up?!”

“What for?” He asked, shrugging. It was a good point. “Sometimes it’s good to sleep the day away… healthy.”

“I… I have been sleeping the day away a lot.” I confessed.

“I know.” He replied. I did tell him that the previous night. “It’s okay. Emotionally tired is still tired.”

I smiled, feeling less embarrassed than a second ago.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt. Go back to…” I gestured vaguely with my eyes to his phone.

“I was just making some decisions for work. Nothing more for the rest of the day, though. Free to binge Orange is the New Black if you want.”

I let out a small, excited gasp. “Yay.” He laughed.

“Should we get something to eat first?” He asked. “I had breakfast earlier, but I was waiting for you for lunch.”

Faster than I could try to stop it, I felt my heart fill with affection for him.

Sighing, I smiled. “Sure. How about that indian place you mentioned?”

“Nice!” He smiled, picking up his phone.

He pulled up the menu and we chose our favorite kind of naan and chicken, so he sent a request to his security, who would then, apparently, order it themselves and receive it at the gate.

We stayed in bed for a while longer, talking about a lot of nothings, before he got a notification that the delivery guy had exited the restaurant. I then got up and went to the bathroom as he went downstairs to set the table.

When I got down, he was gone, though I quickly realized he was just outside picking up our food from one of his protection officers. He’d set up the coffee table in the TV room with plates, cutlery and cups over a white linen tablecloth with a small glass bottle in the center filled with colorful wildflowers I guessed he must have gotten from the garden outside.

I sat down on the floor with a smile on my face, biting my lip as my cheeks reddened.

We ate while Orange is the New Black played on the TV in front; the chicken was good, but the garlic naan was the best part of the meal. When we were done, I felt so satisfied I just stretched across the floor with one of the couch cushions as a pillow to watch the rest of the episode. Harry pushed the table to the side, pulled another cushion down and laid by my side, one arm under his head, closer to me than strictly necessary. I had issues paying attention to the plot.

Two, three, four episodes later we were still laying on the floor when I got up and told him I had to pee, so we decided to continue watching it upstairs. He took the dishes to the sink while I went to the bathroom. When I came back, I realized he’d brought the blanket and pillows from his bed so we could be more comfortable.

“Do you not have to work today?” I asked, just as he happily jumped into place.

“Nope!” He smiled. “I cleared my schedule to do nothing else today.”

“Nice.”

“Though I do have an engagement tomorrow.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“It’s something for the Endeavor Fund.” He explained. “I’m going to the tracks, in Sussex. Goodwood Motor Circuit. Some other servicemen and women will be there, that’s who the Fund works to help, you know?”

“Veterans?”

“Wounded, sick, injured…” He nodded. “So we’re having a bit of the day in the tracks and I think,” He grinned, “they’ll let me drive a jaguar.”

“Exciting.” I laughed.

“It is!” He nodded, enthusiastically.

“…that’s what you like to do more, isn’t it?” I asked. “Helping military personel… you look… energized when you talk about them.”

He sighed, smiling. “I guess I– I guess I feel I am one of them. Even if in a very different, much smaller way.”

“We’ve talked about this.” I corrected. “You were there, you’re one of them. Stop downplaying it.”

He smiled at me, before looking down, biting his lower lip. He opened his mouth and closed it again.

“What?”

“…I’ve been working on something. Something cool, that I’m excited about… It’s… It’s not ready yet… but we’re so close to announcing it…”

“God, you sound so excited.” I noticed, chuckling. “What is it?!”

He seemed to consider me for a few seconds before getting up, quickly, and jumping over me to go to the kitchen, where he picked up his laptop from the table and brought it back, along with a thick, black, plastic folder.

“So, have you ever heard of the Warrior Games?!” He started. “It’s this military sports event in America, for injured military personnel… I was there last year and it just… it was amazing!”

“Okay?”

“So I kept thinking about it, and about how it should really be for everybody, not just the Americans, you know? It should be like the Olympics, global. I mean, it just makes sense, the benefits that it brings to them… it puts them back in a mindspace of self-worth, you know? And at the same time it inspires other people, too, civilians, I mean. It teaches them how impressive they are.”

“Sure.” I nodded.

“Well,” he opened his laptop and put in my lap, opening a slideshow with a couple of clicks of his finger. “So I… I am doing it. Well, we are. Me and my team. We’re creating a global military sports event for injured personnel.”

He clicked through the slides in his presentation summarizing his main idea – essentially, a military paralympics –, and the contacts he had made to get the event to happen in London. His connections involved everyone from the Mayor to the Obamas, as well as millions in investment from Jaguar Land Rover.

He smiled as he spoke with pride about every decision, showing me rejected design ideas for the logo, to the newest t-shirt mockup, which he had a printed version of in a chart on his folder. Eventually, his cheeks reddened as he realized he spoke for so long Netflix was asking if we were still watching Orange is the New Black.

“Sorry.” He chuckled. “I’ve just been so anxious about announcing it next month… And then they want us to plan it for September, which seems so close!”

“Well, it is. But it’s okay! You can totally pull it off.”

“You think?”

“Of course!” I smiled. “The secret is finding passionate, competent people and delegating so you don’t lose your mind, because, Harry… the idea is really good. You can totally pull it off.”

He smiled, sheepishly. “…I’m actually really excited.”

“You should be.” I told him, honest. “It’s a great idea, and you’ve clearly done your homework. I like everything about it.”

He looked at me. “Thanks, Mary.”

“…who knows? Maybe we’ll get some Savoy veterans in here, too.”

“That’d be cool!” He nodded. “You’d have to come support them, though. I mean,” he fixed his features into a serious expression, leaning in to me, conspiratorially, “as the Crown Princess, you would have to. Right?”

I smiled. “Makes sense. Duty is duty.” I shrugged.

“That’s right…” He agreed, closer still.

“Are you scared?”

“Of what?” His playful smile disappeared.

I shrugged. “All of it.”

He sighed. “I’m terrified. I mean, the amount of people I’ve managed to convince… the amount of people this would impact… the amount of money we need… Sometimes I’m—Well, most of the time I’m just so confused as to how no one has stopped me yet?!”

I giggled. “Because you’re good at this. You… care. You have talent and passion and you care. People see it.”

His cheeks were reddening again.

“Honestly?” I asked, with a sigh, “I wish I had this type of… connection to the work. Maybe I would feel less lost about giving up the only career I’ve ever wanted to be Crown Princess.”

We were silent for a while, as my words echoed in our minds.

“You know…” he started, carefully, his tone soft. “It wasn’t that easy… Getting to this... point. This… Place where I’m actually kind of okay at it.”

“We’ve established you are brilliant at it.” I corrected, making him blush as he tried to bite down a smile.

He closed the laptop and put it behind us, on the couch, before pulling his pillow closer to me.

“I spent most of my life feeling out of place.” He started slowly. “I mean, you know what is like. Being born into this, but not really having a place in it. I felt… useless and used. Being a soldier is the only thing I ever felt I earned and was actually good at… and even that I couldn’t do.”

“Too risky, right?”

He nodded. “It’s just… not a risk to my life, but I become a risk to others… I felt… robbed of the only thing I liked doing.”

I nodded. “I know what that’s like.”

“Yes, but you see, that’s not your case anymore.” He sat up, looking at me intently.

I scoffed, humorlessly laughing at the thought. “It doesn’t feel that different.” Harry sighed. “Would you rather go back to Litchfield?”

I smiled. “Yes.”

While Piper struggled with her soap business and navigating her own newfound identity, I laid closer to him until it was his shoulder and not the pillow I was resting my head on. The moment felt soft and fragile, but risky all the same. Having him around felt… powerful in ways that were scary and impossible to ignore at the same time. And although I felt moving away would be the smart thing to do, I couldn’t.

I was almost falling asleep when Mr. Healy ignored Pennsatucky threatening Piper, so I had to wake up to yell at the TV. We went from seasons one to two with Harry smiling at my reaction. When Piper was finally back at Litchfield, I started falling asleep again, so he said we should go upstairs, “just in case”.

On his bed, we seemed to drop all pretenses. He stretched his arm over me and I just laid my head inside his embrace with no preamble. It was getting harder to deny or try to rationalize it – that homecoming feeling that threatened to knock me out whenever I touched him.

— ---- —

Harry’s phone rang hours later, waking me up from a nap. He whispered an apology, and picked it up quickly, before telling me it was work and was going to take a while. So he went downstairs and I started paying attention to the show again. When I saw Piper out of prison and the mustache asshole back I replayed the previous episode from the start as it was clear I had missed a lot.

Three episodes later, there was a big storm brewing in Litchfield and I am not saying it was a sign, but it was in the middle of that episode that I decided Harry had been on the phone for a long time, and thought I should check on him.

Downstairs, he was on the kitchen table typing away on his laptop with a focused look over his eyes. Quietly, I watched him for a few seconds, half envious for his passion for the work, half appreciative of the way his jaw locked when he looked pensive.

I was smiling when I heard a knock on the door. Harry rose from his chair, closed the laptop, and made his way to it while I took two steps back into the stairs, to hide.

“Hi.”

There was a moment of shock while the house remained silent before I felt my legs move. I cut the distance through the kitchen and living room until I had one hand on a mouth-agape-Harry’s back, gently pulling him out of the way. He opened the door more as he did and soon both him and my sister were staring at me.

“Lourdes?!” I asked, in shock. “What are you doing here?!”

My sister was standing before him, still in her school uniform. She had no shock in her face, just an obnoxious looking smile. “Hey, Maggie.”

I looked at Harry, who couldn’t seem to decide where to look.

“Hey, would you mind–?” I started, but he didn’t need me to finish.

“Sure, yeah.” He nodded, hurriedly walking inside again.

I stepped out and closed the door behind me.

“Are you sure you don’t want your bodyguard to talk to me first?” Lourdes asked. “Maybe frisk me? I could be hiding a gun. What if I force you to follow me into the car and take you home by force?!”

Beyond her, I saw in the small, brick street of Kensington Palace a black SUV parked with the windows rolled down. The driver was Lourdes’ own security officer, who seemed to be accompanied by mine.

“What are you talking about?! What are you doing here?!”

“Well, from what I hear he’s been watching you like a guard dog.” She said. “Maman made it sound like she wasn’t even sure you were real anymore… ‘No one’s seen Marie-Margueritte in three days! She could have died and we wouldn’t know!’”, she mocked.

“That’s ridiculous.” I shook my head, almost amused. “She’s so dramatic.”

“That’s rich coming from you.” Lourdes said, one brow perked up higher than the other. “Did you really run away from your security?”

���I didn’t–!” I started, choking on my words. “…run.”

“Wow, Maggie.” She laughed. “That’s insane.”

“Shut up.” I rolled my eyes. “Lourdes, why are you here?!”

“Why do you think? Mom seems to think I would be better at dragging you home. I guess maybe she thought I would be faster at sneaking upstairs to find you… I don’t think she planned on you coming out of your own will.”

I rolled my eyes. “Look, I’m fine. Go home, and tell mom and dad I’ll be home soon, okay?”

“Oh, no.” She shrugged. “I’m staying.”

Quicker than I was able to follow, she reached behind me, opened the door and walked in. When I followed her, I realized she had a large weekend bag hanging from her shoulder, the one she usually used for weekend trips home.

“Woah, this place is… small.” She remarked, walking around as she took everything in, as if in a museum. “You live here?”

From the couch, Harry got to his feet and shrugged. “I live on my own, don’t need much space.”

“Bet you never thought you’d have to offer sanctuary to poor, runaway princesses, huh?”

“Lourdes, you’re not staying.”

She looked at me, one brow corked up in defiance. “What are you going to do, call your security in here to drag me out? Who’s to say they won’t take you with me?”

Harry interjected. “Okay, why don’t we all take a deep breath and–?”

“You need to relax.” She dropped her bag on the floor and walked by Harry to inspect the living room. “I’m on your side.”

I sighed. “I don’t know what that means.”

“Seriously, Maggie, running away?! Badass. Never thought you had it in you.” She laughed.

“I did not run away!”

“Yeah, she calmly walked off the train.” Harry added, looking slightly more amused than felt appropriate.

“Regardless,” Lourdes shrugged, “amazing.”

“Lourdes, this isn’t–”, I sighed, unsure what to even say anymore. “This isn’t a game.”

“Everything’s a game if you’re having fun.” She returned, not even looking at me. “

As she approached Harry’s bookcase, I looked at him, lost for words. He had a grin on his lips, but his eyes reflected my own confusion.

I walked past him, towards Lourdes as she grabbed one of the picture frames to inspect it closely.

“You can’t stay here.” I told her.

She turned around and looked at Harry, a pitiful, sad expression on her face. “…I can’t?”

Harry’s mouth dropped open and he looked at me, pure despair in his eyes.

“Oh, please.” I stepped in front of her to block Harry’s view. “Don’t.”

“I mean, I get it, I should have called, I guess.” She told him, leaning around me. “I wouldn’t want to impose. I’m sorry, Harry–”

“Of course you can stay.” Harry said, making me turn to give him a wide-eyed, questioning look. “There’s enough space, it’s not a big deal.”

“She has school!” I argued. “It’s monday! You have to go to school.”

“Actually, I do not.” She said, placing Harry’s picture of himself as a baby on a pony with his mother by his side back on the shelf. “I am all yours.”

“Why–? Of course, mom… Look, Lou, mom thinks there’s something very dramatic happening here, but there isn’t. I’ll be home in no time. Until then, she’ll soon regret taking you away from school to involve you in this.”

“She didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?”

“Take me away from school.” She shrugged. “I was suspended.”

“I’m sorry, what?!”

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not a big deal, it was totally unfair.”

“Suspended? As in, the administration sent you away?!”

“Yes, Maggie, relax. It was a mistake.” She removed her navy blue blazer, throwing it on me. “I didn’t do anything. Wrong place, wrong time.”

“That explanation is gonna need a lot more words.”

She folded her sleeves up to her elbows. “Sounds like we’re gonna need time. Good thing I’m staying.”

I looked at Harry, exasperated. He sighed, and gave me the quickest and smallest of shrugs.

“Well, that’s decided.” He said. “Lourdes, right? Harry.”

She smiled at him. “Oh, I know who you are.”

“Okay–” I tried.

“We did meet in Savoy. Last October.”

“Yes. And you were the guy sexting my sister after the Royal tour.”

Mortified, I sighed, looking at the ground.

Harry merely stuttered. “I–I don’t think I–Well, I–Would you call that sext–?”

“Louis thought you liked her.” Lourdes added. “Did you?”

“Okay!” I shouted, throwing her blazer over her head. “How about pizza for dinner? Harry, do you know a place?”

His cheeks were red. “I–I do. Yes.”

“Good. Lourdes likes pepperoni. I like marguerita, but I’m open to anything, really.” I grabbed her bag with one hand and her elbow with the other. “I’m going to show her to the guest room and let her have a nice, much needed shower in your bathroom if that’s okay–”

“Are you implying I stink?” She asked, holding her blazer awkwardly above her eyes.

“Towels on the closet in the hall, right?” I asked him, already on the stairs. “No mushrooms, please, I’m allergic!”

Then I marched her into the guest bedroom, the only room in the house I hadn’t yet seen. It was smaller than Harry’s room, and had a stuffy smell, but it was nice enough. I put Lourdes’ bag on the floor trying to look as though I had been there before. 

“Why were you suspended?”

“Why are you here?” She returned.

“Why are you here?!”

“To convince you to go home, of course.”

“Well, I’m not going home. Not yet. Now answer my question.”

She seemed to consider the request for a while. Slowly, she dragged the tip of her finger on the surface of the bedside table and stared at it. 

“Some kids were smoking.”

I straightened my back, attentive. “...were you?”

“No.” She rolled her eyes. 

“Well, no need to react like that, it’s a fair question. Why were you suspended then?”

She sighed. “I was with them and I guess my word isn’t enough to clear me.”

“Who was it?! When did your friends start smoking?!”

She circled the bed and opened the curtains, looking out the window. “No one you know. And I didn’t ask.”

“New friends? Why are you hanging out with kids who smoke?!”

“They’re nice. They’re fun. And everyone else I know was in class.”

“What—why weren’t you in class, then?”

She let out a long sigh. “Maggie, it doesn’t matter. It’s done.”

“Yes, it matters, Lourdes. Of course it does. Do mom and dad know?”

“Of course they know. They’re the ones who told the pilot to fly me here from school instead of home.”

“Wait. What came first? You getting suspended or them asking to come get me?”

She thought about it a while, turning around to face me. “I’m not sure. From my end it was the suspension.”

We were silent, both too busy with our own thoughts. I grabbed her blazer and folded it, gently. The school emblem on it still made me sad; she attended the same school I only stayed at for one year.

“...they must be very stupid if they thought they could get away with it. Your friends, I mean. Those nuns are everywhere. They see everything.”

She was quiet. 

“What class were you cutting?”

“...AP English.”

“What?!” I asked, slightly outraged. “You cut one of the best classes?! Man. What a waste. I always fantasized about cutting physics but never did.”

“I don’t mind physics. There’s so much going on that my mind stays busy. But there’s too much thinking in English.” She sat on the bed to start removing her knee high socks. “And it always reminds me of Lou.”

Feeling my heart tighten, I remembered English was always Louis’ favorite subject. 

Lourdes removed her shoes, placed both socks into them — black leather Gucci loafers — and turned around to get her bag. 

“How many?”

“How many what?”

“How many classes did you cut?”

She didn’t look at me. Inside her bag, she found a pair of pajamas, underwear, a toiletries bag, and from inside it, a hair tie she used to put her long blonde hair into a bun. 

“They wouldn’t send the King’s daughter home for skipping one class and not smoking.”

“It’s bullshit.” She complained. “My grades are fine! So what if I skipped a couple classes?!”

“A couple?!”

“A few. Whatever. If my grades are fine that means I don’t need the classes. Ergo, why should I be punished for it?!”

“How many is a few?”

“Maggie, that’s not the point. The point is I don’t have skating anymore, so I have time to study by myself.”

“Sounds like something you could have agreed on with your teacher instead of just... doing it.”

“Again. If my grades are fine—“

“What do you consider fine?” I interrupted, “Because your grades were fine before. By that logic, now they should be better.”

She sighed. “Whatever. It’s done.”

She removed her button down white shirt and folded it carefully. The white tank top she was wearing underneath had stains on it. 

“How long are you suspended for?”

“Until next week. Which gives me plenty of time to stay here with you.” She finished, with a smile. 

I looked at her bag, at the rug, and at the wall in silence 

"Lou, you can't stay here."

"Why not? You are."

"Because you're a kid. You are under age. Mom and dad will want you home. They shouldn't even have sent you here in the first place, what were they thinking?"

"That if you wouldn’t talk to them, you might talk to me." She replied.

"I guess they were right, then."

"But you still won't come home or let me stay."

"It's just... complicated."

"You just want to be alone with your lover." She said, accusatory.

"Lover?!" I asked, disgusted.

"Isn't that what you call someone you're having an affair with?"

"I am not having an affair! God, you and mom, I swear to God! I'm allowed to have friends!"

"It's an interesting friendship..."

"Speaking of which, cut it out with that sexting nonsense. And asking him about all that stuff in the tour. It's not okay."

"I didn't make anything up. I'm just asking about things that happened."

"And I am asking you to stop doing that." I said. "Cut it out. We're friends. You're making it weird."

"Oh, I am?" She asked, crossing her arms. "So, if you found out Chris was staying with a female friend in Canada, who was to him what you are to Harry, whatever that is, you would be okay with it?"

"Yes." I lied, on auto-pilot.

"Right." She rolled her eyes and picked up her toiletries bag and her pajamas. "What did you even tell him? Christopher, I mean. When you said you were staying here? That you were having a mental breakdown and Harry offered you a place to do it?"

"...I haven't spoken to Christopher." I told her, rolling my eyes.

"In three days?! What the hell, Maggie? He might think you died."

"I think he would have heard from someone if I died."

"Well, what if he died? What if his plane crashed?! What if he called the police when he couldn't reach you?!"

"He knows better than that." I explained. "Besides, my phone is still off. I didn't want the staff to be able to track me."

"Well, they know you're here now." She reminded me. “Might as well turn it on and start thinking of a good explanation to give your boyfriend.”

There was a knock on the door, so we both looked at it to find Harry standing in the doorway.

“Hey.” He started, awkwardly. “Your… security detail came over to ask when you’re leaving.” I looked at my sister. “They don’t know you’re staying?!”

“Oops.” She shrugged. “In my defense I don’t remember explicitly saying that I had permission to stay.”

“Lourdes-Abigail!” “So, the lawyer gene runs in the family, I see.” Harry said, grinning. I ignored him. “Lourdes, you can’t stay here if you don’t have permission.” “Harry said I could stay.” “Harry isn’t your parent. You need permission from your parents.” She took in a deep breath, and straightened her back. “I am staying, Maggie. And you know why? Because I don’t have school, which means the only place I’m supposed to be is home. With mom and dad who, as you well know, are a nightmare these days. So, if you don’t have to be home, I don’t either. Now, if you excuse me, I’m going to have a shower. I’m assuming it’s the only other door in the hall, right?”

She marched past me and Harry, out of the room, walking confidently into his bedroom and soon I heard the bathroom door close from inside.

I sighed, slumping down into the guest room bed. I risked a look at Harry.

“I’m sorry.” I said. “Now you have two unwanted guests.” “Not unwanted.” He replied. “And I thought we talked about apologies.” I gave him a smile. “She can be a lot.”

“So can you.” He returned. “I like it.”

We exchanged a smile before he turned around to leave.

“Harry?” I called. “If it’s okay, I think it’s best if Lourdes thinks I’ve been sleeping in this room these past couple of nights.”

He gulped, avoiding my eyes. "Sure. Whatever you think is best."

“It’s just…” I started, apologetic. “She wouldn’t… understand.”

He nodded. “I’m not sure I do, either, to be honest.”

Quietly, I tried to think of how to answer that, but I couldn’t think of anything. He smiled, and went back downstairs. In his room, I found my own bag and took it to the guest room. In it, I found my phone. My heart beating rapidly, feeling tight, I turned it on, and while I waited, I tried to think of how to justify to Christopher why I had disappeared off the face of the Earth.

But when my phone finished updating the notifications I had missed, I realized I didn’t have anything to be concerned about. There were a couple texts from my friends, and many missed calls from my parents and Auguste, as well as my protection officers. But Chris had only texted once. A few hours before.

‘Hey babe. Sorry I forgot to text or call! I landed fine, jet lagged though. In and out of a lot of meetings, so I forgot! Bringing you a gift! Talk soon, love you xo’

I tried to think of what to tell him. I tried to look inside my heart and find what I had to say to him. But I was coming up empty. After a few minutes I just turned my phone off again and went back downstairs. 

In the kitchen, Harry was gathering plates and cups to set the table in the living room again.

“Hey. I thought we could eat while watching TV again. Probably not Orange, your sister seems too young for it, but it’s your call--”

I approached him, slowly, taking the cups he was holding from his hand and placing them on the table. Without allowing myself to think too much about it, I then wrapped my arms around him and laid my head in his chest, like it had been when I was sleeping earlier that day. His smell was still as comforting and welcoming as before and his touch when he hugged me back, tightly, felt natural and mind bendingly warm.

Thinking of my boyfriend, I was coming up empty. In Harry’s arms, I felt a lot.

---- --- ----

[A/N: Yall. Tell me what you thiiiiiiink! What do you thiiiiiink????? Please let me know! THANK YOU FOR READING YOU’RE THE BEST!]

#Princeharryff #prince harry fanfic #prince harry fanfiction #princeharryfanfiction #Princeharryfanfic #prince harry #brf #modern royalty au #modern royalty fanfic #fanfiction #OPITCphff #chapters

[spicysoftsweet]

A Very Important Episode starring Hisoka

Or the one where Hisoka learns Bungee Gum is not a food group.

A/N: We all know that Hisoka likes candy and Bungee Gum but we would like to encourage Hisoka to make healthier choices and prevent diabetes complications. There will possibly be a part 2. I hope this is educational.

---

This time Hisoka had actually done it. He’d actually managed to fuck up his entire body beyond what he could repair with Bungee Gum or Machi’s services - which she was charging higher and higher for - and now he was somewhere almost unthinkable - an emergency room.

“Illumi~~~~” he half-sang, half-whined now that he was finally lucid, after undergoing an exploratory laparotomy to stabilize his profuse internal bleeding - the surgeons had been in awe of just how much of his body had been purely synthetic due to Texture Surprise exclaiming that he’d be an incredible case to write up - and being amped up full of pain meds. He probably didn’t need the pain meds, but it was fun to go in and out of consciousness; he couldn’t remember the last time he had an actual night of sleep.

His unwilling friend sat at the side of his hospital bed, legs crossed and focusing his jarringly large, black eyes at the fluid and blood that was being transfused into him by IV drip. A small part of him was surprised that Hisoka could be transfused with regular looking blood and regular looking fluid. He was almost sure that he was made up purely of nonsense and Bungee Gum.

“Illumi~” Hisoka moaned dramatically a second time. His gaze slid now to him, with lips pressed into a flat line of distaste.

“Don’t ever use my name as your emergency contact again.”

Illumi had to hide the fact that he was impressed Hisoka could spell clearly enough to make out the letters of his name and had actually retained his phone number. He had been surprised to get a call, but made his way over as soon as he had finished gutting an enemy and stringing them up for display as requested in his latest contract. The idea of Hisoka being dead was incredibly alarming, for he did enjoy his health and company, but also sparked a morbid curiosity in him. Could Hisoka actually die?

“But you came, didn’t you?” Hisoka teased, with a shit-eating grin.

He had him there.

There was a soft knocking on the door, and a young woman in a white coat, followed by a taller man wearing a pair of scrubs came in. The young woman glanced at Hisoka and then Illumi, visibly wincing at the hard stare of the latter in the semi-dark room, then raised her badge to introduce herself. 

“H-hello, I’m Dr. Rhgyl, I-” her eyes flickered to Illumi briefly, unsettled by the fact that he hadn’t yet blinked in the past two minutes, then shifted back to Hisoka, whose devilish smile was almost more unsettling. “I was one of your surgeons and am here to answer any questions you have.”

She turned to Illumi, and gave a nervous nod of the head. “And who is in the room with you, Mr. Morow?”

“My husband,” he said, in a sickly-sweet voice. Illumi gave him a glare, then crossed his arms.

“Sure,” was all he said.

Sure, what? What is sure? Just answer the damn question... The poor young doctor’s face fell as she already knew this was something she’d have to spend unnecessary minutes during her already excessively long call night clarifying in her documentation. She turned to her nurse behind her, who gave her a small shrug. 

“So uh, Mr. Morow, how is your pain?”

“It’s wonderful!”

The doctor again tried to conceal her internal screaming, and continued to keep her professional smile plastered on her face. “In that case, please let us know if you have any more pain, and your nurse will take care of it.”

“We do have one other issue, however, “ she added, making sure to communicate this next part as clearly and effectively as possible. Hisoka perked up in surprise, and Illumi continued to sit perfectly still, as still as a statue. “Your blood sugar. Your blood sugar was extremely elevated, and we were concerned about a diagnosis of prediabetes or diabetes.”

“Diabetes?”

“We expect you to make a fast recovery… surprisingly fast in fact, but we would still like you to follow up with a primary care doctor about your blood sugar. We’ll draw a lab test to check how your sugars were for the past 3 months, called a Hemoglobin A1c test, and then we’ll have your primary care doctor follow up the results and help you with strategies to have better control.”

Illumi turned to Hisoka, who he could tell that whatever the medical team was telling him was going in one ear and out the other, and he was now only thinking about either his next fight or Bungee Gum based on the elated smile on his face.

Bungee Gum.

Bungee Gum was the fucking problem. 

As the doctor and the nurse finally exited out of the room and Hisoka went back to telling Illumi battle stories, Illumi started to clear his schedule in his head, to figure out when he could best drag Hisoka to his follow-up appointments, which he would have to make for him. Someone had to be the adult in this relationship. 

---

Hisoka’s new primary care doctor, another similarly young woman, but less easily intimidated as the tired one from the hospital sat at a computer, pulling up his chart to review his lab results from his hospitalization.

Illumi and Hisoka noticed how she visibly paled as she scrolled, then turned to Hisoka and gave him a reassuring smile, that looked to reassure her more than them. 

“What is it? Am I dead?” Hisoka asked. Illumi gave him a look to quiet down.

“Well, you’re diabetic, all right... Your A1c is 14%.”

“Is that bad?”

She swiveled in her chair to face him, hands in her lap. 

“Well, diabetes is diagnosed at an A1c of 7%. So... unfortunately,  yes.”

Hisoka started counting on his fingers and Illumi forcefully put his hand down.

“Hisoka, listen to the doctor. Diabetes is serious. My great-grandaunt was diabetic.” Illumi said in an even, impassive voice.

“Oh, how old was she when she was diagnosed?” The doctor asked, attempting to build rapport with the patient and the patient’s loved ones.

Without skipping a beat, he replied, “206, exactly. She loved nothing more than to unwind with Mountain Dew after her assassination missions. She ended up on dialysis.” 

The doctor seemed to be at a loss of words briefly, so she turned back to Hisoka, pulling out a pen and a notepad to focus on rather than lose her cool. 

“So, uh… let’s start by talking a little about what you usually eat,” she began. “What do you eat in a typical day?”

“Hm... “ Hisoka didn’t usually keep track of what he ate, so it took him some time to come up with an account. “Ah! Okay, so in the morning, I usually skip breakfast, but sometimes I’ll have some Bungee Gum.”

Odd choice, the physician thought, but she nodded and wrote that down, allowing the floor to Hisoka to speak.

“For lunch, I try not to eat too much, but I also have a couple pieces or ten of Bungee Gum.”

Hm…

“Oh and for dinner, I have a bowl of gummy candy if I’m feeling particularly peckish and also Bungee Gum.”

She looked up from her pad and paper to see Hisoka looking blissfully unaware that he had just revealed that he subsists solely on sweets. She suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to pull at her hair repeatedly. This would be a ton of education, and she still wasn’t exactly sure what exactly Bungee Gum was.

---

Illumi parked his custom Ferrari minivan, purchased entirely for this shopping trip, outside the Costco Wholesale, and gave Hisoka, a long, hard look. 

“Do you have the list?” Illumi asked, hand outstretched as Hisoka handed over a partially crumpled sheet of paper, outlining the basics of a balanced, carbohydrate-controlled diet for people with diabetes.

Hisoka looked outside to the large building, then looked back at Illumi. “Isn’t this for families? I thought we were shopping for me only, and sometimes you when you come over.”

“I don’t know, the butlers told me that they come here to stock the kitchens. It seems from the website that this store provides high quality bulk goods for very competitive prices so this will be an appropriate next stop.”

This was just one out of countless stops today - Hisoka had spent the earlier part of the day searching frantically for sugar-free Bungee Gum in every supermarket in a 25-mile radius unsuccessfully, and demanding to see the manager every time, only to kill them when they told him they didn’t have his particular brand. Illumi warned him that there would be no such shenanigans any longer.

They stepped out of the car and walked right past the door greeter who was waiting eagerly for them to present their membership card only to recoil once they both turned to look at him in unison with intent to kill. 

The first things Hisoka noticed as he walked in were the multiple little free sample kiosks at the aisles every so often and curiously wandered over to them. 

“Make sure to avoid anything glazed or with a sauce,” Illumi called after him, poring through the list as he wandered over to the produce aisle. He didn’t understand the draw of free samples; if he wanted to try something, he would simply buy it.

Hisoka made his way to Illumi and Illumi’s overfilled grocery cart about a half-hour later after wandering the entire store, arms filled with small paper cups and tasting spoons. It was clear that he had sampled literally everything, possibly twice or thrice. Illumi let out a sigh and moved to the front of the store to check out. 

Keeping Hisoka’s blood sugar low would be a daunting task, but he was determined that by the next visit to his PCP, he’d have some improvement in his A1c. Texture Surprise can only replace so many amputated limbs at once. He’d just have to buy every supermarket’s supply of Bungee Gum and possibly halt every single production chain devoted to it or something similar. A pain, but it was worth it. Hisoka was annoying as all hell, but still, he was worth it.

#hisoillu #hisoka #illumi #bungee gum #hunter x hunter #serious business #serious writing #crack fic? #remember to eat a balanced diet

[riverofdarkness]

Happiness

Title: Happiness Pairing: MonTeam (Y-Destiny) Rating: PG Genre: Romance Summary: Team just wants to make Mon happy 

“Mon let’s go somewhere together” says Team.

“You mean like doing something today?” asks Mon.

“Hmmm today I actually wanted to stay in bed here with you. I meant like go away for the weekend” says Team.

Mon get’s all shy by Team saying he wants to stay in bed with him all day. Team sees it and says “Are you having dirty thoughts”. Mon’s face turns all red and he has no idea how to respond.

“But you didn’t answer my question about going away for the weekend” Team says.

Mon turns his face to look directly at Team and his eyes are all sparkly. “Yes” is all Mon can respond.

Team brings out a bright smile and kisses Mon’s forehead. He still cannot believe he ended up meeting someone like Mon. Being the player back in the days he didn’t think true love would exist. But then Mon appeared in his life. He still regrets hurting him at first. So now Team will show Mon that Mon means the world to him. And taking him on a weekend trip is one of those things.

Obviously they cannot stay in bed all day since they have to go and eat at some point. Team suggests to get some takeout so they don’t have to leave the apartment. Mon is fine with it. Staying in bed a bit longer with Team is never a bad thing.

A while later their food arrives and they have lunch together. Team says that after lunch he will look up some places to go for their trip. Little does Mon know that Team actually already has planned the whole trip.

“Team how far are you with the trip?” asks Mon a while later.

“I actually just finished booking the trip and we will be leaving Friday at 9AM” says Team. “Where are we going Team?” is what Mon wants to know. “That shall remain a secret” says Team. Mon hates secrets so he starts pouting at Team hoping Team will spill something. “Mon look at you being all cute while pouting. How am I able to resist someone like you” says Team. Mon looked all happy that his pouting seems to have worked. Only for Team to respond with “However no matter how cute you are I will not spill anything”.

Mon who is not satisfied with this answer makes a sad face hoping that might draw Team over.

“Aww Mon come here and let me give you a kiss” says Team.

Mon who cannot get enough of Team’s kisses gets up and has already forgotten about wanting to know where they are going.

Day of the weekend away

It’s 9AM and Mon and Team are at the airport. Mon is following Team since he still has no idea where they are going. Mon however isn’t carrying anything since Team insisted he would carry all the luggage. He didn’t want Mon to get tired.

They arrive at the gate and Mon sees the word Phuket. His eyes lit up. He cannot believe Team is taking him to Phuket. He has never been there before. Team is looking at Mon and sees Mon looks like a kid in the candy store after they have gotten their favorite candy. The only thing Team can do is smile.

The flight isn’t that long but Mon is sleeping on the airplane since he had to get up real early.

They arrive a while later.

“What a great day to be here. The weather is great” says Team.

The only thing Mon can do is look around. It’s so pretty here is what Mon thinks.

“What are you thinking Mon? That it’s pretty here? Well it is but not as pretty as you” says Team.

Mon is still not used to Team saying things like that and starts blushing.

“And you are just too cute as well” says Team.

The first thing they do that day is looking for a place to eat since they are pretty hungry. They end up finding a nice restaurant in the village. After lunch Mon says he wants an ice cream. It’s his favorite thing. Team shaking his head as they just had lunch. But if Mon wants an ice cream then Team will get him an ice cream. This trip is about Mon’s happiness only. Nothing else.

The rest of the day is just spent walking around the village. And they decide to have dinner at the same place they had lunch. They head to the apartment Team has rented and decide to watch a movie before going to bed.

While they are in bed all cuddled up “How was today Mon”.

Mon looks at Team and then gives him a kiss on the cheek.

“Today was such a nice day. And the fact that I got to spend it with you made it even better”.

Team raises his hand to ruffle Mon’s hair and says “I am glad to be a part of it”.

The next day

“Team are we going to the beach today? Tell me we are” asks Mon while he is clinging onto Team. The only thing Team can do is laugh.

“You are such a little kid here. But yes we are going to the beach today” says Team.

Mon cannot hold his excitement. He has never been to the beach. His parents never had a lot of money so trips to the sea were out of the question.

The day at the beach was a whole lot of fun. Mon had the best day of his life. Just as they arrive back at the apartment the sky starts to get dark. “Let’s get inside Mon” says Team.

When they are inside Team suggests to watch another movie and they get all snuggled up on the couch. Not long after a flash lights up the room and a loud bang is heard.

“TEAM WHAT WAS THAT” says Mon, all scared. Mon has always been afraid of thunder and lightning.

“It seems we are having a thunderstorm. Don’t worry Mon we are inside and I am here with you”.

Just as Team said that another flash appears and suddenly all lights go out.

“TEAMMMMMM” screams Mon, while he starts crying.

Team hugs Mon tighter while he caresses his hair.

“Shhhh it’s okay. Just hold onto me” says Team.

Thankfully the storm didn’t seem to last that long. After it stopped Team lit some candles to light up the room. He then went back to Mon.

Mon who still is a bit shaken then says to Team “I am sorry for acting this way. I feel like such a coward”.

Team is a little bit taken back by what Mon says.

“Mon you aren’t a coward. There’s nothing wrong with being afraid of something”.

Mon however isn’t 100% assured and doesn’t dare to look at Team.

“Mon look at me please” says Team.

Mon then looks up only to lock eyes with Team.

Team raises his hand and places his hand on the side of Mon’s cheek.

“You don’t need to hide who you are. Showing you are afraid only makes you human”. And with that Team leans in and gives Mon a kiss.

“Let’s go to sleep” says Team after the kiss.

The last day

It’s the last day and Team has it all planned. Tonight they will have a romantic dinner at candle light. But before that they will have a sightseeing tour through the province of Phuket. Mon watches his eyes out. So many pretty places. He cannot believe Team took him here. It almost feels like a dream and that he is about to wake up.  

“Are you hungry already Mon? I booked us a seat at this great restaurant” says Team.

Mon nods. He is definitely hungry.

They arrive and the waiter brings them to their table. It’s somewhere at the back.

“Wow” says Mon.

“You like it here” asks Team.

“I cannot believe you took me to a place like this” says Mon.

They sit down and order their food. While they are waiting for their food Team starts talking.

“Mon I wanna tell you a couple things”.

Mon looks at Team and wonders what this is about.

“Mon, when I first met/saw you I felt all sorts of feelings I never felt before. They confused me. For me love didn’t exist. All I had where one night stands and bets with my friends about how quick I could have someone to fall for me. Only to dump them the next day for someone else. That’s how my life was. So at first I tried to push away these feelings and act like you were also just like the other guys I had. But then when we actually spent the night together it felt different. You made me feel something. You made me feel loved. Then the next day when I found out what my friend had said to you I was so upset. That wasn’t supposed to happen. I knew I had to do everything I could to get your trust back. To get the guy back that I guess it seems I was waiting for my whole life”.

“Mon I am so glad you gave me a second chance. I don’t know what I would have done without you. You light up my life. You make my life worth living for”.

Mon cannot believe what Team is all saying. No one has said those things to him before. And Mon cannot hold it anymore. He starts to cry.

“Mon what is going on. Did I say something wrong. Did I hurt you?” asks Team while taking a hold of Mon’s hand.

Team is panicking at the sight of Mon crying. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Mon then get’s of his chair and walks over to Team to sit on his lap.

“Team, I never thought true love existed either. I always thought it was something that only happened in dreams. And then when you made a move on me I couldn’t believe it. Only for it to be crushed the next day. I was so hurt. Why did I have to fall in love? You never gave up tho. At first I was hesitant to give you a second chance. I didn’t want to get hurt again. But you showed me I didn’t need to be afraid anymore. These tears are just tears of happiness. Of hearing someone saying things to me I never heard before. I am glad to be in your life Team”.

Team raises his hand to wipe away the tears on Mon’s face.

“Mon promise me you stay with me forever” says Team.

“I’ll promise” says Mon.

And with that Team kisses Mon.

#y-destiny #y-destiny the series #monteam #y-destiny fanfic #fanfic #fanfiction #happiness #genre: romance

[imagine-that-one-thing]

Her Majesty || 8

All Aboard.

The countryside was a wonderful time and a refreshing getaway, but I have been drawn back to reality and it has been nothing short of horrible from the moment I stepped foot back on the grounds of the palace. I’m starting to resent Buckingham, I can’t wait to move to Windsor or one of the other palaces; I’d be more than pleased to travel to the private palaces, we all know my love for Hillsborough Castle. I’m at the point where I want to get away from my father. I would like to have more space between us. Buckingham, although has 775 rooms, isn’t large enough for his temper and narcissism. My father doesn’t appear like my father, he is furious, all of the time. Nobody wants to be around him, and I am not quite sure how my mother deals with him. I don’t know whether or not she sees what the rest of us see, she is silent and using her time to do her duties. 

I heavily sigh as my ladies maid opens my bedroom door and steps inside my room, a small indication I have overstayed my welcome in my bed. I sit up as I gaze over at her, surprised that I have managed to stay this long in bed without being interrupted. “It is quiet,” I point out, cocking my head to the side while she steps closer and begins to adjust the covers of my bed. 

Since I got home a few weeks ago, the Palace has been far from placid, from my father firing and yelling at people to him throwing things around, today is the first morning I haven’t woken up to him on some sort of rampage. “Where’s my father? He is still alive, right?” I half chuckle. 

“He is in town, Anastasia, I’m not meant to talk to you.” 

I roll my eyes as I get out of bed and I shuffle closer to her, “That is nonsense, I don’t care what my father says, he is being a prick right now. You can talk to me, Eleanor.” I assure Eleanor, a little bothered that my father has decided to take his wrath out on the staff, they shouldn’t be frightened to speak to anyone, no matter the status. “What happened?” I prompt Eleanor, beginning to help her with making the bed. 

At first, she is hesitant, but I continue to probe her, eager to get an understanding of what is happening with the staff. “He doesn’t want anybody speaking… May I speak out of term?” 

“Go ahead.” 

As I have gotten older, I have been the one to listen to what the staff have to say, I don’t take much offence to their opinions or even their advice. I may be in line for a crown, but I am no better than they are, I still see them as equals. Sometimes, they are a better companion and support than my parents’. Don’t get me wrong, my parents’ have been excellent with raising me and shaping me into who I am. I have never had much of an issue with them, but when my parents’ were gone, it was the staff who also contributed to who I am, they helped me when I was at my whits ends, they encouraged me when I felt down, and they have stepped up as a friend when I have had nobody to turn to. There are somethings outside the castle that can’t be understood to most people. I haven’t had the privilege to have numerous friends’, they have all twisted into snakes, therefore, my circle is extremely small. To be honest, my circle consists essentially of Harry and the staff assigned to me who I have formed relationships with. My father doesn’t get to tell them they aren’t allowed to talk to me when they have done nothing wrong. 

“Princess,” Eleanor whispers, “I think-, I think he is scared the palace staff will rat him out.” 

“Rat him out?” I immediately question, my mind driving to race with the possible things that could be happening behind the scenes.

Eleanor looks around my room, scared that someone may overhear us, “I’m not sure, but nobody is allowed to speak and we aren’t allowed to clean his office, it is now off-limits.” 

I frown for a moment, unsure of what is going on, but I can’t help but remember what Harry told me over the weekend about how there are theories that all the staff have. I can only assume he knows a little something about what is going on. He has to know things, he is constantly watching and kept in the loop of things. 

“Where is Mr Styles?” I challenge, noticing how I have yet to see him this morning. He usually makes it a routine to at least stop by if he has other things to do. Usually, Harry steps in the room, kisses me goodbye and leaves or he will send me a text, but today, not a word.  

“He is escorting your father, he insisted on having the best of the best. I was told I need to have your suitcases packed, is there anything specific you would like to wear?” 

“Anything is fine, Eleanor, I have a few meetings and things to attend to, I trust your judgment of clothes.” … “The best of the best?” I raise a brow. 

Eleanor nods her head, “Mr Styles is the best, the entire palace knows it. Always on the move, assertive and knows what’s happening. His looks are also a bonus,” Eleanor chuckles. 

“Is it common knowledge that he is good at his job? Is this what the ladies maids do? Swoon over him?” I question with a laugh, rather intrigued. I have heard a few sly comments about Harry that the ladies have made before. 

“I don’t think he is aware of how good he is at his job, quite humble.”

“Mhm, let’s keep it that way. Too many compliments and he might gain an ego,” I playfully wink and Eleanor nods her head. “Does he have a girlfriend?” 

Eleanor shrugs her shoulders, “Nobody knows, he doesn’t talk much on personal matters when we are off the clock… He’s never really around. We have our speculations that he has a lady. We joke that he meets her in the underground tunnels around town.” 

“Everyone loves a mystery man,” I respond, “I will leave you alone now, I have to prepare for Greece.” I politely excuse myself from Eleanor and I’s conversation, discreetly moving to my closet to get dressed.

When I was rambling to Harry about running away to Greece or something, I did not mean I wanted to go to Greece because of royal duties. I guess the universe got my requests confused. I’m not sure why my father has decided a prompt royal visit is to happen. I am sure we will find out what the reason is. We don’t do significant business with Greece, in fact, I don’t remember my father ever having much collaboration with Greece. We have been to several countries on official state visits, but not Greece. There isn’t diplomatic sensitivity, at least, not in my opinion, so I can only assume it’s mainly because there is no monarchy in Greece. 

♔♔♔

I pace the aisle of the private plane, my nails tapping against my phone screen anxiously. I haven’t heard from Harry all day, no text or call, and here I am on a plane with no clue what’s happening. I have no clue why I am even on the plane, I don’t foresee there is any logical reason for us to be going to Greece. There are no foreign affairs for Greece that need our attention. If I had my way, I would be using this time and the taxpayers’ money to be going somewhere beneficial to the monarch, I would be doing a small trip to bring light to the monarch since Henry has created a turmoil of issues and slammed me with the press. But, I am not Queen, I do not have the say, it all lays in my father’s hands-on where we go as royals. 

I’m not entirely certain what the itinerary has me doing, I have a gut feeling that it will change one-hundred times before I get to the hotel, but with the way Eleanor packed my suitcase I can only assume this is going to entail five outfit changes in a day and consists of lunches or formal dinners’ with diplomats or god knows who. 

I gasp as I hear the plane door open and I immediately settle when I see Harry with his suitcase right behind him, “I’m sorry, just know I’m sorry,” Harry immediately begins as he gives me a quick kiss to the cheek before walking to place his suitcase at the back of the aircraft. “It has been a long and rough day, my phone is dead in one of my pockets and Matthew is probably going to strangle me for being late but it wasn’t my fault. Your Father almost missed his flight with British Airways and I don’t know why we can’t all just fly together and save me some time. Had to run to opposite ends of Heathrow.” Harry mutters, not too amused with his journey for the day. 

My parents are flying British Airways, meanwhile, I have the privilege of the private plane, mainly because my meetings ended later than my parents’ flight. “Yes, I know heirs can’t fly together, I’m just tired. Did Matthew already check the plane?” Harry glances over towards me before he shakes his head, not giving me a chance to respond, “Nevermind, I’ll check it myself. Before you ask one hundred questions, we have a full team of security, I’m on your service, there’s a new kid I have to train but that’s beside the point, high security, which means Matthew is concerned there’s a threat, so don’t stray.” Harry begins informing me of what he knows without me having to ask.

I guess he’s used to the questions by now.

Harry settles his hands between each seat, tugging at seatbelts and eyeing every inch of the plane he possibly can, “We should be taking off in a few minutes, it’s a clear flight plan. Matthew will sweep the hotel first. It’s a three and a half hour flight, we should be arriving at four in the morning since they’re two hours ahead of us.” 

“Harry,” I step in front of him as he’s manoeuvring his way around the plane, “You can relax. You’re like spitting out information.” 

Harry pauses for a moment and takes a breath, “Been a long day, I’m ready for bed, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s okay, 

“Why is the royal family going to Greece? Do they even have a king?” Harry questions. 

I shake my head, “The Constitution of Greece, which describes Greece as a "presidential-parliamentary republic"-“ I begin but I’m promptly cut off. 

“Darling, I’m tired, can you dumb it down or say it in English, please?” Harry offers me a petite smile, stopping me from rambling and explaining things thoroughly to him. 

“There’s no monarchy. In July 1973 the Greek military called a 'referendum', which abolished the Monarchy for the second time in Greek history.” 

“It failed, twice?” Harry curiously inquires. 

I nod my head, “The Greek monarchy existed from 1832 to 1924, and again from 1935 to 1974.” 

Harry grows withdrawn for a moment. “So, tell me again why we are being dragged to Greece?” 

“Well, I was hoping you’d have the answer to that.” 

“Why would I?” 

“You were with the king all day.” 

Harry heavily sighs and nods his head, “And it was a long day. But he didn’t tell me why we are all going to Greece, in fact, he barely spoke to me. Which, I’m fine with, I’ve heard he has been an ass to everybody.” 

“He didn’t mention anything?” 

Harry shakes his head, “No, nothing that could point to why we are going to Greece. Are they bringing back their monarchy?” 

It appears as though we are both at a loss as to why this trip is happening. There has to be someone who knows the exact reasons. The itinerary doesn’t reveal much. For the most part, it is my father doing most of the obligations solo and at unusual hours. 

“I highly doubt it. Maybe we have finally been invited by the Greek president to make a state visit? Maybe he wants to boost ties in the region? I don’t know. Nobody wants to be around him, nobody knows what the hell he is doing. I think he’s going to end up turning the monarch to shit.” I inform Hary of my opinions. Up until recently, he has done a standup job with handling things and with keeping the monarch up to high standards, but for some reason, he has flipped a switch. 

He wants me to get married and to take over for no real reason. There is no reason for him to abdicate and I don’t see why he would want me to stand in for him. This isn’t a situation where he is handing me his legacy because he thinks I am fit for the job because let’s be real, he doesn’t think I am ready yet. I’m not ready for the responsibility,  but everyone wants to bestow it upon me. It is all anybody talks about since it was announced. 

“I don’t think he’ll ruin the monarchy, I’m sure he knows what he’s doing.” 

“Yeah, burning it to the ground,” I grumble. 

Harry grows reserved for a moment before clearing his throat and speaking, “Would that be such a bad thing?” …. “I mean, I’m just asking as a future king, ya know?” Harry immediately adjusts his tone, regarding my glare and the fact I’m not amused by the concept of the monarchy burning to the ground. 

I hum, “Mhm, I’m sure the future king is very concerned about the monarchy.” 

“Of course, I am. I mean, the people’s lives are in my hands.” 

“Steady there, don’t get too far ahead,” I chuckle, “There’s no way my people's lives are in your hands.” 

“Wouldn't they be our people?” Harry emphasises ‘our.’

I roll my eyes playfully, a chuckle escaping between my lips. This is why I love this man. “Uhm, do you know how the monarch works, darling? You’re lucky if they honour you as king consort, and at this rate, you aren’t being honoured at all, did you forget? Nobody knows we are engaged because everything will fall apart.” 

“I don’t care if I don’t have an honour title as long as I’m your husband.” 

“You can claim that title when we get married.” 

Harry nods his head before slumping down in a seat, his hands rubbing his eyes while his elbows rest on his knees. 

While Harry takes a minute to decompress and relax, I begin to rethink everything that has been packed, the feeling of forgetting something sinking into my thoughts. 

I mentally check off the things that I’m aware have been handled, passport, black outfit (mourning attire), skincare, makeup, jewellery. “I feel like I’m forgetting something,” I murmur, watching as Harry leans back and closes his eyes, “The luggage has all been counted for, right?” I ask Harry, aware that he has probably double-checked everything as well. 

“It is hard to ignore the colour-coded luggage system. It’s all perfect, monograms and all,” Harry responds with a petite grin, “I know you’re staring at me, stop,” Harry chuckles. 

“Harry, I’m forgetting something… luggage, passport..” I begin to think out loud. 

I can’t wholly think of what it is, but there is a deep-rooted sense in the pit of my stomach that I can’t shake. It is either my gut telling me I have forgotten something or my intuition is screaming at me for some reason. I can’t assume it is a bad feeling,  but whatever it is, I can’t seem to shake it. Whatever it is, it worries me.

“Did you forget your ring?” Harry opens an eye and glances at me with droopy, grey eyes. 

I shake my head, drawing my necklace out and showing him my ring on the chain, “It’s here… oh no… Harry…” 

“What?” He softly challenges, still wanting to doze off. 

“My briefcase, it has all my documents and work in it, correspondents and—“ I begin to fret. 

“I got it.” Harry cuts me off with a heavy sigh, “I saw it when I had to grab your father’s luggage because he fired his damn valets.” 

I let out a breath of relief and smile at him while I carefully decide to rest in his lap, straddling his hips.

He opens his eyes, blinking at me. I don’t say a word, instead, I lean down and leave a trail of sugary kisses on his neck and jawline. His hands move and rest to the small of my back as he lets out a heavy breath. “Anna,” Harry whispers. “Darling, I can’t, I’m tired. I love you, but the next four hours are the only hours I get to sleep, as soon as we land I have to work, can we finish this later?” 

“Later? We won’t have time, I have my duties.” I huff, a little irritated that he is turning me down. We have been too busy and constantly surrounded by people that we have not had many moments to be intimate. 

“I promise there will be time, I’ll make sure of it.” 

“What do you even have to do when we land? Can’t you come to the hotel with me?” I ask Harry, batting my eyes at him in an attempt to get my way.

“I have to make sure the itinerary is being kept secret by the palace. I have to do my job, Anna, so many things to do before your family meets with the public officials, or the world leaders, I don’t know what the hell your Dad has fully planned. What I know is that I have a lot to do. I have a new guy to train, I’ll be jumping from your service to the kings—“ Harry begins to somewhat ramble about things, his thoughts running at one-hundred different things. “You need to do your SAS training, you have a refresher course to do.” 

“Just go to sleep, you need to turn your thoughts off. Turned down again.” I mutter unhappily, getting off of him and sitting in the seat beside his. 

Harry sighs heavily and places his hand on my thigh, trying to inch towards my hand, “Come on, don’t be like this.”

“No,” I shift his hand away. 

“Anna—” 

“Don’t ‘Anna’ me.” 

“Princess.” Harry is purposely attempting to irritate me now. 

I glare at him and huff. “Don’t, you know how I feel about being called a princess by you.” 

“Darling,” Harry sighs, “I’m tired, I am. I love you and I’m not turning you down. I know it has been a while but I promise we will find the time.”

I understand he is exhausted, he has been working without much sleep for the last few weeks. I am not solely sure what he has been working on. Harry hasn’t had to watch over me; I have kept to myself at the palace and been in the office doing paperwork, responding to letters and over the phone conferences.  “Go to sleep.”

“Tell me you love me, too,” Harry sleepily requests. 

I rest my head on his shoulder, allowing my fingers to slip between his, “I love you, too.” I respond.

♔♔♔

 Harry's pov 

Since landing at four this morning, I haven’t slept or stopped working, I feel as though it has been one thing after another that has necessitated my direct attention. 

It’s times like this that I wonder why I agreed to become a royal bodyguard, life would be more peaceful if I had stayed in the countryside with my mother, but then I wouldn’t have met Anna.  

I’m on the Kings service for most of the day, and I already despise it. He’s not the most straightforward man to look after at the moment. He can’t give me a full list of the men and women he desires to meet today, therefore not permitting me to do a fitting background check to ensure the safety of the family. He won’t cooperate at all, and I’ve already had to play hide and seek with him twice. By the time I’m off his service, I’m going to require a stiff drink, perhaps even the bottle. I’m not sure what has shifted with the king, but he is not acting like himself. Well, he’s acting shadier than usual, and it doesn’t settle well with me. Matthew has noticed a few red flags but not enough to take too much action, not that he can do anything, he is hired by the king, who is Matthew to confront the king? 

I take a sip of my third coffee of the morning and stroll down the hallway of the hotel room, checking each door handle in the corner of my eye, making sure they all still have the do-not-disturb sign on them. We’ve managed to clear the floor so only the royals and the staff are on it. If any sign is disrupted, I know we aren’t the only ones using certain rooms. I reach the end of the hallway where I meet the trainee, Oliver. 

I give him a nod and he clears his throat, “The princess hasn’t come out.” 

“Mhm, I was requested to go over protocol for today with her. While I explain it to her, I expect you’re already aware of the procedures and the itinerary?” I challenge, taking another sip of my coffee— I need something stronger. If it wasn’t immoral I would add a shot of liquor to this coffee.

Oliver nods his head, “Yes. Do I ride in the car with her?” 

“Yes, and you never let her open or close her car door. Don’t let anyone touch her, today isn’t about hugs.” I inform Oliver. “Do you know where the nearest A&E in case of a medical emergency?” I question, making sure he has the basics covered. 

I don’t assume a trip to A&E is on the cards but there is no telling what will happen. 

Oliver nods his head, “Twelve minutes from where we will be at. And twenty-five minutes from this hotel.” 

“Correct.” I swipe the key to her room. “Put your tie on before you leave for the event,” I instruct firmly. I know wearing a tie is irritating and an insignificant thing, but we have to fit in with everyone else, which means dressing the part as well. If photos are taken, we don’t want to look like the odd ones out in the background. Also, it is part of our attire when diplomats and possible other royals are around. 

I walk into Anastasia’s room and close the door behind me. I step closer towards her as she remains at the edge of the bed in her coat-dress, “Good morning, sweetheart.” I softly beam, leaning down and kissing her cheek. 

She looks beautiful. I am one lucky man. 

“Good morning. You never came to bed last night.” Anastasia gazes up at me while I take a step back. 

“Your father has had me working since we landed. Already done two meetings and I’m on my third? Cup of coffee. Could it be my fourth?” I challenge myself, unsure of what number I am on. 

Anastasia beams up at me, “I’m sorry, will you be on my service today?” 

She’s hopeful, I can recognise it in her eyes, but we both know the answer. “I’m leaving you in the hands of my trainee, but I’ll keep a close eye on him and you. Your father wants me. Not sure why.” I inform Anastasia, placing my cup of coffee down before I kneel before her, “Maybe tonight I’ll make it to bed,” I smile up at her, taking one of her heeled shoes and sliding it on her foot. 

Anastasia sighs, “I hope so, I’m tired of sleeping alone.” 

I fiddle with the clasp of her shoe, struggling to clip the damn thing securely around her ankle, “At least you’re sleeping,” I mutter under my breath, not meaning to sound like a prick. Once the words slip from my mouth, I know she didn’t deserve the comment. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” 

Anastasia shakes her head as she leans back on her elbows, waiting for me to clasp her other shoe for her, “I’d be irritated too if I was you.” 

“Well, doesn’t mean I’m entitled to snarky comments with you.” I point out my own mistake. 

“I’ll remind you the next time we argue and you throw me snarky comments.” Anastasia chuckles. 

I roll my eyes before I stand to my feet. I tower over her before I place a hand on either side of her on the bed, gingerly lowering myself closer to her. “That doesn’t count,” I whisper, kissing her lips slowly and sweetly. 

My lips proceed to brush themselves against the delicacy of hers, teasing her for a brief moment. I take possession of her mouth, my lips syncing with hers, tongues colliding while her shameless hands investigate my body, one hand pressed to the back of my neck, the other travelling up and down my body, cunningly, undecided on what part she wants to devour more. 

I can’t help myself as I drag my lips from hers and begin to leave kisses down her neck, loving the sensation of her fevered skin and her breaths accelerating. Amid audacious hands striving to seize every inch she concedes, my own hands working their way to the hem of her dress, delicately gliding my warm hand gradually up the side of her leg, my fingers resting when I touch the lace hidden under her dress. I leisurely creep my agile fingers to fondle the lace line, delicately dipping my fingers around them, the bold caress of her tongue becoming further filled with passion, my fingers mildly teasing her with every graze over the lace. 

I move them to the side and before I can do anything, a knock at the door sounds. “Fuck,” I murmur with a heavy breath. 

“Harry,” she breathes, “Please.” 

“I can’t explain this to the King on why I am late, I need my job.” 

Anastasia huffs and sits up, adjusting her dress as I move away from her, “You can afford racehorses, I think you’d be fine.” 

“Without a job, I could never afford your lifestyle,” I respond. 

I might be able to afford racehorses and a few other things; I am not grappling for money, but it doesn’t mean I can leave my job. I make great money with what I do, I know it won’t ever be enough to buy some of the things Anastasia has, but I can afford to look after both of us with what I have… As long as I have a job. 

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

 I roll my eyes with a sigh, “I have to go, start looking for a wedding dress.” 

“I spent most of the flight over here looking while you were asleep. You know, we aren’t too far from Skopelos.” Anastasia points out, reminding me of her comment in my mother’s garden when she wanted to elope and move to Skopelos.

“We are very far,” I chuckle.

“So we aren’t eloping to Skopelos?” Anastasia grins while I adjust my shirt and tie. 

I shake my head, “Sorry, can’t make it happen.”

I can’t make it happen, it did cross my mind to endeavour to take a few hours to go elope, but the itinerary doesn’t give us enough time. 

“Can we talk about our wedding?” 

“We aren’t eloping in Skopelos, but yes, when I��m not on your father’s service, goodbye before he kills me.” I step to where I left my coffee, cupping it in my hand as I wander towards the hotel door. I need to walk out before I end up hovering over her again. 

I step out of Anna’s room where Oliver and Matthew stare at me with their pockets in their hands, “She is well aware of the protocol,” I inform them both, keeping up the charade. Matthew hides his smirk as he clears his throat and nods. I should probably be more careful about how I handle things with the new guy, I’m not sure whether he can be trusted or not, and since he’s on my service, I need to have excuses for why I’m around Anna when I technically don’t need to be. I’ll be glad when we aren’t having to hide and tiptoe around everybody, but I have this feeling that things won’t change soon. 

“Harry, the King is ready for you to escort him to the car. Oliver, you’re with the Princess. I’ll be watching you both and scouring the boat.” Matthew informs Oliver and me, keeping a stern glare towards Oliver. It’s not the easiest to train someone when I’m having to be on someone else’s service, but I’ll do my best to watch him from afar and keep an eye on him. Surely, he can manage a few hours while we are all together. 

I nod my head and begin to wander down the carpeted hallway, enjoying my last few moments of silence and coffee before I’m thrown into the hectic world of watching over the King. 

♔♔♔

I stand beside the King, examining each person who shakes his hand, one immediately catching my attention. I take note as his eyes shift from the king to me, following my suit jacket and resting at my waistband. He can be gazing at one of two things, and I sure as hope he’s looking at, or for, the pistol that I have hidden in my waistband but not where it can be seen. I stare the man down and he pretends to stare innocently in another direction. I continue to stare him down until the King decides to move forward, moving to another area of the boat with one of the few men he has been talking to. 

I accompany the king around on the tour of this navy boat, not impressed with the boat itself, more so interested in why there’s a meeting with leaders on a retired navy boat. This has to be the most pointless and uninteresting reveal that I have had to attend. I don’t understand why this was on the itinerary or even why Anastasia came but the Queen was able to stay at the hotel.  

The King’s conversations have been kept very hushed, not even I can listen in too much, for some reason, the King doesn’t want me hearing and he is doing everything possible to keep me in the dark when it comes to the conversations taking place. At least he isn’t running off on me like he has a few times. I am surprised he hasn’t forced me to stay in a corner while he discusses affairs with these men. I chew on the corner of my mouth, noticing that Anna and Oliver are nowhere around me. I side-eye towards Matthew, looking towards him for instructions or some sort of update. He knows my look when I want an update on Anastasia. It takes Matthew a moment to catch my stare before I hear him come through my earpiece. 

“You have a relentless stare. She is fine, Oliver is downstairs with her. Watch the man in front of you, he’s pacing,” Matthew instructs, forcing my attention to go towards the man who already has an eye on me. I mentally sigh, reminding myself that deep down, I love my job. 

With a swift moment to spare, I glance at my phone— no signal. It hits me. This meeting is happening off the grid, there’s nothing to track us besides the tender boats that we took out here and it also means no unwanted people can listen in on conversations. 

“Harry.” The king grasps my attention, pulling me to the side once one of his conversations is dismissed. “This isn’t the unveiling of an old boat like I thought, get Anna out. Leave my service and take her to the hotel.” The King instructs, catching me off guard for a moment.

Just a little ago, Matthew informed me Anastasia was fine. I am not sure what has altered, I can only imagine that the King has picked up on how these men he is engaging with don’t appear to have great intentions. No government officials or royals have ever looked me up and down in search of any weapon I may have on my person. I have never been watched by multiple people as I have today. Things don’t add up, things haven’t added up from the start.

I waste no time following my orders. I discreetly leave the king and radio into Matthew, attempting to explain the orders in code in case anyone is listening to me and observing me. 

I weave in and out of areas of the boat, thanking god for my photographic memory, this ship is a maze in itself.

I discover Oliver who is guarding Anastasia. I stand beside him, “Go to Matthew, don’t speak to anyone, understand?” I mutter loud enough for the two of us to hear. He glances over at me with furrowed brows, confused and wanting to question me. I don’t blame him, he’s new and has no clue what’s happening, he needs an explanation but not right now. “Go,” I instruct firmly. I trump him, and if he can’t listen to me and take my instructions in situations, he doesn’t need to be apart of our travel team. I don’t need anyone to question my authority or my instructions when on duty. I despise travelling as it is, I don’t need others to make it more difficult. Matthew and I have a system, we know what to do in situations and we know how to communicate; Matthew trusts me and knows me. I require Oliver to listen and learn. 

Oliver steps away and walks off, leaving me with Anna who has three officials talking with her. I heavily sigh as I think for a moment, needing a way to lure her away from her conversation. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” I begin with half a smile as the men stare me down like I have interrupted a presidential speech. “But I was asked to check on you, your father knows how you are on boats.” 

“Uh— not the best.” 

“Princess, would you like to get some air?” I suggest, trying my best not to tip anyone off that she’s getting off the boat. I don’t trust anyone on this damn thing and her father shouldn’t have put any of us in this position. 

Anastasia nods and excuses herself from the three men. 

Without a word, I begin to escort Anna through the boat. I don’t say a word and she continues to walk beside me, allowing me to lead the way. This will be the last time I work on a damn boat that has too many areas to keep track of. I can’t watch my back and lead her to an exit at the same time. I need a damn map. We are stopped by two men, one of them being the one that was searching for my pistol. “Princess Anastasia, I haven’t had a chance to talk to you,” he grins ear to ear, “I hear you’ll be taking over the monarchy soon, or is it all rumour?” 

Anastasia politely smiles and shakes her head, “That’s not up to me to decide. It was nice seeing you.” 

“Where are you going?” He questions, blocking us from walking further.

Nosy. I see. I don’t like him. There’s something about him that is far from charming. Before Anastasia can answer, I begin to speak. “She needs some air.” 

“I’ll join you.” 

“No need to join, just a bit of motion sickness.” 

The man stares at for a moment, testing my patients. “You can barely feel the boat move.” 

I clench my jaw with icy content, taking a breath and stopping myself from escalating matters and shoving him against the wall. One step closer and I might just have to put my hands on him. “She’s sensitive,” I respond, placing an arm around her, forcing my way between the two men and leading her away. 

I finally make it to the outside and onto the deck of the boat, relieved more than ever.

I tenderly tug on Anastasia, stopping her from walking. I can’t turn around to see if we are being watched, it would be too obvious. Anna turns to gaze at me, “Anna, look discreetly over to my left, is anyone watching?” 

“Yes.” 

“Fuck,” I mutter before letting out a heavy sigh. “One person?” 

“Yes.” 

I tilt my head to my left, “Eagle, I’m being watched. Be Careful. Send me Eaglet.” I radio into Matthew in code. If we are being watched, we are being listened to as well. It’s a no brainer. 

Getting Anastasia out of here without issues is proving harder than I had anticipated, the slightest tip-off to anyone that we know something is happening could potentially make things worse. We need to get Anastasia and her father off this boat promptly and subtly.

“Harry, what’s happening?” 

I shake my head, not wanting to answer her question, signalling for her to stay quiet for a moment as I listen to what Matthew is striving to tell me. 

“I can’t hear you, I have interference,” I respond, carefully peering over my shoulder to see where the watchers are. “Eagle, come in?” 

Matthew responds but I can’t understand him, it’s like static on an old radio, and pierces my ears. It’s the sickening screech of an AM radio where it gives you a headache for a split second and makes you reconsider ever wanting to listen to the radio again. Matthew attempts again to get through to me, but the screeching pitch causes me to take my earpiece out. 

Something's not right. 

I check my pockets and subtly pet myself down, looking to feel for any sort of difference within my suit jacket, although highly unlikely I’m to discover anything. 

Anastasia stares at me, her hand pressed to the railing of the boat while I take my jacket off and shake it out. Nothing. 

I take notice of her for a moment, taking my attention away from my search, “You okay? Motion sickness isn’t kicking in is it?” 

Anastasia shakes her head, “I’m fine, you’re making me anxious here.”

I slide my jacket back up my arm and I step forward, closing the space between Anastasia and I. “Don’t say a word, I’m just checking something,” I whisper in her ear as softly as I possibly can, gently pressing my hands behind her, feeling every inch of her back— nothing. There’s nothing on her back. I carefully slip my hand into her jacket pocket, grasping the small circular device between my fingers. 

I discreetly remove the small device from her pocket and I lean over her to drop it into the water. “You were bugged,” I inform her, not too pleased with how the events of the day are taking place. Oliver shouldn’t have let anyone close enough to her for her to be bugged. “I’m trying to get you off the boat, this was meant to be some unveiling of an old ship, but it has turned into… how do I put this…” I begin, unsure of how to explain to her that some shady things are happening, “Just... just know I need to get you off the boat, okay?” I mutter, glancing around in an attempt to find something to help me figure out what the hell I’m meant to do. 

There’s a reason why I sought to tell the King being on a boat with foreign leaders and God knows who, was a dangerous idea, but he refused to listen to me. 

Sometimes I wonder why I stay in my position of job, life would be simpler if I quit my job. I could find something less bothersome. Special intelligence is only riveting when the king listens or when Anastasia isn’t in harm's way. 

“Protocol?” She whispers, her voice breaking as her eyes grow wide, the sensation of danger settling in. 

I nod my head, “Don’t panic, I’ll think of something.” 

“How? We’re stuck on a boat and—“ She’s spiralling, I can see it in her eyes that she’s beginning to panic and mentally think of scenarios that could occur. 

This is the part I loathe. 

“Anna, darling,” I kindly cut off her, “Let me do my job and worry, just trust me. I’m trained for this.” I remind her of my duty, at the moment I’m not her fiancée, I’m her bodyguard that has her life in his hands. I’m the one who is trained to take a bullet for her, I do it because it’s my job, but also because I’m madly in love with her. 

“Trained to get me off a boat in the middle of a volcano?” Anastasia questions, pointing out the location of the boat. 

“Actually, a water-filled caldera is what it’s called.” I correct her, not knowing how to handle the situation besides using a sense of humour. 

“Harry.” 

I heavily sigh and my eyes catch a glimpse of the distance between the boat and the shoreline, “You can swim, right?” 

“Yes?” 

“You might have to.” I flick my head towards the water, causing Anastasia to stare at me. 

“This isn’t funny.” 

She’s going to kill me. But if it comes down to it, I need to know that she understands that she might have to take the plunge. 

“It’s the last resort, but uh… it might have to happen,” I respond, “I’ll get you off, one way or another.” 

“Why can’t we just keep the peace and stay until we’re meant to get off?” 

“Because this doesn’t seem like a peaceful ending, just stay with me, okay?” 

“What do these people want?” 

“Sweetheart, I don’t know. I don’t have many answers. Come with me.” I mutter, beginning to get frustrated, but not with her. I’m frustrated that we are put in this situation, I’m frustrated that the king ignored the red flags that Matthew and I expressed, I’m frustrated that because of the King's ignorance and determination, we are in a mess that I’m not sure we can get everyone out of. 

The people on this boat are not here for a grand tour of an old navy boat that has come back to life, this isn’t a celebration or a coming of a union, this is a nightmare, a nightmare that could have been prevented. 

I should have listened to my instincts and told Anna to stay at the hotel, I should have done the thorough background check on each member, but the King had me occupied running errands with him and meeting with other leaders. He managed to direct my attention away from where it needed to be, he created his destiny with this mess and he’ll have to reap what he has sowed. 

I follow the edge of the railing and Oliver finally comes into view, stepping out of one of the doors. Anna and I make our way towards him and I waste no time with barking orders. 

“Get her off the boat,” I instruct, gesturing towards Anna.

Oliver shakes his head, “I can’t, there is no way off, we are all being watched. The next Tender isn’t for another hour.” Oliver responds, looking at me for answers that I don’t have. Part of me feels bad for him, his first trip and attempt at being a part of our team and he has been thrown into this monstrosity. 

“Get her off the boat or keep her safe for an hour.” 

“How?” 

“Get creative, I don’t care if you go through the galley, keep her safe.” 

“What’s the galley?” Oliver questions. 

“For christ sake,” I shake my head, surely he isn’t this dense. “Either get her off the boat or keep her safe for an hour. Keep her safe. If anything happens to her, I will personally kill you, got it?”

Oliver nods his head, his eyes wide as he nervously peers around. I can’t believe I am leaving her with him, but I have no choice, I know I need to get back to the King, he is my priority at the moment, I am on his service, I have Anna somewhat safe, I have to do this. 

I turn towards Anastasia and I lean closer to her, “I love you, take my jacket, there’s a spare in the inside breast pocket.” I whisper in her ear before I slide my jacket down my arms. Anastasia takes her jacket off and I take her jacket and give her a small smile before I throw it overboard. 

She stares at me with the eyes of daggers, and as much as I wish I could laugh, now is not the time to let my guard down. There was already one bug in her jacket, there could be more. I slide my jacket up her arms while she huffs, a clear indication that she is far from pleased with me. Right now, pleasing her isn’t a part of my job description, she will have to get over it.

I kiss her on the cheek before I look towards Oliver, “I’m serious, if anything happens to her—“ 

“I get it, you’ll kill me,” Oliver nods his head. 

I don’t want to leave her with him, but I know I’ve given her enough hints and tips over the years for her to figure out ways to keep safe if Oliver fails. All I can do is pray that nothing happens to her. 

I march away from the two of them and I begin to make my way to the men who have been watching. I climb the stairs and disregard them as I walk past them. I feel their eyes burn into my back but I don’t dare turn around. I keep moving forward. I have bigger fish to fry. 

I walk the different passageways of the ship, striving to locate Matthew and the King. I can’t get any response from the radio and there’s no cell service for me to track any phones, all I can do is rely on memory for how the ship is built. 

“Where’s the princess?” I’m distracted from my search and I stop in my tracks. I turn around to face the same man who was trying to look for my concealed pistol. 

“Why?” 

“She’s meant to be in a meeting.” 

“She’s unwell and won’t be attending the meeting,” I respond. 

“Where is she?” He’s determined to get his hands on her from the sounds of things, and I’m not okay with it. 

I lift my shoulders into a shrug, “Don’t know, but do you know where the King is? I assume his meeting is where hers is meant to be as well?” I’m somewhat being a smartass. There’s no way in hell anyone is going to tell me where the king is, everyone is shady. The man stares at me in an attempt to assert dominance. 

I heavily sigh and reach behind my hip where my pistol is. I use my left arm to push the man against the wall before my right-hand holds the barrel of my pistol to his neck. “Tell me where the king is and don’t cat and mouse me. I’m not in the mood.” 

The man gulps, his life perhaps flashing before his eyes as he begins to stutter, “I-I—“ 

“Spit it out. Where are they?” I demand.

“Upper deck near the upper deck escape hatch, there’s a room, they’re there.” 

With my pistol in position against his skin, I use my other hand to promptly search him, finding his pistol and shoving it where I keep mine when it isn’t in my hand. 

“Lead the way.” I instruct, pulling him away from the side of the wall and pushing him in front of me, keeping the gun to his back, “Don’t try any funny business.” I forewarn, pushing him to start leading to where I need to go. 

♔♔♔

I cough out the portion of seawater I managed to inhale as I eventually manage to get to the shore, pushing myself to get a little further before I give myself a break, collapsing to the sand. I glance to my side and Matthew and the King are doing the same, all of us coughing out salty water. My lungs burn from the salty intake and my body aches from the long-drawn swim and the bitter coldness of the Aegean sea.

I take a few deep breaths, “Everyone okay?” I cough while the King assists me to my feet. 

“Ye’ a fuckin’ asshole,” The King murmurs.

I glance at him, moving my arm into an L formation and holding it with my other hand, “I guess that is code for thankyou,” I respond, trying not to lean on the King as we both move away from the water but I can’t help it. 

All three of us sit on the sand and take the moment to fully catch our breath back and rest what little strength we have left from fighting the currents. We sit in silence, nothing but the crashing of the waves echoing between us. I stare out into the water, keeping an eye on the navy ship we left behind, all we can see of it is the lights of the boat. We left the vessel at dusk and at nightfall, we have made it. 

With heavy breaths, I think about the events that have transpired. 

I stared at the king as he scowled at me, not wanting to take my instructions for the hundredth time since we landed here in Greece. “Sir, if you do not jump, they will kill all three of us, jump.” I raised my voice towards the King who was contemplating whether jumping was the best option. At that point, it was the only option. 

When I was lead to the king and Matthew, I encountered Matthew being held at gunpoint and the King tied up. I don’t know what lead the two of them to that point, but I do know that everyone on this boat is against us. No amount of training can prepare you for the moment you have to fire your pistol to save not just the King but also the head of security. No amount of training prepares you for the sight I walked into and created. Untying the king was easy, getting all of us out and away from the other members on the boat, not so much. I heard a gunshot and my eyes widened, but none of us was hit, the shot came from another area of the boat. I held my breath for a moment, hoping and praying that Anastasia managed to get off the boat. “Get up, let’s go!” I commanded, hauling the King to his feet and shooting a glare towards Matthew, requiring his direction. From that moment, it is mostly a blur. Everything happened quickly. 

I glanced around, taking note that nobody had yet to follow us to the point in the boat where we were at, but it was only a matter of time before we were discovered. “Sir, you have to jump, we need to get off,” I commanded again, driving him closer to the edge. 

A gunshot fired and for a split second, my world froze, my breath hitched in my throat and I looked behind me. I disregarded the King and pushed him into the water, giving him no option. It was and still is my job to take a bullet for him and keep him safe, no matter what it takes. 

“They were going to kill us, weren’t they?” The King questions, taking me from my thoughts and breaking the silence between us, the realisation of what happened finally settling in with him. 

I nod my head, “Anna,” I breathe out, suddenly becoming alert with the fact I have no earthly idea on where she is. 

The King punches my shoulder, causing extreme pain to shoot through me so severely that it makes me want to throw up. “You were in charge of her, don’t you dare tell me you don’t know where the fuck she is.” 

I wince, slamming my eyes shut and I bow my head, trying to catch my breath back as it feels like I have had the wind knocked out of me, “Matthew,” I cough, “Where’s Anna?” 

“Fuck mate, I didn’t put a full swing behind the punch.” The King positions himself in front of me, Matthew inching closer. The king wastes no time with unbuttoning my button-down, trying to move the material to get a look at my shoulder. 

I look past him and glance towards Matthew, “Find, Anna,” I instruct. 

“Harry, how the fuck did you swim?” The King questions with wide eyes. 

I shake my head, not concerned about myself, I did my job, I got us all to safety. “Find your daughter, I left her with Oliver.” She wasn’t on my service, I did my job as security but I failed as her fiancee. “Everything is wet, we can’t call,” I mutter, using my good hand in an attempt to reach into my pocket, unfortunately realising that there is no way my phone or radio will work. 

“Harry, she is fine. She got off,” Matthew informs me while the King runs his finger over my collarbone, causing me to flinch once he reaches the corner of my shoulder. 

Thank God she is okay. I don’t think I could have ever forgiven myself if I had of left a dangerous situation meanwhile she was still on the boat. I should have stopped to think before following Matthew and the King with swimming to shore. I should have double-checked. I a notorious for double-checking but this time, I failed. I failed on many levels. 

“What did you do?” I look at the King, wanting answers in an attempt to ignore the throbbing pain I am feeling and have been feeling since the boat. 

The King stares at me for a moment, his lips curling into icy contempt. He wants to lie to me, but he can’t think of anything plausible. “Don’t lie to me,” I continue with a heavy breath, my eyes and body burning. I know I am overstepping my job description, but if I can dodge bullets and swim for my life, I can ask for an explanation for what the hell is happening. 

The King nods his head, bowing it in defeat, “Ever love someone so much you’d do anything for them?”

I nod my head, knowing all too well what it is like to love someone so much you would do anything for them. I would walk to the ends of the earth for Anastasia, I would wholeheartedly do anything for her, no matter the cost. Of course, I cannot tell the King that that ‘someone’ is his daughter, although, I wish I could. 

“They saved my wife. When I first married my wife, a terrible accident happened, Harry, she was dying in my arms. They saved her, I vowed to do anything in return, and from that night, I have had a debt to pay.” 

“Who is they?” Matthew quickly questions. 

“The Ace’s,” The King whispers the name, almost too scared to speak of the name too loudly. 

I grow withdrawn for a moment, trying to figure out who he is talking about, then it hits me. “No,” I breathe out, putting the pieces together. 

“Henry’s family saved my wife. When Henry was born, they forced my hand and made me promise he would one day be King and have a higher royal title than what he was born with. I paid them for years but the money isn’t enough. They want his title, they want the estates, everything, they want it all to cover their debts. I can’t give them what they want if Anastasia doesn’t marry him.” 

“So, they orchestrated all of this?” I ask, needing to understand things. 

The King nods his head, “A life for a life. They saved my wife and I haven’t kept up to my end of the deal so they want my life in return. The Ace’s have to be behind what happened, they are a big influence with who was on the boat, turned them against me.”

“All of this for a fucking crown?” I mutter. 

“Harry!” Matthew scolds. 

“It’s fine,” The King sighs, “Things were fine until that family started their ‘life for a life’, I didn’t want to include Anna in any of this but they forced it. It was either try and force their relationship or they…” The king trails off. 

“Or they what?” I quickly ask. I don’t think I want to know the rest of the sentence. I can read between the lines, but I need to hear things first hand. 

“They threatened to kill her.” 

I shake my head, not wanting to hear anything further, I have had enough for one day, “I’m ready to go to the hotel, it is fucking cold,” I mutter, forcing myself to my feet. 

“Mate, we need to get you to a hospital.” 

“I’m not going to a hospital, I want to go to the hotel. We need to get the fuck out of this place. It is safest for all of us to be back home.” 

“Let me take care of that, Harry, we need to—” Matthew begins but I cut him off. 

“I’m not going to a hospital here. If they catch any of us at the hospital, it is game over, that will be the first place the look expecting the King to have been shot.” 

♔♔♔ ♔♔♔ 

Matthew and I stand in the elevator, watching the golden numbers increase slowly. 

“Matthew, I want Anna on a plane back home.” 

“Harry—“ 

“Matthew,” I cut him off, not wanting to hear anything about the fact that it isn’t my decision since it is a royal duty, “We may not be married just yet but for the sake of this conversation, I want my wife on a plane back home, now.” 

“I’ll have the jet ready for her as soon as we wake her, we’re all getting out of here. The palace will be in lockdown, we will take them in through the tunnels before deciding where to keep them. I don’t think Buckingham is the safest.” 

I nod my head as the elevator doors open and we step out, discussing a few things as we walk down the hallway. 

I stand in front of Oliver and he looks me up and down, “Please don’t kill me.” 

I glare at him, unsure of why I’d kill him if he got Anna here safely, “She tripped, but she’s fine, barely even a scratch.” 

“It’s your lucky night, even if I wanted to kill you right now, I probably couldn’t,” I half chuckle, “Good job, Eaglet.” 

“Thank you. She has been asking for you every thirty-minutes… are you two a couple?” 

“No, I just do my job very well.” I dismiss his question about the relationship. I can’t tell him about the relationship. I don’t tell anyone about us, mainly because Anna doesn’t want everything to be exposed and right now, I don’t need everything to be exposed. With what’s happening with Henry and the intent of them murdering the king or Anna, I don’t think it would be a good idea for our relationship to be outted. I can only imagine the turmoil it’ll cause. Fuck. 

Matthew and I both step into Anastasia’s room. The light is on and she’s wrapped up in a blanket on the bed with the television on low. “Harry!” She’s quick to her feet. 

Matthew lets go of me and I open my arm for her, welcoming her with a partial hug. I kiss the top of her head, “Hey, darling.” 

Anastasia steps away from my half-hug, instantly looking me up and down, “You’re wet, and look like hell. What happened? Are you okay? Matthew, what happened?” 

“Princess, pack your things,” Matthew instructs and Anna looks towards me. 

“Sweetheart, just listen. Do you need help packing?” I offer, not wanting to have to explain everything to her right now. 

If I’m being quite honest, all I want to do right now is to lay down. 

“No, you’re not lifting a finger. You’re off duty until further notice.” 

“Helping my fiancée isn’t a duty,” I respond, nudging Matthew away from me as he attempts to help me to sit on the bed. 

I rest on the edge of the bed, disregarding my wet clothes for a moment. Matthew and Anna go withdrawn as I lay down, my eyes following them around the room while they gather all of Anastasia’s things. 

“Harry, do you need anything?” Anastasia softly challenges, looking over at me. 

“Morphine.” 

“Why are you not at A&E?” 

She’s not going to give up, she means well, I know, but I am the one that needs to worry, not her. “Anna, I’m fine. I’ll survive until we get home.” 

“That’s not for a few hours.” 

“My priority is getting you out of here.” 

I can’t say that I don’t care about the pain or myself, I do, the pain is excruciating, but either way, her safety is my priority. None of us are safe at the moment if we stay here, getting her and her family back home is the safest and most logical plan. 

“Harry, you need to be checked. Did you break something? Did you dislocate something? If we don’t pop it back in, you could need surgery and—“ 

“Anna,” I softly cut her off, “I am fine.” 

“You just asked for morphine.” 

“You’d want morphine too if you felt this pain. I’m alive, I’m not dying, I can wait for a better moment to go to a hospital where we won’t be watched. Jus’ pack your things, or do you need my help?” I question, slowly sitting up to face Anna. 

Anastasia shakes her head, “No, just lay there.” Anastasia instructs, beginning to help Matthew pack her items, leaving me to lay on the bed, resting my eyes in an attempt to relieve the pain. 

#harry styles imagines #imagine harry styles #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles blurbs #harry styles prompts #harry styles fanfictions #harry styles fic #harry styles one shots #harry styles preferences

[estrxlar]

The Ghost Of You

21 - Unwanted Inconvenience

I've changed the band name from "Xannys" to "Grimlace". I am extremely sorry for making you all suffer through having such an awful band name in the past.

I cannot stress this enough, please vote for my chapters! And I love every comment I get so much!! It makes my day seeing the number of comments I get:)

This chapters songs:

Retreat! - Crumb

Sponge Won't Soak - Wild Moccasins

Dark Red - Steve Lacy

- Y. L. Perspective

"Uhm...Suga?" Tanaka's voice is heard to our left, waking both me Koshi up from our very long nap. "We're here you know."

His awkward tone alone was enough to send us both jumping out of our seats, fearful that the entire team had waited for us to get up. But thankfully, it was just Daichi and Tanaka standing above us.

Both Koshi and I look at each other in unison. "Sorry..." he manages to mumble while leaving the seat. I follow him shortly after, leaving the van empty.

Was I sorry? No. The nap against Koshi was five stars. I hadn't ever had such a comfortable car ride in my entire life until I rested on him. Besides, he was my boyfriend. Why would I be sorry for something silly like that?

What I was sorry about was that we almost got noticed by Eclair. The entire team knew about Koshi and me, except for her. I didn't know much about her and from what I perceived of her she didn't seem like a drama starter. She would most likely cry and yell and forget about it when she went back to France in a couple of days.

We had thought everyone would be tired after such a long car ride. But not Hinata. He admired the structure of the big building, yelling, "Wow! I've never been to a training camp before! This feels so cool!"

"It's just a training camp," Kageyama remarked, yet Hinata stands unfazed.

The team entered the building, all of us observing its basic beige architecture and decor. Everyone gathered around Takeda to ask which rooms they were assigned to. As for Kiyoko, Eclair, and I—we had asked him beforehand to get a head start.

All three of us manage to sneak off from the crowd and hunt down our room number: #613. Although I wasn't very comfortable around Eclair, I didn't feel uneasy to be sleeping in the same room as her. It only meant I couldn't update Kiyoko on my relationship with Sugawara.

Once we'd found our designated room, I unfolded the tiny key and stick it into the lock, hearing a click not soon after I turn it.

When I had opened the door, I wasn't entirely dissatisfied. There were two bunk beds on each side of the room, all four mattresses covered in floral printed sheets with nightstands next to them. The curtains had the same pattern as the sheets, falling over a large square window.

Overall, it was a nice room. Way nicer than the previous motels and hotel rooms that my band had stayed in during concerts and such. All stank of marijuana and alcohol.

Eclair's brackets make a 'jingle!' sound while she squealed, "it's lovely!" The girl runs up to one of the bottom bunks and places her bag there, collapsing onto the mattress. "I'm so thankful to be spending my last few days in Japan here!"

Kiyoko nods gently, her too putting her luggage on the opposite bunk bed. Assuming she wouldn't mind it, I threw my bag on the bunk above her. It would most likely be easier to communicate with her if I shared a bed with her.

"Yes, it's very nice," I say, smiling merely at the blonde girl.

Kiyoko began to unpack her toiletries into the small drawer attached to the bunk bed. I hopped down from the top bed and did the same, observing the carvings that the drawers had. Names, dates, and funny remarks were scratched out in the middle of it, lots of them left from previous sports or art students that came to this building for a camp of some kind. All were either hilarious, inappropriate, or gentle. But in all, they made me smile.

"So you're in a band, Y/n?"

In my eyes widen in fear. Nobody from the team other than Sugawara, Daichi, and Kiyoko knew that I was in a band. So how did the girl find out?

Hesitantly turning my head, I nod, making out an awkward smile across my face. "Uhh, yeah. How'd you know?"

She sits up confidently and chuckles. "I was taking a glance at your Instagram. You seem to go on a lot of trips around the world!"

I wasn't very used to being confronted about my band. And besides that, being acknowledged she was looking through my Instagram was stressful. If she knew about my band, was it possible she knew about Koshi and me?

"Yeah, I travel now and then." Proceeding to unpack my things as if it was no issue to be questioned, I place my pairs of shoes under the bed.

No matter how uncomfortable I attempted to make my tone, she kept on going. "Oh...that sounds like fun! You must have so many fans. Your voice is great too. I wonder why you've never told them team about Grimlace!"

"Hm, I like to keep my life outside of volleyball private..." I say. "Could you please not tell anybody else?"

My question sure was quiet but clear to her. It would determine whether or not Eclair was a bitch or genuinely a nice girl.

Thankfully, she nods lightly, messing with her nails. "Of course not."

Suddenly, the conversation is put to the side by a knock on our door, sending Eclair, hushed Kiyoko, and me to flinch.

Kiyoko puts a hand on her chest, sighing in relief that the tension was interrupted. "Come in," she tells the person on the other side of the door.

Two boys are revealed; Nishinoya and Tanaka walk in, already dressed down in their "sleep clothes", which consisted of a white t-shirt and shorts. Could I talk any mess about their outfits? Nope! I was planning on wearing the same thing.

The buzzcut bow flutters his eyes at the sight of Kiyoko brushing her hair and quickly grows flustered. "L-ladies! Dinner is on the table." He spoke loud in nervousness. "Do you guys like your room?"

"Tanaka, we've been in here less than ten minutes. I'm surprised you're already gotten dressed!" Kiyoko speaks in a sweet tone that seems to mesmerize him. She finished up brushing the ends of her hair and dusts her hands off on her sweat pants, before looking towards the other two girls in the room: Eclair and I.

We nod and drop what we were doing to exit the room with her. If the odds were in my favor, Eclair wouldn't continue interrogating me during dinner. If so, she would soon find out about Koshi and me from one of the men that walked behind us, flustered they'd

Not soon after leaving, we arrive in the mess hall, where the volleyball club was spread around filling their plates and emptying them into their tummies.

The two boys leave our side to continue eating and we help ourselves to some plates. Today they served simple rice, roasted vegetables, and chicken. Nothing special, nothing utterly disgusting. As I'm picking up my food, I look over to the lunch table that the boys were scattered upon, keeping an eye out for any gray-haired men.

There he sat next to Daichi, eating small portions of the rice left in his bowl. 'Does Eclair's being here mean I'm not allowed to sit next to my boyfriend during dinner?' I think internally, finishing filling my plate.

Kiyoko helps herself to sit right next to Daichi, fitting in with the rest of the third years that sat on the bench next to the second years Ennoshita, Kinoshita, and Narita. Across from them were the first years and the terrible two: Tanaka and Noya.

I stood uncomfortably at the end of the wooden table, looking over it to see if there were any empty seats I could eat in. All that looked back at me were eyes of curiosity and confusion.

It only took a few seconds of staring until someone was nice enough to mention my standing there.

"Y/n! Why don't you take my spot? I'm just about done anyway," Daichi tells me while he got up from the bench with the now empty tray. I look at Daichi, then Koshi, then to Eclair who was now walking towards the lunch table.

I of course didn't want her to take my spot, so I nod and bow politely, before switching places with Sawamura. He pays my shoulder gently, whispering, "you're welcome!"

Kiyoko and Koshi both smile at me, scooting over the slightest to make room for me. I say my thanks for my food and began picking at my rice, listening in on the boy's conversation.

"And then I spent my time practicing on the girls' team since I didn't have anyone else to practice with me. It sure felt like I was a part of their club!" Hinata told us, Eclair sitting down next to him, beginning to eat her food as well. "What about you guys? Did you guys have any rough stories before getting into volleyball?"

Tanaka cuts the air with his pointer finger, motioning for us to pause any conversation until he was done chewing. "I used to be a mega introvert before attending Karasuno!"

"Yup, Ryunosuke was just like Kageyama but worse," Nishinoya commented.

I raise a brow at the mention of that. Tanaka—a boy at the edge of having a breakdown?! I couldn't speak for myself. I too was a short-tempered girl towards the beginning of high school.

Kageyama scoffs, rolling his eyes at the mention of his name. "I'm not that bad, you know." We all knew that was a lie. As much as he denied it, Tobio struggled with his anger issues.

Eclair raises her hand slightly, swallowing a lump of rice. "Don't sweat it Kags, everyone has their embarrassing issues. For instance: I used to be such an obsessive girl in my first year. I'm sure I was a nuisance to many of the people in the volleyball club. Always talking in class and being a ditz was my specialty!"

"What about you, Y/n? Have you ever been involved in volleyball, or is this your first time being a part of a volleyball club?" Nishinoya asks me. At first, I thought of shaking my head and replying with a no, as if my memory of middle school had disappeared from my mind.

After thinking about what to reply with for a second or two, I nod my head slightly. "Hm...in junior high I was on the girls' volleyball team, but I was more of a bench warmer. I only joined the team to be closer to my friends, that's all."

"Aren't you friends with the captain of Seijoh 

boys volleyball club? You know, since you went to middle school with him?"

I look up to the girl who assumed such ridiculous things, Eclair. There she sat with her chopsticks in hand, lips parting slightly. It was crystal clear that she was trying to dig out my history and force me to tell the volleyball club about my personal life further than what I was comfortable with.

Knowing that I was uneasy, Koshi lays his hand gently onto my knee under the table, squeezing it ever so slightly. My heart beats in its cage, anxious at how many ways this conversation could go if I had said the wrong thing.

"...is that true?" Asahi asks, looking at his fellow teammates to observe their reactions. All of them looked just the same: betrayed.

"Eclair, it's best not to assume things about people you barely know," Koshi tells the girl in a monotone voice, making it obvious that he knew her intentions.

'Well, this got awkward fast.'

"It's okay. Uhm— I'm not friends with any members of Aoba Johsai's volleyball members. Where did you hear that?" I ask, setting down my utensils and clasping my hands together. Surely her reasoning has to be good if it meant ruining my very new relationships with most of the boys at the table.

Most of them sigh after my question, placing hands in their chests. "I thought you were a traitor for a second, Y/n! Eclair, you scared us half to death!" Noya whines.

The girl blinks a few times, shrugging. "I'm terribly sorry! I heard it from a girl that goes to Aoba Johsai, she says that Oikawa never stops talking about Y/n! She only knew by looking up your name and finding out she went to Karasuno."

"Seems you have a crush on Y/n, Eclair. You're almost addicted to looking into her past." Kiyoko suddenly made a remark, smirking as she drank a sip of her water.

The girl grows flustered very quickly, blushing. "No! Sorry, Y/n. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I'm only interested in what it's like to live without many boundaries. My father never lets me lay a finger on anything that could potentially ruin his vision of what his daughter should be," an innocent look is spread across her face as she says so.

"Aw, I'm sorry to hear that Eclair." Yamaguchi makes a sweet comment, ignorant that she was guilt-tripping. I'd never pictured her to be such a manipulative girl yet calm and poised at once.

She nods, continuing to eat her food.

Though it was her fault entirely, Eclair was saddened that what was supposed to be an enjoying dinner turned out to be silent and awkward. I was growing extremely tired of her passive-aggressive attitude towards me, but losing sight of why I came to this training camp was not an option. I don't care how badly Eclair could hurt my feelings, I won't let it get to me.

-

Thank you so much for reading this chapter!! I know it's been so late since I've updated. Pls forgive me! I've just now started school again so things are keeping me from writing. Love you all as always,

- estrxlar