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dalmascan-requiem · 7 days

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Golmore Prelude: Intruders

(Vierapril Day 22 - Mercy)

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There is no mercy for trespassers.

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Read on AO3 or keep reading after the jump

content warnings: death

(vierapril main post)

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This is effectively the 'incident' that sets everything in motion for the boys to leave the forest. It's mentioned a few times in passing with other fics, but it was about time to write something more concrete about it--one that isn't necessarily from either character's point of view.

"Reyna, you need to eat more often. You can't protect the village if you get sick!" Eir flashes the other Wood Warder a smile before removing the empty stew pot from the fire, which makes him huff in response.

"It's not as if I don't eat when you're not around."

"Well, it's not proper food, especially as you ate three bowls of this stew."

"Yes, it is proper food." Reyna turns away from the other Viera in frustration. "Your food is just better."

Eir laughs as he begins to put the fire under the stew out. "Well, I'll take that compliment--"

Both Wood Warders freeze, their ears pricking up at a sound in the forest. They share a glance, then Eir nods, silently making his way to his bow propped nearby.

Whatever these noises were, they weren't a part of the forest, nor was it another Warder nearby. Which means it could only mean one thing… intruders.

No words were needed--the connection afforded to them by the Green Word allowed the two Wood Warders to simply understand what the other was doing. And they both understood there was no chance the intruders missed their encampment.

Eir silently climbs a nearby tree and readies his bow after quickly scanning the area. He already knows Reyna is on the opposite end of the encampment, lying low in wait to catch the intruders off guard.

They lie in wait, and the minutes feel like hours. Eventually, Eir's ears pick up the sound of people trying to make their way through the dense jungle. They were slow. Awkward. Unfamiliar with the land. Certainly outsiders, at least half a dozen.

Eir could feel a pang of frustration--Reyna thought the outsiders should have been here by now. Shortly after, though, movement catches Eir's eye, and he shifts his attention to the north end of the encampment.

A man grumbles something as he nearly falls through the brush, and others follow in an equally awkward fashion. Six… no, seven men, all in dark garbs, presumably soldiers. Eir thought he had heard of these men before--but it didn't matter.

It doesn't take long for the leader to notice something is amiss. He takes a cautious step forward. One step, then another, and one more before he reaches for the weapon strapped to his back.

Eir draws his bow and arrow quickly--noisily, and the pack of intruders turns their attention towards the noise. He does not aim but simply fires the arrow, unconcerned with the target, as he quickly preps another shot. One of the outsiders cries out--it appears that Eir hit one of them in the arm, a helpful enough distraction.

A soldier shouts "it's only one--" before learning his fatal error as Reyna slices his throat. His sudden arrival throws the group into a panic, unsure of where to look or who the true threat is.

Eir readies his next shot, and, holding his breath, he counts. One. He sees Reyna quickly dispatch another outsider in the confusion, and they decide he is the more significant threat. Two. He counts that there are five still alive, though one is frozen in fear, unable to fight back. Three. One of the outsiders remembers Eir was there and spins towards the tree, readying a weapon Eir could only assume could hit him from afar.

Too late. Eir lets his arrow loose and it strikes true, downing one of the outsiders that had turned towards Reyna. Without stopping to take another break, he leaps down from the tree--a second later, a loud booming sound rang out. The outsider had fired his weapon, sending tree bark flying where Eir was just a moment before.

Reyna had dispatched most of the intruders, but Eir felt something was wrong. One of the outsiders had ran--the one too terrified to fight. He had to chase them down.

There is no mercy for anyone who trespasses in the Golmore Jungle.

It took no time to find the soldier that ran off--for the unfamiliar, the jungle was no place one could make a quick escape from. However, Eir was not skilled in close-quarters combat, and the surrounding jungle was too dense to set up a clear shot.

Instead, he got ahead of the outsider, waiting in a small clearing. Eir did not doubt that the outsider would end up here--the thick foliage naturally guided to this spot. There, he waited out in the open… he could use the soldier's shock and land the lethal blow while they tried to react

It did not take long for the outsider to arrive, and when he saw Eir, he gasped and made to turn around. He tripped in his rush, however, and could only turn and stare at the Viera from the ground as he drew back his bowstring.

"W-wait!"

Eir faltered. The voice that came from the soldier was… young. Too young. They sense the opportunity to quickly rip off their helmet, revealing a soft, round face. The soldier was more boy than man, and it was clear his hands were unbloodied.

"Pl… Please…" The boy looked at Eir, trembling, unable to rise. "I-I don't want to hurt any of you! I don't want to be here! They made me! I… I… just want to go home…" He lets out a shuddering sob, unable to speak further.

Eir stares the intruder down before slowly lowering his bow. "Go."

"...Wh-Wh-"

"I said go. Before I change my mind."

The boy stared at him in shock before regaining his senses and scrambling away. Eir watched him run off, staring emotionlessly at the trampled brush.

He knew there were consequences for this.

Moments later, Reyna burst into the clearing, uncharacteristically out of breath. "Eir, what did you do?!"

Eir turns his gaze to Reyna, his expression even. "That was a child, Reyna, I couldn't--"

"It does not matter how old they are, Eir, you know this. Intruders must always die."

"I… I know." Eir sighs, crossing his arms. His detached nature was making Reyna--or was it the forest?--angry. How could he fail at his duty and be so apathetic about it? He grits his teeth, taking a moment to take a deep breath before speaking again.

"You need to leave. Now."

"What? Reyna--"

"Leave. Go somewhere else. Anywhere. Just not here."

Eir stares at Reyna, confused, before a look of hurt flashes on his face. "Fine."

He waits until Eir is far away--until the link of Green Word between them is weaker--before sighing. Then, Reyna turns back towards the encampment. He'll need to erase any trace of the other Viera being there… Eir's life depended on it.

"Rehw-Bidit."

Reyna turns toward the older Viera who called his name. "Djt-Setlas, you're here." He gestures towards the bodies of the intruders. "Is it because of them?"

The gruff Wood Warder doesn't look at the bodies and only glares at Reyna. He did not need the weak connection between the two of them to know the older man would cut him down if he was not careful. "One escaped."

"Yes, he managed to get away and couldn't track him, but I knew you were patrolling nearby--"

"Do you take me for a fool? Someone let him escape, and we are lucky I was around to clean up their mess."

Reyna frowns. "What are you implying?"

"Enough! Where is that failure?! Where is Djt-Bidit?! To think we suffered him this whole time--"

"You know as well as I do he's not here. Or have you lost your connection to the forest?"

"Hmph." The Warder fumes at the insult before roughly grabbing Reyna by the arm. "We're returning to the village. The elders will get to the truth of this matter."

#vierapril #vierapril 2024 #ffxiv viera #ff14 #ffxiv #final fantasy xiv #final fantasy 14 #ao3 #ffxiv fanfiction #ffxiv fic #ffxiv oc #my oc #golmore prelude

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s0c1al-r3j3ct · 2 years

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"Phoenix is the coolest pilot nickname!" Natasha "Phoenix" Trace x Single Mom Back Seater! Reader

Hey! It been over a year since I posted a story but I had this idea and had to get it down somewhere. I am so upset over the lack of Phoenix FFs :c. I am so in love with her. I love both Top Guns so much lol. Sorry if this sounds bad or has any errors. I got lazy towards the end and with proofreading.

Notes:

You are Rooster's sister and Zeus is your front seater from your old squadron. I'm thinking that your daughter is from a toxic or young and careless situation and the dad left. I used "pilot nickname" not because I don't know what a call sign is but because I thought it would be cute to have a more childish way of saying it. Sorry if the way your daughter's speaking is inaccurate to how a 5 y/o actually speaks. I haven't hung out or been a 5 y/o for a while obviously lol.

She/her pronouns. Sorry

"Mommy!" squealed a tearful voice behind you. The pitter-patter of her feet against the smooth floor made you whip your head around, halt your speed-walking, and wipe the smudged lip gloss off your face to look at the owner of such a perfect sounding voice.

"Jade?! Jade! I didn't know you would be her! Come here baby!" you cried, crouching down to the floor with spread arms hoping she didn't notice the slight wince you made when she flung herself onto you.

You two wailed and sniffed and sobbed in each others arms until you could muster the words you were so scared you may never have gotten to say again.

"Hey, stop crying, sweetheart. I'm here. I'm so happy to see you! Did you grow while I was gone? You look soooo big and strong!" you joked trying to hide the earth shattering sobs that wanted to rip from your mouth after you removed you nose from her neck to rest your forehead on her much smaller one.

"I'm so happy to see you, too, Mommy! I grew up lots today! You remember what day it is, right?" she looked at you with those big beautiful e/c eyes expectantly. They were puffy no doubt from crying and her little nose was cold with snot. That was your little girl. Snotty nose and all, your girl. You wanted to share her with another beautiful girl...Phoenix.

"Of course I remember! How could I forget? My big girl turns 5 today!" you would have joked with her, but you didn't have the heart right now. You were terrified that her 4th birthday would be the last one you had with her, but she promised you she would bring you home safely to celebrate the best day of your life. Phoenix promised you that...Phoenix...Phoenix...her call sign reverberated in your mind. You had to ask Jade what she though of meeting her, the love of your life. You prayed to whatever there is above that Jade at least would like her because you didn't want to loose your first healthy relationship but you also felt it was important for Jade to be ok with you being with Phoenix. It was important to Natasha too. You had to ask Jade for her "blessing" of sorts. " What did you do with Uncle Zeus and Aunt Jolie while I was away?"

"I had lotssss of fun! Guess what? I got 100% on my handwriting check at Pre-K! But I did a lot of missing you though...I know that you can't tell me I won't do more missing you, but I understand that! What did you do?" That sentence broke you heart. She's growing up too fast and you wished you could keep her young and carefree for longer but there was no way you could. Being a military family is a gamble on if you'll come home and she knows that all too well already unfortunately.

"I'm sorry that you missed me so much, but the good thing is that I don't see much of me going away in the future, sweetheart. I am so proud of you for getting 100%! I can't wait to see how good it looks! I did a lot of missing you too, so did Uncle Rooster. He's in the hospital right now getting a check up. We can go visit him later. He will be just fine though, don't worry. I also worked out, flew, and learned a lot. I have a big question for you though, sweets. You don't have to answer it right now, but I want you to have an open mind. Can you do that for me?"

"I can try, Mommy. Is there something wrong?"

"No no, I'm ok. So.....I met a special person here and I want you to meet her and I reallyyyy like her. Remember that you are always #1 in my heart though. Ok? I like this person enough to think about spending the rest of my life with her, like as a couple or even to think of us as your mommies, but your opinion is the most important so you don't have to say yes to letting us be together. All I want is for you to meet her. I think you'll like her a LOT though. She's super cool, she flew my plane when we were on the mission I told you about. She promised me that she would bring me home safe to you. I also told her all kinds of cool and amazing things about you and she is SUPER excited to meet you. So will you do that for me, meet her and tell me what you think?"

"I-uhm, I can try, Mommy. I just don't want anything bad happen and I don't know how I feel about having a second mommy so I'm not too sure yet. But if you like her so much and she brought you home to me to celebrate my birthday I think I won't have too much of a problem. What's her name?"

"Thank you for telling me your honest feelings, my love. It's totally ok to feel that way and I don't expect you to warm up to her right away. Her name is Natasha and her pilot nickname is Phoenix." you answered, rubbing your nose against hers affectionately.

"I think that's a really cool pilot nickname!" she giggle, scrunching her eyes closed as you tickled her sides."

As Rooster heard the hospital door creak open and heard two pairs of feet walk in he smiled. He hadn't seen his niece in what felt like forever and was proud of himself for successfully getting Zeus and Jade to San Diego safely to see you. Jade jumped on his lap in the bed and hugged him tightly. Y/N then looked at her phone and saw a notification of some sort that prompted her to excuse herself to go do what she had to do remarking that it would only take a half hour.

A few minutes later he heard the door open again and craned his neck thinking he would find Y/N looking around embarrassed because she forgot something, but he instead saw a tired tawny skinned woman walking in.

"Hey Rooster, just came in to see how you were feeling after pulling that reckless as-. Who's the adorable little lady?"

"Hey Phoenix. Just my niece. Mom had something come up and left me to babysit."

"I'm not a baby, I turned 5 years old today! You know that Uncle Rooster!" Jade quipped.

"Well, sheesh, time flies. I thought your were just 2!" Rooster joked letting out a belly laugh.

"Well you must be the big 5 year old named Jade that your mom told me soooo much about!" Phoenix concluded.

"You're Phoenix? Or do you like Natasha better? My mommy said she wanted me to meet you. She made it seem really important to you. You seem nice though so I guess that I don't see a problem with you and my mommy being together. But if you hurt my mommy I'll be very, very, VERY upset." emphasized Jade with the meanest face she could muster on her sweet and small face that still held some baby fat.

All Phoenix could see was the similarities between Y/N and Jade. It was almost uncanny and absolutely adorable.

"Don't you worry a minute. I plan to treat your mom with the upmost respect and care I can give. And don't think I won't treat you like the princess you are. I'm happy you trust me and I hope we can get closer in the future. And you can call me whatever you want." assured Phoenix and punctuated that statement with a light ruffle of the hair on her head.

Then, Jade went on about what she did while they were on the mission putting particular emphasis on her birthday and her prowess in her Pre-K class.

A few feet away Y/N stood in the doorway onlooking with a serene smile knowing that it would all be ok. They could work their way up to being a family.

........

"Phoenix is the coolest pilot nickname. I'm gonna call you that! Don't tell Mommy or Uncle Rooster I said that!" whispered Jade.

"I won't!" whispered Phoenix back and looking up with a prideful look.

#natasha phoenix trace #phoenix x reader #natasha trace x reader #phoenix top gun #top gun #top gun maverick #im back lol

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petri808 · 3 years

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OHMYGODDD JUST SAW YOUR LATEST POST I LOVE IT ANGST WITH A HAPPY ENDING IS JUST CHEF'S KISS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE 42, 49 and 13 FOR NALU PLEASEEE CAN'T WAIT TO READ ITT

😳 Ya’ll really love angst huh? Lol okay, sure let’s see what I can come up with. 😊 “You can’t keep pretending it didn’t happen, cause guess what? It did!” + “I’m pregnant” + “Im too sober for this”

Lucy’s knees weakened and sent her crumbling to the bathroom floor. Why was this happening to her?! She’d just finished college and was about to start her paid internship with a local newspaper. ‘What am I gonna do?’ Lucy gripped to the stick in her hand as the tears trickled down her face. This could derail her future before it even started— all because of one slip-up. How was she going to tell Natsu… Not knowing who else to talk to, Lucy turned to her best friend Levy McGarden. She texted the woman and drove over to her friends apartment in dread.

“Oh, Lu…” Levy hugged her friend tightly before pulling her into the small apartment. She sat Lucy down on the couch, then made them both some tea. “How you feeling?” Levy asked as she handed the cup over.

“How do you think I’m feeling?!” Lucy groaned. “I feel like I’m in a nightmare.”

“Are you sure the results are correct? You know those home pregnancy tests can be wrong.”

“I don’t know, I mean I followed the instructions and it didn’t give an error sign.” Lucy pulled the stick from her pocket. “See?” She showed it to her friend. “Two lines.”

“Oh— yeah, looks like it,” Levy agreed.

Lucy pocketed the test once again and hung her head. Both hands cradled the warm cup, just holding it without a desire to drink from it. “Just thinking about this is making me sick. Maybe I can just pretend it’s not true.”

“Lu, that’s ridiculous. I’m pretty sure the growing bump on your stomach will make that difficult.”

“Ugh! I know!” Lucy shrieked. “Lie to me or something… Levy, I-I don’t think I can deal with this!”

“Well, you have to. And how am I supposed to lie about this?!”

“I don’t know, tell me this is a dream. Just a bad dream that I’m gonna wake up from. The test was wrong, something! Maybe it’s just a fiction story I’m working on cause I just don’t wanna think about it right now.”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t keep pretending it didn’t happen, cause guess what? It did! Lucy you have to face reality.”

“What am I gonna do Levy? I can’t be having a baby!”

“Well first things first, you need to tell Natsu— I’m assuming it’s Natsu.”

“Of course, it’s Natsu! I haven’t slept with anyone else.”

“Well you need to tell him. He deserves to know.”

“I know…”

“Natsu’s a stand up guy, I know he’s going to do the right thing.”

Lucy sighed, “that’s not what I worry about. I mean having kids is something that’s crossed my mind… just not anytime soon. We’re not even married yet. Ugh! I’m such an idiot.”

“Sometimes these things happen.” Levy placed her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Can’t go back to the past, so now all you can do is figure out the now. Do you have any idea when it happened?”

“My guess is my graduation party, cause that was the last time we had sex. I barely even remember it cause I was so drunk,” Lucy whimpered, then started to sob. “We’re usually careful but… yeah, it had to be that.”

“Come here,” Levy pulled her friend into a hug. “You’re gonna be okay. Whatever happens, you’re gonna be okay.”

The women spent a couple more hours chatting, flipping between random topics, but often coming back to this one. Lucy struggled to even wrap her mind around the reality that this is real. That she was going to have a child, when she was barely an adult herself and all the factors involved only compounded her dilemma. Her new job isn’t going to afford a child. Natsu had a decent job, but even combined it would be a struggle. They’d have to find a place together, a two bedroom house or apartment. What about the medical expenses, and the baby supplies— babies are expensive! Where was the money going to come from?

When Lucy noticed the time and realized Natsu would be coming home from work within the hour, she thanked her friend for the support and bid her goodbye. Even though she had calmed down a little, she wasn’t ready, didn’t know what or how she was going to break the news to him. So, after arriving home, Lucy tried to distract herself by cooking dinner. It didn’t really work, but at least a meal was made. Her life until now had been going well in that she had a boyfriend who treated her right, supported her while she finished her degree, even pushed her to follow her dreams of writing. And now that her degree was finished, Lucy was on her way after landing the paid internship. If she passed the internship, they would offer her a permanent position at the newspaper.

But now all of that felt like it was slipping through her fingers. All her hard work for nothing because juggling a small child and going to work… Maternity leave is not paid, so they’ll have to rely on just one income for a time, then daycare is quite expensive. Sure, there are programs that she could apply for to help or family, but that’s not the point— the point is, they are sorely not ready to become parents.

“I’m home!” Natsu called out as he entered the apartment. “Something smells good!”

“Welcome home, Natsu.” Lucy called out from the kitchen. “It’s almost done.”

Natsu detected a change in his girlfriend’s tone. Usually when he gets home, she’s in a happier mood— but not today. He threw his keys onto the kitchen island and walked up, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Everything okay?”

Whatever words she’d planned to say were thrown out the window as tears pooled instantly in Lucy’s eyes. “Natsu, it’s…”the words stumbled out, “um… I-I’m pregnant.”

“P-Preg…nant?!” Natsu took a step back in shock, his trembling hand moving to cover his mouth. “Oh, wow— I’m too sober for this,” he mumbled.

“Pregnant,” she repeated as the sobs broke free. “And alcohol is what got us into this mess!” Lucy snapped and sobbed louder.

“Oh, h-hey now, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that,” Natsu pulled her into his arms. “Don’t cry baby, please don’t cry, I hate seeing you cry.”

“Natsu, I’m pregnant, did you hear me?! Pregnant! I can’t be pregnant!”

“Shh… I hear you,” he gently coaxed Lucy to the couch and had her sit down, then sat beside her, cradling her close. “True, it’s not the best time… but we can make it work.”

“You don’t understand, I’m not ready, Natsu. I don’t think I could handle it…” all the reasons refreshing in her mind. “I have no experience with with kids. What if we screw up? It’s just…” Lucy sighed. “I think… I’m too overwhelmed right now.”

“Okay, well— they make those things now, the, um, end pregnancy stuff.”

“I don’t know…”

“Lucy, I’ll support whatever decision you make.”

“You say that now, but later you’ll probably resent me for… kil— doing that,” she mumbled.

“I don’t know that so neither can you. All I do know is that yes it might hurt— but you’re the important thing right now, and if you say you’re not ready, then I have to accept it. Kids are never easy, I doubt all the preparation in the world can really make a difference. But Lucy,” he took her hand and held it to his chest. “As long as I’ve known you, whatever you choose to do you’re great at it.”

“Really?” She looked up with hope filling her eyes for the first time all day.

Natsu smiled. “And who better to start a family with?” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her. “Then a smart, sassy, beautiful woman like you.”

Lucy’s eyes flooded with tears. “You really think we can make it work?”

He nodded. “As long as it’s something we really want, then yeah.”

After a momentary pause, Lucy let out a long stabilizing exhale. “Okay. I’ll call my doctor and make an appointment tomorrow to check.”

“Really? Y-You sure? Because I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to coax you into this.”

“No, I-I’m pretty— sure. Things sometimes happen for a reason, right? Maybe it’s meant to be.”

Natsu pulled her in for another longer kiss. “Guess I better hurry up and marry you then,” he chuckled.

She snorted a laugh. “I guess so mister!”

He pulled her close again, hugging her to his chest. “I love you so much baby.”

“Mmm, I love you too.”

“My own baby momma,” he teased.

Lucy slapped his chest with a giggling shriek. “Don’t you dare call me that!”

“Oh,” he grinned, “I’m totally getting t-shirts made.”

#fairy tail #nalu #natsu dragneel #lucy heartfilia #nalu drabble #nalu fan fic #nalu fan fiction #nalu au #pregnancy

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in-superbloom · 3 years

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did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen? (a.i.)

right where you left me: prologue

pairing: ashton irwin x olivia jones (oc)

warnings: uhh a kinda grieving theme i guess? but no deaths. it has a sad tone overall, but nothing major (in this chapter hehe). foul language because i can't help myself. the tiniest mention of alcohol, but as a memory. think i should probably warn you that this contains a very sad ash. also not much dialogues. this is mainly for explanation and introduction, but very important for the story. if you find anything else that might be triggering, please let me know so i can add it here !!

author's note: oof okay. so. this is the prologue of a series very very dear to my heart that i've been working on for what it feels like my whole life but really it's been just a few months. but i'm in love with the story (which rarely happens with my own writing) so i hope you can enjoy it too !! this is also my very first time posting a fic since 2013 so pls keep that in mind <3 no i am not shaking as type this ofc not also: although i have the full story ready in my head, this is the only chapter that's written. i wanted to wait until i had at least a few ready before posting this but i'm too anxious for that lmao just saying this bc it will take a good while until i have any more chapters, so <3 (p.s.: i went over this thing a million times since may so if you find any errors pls look away, i'm not fixing this thing anymore. thanks <3)

another note: anna from the future here to say that i completely forgot about the playlist i made for the story lmao here it is in case you're interested k thanks bye <3

credits: title is from taylor swift's song right where you left me. model in the picture: paola locatelli. banner by me.

i also wanted to take a minute to thank some really nice friends that i've made here over these past few months & that i'm extremely grateful for @wastelandcth @suchalonelysunflower @littledrummerangie i cannot thank you babes enough for inspiring me the way that you do & for letting me yell about this to you && for encouraging me so much 🥺 i'll never be able to explain just how much this means to me, so i'll have to settle for saying thank you at any change that i can get <3 i love you all 💜 also gem my baby, thank you for the inspo with the banner 💚

@bluesdelis look babe i did it 😌 you know how grateful i am for you & for you letting me have a breakdown every week about my writing for the past 8 years so let's not dive into that or else i will write something bigger than this prologue jsjsjdjd love you 🖤

i hope you all have a good reading and a nice day ♡

let me know what are your thoughts about the fic ! ♡

word count: 4.1k

☆☆☆

Cold. That was the first thing that Olivia’s brain processed.

Still with her eyes closed, she buried herself more into the duvet, while her arm blindly reached for the furnace in human form that she calls boyfriend. However, as soon as her arm was only met with cold sheets, her eyes shot open.

Blinking the sleep away, she sat up on the bed, searching for the infamous red clock resting on Ashton’s bedside table that was supposed to look like a vintage alarm clock. Olivia had ordered it online at an auction website a couple of years back, as a gift for his 23rd birthday, since it was something he had mentioned multiple times prior that he was looking for, but still hadn't found. But when it finally came in (two weeks after the due date), it looked nothing like the picture she saw on the website. Feeling beyond frustrated, she wanted to send it back immediately and ask for a refund and maybe leave a not so polite review on the seller's page. But Ashton stopped her right away, laughing like the situation was absolutely hilarious to him, while saying, 'I like it, it’s quirky'. So, the clock stayed and found a home right next to him in their room.

Some days, however, she would wake up at some ungodly hour because of the blaring noise of the only ringtone the clock had. But whatever annoyance she could feel towards the object, it always vanished as soon as she felt Ashton's lips gently touching her face in a good morning kiss before he would get up to start his day, leaving her to catch some more hours of well deserved sleep.

As the furthest from a morning person as a touring musician could possibly be, Olivia had always feared that living under the same roof as Ashton would turn her into an early bird like him, but she's thankful that it never happened (not that he needs to know about that).

When she sees the red clock, she smiles at the sudden but welcome memories of them flooding her foggy brain, but frowns slightly when she realizes it reads 12:13 pm. Ashton rarely lets her sleep past 10 am.

Gathering all her strength and will, she rises up from the bed, smoothly picking up a grey wool sweatshirt from the chair (way too baggy on her slim body, but it smells like him), pulling it over her head and relishing on the soft material warming up her body. Making her way to the door and calmly going down the stairs, she can’t help but stop for a minute to admire the picture frames on their walls, one in particular catches her attention – probably one of the most prized pictures and memories they had. It felt older than it actually is, but it was around 4 years ago, she's sure – a little while after the two of them met. The picture was of their group of friends that still remains the same: Ashton and his best friend, Luke; Olivia, her best friend, Calum and their old hometown friend, turned into Calum’s new friend at college, turned into everyone’s friend, Michael; and her then newly band members, Suki, Eli and Ravi. Together, their group was the life of the party through all their college years, and it showed by the big smiles and drinks in hands they all had in the picture. It was a very special night, the first time Olivia’s little band played for the public – for a small audience sure, but it was a wonderful night nonetheless. What a long road it had been since that night.

Her nostalgic thoughts were interrupted by a shiver that went through her whole body, and it made her realize how oddly cold the whole house was, not only their bedroom. Which, granted, it was November in New York and the weather was just getting colder, but that’s exactly why Ashton always made sure to keep the house warm enough. As much as she loved the chilly season, the warm weather always reminded him of his hometown, and who was she to deny him that?

The smell of fresh made coffee could be sensed even before she reached the kitchen. Arriving there, the curly haired woman still found no signs of her boyfriend, so she went straight after the coffee maker pot sitting on the far left corner of the cream marble counter. Smiling softly at the tons of memories of Ashton's sleepy figure making their favorite beverage, she reached for a coffee mug on the cupboard on top of the counter and poured the remainder of the hot liquid on it (it's her favorite mug, if she must choose – it was a gift from a fan, and it had printed on it a collage of the pictures of her and Ashton that were posted on social media through their first year of relationship).

Moving to the glass doors that lead to the mini garden they cultivate, she didn't have to open them to spot the 6-feet-tall man sitting on a bench outside, looking oddly small in his oversized clothes, coffee mug tightly held between strong hands. Something about his figure made Olivia frown, however: he was staring with an unwavering look at her small but eye-catching pot of yellow daffodils that were almost as much of a pet to them as Stitch at this point. Sensing that there’s something definitely off about his semblance, she made a mental note to talk to him and find out what’s wrong later. So she goes back to the kitchen, knowing that he might need this quiet and private moment for himself.

She lost count of the minutes that went by (couldn't have been more than five) before she hears the garden's door opening and closing, and then his bare feet are dragging his brawny body to her. Except, he goes over to the sink, walking right through her, not showing any sign that he even saw her hunched figure over the counter table in the middle of the room.

Alright, someone's in a mood.

Olivia tries to swallow the annoyance already bubbling inside her – he knows how much she hates to be ignored, no matter how mad he might be – by trying to think of what she can say that won't piss him off. This is always a hard feat to accomplish when Ashton gets in these moods, but there’s a reason for them to work so well together.

“I missed my favorite body heater when I woke up,” she says in her best sweet voice, knowing how quickly his resolve crumbles when he hears that voice.

Still, no reaction.

That settles a worry at the pit of her stomach, because Ashton is never like this. Even when he's not in the mood to talk, he always gives some kind of reaction to her words; it doesn't matter how small, just enough to make her feel acknowledged.

When he's finished washing his mug and the few scattered dishes across the sink – she noticed that he already had lunch, if the lone plate in the drying rack is anything to go by –, he dries his hand in a towel, turns around and throws it on top of the same counter Olivia was leaning up against. Once again, he walks away not even sparing her a look.

Indignant, she leaves the now empty coffee mug on top of the table and follows him as he walks up the stairs, any determination to not aggravate his mood now well gone.

“Hey! In case you didn't notice, I'm right here. Whatever got you in this sour mood, I'm certainly not to blame, so can you stop being a child now and talk to me?!”

Ashton just keeps walking – more like sluggishly dragging his body – until he reaches their bedroom and suddenly stops just merely two feet inside the room, looking around with vacant eyes; like he was expecting to see something that wasn't there.

“Okay, that's really mature of you. Are you planning on ignoring me all day then?” Olivia questions exasperated, staring angrily at the back of his neck, where the condor tattoo lives – her favorite of his, but that sight doesn't bring her any peace today like it usually does.

Her glare only breaks when she hears the familiar sound of dog tags swaying on her right side. Shifting her gaze to the direction of the sound, Olivia notices Stitch, their small, black & white French bulldog – who she thought was outside in the garden – slowly trudging his way from around the bed until he stops at Ashton's feet, looking up at one of his humans with sad eyes. That realization only makes the worry in her stomach grow uncomfortably.

“Hi buddy,” Ashton's voice cracks a bit from the lack of use, but he smiles softly at the sweet dog, and crouches down to pet him.

Olivia can't help but gasp as she notices three things all at once that leave her overwhelmed: first, how she didn't even notice Stitch was in the room when she woke up – which never ever happens, in fact, most days he wakes her up whenever he deems her bedtime as finished and can't ever contain his excitement when she finally gets up; second, how the windows blinds are closed, which, again, rarely occurs under their roof, not if Ashton can help it. And third, how sad and melancholic the whole scene in front of her is – how sad and melancholic Ashton is. Pointless to say by now – that's also a very rare occasion.

A chill creeps up Olivia's spine, putting her body into high alert and also serving as a reminder of how everything looks out of place today. Trying to keep her head from spiraling down way too soon, she wraps her arms around herself and crouches down beside her two favorite boys, trying once more.

“Ash? Can you hear me?” even with her throat closing, she softly asks, purposefully putting her face in Ashton's point of view. Her only answer is the low whispers he's letting out to Stitch, while cradling the tiny dog in his arms, spreading gentle kisses on his head.

“I know, bud, I know. I miss her too,” is the only whisper she could understand and immediately wishes she hadn't. The weak wail that comes from Stitch's throat seems to fit perfectly with how the three of them feel.

Ashton then looks up and for a couple of seconds, and Olivia can swear he’s staring right into her eyes. But when he shows no reaction, she knows he’s just staring ahead and not at her, with that look that says there’s too much going on inside his head. She feels the urge to embrace him and get him to talk about whatever is on his mind, so they can share that weight like they always do, but when Ashton gets up from the ground and settles on the bed with Stitch, Olivia can physically feel the crack in her heart caused by the feeling she’s left with.

While Ashton is pulling the duvet over him and the dog, with clearly no intentions of getting up anytime soon, Olivia stands up on her feet with a new-found determination – she needs to figure out what the hell is going on.

This nightmare had to be just that, right? Nothing but a very vivid dream – she's had those before. Scary sure, but they always go away, and soon enough she's back into Ashton's arms, with Stitch jumping on the bed ready to lick their faces off. She just needs to wake herself up from whatever fucked up dream this is – right?

She's running down the stairs this time, frantically in search of something, of what exactly, she doesn’t know – but she knows she needs an answer. The more she looks for something, the more desperate she gets, not knowing what to look for. Then suddenly, something catches her eyes.

The white and blue calendar that's held up by magnets on the side of the fridge. She knows their calendar is red and yellow. They got it from their favorite flower market. Slowly, as if scared of what it might be there – “It's just a calendar, for fucks sake” – she approaches the damn thing. Upon inspection, she deems it as a normal calendar – she really doesn't know what she was expecting – until.

She knows what's wrong with it now.

It's November. She knows it, because the Asian and last leg of her first world tour is about to begin November 21st, eleven days from today. Right after Mike's birthday, she knows this.

Then why does the calendar say today is January 14th?

☆ ☆ ☆

Ashton woke up with a jolt. He quickly sat up, frightening the little Frenchie that was asleep right next to him on the bed. Trying to make sense of his surroundings, he roughly rubbed his face to get some sleep off of it and soon reached for the dog that was staring at him with sleepy but sad eyes. Ashton is sure Stitch understands far more than a dog is supposed to understand about their current situation.

The room is covered in shadows, almost pitch black, but he can see the sunlight even through the thick dark grey blinds covering up the windows. Ashton knows he won't be able to sleep again at that moment, so he gets up from the bed – much slower than he used to. His heartbeat is still out of control because of the nightmare that woke him up, but he can't bother to pay attention to it when Stitch is softly wailing beside him. Ashton lets out a ghost of a smile when the dog rests his head on his right upper thigh, looking up at him with an expression Ashton knows all too well.

“C'mon you little ravenous creature, let's feed you,” the bulldog excitedly jumps to the ground, already running his way down the stairs, not even waiting for Ashton to get up.

That gets a real smile out of him, but it vanishes as soon as he glances at the alarm clock on his bedside table. It reads 5:13 am, nothing out of the ordinary for him. But that small and inoffensive clock, with its red paint peeling off, holds a lot of memories for him. Memories that two months ago would bring joy to his heart, but now he almost wants to throw the object across the room.

It was a stupid thing, really. He had been wanting a vintage alarm clock and Olivia got one for his birthday. But the product they received was definitely not the one she bought, and if he's being honest, he didn't like it as much as he made out to. But seeing her so excited in the weeks before it arrived, and how disappointed she was when it did, he couldn't help but try his best to make her smile that luminous smile again. It's part of his nature by now.

That's also the reason why he lets her think that he doesn't notice when she wakes up at some ungodly hour (her words, not his) along with him, because of the annoying and only sound the alarm clock is able to produce. He always leaves soft kisses in every inch of bare skin he can find on her sleeping figure, so she goes back to the dream land and doesn't wake up before 10 am. No one wants to deal with that kind of bad humor, not even him.

As much as he likes being a morning person and absolutely enjoys her company in the mornings, he knows she'll take any and every extra hour of sleep she can get before starting the day. And that's why he loves that she's so stubborn that his early bird tendencies never got to her – he knows she feared that this would happen when they moved in together, but he met her like this, fell for her like this. He wouldn't change a single thing about her.

Ashton drags himself out of the bed, wincing slightly at how cold the wooden floors are under his bare feet. He doesn't bother putting some socks on, or a sweater – the cold weather in the house is uncharacteristically comforting to him. Nothing feels warm without her anyway.

While descending the stairs, he mentally curses himself for not being strong enough to look past the picture frames on the wall. One in particular catches his eyes – a picture from the night of Olivia's first concert with her band. The memories of that night are still painfully vivid in his mind: the laughter among their group that eventually infected everyone at the pub, Suki and Luke's first kiss and the silly smile that didn't leave his best friend's face all night, the standing ovation Olivia got after her three-songs set, and her captivating and breathtaking smile that made him realize right then and there, while watching her sway to the music, that he was definitely falling in love with her and there was nothing he could do to stop it – not that he wanted to.

So many memories held up on that wall, in the relatively short time since they met, that he can't help but wonder if that's all they'll get in this lifetime.

Ashton is abruptly taken out of his thoughts by Stitch's barks coming from the bottom of the stairs. He quickly jogs down the few steps left and goes straight after the dog's food in the kitchen's cabinet. After Stitch starts to happily devour his breakfast, Ashton goes to make his coffee, doing enough for two people like he always does, since Calum drops by most days for a chat or to drop Duke before going to work. Although all three of them know he just can't bother to make food for himself in the morning, while Ashton is the group's elected chef. Ashton always says he just needs a boyfriend – Olivia says Calum already has one who makes him breakfast every day.

He grabs an apple from the fridge and makes his way outside to their garden. Even though a lot of their memories took place there, the garden is the only space in the house where he doesn't feel like suffocating all the time. At least here, he can breathe some fresh air and look at the sky when he's feeling overwhelmed – which is basically all he's been doing for about a month now.

Yet, a lot of the garden has Olivia's name written all over.

He remembers vividly the day she came home after spending two weeks in LA doing some pocket shows, with a pack of daffodil seeds and the largest smile. She excitedly told him that a friend gifted it to her when she mentioned the little garden they were planning to build together at their new house. The friend told Olivia that daffodils symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, so as the good lover of symbolism that she is, Olivia loved the idea of having those flowers to symbolize their new beginning.

Ashton, on the other hand, wasn't a fan of the flowers at first – he just didn't see the appeal to them. But nonetheless, he indulged her, letting Olivia plant the seeds near the bench they used to sit during the quiet and unrushed afternoons, so they could admire the sunset, and she could happily look at the daffodils.

Pointless to say – the damn flowers grew on him.

Now, however, looking at them without Olivia and her contagious joy next to him, they were back to be as dull as they were before, if not more so.

Still lost inside his head without any sense of how much time went by since he sat down, Ashton doesn't hear the front door closing, and doesn't notice that he's no longer the only person inside the house until someone sits next to him on the bench. Yet, he doesn't show any sign of acknowledgement to them.

A few minutes go by before either of them speaks up.

“Luke said you didn't go to see her yesterday,” Calum starts softly, not wanting to disturb the calmness of the morning.

Ashton takes a few seconds to respond, “No point in doing that.” The black haired man licks his lips while thinking carefully about his next words.

“You know staying inside this house all day by yourself won't help either,” Calum turns his head to his left and takes a good look at Ashton's uncharacteristically hunched over figure, and immediately thinks that anyone can tell this man is not himself anymore. His second thought is that Olivia would hate seeing him like this.

“And what exactly do you expect me to do? Move on with my life like nothing happened? Like I'm not slowly and painfully losing the love of my life? Just because it’s easy for you doesn't mean it's easy for me.”

Calum closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He knows Ashton doesn't mean it, it's the anger and frustration talking. He knows it. Doesn't make it sting any less.

“I'm not telling you to move on with your life, because that's far from what I'm doing, and I certainly don't expect you to do it. I'm just saying you need to occupy your mind or else–”

“I'll go insane? Think it's a bit too late for that,” Ashton interrupts with a bitter tone that doesn't belong to his usual chirpy voice.

“You know it's not,” Calum sighs and drinks the rest of his coffee, moving his body slightly, so he's facing the blonde man, “I got a job interview for you at that school you talked about so much last summer, the principal said you can go any day this week. I went ahead and sent her your resume as well as explained everything that she needs to know about Olivia, so you don't have to. You just gotta put on some decent clothes and show up.” he sees Ashton's face softening a little and takes it as a victory. A few beats go by and then, “Maybe take a shower too. That's gonna make you feel better.” Calum leans in closer to his friend's personal space and takes a sniff, causing Ashton to deflect from him slightly, but not to push him away – another small win.

“Definitely take a shower, you stink. When was the last time your hair saw shampoo?”

“Fuck off,” is Ashton's only reply to the younger man's inquest. But Calum can see a smile creeping up on the blonde's face, which brings out a smile of his own.

“I'll send you all the details later today,” he checks the hour on the watch on his wrist and gets up, “Just please, Ash, go. I can't lose you too.”

Calum gently lays a hand on Ashton's shoulder and squeezes a little. The man doesn't look up, but gives a curt nod to his friend, who's satisfied enough. Calum stops on the threshold of the garden glass doors to give some kisses to Stitch – who came to make Ashton company as soon as he finished his food –, and then he puts the coffee mug on the dishwater. And soon enough, he's on his way out of the door. But not before snatching a tangerine from the fridge.

Ashton is left by himself once again. As he hears the sound of the front door closing, he thinks that this might be his life from now on. Just him and Stitch, trying their hardest to make it through another miserable day without the love of their lives. While everyone else comes by just to make sure he's still breathing. Breathing, maybe, but alive?

Swallowing the tears, he looks up at the sky. It's a deep, beautiful mix of orange, pink and blue, but he knows that it won't last long and soon the rain will be pouring down. He thinks about how much Olivia loves the rain.

God, he needs to pull himself together. She would hate to see him like this. Maybe he should take Calum's offer after all, he really needs to occupy his mind.

Making a mental note to thank Calum later, and also to apologize for how rude he was to him this morning, Ashton slowly gets up from the bench to put his mug on the sink and makes his way to the living room, with the small dog loyally following his every step. He puts on some cartoon that for once doesn't remind him of her (she always lovingly made fun of him for still watching those) and cuddles with Stitch on the couch. He can take a shower later.

Not half an hour goes by, he falls asleep and has a good dream for a change. He dreams of the days he spent with Olivia in the Philippines last February, right before her first world tour started. Some of the most magical days of their lives – surrounded by delicious food, a whole new culture to learn about and the warmth of the sun. Infinite counted days full of love and passion, where they were the only people in the world.

Even his subconscious knows to hold on to that brief moment of happiness, because he might never live that again.

#anna writes #perhaps she does write after all #alright i'm gonna go hide somewhere now bye #ashton irwin fanfiction #ashton irwin fic #ashton 5sos #ashton irwin x oc #5sos fanfic #5sos fic #ashton irwin imagine #5 seconds of summer #5sos imagine #anna writes: rwylm

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