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#i hope you’re well i’m HANGING ON BY A THREAD. BUT A GOOD THREAD
corpsentry · 6 months
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eulogy
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miniversse · 27 days
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I would like to request for husband Chan X wife y/n, where Chan comes home drunk attending an after party and gets all romantic and suggestive with y/n
⭑ “unresistible” ⭑
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⭑ bang chan x female reader
⭑ content includes: non-idol bang chan, non-idol reader, mentions of drinking, drunk chan, established relationship (married), oral (f receiving), use of pet names (baby,honey,channie), releasing
⭑ note: let’s just say anon has taste because i had so much fun writing this. i hope you enjoy it!
⭑ minors dni
⭑——————————————————⭑
you lay in bed staring at the screen of your phone, waiting for a call, a message, a photo but nothing came your way. as you turn to face the empty side of the bed your husband should be laying on, you hear the click of a door and one lock, two locks. his heavy footsteps approach the bedroom.
“hey baby”…
you continue to face the wall, hoping to let him know that you’re bothered by how late he arrived home. he promised he would be back before midnight on a night out with his friends, but it’s well past midnight and you waited patiently for him. the alcohol reeks off his body as he walks to face you and he happens to wear one of your favorite outfits: a black shirt and black trousers that you bought him on your second anniversary. it had the first letter of your name embroidered on the top of the shirt with a delicate, golden thread.
“i’m sorry baby, i just-“ his words trail off, knowing there was no success in making excuses. you glance at his face, feeling a sense of guilt. he has worked hard all week, and only hangs out with his friends on fridays to spend the weekend with you. he also was unresistible, always carrying a romantic and suggestive look in his eyes.
“it’s ok channie, get washed up and we can discuss it tommorow”
he reveals a small smile, and turns to the bathroom, undressing on his way there.
he lets out a long “aaah” as he plops his head on his pillow, hair still wet and straight. you couldn’t resist playing with his dark strands and twisting them with your fingers.
“i missed you baby, i’m sorry for being late” his hands grab yours and he places a kiss on the inside of your palm.
“it’s ok honey, as long as you had fun”
“mm, it was ok. nothing beats the fun i have with you” you both laugh at his remark
“what type of fun? you’ve always made fun of me for being a workaholic”
“ ‘yknow, when we wind down, and i get to have you for the night” he expresses, words slurred and spoken slow. his fingers trace your shoulder blades, and he lowers the sheets to place a kiss on the trails his fingers left. you feel a shudder run through your body and he moves up, to look back into your eyes. he always looked graceful when he’d come back home drunk, face flushed and eyes lustful. you place a peck on his lips and retract your head, only to feel his hand on the back of your neck bringing you back and locking lips with you, intertwining tongues and whispering “i’m sorry” and “i miss you baby” repetitively. you feel his hand moving down to grab at your shorts, grinning as if he doesn’t know what’s going on.
“you really want to do this now channie?”
“mhm, and why not? getting pussy drunk from you is better than any alcohol i can drink” and with that he dives under the sheets, pulling your shorts and underwear down, exposing your cunt to him. he trails kisses from your knees and down to your thighs, bringing them up to his shoulders. he hums in satisfaction before licking your wetness, letting a moan escape your parted mouth. his tongue explores you in all ways, curling inside your folds, rolling circles at your bud and flicking it.
“you’re so good baby”
“h-honey slow down, please” but he wouldn’t listen, rather he uses his fingers to play with your clit as he kisses and sucks your folds, leaving hickeys inside your thighs every so often. you grab at his, now damp, hair as your body prepares to release. your back arches and he pulls you back down, reaching your good spot countless times before you let out a final whimper of relief, your pussy dripping wet. chan let’s your sweet release coat his tongue and he swallows it, moving up to look at your sweaty face. he places a kiss on your forehead before grabbing napkins and helping you clean up.
you cuddle in his warmth, locking lips with him for what felt like hours. almost falling asleep in his arms, you gain consciousness of the situation again, laughing to yourself.
“how do i let you come home late and eat me out?”
“ ‘dunno baby, it seems like you can’t resist me”
you weren’t suprised he knew how your mind works. after all, he was your husband, and yours only.
⭑ TAG LIST
@captainchrisstan
@rylea08
@strayywayy
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528-hotline · 6 months
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ignoring safe words with matthew 🤭🤭 just asadcssf
also can i be 🍓 anon of its free?
ignoring safe words. with matthew !
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warnings | dubcon, rough sex, watersports, squirting, piss, dumbification, dacryphilia, overstimulation, choking, creampie, ignoring safe words … literal filth :3
word count | 700+
a/n 💌 oh my… well you came to the right person 🫨 yes you can be 🍓anon !! i hope this isn’t too much for you cuz i’m definitely not a sane seokryu… hehe the writing in here is not due to self indulgence, really…. (lies!!) after he kept on posting hot shit even if i was gone here, i think this drabble made it clear that i’m NAWT okay. 😁 my thoughts will stop here i’m sorry hehe (^^) i hope you enjoy 🫶🏼
DARK CONTENT ahead ! read with caution (18+ only)
“look at you, my dumb pretty baby… all pathetic and stupid over my cock…”
you were all sprawled on matthew’s bed, legs hanging on his shoulders, thighs quivering from sensitivity and overstimulation. it’s already the fourth round and matthew doesn’t have intentions to stop at any second. the longer he rams into your pussy, the pleasure slowly turned into pain overtime.
“m-matt, red! red! please!” you close your thighs from the overwhelming and mixed sensations you have been feeling throughout as you try to push away his pelvis away.
“nonono baby… open your goddamn thighs…your stupid pussy wanted this, right?” he coos at you as his strong arms pries away your thighs, spreading you apart, having a complete view of your cum-drenched pussy from earlier. the sight added more fuel to the flame as he carries your thighs, bringing it to his arms, his thrusts going deeper and faster. “your pussy feels so good, can’t get enough…”
“red, matthew! please, red! ‘m gonna pee, please l-let me!” you yelped, looking away from matthew as you cried in tears, fighting the pain away as he continuously pounds your poor, overstimulated pussy.
he lets go of your thighs just to grab your jaw with one of his hands, looking at your puffy eyes, eyes all reddened from crying. as his other hand lands on your clit, pinching and rubbing the slippery, reddened bud between the pad of his calloused fingers.
you squealed at the action, pain and pleasure hiking up at the same time, making you cry out loud as tears fall down your flushed cheeks. matthew licks one of your tears away with his tongue, he then chuckled evilishly from your response. you were scared and aroused at the same time. “look at me… i’m gonna fuck this pussy till you’re too dumb to even walk, you’ll like that, right? yes, of course you fucking do…” his hand travels down to your shoulder, pushing you back into the sheets agressively and proceeds on choking your neck.
“nonono, red! please– matt, it hurts! p-please! wanna– shit!” your voice almost strained as you tried to speak before you were all out of breath. speechless, you were only able to let out soft cries, thighs shaking uncontrollably from holding your bladder and the pleasure from matthew repeatedly hammering your pussy with his cock and playing with your clit. his actions made you weaker than ever, succumbing under his control, realizing that resisting was no use because he’s too strong. comparing matthew to you, you were already used up like a ragged doll.
“your dumb pussy wants a release, hm? gonna give you what you want, yeah? you fucking cockslut…” he coos at you, shaking your head in response even if you knew it was no use on stopping him. matthew lets go of your neck and your clit, pulling your thighs even closer his cock, sinking even deeper. he knew he reached your sweet spot when you gasped and by arching your back. he smirked to himself, as he decides to thrust in to that certain spot continuously, thrusting into you in an animalistic pace. a high pitched moan came out of your mouth as you grab on to the sheets, your knuckles turning into white. your bladder was already holding on to a thread and a knot in your stomach snapped when matthew did one last sharp thrust out of you.
“fuck, fuck, fuck—! agh!” you gasped out, your back arched, your eyes rolling back, reaching your high once again. jets of piss landed all over his abs and torso as your hips quiver from releasing both your cum and piss all over him. you felt numb all over and your brain all scrambled up from the feeling of pain and pleasure altogether. matthew throws his head back, groaning, feeling his warm cum shooting inside your walls. he finally pulls out his cock, his cum flowing out of your pussy, as both of your liquids mixed, seeping into the drenched sheets.
“that’s it… piss all over me baby…” your warm piss still flowing out uncontrollably while he slaps and run his cock all over your poor pussy until you’re all emptied out.
“ngh… no more, please…!” you hiccuped, all empty and passed out. matthew hovers your spasming body, trying to recover from the overstimulation that he has caused, giving your neck with peppery kisses.
“i hear you baby, but expect to be wrecked like this all over again.”
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shutuperce · 6 months
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your fall 2023 byler reading list 🍂🍂
BIG BYLER FIC REC DUMP cause i haven't been writing a lot but i HAVE been reading and y'all need to read these! hope u enjoy as much as i did <3
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got your spell on me, baby - @astrobei -Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]
Words: 7,919
TW: none
'To be fair, Will’s costume is great, now that Mike knows what it is. And, okay, wait-
“Oh, this is so good. This is so good.” Max points at Mike, wheezing. “Because you’re dressed as-”
Will’s still looking straight up at the sky. The length of his neck is very, very flushed. Mike can feel his entire face going redder than Vader’s lightsaber. He clenches his hands into tiny little fists, and says, around a groan: “I’m not Han Solo, guys.”'
THE halloween byler fic. the party at college, bi lucas sinclair content, halloween party shenanigans.
these nerds, using star wars to flirt 🙄
background lumax & their amazing couples costume, el & will power sibling duo!!!
bowie references to heal the soul
all in all one of my favourite getting-together fics for this time of year :)
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what a match: i'm half-doomed and you're semi-sweet - @perexcri - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]
Words: 28,150
TW: guns, blood, gore (just demodogs though no human gore)
'One month ago, if you had asked Will Byers what he’d do if Mike Wheeler threaded his fingers through his hair, looked him dead in the eyes, and started leaning in for a kiss, he wouldn’t have said this.
He wouldn’t have said he’d be staring right back into those yawning dark eyes, one hand on Mike’s waist, the other against his cheek. There wouldn’t have been any lightning in his veins or blood rushing in his ears.
He wouldn’t have said that Mike Wheeler would be tilting his head in the opposite direction, eyes widening just the slightest as if asking permission, his mouth slightly parted.
He wouldn’t have imagined it at all.'
SO SO GOOD. apocalypse post s4, background jancy and platonic stobin, interruption trope x10000 so it's SO SATISFYING at the end.
WILL WITH A GUN.
jonathan & mike solidarity <3
all in all amazingly well written mike and will being blushing messes. love them. fluff in the apocalypse.
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take my hand, wreck my plans - @parkitaco - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]
Words: 6,297
TW: discussion of past trauma
'"I am not taken," he says out of habit, even though he kind of is. He and Will aren't together - he blushes at the thought - but they do spend an awful lot of time together, and Mike doesn't ever find himself wishing he was anywhere else. "Will and I are-"
"Ooh, I didn't even say anything about Will!" Max crows. "Oh, this is excellent."
Mike hides his face in his hands even though she can't see him. "Oh my God. Can you put Lucas back on, please?"
Max cackles in to the receiver, the sound fading as Lucas presumably wrenches the phone out of her grip. "We gotta go, Mike," he says, laughing a little. "Max has class and I'm driving her."
"Tell her she's the worst," Mike grumbles, fiddling with the phone cord.
"Say hi to Will for me!" Lucas sings, and hangs up before Mike can protest.
Mike groans and flops back on his mattress. It's going to be a long year.'
part of a series!! byler college au, friends-to-lovers, background party friendship, AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES. OH MY GOD, THEY WERE ROOMMATES??
taylor swift title... do u really need any other persuasion
the whole series is just AMAZING. mike & will getting a break, living together at college and figuring shit out <3
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i might be hoping about this - @astrobei - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]
Words: 15,321
TW: none
'Will lets out a small squawk as Mike’s hand— his very cold, very freezing hand— finds its way around the blankets and under his sweater. “I’m sick, you weirdo,” he says, half-laughing into the side of Mike’s head, “I have a fever.” 
“I don’t care,” Mike mumbles, “you’re warm and I’m cold. This is nice.”
“You’re going to get sick,” Will tries, for the umpteenth time, but it’s pointless. Mike Wheeler is stubborn and hardheaded and he never does anything halfway— not even this.'
established byler at college!! so yeah i have a love of college byler and this is one of my top fics for sure. 2nd astrobi fic on this list because i love their writing <3
will gets sick, mike takes care of him. need i say more?
silly goofy guys living together & doing silly goofy domestic shit
this fic makes me SOFT.
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accidentally on purpose - @itsromeowrites - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]
Words: 5,019
TW: none
'It starts out with a kiss. An accidental kiss. Because Mike is sleepy and Will is pretty, and who can really blame him? And then there's another one, just as accidental. But the third? Well, that may be a little more on purpose.'
literally smiling so hard at this fic. like hello. soft secret boyfriends and loads of party content, all the kids are okay <3
established byler, how the party finds out. all fluff all the time. jonathan attempts the Talk. mike has no idea what's going on. et cetera.
background lumax, lucas & dustin being lil shits together, and el using her powers to cheat at splashing games. all in all a good time!
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and if I get burned, at least we were electrified - anonymous - Stranger Things (TV 2016) [Archive of Our Own]
Words: 14,958
TW: none
'“I’ll leave you be until lunch,” Max starts negotiating, nodding at him as if that’s a good deal. Which—considering it's Max, it is, but Mike doesn’t want to give in just yet. She sighs. “I won’t laugh about the sweater anymore. Or the weak disposition that gives you stupid allergies all the time.”
Mike’s frown deepens, but she wasn’t as mean as she could have been, so he’s gonna take it. He needs to get this out anyways, or he’s going to keep running in circles as if stuck in a hamster wheeler—an accurate representation of his brain when it comes to Will, really. He presses his lips together and tries to figure out a subtle, non-funny way to say it, but he comes up blank.
Fuck, whatever: “I almost kissed Will. Again.”
Max actually has to cover her mouth with her hand, disguising a worryingly loud snort with a cough. The teacher turns their way and stares, then goes back to explaining the exercise on the board. Mike scribbles it down while Max gets herself under control.
Screw his life.'
senior year, post-vecna. the party being friends but also little shits to each other.
madwheeler bandmates!!!
will steals mike's entire closet
they are Dumb Idiots who are mutually pining from afar
and other lovable tropes. takes place in november so good fall vibes :)
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joelalorian · 1 month
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Fall Into Me - Chapter Two: It All Turned Around
dbf!Joel x f!reader
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Summary: Joel is hanging on by a thread as a single father to a tenacious 10-year-old Sarah. Feeling like he's drowning, like the world is about to spit him out, he needs some help before he breaks in half. At your dad's insistence, you show up in his life and change everything.
Story is inspired by the song Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk. Chapter titles will be lyrics from the song.
Word Count: 2.6k
Series Warnings: Mature to start, but will ultimately be Explicit, under 18 take a hike. No outbreak AU. There will be angst, drama, fluff, humor, romance, smut... basically, the works. Age gap of about 9 years (Reader 24/25, Joel 33/34). No use of y/n. Reader has a nickname from her dad, which is explained in this chapter.
Dividers by the wonderful @saradika-graphics
Thank you for reading this little tale! I did not expect all the love the first chapter received - my heart is fit to burst!
Chapter One | Main Masterlist
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Chapter Two: It All Turned Around
You walked the few blocks over to Joel’s house on Monday morning, ready to start your new gig as Sarah’s… babysitter wasn’t the right word. Nanny? Au pair? Nah, that didn’t work either. Whatever, the wording did not matter. You were helping Joel out by taking care of his daughter when he couldn’t, that’s what mattered. Jeez, you thought as you walked along the sleepy neighborhood sidewalk, you were one step away from talking to herself aloud like a mad woman.
When you finally reached Joel’s house, already damp with sweat from the lingering heat, climbing the porch steps to the front door with your eyes glued to Joel’s truck, you realized the flaw in this arrangement.
You didn’t have a car.
How the hell were you supposed to take the kid to and from school without a car?
How did you not realize this sooner?
Knuckles rapping on the door, your teeth worried your plump bottom lip as you considered your options. Admit to the gorgeous single father relying on you to help with his precious daughter that you were a complete flake. Sneakily order an Uber with the hope that Sarah will keep her mouth shut about it. Or just buy a car off one of those online dealers and hope it gets delivered in time.
Those options weren’t great, but what the hell else did you have to work with?
The door finally opened to reveal a frazzled Joel, tee shirt inside out and dark curls mussed. A giggle bubbled out before you could stop it.
“Mornin’ darlin’,” Joel greeted, his lips tilting upwards at the sight of you while his free hand attempted to tame his wild curls. “Come on in. We’re runnin’ a little behind schedule this morning.”
“Good morning, Joel.” Your eyes drank him in. Even in his disheveled state he was gorgeous. If anything, the harried morning look made him even more endearing.
He stepped aside to let you in, glancing to the driveway then the curb. “Where’s your car? Did you walk here?” he questioned, confused.
And just like that, the pleasant feeling of seeing him again washed away in embarrassment. You almost forgot about the car situation again. “Yeah, ‘bout that. I don’t actually have a car.” You could practically see the wheels turning behind his dark chocolate eyes as he stared at you.
Finally, Joel’s head bobbed in a nod as he led you into the kitchen. “Okay, we can make it work. Tommy is on his way over and I’ll just hitch a ride to work with him. You can use my truck for running Sarah around.”
“You sure?” you questioned doubtfully. “I’m sorry, it didn’t occur to me that I don’t have wheels until I was standing on your porch.”
Waving off your apologetic concern, Joel called for Sarah to come down for breakfast. Turning back to you, he smiled, the scruff of his beard barely concealing a delightful little dimple. “Don’t worry about it. Just use my truck when you’re on duty until we figure something else out. It’s not like I need it when I’m stuck on a job site all day.”
“Well, thanks for being understanding, and so kind,” you replied, feeling a little overwhelmed by how wonderful Joel was being.
Sarah appeared at your side as Joel dug in his pocket for his keys, throwing her arms around your waist. “You’re here!”
“I am!” You hugged the little girl to your side with a laugh, surprised to see Joel’s warm gaze on you when you looked up. There was something in his expression that you couldn’t decipher.
“Here are my keys – this one is for the truck, obviously, and this one is for the front door. Don’t mind the other ones,” he said after clearing his throat, a slight flush spreading across his cheeks. “I’ll get a spare house key made this week so you can come and go as you please. You have my cell number, so call me if you run into any problems with the truck or anything else.”
Once Sarah was seated at the table with a bowl of cereal, Joel filled you in on a few other details pertaining to Sarah’s weekday routine and where anything you might need was located in the house.
“Drop off at 8:30, pick up at 3, homework before play, and don’t let her snack too much before dinner,” you summarized his instructions. “I got it. I can make dinner, too, if you’d like.”
Dark eyes flashed with a hint of something indecipherable again as Joel smiled. “You don’t have to do that unless I’m gonna be real late. I’ll call or text to let you know when I expect to get home each day.”
“Sounds good.” Your finger traced random patterns on the countertop as you watched the Millers go about their morning routine and you wondered if you should say something about his tee shirt. You didn’t want to embarrass the guy, but it would be rude not to let him know, right? What was the protocol here? If it was you, you’d want to know before leaving the house, right?
Before you could decide what to do, Tommy came bursting through the front door, boisterous voice calling out for his brother. “Come on, man. We gotta get rollin’!”
Joel rolled his eyes to you as Tommy came to a halt in the kitchen, the younger brother’s smile widening when his eyes raked over you. “Well, hello again, gorgeous.”
“Hey Tommy,” you greeted in return, glancing between the two brothers. Where Joel was broad and brooding, Tommy was lithe and energetic, and flirty to a fault. Both were handsome, but Tommy had ‘player’ written all over him. He was the exact type of guy that you avoided getting entangled with – the overconfident, love ‘em and leave ‘em type.
Growing tired of his brother gawking at you, Joel grumbled. “Alright, stop flirting, Tommy. It’s time to go.” Dropping his empty coffee cup in the sink, he turned back to you. “Call me if you need anything, darlin’.”
You nodded with a smile, watching the brothers kiss Sarah goodbye.
“Your shirt’s on inside out, asshole,” Tommy blurted out suddenly causing Joel’s cheeks to pinken. “God dammit,” he muttered, tugging the shirt over his head to set it right.
Unable to tear your gaze away from the glimpse of broad chest and slightly soft tummy, you jolted when something bumped your shoulder. Snapping your head to the side, you frowned at Tommy’s beaming grin. “Ah, I see how it is,” he said cryptically, the grin never leaving his lips.
“What?” you asked, baffled, mind still flooded with the image of a briefly shirtless Joel. The brothers were gone before you could shake your head clear.
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Joel’s truck was ornery, you learned quickly. Stomp too hard on the gas pedal and it stalled. Don’t step hard enough on the pedal and it made funny noises while going nowhere fast. Brake too hard and it squealed. Don’t brake hard enough and, well, then you’d crash, obviously. It was a damn Goldilocks truck, but you adapted quickly, making sure you could get Sarah to and from school safely.
God, could you imagine if your first call ever to Joel was to tell him you crashed his truck and put his daughter in danger – or worse yet, she got hurt? That would be beyond awful!
By the afternoon, you and the truck had come to a grudging agreement. You would treat it nicely and it would do what you wanted it to. That was another sign you were losing your mind, right? Coming to agreements with inanimate objects? It was getting sad. You needed a life, some human socialization, for fucks sake.
“Hey nugget!” you called to Sarah, spotting her bouncing down the steps of the front entrance to the K-8 school. It was the very one you applied to earlier in the day, hoping to take over for a science teacher retiring at the end of the year.
“Hey! That’s what my dad calls me!” the little girl declared as she came to a halt in front of you.
“I know! It’s such a cool nickname, much better than the one my dad gave me,” you laughed and opened the passenger door, watching her scramble into the seat like a pro. Satisfied with the security of Sarah’s seatbelt, you jogged around to the driver’s side and hopped up into the truck.
“What’s your nickname?” Sarah asked as you started the truck with an encouraging pat on the dash.
“Spud,” you groaned, voice barely louder than the rumble of the truck’s engine.
Sarah’s brow furrowed and her cute little nose scrunched up. “Spud? Why does your dad call you that?”
“Ugh, the way he tells it, I was a really chunky baby. ‘Round like a potato’ he said. He didn’t like the thought of calling me ‘potato’ so, the nickname spud was born. I’ve hated it every day, but my dad loves it, so I tolerate it for his sake.”
Sarah listened to your explanation with rapt attention. “Yeah, I can see why you like mine better. I’ll make sure to never call you spud. Maybe we can come up with something better?”
“Thanks, kid! I’d like that.”
The rest of the ride back to Joel’s house was quiet as you focused on driving and Sarah bobbed her head to some tune she hummed. Once you pulled to a careful stop in the driveway, the little girl turned into a chatterbox, recounting every moment of her day as you led the way inside and prepared a small snack.
“Fourth grade is quite the adventure, I see,” you said when she finally stopped to nibble at an apple slice. “I don’t remember it being quite that much fun.”
There wasn’t any homework to assist with, but Sarah insisted on showing you all the A grades she got on her work from last week. She preened under your undivided attention, and you encouraged her to keep working hard.
The two of you were in the midst of playing some Lego video game when your phone buzzed with a text from Joel letting you know he was on his way home. The job site wasn’t far, and he walked through the door before 5 pm to find you and Sarah giggling as you bashed away at things in the video game. You were both laying on the floor, knees bent, and heads perched on throw pillows from the couch as you stared up at the TV. Neither of you even noticed him come in and he smiled at the precious moments he had to take in how genuinely happy Sarah was in your company.
Sarah caught sight of him first, pausing the game and rushing over to hug him. He eyed you as he hugged his daughter, his exhausted gaze silently thanking you for taking care of his entire world.
“Would you like to stay for dinner?” he asked, kicking off his boots before stepping farther into the house. “I was gonna order pizza.”
Tempted to say yes just to spend more time with him, you declined knowing they had limited father-daughter time. “Thank you, though. I should get back to my house to finish the paperwork for transferring my teaching certification. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Joel escorted you to the door, watching as you descended the porch steps and strolled down the sidewalk until you were out of sight.
The next few weeks followed the same pattern with you staying late a few nights a week or covering a Saturday when Joel was stuck on a job site. You started making dinner most evenings. Whether he made it home early or late, he always seemed exhausted, and you wanted to ease his burden as much as possible. You might have also wondered how many home-cooked meals the pair actually ate when Joel was left in charge of dinner.
You bought a car off another one of your dad’s buddies – a no nonsense sedan just to get you around town with Sarah safely. Some days, while Sarah was at school, you would even do Joel’s food shopping, knowing that he liked to shop at the bulk stores to save money.
Soon, you found yourself staying longer after Joel got home, eager to spend time with him and watch him be a dad. He was such a good one, much like your own, always giving Sarah his full attention and speaking to her with respect and making sure she felt heard. It left you in awe of the man he was and your burgeoning crush quickly, and quite by accident, developed into an affectionate longing for something you couldn’t have.
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“How’s it going with Spud?” your dad asked, taking a swig from the bottle of beer in his hand. Seated at a table on the Miller’s back patio with Joel and Tommy, the men enjoyed a few after-work beers as you and Sarah sat together in the grass nearby.
“Why do you call her that, JB? I always wondered.” Joel questioned in return, curiosity finally getting to him.
You dad laughed, the memories of you as a baby always brought a smile to his face. “She was the chunkiest little potato as a baby, all round with the cutest chipmunk cheeks. The nickname spud just popped into my head and stuck from day one.”
Joel’s chestnut eyes flicked over to watch you during your dad’s explanation, a bubble of guilty warmth building in his gut. He found you immediately attractive when you first met, but now, nearly a month into getting to know and spend time with you, a strong affectionate attraction began to develop. It was wholly against his will, too. You were JB’s daughter – his best friend aside from his brother – and therefore off limits.
Surely him lusting after you broke some guy code, right?
Maybe he just needed to get laid. That would set him straight.
As if reading his mind, JB changed the subject. “Now that you have some help with Sarah, maybe it’s time to get back into the dating world. You need the love of a good woman, son.”
“Yeah, how long’s it been since you had a girlfriend, brother?” Tommy chimed in with a smirk. “A decade?”
The younger brother merely chuckled in response to Joel’s scowl. “I’ve dated, just none of them were good enough to bring home,” he replied, a rough edge to his deep voice. “Sarah’s always come first.”
“As she should.” JB nodded. “I know it ain’t easy being a single dad, but you have to make some room and time for yourself otherwise you’ll go crazy.”
Your dad went on to share some of his experiences with dating as a single dad and how you practically begged him to find a girlfriend when you were a teenager, just so he’d give you some space. After a short while, JB and the Miller men were laughing so hard their eyes were watering. At one point, Joel caught you watching them with a tender smile on your lips and his heart skipped a beat.
“Okay, I guess it’s time to put myself out there,” Joel admitted, forcing his gaze away from you.
“Yeah? I know someone who’d love to go on a date with you!” Tommy declared excitedly, turning to JB. “You know Annica over at the lumber yard? She’s been gagging over this one for ages. I’ll text her to set something up for Saturday night.”
“Sounds like it’s settled then. You’re going on a date, son!”
Joel’s brow furrowed, glancing between your dad and Tommy wondering if he just made a huge mistake.
tbc
Taglist: @mellymbee @untamedheart81 @anoverwhelmingdin @runningmom94 @leilanixx @pedropascalfan221 @lovelyjess69 @sarahhxx03 @sofiparallel
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astridthevalkyrie · 8 days
Text
your match is made | xavier x reader
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“I know,” he continues, tucking a piece of your hair behind your ear, “that the people in our classes, the nobles, the folks in the marketplace, they all hold me in high regard.” “Xavier,” you try to argue weakly, already feeling your heartbeat speed up from where this conversation is going. The thought of losing him, of losing your best friend, your prince, your everything, it is paralyzing. “Please don’t—” “I know that my weapon of choice is a longsword.” “Stop,” you whisper. But he doesn’t, and he looks directly into your eyes with an open, honest sincerity written all over his face. Like this is his truth, even though it is yours. “And I know that you have known me all your life, and I feel that I have known you for even longer than that.”
cw: fluff, like that's it that's literally it this is so fluffy
word count: 6.6k
a/n: lyric credits used in this fic: téir abhaile riú by celtic woman <- fire song btw, listen to bless your ears, it also sets the vibe of this fic very nicely tbh. jeremiah's my favorite boyfailure.
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Lanterns hang from every available line in and around the town square, brightening any block lucky enough to fall under its horizon. In every corner and roadblock, there are carts littering the streets, dozens upon dozens of merchants calling out their best prices on their finest goods, all the way from fabrics stitched by the very same threads used for the royals’ robes, to common sweet chocolates that all the teenagers are purchasing in bulk to share with their friends and younger siblings. There is room to move around, but there is not a single area that is not bustling with people, either trying to purchase steamed corn from the stalls or simply enjoying the festivities with their families. And in the center of it all, the bards play with such finesse that their fingers may as well be the source of the music rather than the instruments. 
Such is the celebration of lights, a celebration of the light. Of Philos, of this miracle that humanity has been gifted with. Every year without fail, the people gather in the town square to commemorate this historic occasion, and every year without fail, it is the grandest jamboree you have ever bore witness to.
“C’mon, Xavier,” Jeremiah protests out loud, “what would be the point of having the crown prince with us if he refuses to pay for our meals?”
Xavier simply shakes his head, the serene smile never leaving his face as he denies Jeremiah for the third time tonight—he clearly derives great pleasure from doing it. “I’d hate to rob you of the chance to participate in Philos’ market tonight of all nights.”
Jeremiah groans at his right, and from Xavier’s left, you giggle. It’s the same routine every single year, and at every occasion to be honest, and yet Jeremiah never stops trying to emphasize the difference in his wealth versus the royal family’s. Xavier, who you think would give his last dime to an ant if it looked hungry enough, looks like he loves refusing Jeremiah more than participating in any one of the activities tonight. 
The spicy aroma of rice cakes fills your senses then, and you let out a longing sigh as you look to the stall decorated with steaming bowls on all sides. “I’m starting to get hungry too, now.”
Both of them follow your gaze, where the vendor is hurriedly turning this way and that to discuss prices and accept payments, while three of his chefs work in the back, delivering more as the demand increases. Xavier hums quietly, then takes out a small black pouch from his pocket.
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to eat.” He holds out the bag for you to take, but before you can, Jeremiah scoffs, loudly.
“Oh, that’s sick.” He points an accusing finger at the prince. “That’s sick! If you keep playing favorites, you’re going to get betrayed when you take the throne, I hope you know. I swear I’m going to lead a revolution against you myself.”
“Do you really think my grandis knight would ever let you harm me?” Xavier shoots back, and you beam as Jeremiah rolls his eyes, snatching the pouch straight out of his fingers.
“I’ll take this, and I’m going to get two”—he holds up two fingers for emphasis—”two bowls, and I’m not sharing. Your grandis knight can split her portion with you.” With that, he stomps off in a huff, leaving Xavier with his head tilted and a confused expression on his face.
“I don’t understand. There should be enough coins for three bowls.”
“He’ll get you a bowl.” You raise your voice enough for Jeremiah to hear as he walks. “He’s very grateful that you offered your money, isn’t that right, Jermy?”
Jeremiah makes a rude gesture without even turning back to face you, and you laugh, grabbing Xavier’s wrist to follow him. If it were any other member of the royal family, they’d be getting swarmed right about now, and would likely require at least ten guards to stand around them at all times to ward people off. That is how the king and queen sit, a few blocks away from the main festival, up on a platform elevated high enough that no one could think to climb it, with Lightseekers both in front of them and on the ground, safe and observing the celebration from a distance. Philos’ crown prince is different. Xavier is out in the town with the common folk so frequently that he’s almost lost all the celebrity status his title comes with. Of course, that makes him popular in an entirely different way. The people in the market always seem happy that someone of such high status would lower himself enough to walk and talk amongst them.
His hand slips lower as the two of you go after Jeremiah, warm fingers intertwining with yours. You think little of it, reckoning he doesn’t want to get separated with so many people around. Xavier isn’t one to shy away from touch, at any rate. Once you spar with someone enough, it’s only natural to become physically comfortable with one another. He places his hands on your shoulders when he wants to guide you somewhere, bandages your cuts with his own calloused palms, presses his lips to your forehead to check whether you’re sick or not. In the face of all that, him holding your hand while running through a bustling crowd is hardly surprising.
Jeremiah is waving the pouch in the air hopelessly, trying to be noticed amongst the rest, when the vendor spots the two of you. “Xavier!” he calls happily. “Good timing, I have a fresh bowl ready just for you!”
“Unbelievable,” your chestnut-haired friend mutters under his breath, elbowing you as you laugh at his misfortune. Xavier steps closer, and you see him hold up two fingers to ask for more. When he points over, you wave to the vendor, who waves back before calling out instructions over his shoulder. In almost an instant, he has three steaming bowls filled with rice cakes ready for you to take. Your mouth almost waters at the sight. 
Xavier picks up one of them to offer to you, which you take gratefully. Taking a few steps to the side to avoid crashing into anyone, the three of you find a relatively less crowded place to dig in. 
Before you can take a heaping sip from the spoon, he gently takes your wrist and blows on the hot broth, meeting your eyes with a soft, concerned look. “Be careful.”
“I’m always careful,” you remind him teasingly, but blow some air of your own onto the spoon before finally digging in. As the flavors explode inside your palate, you hold back a moan at how good it tastes.
“Miss Knight!” a high-pitched voice calls out, and you turn in time to see a tiny pink blur moving past people’s legs. 
“Adelaide!” You hand your bowl to Jeremiah, who passes it to Xavier without even blinking, and kneel down to catch the blur in your arms. “Look at you, you look so pretty! I love your dress!”
The little girl’s eyes light up at the compliment. “Thank you! Miss Knight,” she bounces up and down eagerly, “I made something for you!” In her hands, she holds out a product of one of the several craft stalls set up for the children during the festival, a simple but elegant flower crown that she holds out like a grand prize. And from how your heart melts, it may as well be. 
“Oh, how beautiful. Thank you so much. Would you put it on for me?” You tilt your head down, and she places it on with all the care a child of six years would have. You know you’ll have a difficult time getting it out in a while after the flowers tangle with your hair, but you don’t mind at all. Adelaide is your favorite person to visit whenever the three of you come to town, the daughter of the seamstress who makes your uniforms, and you’d do anything to see her smile the way she is now.
“You look like a princess,” she says in awe. Your cheeks warm, and you stand up, gesturing to the other two.
“Speaking of which, you remember Xavier and Jeremiah, don’t you?”
Her small hands grip your dress robes as she hides behind your legs, peeking out at them. Xavier, with both his hands occupied holding your bowl and his own, merely smiles encouragingly at her, while Jeremiah waves. “Hiya, Adelaide. Your dress looks awesome!”
From the corner of your eye, you see her face turn bright red, and right as you’re about to coo inwardly about her adorable little crush, you hear someone calling her name. All your heads turn, as an older blonde boy, out of breath, almost pushes past people in his rush to run to her. 
“I told you not to run off like that! You could get lost—oh.” He stops short when he sees you, blinking as the color returns to his cheeks after his run. “H-hi there.”
“Hi, Neville.” You smile at Adelaide’s older brother, who’s almost always around when you visit. “Enjoying the celebration?”
“Definitely—I’m sorry I haven’t come to see you, I was helping Mother with her stall, a-and I didn’t know your master would give you the night off.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world. And the grandis knight is at the king’s side, he could hardly stay to train me on such an important night.”
“Right.” He stands with his hands on Adelaide’s shoulders, only staring, seemingly forgetting why he’s there in the first place. For a few moments, no words are said at all.
Right when you’re about to cough awkwardly, he snaps back to attention. “Um, would you like to dance?”
“She can’t,” Xavier says immediately, almost making you jump. He’s almost right behind you, looming over your shoulder and staring Neville straight in the eyes with an expression you’ve never seen on him before. 
“Xavier!” The blonde bows clumsily (and unnecessarily) before straightening up, an unspoken question in his eyes. He looks between you and Xavier, and while you hadn’t been planning to agree to his request in the first place, you look at Xavier curiously as well. He’s never before dictated what you do during the celebration, whether you’re with him and Jeremiah or with some of the others in your class. 
“She can’t,” he says again, a bit more softly, “she can’t, because…” He takes one glance at you, then down at the two bowls in his hand, then looks back up. “She’s already going to dance with Jeremiah.”
“What?” both you and your supposed dance partner question at the same time. 
“You’ve been meaning to ask her to dance the whole night.” Xavier’s blue eyes fall on Jeremiah, with a pointed gaze. “This song is about to end, I think now is as good a time as any.”
“But I’m eating!” he whines, shaking the bowl in his hands as though to beg Xavier to take pity on him.
“I’d be happy to dance with her before Jeremiah steps in—” Neville offers, but he’s cut off by Xavier again, and this time his voice is icier, and his eyes are narrowed on Jeremiah who’s pouting at him.
“No, I think Jeremiah should do it now before it’s too late.”
Whatever message he’s trying to get across, Jeremiah clearly understands it, groaning and taking one last sip before grabbing your hand and tugging you to the main grounds. You’re only slightly irked that no one actually waited for your answer on whether you wanted to dance or not. But you’re more confused than anything else. Just a few minutes ago, both of them were fine, what could have happened so soon to make Xavier sound so cold?
“Have you really been meaning to ask me to dance all night?” you try asking, but Jeremiah only rolls his eyes.
“Please shut up. I already have to deal with His Majesty the Oblivious Idiot tonight, I can’t deal with both of you.”
“What are you talking about—”
“Miss Grandis Knight!” one of the bards, the violinist, waves to you. You’re momentarily distracted, smiling at her. It’s quite nice, if maybe a bit egotistical, to hear anyone call you what you’re trying so hard to be even when you haven’t achieved it yet. “Coming to dance?”
“I am!” you shout back cheerfully. “Give me a good one!”
She thinks for a few seconds, then makes a motion to the other musicians. Placing the violin against her collarbone delicately, she begins to pluck a familiar tune, one that has you lighting up and has the crowd cheering. Even Jeremiah grins as the two of you face each other, both of you well versed in proper dance etiquette from taking the same classes growing up. 
First, he bows, mimicked by the other men in the large circle that’s formed, extending a hand to their dance partners. Then you, and the other ladies, curtsy, and with a light step you take his hand and begin the dance. The bards begin to sing the contagious melody, as you and Jeremiah step in place, back and forth, your arms extending then coming together, before he twirls you under his arm. Both of you are laughing for no real reason, perhaps aside from how frivolous this is compared to the fighting techniques you’re usually partaking in together.
The song builds, and builds, and his hands slip to your waist, helping you leap across him before he ducks his head dramatically. The violinist calls your name, pointing at you to sing the next verse. Through your giggles, your cheeks warm at the attention, but you oblige.
Swishing your dress around you, you bounce off Jeremiah, pointing at him with a flourish. “Come now and follow me down, down to the lights of Galway where—” Your eye catches Xavier’s, who’s watching you as though you’re the main event. With everyone else’s attention already on you, you’re not sure if you can possibly take any more, but something about his gaze makes your chest feel lighter, as though in this celebration of lights, the real light is the one staring at you, the one who has eyes for no one else. “There's fine sailors walking the town, and waiting to meet the ladies there!”
The bards take over the song again, yet the spell doesn’t break. As Jeremiah twirls you again and hands you off to the next man, switching dance partners easily, you beckon Xavier towards you, urging him to join. 
The night is young, you try to convey to him wordlessly, and I don’t want to be without you.
He steps forward, as you switch dance partners again. While you hadn’t meant to dance in the first place, it makes you feel lightheaded in a good way. The movements you have to do are light as opposed to rough and unforgiving on your muscles, and the alternating hands on your body handle you as gently as possible instead of trying to seek out all your weak points. 
Your head tilts to the side, trying to see if Xavier entered the fray or not. You’ve lost sight of him, in a different part of the circle now, and you can’t search properly without breaking the formation of the dance and ruining everyone’s fun. The next person you spin into ends up being Neville, who chuckles shyly and tells you, “Not bad, Miss Grandis Knight!”
His moves are far more stiff than Jeremiah’s, but far be it from you to judge when he hasn’t had formal training. The important thing is that he tries, and you still have fun, and besides, the song is ending now. You’re almost back to where you started in the circle, just one more spin and—
A familiar, calloused hand grazes yours, skimming down the side of your arm. You gasp at this touch, far more coarse than the others, and the only one to leave you breathless, not least because it’s accompanied by the striking blue of Xavier’s eyes. 
When he extends and brings you closer, it is more than just natural. Xavier is of royal blood, it is almost as if he was born to do this. Your feet step with his without you having to look down, so familiar with his balance and pace from years and years and years of sparring together. And not even once do you break away from his piercing gaze, because you’re nervous that if you do, he might just disappear.
The song comes to an end, with a final step forward and your hands on Xavier’s chest, and everyone erupts into cheers. The noise surrounding you makes the silence between you and him all the more deafening.
As the two of you simply stare at each other, breathing in sync, one of his hands reaches up, first resting on your cheek before then making its way up to gently adjust the flower crown that had slanted on your head while you were dancing. Once he fixes it, his head tilts down, just enough that his nose brushes against yours, and a smile forms on your lips.
“I am very pleased you joined, my liege.” Your eyes shine in gratitude.
Xavier opens his mouth to respond, and that’s exactly when Jeremiah chooses to slump against his shoulder, yawning. “Oh man, I’m spent. When do we go back to the academy?”
Xavier looks mildly disgruntled. “This is going to go on for hours,” you tell him, frowning, “we can’t leave now. Besides, the fireworks will start soon.”
“Another dance?” the crown prince suggests, sliding your palm into his. 
Jeremiah gives him an unimpressed look. “Give it a rest.”
Stepping past the two of them, you look at all the tables mostly occupied by children being distracted by someone painting little butterflies and stars on their faces or the tiny flutes that are passed out for them to blow into. One of the pastry vendors is handing out baked goods for free, and while you didn’t actually get any chance to eat earlier, you want to find something to actually do. You’re not tired after dancing; on the contrary, now you’re restless and brimming with energy. 
“Come on,” you declare readily, taking both their hands and pulling them into the ruckus. Your boys have little choice but to come along with you. Your feet will start to ache soon too, you’re sure. But for now, while they don’t, and while the way Xavier was staring at you is still burned into your mind, you want to enjoy yourself.
Once again, his fingers tangle with yours, clinging to your hand warmly—a stark difference to Jeremiah’s, which you have to grip onto harder to make sure he doesn’t get left behind. He whines and complains the whole time, telling you he’s sore all over and that the three of you should try and beat the rush by leaving early. You’re used to this routine every year, so you’re not fazed. Nor is he serious, because even though you could physically force him to stay, Jeremiah never tries to leave until you and Xavier are good and ready.
As you run, different students in your section call out to you and Jeremiah. People are just slightly more hesitant to address Xavier directly, but you’ve never understood such a thing. The last thing he is is intimidating. Well, maybe place a sword in his hand and he becomes slightly fearsome (to everyone except you). There’s still no need to pretend that Xavier ever struts around demanding everyone show him the highest respects. He’s the furthest thing from arrogant.
It makes you feel proud, really, knowing you’ll be in the service of Philos’ greatest king.
“Xavier!” someone finally calls out. For a second, you’re thrilled, until you see who it is, and your face falls.
The title of grandis knight comes with a certain authority. Not one that you actually have yet, of course, but people respect the current holder of the position, and as his prized mentee, that respect teeters down to you most of the time. 
Keyword being most.
Just a few months back, you and Lillia had been close friends. You weren’t as close to her as you were to Xavier and Jeremiah, but she was still someone you confided in. You knew a few personal things about her, and she knew a few personal things about you. It was nice to be able to talk to someone who wasn’t a guy, or your trainer, or one of the older students. Just another girl around your age training to become a Lightseeker.
But you should have realized that the respect you garnered by swearing to be the future king’s bodyguard came with a reasonable risk of betrayal as well. And yes, betrayal is a strong word. Technically, nothing happened. There is no accusation you can level at her. At least not without someone calling you hysterical, and that’s hardly needed when you’re already a woman seeking the highest position in the court, second only to the king himself.
It had come down to one night, with just you and her sitting and talking about nothing in particular, when she had leaned in and asked you something.
“So do you like anyone?”
It had been a quiet night, and the two of you had been the only ones awake, holed up in an old classroom, so you hadn’t thought any consequences could come from speaking truthfully—or at least, what you had genuinely believed to be the truth.
“Not really.” You’d shrugged, leaning back on the desk you were sitting on, putting your weight on your palms. “Most of the people in our section aren’t really my type.”
“Really?” Lillia had smiled slyly. “Not even Xavier?”
Your nose had wrinkled—not in disgust, just confusion. “Xavier? Why?”
“What do you mean? You two spend all your time together. You’re always sparring. Doesn’t romantic tension build up after something like that?”
“Maybe if we were equally matched,” you’d huffed, shaking your head, “I always beat him, I certainly don’t feel any tension. Besides, he’s going to be king. And I’m trying my best to be his grandis knight. We could never be in a relationship even if we wanted to be.”
“So you don’t have any interest in him?” she’d asked, a little more forcefully. You’d thought nothing of it at the time. 
“I mean…” Your stomach had twisted a bit uncomfortably and you’d averted your gaze. “If you had a sword to my neck, if I had to choose someone…”
And it had forced you to think about it. A far off scenario, if he wasn’t going to be the king, or if you weren’t going to be the grandis knight, or maybe both. It had been difficult to see Prince Xavier as anything else, but…it wasn’t impossible. If you were both just students, or partners, or even if you worked at that bakery that he loved to frequent. 
If you were just a normal person, and he was as common as everyone else, the first thing you’d thought you’d notice about him would be his eyes. It’s what you notice about him most of the time regardless. He has nice eyes. They have a sincerity in them that most people lack. And he looks at you a lot, so you would know.
He’s not bad to look at either. And he’s kind. A good leader. With a precious heart. And skilled fingers—
Blinking out of the hypnotic thoughts you’d fallen into, you’d hidden your suddenly flustered state as best you could and simply answered, “I suppose if I had to choose to love someone, I’d choose Xavier.”
And that had been that. Or so you thought. Everything had been alright, at least.
Until the next morning, when you’d walked out of your class and seen Lillia’s arms around Xavier’s neck. 
For a second, it had felt like Philos stopped turning on its axis. 
It wasn’t like Xavier had reciprocated. But that was only because he had been too polite to shove her away, and it would’ve been inappropriate to engage in anything further. Crown prince or not, he was still a guy, and obviously a pretty girl pressed into him in such a way would interest him.
And Lillia had caught your eye, and smiled triumphantly, as though to say well, if you don’t want him, then…
Even though you hadn’t said you didn’t want him. Well, you had said you weren’t interested, yes. But you had also told her that if someone held a blaster to your face if you didn’t cherish someone, then you would cherish Xavier. And maybe that hadn’t been a confession, but it hadn’t been you giving her permission to pursue him either. Not that she needed your permission, because it wasn’t like you had a claim on him, and it wasn’t supposed to make your chest burn that he, even for a second, looked at anyone else the way he looked at you.
You hadn’t confided your weak feelings to anyone else after that.
“Hi, Lillia,” Xavier says, snapping you out of your thoughts. You didn’t even realize until now that the three of you had approached her. “What’s this booth for?”
“Oh, it’s amazing,” she gushes, wrapping her hands around his arm and tugging. Your eye twitches. “She’s a fortuneteller. For just a few copper pieces, she’ll answer any one question you want to know about your life.”
“Really?” he asks softly, and all your gazes shift to the woman who bows her head to the prince, sitting in her chair with a purple drape over the small table in front of her. “I’m not sure what I’d want to ask.”
Lillia smirks in a way that makes you uneasy. “Well, I asked about my future partner.”
“Partner? For sparring?”
“For marrying, you dolt,” Jeremiah snorts, “c’mon, Xav, sit down and let’s see which unlucky soul gets to be queen of Philos.”
You’re nervous that he will, and you’re nervous that you won’t like the answer. Because it wouldn’t be you, you’re sure of that. And you shouldn’t want it to be you. That doesn’t mean you think he should be with her, either. What business did Lillia have pursuing Xavier, at any rate? She was training to be a Lightseeker too—but of course, the average knight did not have the same restrictions the grandis knight did—not that it matters because you have no say regardless—
But Xavier shakes his head. “No, it’s okay. My future partner will simply be…whoever the kingdom deems the loveliest of the lot.”
Your heart both inflates and deflates at his response. On one hand, you hadn’t wanted him to have his fortune read, for fear of heartbreak. On the other hand, a part of you had foolishly hoped that he would have the same option to love like everyone else did.
“You should do it,” Jeremiah nudges you with his elbow. Before you can protest, Lillia’s eyes light up.
“Oh, yes, you should! Here, come sit.” 
“Um, I don’t know.” Warily, you gaze over at the fortuneteller, who merely gives you a serene smile. “Is she going to give me someone’s name?”
“No, just a description. She told me my future partner would be someone of noble descent.” Lillia beams, showing off her too-perfect teeth, and suddenly you feel inadequate. You know what she’s implying, even if Xavier doesn’t. After all, there are very few people who would match that description.
So, not wanting to seem like a coward, because the king’s sword is anything but a coward, you step forward, sitting down in the leathery chair. You’re about to reach for your pocket to take out the copper pieces, when Xavier reaches over and places them in the fortuneteller’s palm, giving you an encouraging look that makes your heart sink. Perhaps you should have listened to Jeremiah earlier and called it a night.
When the woman takes your hand, she closes her eyes, running her thumb back and forth against your calluses. Your breath gets stuck in your throat, and you try not to move a muscle. For some reason, it feels like if you so much as twitch, you’ll get the wrong answers, and you’re not even sure what the right answers are. 
Her eyes open, piercing yours with a startling gaze. “Fascinating,” she murmurs, “I see three things about your lover.”
To hear that word—lover, instead of spouse or partner, makes your entire face feel hot. Lillia giggles, saying something under her breath that you don’t catch but makes you feel violent tendencies nonetheless.
“First, he is someone held in very high regard by all around him.”
Oh no.
“Second, a longsword is his weapon of choice.”
Oh no.
“And third, you have known him all your life.”
Well, she may as well have just screamed Xavier’s name at the top of her lungs.
Everyone is silent for a few seconds. There is a heavy pause in the air, because who else could she be referring to? Who else fits that exact description? All Lillia was told was she’d be with someone of noble descent, which could be at least a few people. The painful beating in your chest is onset because there is only one person that your fortune fits. 
You know it, he knows it, even Jeremiah and Lillia know it. 
So you do the only thing you can do. You calmly stand up, offer the fortuneteller a tight-lipped smile, and turn on your heel and run.
Behind you, a few different people call your name, though you note distinctly that Xavier isn’t one of them. After that, even if other people are still recognizing you and trying to get your attention, you can barely think straight enough to identify their voices, let alone respond. You run, out of the town square, out of the festival, out of the sight of anyone who could possibly perceive you.
You run as far as you can before your legs start aching, which, unfortunately for you, takes a long time with your endurance training. By the time you feel even a twinge resembling pain, you’ve already made it a far distance away from the celebration, near the seamstress’ shop. 
With gritted teeth, you heave yourself over the fence, knowing you’re more than welcome in her garden. It’s luscious, orange and lavender chrysanthemums in the center stealing the spotlight from all the other flowers. Instead of going towards them, you curl up next to the lilies, because you already feel unremarkable enough.
It’s not that you think Xavier would be disgusted by you. The two of you are friends—but that’s exactly it, the major problem of having feelings for him. Besides the fact that you are supposed to brandish your sword in his name, you cannot like him because you’d rather die than lose your best friend. You couldn’t even say how long you’ve known him, but you do know that he’s the best part of your life. Not for anyone would you bow your head. Not for anyone would you lay your life down. You’ve observed Xavier for years and years and there is not a single other person in the royal family that you would follow into any battle, through any world, past any planet. 
You groan, burying your face in between your knees. At some point in between the months Lillia first asked you about him and now, you’ve gone beyond just considering him as more than a friend. You’ve even got past having a measly crush on him.
You’re in love with Xavier, and it’s awful.
Breathing slowly, you gaze up at the night sky, where the fireworks have still not made their appearance. The wind teases the flowers around you, making them tilt a little to the left, which is oddly how you feel too. Not uprooted, but bent, just like a flower. 
With a blade of grass in between your fingers, you follow the direction the flowers are blowing in, only to find yourself staring at shining ceruleans.
“Xavier!” you gasp, eyes widening with a start. You move to stand as a reflex, but he raises a single hand, and you stop.
There isn’t a single bead of sweat on his face. He is breathing a little raggedly, and his uniform is stained with some sap he must’ve not been able to avoid from the bushes on the way over. His face—well, his face is pristine as always, there isn’t a moment when the prince of Philos looks anything less than dreamy. But it’s not his features you’re gazing at, but the concerned expression upon them, directed straight at you, with caring eyes and pinched brows.
You almost want to cry just at the thought you’ve worried him.
“Are you alright?” His voice is quiet, cautious, fragile. Like you may break if he’s too forceful in his questioning.
“Yes, fine,” you reply automatically, though you suppose you now have to make up a story for why on Philos you ran away like a child, especially because he sits next to you, knees raised in the same manner as yours.
“I was merely…overwhelmed, by the crowd.” The explanation sounds weak even as your tongue speaks it, but you cannot think of any other reason for your actions. At least this is easier than the truth. Anything is easier than the truth.
For a few seconds, there is silence, and as uncomfortable as this already is, you can’t bear it. So you turn to look at him, and you realize with burning cheeks you realize he is staring right back. You don’t even think he’s looked at the blossoming flowers even once; his head seems to be fixated in your direction.
“I know you constantly score better than me,” Xavier says softly, “but I am not foolish.”
With a hesitant hand, as though he’s asking for permission, he reaches up to once again adjust the flower crown on your head. Your heart falls, and you really should’ve known better to think Xavier could not read you like an open book, especially after a fortuneteller quite literally did read you like an open book.
“I know,” he continues, tucking a piece of your hair behind your ear, “that the people in our classes, the nobles, the folks in the marketplace, they all hold me in high regard.”
“Xavier,” you try to argue weakly, already feeling your heartbeat speed up from where this conversation is going. The thought of losing him, of losing your best friend, your prince, your everything, it is paralyzing. “Please don’t—”
“I know that my weapon of choice is a longsword.”
“Stop,” you whisper.
But he doesn’t, and he looks directly into your eyes with an open, honest sincerity written all over his face. Like this is his truth, even though it is yours. “And I know that you have known me all your life, and I feel that I have known you for even longer than that.”
Your lower lip trembles. Never once did you take him for the cruel type. There is no rule nor reasoning for this, to utterly expose your feelings even more and mock you for them, and if you sit here any longer you’re afraid you will begin to sob, and then not only will your friendship with Xavier be at risk, but your future position as well. The grandis knight cannot be weak. The grandis knight cannot shed tears for such silly matters as love. 
To preserve your role, to preserve your reputation and your dignity, you make to stand, to run even farther this time, but Xavier holds your wrist before you can, tugging you back to face him. There is no cruelty in his expression, in fact there is a tenderness as though he is somehow touched by your very clear devotion to him. 
His finger tilts your chin up, unwittingly making you demand a respect you don’t believe you deserve right now. His brow is pinched, as though he’s upset that you would let anyone, even him, turn you soft as a dandelion.
“I also know,” he breathes, “that this kingdom finds you incredibly lovely.” 
The world seems to stop.
“As…” Xavier’s hand rests itself on your cheek, and the most beautiful smile lights up his face as he murmurs, “Do I.” 
You lean in the same time he does, and faintly you hear fireworks erupt as you kiss the prince of Philos for the first time. 
The world is quiet, and so, so, so loud. Blood rushes to your face and to your ears, and you ignore it by placing both your hands on his cheeks, whimpering softly at how good he tastes. Every burning feeling and sensation you’ve felt in his presence these past few months, and really, your entire life, all seem to explode in this moment. The world is blue, and white, and Xavier.
His lips move so gently against yours, once again acting as though you are fragile, but it feels good this time, the idea of being something so precious as to require care for him. His thumb rubs soft circles into your cheek, you can barely pull away from him to assure him that he can be more forceful if he wishes, more wanting, more greedy. 
“Please,” he whispers against your lips, asking for what you aren’t sure, but you nod your head regardless, because you’d think you’d give him your very soul if he were to ask.
When you do pull back, he is looking at you so longingly it makes you more breathless than even dancing you did earlier. His gray-blonde hair nearly conceals his eyes, so you brush it from his face, breath hitching at his proximity. You’ve always known that he’s the apple of everyone’s eye, but you’ve never had the privilege to admire him so closely before.
“I don’t need a fortuneteller to tell me who my partner is.” Xavier rests his forehead on yours, eyes closing. “Whether it’s for sparring, or marriage, or anything else. You are the only one I want with me, through everything.”
You’re surprised you can even muster words when you shyly respond, “Likewise, my liege.”
His eyes shine, and the two of you finally look up to admire the fireworks bursting across the sky in incredible explosions of color. They pale in comparison to the eruption within you, but they are magical nonetheless, and you lean your head against his shoulder to watch.
A gentle kiss is placed on top of your head. “I know we only celebrate this once a year. It is a special time. Still…” He meets your gaze again, and the corners of his lips turn upwards. Tonight, there is only you and him now, you’re sure of it. “Would you mind terribly if we were to ignore the fireworks?”
Maybe one day you will learn to resist him. You sincerely doubt it, though.
“Not at all. But the seamstress and her kids will probably be back soon.” You place a begrudging hand on his chest, not wanting to stop him, but trying to act proper regardless. “Neville checks on the garden every night. He might see us.”
Xavier seems to consider this for a second. 
“Oh well,” he mumbles, leaning in to kiss you again, “what a shame.”
He doesn’t sound very sorry at all, and amidst the soft glow of moonlight, you surrender to him, lost in your very own little celebration of lights.
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a/n: if i had a nickel for everytime i’ve written a character x reader story where they’re at a party and they dance together but then leave to have a nice moment by themselves i’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot but it’s weird that it happened twice, right?
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marjorie189 · 12 days
Text
Solo Trip (A Jude Bellingham Imagine) Part 2
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Jude Bellingham x Mexican!femreader
It's specifically a Mexican reader but there's cute Jude moments on here I think everyone should have a read at :)
Click here to read Part 1!
contains: social media au & text messages!
wc: 6,571 (in total of pt. 1 & 2)
summary: Y/N goes away on a trip to Mexico much to Jude's dismay!
includes: suggestive content and sexting!
-
I don't see much love for us Mexican and Brown girlies on here so I must deliver 🫡 I honestly had SO much fun writing and creating this, I hope you all enjoy it! I really connected to this post and poured out all my love and devotion to it!
~
meanwhile y/n and jude oblivious to the whole twitter situation: 
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judebellingham posted a story
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vinijr posted a story
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back to twitter:
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video: 
Guy in the photo talking to his friend
Guy in photo: “Ey, ey, ella que no es la novia de jude?” (Hey, hey, isn’t that jude’s girlfriend?) He points out starstruck, pointing at Y/N who was nearby. 
Friend: “¿Parece que sí es?”  (It seems like she is?) His friend replied recognizing her. 
Guy in photo: “Oye le pediré foto?” (Hey, should I ask her for a photo?) He nervously asks. “¡Tal vez me menciona a Jude!” (Maybe she’ll mention me to Jude!)
Friend: “¿estás bien hermano? ¡Tú crees que van a platicar de ti! Ay wey en realidad estas mal” (Are you good bro? You think they’re going to talk about you? Oh dude, you’re so wrong!) 
Guy: “callate! ¡No me arruines mis esperanzas! si hay hasta una pequeña posibilidad de que Jude simplemente escuche de mí por parte de t/n, ¡moriré feliz!” (Shut up! Don’t ruin my hopes! If there’s even a slight chance of Jude hearing of me from Y/N, I’ll die happy!) The boy smiled, determined to go up to Y/N. 
Friend: está bien, vamos (fine, let’s go)
The two boys appeared to walk, on video, towards Y/N. 
They tapped her on her shoulder once they had reached her. She turns around, appearing on camera. 
Y/N smiles kindly at them. 
Guy: Hola perdón por molestarte. Es que soy un gran fan de Jude. ¿Está bien si nos tomemos una foto? (Hey, sorry to bother you. It’s just that I’m a huge fan of Jude. Is it okay if we take a photo?)
Y/N smiled widely at the question. 
Y/N: “¡Claro!” (Of course!)
They both pose for the infamous photo and the friend retrieves it from the video. 
Guy: “Gracias t/n!” Te lo agradezco.” (Thank you Y/N! I appreciate it) The boy expresses. Y/N smiles and nods at the fan. 
Y/N: “¡Por nada! Tengan una bonita noche, que la disfruten!” (You’re welcome! Have a great night guys, enjoy it!) Y/N wishes, ready to part ways. 
Guy: “¡Me saludas a Jude, porfa!” (Say hello to Jude for me, please!) The guy pleads, causing Y/N to giggle at the interaction. 
Y/N: “Cuéntalo hecho!” (Count it as done!) Y/N smiles before walking away. Keeping her promise, later that night mentioning the encounter to Jude. 
Y/N leaves and the friend starts to scold his friend. 
Friend: “No manches! Salistes bien amargado en la foto wey!” (Seriously? You came out so bitter in the photo, dumbass!)
Guy: Es que estaba bien nervioso hermano. O sea es la novia de Jude Bellingham!” (It’s because I was so nervous, bro! I mean it’s Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend!) The boy exclaims to his friend. “¡Cómo crees que me sentia! Estoy por las nubes!”  (How do you think I felt? I’m over the moon!) 
Video ends
Back to Y/N & Jude: 
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yourusername
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liked by yourmom, judebellingham, erling.haaland and 369,583 others
yourusername en el coleadero y empolvada 🏇 dia seis! (in the coleadero [a horse sports event] and dusty 🏇 day six!) 
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yourmom you look so cute mija (darling)
yourusername thank you mami i love you! 💜
com1 she looks adorable in the first pic! 
com2 okay but the sky!!!
erling.haaland I didn’t expect Jude to last this long without you! I just know he’s hanging on by a thread 🤣 I hope you’re having a great time out there y/n/n 
com3 i’m dead erling 💀
judebellingham trust me mate I am not doing well
yourusername you know he’s the biggest baby erl!! Thank you ☺️
judebellingham you look hermosa! 
yourusername did you use google translate? 😂 but thank you bebe 🥰
com4 A+ for effort lmao 
yourusername
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liked by judebellingham, jesusortizpazfr, and 397,539 others
yourusername bailes en el rancho son mis favoritos! ya estamos listos para mañana 🥳 day 7 (dances at the ranch are my favorite! we’re ready for tomorrow 🥳) 
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yourusername before anyone mentions my cousin on the last pic, he took me out to dance bc I was the only one from my primas (female cousins) who was standing alone at the baile while the rest were dancing w their mans🥺 
com1 y/n better than me bc if my man didn’t know how to dance and I was at a baile I would be dancing!! not my fault my man don’t wanna learn 
com2 you look like so much fun! 
com3 the vibe in all of her daily dumps are EVERYTHING! 
com4 I miss mexico now 😩
primo.user (cousin.user) mi compañera de baile MAS favorita!! 💃🏼 (my MOST favorite dance partner!! 💃🏼) 
yourusername gracias por sacarme a bailar me moría de ganas (thank you for taking me out to dance, i was dying to dance!)
com5 Not y/n wanting to dance but couldn’t bc she’s a faithful woman! props to her cousin for standing up 👏 
judebellingham la mas chula 😘 (the prettiest 😘)
yourusername you got me blushing bellingham 🤭 i’m glad you’ve got the google translate app installed 
com5 not jop in the likes
com7 fr, first peso now jop
com8 jop didn’t have it in him to leave a comment like peso pluma thooo
com9 damn they’re already pregaming for the feria (festival) tomorrow  
messages:
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Twitter:
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yourusername
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liked by judebellingham and 387,437 others
yourusername sabado de gloria was one for the books ❤️‍🔥 mi mexico querido, el pais con tradiciones increibles 🥹 (saturday of glory was one for the books ❤️‍🔥 my beloved mexico, the country with incredible traditions 🥹)
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com1 okay bc Jude with a Mexican girlfriend was something I never expected but they’re so cute together!!! 💗
com2 the cultural difference between them is mind blowing but i kinda like it
com3 okay it’s been a week we need Jude and Y/N back together ASAP
judebellingham mi niña bonita 😍 I hope you’re having a blast darling! 
yourusername the spanish better not stop when I get home because it’s so cute! 
judebellingham i’m thanking google translate rn 🙏🏽
com4 that last pic is so aestheticly pleasing
com5 okay now I understand why Y/N had to go to Mexico!! That looks like sm fun
com6 fr i was like why would she ever leave Jude but I see why now
com7 her outfit and boots are so cute 🤩
Y/N’s POV: 
I spread my limbs throughout the comfy bed but not as comfortable as the one awaiting me back home. My eyes flutter open, as I bask in my last morning in Mexico. 
The morning sun shining through the window, brightening up the room. I take one last look through the window, the tree tall and green, dogs laying out on the ground, the pretty plants and the great range of mountains surrounding the rancho. 
I let out a deep sigh as I sat up in bed, a mixed emotion about leaving this place. Leaving the peaceful and warm lifestyle that is Mexico was always heart wrenching but my skin tingles at the thought of going back home. Not a home, like a house or a place but Jude. Jude is my home. 
I smiled at the thought of him and a warmth at my core enlights. 
A home cooked meal was already awaiting me in the kitchen and family slowly started filling my grandparents' home to say their goodbyes. 
I frown at the thought of leaving them but I know life would never be the same if I stayed. 
The time is approaching to my last minutes with everyone. An emotional goodbye to the animals, the beautiful home that holds many wonderful memories, and of course to all of my family especially my grandparents. 
“Te amamos mija. Ya sabes que aqui siempre esta tu casa, (we love you darling. You know that you’ll always have your home here” My grandma tells and we pull each other into a tight hug. 
I wipe the tears that we are threatening to spill. 
“Hasta luego muñeca que dios la bendiga! (Until next time doll god bless you!)” My grandpa expressed as he kissed my cheek, pulling me into his arms. 
After all the goodbyes, my uncle started the truck and loaded my luggages. 
On our way to the airport I watched the landscapes contentedly and whispered my goodbyes to the familiar roads. 
~
yourusername posted two stories 
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judebellingham posted a story 
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~
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taglist: @annab-nana @hoodpankow  @alaynahope714  @jeyramarie @lemur46 @goldenroutledge @valluvsu @paleprincessturtle @hoelesslyt @drewsephrry @northernstarkey
~
All pics are from Pinterest!
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forever-rogue · 1 year
Note
Hi Bee🐝 I hope you’re having a nice weekend❣️
I had a Joel fic idea I wanted to send you in case you are looking for inspo? If not just ignore this lmao.
I thought it would be kind of cute to have a fic where r likes to read even after the world went to hell and whenever she goes with Joel somewhere and he luckily finds a book he knows she hasn’t read he picks it up for her as a gift😭 and r reads out loud for them when they’re camping, oblivious to Joel’s feelings until one day he gives r a book she mentioned she loved when she was younger and she’s like oh, you feel the same way 😭
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AN | I love this, this is so soft and I love this concept! I hope you like it too 🥰
Pairing | Joel Miller x Fem!Reader
Warnings | None
Word Count | 3k
Masterlist | Joel, Main
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
"Always buried in a book," his tease was accompanied by a warm chuckle as you looked up and found Joel strolling into the makeshift library. Your smile was beaming as you marked your page and set the book down to give him your full attention, "what are you readin' now?"
"Nothing terribly exciting," you confessed with a huff, nodding in the direction of your latest selection, "the Hobbit. I think I've read it a dozen times by now. As a matter of fact I think I've read all of these books at least twice."
"Hard to expand a library when people aren't writing anymore," Joel rubbed at his beard thoughtfully as you nodded sadly, "its a shame."
"I never thought I'd see the day when I couldn't go to the bookstore or library for a new book," you looked away, blinking back your tears. It wasn't just the book thing - it was everything, "but here we are. I like to write my own stories sometimes but it's not the same. I already know the beginning, middle, and end and all the plot twists when it's all in my head."
He hummed in understanding as you felt him study you intently. Your face warmed up under his intense gaze as tugged at a loose thread on the sleeve of your sweater, “is there a reason you read the same thing multiple times?”
“I’ve always read a lot,” you tucked your legs up and under yourself on the overstuffed chair. You focused on the fire that was crackling away merrily, knowing that you had his undivided attention, “it was always a good form of escapism when I was younger and turns out it also works these days with all of…this. I didn’t have a lot of friends growing up, I always had a hard time fitting in. When things got bad, there was always a book to turn to.”
“Did you have a favorite?” you huffed in amusement as you turned to him with a no duh expression. The look on your face made him laugh as well, and he reached over to give your shoulder a gentle squeeze, “what was it?”
“You’re going to laugh…”
“I promise I won’t,” he insisted, accompanied by a silent shake of his shoulders which led you to raise your eyebrows at him, “I’ll do my best not to.”
“A true man of honor,” you rested your chin in your hand as you looked over at him, “prideandprejudice.”
“Come again?” he was teasing you, the question filled with tender affection, “didn’t quite catch that, sweetheart.”
“You’re the worst,” you groaned softly, hiding your face in your hands, “you heard me loud and clear - Pride and Prejudice. I know it’s silly but I’ve just always loved it.”
“I don’t think that’s silly at all,” he promised as you relaxed slightly. It wasn’t that you needed his approval or hoped he felt the same way, but there was something about his response and how tenderly he watched you that it made your tummy explode with butterflies, “it’s nice to have something familiar to hang onto - it’s nice to have a friend.”
“I agree,” oh. He really had to stop looking at you like that before you melted into a puddle on the floor, “I haven’t read it in forever.”
“Haven’t found a copy or just haven’t had the desire to read it?”
“Haven’t found it,” you sighed dramatically, before smiling back at him, “maybe one day I will, and if I do, I’m going to make you read it as well - I’ll even read it out loud for you.”
“Is that a promise or a threat?”
“Umm…I dunno,” you mused as he shook his head fondly, “both? Which one is worse?”
“I don’t think I’d ever feel threatened by you,” he began as you gave him a mock-hurt little expression, “you’re very tough, but I’m sorry sweetheart, you’re too soft. Which isn’t a bad thing. So, tell you what, you ever get your hands on a copy of Pride and Prejudice, I’d love to have you read it out loud for me.”
“Yeah?” you looked at him with soft doe eyes that made his heart constrict.
“Promise.”
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
Joel liked your smile; it was pretty, even if you shied away from it at times. It always worked to make his heart constrict with emotion, and he’d long formed his own little plan to make you smile as often as he could. You weren’t privy to that just yet, but that was okay. As long as you were happy that was all that mattered. 
His favorite way, as he’d found after that afternoon in the library, was surprising you with a new book. Realistically, it wasn’t much, but it was the meaning behind the gesture, and the fact that even though he was out in the big, bad outside, he was thinking about you. 
Book after book he found for you, some almost new, perfectly preserved in time, and some already aged and loved before everything fell apart. But it never mattered, it was all about the face that he did just for you. The old, rickety bookcase in your small apartment was soon filled with new titles, some you’d already and others you’d never even heard of, all lovingly placed and organized. One of the many reasons you didn’t mind these small tokens of affection from Joel was the fact that it gave you more reasons to spend time with him.
As the months passed, you got to know Joel more and more, learning about his life from before the Outbreak to present. You shared just as much with him and in a way it felt like the two of you had always been friends, like two wandering souls that had found their way back to each other. You never would have thought that someone like him would ever even want to spend time with you, but you fit together like perfect puzzle pieces. 
On this particular evening you found yourself in his backyard, along with Ellie and a few other friends that you’d made in Jackson. Some moonshine had been passed around, and lots of exciting stories had been exchanged. You were listening to everyone, mostly staying more on the quiet side when you realized you didn’t have much to contribute to the current conversation at hand. 
“What about you?” Joel was sitting on your side and leaned into your space, gently nudging your leg with his. You blinked a few times, tearing your attention away from the fire and turning it to him with a confused look on your face, “what’s your best camping story?”
“Oh,” you grinned sheepishly as you looked around the circle and found nothing but friendly faces looking back at you. Your cheeks warmed up as you shrugged innocently, “I’ve never actually been camping. So I wouldn’t know….unfortunately.”
“What?” Joel seemed surprised but quickly caught himself and slipped into the soft tone that he often adopted for you, “I knew there had to be something wrong with you - there had to be a flaw somewhere.”
“And never having been camping is my flaw?” you teased right back, unaware of the knowing smiles that were being exchanged all around.
“That’s right,” he insisted, leaning in even closer, causing your heart to skip a few beats, “but don’t worry, there will still be time to fix that.”
“What a gentleman,” you down the rest of your drink, shaking your head in amusement.
“Would you look at the time…” Ellie almost jumped out of her seat, pointedly looking around the circle and motioning with her head that it was time to leave, “it’s late and we’re all tired, so we’re gonna…go.”
“All of you at once?” Joel raised an eyebrow as he looked at the girl, knowing better than anything by this point. She nodded with narrowed eyes as everyone said their goodbyes, leaving just the two of you. Joel let out a long sigh as he leaned back in his chair and smiled at you, “very subtle.”
Your mind started to reel with possibilities as to what he meant. You knew what you wanted him to mean, but you also weren’t about to flatter yourself like that. Joel wouldn’t ever like you as more than a friend, right? Right. 
The way you looked at him with such wide, gentle eyes made him want to pull you into his lap and kiss you until there was no mistaking what he was saying. The two of you stared at each other for a few moments before you cleared your throat softly.
"I guess I should get going too," you whispered, still unmoving, "it's late."
As soon as you stood up but before you could go, you felt his fingers wrap around your wrist as he gently held you back.
You turned around to face him, neither of you speaking, just studying each other. He had lovely eyes, soft despite all the years of hardness, his lips pulled into a soft smile.
Before you could stop yourself with too much logic, you leaned in and kissed him. You wondered if it was all a huge mistake, but to your surprise, he kissed you right back. His hands found purchase on your waist and yours on his shoulders as you let him kiss you 
Until you came to your senses and realized what you were doing. You gasped in surprise and pulled back, looking at him worriedly as Joel dropped his hands from your waist. You blinked back the tears that had immediately threatened to well up, panicking that you had crossed any remaining boundaries that either of you had remaining.
"I-I am so sorry," you whispered, touching your lips without thinking about it, "I have to go. I'm sorry."
You were gone before Joel could even process what had just happened. 
When he did, he hung his head and sighed heavily. He hoped he hadn't just fucked everything up.
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
In the following week, you weren’t actively trying to avoid Joel…but you were definitely making sure you weren’t around whenever he was. You just had no idea how to broach the subject or if it even needed to be discussed. The idea of going up to him and saying anything made you want to curl up and wither away - it might have been dramatic  but you were willing to allow yourself a little bit of theatrics. 
But…you realized later on, Joel hadn’t fought off your advances. He’d actively kissed you back, and taken control. Maybe he’d wanted it just as much as you had. Or, or, you’d taken advantage of him, because you’d both been drinking. That made it all worse, and made your stomach churn. 
Either way, your plan was to avoid him - if not forever - for as long as you could.
Unfortunately, Joel was a stubborn man and wasn’t about to let you go without any explanations. And you weren’t exactly particularly sneaky; he found you in your usual spot, perched on the window seat with a book open in your lap as you stared out the window. 
“Hey,” you startled at the sound of his voice, but turned to him with a shy smile. He approached you slowly, almost as if he was afraid that he was going to scare you off like some sort of wild animal, “figured you’d be here.”
“Well,” you waved your hands around dismally before tucked your book away, “I’m not exactly hard to find if you know me. I’m a creature of habit.”
“Ain’t nothing wrong with that,” he came over and leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his broad chest, “I have a surprise for you.”
“O-oh, Joel,” you swallowed thickly and wondered what on earth he could possibly be referring to, “I-I don’t need anything…seriously.”
“I didn’t get you anything technically,” ah. Joel and his little technicalities, “more of a ‘we’re doing this,’ type of thing.”
“And what is it that we’re doing?”
“Camping,” he stated with a grin as you just blinked at him in shock.
“Pardon?”
“We - you, Ellie, and I - are going camping,” he stated again as if that would clear everything up, “just a little something I’ve been planning since you’ve been avoiding me.”
“I-I have not been avoiding you,” a lie. You both knew that much, “just…busy.”
“Whatever the reason,” he insisted, “we’re goin’ camping. We’re leaving bright and early in the morning so make sure your things are packed.”
“Joel-”
“We’ll be ‘round at eight,” he gave your leg a gentle pat before heading out, not letting you get a word in edgewise. This man.
You watched him go, feeling so alive and nervous at the same time, but more importantly, you were excited to go.
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
As it turned out, camping was a lot more fun than you thought it would be. You were pretty sure a lot of it had to do with your present company. Ellie and Joel were always fun to be around and this was no exception.
Joel had scouted out a remote but safe location near a river where you made camp. There was something rewarding about putting up your own tent and making a fire to cook your dinner on. It was definitely a welcome change; it almost made it seem like the world had never fallen apart. 
One particular evening, Ellie had crashed early and was already in the tent sleeping. That felt you and Joel outside sitting next to the fire. When the conversation hit a natural lull, Joel stood up and walked over to his backpack. You watched him curiously, a smile dancing on your face.
"Close your eyes," he called back to you. You playfully closed your eyes and put your hands over him. He chuckled as he pulled something out of the pack before zipping it closed.
He made his way back over to you, gently placing something in your lap. You made a small sound of surprise but didn't dare to open your eyes. Instead, you waited for him to give you the go ahead.
He sat back down next to you, groaning slightly at his stiff bones. You felt him pull your hands away from your eyes, "alright, you can go ahead and open your eyes."
"Joel, you really didn't need to get me anything!" You gasped as you looked at the object in your lap, trying to hide back a squeal of delight, "Joel. This is amazing."
"You like it?" He asked, nervous as he watched you inspect the small object. 
"Pride and Prejudice," you opened the cover and flicked through some of the gold leafed pages. It was still in impeccable condition, "oh my god, I can't believe you found this - you remembered."
“‘course I did,” any nerves he had remaining quickly dissipated when he saw the look of pure joy on your face, “I remember a lot of things.”
“I mentioned it like one time,” you flipped through some of the pages, touching your fingers over the worn but love pages, “I can’t…this is wonderful, a-and so kind. Thank you so much, Joel.”
“You mentioned how much you used to like it,” oh no. He felt like he could melt into a puddle at how sweet you were, “and I wanted you to have it again. So I’ve been keeping my eye out for it.”
“You’ve been looking for it?” alright, you were about ready to cry at that point. He nodded, trying to make it seem like less of a big deal than it actually was, “you’re amazing. I can’t…this is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me.”
“It’s not that big of a thing-”
“It’s everything,” you clutched the book to your chest, “this means everything to me.”
“You mean everything to me,” his voice was gentle. You gasp inwardly at the revelation, “I thought it was only fitting.”
You moved closer to him on the log, shifting your body so you could face him. Your eyes locked onto his; he could see the hesitation on your face and in your body language. He decided to answer your silent question by putting his hand on your face, brushing his thumb over your cheek. 
Joel leaned in and kissed you, so quickly and delicately that you were almost convinced you might have imagined it. Judging from the expression on his face, you knew that it had definitely happened. You hadn’t just dreamed it last time - he wanted this too. You leaned into him and pressed a few more kisses to his lips, the two of you lingered but neither of you pushing. 
“There’s something I have to ask you,” he tucked a few stray locks of hair behind your hair as you felt your face grow warm again. The effect he had on you was palpable. 
“Anything.”
“Will you read to me?” the way the smile on your face was intoxicating and Joel was hooked, “I’ve never read Pride and Prejudice.”
“Shocker,” you teased softly, “are you sure though?”
“Positive,” he promised as he took your hand and led you over to the nest of warm blankets that were near the fire, “nothing would make me happier.”
“Okay,” you made yourself comfortable and pulled out the book, “get comfy and let’s get started.”
“Okay.”
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snowy-vee · 2 months
Text
ALL MINE (4)
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CHECK MY PINNED POST!
DAILY CLICK!!!!
DON'T STOP TALKING ABOUT PALESTINE JUST BECAUSE THE STRIKE IS OVER! NOBODY WILL BE FREE UNTIL EVERYONE IS FREE!
oblivious loser bsf! ellie williams x posesive popular bsf!fem reader
n/a: 2.9k words! I hope you all enjoy, I have change some things so the story MAYBE won't end in 6 chapters, I love reading comments or answering questions, so FEEL FREE TO DO SO. Any misspelling will be edited later on
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You enter the house talking on the phone. You take out your boots and went directly to the fridge grabbing a water bottle.
“No, shit, Jesse, of course I’m giving her space but I think you don’t get that it’s been two weeks since I last saw her”
“If I don’t recall wrong, you made some cheer girls spy on her”
“Shush, what was I supposed to do? She was suspended for one week so I knew I wasn’t going to see her and that she was going to still mad at me the next one, so I put April and Sav to do a little… research ¡I am worried! She hasn’t even come to the house to pick up her clothes, her backpack, yes, but her clothes are just like the last time.”
When you went to fight Abby at her department, you didn’t, Ellie had done enough job, so you just screamed at her and made her tell you what the fuck happened between them at the locker room and years ago. Abby, tired of this bullshit, told you everything from A to Z, and you felt more like a piece of shit.
Now you understood everything, at least saw the situation with a different light, you did slap Abby and told her to stay away from you or you would sue her for spreading your pics around campus. Since then, no contact between you two, not even in class.
“Well, you fucked up big this time, what can I say?”
“Thank you, you’re the best, How does it feel that she’s with your ex and you’re still in love with her?”
“One, at least I can talk with Dina without problems, our friendship is good, Two, they are not together yet. How’s yours with Ellie? Oh right, hanging in a thread”
“Blah, Blah, Blah… Where’s my fucking couch?” You turned around going on the living room to sat down on your couch but it disappeared, it was there this morning when you left.
“How would I know? Where’s your couch?”
“That’s what am I asking, Jesse!” You were going to freak out. You heard the water of the bathroom running, there was someone on the house “I think there’s someone in the house…”
“It could be Ellie”
“Her keys are not in the entrance, I will call you later…” You said walking slowly towards the bathroom, you could hear Jesse telling you to don’t hang the call but you did anyway. Once you where in front of the door, It opened and you screamed.
The voice of Ellie screaming at unison with you made you stop. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
She said with a hand on her chest looking at you as if you were crazy. She obviously just took a shower and was wrapped in a towel with her hair soaked and wetting the floor. You felt relieved that it wasn’t a burglar, you nodded slowly reassuring yourself and saying that it was only Ellie… ¡Ellie!
“You’re back?”
“Well, still my house too, so yeah, you have a problem with that?” She said in a defensive tone, of course her guard wasn’t down yet.
“No, of course no! It’s just that I am surprised”
“Don’t be, this doesn’t mean me and you are friends again”
“I know… Do you happen to know what happened with the couch” You asked with a sad frown looking at her walk to her room.
“Yeah, I burned it in a remote clearing far from here”
“Why? It was brand new!
“It was dirty because of someone” she simply said closing her door. You had a confused look on your face as you were processing what she told you.
You locked yourself in your room, you did miss her but at the same time you had to find some words to tell her and you had zero idea what to do, God, she was burning things now, maybe you were the next. Ellie was walking around the house, you could hear her steps on the kitchen and the TV on, she was cooking something while watching one random quiz show.
The warm feeling that you had knowing that she was finally back at home allowed to take a long nap, a very long one because once you woke up, the sun was gone and you regretted it. You had homework to do and exams to study, you had to take it seriously since cheer wasn’t your major, you were studying something that your parents agreed on but you did not enjoyed that much.
They were donating monthly to the cheer team in exchange that you aced everything else, otherwise you would be expelled from cheering and from the team, even the coach knew that. Ellie always helped you and made it easy to study but she didn’t this time, obviously, so you had kind of trouble studying.
With your things to study you went to your kitchen, leaving everything on the table, you were going to study there but also eat something, you were hungry. You opened the fridge, empty except some sodas and protein bars… maybe in the pantries? Nothing caught your attention but the pan in the stove. Ellie had cooked one of your fav foods, was she torturing you? She knew that you weren’t going to grab the food nor ask her if you could, you bit your lip and sighed resignedly, protein bars would be.
Time flies while you were working in your homework, sometimes looking over Ellie because it still felt surreal that she was at home, she could feel your eyes on her but she wasn’t going to give you any attention or so she thought before you started groaning annoyed that you couldn’t understand a lot of things. It was making her nervous and irritated her a little, mostly because she knew that you stressed yourself easily over anything and that made the process more difficult and also because she couldn’t help you, you two were on a Cold War.
“What is it?” She said getting up from the only small chair of the living room.
You turned the computer around and showed her the topic, she started helping you and you were focus, of course you wanted to use the opportunity to talk but first enjoy her help. None of you realized how fast the time passed that until you let a small yawn.
“Maybe, that’s everything for today” Ellie said returning to her cold-self. Shaking your head you grabbed her hand.
“Please, don’t… I can’t spent another day without talking to you”
“We are talking”
“Don’t play dumb, I finally know what happened back home, I finally understand more your anger, Abby told me everything”
Ellie raised her eyebrows, waiting for you to start talking. She wanted to know what truth have you heard and if it was the right version of it, and it was, Abby told you the truth.
“So you went to her again?”
“That’s all you have to say? And it was not like that” You rolled your eyes looking at her “Whatever, what I want to say is that I wished you could’ve told me back then”
“Would it have changed something?”
“I have no idea, maybe?”
Ellie scoffed. “So my word was not enough? Telling you not to mix with Anderson?”
It was going to be difficult to try and have a conversation when Ellie still hurt and was defensive, which you get and that’s why the nap was a need, you were mentally prepared for this.
“I’m not saying that, but I thought it was something stupid like she stole your game box, not your girlfriend” You tried to explain.
“Okay, but you still had something with her knowing that I was in bad terms with her, why? I mostly want to hear why? I’ve been racking my brain searching for a reason”
“Because of you” Ellie opened her mouth to respond but you covered it. “Shut up. Let me finish, I did it because of you, Ellie, I’ve been in love with you since god knows when and I tried so hard just to be your best friend but I couldn’t”
Ellie eyes softened slowly. “Every girl that tried anything with you, I scared them off, I used the ‘power’ of being popular and I used to make them stay away from but then we came here and there was so many people that did not fear me or knew me and you were getting along with a lot of people, I was afraid you were going to finally find a girl that matched your type”
“Why you never told me that?” She said taking your hand out of her mouth, holding it now.
“I’ve tried! Millions of times but somehow you had a new girl in your radar or you did not read the signs, eventually I grew tired of it so I tried to keep you for me. The first time I got with Abby, was only a kiss in a game but that made me popular somehow and I was starting to get more attention because of the rumours, at the same time I saw how you looked at Dina when she was dating Jesse and how you started to talk with her when they broke up even if it was briefly, I knew you were getting interested in her”
“I have nothing with Dina…”
“Can you let me finish? Damm” She murmured a little ‘sorry’ and indicate for you to continue “That irritated me and I was thinking on ways, it’s going to sound bad… on ways to hurt you because of how you made me feel, like I would never be enough but I did not wanted to hurt you directly because I am your best friend, nothing else, you weren’t doing anything bad, just being social and flirting. Abby told me she find me attractive and ¡Bang! Match made in hell, it was perfect, because I knew how much pain you’d feel and it would be equal at mine.”
“So it was intentional? You wanted to hurt me?” She let go of your hand looking at your eyes.
“No! Well, yeah, I didn’t realized how dumb I was being but with you and Dina getting to know each other more, you lying to me to go see her… It was too much. I’ve been with a lot of people in front of you and you’ve never reacted until Abby, so it was the only person that made you protective of me while I tried to get rid of Dina”
You took a deep breath and exhaled softly, nodding slowly. “But this two weeks, I did some thinking, more like mini therapy and I’m ready to be your best friend and stop pushing myself on you on any way and let you be the judge of your love life. I don’t want you out of my life, you’re my everything and if it’s only as a best friend that I can be, I am ready and I know that I hurt you and that is going to be difficult to trust me again but I hope we can reconnect slowly again”
Ellie felt kind of guilty knowing that she neglected your feelings and kind of made you that way, she could’ve rejected you sooner… or accept you sooner, anyway what was done was done.
“I- I think that I accept your apologize”
“You think? Is that a yes or no?”
“I don’t know, I have to think about it and it will take time. Even if we start acting like before, my trust on you has been hurt” You nodded. Of course, you were aware of that but how long was she going to take? Also, you just confessed that you love her and she is not going to say anything to that? That made your heart kind of itching, you wanted to scratch it and, in the process, tear it out.
“I understand… Can I hug you?”
“It’s better that you don’t” Oh. Ellie already took out your heart and ate it in front of you “We can start slowly, I can help you studying and let’s go from that”
“Okay”
“You can’t interfere in any of my love life, nor go back to Abby, this time I won’t make you promise that you will, I just hope that you wanting my friendship back is enough to keep you away from her” Your mind was spiralling thinking about how much build up you had to do to rebuild what you had with her. “I’m kind of tired… I’ll go to sleep now, night”
She went to her room an closed the door. You were left alone in the kitchen and still with a little homework unfinished, but you had a new plan in the move, now that you had a green light you could start it.
“I’m going to the 24h store! Be right back” You yelled grabbing your jacket and keys, putting on your shoes and calling Jesse.
.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.
The music of the bar was mostly soft rock and the smell of alcohol and cigarettes was everywhere, you finally saw Jesse playing pool in his red varsity jacket with some guys of the football team.
“Hey, guys!” You said in your cheer tone, making them all smile. “Mind if steal your teammate for some time?”
“All you want, darling”
They started cheering Jesse’s name and patting him on his back as you pulled him out of the bar to the back part of it so no one could catch you talking and interrupt.
“They must be thinking we’re going to fuck or something”
“Ha! In your dreams” You let your back rest on the wall as you look at him taking out a cigarette “Give me one”
He light his up and came in front of you putting on in your lips and connecting both cigarettes to light up yours, all this keeping eye contact with you before taking a spot besides you, leaning his back on the wall too, that made you and he laughed.
“I’m sure that works like charm with the ladies”
“You can’t imagine” he shrugged “So what was that you wanted to talk about?”
“I will help you with get back with Dina” He started coughing because of heat you said, you raised your eyebrow blowing the smoke on his direction.
“What? Why? Is this one of your crazy plans?
Your relationship with Jesse was more of a partner in crime than anything, if any of you had this weird planning on something you could count on the other to support and help and he knew of your dying love with Ellie, so he was sure you wanted to help yourself more than help him.
“Don’t you still love her? Why don’t fight for that love back? You guys were cute”
“You used to gag every time you saw us”
“That was before”
“Before what? Before she and Ellie started something?” You nodded shamelessly, you had no problem admitting that you wanted Dina out of the picture ASAP. He stayed in silent for sometime, he was reconsidering the offer, most of your plans never failed and he truly wanted Dina back. “I don’t want to force Dina back in to my arms, I want her to be with me because she wants”
“Duh, my plan won’t work if she don’t want, this has to go smoothly, Ellie has given me second chance but with the agreement that I wouldn’t mess into her love life”
“Yet here you are” he smirked. “You are such a bad best friend”
“That’s why I want to be the girlfriend, now that all the mess with Cat and Abby is out, she doesn’t have to evade me in that aspect any more”
“Because you already cheat on her once” You hit her shoulder and he laughs “Don’t get mad at me, get mad at yourself! I’ll do it, but it better work, how much time is it going to take?”
“Some months, we need to let them at least some weeks together and then interfere between them, my friendship with Ellie still is fragile but she adores me too much, we will be back at normal, while that happen…” You flicked the cigarette butt onto the ground and stamped it out, exhaling the last puff. “You have to tighten your friendship with Dina, be more flirty, romantic but not too much that you make her uncomfortable, enough to make her remember how good your relationship was”
“And what are you going to do?”
“Be the friend Ellie deserves and helping her through the hard times” you take out your phone to call an Uber to go back home, your job here was done, you just had to wait and have faith that Jesse was going to do a good work.
“You truly are something else” Jesse sighed walking back to the bar and giving you a last look.
“I’m just taking care of my girl”
Meanwhile, Ellie was at home contemplating her ceiling and thinking that maybe this time everything was going to be easy and that maybe this was a small bump that your friendship had to overcome to become stronger. She was so weak when it came about you, she tried so hard to stay at Dina’s but she was sometimes searching for you on campus without realizing that, sometimes it seem as if you were the one that started the cold war. How wrong was she about it…
taglist;; @boobdrug @lovelyxbaby @pedropascalsbbg@cherryimaa @yumimak @amberputh @cattjull @carylinflors @ghostlyfangs @teawithnosugar @azxulaa @elliesexual @gato-chino @divinesdior @yumimak @abbystoy @gosomewjere @isitadinosaur @sourgummywormsss @rhehhwfehwfqd @bubblymilktee @mulan-but-gay @liasxeatt @lookforthelight1 @slynxs @doveocean @onlinelesbo
for people who asked me to be tag but it's not, sorry, it's not letting me tag you, I'll try later or next chapter <3 I'm going to ask for 250 notes to post the next!!!
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steddieas-shegoes · 1 year
Text
Steve was a fixer.
But when it came to fixing things, he was lacking.
People? Great.
The bathroom sink? The car? His favorite sweater? Not so great.
But Eddie was a fixer, too.
And he could fix things.
When Steve’s bathroom sink started leaking, Eddie came over to replace a part of the pipe.
Steve watched as he concentrated on removing the piece that was broken, his tongue poking out of his mouth in a way that made Steve’s heart flip.
When it was fixed, Steve offered to pay him, but Eddie just glared at him and took a beer from the fridge before leaving in his van.
When Steve’s car started smoking on his way home from work, he took a left instead of a right at the fork in the road to get to Eddie’s trailer.
Eddie spend the next hour tinkering away, breaking a sweat, causing Steve to have a heart attack while he watched.
When he finished, Steve offered him the cash in his pocket and was given a shake of the head and an offer to come inside for a drink.
He would’ve been stupid not to take the offer.
But out of everything, his favorite sweater getting a hole in the shoulder was the most devastating.
He wore it to bed, to the store, even to work when he was dealing with a migraine. He wore it during every season, during any event. He’d gotten endless compliments on it for two years running and he’d be stupid to part with it.
So the hole in the shoulder had to be fixed.
Unfortunately, Steve’s only needle and thread were for stitches. Despite his ability to stitch a wound close in minutes, he couldn’t stitch cloth together to save his life.
Did it make sense? No.
So, he took a chance.
He called Eddie, reigning in the sudden indescribable panic in his voice, hoping that he didn’t sound incredibly ridiculous.
“Yep.”
“That’s how you answer your phone?”
“When I was almost asleep, yeah.”
Steve glanced at the clock. Shit. It was almost midnight. He hadn’t even realized how late it was by the time he got out of the shower.
“Sorry, man. Um…I’ll call you in the morning.”
Steve started to hang up but stopped when he heard Eddie yelling on the other end.
“Harrington! Wait!”
“Okay…”
“Is everything good? You’ve never called this late.”
Steve gulped. He hadn’t actually called him before for anything other than trying to find one of the kids. This was entirely out of character and Eddie would be extremely suspicious if he didn’t explain.
“Yeah, yeah. Everything’s…fine. Totally fine. Just had a favor to ask.”
“Ask away.”
Steve cleared his throat awkwardly. This wasn’t what he’d prepared for at all.
“So you know my blue sweater?”
“The one that brings out the gold in your eyes?”
Well. That’s certainly. Something.
“I…guess? Um. Anyways. It’s got a hole in it and I figured you’re pretty good at fixing things so. Maybe you could fix that?”
The silence on the other end wasn’t promising and Steve was considering just hanging up and driving over the cliff at the quarry when Eddie finally spoke up.
“Yeah, can do. Just bring it over in the morning.”
Steve should’ve accepted that. This was already a nice favor, it was encroaching closer to midnight, and this was a sweater he didn’t even need to wear right now.
But for some reason, Steve’s brain couldn’t let this go until morning.
“Would it…be okay to like. Bring it now?”
Silence again.
God, he was so fucking stupid.
He sounded certifiably insane. Like, send him to a psychiatric hospital crazy.
“Never mind. That’s so. Just. Never mind.”
This time he did hang up before Eddie’s silence could say any more.
The phone rang less than a minute later and he ignored it.
He could never talk to Eddie again. He’d have to learn how fix things now. Bathroom sinks and cars, and now this sweater that ruined his life.
Then the phone rang again and Steve decided he had to be an adult about this.
“Harrington residence.”
“Steve, you know it’s me.”
Steve sighed. “Yeah.”
“I’m coming over. I’ll bring my sewing kit.”
“What? No! You don’t have to do that. I’m sorry, it’s not an emergency, I don’t know why I acted like it was.”
“Be there in ten.”
And he was. He probably broke every speed limit between his trailer and Steve’s house, but Steve didn’t care because the panic that had settled deep in his bones was already dissipating.
Without saying a word, Eddie invited himself in and walked up the stairs to Steve’s room. Steve ran a mental inventory of every single thing currently on his bedroom floor and thanked his past self for cleaning up the day before.
When he entered his room, Eddie was already sitting on his bed, sewing kit placed next to him, sweater in hand. He was inspecting the hole, which in hindsight, was barely there at all. Eddie was going to laugh at him. Or leave and never come back. Or both.
“Not so bad, but I can see why you’re worried. This placement is right on the seam of the collar. Could’ve torn the whole thing if it got caught on something.”
And then Eddie got to work.
Steve just let his words of comfort wash over him.
Had he been silly about a tiny hole in a sweater that could be replaced? Maybe.
But Eddie acknowledged that no matter how silly it was, he was allowed to be worried.
No one had done that before. Not even for things he genuinely should have been worried about.
Steve slowly sat down on the bed, being careful not to disrupt the focused flow Eddie had going.
“Thanks for doing this. I really didn’t think it was that late.”
Eddie shrugged. “No big deal. Already almost fixed.”
He remembered Robin telling him about Eddie helping her sew a patch on her band uniform not long ago, and how Dustin said Eddie had sewn all his own patches on his denim jacket. A small hole in a sweater would be nothing.
Only a minute later, Eddie was handing the sweater to Steve with a small, tired smile.
“Like new!” He threw out his arms dramatically.
Steve examined the sweater, amazed to see it genuinely looked like nothing had ever happened.
“You’re amazing.” He looked up to see Eddie blush.
“It’s just a basic stitch. I could show you at a more reasonable hour if you want.”
Steve could learn. It probably wasn’t that hard. And Eddie seemed good at it, he barely even had to think about this fix.
“But then I wouldn’t get company at midnight.”
Why did he say that? Jesus Christ, why did he say that?
That was beyond desperate, borderline creepy, and Eddie would definitely never talk to him ever again.
“You can call me anytime you need company, Stevie.”
Hm.
“I could always use your company.”
What was going on? This felt like openly flirting in a potentially dangerous way. They were alone, it was just past midnight, Steve had been fantasizing about Eddie for months. All the pieces of the puzzle pointed to taking a chance.
Or whatever.
“I’m pretty tired. Could I stay here?”
It felt like a very sharp turn from where they were in the conversation. Steve stared in confusion.
“Uh. I mean yeah. Yeah, that’s great, actually. I can take the guest room.”
“Didn’t you just say you could always use my company?”
Steve huffed out an awkward laugh. “I guess I did.”
“Unless you didn’t mean it, I could just stay in here with you.”
Steve’s brain short-circuited, static filling his ears. Bad idea.
“Yeah. Okay.”
His mouth was now functioning without permission from his brain, which may actually be a health concern.
As Steve changed into the sweater Eddie rushed over to fix, Eddie shucked off his jeans and t-shirt. Steve would be lying if he said he didn’t sneak a look. It’s hard not to when the person you lo…like a lot has such a tiny waist staring back.
They wordlessly got in Steve’s bed, Eddie naturally falling on the side by the door. He had no interest in getting under the covers, apparently, since he curled up against one of the pillows more on Steve’s side, and let out a sigh.
Steve stared at the way his eyelashes fluttered slightly as he completely settled into sleep.
He’d tell him in the morning. Maybe.
But for now, he’d appreciate the company in his bed.
And in the morning, when he found every article of clothing that needed to be fixed, he went to his fixer with a smile and eventually, a kiss.
975 notes · View notes
s1ater · 2 years
Text
now or never.
pairings. conrad fisher x fem!reader
about. conrad likes things simple, but you want more—turning things complicated.
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warnings. foul language, underage drinking
ricky rocks. i kinda have a friend that looks like conrad AND has the same nickname, W.
“save me some, connie.”
your soft teasing voice fills his ears before your finger tip pokes him in the cheek from where you stood behind him. it causes him to dip his head backwards to look at you, his soft brown curls falling back from his face as he smirks to you.
“thought you weren’t coming.”
“changed my mind,” you took a seat next to him from where he sat in a low beach chair. you could tell it was probably a good thing that you did come due to the beer bottles and heavy liquor stacking up by his side. it probably would have been a real lonely night without you, one he’d most likely regret in the morning.
“well i’m glad,” his hand reached to you, touching the bare skin exposed beneath the cropped top you wore. his finger tips were cold making you shiver slightly as they grazed your hip bone to all the way up your shirt. “you’re so far.”
his head leaned against the back of his chair, focused so closely on you that it made you so nervous for no particular reason. the flames from the fire that you were both sat around gave a soft glow to his face that made your stomach twist in a jittery feeling.
he looked so pretty. and so calm.
“c’mere, baby,” his finger hooks within your waistband, tugging you lightly to get you up from your seat and come closer. you feel your body strike up in heat as you were now sitting on his lap and his arms were tightly pulled around you. “now i can see you better.”
“you’re a big goof, connie,” you push his hair from his eyes, shaking your head with a smile. “sometimes i actually think you like me.”
he laughs quietly, “why wouldn’t i like you?”
“you tell me,” you press your nose against his, closing your eyes, regretting the fact that you even said anything. you knew if the conversation exceeded those two sentences, it could ruin the balance.
what you and conrad had, was something you weren’t going to take for granted. everyone knew he was very picky with girls, so the fact that he chose you was something you took honor in. the only thing, this relationship, was hanging on by threads and could be easily rocked into the sea with lack of caution. there was no label, that’s what it was. no label to tie you two together, making it easy for prying eyes to capsize the relationship if they tried so hard.
“no,” he shifts slightly underneath you, pulling his face a bit from yours so he can look at you, to see your eyes and what was flooding through them. “what do you mean?”
conrad was more unbalanced when drunk, not unbalanced but empathetic. you should have known he would question. he surprisingly thought more deeper on things, didn’t let it go as easily; opposed to when he was sober and wanted no problems. he wanted to know why, when, who, details, whatever. he wanted to clarify, otherwise while in clear mind, he didn’t care for fogginess and vague statements.
“talk to me.”
“i didn’t mean it,” you tried to smile, leaning closer to him in hopes he’d just let it go. “i’m joking, kiss me.”
he scoffed, “you mistake me for a fool,” his voice is highly amused but you can tell he’s not joking, and he wants to hear your truth. “you don’t think i like you?”
you pursed your lips, carefully conveying his face, trying to decide how you’re going to go about this because you can’t lie; he’ll know, he always knows, he can read you like the back of his hand.
“conrad,” your tone is hard and he can hear
the hesitation, he knows you don’t want to talk about it, don’t want to disturb the peace.
“be honest,” his fingers press against your cheek, almost pinching it teasingly before speaking again, “why do you think that?”
“you’re drunk,” you say, “maybe we should talk about this later.”
“if we don’t talk about it now, we’re never going to talk about it.”
right, exactly.
“i think… i really like you, connie, but you don’t really like me—like the way i like you,” you have your arms looped around his neck now as if holding him so he won’t get away. making the moment last. “i mean i should know better, but i can’t help but…” you stop pressing your lips against his.
“i think you think too much, y/n,” he taps your chin lightly, teasing, “i like you. i think you’re great, why are you so worried?”
“connie… i don’t know how to say this without seeming like a bitch, but everyone knows you don’t have the best track record.”
“and you’re everyone?”
“no,” you say fast. “no, but-“
“but what?”
“but why does it seem like we’re nothing? like we sleep in the same bed, but we’re still nothing to everyone.”
“why does it matter who we are to these people, y/n?” his eyes crinkle in the corners as he asks you this, his head tipping back in motion to the rest of the people on the beach. “you are so much better than that.”
“because maybe i want you all to myself and i want everyone to know that,” you mumble, almost feeling shameful, but he grins at the clinging nature that has suddenly came over you.
“then show them,” he chews on his bottom lip, looking up at you with smug look. “show them i’m yours.”
navigation.
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gourmetjello · 2 months
Text
nikto x reader : intimidated
oh gosh loves it feels so good to be back after such a long break! i’m sorry i disappeared for over a month. sickness, late trainings, writer’s block, studying and barely hanging on by a thread took a toll on me but i’ll try to be back ◝(ᵔᵕᵔ)◜
i know it sounds unusual but i’ll try my best to write for other characters too. i know i’ve teased a little list before but now i’m starting to see a pattern form and these are the people i’m most likely going to write for : könig, krueger, ghost, ‘09 ghost, nikto, roach, soap, capt. soap, ‘09 makarov (•̀ᴗ•́ )و
hopefully you all are satisfied with the list! if you have any more suggestions just let me know somehow. now hope you enjoy the fic! ♡
tw ; alcohol, mention of drugs.
“drink up, drink up!”
a voice yelled from behind you and all you could hear was the sound of shot glasses being knocked against each other once again. the sound was so familiar by now that you even made a mental note on how glasses sound different when they’re filled and when they’re empty. actually, why was someone raising toasts with an empty glass?
“bottoms up, y’all, don’t be pussies-“
but you didn’t have a glass in your hand, not now. you just stared at the people that were having fun and you couldn’t help but think about how you even ended up here.
there was a friend that you shared with this one guy, that’s quite literally all you were one hundred percent sure about — basically nothing. you could be looking at them directly and you would have no idea who they are, thanks to the cliche ‘friend of a friend’ circle going around this whole party. nobody knew each other, but friends and relationships don’t exist when you’re just drinking, right?
so there was that guy. and when you finally saw his face for the first time, you got the chills down your spine. he immediately seemed like someone you shouldn’t really be messing with — like he was planning something evil? or maybe he already did something bad, it felt childish to think about things like these at your grown age and you couldn’t even put your finger on what your senses told you about this person. just leave him alone and get the fuck out of here as soon as possible.
just as that thought crossed your mind, a yell broke through the happy little murmurs and drunken words.
“y’all, what the fuck! get outta’ here! right now! cops outside! holy fucking shit!”
cops outside? what the hell? why?
before the panic settled in, you blinked outside and you were amost immediately sure this wasn’t the fucking police. at least ten men dressed in black tactical outfits stood right next to the huge outdoors pool in the nicely maintained backyard. the well trimmed trees gave them an even scarier look too, painting shadows in the night all over their already dark forms.
you could even see from the corner of your eye that some were equipped with ballistic shields like it was some kind of movie. you have never seen one of those in real life before, and now it gave you a really bad feeling (pretty obviously). their faces were hidden and they were coming closer and closer to the main building all of you and your.. acquaintances were inside.
the guns hanging from their torsos.. wasn’t a nice sight, to be honest. you were convinced that these men were probably legally allowed to do anything as long as they got a bit closer to what they wanted to achieve. and for that, you weren’t exactly sure what it was. come on, shutting down a (not so) little house party with people who look like came straight out of a counter-terrorism organization? isn’t that a tiny exaggeration?
you could have sworn that you only looked away for a few seconds but the next moment you looked around the whole room was empty. fuck. well that’s a situation coming your way for sure, because one of those monsters was heading right towards your direction with a slightly wrinkled paper in his hands.
you wanted to yell and scream at him, to let him know that you absolutely had no clue what this whole thing was about and that you weren’t involved with whatever stupid drug smuggling anyone around you did — since you were sure that you weren’t the target, and they knew that too. but they had to listen to anyone they could catch.
“party’s over..” a deep voice mumbled with a heavy accent. you could recognize it anywhere. a russian accent, gosh.. you’re fucked.
and soon the paper was pressed right into your face. your nose was rubbed against the thin material, not even allowing you to see whatever was printed on it. but it was most likely a person, or at least that was what you could make out when he held it a little further away from you.
“missy, you know this fella?” the man asked.
you had no idea who was on the photo. it was a man with a beard and he seemed way too damn old to be right here, in a house party with some silly college students? he couldn’t be here, you’ve never even seen his face before.
you hesitated a little, not knowing which answer would get you out of here quicker.
“do not keep that mouth shut, come on. you’ll get outta’ here faster, come on.”
your brain immediately sobered up and a small whine left your mouth as you finally took the time to examine the terrifying person that was standing right in front of you. face mask made of kevlar, a gun hanging from his side and a pistol on his right thigh. bulletproof from head to toe. ballistic shield placed next to his other leg.
this guy was going to kill you. one hundred percent. or at least le looked like he would try to do that.
“come on, we don’t bite?”
he tried to speak normally but his statement sounded a lot more like a question, like he wasn’t sure about it either. it could have been the fact that it probably wasn’t usual for them to talk to people that look like they don’t even know where they are. and you were just like that right now. lost as fuck.
you stared up at the photo of the man once again. the black and white printing was so bad that you were barely able to make out the details on it.
“i- um.. no idea w-who’s on the photo.”
“do not lie, missy.”
“i really- i don’t know!”
“well, then let me tell you so you maybe remember, hm? this dude right here,” he gently knocked the face of the man on the paper, the material gently crumbling under his heavy, gloved finger “whose house you’re at right fucking now, has a fuck ton of cocaine under these,” now he kicked the flooring, “these little tiles.”
your eyes widened and to a person who had no clue that you were just as lost here as they are, it would probably come across as some realization. but no, it wasn’t any kind of realization — you really didn’t know about any of this! and it was hard to believe too. you didn’t even see a single line of coke on this party, it was too expensive to be wasted on little college student get-togethers?
“s-sir, i really don’t-“
“we know you know.”
“but i don’t!”
the man’s eyes widened as you started losing your shit. he probably heard the unsure shake in your voice as you slightly raised it — which was probably a stupid idea, but the situation was already bad enough when you’re locked into a burning hot little room that smelled like alcohol with someone who’s straight up dressed in carbon from head to toe? this was getting out of hand.
“missy, i’ve got the legal right to shock you, and if you refuse to give out any information then i’ll just have to do that..”
you were becoming annoyed. you were intimidated as hell and you knew that you couldn’t do anything in a situation like this, you were shaking scared. this man was making you feel so uneasy.
maybe he did it on purpose because as you stayed silent he just stared into your eyes, like a madman. he wasn’t even blinking behind that mask, the black face paint covering the area around his eyes making the color of his irises pop out from the black atmosphere around it. you just weren’t sure why he was doing this.
he placed a hand on his gun now, like he was about to slip out his pistol. but he didn’t have the right to kill or shoot you or anything like that, right? right? panic was filling your brain and goosebumps were running up and down your body as you had no idea about what these men could and could not do to an innocent civillian that actually had no clue about whatever was going on!
“we can play this game, missy. but you won’t like it.”
“i’ve said everything i know! nothing.”
“for fuck’s sake, just say something, anything.”
“but i don’t know! i accidentally ended up here, too.”
“whatever. fuck you, missy.” the man grunted as he finally let his pistol down, letting you back out from the corner he had held you in this whole time. it felt like you could finally breathe again and the cold sweat running down your temples felt like a normal reaction again.
“get the fuck outta’ here and if you know anything. keep your mouth fucking shut. am i understood?”
“y-yes sir.”
you were breathing heavy as you finally made it out of that room. it was a feeling you never wanted to experience ever again — you almost got yourself killed. and you were 99% sure that if you said the wrong stuff he wouldn’t have hesitated to use that pistol. what is wrong with humanity..
the man peeked above his shoulder to look at you walk away. he didn’t take his eyes off of you until you finally exited the whole damn house. you’re never ever coming back and that’s for sure. holy shit.
sorry about how bad and rushed this was! :(
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strawhbrrries · 10 months
Text
Babys Breath, v
pairing: bob floyd x seresin!florist!reader
summary: Bob stumbles into the nearest florist to the funeral he’s attending and, unknowingly, charms Jake Seresin’s sweet younger sister with all the anxious charm he possesses.
warnings: everyone calls reader “sunshine”, fluff!!!, protective older brother jake??, horrible descriptions of the navy, warnings will differ depending on chapter, no use of y/n or description of reader, not proofread 
word count: 1441 words
authors note: because i love you guys, you get it a day early!! a bit juicier this time!! how do we think the rest of jake's reaction is gonna go? bob + sunshine forever and ever!! as always, please enjoy!! mwah!!
tag list: @myownworstenemyyy @kloofspeaks @bcon24 @chaosofmanyfandoms @strangerparks @kmc1989
find the masterlist here!
read the previous part here! read the next part here!
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“You don’t believe me? And why the fuck not?” You held the phone between your ear and your shoulder, trying to close up the shop and interrogate your brother at the same time.
“You’ve given me no reason to trust you, Sunny. I told you not to text him.” Jake responded, voice laced with annoyance. You were sure if you could see him his eyes were halfway in the back of his skull and a hand was on his hip in that sassy pose he did.
“Oh my god, Jake. Am I not a fucking adult? Even if I did text him, which I fucking didn’t, why does it matter? He’s not Javy or Rooster who just want to fuck me and add another notch to their belt.” You snapped, scrunching your face in annoyance. The over-protectiveness he was exhibiting was eating at you, your nerves were hanging on by a thread.
“It doesn’t matter, I told you not to do something. It shouldn’t take all of your self control not to go against me. I’ll see you at home. Goodbye.”
With that he hung up, the tears of frustration welling in your eyes at his words. The universe just wanted you to fail, how could you not respond to the text? Just last week the sweetest man found his way into your shop and now you’re supposed to simply act like he didn’t exist?
hey bobby, I know this is a long shot but i need some saving
can we go get something to eat?
You locked the door to the shop and looked at your phone one more time before frowning and putting it away. The last place you wanted to be was your house, the argument with Jake would just escalate and you weren’t ready for that. Not right now at least. You’d find solace in the one place you shouldn’t. With Bob. You sat on the steps in front of the building, waiting for a response before deciding if you should just go home and face the Seresin wrath.
Every time your phone went off you hoped it was Bob and it never was. You figured he was busy, probably had other plans and didn’t want to hang out with you. 
“Is anyone sitting next to you?” The voice caused you to look up and locate where it was coming from, a smile spreading across your face when you saw who it was.
“Hi Bobby.” You pat the spot next to you, ushering him to sit on the steps next to you. 
“I was around the corner, figured you’d rather see me in person than a text.” He spoke softly, pushing his glasses up a bit and looking at you as he sat down.
“I appreciate it, I was waiting for a text. Can’t lie, I was a bit disappointed to not get one.” You chuckled, laying your head on his shoulder and breathing in. He smelled so good, especially after having worked all day.
“I hope you’re not still disappointed.” He teased, poking your side and laying his head on top of yours. He wasn’t going to pry and see what was bothering you but he couldn’t lie and say he wasn’t relieved that you came to him first about it. “I’m sorry you had a shit day, where do you wanna eat?”
“I don’t care, just not the hard deck.” You responded, closing your eyes and enjoying the softness of the moment.
“I know a spot, c’mon.” He stood up and offered you his hand, intertwining your fingers and leading you to his car.
He drove to a small diner on the outskirts of the town, intentionally so you didn’t have a chance to run into your brother. He assumed the bad day was because of your brother, and that was why you asked not to go to the nearest bar with some damn good food. The place was small and obviously family run, Bob had been here a few times before and would highly recommend it to anyone.
The two of you got a small booth in the back corner, away from the commotion of the rest of the diner. It felt more personal this way. A sweet older woman was your server, she acted like she’d known the two of you your whole lives. Once your food came she left the two of you alone, letting you talk and joke around.
“Phoenix paid me a visit earlier.” You stated, putting a fry in your mouth while he connected the dots.
“Oh my god, that’s where she went earlier. Sorry for that, I’m going to assume she came on pretty strong.” He apologized and it wasn’t even his fault, taking a bite of the food in front of him.
“Yeah, she kinda scared me a bit at first. She gave me her number though, soon I’ll have all of dagger squad.” You joked, covering your mouth as you giggled
“You know the dagger squad?” He tilted his head to the side, furrowing his brows as he tried to figure out where you would know that from unless your brother actually was in it or Phoenix told you.
“Uh, yeah. So, if I tell you this. I need you to swear you won’t speak to him about us, or anything hinting towards me.” You put your pinky finger out, the ultimate swear.
“Okay?” He hesitantly shook pinkies with you, becoming even more confused than before.
“Jake, or Hangman as you would know him, is my brother.” You let go of his pinky and took a sip of your drink while he processed the information, he rubbed his forehead as he thought about it.
“I guess I’m just confused why you kept it from me? I won’t say anything to him, I promise, I’m just confused?” 
“I get a lot of navy men at the shop and I always ask Jake about them, just curiosity I guess. You were the one man he basically swore me off of, told me I couldn’t text you back and we got into a huge argument about it.” You explained, picking at the skin around your nails anxiously. This could go horribly and blow up in your face or he could be completely understanding about it.
“Sounds exactly like him, I should’ve known the second you said he was an asshole. Hangman is the only asshole I really work with, makes everything so much harder. So he doesn’t know?” Bob asked, fiddling with the food on his plate.
“I’m not even sure anymore, he texted me earlier that you had a girlfriend. Which, I didn’t know we had taken that step.” You teased, winking playfully. “But then he said he didn’t believe me when I said I hadn’t texted you back. Which, yet again blew up into a huge argument-” 
“Which is why you called me.” He finished your sentence, shaking his head in understanding. “Phoenix started it!”
“I’m sorry for bringing you into this, Bobby.” You chewed at your bottom lip, frustrated that you brought him into the middle of this because you liked him too much.
He assured you it wasn’t just your fault, it was equally his fault too and he made sure you knew that. For the rest of the meal you explained how the initial argument with Jake went down and how you ultimately decided to say fuck it and do it anyway. Bob was appreciative of that fact and understood why you kept it all a secret. He even promised to continue keeping it a secret from your brother for as long as you wanted, even pinky swearing on it.
“We should probably get going.” You groaned, stacking the dishes from your food and paying the bill as a thanks for him saving you. Although, you both argued over it for a good few minutes.
The ride back to your car was filled with lots of laughs, you told him a ton of stories about your childhood with Jake. How you were constantly telling others he was your real brother and how you got your nickname. He called it an honorary callsign, you giggled and said you’d never call it that. He praised you for being able to live with Jake and dealing with him all the time. You walked hand in hand with him to your car, stopping in your tracks when you see the person leaning against it.
“Are you fucking kidding me?!” Jake exclaimed, pinching the bridge of his nose and doing a double take at the two of you holding hands. “Are you sure you didn’t text him back, Sunshine?”
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minniedaisies · 1 year
Text
pastel snowflake kisses
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— summary: they had never made much of a fuss about christmas...until you came into the picture
— pairing: bts x reader 
— genre: christmas au / fluff / poly! au
— word count:  2230
— warnings: none
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“Why does it look like Santa’s Wonderland at the mall threw up all over the fucking living room?” Yoongi shrugged off his snow-dusted coat, hanging it on the rack by the door as he cautiously peered into the living room - now softly aglow in twinkling Christmas lights. A fire was going in the fireplace and there were stockings hung over the mantel. Yoongi didn’t even know you all had stockings.
“You’ll have to talk to Y/N about all that,” Taehyung grinned, carefully threading the ribbon of an ornament through a branch of the tree. 
“Y/N….” Yoongi’s tone was low and you peeked out from behind the Christmas tree with your best puppydog look - the one you knew damn well was his ultimate weakness.
“Don’t you like it, Yoon?” You asked, pushing your bottom lip out slightly in your best pout. Jiminie would be so proud.
Speaking of….
“Oh good! You’re back from the studio, just in time for cocoa and Christmas movies!” Jimin thrust a mug of steaming cocoa into Yoongi’s hand before he could protest. “Unless, you’re going to be a total Scrooge.”
Yoongi stuck his tongue out at Jimin, “I’m not being a total Scrooge, Min. It’s just…we’ve never done anything like this before. Hell, I didn’t even know the fireplace worked, much less that we had stockings and a tree hidden up somewhere.”
“I might have done a bit of shopping,” you admitted, coming around from the Christmas tree to stand before him, pout still working overtime. Jimin flashed you a quick wink, his approval of your level of pout. “Y-you aren’t mad, are you?”
Yoongi softened instantly. You could see him visibly thaw. “Oh baby…” Yoongi set his cocoa down on the coffee table, before pulling you into a hug, “Not mad at all, doll. Just wasn’t expecting it, is all. We’ve never done Christmas before.”
“Well that was before,” Seokjin said, coming up behind you to press a kiss to the back of your head while reaching around to ruffle Yoongi’s still snow-flecked hair. 
“I think it looks nice,” Taehyung said, hanging another ornament, “It’s about time we get into the Christmas spirit around here, don’t you think?”
“I picked out the tree,” Namjoon grinned, opening another box of ornaments.
“It looks great, Joon,” Yoongi smiled warmly to him, “Where’s, Sunshine and Koo?”
“Hope’s picking up takeaway for us,” you said, snuggling against Yoongi’s chest. He smelled of winter and something distinctly Yoongi - tobacco and leather and warmth. “And Jungkook’s probably still in the kitchen trying to eat the cookie batter.”
Yoongi ran a hand through your hair, looking down at you with such love in his eyes, such warmth. He booped your nose before releasing you and making his way over to the Christmas tree. “It is a pretty great tree, Joon.”
“So you aren’t mad we used your credit card to get it?” Jimin asked, sneaking up behind Yoongi and hooking his chin over his shoulder.
“Park Jimin….”
“He’s kidding,” Jin shook his head, flicking Jimin on the earlobe.
Jimin rolled his eyes, coming up behind you and wrapping his arms around your waist, hugging you to him. “You did a great job, Y/N. It’s never looked better in here, truly.”
“It feels like a home,” Namjoon’s gaze caught Yoongi’s and they shared something silent between the two of them. 
You knew ever since they had first gotten together, before the rest of you had all joined this little family, that they’d struggled quite a bit. It both made your chest ache and warm at the thought of them finally having a proper Christmas, finally having a proper home together.
“It’s all Y/N,” Taehyung cooed, pinching your cheek, “I would never have even thought of the cinnamon candles if it weren’t for Y/N!”
“Why don’t you put the star on the top of the tree, Yoon,” Namjoon offered. 
Yoongi’s eyes widened briefly before you handed him the pretty gold star and Namjoon hoisted him up to reach the top of the tree with ease. You let the two of them have their moment before sneaking off into the kitchen to rescue the cookie batter from Jungkook. 
“Is there even any batter left for the cookies or is it all in your stomach?” You asked, catching him as he popped the wooden spoon into his mouth. Jungkook grinned around the mouthful of cookie batter.
“ ‘s delicious! Can’t help it! What do you put into these, Y/N?”
“A dash of almond extract,” You grabbed for the mixing bowl, moving at away from him, “You’re gonna get sick,” you scolded half-heartedly. 
Jungkook pouted, bottom lip jutting out even worse than yours and Jimin’s. “But if I do, you’ll take care of me right, princess? Nurse me back to health?”
“Absolutely not,” You peeked at the clock on the oven, grabbing for an oven mit. You swatted Jungkook on the hip with it before slipping it on and pulling out the previous batch of cookies. Jungkook reached his hand towards the baking sheet before you could even set it on the stove to cool. 
“You’re going to burn your hand! And your mouth! And no one is going to feel any sympathy for you if you do.”
The bottom lip slipped back out, doe-eyes wide.
You softened. “You can have one once it cools, baby. It’ll taste better then anyway.”
“Fine,” Jungkook folded his arms over his chest as you began to slide the cookies from the tray onto a cooling rack, “But if you’re going to deny me cookies, can I at least get a kiss in their place?”
Rolling your eyes, you sat the baking sheet down and indulged him. He tasted of almond and cinnamon and vanilla and sweetness.
“That better tide you over until these cool,” you tried to sound scolding, which was really rather hard to do after being kissed breathless by Jeon Jungkook.
“Alright you kids,” Jin stuck his head into the kitchen, “Hope is back with dinner and we’re ready to start the movie. Y/N you pick tonight. Any Christmas movie you want.”
Heading out to the living room, you saw your boyfriends getting snuggled into onto the couches and recliners, tucked into their plates of takeaway, snuggled against one another.
“Y/N!” Hobi waved you over, handing you your styrofoam plate, “I got you your favorite, extra honey walnut shrimp!”
“Thanks, Hope,” you pressed a kiss to his cheek.
“I want Y/N to sit with me,” Jungkook pouted from somewhere on the couch.
“No, you got to sit with Y/N last time,” Taehyung protested, “It’s my turn!”
“No, it’s mine!” Jimin argued.
“Babies!” Jin held up a hand, “Y/N isn’t going to sit with either of you if you argue over Y/N like a toy. Sit wherever you’d like, angel,” Jin sent you a soft smile and you melted under his attention and ability to get Jimin, Jungkook, and Taehyung to yield.
You glanced around the living room. Yoongi was already sitting on Namjoon’s lap while Namjoon spoon-fed him bites of broccoli beef in one of the recliners. Jin was making his way towards his favorite overly-stuffed chair and you knew Hobi would probably wind up in his lap too. The maknaes were staring at you with wide, puppy eyes. 
“I’m going to sit between Jimin and Tae,” you announced, while Jungkook visibly deflated. 
You walked over to him, cradling his face in your hands as you lifted his head, “But I’m sleeping in your bed tonight.”
Jungkook let out a happy sequel and you couldn’t help but laugh. You weren’t far off from happy-squealing yourself at the prospect of spending the night cuddled in his arms under his warm blankets.
“Good,” Jimin smirked, reaching for his beer on the coffee table as you sunk down on the couch between him and Tae. Tae instinctively snuggled closer to you. “You steal all the blankets anyway—eek!” You smirked, withdrawing your fingers from his side with a triumphant smile.
“Brat,” Jimin stuck his tongue out at you. “You’re lucky I’ve got a plate of food on my lap right now or else you’d definitely get it.”
“Alright kids,” Jin called over the ruckus, “Y/N, what movie would you like to watch?”
“Well, it just isn’t Christmas without It’s a Wonderful Life.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life, it is, then!” Namjoon reached around Yoongi to grab the remote off the arm of his chair, pulling up the movie. 
“Christmas movies, a fire going in the fireplace, an actual Christmas tree, cookies cooling, and cocoa waiting for us,” Hobi sunk down into Jin’s lap as you’d expected, “Y/N, you’re spoiling us here. Almost going to make refined gentlemen out of us.”
Taehyung reached around and gave Jimin a wet willie just for prosperity.
“Ack! Why am I getting bullied tonight, huh?” Jimin swatted at him. 
“Alright you two,” Yoongi shot them a look from his place on Namjoon’s lap, “Settle down and eat your dinner and watch the movie.”
“Hobi is right though,” Namjoon pressed his nose against Yoongi’s shoulder blade before continuing, “You really do take such good care of us, Y/N. The place looks amazing, and it finally has this warmth touch to it I just know is from you. You came into our lives and thawed out all our icey edges, angel. We’re so thankful to you for that.”
Your eyes watered and as if sensing, both Jimin and Taehyung cuddled up against you. Jimin pressing kisses to your cheek while Taehyung stroked your hair.
“It’s true,” Jin said. “You really do look after us all so well. We’re meant to be the ones looking after you, but you take care of us just as well if not more.”
“We take care of each other,” you corrected, “You are all deserving of a good and wonderful Christmas. And it’s not about the decorations or the fire or the cocoa and cookies. It’s about all of us just being together…sharing a moment like this together. I’d have been content to just spend Christmastime with you without a tree and ornaments if it meant just spending it with the seven of you by my side. But the tree, all of this…it’s something I can do to outwardly show you how much I love you and how much I want this Christmas to be special. It’s our first together.”
“The first of many,” Jimin said, letting a kiss wander slightly just to the corner of your mouth.
“The first of every from here on out,” Taehyung nodded.
“You’re like our Christmas angel, Y/N,” Jungkook said from his place on the floor. You bent down to press a kiss to the back of his head.
“And your my Christmas angels too,” you said.
“I think I’m a fairy this week, actually,” said Jimin.
“We’re such cheesballs, oh my god,” Taehyung jokingly cringed. 
“Does the fairy feel like hushing up so we can watch the damn movie?” Yoongi asked, pulling a teasing face to Jimin, the way he always did when he spoke harshly and needed Jimin to know he was being playful.
Jimin reached behind him for one of the throw pillows to toss at him, but you were quick to snatch it from his hand and set it carefully out of his reach.
“Sorry,” Jimin mumbled.
“It’s okay,” you pressed a kiss to his cheek.
That night, after a night of movies and cookies and cocoa and admiring the Christmas tree all twinkingly with soft lights in the darkness of the livingroom, you found yourself wrapped up in Jungkook’s arms in his oversized bed, cuddled under the warmth of almost a dozen blankets. Jungkook loved blankets. Almost as much as he loved his air purifiers and you.
“My tummy hurts, I think I ate too many Christmas cookies,” Jungkook grumbled.
“What did I tell you about sympathy, hmm?”
Jungkook propped up on his elbow, giving you a stink-eye, “Don’t be mean, Y/N. They were so yummy! Never had Christmas cookies that delicious before.”
You raised a brow, “Oh is that so? Best not let your mother hear you ever say that, Koo.”
Jungkook giggled, pressing closer next to you, “She’d think so too. She adores you, you know.”
“Does she?” You asked, holding your breath slightly. You always were so anxious about where you stood with their families. You never would forget the one day you cracked a joke and somehow made Yoongi’s dad laugh. Now, whenever Yoon would go home to visit, his dad would sneak him little gifts to give to you. 
“Mmhmm,” Jungkook nodded, “You’re a part of our family, Y/N. That goes for all of us and all our families. You belong here. It’s like Hobi-hyung said…you made this place feel more like home since you’ve been a part of us. Today just shows how much warmth you really bring to us. You really are our angel, Y/N. And not just a Christmas one at that.”
Your eyes grew misty and before you could try to think of something to say, Jungkook pulled you to his chest. You closed your eyes, breathing him in and letting yourself melt against him. It was going to be a wonderful Christmas this year. You pressed a kiss to Jungkook’s bare chest, just above his heart. 
It was going to be a wonderful life. 
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c0wb0yenthusiast · 4 months
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While you were Sleeping
Part II
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Word count : 1.3k (just a short one to get you all prepared 🫣 I definitely wasn’t feeling lazy)
Summary : Christmas Eve with the Hotchners! You’re getting to know a bit about them and are beginning to fit in with the family. Even if Aaron seems to be questioning you every second.
A/N : I’m actually so sorry it’s shorter than the first part but I hope you all can still enjoy this, if you have any prompts or suggestions that you think would be really cute for this ongoing series I’d love to hear it! Just comment below or PM me if you want <3
Taglist : @rousethemouse @lunaoieoie @angelmather1 @barbwirewalk @jxvipike
(Comment if you’d like to be added to the taglist!)
“Oh, that’s just Y/N, honey. Sean’s fiancée.” Mrs Hotchner adds, whispering into his ear while still hugging him. She says it like it’s common sense; oh, here’s the fiancée we’ve never met.
Aaron cocks a brow, throwing another suspicious glance at you before presenting his mother with a small present.
She grins up at him and kisses his cheek excitedly, “Aaron, you shouldn’t have!”
“It’s Christmas, mother. I had to.” He seems genuine. His tone seems to soften when speaking to his - presumably - mother.
Aaron.
It’s the Aaron they were talking about at the hospital.
In your mind, it seems to be much more of a rebellious name in comparison to what you’re being face with right now.
Polished, pressed and perfect; his suit doesn’t have a fold out of line. Everything seems to be tailored to fit just right - his cuffs were neither too short nor too long, his buttons were sewn on firmly unlike the ones hanging onto their threads on your jacket.
He’s not intimidating, you try to convince yourself.
Your feeble attempts to catch his attention and wave aren’t noticed as he’s too busy being coddled by his mother and dragged inside.
He doesn’t seem to mind it, though. It looks more welcomed instead, like he’s been waiting for his all holiday.
As Mrs Hotchner is just about to shut the front door, she turns to look at you.
“Y/N? You’ll want to come inside soon, dear. I heard it’s going to start snowing soon enough!”, she smiles, beckoning you inside right now instead.
You comply meekly, not wanting to insult her and also since you’re not intending to become a popsicle.
The door clicks behind you, blocking off any heat that wants to escape from this absolute dream of a house.
Everywhere you look, there’s some sort of subtle decoration or rich furniture. It’s like you’re being lured in, ‘stay with us, Y/N. We’re the functional household you could’ve never dreamed of.’
It’s definitely not working as you drape your scarf over the coat rack and sink into the nearest armchair.
It seems to hold you perfectly, encasing you in soft, cuddly goodness as you try to hide your surprising comfort concerning this antique armchair.
Everything is telling you to stay, live out your life as Sean’s fiancée and not think about the consequences that will eventually catch up to you.
But, you’re somewhat sane as there’s still the little voice of reason telling you to be wary.
Especially of Aaron.
He greets everybody in their own special way. You can already tell he’s well-liked from the way he laughs and pats his dad on the shoulder.
He doesn’t seem like much of a happy guy from what you first saw, but this isn’t exactly the most predictable day you’ve had.
You can only sink further into the armchair as they share their gifts, laughs and joy with one another in excitement of Christmas Eve.
Everyone seems to have bought Aaron a present, and he’s seem to done the same thing.
“Here, Todd.” He hands out a present to the younger man, chuckling at the gleam in his eyes.
He shakes it, but gets a critical glare from Aaron and falters before placing it next to the tree.
It’s like you’re in a film; a big happy family curled up by the tree, sharing laughter and jokes like usual.
You’re caught off guard when Mrs Hotchner hands you a present.
“Here you go, honey.” She smiles, urging you to take it.
You hesitantly accept the box, looking down at it and trying to hide your shock. How did they come up with this so fast?
“Santa has his ways, doesn’t he?”, Mr Hotchner grins.
“Yeah.. sure does..” you mumble, smiling back at them and tracing your fingers along the ribbon tied around it.
Time seems to fly as the festivities continue; it almost seems like they’re compensating for Sean’s ‘accident’ today. However, it was getting far too late for your liking and as much as you loved being around the family already, you were prepared to drive back to your cold, dull apartment and go to bed.
You can’t seem to find a moment where the energy stills and you can bid farewell to everybody, so you begin to rise out of your chair and twirl your car keys in your hand.
Mrs Hotchner immediately notices, following you outside into the hall.
“Y/N?” She inquires, looking up at you with concern. She glances at your keys, then back up at you.
“O-oh.. I’m just.. I was gonna.. it’s really-“
“It’s too dark! You shouldn’t drive in that sort of atmosphere, sweetheart, it’s very dangerous.” She adds with a certainty, nodding and patting your back now.
You’ve already grown to like her motherly nature, but now you’re in a bit of a situation.
“Where would I sleep? I- I don’t want to be a bother..”
“Nonsense! You’re practically family, even if Sean didn’t let us know about you yet. Why don’t you settle down here for tonight, have some breakfast - my treat - and leave in the morning?”
You may have had no choice, but it wasn’t a bad thing for you - they genuinely seemed to like you.
You hoped Sean was as accepting as his family.
“Okay.. thank you.” You nod your head tentatively, smiling and unbuttoning your jacket now. A sigh of relief escaped your mouth, possibly content knowing you didn’t have to be alone for Christmas.
“Lovely, dear. It’s so late already! I’ll go pick out some blankets for you.”
-
The festivities had finally ended; everyone was either leaving or getting ready to go to sleep.
You were also sorting yourself out, even in borrowed pajamas that Mrs Hotchner had so happily lent you. They were frilly, pink and surprisingly soft and you weren’t one to complain.
As you left the bathroom, your clothes folded up and held against your chest. The house was dead silent and dark, the only light visible were the string lights scattered around the place.
Your feet pattered against the mahogany flooring nervously, trying to retrace your steps to the living room. You’d only reached the hall when a sudden whisper almost made you drop your clothes.
“They’re a lot at first, huh?”
It’s Aaron.
He’s sitting on the steps, looking at you expectantly in the dimmed lighting. He’s also clad in pajamas, seeming to have gotten more comfortable.
He’s leaning against the stair railing, waiting for an answer.
“Oh- oh, yeah- I mean no, not in a bad way. I think they’re all great.” You seem to stumble over your words as they charge out of your mouth clumsily. This is probably the most you’ve said this whole night.
“They all love you so far. But I’m not convinced yet.” He adds, chuckling wearily.
You don’t know whether to laugh or break out in a huge mess and confess the truth. You choose to muster an awkward laugh.
“I think you’ll get used to me.”
“I seem to be already. I just wonder why Sean didn’t introduce us sooner.”
“Yeah… I know.” You want to leave, grab your keys and go home now. Aaron is really trying to get under your skin, and it could be working.
“Living room is on the left. Good night, Y/N.”
And with a sigh, he gets up and leaves you. The stairs creak quietly as he ascends to his bedroom.
You’re left staring at his blurry silhouette limply.
Does he like you? Should you be worried?
Has he already completely doubted you?
You try to shrug off all these questions - he could be trying to get you mixed up, play mind games and twist your perception.
Obviously he could just be protective of his brother.
Lying on the sofa with a thick blanket draped over you while hugging your pillow, you try to will yourself to sleep in this new environment.
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silentglassbreak · 2 months
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Fragmented
Noah Sebastian x OFC
I’m getting some of the most amazing comments and reblogs, I thank you all so deeply!! I love this story so much. I love where I know it’s going, so please trust me?
Warnings: Good ol' fashioned misery.
+It goes without saying. This is a work of fiction. My words are mine. Plagiarism is a crime.
Taglist: @flowery-mess @lma1986 @myownthoughts12 @poisongirl616 @missduffsblog @reidsblessing @malerieee @jilliemiw86
Part 4 - Graveyard
I could feel how flighty she was, like a feral cat that could scurry with any sudden movements. I held my hands out, trying to ease tension, and failing.
“Baby,” Her face was unreadable. Something between bewilderment and pure shock, but also seething rage, possibly. “nothing happened.”
She stared at me, waiting for me to say more, but I didn’t.
“That’s all you’ve got?” She was mocking me, and my stupidity. Good. I deserve it.
“Yes. Because that’s all there is.”
Her eye roll was as dramatic as they come, nearly making her head spin.
“Well, she was sure worked the fuck up, Noah. Sounded like a little more than nothing.”
The evenness in her voice contradicted her body language. She was now stood, hands in the air, confrontational.
“She’s insane.”
Her eyebrows jumped, a look of disbelief on her face.
“A girl essentially professes her love to you, and you call her insane?”
Yes. Abso-fucking-lutely.
“Leena, I’m not just being an asshole here. She has actually fucking lost it.”
I tried to mimic her calm, hoping this would steer the conversation on a healthier course.
That hope was thrown out when her voice jumped several decibels.
“Oh fuck you, Noah!” I could see them now, the hot, angry tears, rising to the surface, not quite ready to spill over. “People aren’t just so fucking obsessed with you that they make that kind of shit up!”
My eyes were staring at her, a frantic anxiety now rising inside me.
“She did! I’ve never, not fucking once, given her any ideas! She’s fucking mental, Mileena!”
“What happened at the club, Noah?” Her voice was back down, her hands hanging helpless at her sides.
“Nothing happened. We talked, and she spilled a fucking drink on me, and herself, so I-“
“Back up.” She put her hand up. “Don’t gloss over the details. Walk me through it.”
I shrugged hard. “I was alone, sitting on the couch, and she came over to talk to me. She had already had a few, and was pretty drunk when she approached me.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, frustration bubbling. “She spilled her drink on both of us.”
“So you were sitting pretty close together?” She raised an eyebrow, her arms again crossed in front of her.
“Jesus, Mileena, it’s a club! It was loud!” I threw my hands in the air and eyed her, irritated. “Since when are you the jealous type?!”
Her mouth fell open, and I regretted it the second it came out of my mouth. What a stupid fucking thing to say. Of course she’s not. That’s not what this was.
“The jealous type?!” How do I delete the last ten seconds? “You think this is me being jealous?!”
Ctrl + Alt + Del?! End Task?!
“You’re the one that’s fucking insane, Noah!” She turned, grabbing her phone off of the nightstand. “Let me show you how your behavior changed since that night.”
She unlocked her phone, opened our thread, and began scrolling. I didn’t even need to be close to see, my texts were back to back, five to six at a time, or paragraph long messages. She switched to her call logs, which was just my name over and over the past several days.
I would like to hand in my resignation to life now, please.
“Since that night, you’ve been blowing me up, and being extra affectionate, and clingy.” She scoffed, locking her phone and tossing it on the bed. “First I thought you just missed me but-“
“I did miss you!”
“You felt fucking guilty, Noah!” Her voice was nearing a scream. “Now quit pussy-footing around it and tell me what fucking happened that night!”
I sat down in the bed, and took a deep breath.
“Please believe me when I tell you, nothing actually happened.”
She stayed planted, several feet away.
“We left the club, I gave her a ride because she was going to Uber, and that wasn’t safe.” She was deathly silent. “Car ride took about thirty minutes because of traffic. We just listened to music, sang the songs on the radio.”
“She made a bit of a pass at me before she got out, saying something like she wanted to get to know me better? Or something like that. I don’t remember verbatim.”
“Then?”
“I went back to the club.”
She shifted her weight, leaning back on the desk against the wall. “That’s it? That’s all?”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. “No.”
She visibly tensed, so I just went on.
“She texted me later. Said she left her vape in the car.” I looked up at her, trying to earn some kind of emotion. I was met with nothing but ice. “So I went to go get it.”
“She couldn’t get it herself?”
I didn’t have an answer for that. She could’ve. She offered.
“I found it, and took it to her room.” Her face almost looked like it was turning a sickly shade of green. “She opened the door, in her underwear, and a crop top.”
Her fingers were gripping the edge of the desk so hard that it was likely to snap if she didn’t let up.
“She invited me in. I left. Went back to my room. And avoided her ever since.”
Her hands eased ever so gently, but she didn’t let up her gaze. Seeing she wasn’t satisfied with that, I swiped my own phone from the table, and opened to Rachel’s text thread, handing her the phone.
“See? Nothing.”
She scrolled, eyes reading the one-sided conversation from the last few days.
“Only other thing I can tell you is that Folio told me that she said some shit to him at the bar, that she liked me? Or wanted to sleep with me?” I sighed. “I don’t know, and I don’t really care.”
She nodded, locking my phone, but still had yet to speak. She was thinking, going over it in her head, checking for holes, but there were none. That was all of it. I didn’t do anything wrong.
“I have only one question.” She handed my phone back to me, and I just nodded. “In the hall, she asked you if you considered it, going in her room. If you thought about it.”
My stomach dropped, my mouth went dry, and my heart stopped, all in the same fraction of a second before her next words came out.
“Did you?”
Where do I go from here? My brain, my heart, and all of my senses screamed at me to lie.
But I couldn’t.
Last time I lied to Mileena, I was drinking. And she left me. And who would know? Who could prove me wrong?
But…I couldn’t.
“Yes.”
I saw something, I can’t say what exactly, break behind her eyes. A tear finally spilled out over her cheek, and I saw her jaw clench under her skin. I felt as though I had just cut a cord on a rope bridge that held me up, and now I was just falling. Plummeting.
“Oh…” Her voice was so small now, and I felt something inside me shredding. Screaming. I’m such a fucking idiot.
Good one, Sebastian. Way to take it to your grave, dumbass.
But this was a grave, that I somehow ended up in, that I didn’t even fucking dig. It was fucking aggravating.
I stood up, reaching for her, but she flinched, putting an arm up between us, and squeezed her lids closed. More tears leaked from her eyes, and she only cracked them open for a second.
“Can you, uh, give me a few minutes?” She averted her eyes away, and I backed away from her out of respect. “I’m just…” She waved her hands around her head. “processing.”
I nodded. “Of course.” Shrugging, I pulled my shirt off. “I can take a shower? And we can talk more after?”
She only nodded in response, wiping her face.
I made my way into the bathroom, leaving the door open. I decided to take a quick shower, trying to wash the anxiety off of me. It was out in the open now, the fun part was working through it, and reminding Leena that no one else compared to her, and my idiotic brain was never going to turn on me like that again.
Imagine my shock when I stepped out of the bathroom, and my hotel room was empty, her bag, phone, and shoes gone. I ran over to my cell, opening it to call her when it began ringing, Nick’s face flashing.
I opened the call with haste. “What’s up?” My voice was frantic.
“Dude, what the fuck happened?!”
-
My fist was slamming into the door harder with each swing, the phone up to my ear telling me I was getting voicemail, again.
I growled, and beat on the door harder. “Open the fucking door, Rachel!”
I felt a set of hands on my shoulders, tugging backward.
“Noah! Calm the fuck down!” I fought back against Folio, as the door to the room swung open.
Rachel’s eyes were still thick with sleep, her hair hanging in a low ponytail. This time, she was fully clothed. Hilarious.
“You fucking psychopath!” My logical brain was gone, and I was fully primal, as I lunged toward her. Several hands had me around the waist, arms, and one on my chest. Nick’s face came into my line of vision.
“Noah, stop! Fucking stop!”
“No! She’s fucking insane! She knows what the fuck she’s doing!” I was baring my teeth like an animal, my hands balled into fists.
She stared at me, terrified, eyes blown wide and nearly hiding behind the door.
“W-What are you talking about?” Her words were timid, which only enraged me further.
“Don’t pull that bullshit! You knew she’d hear you! You manipulative bitch!”
A hard slap came across my cheek, and I glared over at Nick, who had taken a defensive step back.
As angry as I should’ve been, I was instead brought back to reality, realizing it was at least 1AM, in a hotel hallway.
“You good, dude?” My eyes stared at his, my body softening with each passing second. Eventually, the hands holding me loosened, and I shrugged away from them.
I nodded at Nick, who pushed my shoulder down the hallway toward another door. “C’mon dude, let’s go talk.”
“Is he drunk?” I could hear Rachel’s voice behind me, and I snarled, almost turning around before I heard Folio.
“Oh shut up, Rachel. You’ve done enough.”
Safely inside the room, I sat heavily on the bed, and dropped my head in my hands. My friends stood around me, staring down at me.
“She left?” Folio’s voice was sad, and I just nodded, staring at the floor.
“She came and got Laura about half an hour ago. She was crying. Said they had to leave.”
I picked my head up. “Laura was in your room?”
Nick raised his brows at me. “Is that really your concern right now?”
I heaved a breath and flopped back onto the bed, covering my face with both arms.
“She’s not answering my calls.”
“Fill us in, man.” Jolly sat next to me.
I had to go through all of the details again, them all asking various questions. By the end, I was more calm, but still so fucking angry.
“I’ve got to get home, man. I can’t ride back with her.”
Nick nodded. “We can rent a car in the morning? Drive back alone?”
“Pfft, and leave us with the wicked witch?”
I snorted at Folio’s comment.
“What the fuck am I going to do?”
“For starters, I’m calling Sumerian tomorrow. Figure out our options, legally.” Leave it to Jolly to use his right mind. “For now, you need to stay away from her.”
Standing up, I moved toward the bedroom door, squeezing the handle before opening it. “Not a problem. Just keep her the fuck away from me.”
Back in my room, I promptly blocked Rachel’s number from my phone, electing not to send her a last scathing text message.
I then, profusely, called Mileena. I was met with voicemail, leaving a few in my endeavor to reach her. I must have done this for hours before finally falling asleep, fully clothed, on top of the comforter.
When I awoke, Nick was jostling my shoulder, a duffel hanging from his shoulder.
“Let’s go, Sleeping Beauty. I’ve got the rental downstairs.”
I obeyed, gathering my things haphazardly, and following him to the lobby, not bothering to stop to brush my teeth or comb my hair. I didn’t care. Nothing mattered.
The drive back to Calabasas was long, hot, and irritating. I was slumped in the passenger’s seat while Nick drove. About half an hour in, I finally spoke.
“What if she doesn’t forgive me?”
Nick scoffed. “Please.” I glanced at him inquisitively. “She’s forgiven you for worse.”
I bumped my head back into the headrest repeatedly, groaning. “I hate this.”
“I know. But it’ll all work out, dude. Mileena loves you, and she’s a reasonable person.”
I nodded, accepting that answer.
“So…” He turned to look at me for a second. “You and Laura?” This made him crack a smile, that I returned.
“She’s fucking cool, dude.”
I slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Damn good baker, too.”
He nodded. “Yeah, she made me this cheesecake for my birthday? Fuck, man. Amazing!”
My mouth fell open. “Your birthday was five months ago!”
He laughed. “Dude, you miss a lot.”
I shook my head. “You little shit, couldn’t tell your best friend?!”
“Sure, if my best friend wasn’t always so wrapped up in his own drama.”
I punched a fist at his shoulder, laughing.
“Jackass.”
-
I opened the front door, and was met with overwhelming silence. No Angel barking. No TV playing. No voices. Nothing.
I moved slowly into the house, feeling an overwhelming nausea, as I bound up the stairs toward my room to deposit my bag. It was clear no one was here, but I didn’t know what to expect the further into the house I got.
The note was laying on the middle of the bed, but I didn’t pick it up immediately. I set my bag down and opened one of the dresser drawers, Leena’s pants drawer, which was empty. I then walked into the closet, where all I found were empty hangers on her side. I jogged down the hall to Addie’s room, where I found her walker, diapers, wipes, and clothes were gone. Even Angel’s bed that was always laid in the corner was gone.
My heart sunk, and I walked slowly back to my room, picking up the folded paper on the blanket, opening it to see her clean script.
Addie, Angel, and I will be staying at Laura’s for a while. Dad left this morning. When you’re ready to come see the baby, text Laura.
-Leena
I dropped the note, it falling gently back to the bed. Without thinking, my hand grabbed the lamp on the side table, slinging it at the wall behind the dresser, causing it to shatter.
“God damn it!” I screamed, my words echoing around the empty house. The tears fell hot onto the bed, my teeth grinding tightly together.
-
I let a few hours pass, taking a cold shower, and forcing myself to calm down. I ate a bowl of cereal, choking down each bite while fighting against the nausea settled in my gut. After I had gotten dressed, and relaxed enough to know I wouldn't explode at any given moment, I texted Laura.
Me: Hey
I didn't have to wait long.
Laura: Hey
Me: Can I come see Addie?
Laura: Of course
The drive to her house took about twenty minutes. I had rehearsed over and over what I would say to Leena, how I would convince her to come back home with me. How we could move past this.
But when I pulled up to the house, I was disappointed to see only Laura's car in the driveway, Leena's Tahoe nowhere in sight.
When Laura answered the door, she had Addison on her hip, who gave a large, single-toothed smile as soon as she saw me. Any hesitation and anxiety I had melted the very second I laid eyes on my daughter. I hadn't held her in months, and right now, all that mattered was her.
"Hey baby girl!" She reached her little arms out for me, and I scooped her up enthusiastically, planting a long, hard kiss on her cheek. She squealed in excitement. "Ugh, I missed you so much."
I squeezed her into my chest, her hands grabbing at my hair. She smelled so sweet, the baby scent still having a full effect on me. Laura moved to the side to let me in, and Angel ran up, barking in excitement.
"Hey buddy!" I squatted down, still holding Addie, and ran a hand over Angel, who licked me with fervor. "Been taking care of my girls?"
He barked in response.
I stood back up, and gave Laura a smile, not entirely sure where we stood. She returned it, a warm look in her eyes. I felt some relief, knowing I had someone on my side.
"Hey Noah." She gave me a one-armed hug, almost sympathetically, and shut the door behind me.
I walked over to the couch, sitting and letting Addie down. She began walking on wobbly legs toward her toys sprawled across the rug, Angel right behind, always watching.
"She's not here?" I looked up at Laura, who had sat cross-legged across from me on the floor. She just shook her head sadly. "Can I ask where she is?"
She just sighed. "She's asked me not to say. She wants to be alone."
I nodded, not surprised. "I don't know what to do Laura."
She leaned back on her palms, stretching her legs. "I wish I could tell you, hon. But I don't know. She's hurt."
I huffed, frustrated. "I didn't do anything. I was good, I didn't cheat on her, I didn't fuck around."
Laura eyed me, unamused. "Noah, you admitted you thought about sleeping with another woman." She put her hand up, gesturing to me. "Can you say you'd feel different if she did that to you?"
I considered this, realizing I hadn't thought about it that way at all. She had a valid point.
"Fair. I just want the chance to explain that it doesn't matter. I love her, no one else. I don't want anyone else."
Her eyes were so soft. Laura heard me, which I appreciated. Hopefully she could convince Leena of the same.
I spent two hours playing with Addie, and feeding her lunch, before Laura excused herself to the bedroom to take a phone call. I had just cleaned up Addison, and was removing her from the highchair when Laura walked back in, her phone in hand.
"Here, let me change her clothes, you take this." She handed me the cell and I looked down to see the call open, Leena's face on the screen.
I looked at Laura, who just nodded while she turned and took Addison in the next room.
"Hey!" My voice was so jumpy, I cleared my throat to calm it down. "Where are you?"
"I went to a meeting." Her words were stale, no feeling behind them.
"Oh, that's good." I stepped out the back door, pulling it closed behind me. "Are you going to come back? I really need to see you."
Her breath was loud on the other end, slightly ragged. "Noah, I don't want to see you."
What is the feeling when you feel like your skin is going to melt off, but your insides are completely frozen? Is there a name for that? Panic, maybe?
"You don't." It wasn't a question. She didn't respond. "Okay, uh," I kicked at the dirt under my feet. "I don't know what to say to that."
"I don't know if I can do this, Noah."
Shattered? Devastated? There's a fucking name for it.
"What do you mean?" I couldn't bring my words above a whisper, given the wind had been knocked right out of me. She wasn't saying what I thought she was, was she?
"There's always going to be a tour. Time away. Me home with Addie. A girl who throws herself at you. Lots of them."
"Leena-"
"And, it's just too hard, Noah."
Shaking. I was fucking shaking.
"No, babe-"
"I can't do it. Not now. Not with Addie. I thought I could. I really, really did."
"Leena, listen-" I was yelling now, but she just kept talking.
"I love you too much. And I love us. But we can't be us. Because you're a rockstar. And you have a career, and a life."
"I have you! And Addison! I'll quit right fucking now, Mileena! I will call Sumerian right now and tell them I'm out. Forever. I'll ghost write. I'll produce from home. I'll never tour again!" I was desperate. I was begging.
"No, you won't, Noah. You love it. It's your dream. I won't let you."
"I love you! I won't lose you over this! Rachel is nothing! Nothing!"
"It's not just her. How many more Rachels will there be?" I heard her voice cracking. "And I'll be at home, with Addison. We can't go on tour with you. I can't always be there. Noah, I just can't."
"Mileena, I'll do anything. Please."
"Take Addie for the night. Or a couple days. She missed you."
"God damn it Leena, stop and listen to me!"
"We can work out me having her while you're on tour. You can have her when you're home, or we can split the time if it's not a heavy year." She sighed. "We don't need to worry about custody."
"Custody?!" I was full-blown screaming. "Mileena! You're overreacting! Please!"
"I'm sure you think so. But you haven't been where I am. You haven't seen what I have! You haven't been left behind! I was, Noah! And I supported you! Through it all! I happily stayed home with Addison while you chased your dreams, and became the success you are! And when I finally have you back, I hear you almost slept with another woman?! You considered it?!" She stopped abruptly, her words blurring together, sobs shaking her words.
She took a moment to compose, which was fine, because trying to swallow everything she had just said was proving to be more difficult than I expected.
"I'm not going to do this." She paused for only a beat. "Take Addison. Let me know when I can come pick her up. The car seat should still be in your truck."
I couldn't speak, my mind was blank. My brain was flattened.
"Just be gone by six." And the line went dead, the phone beeping, signaling the end of the call.
Oh. That's what this feeling was.
Pain.
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