#it's the fact that the reader wakes up at 7 on a Sunday

[cleo-fox]

Daylight

Summary: Despite your best efforts, Sunday morning doesn’t go as planned…and you couldn’t be happier about it.

Pairings: Loki x Female Reader

Warnings: Smut, 18+, Minors DNI, shower sex, fingering, vaginal sex, soft sex, sex that causes you to be several hours late for work, Loki being a (respectful) horn dog.

Series: Overtime (I don't have a masterlist for this yet, but the first fic is here). A/N: This started out as a scene in Overtime that kind of took on a life of its own. You don't necessarily need to read Overtime in order to enjoy or understand this fic, but you'll have more context if you do. Anyway, it was fun revisiting these two idiots--I've got a few more ideas for them up my sleeve, so there will be more in this series at some point.

The sunlight wakes you the next morning.

It’s the same sunlight as always, but it looks different coming through Loki’s window and streaming across his bed. It looks better, you think, splashed across his sheets.

Or maybe it’s the addition of your hand clasped with his resting on those same sheets. Or perhaps it’s the sight of your clothes and his, discarded on the bedroom floor in a pool of sunlight, combined with the fact that you’re still wrapped in his arms. Maybe all of that is why it seems better.

That seems more likely.

You lie still for a moment, simply enjoying the feeling of his arms and the heat of his skin against your bare back. You are reasonably certain he’s asleep from the steady rhythm of his breath on your neck, but you’re not about to disturb the sleepy calm of the morning to confirm that. 

The clock on his bedside table says it’s just after six. Before last night, you would have said that this was a reasonable time to get up—early enough to ensure that you’re in the office by eight, which would hopefully give you enough time to meet this evening’s deadline, but not so early that it makes you question your life and your choices.

But that was before. Now…well. You suddenly find that your priorities look very different from the comfort of Loki’s bed.

You decide that you didn’t really see the clock. Neither one of you thought to set an alarm last night. Sleeping in was inevitable. That’s not your fault. No harm, no foul.

You close your eyes and allow yourself to fall into a light doze, warmed by the sunlight and Loki’s embrace.

Sometime later, you’re woken by the soft brush of a kiss against your neck.

“Did you sleep well?” he murmurs against your neck.

“Yes, though I did have a bit of a late night,” you say. “Someone kept me up.”

“Really? That was rude of him.”

“Very.”

He’s noticeably—achingly—hard. His lips brush against your neck again. “Perhaps he might make it up to you?”

Your intention is to open your eyes, roll over, and allow yourself to be ravished. But in a development you can only describe as tragic, you happen to catch sight of the clock on his nightstand.

7:38 am.

“Shit,” you say. “It’s almost eight.”

Loki is predictably unconcerned about this. “We don’t have any official hours to keep,” he says, his hand skimming along your ribs and down the curve of your waist. “We have all day.”

“Yeah, but we’ve got a ton more to do,” you say, trying to ignore how good he is at kissing your neck or how his hand is drifting down your hip toward the aching pulse between your legs. “We really need every minute.”

“That is true,” he says solemnly. “Perhaps we ought shower together to save time.”

You can’t help but smile. “I kind of feel like you have another agenda.”

“I’d never,” he says.

“The raging hard on pressing against my ass would suggest otherwise.”

You can almost hear him smirk as he gives his hips a teasing little thrust against you. “I contain multitudes.”

You wiggle out of his embrace and slip out of bed. You intend to look back and give him a coquettish look and say something sharp and teasing, but instead, the sight of him takes your breath away. He leans back on his elbows, looking everything like the sort of lounging god you would see depicted in marble at the Parthenon, all chiseled, sharp muscles and clean lines. His cock stands fully erect and deliciously thick, flushed with wanting.

“I can’t help but notice that you didn’t reject the offer,” he says, seemingly fully aware of the path of your gaze. His hand drops to his cock and he strokes himself casually, which very nearly sends your sprinting back to bed.

“You’re right,” you say, trying to keep your cool as you throw him your most beguiling look. “So you should probably hurry up.”

You turn and start walking toward the master bathroom. You don’t need to look over your shoulder to know he’s following you, his gaze hungrily devouring every inch of skin, eyes dark with purpose.

You walk into the master bathroom and are immediately confronted by several flagrant violations of the residential handbook. The TVA is many things, but it is not the sort of place that deviates from set floor plans, nor is it the sort of place that deviates from those plans to install a rainfall shower and soaking tub—in marble, no less.

You think of the stark, vaguely institutional aesthetic in your own master bath and you can’t decide if you’re annoyed at his rule breaking or jealous that he could get away with it.

“I’m not even going to ask if you got approval for this setup because I know you didn’t,” you say as you reach in to the shower to turn on the tap.

“Do you think of anything other than that cursed personnel manual?” he asks as he comes up behind you, his arms snaking around your waist and his lips again finding your neck as he draws you to him.

“First of all, it’s not the personnel manual, it’s the residential handbook, which you specifically agreed to abide by when you signed off on your lease.”

He turns you around so you face him and draws you close, a wicked gleam in his eye, “Oh, I’m going to make you forget all about those ridiculous rules.”

“That’s a pretty tall order—oh.”

His hand is slipping between your legs, stroking your already slick folds.

“I think I’m quite capable of inspiring other passions,” he says, rolling his fingers in a broad circle over the hood of your clit

You loop your arms around his shoulders. You can already feel your knees starting to tremble, but you know he won’t let you fall.

“Bold claim,” you say, “I’m going to need more evidence.”

“Oh, you’re going to get a lot of evidence,” he says softly. He curls a finger inside of you, pressing his thumb against the hood of your clit. “You will have no doubts by the time I’m done presenting my argument. You will be weak-kneed with evidence.”

You shudder as he rocks his hand slowly. He’s touching you enough to stoke the flames of desire, making your hips rock helplessly toward his hand as you try to create that extra friction and pressure that you know will send you flying over the edge. But Loki is meticulous—perhaps even ruthless—about not giving in. 

“Not yet,” he murmurs softly when your latest attempt is thwarted. “Slowly.”

Your pleas become louder and more frequent, but his answer remains the same: slowly. You whimper and beg, but he is resolute.

Steam has fogged up the mirrors and is curling around you when your orgasm finally begins to crest. You suddenly find yourself grateful for his pacing as the intensity builds to a level that makes your knees shake.

“That’s it,” he breathes as you tremble in his arms. “You can come for me now, lovely.”

Like magic, the coil inside you snaps at his command and you cry out as your cunt shudders around his slowly thrusting fingers. Your arms looped around his shoulders are the only thing keeping you standing.

“Beautiful,” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss against your temple as you sag against him. “Beautiful.”

He gives you a moment to get your bearings before leading you into the shower. He sits down on the marble bench, spreading his thighs wide and pulling you into his lap so you straddle his hips. The spray of the water hits your back as he kisses you again, slow and hungry.

You love everything about this. The heat of the water on your back. The closeness. The way his thighs are spread wide. How his cock presses against your bare cunt. The noise he makes low in his throat when you start rubbing yourself against him.

“Need you,” he mumbles against your neck. His hands squeeze your hips and you reach between the two of you to line his cock up at your entrance.

It occurs to you that you could take the opportunity to tease him, to make him beg for you, but pretending that you have any control over your aching need for him is several degrees beyond impossible. So instead, you slowly ease yourself down onto his cock while he groans against your neck, dragging his lips down to the curve of your shoulder.

The feeling of him inside you is still so new that it feels just a little unreal. After all that wanting and yearning and thinking that he was too handsome, too divine, too out of reach to have, he’s suddenly yours and it’s absolutely dizzying. 

You pause for a moment, eyes closed, savoring the feeling of unyielding fullness, of connection. Of him.

“All right?” he asks softly.

You open your eyes and his look of sweet concern makes your heart swell. “Yeah,” you say, a lazy, satisfied smile tugging at your lips. “I just—I needed a moment. You feel—” You pause for a moment, searching for the right words, sifting through the effusive and flowery and the things that are true but too early to say. “You just feel really good,” you say.

It sounds wildly inadequate, but he seems to understand, to hear all of the unsaid parts that you’re keeping close to your heart. He could turn away, say it’s too much too soon, that you haven’t even said what you are yet, much less committed to anything serious, but he doesn’t. Instead, he leans forward, drawing you into a slow kiss, his hands framing your face, tracing the curve of your cheek and jaw with the kind of reverence that makes you want to say everything you feel.

“You’re perfect.” He says it in between breaths, with such a disarming sincerity that you can’t bring yourself to try and deflect, to name a flaw or even make a joke.

Later, he will tell you that he was struggling with a similar battle, trying to reconcile how new this was with the depth of feeling that was already blossoming in his chest. He will tell you later that he couldn’t believe you were his, just as you couldn’t believe he was yours, that there was something about you that felt right in a way that made him feel like he knew even then.

But right now, he simply kisses you with a fervor that makes your toes curl and your hips start to move.

It’s only the second time that you’ve done this, but there’s a strange blend of both the new and the familiar. The shape and feel of his body pressed against yours is new, but the way that he moves, the way that he touches you is as though he’s loved you for centuries.

The rhythm you fall into is slow, despite the excuse that this shower was to save time. His hand slides down your stomach, his fingers finding your clit to add another layer of bliss to the feeling of his cock inside you. Despite your slow pace, your ascent rushes in fast and brilliant as a comet blazing through the night sky. Your back arches, almost as though you’re presenting yourself as an offering to him as you come undone in his arms. Loki watches you with a kind of breathless wonder, brow furrowing in pleasure, his lower lip caught between his teeth at the tight clench of your cunt around his cock.

Your legs are rubbery with pleasure, but you keep going because you need his release as much as your own. You need to feel him empty himself inside of you, to hear the low groan he makes as he unravels, to see the way his eyes flutter shut. You want crescent moon marks on your hips from where his hands gripped you too tightly in that final ascent, physical proof that you can make not just a god forget himself, but Loki specifically. Loki with all his masks and tricks and artful poise; Loki laid bare below you, free from all artifice and glibness, raw and real and just as he is. All the parts of him that make you think that down this path lies something wonderful (not that you’re ready to call it love. Yet).

But Loki is nothing if not predictably unpredictable and he seems determined to make you work before granting you that little glimpse at the heaven that is the god of mischief coming undone beneath you.

“Let me feel you come again,” he murmurs as soon as you catch your breath.

“Is once not enough?” you say, trying and failing to sound cool and calm, like you’re not completely wrecked for him.

“Hardly.” His eyes flash in a way that makes you shiver as he urges your hips into a faster rhythm. “I am not so easily satisfied when my need has been so great.”

You can feel the coil in your hips beginning to tighten again.

“I’ve burned for you for years, my love,” he says, his voice going a little shaky. “Would you deny water to a man dying of thirst?”

You shake your head, your words lost to the oncoming wave of your undoing.

“Then do not deny me your pleasure, I am desperate for you.” He’s panting, barely holding on to his composure. “Now come for me again, let me feel you.”

You are so far gone that it only takes a few more strokes to make you come undone and the first shudder of your climax takes Loki with you.

You savor his pleasure more than your own release, memorizing the sound he makes, the way his lips form a silent plea in the shape of your name until he slides a hand up your neck and pulls you down to kiss him.

His kiss is fierce and hungry at first, but it ebbs to something slower and sweeter as he empties himself into you. He sighs as you tangle your fingers in the wet tendrils of his hair.

It’s a long moment later when you finally break the kiss, resting your forehead against his.

“I don’t think we saved any time,” you say.

He doesn’t even open his eyes. “I cannot overemphasize how much I do not care about being late in these circumstances.”

You grin. “Not even a little?”

He kisses you sweetly on the mouth before opening his eyes, his lips curling into a slow and satisfied smile. “I would be late every day for the rest of my life for just a few seconds of that.”

His words spark something warm in your chest and you try to hide it with a wry look. “I’m not sure that you’re getting the better end of the deal.”

He kisses you softly. “You don’t know how good you feel.”

“You’re one to talk,” you murmur against his lips and he smiles as he deepens the kiss.

The warmth of his body pressed against yours and the feeling of him smiling as he kisses you is a kind of luxury you’ve never imagined. It takes you a while to untangle yourselves, but you can’t find it in yourself to move any faster.

The actual showering part of your shower is slow and unhurried and you find that Loki’s hands are equally gifted at these mundane tasks. His fingers have a knack for finding every stubborn knot in your neck and shoulders, which he explores leisurely under the pretext of washing your back. The press of his fingers unwinds the tension in your shoulders, loosening up muscles that have been too tense for too long.

“You are way too good at this,” you say.

“Just one of my many talents,” he says, dropping a kiss on your shoulder. “Though perhaps I ought to stop—I wouldn’t want to make you late.”

“I’m so relaxed I’m going to ignore that little bit of sass.”

He chuckles against your shoulder. “You’ll forgive me.”

“We’ll see.”

The sweet, almost chaste kisses he’s been pressing against your neck and shoulders are gradually growing slower, more insistent. When you feel the tip of his tongue draw a quick, teasing line on your neck, you know that you might be in trouble.

His hands slide to your waist, drawing you close enough that you can feel that he’s hard again. 

“I’m sensing some ulterior motives,” you say.

“A bold accusation,” he mumbles against your neck, pressing himself more firmly against you.

“We can’t have sex again,” you laugh.

“Mmm, we could,” he says in between kisses. “There’s nothing stopping us from having sex again.”

“We are already running late—”

“I thought I was very clear about my feelings on timeliness in these circumstances.” He nips at your earlobe and you shiver. “And would you really deprive me of the utter bliss of coming undone inside you?”

“It’s more like rescheduling than depriving you of anything.”

“I’ve waited so long, darling.”

“We just had sex like…less than an hour ago,” you say through a laugh.

“Ah, but the days before that were so terribly long,” he says.

You turn to face him, thinking this will make things easier for you. This turns out to be a grave miscalculation because now you have to contend with the fire in his eyes and the twin flame that it summons low in your hips.

Fuck. 

You are definitely going to have sex again.

His eyes glitter like he knows and he slowly walks you backwards until you’re pressed between him and the shower wall.

“You are absolutely incorrigible,” you say as he peppers your neck with slow, decadent kisses. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”

“Funnily enough, I don’t think you’ll be complaining about my mouth in about thirty seconds.”

And with a wicked and hungry grin, he slowly sinks to his knees.

It’s 10:48am when you finally walk into the office.

Even though you are now several hours later than you intended and the stack of files is no less imposing, you feel nothing but a pleasant glow of happiness as you take your seat. Loki sits down in the chair next to you and this time, he sneaks his foot underneath your desk and hooks his ankle under yours.

He catches your eye and smiles. “I can be a little more obvious now.”

You put on your most exaggerated expression of mock seriousness. “Only a little. This is a workplace, after all.”

He adopts a similar expression and nods. “Of course. I imagine there will be paperwork as well.”

“There actually is a form we’ll need to file with HR,” you say.

Loki frowns. “Wait, you’re not being serious about that, are you?”

“Yep. We’ll need to file it by next Friday.”

He sighs and throws his hands up in the air. “Is there anything that this place hasn’t managed to weigh down with the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy?”

“I see we’re in a good mood this morning.” Mobius has arrived, cup of coffee in hand. He nods at Loki and looks at you. “How long has he been raging against the machine?”

“Not terribly long,” you say as Loki rolls his eyes.

“It’s not raging against anything,” he says. “I just fail to see the point of some of this organization’s operational practices.”

Mobius raises an eyebrow at you. “You told him he has to fill out a form, huh?”

“Got it in one,” you say as Loki scowls.

Mobius chuckles and takes a sip of coffee. “You should hear him during performance evaluation season. I get entire monologues. It’s like Hamlet meets HR.”

Loki’s scowl deepens and you have to bite the inside of your cheek in order not to laugh.

“It looks like you made good progress, though,” says Mobius, looking at your completed stacks of files. “I took a look at what you pulled earlier this morning and there’s some good stuff.”

“Oh, good,” you say, hoping he doesn’t think much of the fact that neither one of you was in the office earlier this morning. “What time do you think you’ll need the rest done?”

“Right, about that,” says Mobius. You steel yourself for bad news. “I took a look at what you pulled so far and I think I’ve got what I need.”

You blink at him. “Wait, really?”

“Yeah, you’re off the hook,” he says. “Go enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

You look at Loki, who looks just as pleasantly surprised as you feel.

“In fact, you can take the rest of the week off,” says Mobius. “Triple overtime, right? You earned the time.” 

“This feels like a trick,” says Loki. “What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” says Mobius. “You did good work.” He takes a sip of his coffee. “However—”

“And there’s the catch,” says Loki.

“There’s no catch,” says Mobius. He gestures at you with his coffee cup. “I’m just going to need you both to turn in the relevant paperwork to HR by next Friday.”

Loki sighs, though you can tell he’s fighting a smile. “There’s absolutely no privacy here.”

Mobius raises his eyebrows. “You’re playing footsie under the desk. It’s not exactly rocket science.”

You look at Loki and shrug. “He’s got a point.”

“You’re taking his side?”

You roll your eyes and stand up. “Well, you can sulk about it if you’d like, but I’m going to go enjoy the rest of my weekend.” You share a sly, secret smile with Mobius. “I’ll see you next week, Mobius.”

It takes Loki approximately twenty seconds to catch up with you.

“And you say I’m incorrigible,” he says as he falls into step beside you.

You smile at him. “I think you’ll get over it.”

“I’ll consider it.” He catches your band, fingers twining with yours. “What are your plans for the rest of the week?”

“Hadn’t decided,” you say, biting back a smile. “Did you have any suggestions?”

“Well, I’d like to start by going back to bed.”

“To sleep?” you tease. 

“Eventually.” He licks his lips. “And since our respective schedules have been cleared for the week, we’ll be able to take our time.”

The hunger in his eyes is still so new and intoxicating that you can’t help the shiver that works its way up your spine.

You give him a slow smile. “Lead the way.”

#loki smut #loki x reader smut #loki x reader #loki laufeyson smut #loki x female reader #loki x female reader smut #loki laufeyson #loki fanfiction #loki fanfic #tva loki x reader #overtime series

[averyfromzero]

"breathe on me"

pairing: na jaemin x male reader summary: you live in a dorm with your best friends jeno, jaemin and jisung - with a friends with benefits deal with the first two. on a sleepless night, jaemin comes to your room looking for some action. notes: canon universe, smut, friends with benefits, reader is also an idol, cockwarming, jaemin is a top! *you can consider this to be placed in the same universe as "lazy sunday"!

words: 1.6k

Living with Jeno, Jaemin and Jisung led to the four of you growing close together until you were all each other's best friends. Despite not being part of the group, you clicked with the NCT Dream members so quickly that soon it did feel like you were all part of the same team. While you shared a room with Jeno, Jaemin and Jisung shared another.

After just a few months living together, you, Jeno and Jaemin ended up building a friends with benefits deal with each other during a period in which your schedules were so stressful that you guys ended up turning to each other for some relief. While Jisung isn't a part of the deal (he's straight!), he knows. (Ok, maybe he only found out about it after catching you guys in a threesome in the living room once... He was traumatized)

This time, you were sleeping peacefully on your bed. Jeno was also quietly snoring away on his own bed on the other side of the room. That was until a certain intruder comes into the room.

Silently, Jaemin opens your room door and sneaks in, wearing only pajama pants while his toned chest was on display. He tried clicking the door closed silently as to not wake anyone.

Swiftly, he makes his way to your bed and leans in close to you, hand on your shoulder. He calls your name in whispers while gently shaking you until you start to awaken.

With sleepy serrated eyes, you turn slightly to look at whoever interrupted your sleep. In the dark, you notice Jaemin's pretty face looking down on you. "Hm?"

"I can't sleep", he whispers. "Can I sleep with you?"

Instead of giving him a response, you move on your bed to make space for your friend to join you. You feel your back against the wall and wait for Jaemin to pull up the covers and crawl into bed.

You watch as he comes close and notice how he's not wearing any shirt. His chest is getting so toned, and his shoulders are already so big. You were loving this new buff era your friend was getting into.

As Jaemin settled on the bed, he moved his right arm around you and motioned you to come closer. You lied your head on his chest and felt as his arm wrapped around you, hand moving under your shirt to caress your back. You hummed in content.

Getting yourself more comfortable, you positioned your leg over your friend's and snuggled closer, using your right hand to draw circles around Jaemin's plump chest.

After a few seconds, you noticed how Jaemin's hand was moving suspiciously down your back, getting closer and closer to your sleeping shorts. Simultaneously, you felt on your leg as something grew bigger and harder under your friend's pants.

Ah, right. That's what he came here for.

"Jaemin."

"Hm?"

"Wanna fuck?"

You look as Jaemin slightly nods and drives his hand under the fabric of your shorts, grabbing a handful of your meaty ass and squeezing.

Mimicking his move, you also slip your hand under his pajama pants, feeling the wiry pubic hair he keeps tidy before feeling the hardening meat and wrapping your fingers around it.

Taking advantage of the fact that you have your face on his bare chest, you start sucking on Jaemin's nipple while you stroke his 7-incher to full hardness. He moans at the wet sound of your lips and tongue around his nipple.

Once Jaemin's cock is fully hard, you decide to slide down his torso until you're facing his tented-up pajama pants. You slide down the fabric to his mid-thigh and sees your friend's rock hard cock spring up in the dark, tip shining with precum.

Wrapping your hand around Jaemin's shaft again, you move your head closer to it and wrap your wet lips around the tip, tasting his salty precum and the taste of his milky skin. Jaemin tasted delicious.

You heard as Jaemin moaned and brought his right hand to the back of your head, motioning you to move on his dick. Giving in, you started to bob your head up and down his hard cock, thoroughly wetting it.

After a few minutes of endless sucking, you felt Jaemin pull you gently off his cock, a string of spit connecting your lips to the tip of his member.

You moved on the bed so you were face-to-face with your friend again and leaned in, connecting your spit-covered lips with his. Jaemin was eager and immediately darted his tongue inside your mouth, hand on the back of your head as you two made out intensely.

When you felt the need to pull back to breathe, you promptly adjusted your position so you were laying on your back to let Jaemin know you were ready for the next step.

Jaemin sat up and moved until he was sitting in between yours legs, using his strong hands to part them so he could fit his hips against yours perfectly. Before anything else happened, he leaned in again to make out with your for a few more minutes, still intense from arousal. You loved how eager Jaemin was whenever he was horny, acting all dominant while still being gentle.

While making out heatedly, you felt as Jaemin started to pull down your sleeping shorts along with your boxer briefs until you were naked from the waist down. The cold air-con air in the room hit your crotch and you felt a chill running down your legs.

Breathless once again, Jaemin pulled off and sat up in a way so he could remove his own pajama pants, leaving himself completely bare. Even in the dark, you couldn't help but marvel at the sight of your friend's hot body in front of you. Gorgeous face, strong arms, plump chest, defined abs, and a big juicy cock. Your best friend was one sexy motherfucker.

Knowing you had already been fucked by Jeno earlier, Jaemin didn't bother taking out the lube and prepping you too long. All he did was ask for you to suck on two of his fingers and then entered them in your ass for a minute before you were ready.

You watched as he spit on his hand and stroked his cock with it for a few seconds before holding it still and pressing it against your awaiting hole. Didn't take much to go all the way in as you were already used to it. You heard Jaemin groan once he was completely inside.

Worried that you might've woken up your other best friend sleeping on the other side of the room, you and Jaemin turned to check. Jeno was still sound asleep. You didn't care if he watched or not (it already happened multiple times before anyway), but you didn't want to bother him in his sleep and risk your friend waking up grumpy the next morning.

Relieved, you two faced each other again and you felt as Jaemin slowly pulled out before slamming his hips against yours again. He was a pro at it, he knew how to slam you hard enough to make you feel it but not enough to make too much noise. He smirked as you reacted to his strong thirst.

Jaemin had his hands on each side of your head so you had the privileged view of his huge biceps flexing to keep himself up while he thrusted in and out of your hole eagerly (but careful not to make a fuss). His chest and abs were starting to glisten a bit as sweat formed over his milky soft skin. It was a sight to behold.

After a few minutes of continuous thrusting, Jaemin started to feel his arms getting tired from holding himself up in that position. Pulling out of you momentarily, your friend motioned you to lay on your side as he positioned himself behind you and promptly made his way inside you again, continuing to fuck you right away.

You couldn't help but groan in pleasure once Jaemin started to hit your prostate repeatedly, hugging you from behind as he chased his own orgasm as well. You didn't bother stroking yourself to completion and just held onto Jaemin's strong arms that were holding you tight as you waited for him to make you cum untouched as he'd already done several times before.

You could tell Jaemin was getting close to his orgasm once his thrusts became less rhythmic and a bit more sloppy, slamming against your butt with more impact and less worried about not making too much noise.

You felt as he leaned in closer and his face was against your shoulder, heavy breathing blowing on your skin. You could hear his low grunting each time he thrusted in with force and tightened his grip around you.

It didn't take long before you felt your cock twitch and a rush of pleasure run up and down your body as you climaxed. While at it, you involuntarily clenched your hole and drew a long groan out of Jaemin, who reached his high right then and there, cumming inside you as he pressed his nose against your neck as to try holding back a louder moan while his legs trembled slightly at the intense orgasm.

You two stayed still for a couple minutes, breathing heavily as you recovered from your intense climaxes. You felt as Jaemin lazily left a few wet kisses on your neck and muttered out a deep "thanks" before he reached down for the blanket that had been tossed around unknowingly during sex to cover the two of you back again.

Once the room was silent again, you two noticed as Jeno snored softly on his bed on the other side of the room, letting you know he never once woke up while Jaemin pounded into you. Getting comfortable, you two drifted off into a peaceful slumber while Jaemin was still balls deep inside your ass and kept his arms around you.

#i've written many friends with benefits already i know but i can't help it i just love it #jaemin x reader #jaemin x male reader #nct dream x reader #nct x reader #nct dream x male reader #nct x male reader #na jaemin x reader #reader #jaemin #na jaemin #nct jaemin #nct dream #kpop smut #nct smut #jaemin smut #nct dream smut #kpop x reader #kpop x male reader #jaemin x you #jaemin x y/n #nct x y/n #nct x you #nct dream x you #nct dream x y/n #smut

[biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer]

can you write relationship headcanons for hyugo please? he's so underrated oh my god- btw love your blog, i'm so happy there's more people in the tkatb fandom <33 thank you for your service!!

My Exaltation (Hyugo x MC/Reader - Relationship HCs)

Thank you for the ask, Anon! And especially thank you for the kind words! :D

- Signed by biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer Exaltation: a feeling or state of extreme happiness. Trigger Warnings: NSFW and sexual mentions (nothing too crazy though).

A/N: (Check down the bottom for more info: but here's the server skeleton I've made: Link: TKATB Server).

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SFW

I see Hyugo as somebody very affectionate, like a puppy. (He literally gives puppy-dog eyes like c’mon). Also is capable of becoming as feral as one.

Definitely will be the type to walk up to you randomly and beg on his knees request to do something, considering I feel like part of the reason he has so much on his plate is due to the fact he can't stand having the same routine day after day. He needs spice. And you'll happily oblige.

Also very protective. Hell, this guy killed someone(s), so he’d be more than willing to defend you if it comes to that. Owns weapons 110%. Is also very capable at using them.

Hides all his suspicious activity from you. Not because he doesn't trust you, but mostly due to the fact he doesn't want you to get involved.

When If you move in together, he will make sure to enroll you in self-defense/weapon training classes (or he'll teach you himself, who cares about the law he's committed about 56 crimes in the span of a month /jkjk).

Is alarmingly strong, for someone of his stature and build, he often ensures to work out, because, well, he never knows when someone will come after him now does he?

Is paranoid about your safety 25/8, he's alert and vigil every waking moment. Ever since the cinema incident, he's been freaking out internally. (What if they find out about you? What if you go missing too?). Will hide it though, he can't afford you to be scared of him, now can he?

Crime hustles aside, Hyugo is genuinely a very loving and #goldenretriever boyfriend. Will use petnames as much as humanely possible, usually the flirty ones like 'darling'.

If you are a clothesnapper, expect him to start stealing back, eventually both your wardrobes will be swapped. You both don't care though, because both your horny asses will be relishing in the smell of each other in secret teehee.

Will be pulling the biggest 'Aww you look so adorable!!!!!' face known to man the first time you stole his clothes (probs a sweater or overshirt). Will tease you about it.

Makes puns 24/7, actually a master at them, it's kind of unnerving.

If you're ticklish, do not, under ANY circumstance, let him find out. You will be on the verge of dying each time he tickles you.

Hyugo's heart melts if you wanna watch his favourite movies with him: "Uh...Oh my God! MC! The new *insert movie title* came out...wanna watch it together this Sunday?" *insert massive puppy dog eyes, a cutesy little pout and two slender hands clasped together in a praying motion*

You agree, because...of fucking course you will.

Doesn't care enough to cook most of the time, but will try for you. :]

If you're cooking (or baking desserts), he'll spawn right behind you and hug you.

Will make you game with him, you don't have a choice, this guy needs action in his life (totally not like he doesn't already have any right-)

He's the little spoon, loves being smushed into your tits/pecs pressed against your torso, it means he can hear your heartbeat. It means he can fall asleep knowing you're safe.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------

NSFW (I am aware these may seem short. But. uh. I'm rusty cut me some slack).

I see Hyugo as a power bottom, or even a switch. (Emphasis on the 'power' part, this guy is strong).

Is capable of serving cunt/cock scarily well. Like you have no clue how he got this good.

Don't pull his hair too hard, a bit'll make him whine groan, but he doesn't seem the type to be into hair pulling unlike Sol and Crowe teehee

More funny during sex imo, depending on how intimate it is. If it's a sudden need then he'll be silent as the grave and going all out on dishing his horniness out, but if you're both chill and happy then he's much more jovial.

Masterful at aftercare, will murmur praises for how good you were, how much he loves you, etc. into your collarbone.

You are everything to him, his lover, his vehement source of peace, and his exaltation.

—-------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: So, @hayooni mentioned that we should probably have a Discord server or something, so I made one. It's pretty mid so far, and I'm definitely going to hand off admins to other people who're superior when it comes to Discord server making, but hell, how about we make sure this community is as nontoxic and interconnected as possible. We're the OGs and veterans of this fandom; we might as well make it a fucking good one.

Link: TKATB Server

#reminder that geo is superior #the kid at the back #tkatb #hyugo sugimoto #tkatb vn #tkatb x reader #tkatb hyugo #hyugo has big dick energy frfr #like the rest of the inches all had to end up somewhere amirite #also i tried green tea today i fucking hated it #i literally became bedridden from how badly my stomach handled it

[tuliptired]

He's Good People Ch.2

Chapter 2: We Could Steal Time, for Just One Day (We Can be Heroes)

Pairing(s): Gn!reader/Ray, Gn!reader/Egon, Gn!reader/Winston

Summary: (Egon centric) You get to spend most of the day with the quiet scientist, as per his out of character invitations.

Warnings: talk of having a baby, though reader biology is never specified

Thank you for all the support so far!

read it on Ao3!

 There was a soft light hitting your eye, lulling you back awake. You were safe, in your own bed, in your own house, about to go to work.

Oh. These aren’t your sheets. This was not your house. You sat up. Ray was still asleep, curled up in extra blankets beside you. You looked around, Peter and Winston were motionless, the clock reading 7:22. Egon’s bed was empty.

Normally, you didn’t wake up in beds that weren’t yours. Normally, you didn’t wake up in beds that weren’t yours in houses that weren’t yours. Normally, you didn’t wake up in beds that weren’t yours in houses that weren’t yours that belonged to some men you had only just met. And you don’t wear their spare clothes, and sleep in close enough proximity that you can hear their snores catch in their throats. You ran a hand over your face. It all felt so shameless. Not respectable. What were you doing?

The door opened softly and Egon stepped in, holding a stained piece of fabric. He appeared to have showered and dressed in the earlier hours of the morning, and he pulled a drawer open for a new tie. You felt awkward in his space, as he went about his business. Thankfully, he broke the silence.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning…sorry, Ray told me I could sleep in here.” You unconsciously pulled the sheets over yourself, despite the fact your body was fully covered in baggy sleepwear built for the physique of a 50 year old firefighter.

“I don’t mind.” He pulled a tie out and examined it.

“You didn’t sleep?” You ask idly. His fingers made ease of the garment, smoothing it out.

“I’m fine.” He looked over at the sleeping forms of his friends, dead to the world. “They won’t be up for a while. It’s a Sunday.” He paused for a bit, pondering something, shutting the drawer.

“Would you like breakfast?” The question takes you by surprise, but the emptiness in your stomach is starting to ache.

“If it’s not too much trouble.” He freezes up, as if he didn’t expect your answer. He blinks, gears turning, the offer coming out beyond his own volition. Egon shakes his head slightly, as if wiping a thought away. He and Ray had habits of doing that, you noticed.

“None at all.” He starts out the room. When he reaches the kitchen space, he stands there for a moment, hands at his sides. Robotically, he pulls out eggs, butter, sugar, and a few other things from the fridge, managing to lay them all out methodically, in an organized chaos.

You feel a bit rude, just standing there. “Is there any way I could help?” You unconsciously roll up the sleeves of the sweatshirt.

Egon keeps working, mixing something intently. “No.” You blink. Hesitantly, you move to sit at the table somehow feeling a little ruder. As Egon notices you pulling a chair out slowly so as to not disturb him, he sighs, slowing his work.

“Not because I think you’d be inadequate. I just have a system.” He lit a pan on the stove, pouring a small amount of oil into it.

“A system for pancakes?” 

“Mrs.Stantz taught me how to make them in graduate school.”

You got a little thrown at that. “Mrs…Stantz?”

A silence. His arms are suspended in the air, batter flowing into the hot pan. “Ray’s mother.” You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. He held one.

“Your parents never taught you to cook?” You try to alleviate some of the palpable tension still in the air.

“My parents were fans of quark on their gruel,” is all he said. “But. The Stantz family was different. They…put sugar in their coffee. Had big ‘sundee’ dinners.”

He seemed to think hard before speaking again, measuring each word like they could betray him. “Mrs. Stantz told me that…cooking for others was a way of saying you wanted them to live.”

That’s why he offered. You could smile at that. In the short time you knew him, you’d gathered that he didn’t seem as skilled as his friends in the ways of sociability. You really didn’t know him as well as you’d liked- he hadn’t shown you much, but you could appreciate the gesture. 

“Thank you, Dr. Spengler.” He stilled again, ever so slightly. You hadn’t noticed until then that the sleeves of his dress shirt were rolled up to his elbows. Maybe you ought to call him that more often? If you planned on sticking around. You didn’t know what your plan was anymore

There was a comfortable silence as he continued to work, diligently managing pancakes in one pan, potatoes and eggs in another. After a while, he pulls a small container out from the back of the fridge. 

“Do you feel strongly about mushrooms?”

“Do you want me to?” 

“These are top shelf. The Hennessy of the mycology world.”

“Can’t argue with that.”

Eventually, he was plating food for the two of you, potatoes and eggs (with Hennessy mushrooms) on one half, steaming pancakes on the other. Before you could smile and thank him, he stops you.

Swirling around a small pitcher one final time, he carefully crouches at the front of the table. A light, yellowish liquid pours out of it and slathers onto the pastry, making you unknowingly drool.

With delicate precision, he adds a heap to his own. When he decides it's enough, he takes a seat, gesturing for you to start. You take a bite and…

Good god, this was the best thing you’ve ever tasted. The pancakes were cooked thoroughly, the texture of it all feeling like clouds in love on your tongue. The mysterious syrup was the best part- it was homely, and almost like a candy that melted down your throat. You stared up at Egon in disbelief as you swallowed.

“Holy cow” 

‘More or less. Buttermilk syrup”

It's safe to say you dug in, making quick work of the stack that was once on your plate. Wiping your mouth, you had to sing his praises. He had the slightest hint of an indulgent smile, watching you eat. One of pride, maybe?

 “These are incredible, Dr. Spengler. What do I have to do to get Ray to give me the recipe?” You asked earnestly. To that, his smile quickly fell, and he hastily dismissed the idea.

“Don’t bother. His mother says I’m the only one who can replicate them.” He speaks as if you’re discussing nuclear codes. “Besides, I’ve got it memorized.”

“Are you willing to share?”

“I’d have to kill you.”

You made pleasant conversation for a while, even after both your plates had been cleared. Nursing a pot of coffee, he recalled something. 

“Your bag ended up in the laundry chute. Here.” But he misjudges how secure the latch was- and as he holds on to the wrong part the contents spill onto the table. The worn, brown bag of candy from the day prior rips, and Crunch Bars, hard candies, and fruit chews tumble out in front of you. Embarrassment engulfs you as you apologize, just short of lunging over the table to clean up the mess, detesting how weird you must look carrying around a bag that had nothing but sweets. 

He helps you rather the treats up wordlessly, before handing you one of the many blue wrapped chocolate bars.

“Would it be optimal to keep candies in my flight suit?” He voiced.

“Don’t patronize me,” your face burns still, your hands crumpling up the paper packaging.

“I’m serious. It would keep my blood sugars high.”

“Go for it, Dr. Spengler.” You grinned, sliding him a Crunch Bar. Something twinkled behind his eyes. Was this the first time you noticed that he and his arms looked strong, under all that clothing?

“Hey noise machines. You woke us up.” Peter stands in the doorway, Winston and Ray behind him sleepily.

“Sorry,” you pardoned yourself. Like a pack of bears, the men made their way to search for the delightful smell that was wafting towards them from down the hallway.

“Don’t be. I’ve never heard the professor talk so much so early,” Winston yawned.

“Hey! You left us with the dishes!” Ray whined, holding up the dirtied mixing bowls and oily skillet. 

“There’s raisin bran in the pantry.” Egon conducted you out of the room. He had you follow him back to the bedroom, stopping at the door to think to himself. You were used to it at this point. He emerged, with a light blue sweater and an unworn pair of track pants. 

“I’m assuming you’d like to shower now. Here’s a change of clothes-” His voice got a bit worried at the end as you thumbed through the garments, musing at a dark blue fabric sandwiched between what he had handed you.

He couldn’t meet your eyes, his pupils darting in different directions. He fumbled with his folded hands. “They’ve never been worn. It was either those or long johns.” He shuffles past you, in a hurry to leave you be.

Opening up the pile, you see a dark blue pair of boxers, making your face ignite with embarrassment. It's the thought that counts?

“Dr. Spengler!” You call over your shoulder.

He’s halfway down the hall. “...Yes?”

“Thank you.”

He nods, and disappears into the corridors of the firehouse.

The showers are in one large bathroom, reminiscent of a locker room. A wall of sinks and mirrors, opposite a wall of spacious shower space, where curtains separate each showerhead. Well, you´re already there. There's a small bottle of coconut body wash staring you down as you do your business. Of course a little bit wouldn't be missed right? It's a lot more liquid than you expected- and that ´little bit´ went a long way. As you exit the shower careful not to slip on the slick tile, the coconut scent wafts into your nose pleasantly.

You stared at the pile of clothes neatly folded on a bench, like it's a dragon to be slain. In a way, it was. You pulled on the boxers- they fit better than you thought. Ignoring how the image in the mirror made you feel. As your skin still dried, you felt the blue sweater in your hands. The knitwear was delicate in your palms, the yarn a bit worn. It felt more personal than the spare loungewear left in the basement. It felt like a person. 

 It was fairly large, dwarfing your body. The fibers carried a similar coconut and sandalwood smell that the soap had, making your body feel protected. There were the sweatpants, too, but whatever. They weren't like this. 

You left your pajamas in a neat pile as you dropped it down one of the laundry chutes, hoping your undergarments didn´t tumble out into the open. As you crept down the stairs, Janine was working at her desk while Winston gave Ray a hand repairing the Ecto-1. You sat with her for most of the morning, as she insisted on your presence as she handled clerical work and gossipped simultaneously. The 2 men listened to your conversations fondly. 

“You smell nice,” Janine commented questioningly.

It was around 12 when a woman walked into the firehouse holding a baby, greeted by Ray and Winston while they worked on the underside of the car. Winston seemed a little less enthusiastic as he held the bright hot flashlight.

"Hi Dana. This is Peter´s keeper,” Janine filled you in. The woman, Dana, gave you a kind smile. "The little bald one is Oscar."

The baby sat patiently, if not curiously, in her arms, a hand in his mouth. Dana joked at him to say hi, and he blew a small raspberry in response.

“He's adorable," you cooed, letting instincts take over as he reached out for your finger, which you gave to him. "How old?”

"10 months, and already very handsy." Dana bounced him in her arms as he tried to replace the hand in his mouth with your own. "Is Peter around?

"Somewhere." Janine yelled for him, and he beckoned for her to give him a second. Egon emerged at that point, wondering what all the noise was. His features relaxed at the sight of the infant.

"Hi, Egon." Dana greeted him, as he stood peering at the mother and her child.

"May I hold him?"

She blinked, a little dumbfounded. "I thought you said babies carried pathogens detrimental to your lymphatic system?" Oscar seemed very interested in him.

"Normally." He held his arms out, expectantly. Dana slowly concedes, and he takes the baby awkwardly. Oscar didn't seem to mind the weird angle, held almost like a freshly caught fish on his back. He kicked his feet and stretched his arms out, and Egon looked as if he was scared to move.

You laughed, though partially concerned for his stability. Babies got heavy fast. "Have you ever held a baby, Dr. Spengler?" You repositioned him so that he sat comfortably against Egon´s shoulder. "May I…?" You asked Dana, to which she nodded warmly.

Taking Oscar, you held him with ease, as he reached up to grab your nose. Bouncing him in your arms, he hit you on either side of your temples, exploring your face. "What´re you looking for?"

Unbeknownst to you, Egon was gazing at you playing with Oscar. So was Ray, across the garage. As you walked in a circle with him in your arms, Dana also watched on, amused.

"You're a parent?"

The question catches you off guard. “Oh, no. Not yet at least.”

“Waiting for ‘the one’” Janine cuts in, eyes not leaving her computer.

“Among other things.” Oscar plays with the collar of the sweater, tugging on it. Peter hopped off the last of the stairs then, exclaiming at the spectacle.

“You’ve got some hairless monster on you,” he feigns fear. Oscar looked at him once, before going back to your collar. 

Ray crosses to you both, cooing at the kid in your arms. Peter stopped him halfway there.

“Wash.”

Ray looked down at his motor-oil covered hands, and defeatedly sulked over to the garage sink. Peter turned to you, opening his mouth to say something, before snapping it closed. He narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger at you.

“Is that Eges’?”

You look down. “Is it?”

Egon went rigid, as usual, and swallowed silently. “Today’s forecast predicted a cold front.”

“We’re in the middle of the warmest spring in a decade. Mr. Softy’s outside.”

“Inaccurate journalism, then.”

While Ray’s eyes turned into slits from the sink, Peter’s widened. He put a hand on Dana’s shoulder and steered her towards the door. “I’m gonna have a quick walk with my girl here.”

“I was only stopping by for-”

“A quick walk.”

Oscar looked confused at seeing his mother go. He balled his fists in the front of your shirt. “The baby?”

“Keep it,” Peter called over his shoulder before the door shut. 

As Winston packed up all the tools under the elevated vehicle and Ray vehemently turned the pipe off, the phone rang. Janine took it, listening with “uh-huh’s” occasionally, before scribbling down an address on a notepad.

“There’s a client at,” she ripped the paper out and held it out for Ray, “this address. Golf course- she says there’s a puppet ripping out the green.” His eyes grew to the size of saucers as he read it to himself.

“Man! Are you sure this isn’t out of our zoning?” He pleaded with the tiny woman.

“I don’t know, Mr. ‘We’re ready to believe you’.” Janine resumed her typing.

“The day barely started and we’re already driving 2 hours out the way,” he grumbled., “Isn’t it Peter and Egon’s turn?” 

“It’s not. Last month we went down to that beach in Jersey.”

Ray’s incredulous glower deepened. “And you got ice cream afterwards!”

“And we’re very sorry yours melted.”

 He muttered a few things, before surrendering and pulling on his flight suit, Winston behind him begrudgingly. They repacked the car, pulled out the garage, and they were off.

Peter and Dana still weren’t back, so you sat back in the chair at Janine’s side. Oscar reached out to grab her sleeve.

“I’m returning this later, he’ll stain it.” She rolled her chair an inch away, sharpening a pencil. 

He babbled at her. “Don’t worry about Janine. She’s mean and old.” He tried leaning out of your reach to touch her face, entranced by something, before you spun the chair around. “She’ll steal your youth, Oscar.”

He looked a little bored, as he hit your temples for the second time. His brow furrowed as much as a baby could manage, as he examined your face again. “What?” You asked. He looked sad, making small whimpers at you. You turned the chair around again, showing him Egon. “He looks constipated, Dr. Spengler.”

Oscar suddenly got very excited, bouncing up and down and grabbing the air. You laugh, using your foot to bring a wheeled-stool over, waving Egon along to sit. He sat, legs comically too large for the tiny chair.

“Sure, let’s have a meeting at Janine's desk,” the woman commented dryly.

Egon looked a little bemused as the boy exclaimed for him, sitting in your lap. You scooted closer to him, so much so that your knees touched and formed a bridge, his skin getting warmer as you did. You place Oscar on the ledge you created, and he eagerly leans into Egon. He reaches for his face like he did you and Janine, but falls onto his butt in the process. Egon’s stiffness is endearing. It’s like there was a baby bear on his lap rather than a baby child. Jeez, he’s gonna burst a blood vessel at this rate.

Putting him out of his misery, you lightly grab each of his hands, steadying them on each side of the sitting baby marveling at the man in front of him. Egon’s skin is still warm, even more so now, as you coax him to pick Oscar up. The backs, at least, were a little rough and worn, but you expected no more from a scientist. He was still a man, at the end of the day. You glanced up at his panicking face, and you didn’t know any better, you’d say his chest was rising and falling more than normal. You held Egon’s large hands under your own as you aided him in raising him to eye level.

You leaned to the right, keen on teasing his bewildered face from behind Oscar’s rear end. “Was that hard, Dr. Spengler?” Oscar starts gleefully hitting his temples as he did yours.

“Do you want to have a baby.”

Janine’s typing stops. Egon’s glasses go flying off his face and land behind you, as the baby in your hands erupts in a fit of giggles before you could say anything. His hands recoiled from yours like you were a burning stove as you gently set him down, back on your own lap.

Egon looks like his brain is short circuiting and melting out his ears, which, for all you know, it was. Even with his glasses off, his face never failed to absorb you. He definitely had the face to make a few college girls lose their humility. 

He remembered human interaction and cleared his throat. “What I meant was. Oscar has a larger than normal head and large eyes. He also has an upturned, small nose.” His tone regained the scientific timbre it normally had. “Many people of,” he fished for the words, “child-rearing-age find these features…’cute’.” Janine snorted a laugh, then got up to search for his discarded eyewear somewhere on the floor.

“He’s to die for, no doubt. I just…” he’s resided lying against your legs now, his wonder satisfied for one afternoon as he teethed on one of Egon’s fingers, “Unfortunately, it takes 2 to to make a baby. I’m not exactly properly equipped to complete that job on my own” You sighed. How was your life gonna go back to normal, once your apartment was safe again? You hate to admit, but that job was you at your peak. Janine pressed the eyeglasses into Egon’s palm.

The door opened then, and Peter entered with Dana in tow. She smirked at the sight of you and Egon, knee to knee with a baby in between you.

“How cute, we’ll call up JCPenney and they can take a family photo,” she took to teasing Egon as you handed her back her son.

He sat limply in her arms, about ready for a nap. “He’s delightful, Dana.”

“Makes you wanna have one?” Janine turns in her chair to face you.

At some point during the afternoon, Janine sighed heavily at the idea of running around and completing the list of errands she’d let fester over the week as you ate together upstairs. Egon was tinkering with something at the workspace near you when he spoke up.

“Do you want me to do it?” He put the contraption down on the desk.

“You would?” Janine let her head fall on the back of the couch, holding the list out to him.

“I might as well. I can’t focus today.” He folded the paper, placing it in the pocket of his coat. As he started down the steps, he slowed, and turned his head towards you.

“Y/N? Would you mind joining me? I don’t get to the store much.” You had no objections. After washing the last of the wares you both had dirtied, you dried your hands off on a teatowel before descending the stairs on Egon’s heels.

He held the door for you as you stepped out onto the sidewalk, and the humidity hit you like  a brick. It had been a pretty warm spring, but the recent light rain seemed to cool the earth off, just a bit. It was getting gray and wet outside the longer you walked, clouds ghosting over the sun every now and again. You both walked together in comfortable silence, in an arbitrary direction (you’ve never been shopping in this area), as gentle drops on your head slowly turned into genuine precipitation.

Before you could suggest turning back, or grabbing umbrellas, the rain above you suddenly stops. As you look up, he’s holding his overcoat above your head. Head and shoulders undoubtedly getting soaked. 

“There’s a bus stop down the block. We can catch it if we run.”

With that, you’re off. Running like little kids down a hill, you narrowly avoid deep puddles and streetlamps as you giggle uncontrollably. As your feet hit the sidewalk with every step, the petrichor in the air fills your lungs like it’s your soul. In a way, in your adrenaline rushed mind, you equate it with the man next to you. 

When you finally reach the stop, the bus is lurking from the end of the street. Doubled over, you catch your breath, the air now feeling like fire leaving your esophagus. But you laugh through it all. And the man who shielded you from the rain lets out a weak, barely there chuckle. You straighten to thank him, when you notice how bad mother nature got him. Egon’s usually pomaded, high and tamed hair had fallen out of place, curls now coming loose on his head. He looked wonderful, other than most of his upper body being stained by the sudden downpour.

You can’t speak, staring at him, at the almost Grecian picture in front of you. His lips were parted slightly as he regained his energy, almost curled in a simper as the strong hands you felt earlier wiped some of the dampness from his forehead. His tie was a sky blue, unlike the sky that had dominion over you now. And god, he looked nice in blue.

As he noticed your staring, an eyebrow quirked up, only slightly. There was nothing for you to do but laugh, leaning into the tall man in front of you. He was stiff at first, and confused, but he succumbed to it soon enough, holding you as well as he couldn’t hold himself back from the ridiculousness of it all. You both probably looked like idiots, losing your minds on the side of the street. But for the first time since yesterday, you were sure of something. If this was what it felt like to be an idiot with him, you never wanted to be smart again.

#ray stantz #egon spengler #peter venkman #winston zeddemore #janine melnitz #dana barrett #oscar barrett #egon spengler/reader #ray stantz/reader #winston zeddemore/reader #x reader #ghostbusters 1984 #ghostbusters #ghostbusters 1989 #fanfic #ao3 writer #ao3 link #He's Good People #series #ray stantz x reader #egon spengler x reader #winston zeddemore x reader

[chaoticbardlady99]

Lethal Woman- Chapter 6 (GN! AFAB! Reader x Astarion) 18+ MDNI

Author note- work has kicked my ass left right and center. I also deleted my draft of this chapter like three separate times until I finally wrote something I loved.

CW- mentions of still birth, mentions of miscarriage, smut, fluff (I think? Any emotional intimacy is fluff to me 💀), mentions of torture, mentions of rape/sexual assault, mentions of physical and emotional abuse, violence. (I think that may be all? Also this all looks not awesome, but I promise it’s a lot more awesome than you think and not Uber grotesque.)

It’s been mostly edited and I definitely have chapter 7 basically done so I’m anticipating being happy with my draft by Sunday. Happy reading! Thank you for everyone who likes my little self indulgent angst fic!!!!

Also- please remember I take creative liberties. A good chunk of the Nightmasks are dead canonically (RIP my guys) but for the purpose of this story, they are alive. Oh and the names are hard so forgive me for the lack of consistent spelling lmao

Chapter 7

“Ugly, wretched little thing.”

Dahlia’s term of endearment sticks to your brain like- well- an illithid parasite. You are sitting with Karlach and Shadowheart, each of you on your fourth glass of whatever alcohol you could find as the Tieflings jovially celebrate around you. You want to feel the same warmth and happiness everyone else does, but you are too busy trying to ignore the fact that Alfira and Astarion have been talking since the beginning of the party- Alfira immediately walking up to him with her stupid, beautiful face. And her stupid kind heart and pretty voice.

You liked her enough to be her friend, but now? You are struggling not to haul her off by her horns and kick her into the river in the stinking Owlbear den.

Get yourself together Rowan, it was never going to happen anyway.

“Soldier, you might want to stop burning a hole through the Bard with your eyes- Astarion can’t tolerate fire remember?,” Karlach jests and you give her a sour look.

You hadn’t really talked to Astarion since earlier in the day when he had come to your aid when Priestess Gut had a firm grip on your mind, then he fought by your side while you freed Halsin. You had split up after that, him going to help Shadowheart and Karlach and you off to support Wyll and Gale’s group. The fight against Dror Ragozlin and his crew of misfits was easy and Lae’zel evidently enjoyed getting to fight next to you for once. You wanted to enjoy the moment with your companions, your victory just in your grasp, but you had been somewhat distracted during the battle because Minthara’s thoughts had been so Gods damn loud.

You appeared to be the only one experiencing this problem- you assumed that she is specifically targeting you for a reason, but you couldn’t figure out why until she showed you a different image than the fight in front of her.

It was you, standing over a drow female in Menzoberranzan. The alley way is dark with her blood dripping into the cobblestone. You could feel Minthara’s rage- you had killed her lover.

You remember that contract now- It was one of the few you had received where it was required that the target be mutilated and you hated every second of it. Minthara was one of the few people who had ever managed to almost catch you, but you had evaded her successfully. The picture changed, she showed you a flash from Shadowheart’s perspective- it’s you and Astarion, talking in hushed voices and close to each other by the fire. The scene is far more intimate than you realized and certainly incriminating. Her voice boomed in your head.

You killed my lover. Now I’m going to kill yours.

A scream pierced the air as Karlach cried out for Shadowheart. You watched in horror as Shadowheart hit the stone wall hard and dropped flat on her face- unmoving. Karlach was at her side within seconds, trying to get her to wake up. Then Karlach pitched forward after a spell hit her. Karlach was screaming in terror at the top of her lungs and rolling around in pain. You stared at the scene for what felt like hours- rigid and mortified- until Minthara caught your attention again.

Minthara showed Astarion- fighting for his life against her as her blade nicked him and cut him superficially. Thankfully he is a lot faster than her, but your feet were moving before your brain had time to process your actions. Your rage is all consuming- every part of your body feels like it’s on fire.

Between the use of Ghost Step and Spider Crawl, you made quick work of sneaking into the battlefield. You waited for an opening- Minthara and Astarion were neck and neck, blow for blow before Minthara managed to break one of his daggers and slam the hilt of her longsword atop of his head.

Astarion stumbled backwards and fell over on his side. You tried to suppress your own nausea as you watched him struggle to get up as Minthara began menacingly moving towards him. The bloodlust in her thoughts- you could taste it on your tongue. Vengeance is in her reach, but you are not the same you when Tessa died. You will be damned if this bitch of a woman was going to torture two of your closest friends and kill the one person who has made your barely beating, locked away heart a little less heavy to carry.

You cast Evard’s Black Tentacles and manipulated them so that one vine grabbed Minthara’s right hand and ripped it away from the left- her long sword fell to the ground. You picked it up as she screamed profanities at you.

You manipulated another to wrap around her throat and it pulled her down on her knees- she faced the bridge with horror on her face as you stalked towards her with your vampiric stare. You watched as she confronted her own mortality with angry tears- her tadpole hurled profanities at you in Elvish, Drow elvish, and Common. You just smiled at her, sweetly, slowly, like you had perfected for years now.

Minthara’s tears were running down her face and she fought against the tentacles as they squeezed tighter around her throat and wrists.

The next words you had spoken in Elvish- “Say hi to your lover for me”- before you cut her head clean off her shoulders with her own weapon.

You hadn’t looked at Astarion after you had killed Minthara- you were actually too afraid to see the way he may look at you. Would he be repulsed by you? Afraid? You didn’t want to know.

So now, instead, you are stuck watching him flirt with the feminine, beautiful tiefling that you want to go and feed to the resurrected harpies (they aren’t resurrected- yet). You know it isn’t her fault- you just never stood a chance.

“Roo, really, he is barely focusing on her,” Shadowheart says with a roll of her eyes, “he keeps looking over here at you anyway.”

“Oh I’m sure he is after I brutally murdered someone in front of him,” you cross your arms, your tone laced in venom, “yeah that’s a real attractive quality to have- I am capable of brutal MURDER.”

Shadowheart goes to protest, but Karlach beats her to it.

“I don’t know Soldier, he looked pretty dazzled to me.”

You bust up laughing, choking on some of your wine.

“Dazzled, you say?”

“Razzle DAZZLED!” Karlach offers big explosive hands with her statement, “and I mean- he’s into blood so it’s not like you beheading something is all that damning. Maybe he’s really into it.”.

You choke on your wine again, this time it comes out of your nose. You are both dying laughing now, evidently the alcohol had gotten to your heads. It wasn’t because you were making fun of him- it was just the whole idea itself was so ridiculous and the fact that you can nonchalantly talk about beheading a person as an endearing prospect with these two individuals is so bizarre. Shadowheart was laughing despite herself.

Eventually the three of you make your way to the firepit and join Halsin and Gale while they smoke something out of Halsin’s pipe. You ask to try it and it burns your throat as you cough harshly. Halsin laughs hardily and says you’ve passed initiation. Shit, you don’t even remember walking over to the campfire anymore.

Another hour or so passes, Astarion is out of sight and the high has worn off. You feel pleased to see Alfira standing and talking to her friend dejectedly. Maybe he rejected her? You might be a terrible person, but you feel like you already knew that.

You feel overwhelmed all of a sudden by the proximity and warmth of everyone around the fire. You wait for the right moment to remove yourself from the situation- desperately needing a moment of peace and quiet.

If anyone notices you get up, they don’t say anything. You quickly steal another bottle of wine from beside Gale and Halsin and sneak off into the woods.

You crack open the bottle and slowly sip on it as you meander through the woods, finding the secret path to the beach that you have come to adore so much. You had been eyeballing one specific cliff edge ever since you and Astarion had found this place. It wasn’t a massive cliff, but the pool at the bottom of it is deep enough for you to jump into the water without injury. It was something your father used to do with you when you were a child. There was a river that ran outside of your little town and as you moved further into the woods, you could find a waterfall with a deep pool at the bottom. He would teach you flips and different jumps. He had deemed you the world’s finest diver right before he died- cheering you on from the ground below.

You feel warm and melancholy from the memory. Gods you miss your parents.

You drop the bottle of wine and strip down to your underwear and make your way towards the top of the waterfall.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Astarion had finally managed to get Alfira to leave him alone. She is an adorable little creature, but she is not the one on his radar right now. Adorable does not compare to the vision you are- nor the protection you provide.

Astarion had spent the last painstaking hour and a half watching you laugh with quite literally every person in camp who has a crush on you- Shadowheart, Lae’zel, Gale, and even Halsin is fucking smitten now. Gods could you just stop being yourself for five minutes? Astarion needs (and silently wants) your attention to only be on him. It is absolutely crucial to his survival. Speaking of which, where the hells were you?

You were no longer by the fire where he had last seen you before he snuck into Gale’s tent to steal one of the nicer bottles of wine he hoards away from everyone. Astarion had planned on using your shared connection to ask you to meet him at your spot, but now you are nowhere to be found.

Astarion fights the urge to scream out of frustration as he treks through the woods towards the spot on the beach hoping by some miracle that you may already be there.

Astarion stops as your scent hits his nose. He walks around the corner of the rock that you both use as a landmark and freezes when he notices your clothes are sprawled across the ground and a bottle of wine is a third of the way empty. He tries to ignore the ache that is starting to consume his chest. Did you bring someone else here? Shadowheart maybe? You were sitting rather close to her earlier…

Did his three days of stubbornness really just allow you to fall into someone else’s arms?

Astarion’s sinking feeling gets worse when something flashes out of the corner of his eye.

He sneaks around the corner- reminding himself that he is merely just making sure Shadowheart isn’t being… Shadowheart?

Imagine his shock when Astarion doesn’t see Shadowheart at all. Instead, he witnesses you complete a perfect aerial twist before graciously diving into the waves below. He feels completely frozen until you break the water and laugh wildly. Astarion thinks his own heart might start beating from his chest being filled with the sound.

You jump out of the water and race back up to the top of the rock using Spider Crawl- something you had promised to teach him when you found out Cazador had never actually made him privy to the entirety of his capabilities as a spawn.

Astarion grins as he watches you once again go flying into the air, doing a backflip before straightening out, disappearing once again into the water below.

You break the surface and get back onto the shore. You pretend to bow and wave saying “thank you” and “I’ll be here all week.” It’s silly and he’s enjoying every minute of watching you just be yourself.

Astarion knows you aren’t a serious person, not really, but you pretending to bow for an imaginary crowd of adoring fans in a (not) private moment? It feels authentic to your silliness- not just when you and Karlach are joking together.

You are funny, kind, and entirely too cunning- despite what he said three days ago. Your prowess in combat is second to none and you speak a couple different languages- infernal being one of them when he noticed you and Karlach speaking it back and forth like it was also your native tongue.

Elvish is the other one and he only knew that from overhearing what you said to Minthara while he was too busy experiencing shell shock from how quickly you had gotten over to him. Oh and the hit to the head didn’t help either.

Astarion’s thoughts are interrupted when you make eye contact with him and freeze.

You look down at your semi-exposed figure and then up at him.

Astarion flashes you a flirtatious grin and sweeps his eyes up and down your body as you look at him. You are a work of art and the blush that creeps up your neck is an added bonus.

The scars on your body are numerous and varying in degrees of severity. It doesn’t make you any less attractive to him or revolts him by any means; It makes you more real if anything.

“Well hello there, beautiful,” Astarion says melodically as you walk over, “I was hoping I might run into you here.”

“Oh is that so?” you say and put your hands on your hips, teasing him “and to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Astarion smiles widely at you. He holds up the bottle of wine.

“I was hoping I may be able to drink with my most favorite companion at camp,” he looks at you with a sly grin, “but I didn’t think I’d be getting a show. You are delightfully talented in multiple faucets, Darling.”

You smile shyly at him while adorably scrunching your nose.

As you bend down to grab your shirt, you look at your bottle and scratch the back of your head awkwardly.

“I might need to apologize considering I already started without you.”

Not telling me to piss off so that’s an optimistic start.

“Hm,” Astarion hums, cracking open his bottle and taking a drink, “I’ll allow it this once. I suppose I do owe you for my… words the other day.”

“I’ll forgive you,” you say with a mischievous grin, “but for a price.”

“Oh?” Astarion purrs, “and what is your price, my dear.”

“I demand at least half of your spoils in loot.” you say with flourish and over exaggeration- you aren’t even remotely serious.

“No, no, no, “he emphasizes, his finger waving around in the air, “Never. Going. To. Happen.”

“Ugh fine, I guess I’ll just have to accept that you saved my life earlier.”

“I still think you are ahead on that front, but who’s counting really?”

“Definitely not me,” you say and cough a number under your breath.

Astarion playfully glares at you and you giggle in response.

You close the gap between the two of you and gently grab his hand, pulling him to sit down next to you at the edge of the water. Astarion pushes down the giddy feeling that arises- hoping you didn’t notice he flinched when you first went to grab his hand.

You look at Astarion and then your clasped hands- you definitely noticed.

You begin to pull away and he feels his body protest, grabbing your hand back and interlocking them again. Astarion drinks out of his wine, refusing to look at you- this is entirely too intimate. Entirely too much like the lovers he used to hate and envy in Baldur’s Gate, but he can’t bring himself to let go or stop the slight smile that creeps on his lips.

You drink out of your bottle of wine and put your feet in the water. Astarion glances at you and notes the growing grin. He feels a twinge of guilt when he thinks about his plan and how fragile your heart probably is. Astarion pushes it away. Astarion needs his plan to work and so far, it’s working.

The space between the two of you is silent- nothing but the ocean waves roaring in his ears. It’s not uncomfortable, but Astarion doesn’t necessarily know where to start. He wants to begin the process of seducing you, but he’s also unsure of how well that would play out- considering what he’s seen thus far in your memories.

“My dad taught me how to cliff dive,” you say in a melancholic voice, interrupting his thoughts “we would go all the time over the Summer when we lived outside of Daggerford.”

“I was wondering how you had managed to pull off such an impressive feat.”

You guffaw at him and then pout with a glint of humor in your eye. He rolls his eyes at you.

“Fine Darling,” he muses, “I suppose you are rather impressive in all facets.”

Your face is practically burning with his compliment. Astarion has decided he will leave out the bait and let you take it. If you give him any signal or specifically say “I want to have sex” then Astarion will pleasure you and you will see how useful he can be in return for all of your gifts- your blood, your protection.

Your company.

Whatever feelings Astarion felt over the last three days- he never wants to feel again. You have been the one and only person to be kind to him, protect him in 200 years. You treat him with respect and like a friend- not the monster he absolutely is and that you should hate him for being. It had been a very lonely three days without your company-besides, no one else is nearly as fun to converse with. Astarion hears the whisper of a previous conversation in the back of his mind.

“So what does boar taste like?”

“I don’t really have much of a reference, but better than rats and flies,” he scowled.

“Gods, how filthy was that palace?” you murmured under your breath.

Your comment had caught him off guard and he couldn’t help but bark out laughing. You had felt horrible for it- you thought he wouldn’t be able to hear you. In your defense, you had spoken very quietly. Astarion assured you that he found your observation quite peculiar and hilarious.

Astarion likes that you point out the small things and allow him to decide how much of the larger things he wants to tell you. You never push him and Astarion isn’t used to it, but he knows he never wants it to go away- to be treated any other way ever again.

“What else did your father teach you?” Astarion asks softly.

You smile, “My father followed Ilmater. He was a ranger. He dedicated his life to helping others.”

A daughter of Ilmater worshippers turned into a half-dead creature who is forced to kill by an evil vampire, Astarion thinks, I guess even the Gods have a sense of humor.

“What happened to him?”

The pause is pregnant and loud. Astarion notices the single tear that manages to escape your eyes. You clear your throat.

“He’s dead,” you whisper, “a group of Ravagers destroyed our village. They didn’t like that it was a mix of humans and Drows escaping from Lolth- and they especially hated us ‘filthy half breeds’. Made the women and the children watch as they beheaded their fathers and husbands.”

Astarion doesn’t know what to say to something that horrific. He just merely looks at you- waiting for you to continue speaking.

“He just kept telling my mom and I how much he loved us. How he’d always be protecting us,” you manage to choke out, “I can’t even tell you how many times I have prayed to Ilmater for help- only to be reminded how alone I am and that, despite being the God of Compassion, Ilmater doesn’t care.”

Astarion knows that feeling all too intimately, but he wants to hear more.

“How old were you? What happened to you and your mother?”

You are looking at him wearily now, so he gives your hand a squeeze.

“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to Darling.”

“I want to, I’ve just never talked about it before.”

“Well then,” he states in a flattered tone, “I’m honored to potentially be the first and only keeper of your deep, dark secrets.”

You laugh breathily while you roll your eyes at him. The smile on your face is replaced by an unreadable expression. You take a deep breath before you turn your gaze back to the ocean.

“I was 5. They sold us to a mine outside of Westgate. It was run by a group of fanatics that I can’t even remember the name of anymore,” you shake your head in disgust, “all I knew was that they were terrible people. They threatened us children to get our mothers to do anything they wanted. One of them raped my mother and ‘blessed’ her with a child.”

Astarion squeezes your hand as he feels you tense. You look at him with your teary, angry eyes and the intensity of your emotions- your grief- are written into every crack and crevice of your face. Astarion notes that you look uncomfortable, but he gives you a soft smile, encouraging you to continue. You take a big swig of your wine- he shortly follows.

“I don’t know what happened, but the baby… didn’t make it and mom developed a blood illness. It was the week before she had planned on breaking us out. I didn’t know she was dying- she told me she was going to be okay. I should have known- She gave me everything for the escape and had explained the plan to me so many times in that week she was dying that I can still recite it to this day.”

You chuckle to yourself before pulling your knees up to your chest.

“I asked them if I could have a funeral for her. They took me outside and made me watch while the pigs ate her. They told me that’s the only funeral a Drow deserves.”

“What a bunch of racist assholes,” he states.

“Oh, they were only the biggest.”

“You escaped a prison by yourself then or?”

“I did. I was 9 years old and probably one of the only people who has ever escaped that mine. I haven’t seen anyone from my village since. I went back to Daggerford one time and it was still decimated- no one ever came back to rebuild it.”

You both sit in the heavy silence. Your thumb begins to absentmindedly rub circles along his thumb- the gesture is simple, but it’s probably the softest touch he’s felt in the last 200 years that was not filled with the anticipation of sex.

“I’ve only ever had one failed escape,” you sigh harshly, “I was going to run away with Tessa because I didn’t want to go through the ceremony to be a Deathbringer, but Dahlia didn’t care what I wanted. She was too busy trying to win Obarhk’s favor.”

“How did you end up with Dahlia then? If you didn’t want to be a Deathbringer?”

You scoff and he sees the resentment behind your eyes.

“I was 13 and had been living on the streets for a while by then. I had my little tent and I had managed to convince one of the local inns to let me clean the rooms,” you scrunched up your nose, “it was gross, but decent work and they fed me once a day; let me use the baths. Sometimes they even gave me extra food and if it was cold out, they’d let me stay in a room if there was one available. I didn’t have to steal food anymore which was nice. I was actually very happy. I was saving my money so I could travel to the Underdark and hire a sword to go with me- to my grandparents- like my mom had told me to do.

“Then one day, a few of the other local boys, also urchins, had watched as I was given a decent amount of gold and a burlap sack of food. They followed me to my tent. I had offered to share and to give them some gold to help, but they didn’t want just some of it- they wanted all of it and all of me too. I thought I was going to die- the fight was brutal and they were so much bigger than I was, but I wasn’t as easy to take down as they had thought.

“Right as they had slammed my head into the pavement, right when I thought it was over- an Ilmater Priestess had appeared out of no where. She had killed them all. She came up to me, was kind to me, promised she would protect me, give me a home, teach me how to be stronger than anything else in the dark while she helps me travel to the Underdark. I was thrilled. I thought Ilmater had finally heard all my prayers. Then she took me outside of the city- I thought we were maybe going to a temple. I was so naive and stupid.”

Your voice breaks and you struggle to compose yourself- taking a shaking breath.

“She changed- the kind Ilmater priestess I had just been following to safety ended up being the Queen of Venom and a Sharran priestess nonetheless,” you spit out with disgust, “Dahlia stripped me of my clothes- she beat me, cut into my skin, threw me around. Dahlia kept telling me how ugly, wretched, small, and weak I was for hours- how she would be the only person to ever love me from now on. Then she chained me down to the floor, unmoving for I don’t even know how long in the dark. I just know when she finally came back, I was on the brink of death. She starved me and refused to give me water until I stopped asking her to leave. I stopped, but then I learnt how much worse it could be. I also began to accept that I would probably never be free again.”

“Are you free now?”

“Barely. A bit over a year ago I was assigned to the Faceless himself.”

“What changed?”

“I won the Deathbringer Tournament and Lady Thistle Thalaver, the fucking consort of all people, said that she wanted me to be assigned as her personal Deathbringer. Thistle made the point that we are close in age and it would make her happy to have someone she can talk to and protect her. News flash- I was more horrified by that than Dahlia. How the fuck does someone who is a literal husk of a person become the prize comfort pet of the Consort that is the reason you were even kidnapped to begin with,” you say, throwing your hands up in frustration, “Dahlia hated her. She was envious of her already and boy, when Thistle asked for me? I thought Dahlia might kill me and Thistle right there if Obarhk hadn’t stepped in.”

“She sounds like a sore loser.”

“ Oh she is, this grudge has lasted a little over a century or three supposedly. I can’t ever seem to get the exact date right, but Dahlia had allowed Obarhk to change her and became one of his Nightmasters because she had hoped to be his Queen and consort,” you shake your head, “it was childish- supposedly. Obarhk was going to go through with it initially, but then Thistle’s father had extensive debts to the guild and offered his only daughter as payment.”

“What a shitty father.”

“Oh the shittiest,” you agree pointedly.

“If she wanted you to help her gain his favor, why did she hide you away?”

“There are rules within the Guild for how recruits are to be treated. Obarhk plays with his cards very close to his chest and he has an absurd amount of political pull. He doesn’t want word getting out that the Nightmasks beat their assassin’s and thieves, but not their Deathbringers- it’s bad for recruitment. Guess they used to do that and damn near went extinct, not everyone is into becoming half-vampire” you shrug, “Dahlia had ‘presented’ me to gain Obarhk’s favor- not his consort’s. She lied and said I sought her out days ago, begging to get a chance to become a Deathbringer. When I was asked if it was true, I said yes, the alternative was whatever hell awaited me later. At least if I didn’t survive the ceremony, I would be laid to rest.

“Except Thistle won. Obarhk may not be particularly loving towards Thistle, but he won’t deny her what she wants if it’s reasonable. I was still under Dahlia, but now if I disappeared for days on end or came back beaten, it was noticed. A year ago, Lucia and Ghost found me bleeding out in a street with Dahlia over me- it was the first time she had done serious harm to me since the ceremony and the first time she was caught,” he watches you smile despite yourself, “Thistle wanted her to be tortured for what she had done- for creating the infamous ‘Hollow Deathbringer’ as I was called when I first started, but Obarhk doesn’t interfere with religious affairs and Dahlia claimed it was for her Sharran worship. So the solution was that I would report directly to him, Phultan, Lucia, and Lady Thalaver only. If Dahlia attempts to hurt me again, I am allowed to end her life and if I attempt to attack Dahlia, she is allowed to end my life. She isn’t allowed to send her assassin’s after me either or there will be consequences. That’s the same day I found out Dahlia had been lying to me- she is Obarhk’s spawn, not a Master Vampire. She never would have been able to get away with half of her threats if I had known, but I’m sure that’s partly why she isolated me from the Guild until I was old enough and skilled enough to compete.

“We’ve been in a very strange stalemate over the last year. Unable to find each other, but I don’t even know if I could kill her anyway. At least, not by myself.”

It was a lot to take in at one time. Your entire world is so heavily influenced by vampiric beings- no wonder you were so nonchalant about him being a spawn and him feeding from you.

Astarion will admit though, he isn’t necessarily thrilled to find out another sociopathic vampire might be hunting them- specifically you.

“Darling, if Dahlia ever darkens your door step ever again,” he leans toward you and speaks his next words with conviction, “I’ll rip her throat out myself.”

You smile at him and squeeze his hand.

“ Thank you Star, but you don’t need to do that. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Unfortunately, I don’t listen to hypocrites- Miss ‘I’m going to put Cazador’s head on a pike and we can parade it around the city’”

You gasp, “how dare you! I felt like that would be a fun leisure activity.”

“Oh believe me, it will be very fun,” he says with a malicious grin,” but someone needs to keep you humble, my dear.”

“Oh okay,” you roll your eyes, “because I’m the one who needs humbling here. Thank you for your service kind sir, I will never be able to repay you.”

He can tell that you are done with the previous conversation- he’ll have to thank you for sharing later and ask follow up questions. Astarion has a plan to execute.

“Well of course,” he lifts your clasped hands and kisses the back of yours, “ I live to be a hero for the common folk.”

“You’re lucky you’re a beautiful bastard.”

“Why thank you, my Dear. I am rather beautiful, aren’t I?”

You turn, facing him now and you move closer- giving him a light shove. One of your eyebrows is lifted in amusement- a lopsided grin on your face. This is most definitely the moment he has been waiting for.

He leans in, your faces near inches apart and he savors how your heart begins to race.

“I must admit, I was lying to you before,” he muses, “I maybe would like to do a little more than just drink wine with you tonight.”

“Y-you do?”

Astarion smiles at the way your breath hitches.

“Well of course, I believe you may be one of the most bewitching individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting,” he says while gently brushing your hair behind your ears, “but only if that would be okay with you.”

You look at him- there is lust in your eyes and you worry your bottom lip with your teeth. One of your canines graze your lip and a bit of your blood begins to paint your lips- Astarion fights the urge to smash his lips to yours. You search his face for deception.

“I want to. Very badly,” you pause, “but I need to be open with you. I’ve only ever been with one man before and it wasn’t my choice. That was over 10 years ago. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to go completely through with it or give you some wildly fun time… it would probably be vanilla at best even if I can get through it…”

You trail off and look at the ground, gently pushing his hand away from your face. Astarion frowns.

“If you want someone who you can actually have fun with, it might be better to go find Alfira again,” you whisper woefully, “I would absolutely understand. No harm, no foul.”

Astarion’s heart breaks for you. He gently guides your eyes back to his. You look sad and dejected -like you are ready for him to get up and walk away. You are expecting him to confirm what Dahlia has always told you- that you are an ugly, wretched, little thing. Unloveable at best and absolutely unforgivably intolerable at your worst. Astarion has slept with plenty of virgins before- he knows how to say all the right honeyed words to get them to bed, but this is entirely different. This is you and your first, consensual time with a man if you choose. If you don’t, then he won’t press the matter, but leave his door wide open. Astarion is not Cazador or Dahlia- he is not going to force you.

“I don’t care about any of that Darling,” Astarion assures you quietly, “I want you, not Alfira. We only have to go as far as you are comfortable with- if you want to.”

Your eyes are wide and searching for any hint of insincerity.

“We could even try multiple times if needed,” he says jokingly, but he knows that you can tell he’s serious.

You beam at him and your posture straightens up- a new found confidence in your eyes.

“Okay,” you finally say, “I trust you. I want to try.”

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You would be lying if you weren’t feeling slightly anxious. The last person you had been with was Tessa and she’d been in the ground a little over 8 years now. The two of you had made a lot of groundwork in your last year together before she died. You had attempted to be with others before, but it never felt right so you could never go through with it.

This feels right. You just aren’t sure what your reaction will be, but you want him and Astarion wants you. You trust that he won’t hurt you.

Astarion pulls you up off of the sandy floor and gives you a smile, “I promise you, you do not want to try this in sand. I happen to know a very nice spot, but we are going to have to make a brief stop first.”

You smile enthusiastically and allow him to take your hand in his as he leads you back to camp.

The walk is a blur, you barely notice that Astarion had grabbed a blanket, taken you quite far from camp, and without warning, Astarion pulls you in for a breathtaking kiss.

You have to fight the urge to collapse completely into him, your arms snaking around his neck as you kiss him back. The kiss is slow, melodic and soft. Astarion’s strong arms hold you close to his chest as he picks you up before laying you down on the blanket.

You help him discard your clothes and your wet under garments. Astarion quickly discards his shirt and pants before he returns to kissing you sweetly, softly. You let your hands glide up his torso to his shoulders and let your hands fan out as you try to memorize every inch of his body. He groans with approval at the touch and when you go to touch his back- you find if you go a little too far over where there is raised skin, he tenses up.

You stop and look up at him- he doesn’t seem like he is all there.

“Star, are you okay? Are you sure you want this?”

Whatever trance he is in, he seems to snap out of and he kisses you sweetly before placing his forehead against yours.

“I assure you that I want this, that area is just… it has some sensitive spots.”

“Okay,” you whisper, “I’ll be mindful of that and try to avoid them. Is it mostly in the middle of your back?”

Astarion stares down at you and for a moment, you think he might start crying. Astarion’s face looks so raw and appreciative in that moment- as if you are the first and only person to ever take the time to listen. Maybe you are. Maybe this is just as much of a fear of his as it is for you.

“It is,” he says huskily,” I- thank you.”

You beam up at him and gently cup the left side of his face with your hand. He leans into the touch and you stroke his cheek bone with his thumb.

“Of course Astarion, I want you to feel safe too.”

Astarion kisses you with a neediness that wasn’t there before. The kisses are still soft and innocent, but a bit more urgent as his hands begin to slowly roam your body. Everywhere he touches leaves you feeling like you are on fire and you find that you never want it to stop. You are intoxicated and so wrapped up in his cologne, his lips- everything. Him.

Astarion’s lips leave yours and you breathlessly look at him. He smiles down at you and slowly moves his hands up to your breasts.

“May I?”

You shyly nod in approval. Astarion slowly begins to pinch and tease your sensitive buds with his fingers- you arch your back and cover your mouth as you whimper needily at the touch. It’s embarrassing how touch starved you are. Astarion pulls your hand away from your mouth and he stares at you through hooded eyes.

“None of that, my Dear,” he commands, “I want to hear every little sound you make.”

You blush and then are quickly squirming underneath him again as he gently takes one of your nipples between his mouth, sucking, licking, and teasing it while he rolls the other between his thumb and forefinger.

You are a complete mosning mess underneath him by the time Astarion’s fingers move from your breast to your throbbing clit- earning a loud, despairing whimper from you. You need so much more- you can feel your own slick coating the inside of your thighs, weeping in anticipation.

“My, you are a very needy lover,” he chastises you as he slides a finger in,” Gods you are so wet for me already. If I had known you wanted me this badly, I would have said something a long time ago.”

“Astarion-“ you gasp as he enters another digit inside you, causing you to arch your back keening as he teases your G-spot. His other finger continues to play with your now very swollen clit and with every moan you make, he praises you. The praise alone is enough to send you over the edge.

“You are being such a good girl for me,” as he enters another finger inside.

His mouth hovers over your clit, “I’m absolutely certain the Gods sent you to ruin me.”

“You taste like the heavens,” after his tongue has been flicking inside of you in tandem with his fingers.

You come undone underneath him- your hands have made purchase in his hair, and struggle to be as gentle as possible. He groans as you gently tug him up to your mouth, kissing him, tasting yourself on his swollen lips.

“Do you want to continue Darling?” Astarion whispers as he kisses up your neck, along your jaw, and slowly nips at your earlobe.

You need him inside you and you want him to be as close to you as possible. It’s like a Dam had broken open inside you and you never want it to stop flooding.

“Fuck- Astarion,” you pant, “please continue.”

Astarion kicks of his undergarments and dips his fingers between your folds and coats his cock with your orgasm. You are speechless as you watch him slowly stroke himself, looking at you.

Astarion puts himself in between your legs and you feel him tease your entrance.

“Before I start,” he says, “you need to tell me if it’s too much and if we need to stop. You will not offend me nor hurt my feelings. We can try again another time if you want.”

“The same goes to you.”

There was that look again. Astarion grabs your bottom lip between his teeth, the neediness has certainly grown since the last statement.

You feel him begin to guide himself inside you, slowly moving until he’s bottoming out- curse words and your name leaving his lips like a prayer. You feel the tears prick your eyes at the pinching and pressure as you adjust to his size. He slowly rocks himself in and out, barely making any movement, but enough to stimulate you more.

“Are you okay?” He says with alarm, wiping your tears.

“Yes- I promise,” you say between panting whimpers, you press your ankles into his lower back to keep him there. It’s beginning to feel better and you open up through the tadpole to show him you mean it. The thoughts were probably far hornier than you meant to show him and he smirks at you.

“Cheeky pup.”

Astarion begins to make his thrusts longer as your moans became louder and more euphoric sounding. You kiss him with fervor as he pumps in and out of you, keeping a slow pace.

“You can speed up now,” you whisper between kisses, “you feel really fucking good inside of me Star.”

Astarion moans against your mouth, the kiss becoming sloppy as he teases your bottom lip between his, pulling slightly. You feel his hips begin to snap slightly harder against yours and you cry out as he begins to hit that perfect spot faster and slightly harder.

“You are so beautiful,” he says while grazing the sensitive skin on your neck, “and you feel so fucking good around my cock.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to stand any of our other companions looking at you sideways ever again.”

“Then give them a reason not to.”

That seemed to be enough for Astarion as he immediately goes to work leaving hickeys along your neck, your shoulders. You will have to ask him how he’s able to do it so gently.

Astarion’s thrusts inside you are getting sloppier and you have your hands dug in the earth as he slightly lifts you off the ground to get more leverage. You moan his name in between curse words and whimpers as another powerful orgasm rips through your body. You feel him stutter as you tighten around him and finish inside of you. Astarion’s pace moves to a slow rhythm before coming to a halt.

Vampire and half-vampire perks- the whole kid thing? Basically not even remotely possible.

Astarion lays gently on top of you, kissing your neck lazily.

“How was that, Darling?” Astarion asks as he looks into your eyes with concern and worry.

You gently grab his face with your hands and leave a chaste kiss on his lips.

“It was absolutely perfect,” you say, your brain foggy and swimming in the throes of bliss and your deep fondness of the man above you, “you are absolutely perfect.”

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

You had fallen asleep quite some time ago in Astarion’s arms. The concept of what happens after sex (normally) was quite foreign to him. Usually he was dragging people to their death after sex, but now he gets to sit and enjoy you- have you all to himself. After it had all been said and done, you had curled into one another, practically nose to nose and just talked. You caught up with each other about what the other missed over the last three days, picked the next ideal type of book to read, and how disasterous the Crèche is likely going to be considering Shadowheart is insisting on going. Lae’zel is positively miffed about it. You laugh and he asks about Minthara. You tell him about the vision she showed you, but he could tell you were holding something back. You don’t push him- he won’t push you.

You tell him about your mother- a former Lolth sorceress who didn’t align with the Spider Queen’s ideals. She was shunned by her parents when she denounced Lolth and she moved to the surface- meeting your dad. Your mother was practical and pragmatic- calculating and protective. Your father, on the other hand, was like a warm breeze on a perfect sunny day.

Astarion tells you about what little he remembers of his life as a Magistrate and his parents. You both ponder what they could possibly be doing in the world right then- pretending there is a possibility that you could find them together when this was all over- even just so he can know.

Astarion’s head is swimming with confusion. It was all very different than when Astarion had gone out hunting for Cazador.

You and him had spent at least a two and a half weeks getting to know each other extensively, spent quality time together over mutual hobbies, and you’ve even seemed to meld together as a fighting duo. You are friends- Astarion expected it to be maybe slightly different, more enjoyable than usual.

Astarion was quickly proven wrong.

This was eons different. Despite the feelings of it being tainted to some degree due to his past, it had been jaw dropping, sweet, simple, and, dare he even say it, intimate. Astarion finds that he actually craves more of you this way, but he also still wants you the way you had each other before. The shame and self-loathing are choking him. There is no way you’ll see him as something other than sex now.

Right?

Astarion honestly isn’t sure and that terrifies him. You were so kind to him tonight while you were in his arms. You respected his boundaries; you avoided that part of his body even though he didn’t tell you not to; you wanted him to feel safe with you too. You took the time to talk to him and play with his hair while he spoke about his parents, becoming a bit emotional.

Vanilla is hardly the word to describe what just happened between the two of you- it was wonderful and frightening. Astarion questions if it’s selfish to want more, to abandon his plan all together.

Astarion stares down at your sleeping face as your limbs are tangled with his. He wants to stay, but he wants to run away from you too. Except Astarion needs your protection- that’s what this was all for, wasn’t it?

That’s what compels him to leave soft kisses on your forehead and to hold you a little tighter- it’s why tears fall from Astarion’s cheeks onto the blanket beneath you when he thinks about the day you’ll end up letting him go.

#astarion acunin #baldurs gate 3 #astarion #astarion x reader #baldurs gate astarion #astarion x you #bg3 spoilers #astarion romance #astarion x tav #bg3 #karlach #astarion x gender neutral reader #astarion x gn!tav #astarion x gn! reader

[jungkookslipring]

Sunday Morning Smiles

AN: once again a ff based off of one of my dreams lol ☺️☁️

Summary: Chris wakes you up. That’s it’s that’s the tweet. 😂

Pairings: Chan x Reader 💕

Relationship: can be read as platonic or more 🫶🏽💘

You were laying in bed on your phone when there was a knock at the door. You welcomed them in as a certain blonde poked his head through the door frame. He scoffed playfully when he saw you still in bed.

“Y/n when are you gonna get uuuuuup,” Chan whined as you rolled your eyes.

“I was planning on it, I just hadn’t made a move yet, plus it's only 7,” you shrugged. He got a hold of your wrists and pulled you into a sitting position. You squeaked as he swiftly pulled your arms behind your back before jumping on top of you, your arms trapped under you and your entire midsection exposed.

“Whaaaat are you doing?” You asked suspiciously. Your question was very quickly answered when he oh so lightly started spidering away at your stomach. You giggled as the ticklish feeling took over on your exposed tummy.

“Just wanted to hear you laugh,” he said nonchalantly, trying to keep a straight face but failing listening to your cute giggles.

“By tickling mehehehe?” You managed to get out as you wiggled a little on the bed. He nodded as he pressed his fingers just a little deeper into your skin. You truly didn’t mind being tickled by him, but it’s hard for anyone's body to stand the feeling. Your giggles got louder as the light tickles turned into all 10 fingers pressing into your lower belly, clawing away at the sensitive skin.

“Channiehehehehe,” you giggled as you tried sitting up but failing to do so cause most of his body weight was in fact on top of you.

“Yes y/n?” he asked with the cheekiest smile ever, his dimples becoming more pronounced when you squealed. He wasn’t going to destroy you with rough tickles this early in the morning, the sweet giggles bubbling from your lips was enough. He went from squeezing your tummy to your sides to your ribs to your hips so swiftly it was hard to keep up, but it was enough to keep you giggly. After maybe 5 minutes of gentle tickles He finally let up and got off of you, rubbing your stomach to get rid of any ghost tickles that might still linger.

“Coffee?” he asked, offering you a hand. You accepted and you both left the room to enjoy breakfast together.

#stray kids #stray kids x stay #skz fanfic #stray kids fluff #bang chan #skz tickle #stray kids tickle #stray kids x reader #stray kids imagines #christopher bang #3racha cb97

[writing-about-current-obsessions]

Half/half (series) - Day 1

Pairings: Daniel Ricciardo x reader

Words: 5270

Summary: An unexpected turn of events forces leads the reader and her friends to spend their vacation with Daniel and his friends. 

>Click here to check out my masterlist<

I’m not dead! (yet)

Besides posting this, I am also planning to post a Pierre imagine in a couple of days, but I’m not promising anything...

This was supposed to be just a oneshot but it kinda escaped from me and now I am planning to post 7 parts, one each Sunday. As always, feedback is very much welcomed and appreciated!

Dragging my luggage up the few stairs took more out of me than it was supposed to, but then again, it was a long trip to come to this point. After waking up early, driving to the airport, flying to the island and then taking a taxi to the house, I was absolutely exhausted. But, it was all worth it, because when the taxi was pulling up in front of the house, I was left absolutely speechless. I quickly paid the driver and he left me in the driveway with my luggage. The sun was shining and it was warm, but the air felt clear and refreshing. I closed my eyes and marvelled at how warm I felt, with the slight breeze tickling my skin and cooling me down slightly. I could smell the salt in the air and even without hearing the waves crashing against the shore, I would've known straight away that I was close to the sea.

It took me a few moments to search for the six-digit passcode I got through the e-mail from the agency and enter it into the keypad by the front doors, allowing me to enter into a slice of paradise that I will spend my week in.

The first thing I did after leaving my luggage in the living room was to get out onto the balcony. The modern three-story house was situated on a hillside, with a spectacular view of the beach below and the seemingly never-ending sea stretching far away in front of me, with also a mountain range in the distance, along the coast on my left. On the huge terrace below me, there was a beautiful infinity pool, with lounge chairs surrounding it, as well as a covered sitting area on the other side of it, with a barbecue and a large dining table with cosy chairs. Above me, there was another balcony and presumably the floor where the bedrooms are.

The pool looked inviting, especially after such a long trip. Since my friends won't be coming until late this evening, I decided a dip in the pool would be the best decision right now. Digging out my swimsuit from my suitcase and quickly changing into it, I was excited to jump into the water. There were beach towels on the lounge chairs, so I didn't have to worry about that. Just a few strokes in the cool water were enough for me to relax completely, revelling in the peace and quiet. As a matter of fact, it seemed like we won't have any close neighbours because I didn't see any houses around nor hear anyone. This was enough to encourage me to ditch the top of my bikini. I untied it and threw it out of the pool, the wet material plopping down on the tiles.

It was liberating and beyond calming to have a few hours to myself, especially in this gorgeous house with a pool. After tiring myself in the warm water, I decided to sunbathe a little, laying down in one of the lounge chairs with a heavy exhale. I would have even fallen asleep if I didn't hear one of the doors opening. I forced my eyes open, peeking out towards the terrace doors. There was no one there.

My mind must've been playing tricks on me. There was no way that Cara or Eleanor would be coming this soon. Their plane probably didn't even take off yet.

But then, I heard someone clear their throat and I frantically looked around, trying to figure out where the sound was coming from.

“If this is some kind of a welcome thing, I appreciate it, but…”, I heard a male voice above me and then looked up towards the balcony.

When I saw a man standing there, grinning down at me, I immediately yelped and covered up my breasts with my hands. My first instinct was to look where the top of my bikini was, which was completely useless because there was no way I could put it back on without exposing myself again. So, I kept the palms of my hands over my bare boobs, hoping I was covering up as much as my bikini would.

“…it’s a bit unexpected.”, he finished his sentence. “I appreciate it, though. Very much.”

I looked up at him again, finding his voice very familiar. And then I realized who he was. I gaped at him, my mouth opening and closing a few times while searching for words to say. Brown, curly hair, sunglasses covering his eyes, but the most recognizable feature of his face was definitely that huge smile.

“What the…”, I furrowed my eyebrows, still staring at him like a crazy person, while he was only smiling back and waiting for me to say something.

“Are you…”, I started again, sitting up in the lounge chair, but it was like my mind stopped working.

I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. Did somebody drug me? Was I sleeping?

"Daniel Ricciardo?", was the only thing that managed to get out of my mouth in one breath.

"That's me.", he smiled. "I presume you're the owner or someone from the agency? Did you forget that you had guests today?"

This made me confused even more, which I didn’t think was possible.

“What are you talking about?” I huffed. “I rented this place.”

He chuckled. “Not the best joke I’ve heard, but you’re pretty, so I’ll ignore it.”

I only stared back at him with a frown. I was tempted to pinch myself, but my hands were still covering as much of my front as possible.

“Can you turn around?” I sighed.

“I’ll give you a minute and then come down.”, he nodded, disappearing into the house.

I was lightning-fast in getting up, grabbing my bikini top and tying it back on, and then also grabbing a towel from the lounge chair to cover myself up. It was embarrassing enough to flash a complete stranger, but I somehow managed to flash… Daniel Ricciardo?

I was seriously debating my sanity now.

But, I didn’t have long to think about it, because Daniel was opening the doors to the terrace and getting out slowly, with one of his hands covering his eyes.

If this whole situation wasn’t weird and completely bewildering, I would’ve laughed.

“You’ve already seen me almost naked, so I think that’s a bit pointless now.”, I said, feeling my cheeks burning.

It was a good thing I was still in shock and trying to figure out what was happening because otherwise, I would've been so much more embarrassed.

He removed his hand from his face and looked at me. “And I will cherish that memory forever.”

He was teasing, smiling wide and even winking at me for good measure.

I didn’t know whether to blush or scoff at him, so I decided instead to hide my face in the towel and whimper in despair. “Oh, God. This isn’t happening.”

“So, since you already know who I am, can you tell me who are you?”

I peeked over the towel. It was Ricciardo alright; his trademark smile was hard to mistake for someone else’s. He also took off his sunglasses and I could look into his eyes as I introduced myself.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “Don’t mean to be rude, but just because I’m a fan doesn’t mean I’ll forgive breaking-and-entering.”

"Breaking-and-entering?" he furrowed his eyebrows. "I entered the passcode that your agency sent me!"

"My agency?" I questioned. "I entered with a passcode too, which was sent to me because I rented this place!"

“No, I rented this place.”, Daniel spoke slowly, like I was dumb.

“No.”, I answered sternly. “I rented this place.”

“Show me the confirmation of your reservation.”, he reasoned.

“I will.”, I started walking towards the living room, leaving him behind me. “And you’re going to show me yours.”

After we both found our reservations and realized they were made for the same dates, we realized that neither of us was wrong. We both rented this place.

Daniel stopped with the teasing long enough to call the agency while I went to put on some clothes. I couldn’t believe that my vacation started so perfectly, only to be ruined by a silly mistake that wasn’t even my fault.

Was I happy to see one of my favourite Formula 1 drivers? Absolutely yes.

Did I want to spend my vacation with him? Absolutely not.

This was supposed to be a vacation with my friends, our last trip together before Cara gets married. This week was supposed to be filled with fun beach activities and a lot of alcohol, as well as bad decisions and memories we will cherish forever and look back on with a laugh twenty years from now. But, before we all even managed to come here, it already started off bad.

While I was changing into some sweatpants and a top, I already imagined how this whole thing was going to go; Daniel would use his money or his status, probably even his charm if the other person on the line was a female, and get us kicked out of the house. Then, we will need to search for somewhere else to stay and will probably end up in one of the dingy hotels, surrounded by old people and families in the pool and the communal beach. I will end up going home more irritated than before going on this vacation and all of this would be for nothing.

They say that it's best not to meet your heroes and that famous saying was starting to feel very accurate because I already hated Daniel for ruining my vacation with my best friends.

I got out of the bathroom fully clothed and ready to fight.

He was just hanging up the phone when I came in, glancing up at me without a smile on his face.

“Sooo…”, he sighed, looking at me. “Do you want the good news first or the bad news?”

“Bad news, obviously.”

“Kinda figured you would say that.”, he smirked.

“Just spill it.”, I rolled my eyes at him.

“The agency fucked it up. The reservations apparently came at the same time and they didn’t realize it. They said that they are overwhelmed with work and that they have everything booked. Which means that they can’t offer either of us another place to stay.”

I sighed heavily. I could already see where this was going,

“The good news is…”, he smiled wide, continuing. “They will give us a full refund and they advised us to share the place.”

“Why would we share it?” I asked like it was the stupidest idea in the world.

“They said the closest hotels that apparently have available rooms are on the other side of the island.”, he raised his eyebrow at me, as if challenging me to take that offer.

“I’m not leaving this place. I paid for it, reserved it and I will not go to a hotel just because you’re you and can pull some strings to kick my friends and me out of here.”, I got worked up and defensive, even raising my voice a little bit.

He scoffed. “I didn’t pull any strings. You have the right to half of this place if you want, for free.”

I thought about it, my anger bubbling up. “This is a disaster.”

I walked out onto the terrace, needing some fresh air.

“Oh, come on.”, I could hear Daniel following me, which just made me more pissed off.

I thought about trying to find somewhere else to stay, but currently, that was a logistical nightmare. Cara and Eleanor weren't even here yet, so moving tonight was definitely out of the question.

“How many of you are there?” I asked tentatively, thinking if this thing would somehow be possible.

There was no way in hell I would search for another accommodation now and move out, losing valuable time and starting off my vacation with added stress.

“Three.”, Daniel answered.

I winced. I had yet to see the bedrooms, but if I remember correctly there were only three with double beds.

“I can hear you thinking.”, he chuckled, staring at me. “How many of your friends?”

“Two are coming tonight.”

“So, there’s six of us in total.”

“Wow. Athletic and smart.”, I joked sarcastically. “Who would’ve thought?”

“I’m full of surprises, believe me.”, he smiled proudly, making me chuckle.

“We can make this work.”, Daniel assured me.

Apparently, he was a huge optimist in real life too, because I was not so sure that this was the best idea.

“What’s that face you’re making?” he narrowed his eyes at me. “You look like you’re smelling poo.”

“I am smelling poo. Because, this is a shit idea and a shit situation.”, I sighed.

“That was a lame joke.”, he said, nonetheless laughing a bit.

I shook my head at him and went back inside, wanting to take a look at the bedrooms and figure this out. I sent a text to the group chat, only letting them know that I arrived and was waiting for them at the house, omitting everything else. I will explain everything when they get here. There was no sense in making them freak out before even coming here. I threw my phone on the bed and left it in the bedroom, taking also my luggage from the living room and leaving it near the bed.

I had no more strength in me to deal with this situation, so I went back to the terrace to relax in one of the lounge chairs. These will probably be my last moments of peace before the house is going to be swarmed with both Daniel’s and my friends.

Just when I started to relax again, I heard Daniel calling out my name from the inside of the house. I groaned, turning to look at him.

He was grinning while leaning against the terrace doors, seemingly enjoying the fact he made me annoyed.

“I’m going grocery shopping. Wanna join?” he had a bright smile on his face and I wondered if anything could put him in a bad mood.

“Yeah.”, I sighed, not really wanting to go but knowing that I had to.

Otherwise, my friends and I would starve, since the house was empty and my friends were arriving late.

“Don’t sound so enthusiastic.”, Daniel teased as I got up.

I only huffed at him as I passed him, going upstairs to grab my bag and then hurrying back down. My hair was still sort of wet, but I really didn’t care, only putting on my Vans back on so we can go and get this over with.

I followed Daniel outside, wanting to ask him if he already called the taxi, before my eyes landed on a sleek black Porsche SUV in the driveway. Of course.

“No McLaren?” I snorted at my own joke.

“Not the best choice for the roads on the island.”, he smiled, pressing his key to which the car happily chimed.

Daniel opened the doors for me.

“What a gentleman.”, I deadpanned, to which he only laughed, hurrying to the other side after closing my car door.

My mind was scrambled at this point; I couldn't believe that Daniel was sitting in the driver's seat next to me, taking me to go grocery shopping with him. It was seemingly such a mundane situation, but I felt silly even thinking about how this vacation would go if we stayed with Daniel and his friends. The first thing that popped into my head was how different our lives are and how maybe it was better if I never had met him in person. I truly believed that I will be disappointed about having the chance to get to know him more, one way or the other.

“You have that I-smell-poo face expression again.”, he piped up, grinning.

I glanced at him and we locked eyes for a second.

“I’m thinking how much of a disaster this holiday is going to be.”

“Are you always such a pessimist?” he asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

“I’m a realist.”, I corrected. “We’re two groups of very different people who probably came on vacation wanting to do different things. And now we’re stuck in a house together, which doesn’t even have enough rooms for us all.”

“The agency said the house is for six people.”

“Yes, probably for three couples, because there are three double beds in three rooms.”

There was a beat of silence, just the music playing in the background as Daniel thought about it. “We can just split the rooms half-half. We’re already splitting the house.”

“How exactly would we split the three bedrooms in half?”

“We’ll figure it out when the rest of the bunch arrive.”, Daniel smiled, glancing at me. “Don’t worry so much.”

“This was supposed to be a perfect bachelorette trip…”, I mumbled, sinking into my comfy seat. “And now it’s ruined.”

“You’re getting married?” he frowned and I laughed.

“No.”, I answered. “My friend Cara is.”

“Good. Then we can share a room together.”, he teased, looking briefly at me and winking.

“Yeah, no.”, I shook my head at him.

"Boyfriend?" he asked almost tentatively.

"I don't have a boyfriend, no."

He smiled brightly, staring at the road ahead while I watched his reaction carefully. "Good to know."

I couldn't help but blush a little, wondering if this was only Daniel who was joking or if he was actually flirting. Then I caught myself smiling like an idiot and looked away through the window at the passing scenery. I couldn't even enjoy the wonderful sights of the island fully, because I kept thinking about him and how it was both incredible and horrible that I was in a car with Daniel Ricciardo.

If I never met him, I would’ve lived in ignorance, imagining him as this perfect person who I rooted for while watching every race, this awesome human being that no one else can compare to. Now that I actually have the opportunity to get to know him just a tad better in this one week, there are two possible outcomes as a result of that. The first being is that I would realize that he sucks and is a stuck-up celebrity or an egoistic man-whore, which will ruin everything that I previously imagined about him and make me wish I never met him in person. Second, which is more probable, is that I am going to absolutely adore his character and realize that he is a good person, which will make me attached to him and then I will be hurt after this one week when we never see each other again.

I was getting ahead of myself, I realized that immediately. But still, I couldn't help imagining what would happen. And this was precisely one of the reasons why I wanted to escape here, even just for a bit.

I simply wanted one week with my best friends; a week of drinking and having fun, without thinking about any of my life's problems and maybe even better, without thinking at all. Now, I am already overthinking about sharing a house with three men we don't know, one of who is my biggest celebrity crush. My friends even sometimes refer to him as my 'future husband', which is a horrifying thought, because now I am also worried about one of my friends getting drunk and blurting it out to him.

I exhaled heavily, like the whole weight of the world was on my shoulders.

"Oh, come on. It's not that bad.", Daniel obviously noticed my mood getting even more sour and nudged me softly with his hand. "I thought when you recognized me you would be a die-hard fan, but you couldn't be more miserable about the fact you're stuck in a car with me."

I turned to him, a smile forming on my lips. “I’m sorry to disappoint if you were expecting one of your groupies, but I will not beg you to take a selfie with me.”

He snorted. “Maybe I can make you beg for something else.”

Daniel glanced at me to assess my reaction and I only burst into laughter. He started laughing along with me.

“You’re coming off too strong, Ricciardo.”, I teased back.

“You don’t like that?” he smirked and then turned his head briefly to look at me.

“Not really.”, I shrugged, hoping that he will not notice that I’m lying through my teeth and that his flirting actually feels incredibly flattering.

“What do you like then?” he asked, this time not removing his eyes from the road.

It still felt like he was joking, but also partially serious. It was hard to tell.

“I like men who give up their half of the vacation house.”, I tried, not really sure if the joke was going to land well, but Daniel laughed genuinely.

“Nice try.”, he was grinning.

We fell into a comfortable silence for the rest of the ride and I couldn’t help but keep staring at him, even now when we weren’t having a conversation anymore.

I compared the real him to the numerous times I’ve seen him on the TV or on my phone, as well as from a distance at the couple of races I attended throughout the last couple of years. He was entirely the same. The same messy, chocolate-brown curls to match his eyes, a slight stubble, and a gorgeous smile that outshines the sun. He was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of shorts that were from his newest line of merch, which I knew, because I had the same pieces of clothing in my suitcase. He was a tad taller than I expected, but I was more than familiar with his athletic build and the way his body looked, at least up to a certain point.

“Take a picture, it will last longer.”, he commented, taking a quick look at me.

“Shut up.”, I rolled my eyes at him and looked through the window, hoping that he won’t notice me blushing.

I couldn’t help it. No matter how much I didn’t like this situation we found ourselves in, it was impossible to ignore how charming he was and how genuinely nice he seemed.

When we arrived at the supermarket, we split ways to shop for everything we needed, occasionally bumping into each other in the different aisles. Every single time we would come across each other, he would make a dumb joke or wink at me, which would probably be obnoxious if anyone else did it, but Daniel’s silliness made me laugh every single time without fail.

It was night when we returned and as soon as Daniel pulled up with the car in front of the house, the headlights shone on four people standing in front of the front doors, discussing something very heatedly. I recognized Cara and Eleanor as I got out of the car, just because Cara was yelling at a man who I assumed to be Michael.

“You’ve been on this island for maybe half an hour and you already pissed someone off?” Daniel asked his friend, laughing.

Cara shut up momentarily, looking at Daniel and then at me. The confusion and shock were evident on her face.

“Let’s just get inside and we’ll explain everything, okay?” I looked at the four people in front of me and then at Daniel, who nodded, agreeing with me.

We silently got inside and I greeted Cara and Eleanor first, hugging them both tightly. Eleanor mumbled something about Daniel Ricciardo in my ear, with uncontrolled excitement in her voice, but I decided to ignore it for now. Then Michael introduced himself to me, followed by Daniel’s other friend, William. I noticed William was also Australian and seemed as nice as Daniel and Michael, at least based on my first impressions of them. I introduced myself with a smile, shaking first Michael’s and then William’s hand.

“She’s much nicer to you guys than she was towards me.”, Daniel remarked, looking from his friends back to me.

“I wonder why.”, I glared at him, referring silently to our introduction a few hours ago, when he saw me half-naked.

I caught Michael looking at Daniel with a questioning look, but Daniel only shrugged it off with a chuckle.

“Can somebody explain what’s going on?” Cara asked, looking at me.

I sighed. “I’m gonna get the alcohol from the car first and then I’ll explain everything.”

Only after we all had a stiff drink in our hands, Daniel and I started to explain the situation we found ourselves in. My friends reacted much better than I did, while Daniel’s friends didn’t seem too angry about it either. I don’t know if it was due to exhaustion or optimism, but they all accepted our fate pretty quick.

“What about the rooms?” Cara asked, looking at both of us.

I shrugged, taking a sip of my gin-tonic. “We didn’t really plan that far.”

“We should play a game to decide which one of you will need to share a room with one of us.”, Eleanor suggested. “Like beer pong or something.”

“That’s a great idea.”, William piped up.

“We’re not playing anything sports related, for obvious reasons.”, I glanced from Daniel to Michael, getting up from the couch to pour myself another drink.

The living room and the kitchen were open-plan, so I only had to walk to the other side of the enormous space to get to the fridge and pour myself another glass, leaving the chatter behind me.

“Why not?” Daniel followed me, directing this question only to me as he left the rest of the group sitting down and debating what to do.

“You’re a professional athlete, it’s simply not fair.”, I shrugged, stating the obvious, while getting some ice from the freezer.

“If you’re trying to butter me up by flattering me…”, he started, making me turn around and face him just in time to see him checking me out. “It’s working. Keep going.”

I snorted at him. "It's not flattery, Danny."

Just to tease him back, I leaned over the kitchen island, which meant that we were both now on one side of it, facing each other only inches apart. His eyes ventured quickly down again and then up to my face, assuring me that he just looked at my cleavage without doing much to hide it.

"I'm stating the facts.", I said, smiling sweetly. "I never said you were an amazing athlete."

“But, you’re a fan. You admitted it.”, he smirked proudly.

“Never said you’re my favourite.”, I bit my lip to keep from laughing at his shocked face.

“That one hurt, I have to say.”, he joked, feigning being upset.

“You’ll get over it.”, I moved away, not being able to handle being this close to him for extended periods, because I felt like my heart will beat out of my chest.

I took my drink and then found a piece of paper and a pen, returning to my spot in the living room to sit beside Eleanor. Daniel was back too, sitting opposite me, but I tried not to look his way too much. Cara and William were still throwing ideas around, wondering which games to play in order to decide who will need to share a room.

“Is beer pong really sports-related?” I heard Eleanor question and I chuckled, shrugging.

“I think I have a way of making this decision as fair as possible.”, I joined in the conversation, sharing what I wanted to do. “Why don’t we make it about pure luck?”

I explained what I meant and after democratically deciding that my idea would be the best and easiest course of action, I started to rip the paper into small pieces. When I had three, I wrote ‘sharing a bedroom’ on one of those, leaving the rest empty. The little papers were crumpled and put into a mug.

At this point, everyone was in a cheerful mood despite everything, joking and laughing as if we were a group of friends who have known each other for much more than a few hours. There were drinks involved, so it was much easier, but it was then when I first got the feeling that maybe everything will turn out fine. Probably I overreacted and made a bigger deal out of this mix-up than I should’ve, because everyone seemed to get along great, judging by the loud cheers that brought me out of my thoughts and back into reality.

Cara had been given the honours of shaking the mug and taking the first piece of paper, exclaiming happily when she realized she was safe. The idea was that we would choose first, deciding which one of us will have to share the room, and then the guys would do the same. Which meant that either Eleanor or I would have to share with one of the guys. Cara gave the mug to Eleanor who was sitting beside her. El refused to choose, claiming she had bad luck and pushing the mug into my hands. I downed the rest of my drink, earning a few cheers from the group and then chose one of the two remaining papers. There was a moment of silence as I unwrapped it, staring at the words scribbled in my handwriting.

“Fuck.”, was all I said, collapsing back into the couch, everyone around me whooping and laughing at my reaction.

Eleanor celebrated her decision of leaving the choice to me, once again commenting on her bad luck, which apparently was not as terrible as mine was.

While I went to grab some water, the guys prepared the papers again. Only a few minutes ago I was starting to feel optimistic about this trip while now I felt like I was back in elementary school, getting stuck sitting with a random guy while my best friend was on the opposite side of the classroom.

Returning with the water and sitting back down on the couch, I realized William was safe, while now it was a battle between Michael and Daniel. It was as if time slowed down when the mug was passed to Daniel, who winked at me with a grin as he randomly pulled out a paper from the mug. Everyone was watching him in suspense as he was straightening out the crumpled piece of paper, looking at it for a second but not saying anything.

Daniel looked straight at me, a huge smile splitting across his face. “This is rigged!”

The group hooted and clapped, all kinds of jokes immediately starting to be thrown around. Daniel only wiggled his eyebrows at me suggestively as he did a few hours ago, teasing me once again. I shook my head at him, as if scolding a small child, which was not that far away from the truth, but I still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. If I did have to share a room, I was kinda glad it was Daniel I had to share it with, although I will never admit that to him.

“I need another drink.”, I joked, getting up once again to replace my water with gin.

“This is going to be interesting.”, Cara smiled wickedly which earned her a glare from me.

“It looks like we’re sharing a room after all.”, Daniel beamed at me, making me sigh, only then realizing how harder this whole vacation thing is going to be.

Half/half - Day 2

#daniel ricciardo imagine #daniel ricciardo one shot #daniel ricciardo x reader #daniel ricciardo fanfic #daniel ricciardo x you #daniel ricciardo x ofc #daniel ricciardo fluff #daniel ricciardo series #dr3 imagine #dr3 x reader #dr3 oneshot #dr3 x ofc #f1 imagine #f1 fluff #f1 fanfic #f1 one shot

[pearlywritings]

Token of appreciation event

I deeply appreciate all the love and support my followers show me, so this event I decided to dedicate to this feeling. And nothing, in my opinion, could help me better than the amazing manga “Veil”. I highly recommend it for reading and, using some of the citations, do not claim any of its contents - all rights belong to the author.

Masterlist

Rules:

character x fem!reader. Plus please remember that I prefer writing human x human, immortal x immortal etc.

1 character if you want a ~1k words drabble and up to 3 characters if you want snippets.

1-2 prompts per request (2 prompts are only for 1 character cases).

It can be written either in a canon setting or in a modern one

smut, angst, fluff - anything

will be written with the established relationship in mind, so please state specifically if you imply another kind of relationship, or you can specify, if you want the characters to be married or still dating.

you CAN change some words within the prompt. But if you send only a number - I am following the original one.

Characters I can or can try to write about: 

Albedo, Alhaitham, Capitano, Childe, Crepus, Dainsleif, Diluc, Kaeya, Ayato, Kaveh, Lyney, Neuvillette, Pierro, Thoma, Tighnari, Wriothesley, Zhongli; Blade, Gepard, Jing Yuan, Loucha, Sampo.

Your request, if ALL things are considered, will look something like this:

Character’s name(s), prompt(s) in number or in text if it’s altered, canon/modern setting, genre, relationship status (optional) + you can add some details that I am free to both utilize or decline.

But it also can be shorter if you want to give me more freedom!

I hope we all will have fun during this event ^^

Prompts:

1)

- You can’t go a minute without me, can you?

- No, i can’t go a minute without you

2) 

- …Sometimes it's hard to tell whether you're serious or just joking.

- That's actually my special skill.

3) 

- How is it?

- Really good.

- My word, is that the only thing you can say?

- It really is beautiful. Ah… with those rosy cheeks, it's stunning. Madam…

- Puh! Surely, you jest.

4) 

- What will we be doing today?

- I have an idea - sleep in.

5)

- Did we have something planned today?

- No, nothing. In fact… let's think about it in bed.

6) 

- By the way… If I like dressing up so much, it's only your fault!

7)

- Well, well… You shouldn't stay like that, a thousand steps away from me. Stay close to me, alright?

8)

- Your boots make a very strong and imposing sound.

- My boots are honored to be admired, however they also recommend you not to stray too far.

9)

- You don't say "enter!" without at least putting a bathrobe on. Or anything at all!

- I didn't want to keep you waiting.

10)

- Oh… you mean you'll write your name? On me? Oh you!

11)

- Say give me your hand? Hm… I see.

- What's going on?

- Apparently the size of your hand is the same size as your heart.

12)

- You know I like the face you make when you smell something you like.

- I'll start charging an exhibit fee then…

13)

- Are you trying to tell me I should carry you to bed?

- My room is soooo far away, at least twenty steps from here… I'm afraid you won't be able to carry me that far?

- My room is right here.

14)

- I dreamt I was touching your hair.

- How was it?

- Well… I forgot…

- Oh, the thing is… I don't let just anyone touch my hair.

15)

- Helloooooo?

- It's so nice of you to wake me up before my alarm does…

- Your alarm has the right to rest on Sundays. At least I think so…

16)

- You… You are not going to ask me how I think you look?

- What do you think?

- You're oh so handsome.

17)

- I'm often told I have a mean glare…

- Definitely not. Anywho says that has never truly looked at you.

18)

- The razor is sharp. 

- They are made to be dangerous. But I know I don't need anything sharp to make a braid.

- You'd like to braid my hair? I can show you!

19)

- I am wondering what could be so distracting that you couldn't hear my voice anymore.

- Your hands.

20)

- It… it's the first time I've heard them described that way.

- It's the first time I used such words too.

21)

- …and above all, do not let go… For any reason, understood?

- If you tell me this one more time, I will let go.

22)

- I'm being serious right here!

- If you are so worried about it, just handcuff me to you!

23)

- Ah! Your shoelace is undone! On the left…

- I can tie it on my own!

- Well… Too late, I already did it.

24)

- I'm the one keeping a spare key to your place?

- Of course. What am I supposed to do with it? I already have one.

25)

- Saying my hair looks like glass, and my hands are flowers… how romantic you are. Or are they just words from the book?

- Only if I were to write them down.

26)

- That free cigarette looks so inviting.

- Nuh-uh!

- Ooh, so scary. Is that your last one?

- There's lipstick on it… I'll have her smoke it…

27)

- Is your bed cramped when we sleep together?

- It is. In the good way.

#pearlywritings appreciation event #milestone event #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #honkai star rail #honkai star rail x reader #hsr x reader

[aesterblaster]

There Must Be Something In The Air

WC! Kunigami x reader

tropes: angst. just angst, what's thought to be unrequited love

summary: After being let out of blue lock Kunigami finds it hard to stop surpressing his feelings // this is based on a horror prompt for spooky month that was just "lung" enjoy!

songs: It's All A Game / Quadeca , Like Real People Do / Hozier , Pity Party / Melanie Martinez

Rensuke's heart was pounding, his legs pumping hard as he glanced down at his watch trying to best his previous run's time. Recently, he'd decided to amp his milage to 9 instead of just 8. It was the only way he could get his mind off of Blue Lock and that stupid training was engrained in him at this point. Even though he had gotten back to himself for the most part, he'd never stop craving that high that scoring a goal gave him or a long run.

His body was used to the various aches and pains that came with being an athlete.. But what was really hurting recently were his lungs. He wasn't sure why, but each breath felt as if it pushed thorns deeper into his rip cage. Kunigami didn't have asthma and his doctor didn't see anything wrong with him during his physical exam. In fact, he was in peak condition. So why the hell was he bent over right now, letting that group of kids in "body improvement club" t-shirts that was behind him the whole way overtake him?

He checked his watch once more to see that it had been 4.2 miles. That was good enough right? Not for him. Kunigami was a very, very motivated person and he'd be damned if he didn't reach 4.5 and then 9. So he began running again, ignoring the increasing amount of pain and the way his legs began to feel weak. Eventually the orange haired runner hit his goal, then he turned around and boom, his vision went blurry.

"Fuck, not again." He took out his phone and began to call you. Of course he called you, even though his finger hesitated over the call button. You were the only person who didn't completely abandon him when he came out of Blue Lock. He was a wreck. Brash, egotistical, an animal beaten out of their race looking to bite anyone who came near him. But somehow you still would always text him those weird fucking memes that broke him out of his spirals.

He hoped you picked up.

---

You groggily woke up to the sound of your ringtone. It was 7 am on a Sunday, who the fuck was up this early? You picked up your phone and blinked away sleep. If you were reading this right, it was Kunigami Rensuke, your long time crush. Reading his name made your breath catch in your chest, and not in a cute way. You coughed a few times before answering. "Yes?"

"Uh, can you come pick me up? I'm like a few minutes away from your house."

"Jeez, why don't you just run over here if you're so gung ho about waking up at 6?" There was a long pause and you could tell you upset him. Something must be seriously wrong for Mr. I Can Do It Alone to ask to be picked up. "Alright, I'm getting dressed."

"...Thanks. Oh and (Y/N) do you think I've been overdoing it? Seriously." You ruminated on the sentence for a while. You were overcome with joy at the fact that he felt vulnurable enough to ask you something like that, but at the same time you couldn't say he had been. Kunigami'd even been taking extra care of his shoulder lately and not doing any reps for around a week now.

"N-No? But we all have bad days I'll come and get you just hang on." you hummed before hanging up. You hoped he didn't do something crazy today and shuddered remembering how he looked during those Blue Lock Live! games. Sure he was more buff back then but something about him back then was so wild, so different from the sweet, hero-loving, goofball you knew. At least when he got back he responded better to your advice and concern than anyone else's. Even if he was still bitter about some of his other teammates reciving way more fame and publicity...It made you wonder if he felt something for you other than friendship.

No, of course he didn't. He was Rensuke, you'd never heard him express those types of feelings towards anyone. Growing up he'd bash his friends who were always worried about girls or dating and turned down countless advances. That type of stuff just wasn't for him, wouldn't fit in his brain next to all his ideals. Your chest hurt again at this harsh reminder, this time worse, like someone squeezed the air out of you with a compressor.

Just grab your car keys and go pick him up, you thought to yourself, fighting through the intense pain.

---

Kunigami was leaning against a tree now, trying to look busy on his phone. But honestly, he was just reading texts from you, looking at photos of you two together. He felt like he needed to tell you so fucking desperately just how much he loved you. But at the same time the thought of scaring away the only friend he had made his skin crawl.

Kunigami quickly hid his device in his pocket as he saw your car pull up to the sidewalk. "Get in!" He was partially shocked you even came. As soon as he sat down next to you in the passengers seat the spots in his vision got worse. He was beginning to think you were somehow the cause. That you'd given him some sort of supernaturally persistant anxiety not even his therapist could get rid of. He wheezed, hard. Bits of blood appeared on the sleeve he leaned into and he could do was quickly wipe it off.

"You've been coughing and junk too, huh? I think something might be going around.." you said, but he only nodded. Rolling down the window to try and get some fresh air. He couldn't look at you, even tired and freshly woken up you glowed in the early morning light, you were breathtaking. His lungs burned almost as hotly as his cheeks. At this point Kunigami was sure he'd die or his lungs would explode or something, all because of his best friend.

#kunigami rensuke #kunigami x reader #blue lock #bllk #blue lock fanfic #uGueyurihuojie

[taomyou]

The Romance of Reimbursements - Chapter 22

Pairing: Levi Ackerman x Reader Status: COMPLETED Summary: There’s a guy you see every Friday on bus 143, and you think he’s pretty hot. It wouldn’t hurt to tell your best friend about him, would it? or, you and Levi take the same bus home from work every Friday, and you fall in love slowly, clumsily, and with all the time in the world to fold as many paper stars as your heart desires. Word Count: 15.7k Tags: slow burn, friends to lovers, modern au, office au, fluff, romance, meet-cute, matchmaking (A/N: this fic is entirely available on ao3 here if you would like to read it there instead!) Chapter Navigation Accompanying Playlist

factors of 143

Day 1

You’ve never bothered to set your alarm to ring on weekends before.

Sure, you’ll set one if you’re going out with Hange for breakfast or if someone’s coming over to the apartment early, but even then, everyone’s pretty understanding of the fact that you just… don’t want to get up any earlier than you have to.

It’s never really been an issue for you to sleep in on weekends, especially in these last couple years where you’ve just needed more time to yourself.

And of course, you know that you have to wake up at some point, so it’s not like you’re totally unaware of just how much time passes when you’re asleep.

But really, it’s in spite of yourself that you wake up at damn near the crack of dawn, stretching out your arms and legs.

You blink a few times to fully get yourself awake, and you roll over onto your stomach to start feeling around your bed for your phone. When you find it, you smile to yourself before going to turn it on.

You’re especially smiley today because it’s the first day of you being with Levi, and even though there’s plenty of other logistics to worry about later, you can’t help but hold this new feeling close to your heart.

Even though the date itself is ultimately unimportant, your date with Levi later today is enough for you to care that it’s the 25th of June.

Just calling it a date makes you excited.

Well, you’re not entirely sure if it’s a date, but hanging out with your boyfriend is just about as close as you can get to going on a date, right?

Today’s a Sunday, though, so there isn’t much to really do besides that.

Not that your date with him won’t occupy an entire day’s worth of thoughts.

Regardless, you still have to ask to make sure you’re both on the same page for the day, so after you get over the still-there euphoria of simply adding something to his contact name on your phone, you open the messages app to text him and ask what time he’ll be coming over.

Before you can get to your keyboard, though, you see the three dots appear at the bottom of your screen before a message comes through from his end.

Levi 🌙 – 7:37 AM

If you’re okay with me making plans, I’ll come over to pick you up at 5

You slam your phone down on your bed and squeal, kicking your feet with an idiotic smile on your face. You bury your face into your pillows, still too shy to even admit to yourself how happy you are, but you can’t help it.

If you’re okay with him making plans?

Of course you’re okay with him making plans.

More than okay, your heart soars at the mere implication that he’s going to plan something for the both of you.

The both of you. As a couple. As boyfriend and girlfriend. As lovers.

Long gone will be the days of everyone else setting you up with Levi, and even though you previously mourned the loss of coincidence and fate that originally brought the two of you closer together, you think you like this better.

Where you both know what you want. Where you won’t leave things up for the universe to decide.

There’s no more questioning of whether or not he wants to spend time with you. Of whether or not he wants to keep up with the frequent exchanges of affection between the two of you.

Of whether or not you love each other.

You pick up your phone again, and you roll over onto your back to look up at the screen again to make sure you’re not dreaming.

You still see the words there so you know you aren’t, but you might as well be.

You - 7:45 AM

i’ll see you at 5 then ^^ any dress code?

The three dots appear again, and you laugh when his next message comes through.

Levi 🌙  – 7:45 AM

I don’t care, you look beautiful in everything

You roll over onto your stomach again so you can kick your feet comfortably again, cheering all the while.

You bring your free hand up to your cheek to feel the red that’s for-sure there, and all of a sudden, you’re brought back to the memories of last night where his hand gently cradled the same spot, then later his own cheek as he stood lovestruck on your front step. 

Your joy is broken with another beep, but you really don’t mind it because the glow in your chest is only fanned brighter with the texts that come in.

Levi 🌙 - 7:48 AM

But why the fuck are you awake so early? Go back to sleep right fucking now

God, you really never thought you’d think something so crass could be so sweet, but it really is so sweet.

You take a screenshot of the message to remember the words for later, not that you think you could ever forget something so adorable.

You – 7:46 AM

as if you aren’t also awake right now www why’re you up?

Levi 🌙 - 7:47 AM

I asked first

You - 7:48 AM

no reason

You smile again, bringing your phone to your heart.

It still certainly hasn’t hit you completely that you’re actually dating Levi, but the fact of the matter is that even your subconscious can’t contain the excitement in your soul at the simple thought that you actually are together with someone you love so dearly.

That definitely is why you’re so excited to be up and awake.

You bring your phone back into view when you hear another beep.

Levi 🌙 - 7:50 AM

Okay, sure I need to go now, but I’ll see you later?

You - 7:51 AM

yep! see you later <3

You stare at the messages exchanged between you and Levi for what feels like an eternity before you finally concede and put your phone down to get out of bed and brush your teeth, knowing that you would very well lose track of time just thinking about Levi otherwise.

You finish with your business in the bathroom quickly enough, your heart still stuck in your throat, and you head out into your kitchen to get something to eat.

When you open your fridge, you’re met again with all the wondrous groceries Hange gifted you (most likely for your promotion), and you roll your eyes as you take out some ingredients for breakfast. You still take mental note to thank them when you pass by their apartment unit after Levi comes to pick you up later.

You hum to yourself as you get everything prepared, stuck in your own little world as you now reminisce on the joys of last night’s party with your friends.

You’re careful to not think about anything too deeply while you’re pouring the hot water from your kettle into your teapot, and you’re even more careful to prepare your midsummer raspberry tea the same way Levi did.

On your table still sits the celebratory gift basket Mikasa and Petra arranged for you last night, so after you finish getting situated for breakfast, you idly untape the cellophane wrapping around it while your food and tea cools down.

Those wristbands that your coworker gifted you were tucked into one of the gaps of the wrapping, so you’re careful to remove those and place them neatly on the tablespace while you riffle through all the different teas in the basket. There’s a few you’ve had before, but for the most part, they’re all new (and caffeine-free, of course), so you also take mental note to call the two women later to thank them properly for their considerations.

The gift voucher for that jewelry store is also a very thoughtful gift, but you don’t quite have anything in mind as to what new pieces you’d even be interested in, so you put that off to the side when it starts interfering with your perusing of the tea selection.

You eat breakfast with memories of last night replaying in your head, and you smile because your life really couldn’t be any more perfect than it is right now.

Maybe you will listen to Eren for once and arrange a dinner for everyone, so Isabel and Furlan can come and celebrate with everyone else too.

After breakfast, you opt to turn on your TV as background noise while you get to tidying up the apartment. It doesn’t take long, but by the time you finish, it’s about midday and you feel hungry again.

You decide that you’re going to make lunch, but because you don’t have everything you need for the particular dish you choose, you get ready to go out and grab them. You don’t put much effort into that, but you justify it by saying that you’ll be putting way more of it into your date with Levi later.

You make the quick drive over to the supermarket on Rose, and you practically skip through the aisles as you pick out what you need. You probably look incredibly stupid, the smile on your face having not left it all morning, but you can’t really bring yourself to pay any mind to that right now.

You stop by at the bakery to see if Sasha’s working, and sure enough, there she is, loading a tray of pastries into the display case.

“Good morning, Sasha!”

She sees you, and once she’s done, she waves hello to you with a bright smile on her face.

“Hey girl, good morning!” She comes over to the counter space where she can see you better, and she brings over a pastry for you to have. “You look like you’re in a good mood!”

You nod eagerly. “Yeah, I am.” You take the pastry from her, and you tell her your thanks.

“Any particular reason why?” She prods, slyly wiggling her fingers in your direction.

You laugh at her silliness and nod again, idly twirling a strand of hair on your finger. “I have a boyfriend now.”

God, you cannot believe you get to say that out loud.

Sasha squeals, her hands in fists as she shakes them in adjacent joy. “Yes! Fucking finally! It’s Levi, right?!”

You shyly look away, having completely forgotten that Hange probably spilled all the beans to Sasha when the group of them left you and him for their friend’s gallery viewing.

“Maybe…”

She cheers again and walks around the counter to give you a hug. “I’m so happy for you! Come back to me when you need a wedding cake, you hear me?!”

You laugh wholeheartedly, returning the hug. “I will, I will.”

She pulls away from you, now bringing her hands up to her face. “This is so exciting! Mikasa told me all about you guys, you’re seriously the cutest!”

Oh, so you were wrong to assume that it was Hange.

Regardless, you can’t be mad at anyone because you’re just so happy, so you smile even wider.

“Oh my gosh, was that why he was in here earlier?!”

“He was here?”

The girl nods, brows furrowed in concentration as she tries to recall the memory. “Yeah, he actually came up to me and asked me some questions.”

Questions?

“About what?” You ask.

Sasha pauses for a second, trying to remember, and when she remembers, she smiles again, waving you off. “Well, I don’t wanna ruin the surprise, but I’m sure you’ll find out later.”

You roll your eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.”

You and her catch up a bit more, talking about this-and-that, and when the oven beeps for her to tend to something, she excuses herself to get back to work.

Before she leaves, she asks if it’s okay for Mikasa to forward her your phone number, and you tell her it’s more than okay and that you look forward to hearing from her.

You go on with your shopping as usual, curious about what Levi would be asking Sasha questions about, but you don’t get too much time to dwell on it as you’re paying for everything and heading back out to your car.

Just as you're about to back out of your parking space, though, the sunshine hits the sign for Magnolia Floral Company just right, and you’re already taking your keys out of the ignition to skip over to buy a bouquet of flowers.

When you step inside the shop, you look around to find Isabel, and sure enough, there she is, idly cutting off thorns from the roses she’s handling. She hears the bell from the door opening, and her eyes light up when she sees you.

“What’re you doing here?” She asks, setting down the tools.

You smile shyly, walking over to the counter where she is. “Getting flowers? What else would I be doing at a flower shop?”

She rolls her eyes lightheartedly and reaches across to light punch your shoulder. “Of course you’re getting flowers, but what for?”

You imagine that Isabel would rather hear about you and Levi from Levi himself, so you dodge her question by cheekily zipping your lips shut.

“Secret.”

She gets the memo and laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. “Right, right. So, what can I get for you today, Ms. ‘I’m so rich I don’t check prices before I buy things?’”

You laugh at that memory of you first coming here before you take a look around the shop, and when your eyes land on the greyish blue and lilac floral section, you point them out to Isabel.

“Could you put together something from those?” You ask with a lovesick smile.

✰

Before you can unlock the door to your apartment, you hear the sound of two people laughing as they walk down the hall, and when you turn to look at them, you’re unsurprised to see Hange and Moblit, hands linked together as they come back from their date.

Wait, sorry.

You mean their “totally platonic friend hang out.” They were probably just having a very platonic, very normal walk in the building’s greenspace.

Hange sees you, and they break away from their lover to come and give you a hug, mindful of the flowers and groceries you have on you. They pull away quickly and invite themselves in after you open the door, and you roll your eyes at them while you invite Moblit in properly.

“Did Levi get those for you?” He asks, gesturing to the bouquet.

You laugh sheepishly, shaking your head and setting them down on the table. “I got them for him, we’re going on a date later.”

“You’re going on a date?!” Hange squeals and clutches their heart with both hands before pulling you into another hug, this time holding onto you for dear life. “My goodness, you’re so freaking cute! I can’t believe you guys are finally together now!”

Your heart soars, and you smile into their shoulder. “Yeah, me neither.”

They pull away from you again, and they take out their phone from their pocket as they dash over to your bedroom. “Okay, okay, I’m gonna make a phone call, but I’ll be right back!”

You and Moblit laugh at them, and you both take a seat at your dining table. You pull the bouquet of flowers closer to you and fiddle gently with the petals, careful not to crease them or rip them.

“Do you think it’s weird for me to get him flowers? You know, since I’m a girl?”

He shakes his head reassuringly. “Not at all, it’s actually really sweet that you got them.”

You prop your head up on the table, leaning into the palm of your hand to hide your blush. “That’s good to hear, then.”

Hange pops in from through the door again, and they cover the microphone on their phone. “Moblit, you said their first date would be today, right? For the bet?”

Bet?

There’s a fucking bet?

You sink into your chair, leaning back and covering your face with both of your hands now.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” you groan.

Hange laughs at you, not even bothering to put their hand over their mouth to try and stifle it. “Come on, what else were we supposed to do?!”

“I hate all of you so much,” you whine, squeezing your eyes shut.

You peek through your fingers to look at Moblit for some support, but he laughs the same as Hange. “I’m sorry, there was too much money in the pool for me to pass on. But yes, babe, I did say Sunday.”

You don’t miss the affectionate pet name, but it seems like Hange does but they don’t even bother trying to recontextualize it for you before closing the door again and going back to their call.

You don’t even know who they could be calling right now, considering how many people were probably involved in setting this up.

You peek through your fingers again to look at Moblit, and you see that he’s looking affectionately at the flowers on the table again.

“We all knew you were going to get together at some point, it was just a matter of when,” he offers.

You’re overwhelmed by the bloom in your chest that comes from the sweet sentiment that comes from the confidence your friends had in you and Levi getting together, but you still can’t hold back the smile on your face.

“I guess that’s fine then,” you concede.

Hange comes out of your bedroom again, their phone now back in their pocket. “Well, it looks like me and Moblit are gonna be a thousand dollars richer, so get up! We’re gonna take you for lunch to celebra-”

“Are you fucking serious? A thousand dollars?! ”

You look at Moblit, but he puts his hands up in surrender. “I told you.”

“And I was going to make lunch,” you tell them. “At home.”

Hange sighs longingly and comes over to the table, dramatically draping their arms over your shoulders. “What a homebody,” they muse, putting their chin on top of your head. “But that makes sense, you probably wanna get all dolled up on your own before you go on your date too.”

At the callout, your heart gets caught in your throat. “N-no, I don’t!”

Hange giggles and affectionately pinches your cheeks between their fingers. “Aw, you’re so adorable! It’s okay, we’ll leave you alone to get ready!”

After a few more awkward quips back and forth, Moblit deescalates the situation and gently nudges Hange to go with him out to the car, and soon enough, you’re waving them goodbye at your door.

Hange gives you another hug before leaving, swaying you back and forth before they let go. “You better call me and tell me all about it when you’re home!” They start. “Actually, don’t do that! Call me tomorrow, you should stay at his place tonight!”

Your jaw drops, and the red overtakes your features.

Moblit looks just as appalled. “Hange! You can’t just say that!”

Hange laughs before turning to head down the hallway. “What? I didn’t say anything!”

You close your mouth and nervously look at Moblit, who offers you an apologetic smile. “Have fun on your date, okay? We’re all really happy for you!”

You nod awkwardly, and then you close the door once you see that they’re both further down the hallway, laughing between themselves about whatever it is they’re talking about as they leave.

You wonder if you and Levi will look like that later, just as happy and in love as those idiots.

✰

After you finish eating lunch, it’s nearly 2.

And somehow, you still think you didn’t leave yourself enough time to get ready.

Currently, you're standing in front of two outfits laid out on your bed. On the left is a nice, formal dress and a coat, the same one you and Levi once shared to deflect from the rain in the parking lot, and on the right is a more casual sundress and cardigan, stitched with delicate floral patterns and leaf detailing.

You have another three hours before you have to go, but here you are, trying to figure out what to wear to a date with who you know is the most beautiful man to set foot on this Earth.

You've been stood in front of your bed for a good 20 minutes already.

What were you even doing?

You're a grown, adult woman. You're an attorney, goddammit. You should be fine going on a date with your boyfriend.

Fuck, just the notion of Levi being your boyfriend has your heart doing cartwheels, and you have to flop onto your bed in lovesick stupor even though you’ve already had the entire day to think about this.

You aren’t sure if your heart can handle feeling so full of love, but you wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.

After another hour, you ultimately decide that you’re going to go with the sundress and cardigan, mostly because it’s too hot to be wearing that coat in this windy summer weather, but you do quietly worry that you’ll be underdressed if Levi’s planning to take you somewhere upscale.

That worry dissipates when you go to your bathroom to start doing your makeup, finding solace in the repetitive movements, and before you know it, you’re all dolled up and ready to pick out your jewelry.

You decide on the pearl necklace and a dainty pair of drop earrings, and after you get all that you need for the night situated in your purse, you sit patiently at your couch, kicking your feet as you wait for your lover to come through the door. You have your phone set down on the spot next to you, and even though you really do think you’ve already waited long enough, whenever you check the time, only a minute or two has passed.

You try not to think too hard about whether or not you’re dressed appropriately or if you’re not going to look good together, but that isn’t really all that difficult when your head is just so full of lovesick thoughts as to what Levi’s got planned for the two of you tonight.

At exactly five o’clock, though, you hear a knock at your door, and you just about bolt up from your seat at the couch and run over to open it, grabbing the flowers from your table along the way.

You pat down your hair and rearrange the flowers as neatly as you can, and you take a deep breath before opening the door.

And you think you’re going to melt into the floor right then and there.

In front of you stands Levi, dressed in neat dress pants, a black button-up, and forest green overcoat, looking down nervously at his feet. In his hands is his own bouquet for you, neatly arranged and with various pastel tones of pink, orange, and yellow flowers.

You could die happily in that very moment, and you think you actually do when Levi finally looks up from his shoes and makes eye contact with you.

You both stand like this for what feels like forever, just taking in the vision of the other in front of you. You forget how to breathe, but somehow, you still remember the pace of your heart pounding in your chest without even thinking about it.

It isn’t until Levi awkwardly sticks out his bouquet towards you that you laugh to break the silence, and he flushes even redder in embarrassment.

“Stop laughing at me.”

You beam and let out a final chuckle before nodding. “Okay.”

There’s another pause, and Levi awkwardly pulls back the bouquet, not sure of how to hand them to you when you’ve also got one for him too.

You extend a free hand to take them from him, and after you do, he takes the blue and purple bouquet from you into his own hands.

You look down at the bundle, and you smile even wider. You bring the flowers up to smell them, and you’re met with pleasant, fragrant notes of summer.

“Thank you, Levi. These are beautiful.”

He snaps out of his trance, and he clears his throat to try and find an excuse to cover the blush on his face. “Thank you, too. For the flowers, I mean.”

You laugh and move out of the way of the door to go and get a vase to put the flowers into, and you gesture Levi to come inside while you do that. You come back to the kitchen with the vase, and Levi leaves behind some of his shyness to help you put them in.

You go over to the sink to get some water, and when you come back, Levi’s still fiddling with the arrangement to get the best distributions of color.

He takes the glass you used to get the water and pours it into the vase himself, careful not to collapse any of the delicate petals underneath the slow stream.

He sets the glass down and looks over at his own bouquet of blues and purples.

“You can leave that here, if you’d like,” you offer. “We’ll be coming back, right?”

He nods. “Are you ready to go then?”

You nod with a smile, and you and him walk out of the door and down the hallway, his hand finding yours somewhere along the way.

You’d think the quiet would be awkward, but it hardly is when you can hear the pounding of his heart next to you, and the glances you steal from each other tell you more than enough about how you both feel.

When you get to his car, he’s still as sweet as he always is and rushes to open your door for you, but this time, when he catches you staring at him as he starts the car, he just gently smiles and shyly sinks further into his seat.

Even though you know you’ll only have one Day 1 of dating, you hope you’ll be able to hold onto this kind of love for as long as you can.

This quiet, thoughtful, shy love.

In its own way, it’s still just as passionate and lovely as the whirlwind romances you see in movies.

You know that it’s not realistic to expect that you’ll always feel these butterflies or that you’ll never get bored doing the mundane, but that’s the thing about quiet love.

It was never loud to begin with, but that’s what makes it so beautiful.

So beautiful that it can’t be expressed in words.

✰

Your first official date with Levi is everything you’d ever be able to wish for and more.

The nerves slowly leave you as the drive continues, and you both fall into a steady quiet that’s only ever interrupted by small compliments for the other’s appearance.

Levi nearly crashes when you call him beautiful, though, which is less than ideal, but you appreciate that he’s so taken off by what’s so glaringly obvious to you.

He confesses that he woke up early because he was so excited to see you again that he just couldn’t go back to sleep, but also that he had to get up to make the food for the picnic at the lake he’s planned for the two of you.

Oh, and also to grab your flowers before Isabel started her shift at the flower shop to avoid her asking him any questions about them, but that was more about him being petty than it was any actual reasoning.

When you reach the lake, the sun is still in the sky, allowing you more than enough light to eat comfortably. It’s a bit chilly by the water, but you suppose that your cardigan will suffice until it’s darker.

He carries the picnic basket while you carry the blanket and look for a good spot on the surrounding grassy park space, and when you find a spot perfectly facing the sun, you flag down Levi.

Levi’s an absolute sweetheart, trying to set it all up by himself, but when the wind continues to blow the blanket over itself, you giggle and bend down to help him.

It doesn’t take long with the two of you working together, and once you’ve gotten everything all ready to eat, you and him sit down on the large blanket, shoulder-to-shoulder and facing the lake.

There are swan boats parked at the dock, and even though you expect that Levi wouldn’t be willing to do something so cliché, he’s actually the one to suggest renting one later.

And maybe it’s because you’ve already laughed through all the nerves by now, but it’s suddenly back to how it always is—comfortable, warm.

While the both of you eat the delicious food that Levi’s prepared, you talk about anything and everything that comes to mind. He asks what you did earlier in the day, and after you tell him, he does a terrible job of hiding that he’s tripped up by you admitting that you also were excited to see him today.

As you make your way through all the food, you ask Levi how he made everything. He goes into great detail, explaining the intricacies of the cooking process and the thought behind why he thought it’d be a good dish for you and the setting itself, and you listen attentively as he speaks.

You sneak in a few kisses as he’s talking, too in-love not do that, and he does the same when you continue some of his tangents with your own about anything that comes to mind.

After you’ve had your fill of the savory food, Levi surprises you with a small batch of earl grey shortbread, the same recipe that you gave to him many months ago. You ask if that’s what he asked Sasha for help about when he was at the store, and his face lights up in flames of embarrassment as he answers with a nod.

After you finish eating (and spend a good several minutes just kissing, tasting specks of earl grey on each other’s lips for what felt like all time), you help Levi get everything cleaned up and back to his car. You and him leave everything there, save for the little bit of cash you need for the rental itself.

You swing your hand with his as you walk back over to the boat rental, and after the worker helps the both of you get on the swan, you’re off and pedaling.

By now, the sun has nearly set on the horizon, so you and Levi decide to try and find a spot in the water to watch it. It tires out your legs more than you expect it to, but by the grace of Levi’s strong runner’s legs, you don’t really have to do as much work as you would if you were with someone else.

You end up practically at the center of the lake, covered by the shade of one of the large trees outlining the water's edge, and you both carefully get up from your seats at the pedals to sit in the back of the swan where there’s no awkward gap separating the two of you.

You rest your head on his shoulder as the orange blurs into the clear blue of the waterfront, and you can feel Levi playing with the edge of your cardigan, admiring the small stitching that decorates it.

“Hey, Levi?”

He hums, and he lets go of the fabric to wrap his arm over your shoulder. “What?”

Your heart leaps at the different touch, and you sink further into him. “Did you have fun?”

His reply doesn’t come quickly, but it doesn’t unnerve you.

“Did you think I didn’t?”

“I asked first.”

Instead of scolding you, Levi turns slightly towards you and shifts to put his hand behind your head, pulling you closer to him. He affectionately puts his forehead up against yours before nodding with a small smile.

“Yeah, I had fun.”

You have to hold in your excitement so as not to rock the boat, but when Levi kisses you, it’s far too much for both your heart and his.

And before you realize it, you and Levi fall into the water, the swan now tipped over and upside down.

✰

When Levi gets out of the shower, you’re on the couch, kicking your feet as you text Hange to tell them about the poor worker who had to come out onto the lake to save your swan and get you and Levi back to shore.

“So, was it really that hard to use my shower?” You ask, putting your phone down and sitting upright on the couch.

He rolls his eyes and sits next to you, rubbing his hair with the towel. “Yes.”

You laugh and lean over onto his shoulder, still kicking your feet. “Well, at least this makes for a good first date story. Having a picnic, watching the sunset, falling out of a swan boat into the lake.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, this and fucking Valentine’s Day.”

You nod happily. “Lucky us.” You check the time on your phone and flash your screen to Levi. “It’s getting late, do you want to stay the night?”

Your heart gets caught in your throat when you realize the implications of saying that.

“N-not like that! Just so you don’t have to make the drive home yet! It’d be a lot to explain if you went home in my clothes, and I-”

He repositions himself to flick your forehead, and you yelp.

“Idiot, I know that’s not what you meant.”

“Sorry,” you mumble. You reach up to rub away the spot, but Levi swats your hand away so he can do it himself as an apology of his own.

“It’s okay,” he reassures you. “And I’d love to stay the night, if you’ll have me.”

When you dumbly stare back at him instead of replying, he leans in to give you a kiss on the cheek before heading over to the kitchen to get some tea going to warm the both of you back up.

And so, instead of recreating the image of love you saw earlier of Moblit and Hange, you’ll be here, struck by Cupid’s arrows as you slowly bring up your hand to touch the spot Levi’s just kissed.

And even though it’s not the same, when you’re later in the bathroom of your apartment with your boyfriend, stealing glances at him as he brushes his teeth next to you, you’re sure this is what love looks like.

Day 11

“Stop frowning, we’re celebrating today! Just because your girlfriend isn’t here doesn’t mean you can be all grumpy and mean!”

“I’ll act however the fuck I want to,” Levi barks back, crossing his arms. “And this has nothing to do with her.”

Quite frankly, it does. He knows he’s being irrational, but you not being here to lessen the monotony of this godforsaken graduation ceremony has got him in a worse mood than usual.

The seats are too small, there’s barely enough space for them to put their bags and gifts underneath their feet, and even before any of the graduates get to walk, his eardrums are completely blown out already from all the noise.

To make things even worse, there’s a fucking couple sitting in front of him, and the sweet smell of the milkshake they’re sharing floats up to Levi and serves as a reminder that they’re there.

Still, he’ll sit through this fucking ceremony for the sake of Isabel, but if you were here, he’d have a lot better time.

He does wonder if you and him would’ve been as much of a nuisance as that couple if you were here, but he hardly believes that the sickly sweet vanilla scent is what love smells like.

He isn’t sure what love smells like, actually, but he’ll probably know when the time comes for him to realize.

“You were staring at your wallpaper for, like, ten minutes before we left, you’re literally lying,” Furlan snitches, then reaching over into Levi’s pocket to grab his phone. Unwilling to make a scene in the audience at the expense of embarrassing Isabel (more than they already have with the unwittingly large head signs they brought with them), Levi doesn’t try to grab it back and just hides his face in his hands.

Now opened to its lock screen, Furlan hands the phone to Hange with a snicker. “Look.”

They take the device, rubbing the lens of their glasses clearer to see the set screen. “Wait!” They coo. “Levi, you’re so sweet!”

Levi recoils into himself even further. “I am not.”

He’s taken to getting comfortable with you calling him sweet not that he’ll ever admit that he even likes it, but he’s not about to let Four Eyes intrude on the softness that’s only reserved for you.

“Yes, you are! Aw, you big softie, when’d you take this?”

Levi tries to take the phone back, but Hange leans as far as they can to the left to avoid him.

“Me and Isabel took it! Levi’s had it as his wallpaper for a while now, actually!” Furlan chirps, completely ignoring the awkward position the two sitting next to him have got him in. He leans back in his chair to get out the direct line of fire, and Hange just laughs as Levi unsuccessfully continues to reach over Furlan to them.

Hange looks at the picture again before looking back at the embarrassed man, the shit-eating grin on their face only growing as they see the red start to show on the tips of Levi’s ears.

“Man, you guys are so darn cute!”

He crosses his arms, looking away and adjusting his hair to better cover his ears. “Get out of our fucking business, you fucking-”

“My boyfriend is pretty cute, isn’t he?”

At the sound of your voice coming from towards the aisle stairs of the row they’re seated in, Levi shuts up and whips his head to see you, neatly dressed and with a lei with way too much money on it around your neck.

“Girl, what’re you doing here!? I thought you had work today! You don’t even have a ticket!” Hange exclaims, getting up from their seat to hug you.

You reciprocate their gesture of affection and laugh, patting their hair while you nod. “I took the day off to work on the cake, remember? And I sweet-talked security into letting me in.” They let go of you and laugh as they hand you your boyfriend’s phone to give back to him, and Levi scrambles to clear the seat next to him so that you can sit down.

You awkwardly step over the gifts on the ground to get to the seat next to him, but you’re able to get there comfortably enough considering the three of them are sitting at the immediate end of the row. You wave hello to Furlan once you’re seated, but Levi snatches your hand to hold in his and flips off the rest of the group with his free hand.

You laugh at his crassness, and, all of a sudden, Levi can’t be mad anymore.

His anger immediately settles, and he completely forgets that Hange and Furlan just spent the last five minutes telling him off for his sour mood.

Not that that’ll be an issue now that you’re here.

“You look happy to see me,” you tease, squeezing his hand in yours.

“Of course I am,” he replies dumbly.

Fuck, you can definitely hear the sound of his heart racing to catch up to the situation.

It’s already been 11 days of him dating you—what the fuck is wrong with him, still plagued by butterflies that both terrify him and afford him solace?

Your laughter comes through again with even more joy, and Levi can’t help but lean over to put his head on your shoulder to feel just a tiny bit closer to you.

Between the preparations for Isabel’s surprise graduation party at the house and you making the transition into your new position as managing associate for your department, the two of you haven’t had much time to yourselves to enjoy being a couple.

You do still see each frequently, Levi coming over whenever he’s available and you doing the same, but that mostly amounts to you taking care of the other while they work instead of spending remarkable time together.

Not that he doesn’t love that. He wants nothing more in the world for you to be well-rested and happy, and he’ll be damned if he can’t help you in that regard.

One thing that he loves especially about it is that he’s realized you’re just as awkward of a lover as he is.

He’ll always take a break from working when you’re making tea, and he’ll let his heart overflow with warm adoration as he watches you prepare it. You steal glances at him while you work, and even though you don’t immediately shy away when you meet his gaze, Levi doesn’t miss the red that burns your face.

He thinks it’s cute—how you keep challenging yourself to look at him, even if you’re a bit too shy.

Levi’s self-aware of the fact that he’s got no idea how to act around you, but something about seeing you so flustered after a kiss or a sweet gesture makes him a bit less afraid of that.

The two of you did go out into the city to look for Isabel’s graduation gift together and that was fun, but it didn’t feel like a proper date because you both were mentally preoccupied with other things.

But regardless, he’s missed being like this, just sitting next to you and enjoying your company without other business to worry about, and now that you’re finally moved into your new office and this damn graduation party will be over tonight, he’ll have that.

As he waits for the ceremony to start, you talk with Furlan and Hange, and even though Levi really couldn’t care less about what Furlan’s coworker did wrong at work yesterday, he can’t tear himself away from conversation because you’re there, chiming in with your own stories of hellish coworkers and clients.

✰

Having a party on a Wednesday is certainly less than ideal, especially considering the fact that almost everyone has work the following day, but Isabel’s off for a camping trip with her friends from school tomorrow, so this is just how it has to be.

Hange’s taken Isabel… somewhere to keep her out of the house until the rest of you can properly start setting up. Levi has no idea what they’re up to, but as long as those two lunatics aren’t here until it’s time for people to start arriving, he doesn’t care.

Furlan’s running wild around the house, tidying up and setting up decorations, and even though Levi doesn’t care much for the tacky banners and memorabilia that’re now all over the house, he’s happy to see it realized that Isabel’s graduated and off to bigger and better things.

College isn’t easy for anyone, much less for her, and even though he was unbearably annoying at the ceremony before you showed up, he’s happy to be doing this for his friend.

You’re helping Levi with food and desserts, doing whatever you can to help ease the pressure on him now that your contribution of cake is safely inside their extravagant smart fridge.

Still, though, Levi feels like he’s that fucking rat bitch from Ratatouille, stressing about everything from the sauce for the pasta to the baking dish in the oven.

He feels a tap at his shoulder, and he nearly crashes into you as he turns to face you. He sighs, exasperated and ready to disappear into the floor, and he leans forward to put his forehead on your shoulder.

“I hate everything,” Levi grumbles.

You rub his back affectionately, humming. “I know, how else can I help?”

“I don’t know,” he confesses, letting out another sigh. “I’m probably worrying over nothing.”

He stands still as you wrap your hands around him in a gentle hug, trying to get him to sway with you back and forth. He’s too exhausted from both the long ass ceremony and these last several hours of cooking to fight against you, but he’s pleasantly surprised to realize that it… actually feels really nice.

Comforting, even.

“It’s not nothing, you care a lot about making this go well,” you reassure him, petting his hair and flicking away stray crumbs that’ve caught on his shoulders. “How about you choose one thing to worry about, and I handle the rest? You’re practically done, it wouldn’t be a complete disaster if I took over from here.”

Levi isn’t opposed to that at all, especially because he trusts you in the kitchen (unlike a certain four-eyed shit head), so he just nods, and from there, you take over.

Levi’s task now is to make sure the oven doesn’t light the house on fire, which is the easiest possible task, and as he watches the red numbers tick down, his mind drifts off enough for him to only be aware of the smells that flow through the kitchen.

None of them make sense altogether, which confuses him, but maybe this is what love smells like.

Like you turning over vegetables cooking on the stove, like you cutting up extra herbs to put in pots.

He can practically smell the metal of the spoons that you take out of the drawers to taste everything without dirtying the cooking utensils.

The sound of the oven beeping breaks him out of this trance, and he calmly gets an oven mitt to take out the dish and put it on the dining table.

When you see that he’s already on his way over, you scramble to grab a few stray pot holders to put on the table so that the baking dish won’t leave any damaging marks on the table, and even though Levi’s almost sure this is what love smells like, it isn’t right.

You thank him for getting the dish out of the oven, and you give him a chaste kiss before telling him to go and wash up before guests start arriving.

In the shower, Levi’s heart calms down from the relaxing pressure of the water, and it’s finally hit him how much you’ve just expressed your love for him.

He knows that you know how to cook, it’s not such a daunting thing for you to take charge of the kitchen.

Fuck, baking is objectively harder than cooking, and you’ve got him beat in every category of that.

But still, his heart overflows with joy at the sentiment carried with the simple act of making sure he’s going to be alright with you switching roles. The fact that you offered to have him maintain control over one thing, no matter how insignificant, showed Levi just how much you look out for him.

Not that he doesn’t already know that.

He could write articles, books, manifestos about how loving you are, but just something about you knowing that he would’ve gone crazy if he wasn’t at least occupied by something, anything, made it clear that even you have no idea how much of an angel you are.

Your love is loud, almost alarmingly so, but it’s still quiet beyond that.

And Levi thinks that’s more beautiful than what he can make it out to be in words.

When Levi comes out of his bedroom after changing into something more well-suited to the occasion, you’re passing by him with your own change of clothes to go change in the bathroom. You both stop in your tracks when you catch sight of the other, but you're quick to clear your throat and push a stray strand of hair behind your ear.

“You look good.”

Levi still is never going to get over any kind of compliments from you. “You too.”

You too? What the fuck is wrong with you, Levi?

You laugh wholeheartedly and lean in to give him a kiss. “Thanks, Levi. I’ll be out soon.”

And just like that, you disappear into the bathroom, locking the door behind you.

Levi’s fingers come up to feel his lips, looking back at the bathroom, and he has to blink several times to break himself away from that to go and see what state the kitchen is in. He’s not worried that anything will be too out-of-place, but he’d rather take care of it now than have to do it later.

He is, however, surprised that when he’s back in the kitchen, everything’s cleaned up, the dishes in neat piles on the correct side of the sink. When he looks closer, he sees that you’ve already scraped off any and all sauce, crumbs, and residual pieces into the trash, and that all the dishes are all soaking with the appropriate amount of water.

God, one second he doesn’t think he can fall any harder, and then you do this shit, and he’s reminded of the fact he’s going to be falling into the abyss of love forever.

✰

The party is… good.

The only real major blunder is that Isabel comes back to the house before all the guests are there. Her parents are still out trying to buy a bag of ice, and nobody’s actually in hiding for the surprise as intended.

Hange swears that it’s because Isabel demanded to go home and take a nap, but Levi finds that hard to believe when she’s not exactly tired when she’s back at the house.

Still, Isabel looks happy, even with the awkward entrance, and she floats around to thank people for coming to the party.

Levi and Moblit stand off to the side, not really wanting to participate in the high-energy conversation that’s going on, but after Moblit gets bored of playing the random mobile games that Hange’s downloaded on his phone for him, he strikes up conversation with Levi.

“How’s life?”

Levi shrugs, pocketing his phone too. “It’s okay.”

Moblit raises a brow. “Normally you say it’s shit, don’t you?”

Levi’s eyes immediately scan the room to find you, and his heart lights up when he sees you teaching a group of Isabel’s friends how to fold paper stars from the napkins that Furlan set out earlier.

“I guess I’ve moved on from saying that.”

Moblit nods with a smile in understanding. “That’s good.”

“How’s life for you?”

Moblit knows that Hange’s in the kitchen because that’s where the loudest sounds of laughter are coming from, so he just smiles down at his feet. “It’s pretty good, yeah. You know that I’m dating Hange, right?”

Levi rolls his eyes, tipping his head back against the wall. “Yes, everyone and their fucking mother knows,” he groans. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. Good for you guys, but they’re so fucking annoying about keeping it a secret when we all know already.”

Moblit laughs. “No, it’s alright. Yeah, I think the only person they care about keeping it from is Astraea, but she already knows.”

Levi probably would be conflicted about blabbing about it on Valentine’s Day, but Hange’s done a piss-poor job of hiding it, so he really doesn’t feel anything.

Moblit continues. “She actually took pictures of us walking around the grass area of their apartment building, here.” He tilts his phone to Levi to show him the lock screen: a blurry, zoomed-in photo of Moblit and Hange laughing together.

Ordinarily, Levi would scowl at the thought of someone being so lovesick that they’d be willing to use such an objectively low quality photo as a lock screen, but he can’t really react that way anymore when that’s also exactly what he’s like now.

“Do they have the same one on their phone?”

Moblit shakes his head. “No, theirs is an older photo of us at graduation.”

Levi takes out his phone to look at his own lock screen—that photo of you smiling underneath the harsh lighting of the driveway lamp—and for whatever reason, he tilts it to show Moblit.

“That’s mine.”

“What’s yours? Lemme see!” Hange chimes in, suddenly in front of the two. Levi’s quick to put his phone back into his pocket, not wanting the embarrassment of earlier to repeat itself, but you’re steadily approaching to see what all the commotion is about.

“Levi was just showing me his lock screen,” Moblit answers, completely oblivious to your presence.

“What’s your lock screen?” You ask.

Hange looks between you and Levi (who’s swearing to commit bloody murder if they so much as say anything at all, by the way), and they grin. “You should show her, Levi!”

It’s not that Levi’s-

Okay, fucking fine, he is embarrassed.

He doesn’t even know why. You’re already dating, what’s the point in hiding his adoration for you?

He’s never intentionally hidden his lock screen from you, but if you ask for the time, he just looks at his watch and calls it a day, and there haven’t been any instances of you needing his phone for anything yet.

Before Levi can decide whether he wants to be defensive or offensive, Hange spills the beans without even having to steal away Levi’s phone like earlier.

“It’s a picture of you!”

Levi wants to walk back into the wall, but because metaphysics have not yet evolved to the point of making that possible, he’s forced to stand awkwardly against the wall as you look between him and Hange.

And instead of laughing at him like he expects you to, you walk forward and kiss him on the cheek, taking his hand to pull him away from the wall he wanted to disappear into.

And this time, he’s allowed to disappear because you pull him along with you to a more empty hallway in the house, ignoring Hange completely when they ask for you both to come back.

Levi’s face is cherry-red at this point, but at the same time, he’s infinitely grateful that you’re still holding his hand.

You giggle when you look back to see his face, and you coolly lean back against the wall. “Is it true?”

“Is what true?”

“That your lock screen is a picture of me.”

Levi knows that there’s no one to save him right now, but even though he’s going to go looking for Hange immediately after this to rip their scalp off, he’s quietly happy that he gets to show you off, even if just to yourself.

Shyly, he pulls out his phone from his pocket and hands it to you. He looks down at his feet while you go to turn the device on.

The silence only fans the warmth blooming in both his heart and on his face and ears, but he hears you squealing in front of him before he looks up and is met with your starry ears, filled with all the love in the world.

You throw your arms around him in a shy hug, giggling to yourself when his arms instinctively wrap around you.

“Aw, Levi! You’re so cute!” You coo, rocking him back and forth.

He’s far too flustered to know what else to do, so he just goes along with it. “You don’t think it’s weird?”

He can feel you shaking your head over his shoulder.

“Mine is a picture of you too!”

He could die happily in that very moment, and he thinks he actually does when you pull away from him and get your own phone out of your purse.

You hold it out to him with a proud smile, and he takes it from you with just a little less shyness.

It’s that photo of him taking egg tarts out of the oven that Isabel sent you nearly five months ago, and Levi thinks his heart is going to burst out of his ribcage.

He hands it back to you wordlessly, and instead of waiting for you to make fun of his lovestruck stupor, he pulls you back into his arms and kisses you, trying to express all the love you give to him back to you.

Thankfully for him, you do just the same, and you’re stuck together like that until you hear Isabel calling for everyone to come and start getting food.

He really doesn’t know how much more his heart can take, but he wouldn’t change a thing, even if that meant he’d always be seconds away from a heart attack.

✰

After the party’s over, it’s just you, Isabel, Furlan, and Levi at the house.

You wanted to stay back and clean, and even though the three housemates didn’t want you to be doing any more work, none of them could bring themselves to tear you away from their company.

Isabel’s allowed to skip on cleaning because she has to sleep early for her camping trip, but that doesn’t stop her from just staying up anyway and talking to you from her spot on the couch.

Levi would be inclined to scold her, but he can’t bring himself to when he still feels indebted to her for practically forcing him to go to that fucking party for your promotion.

You, Furlan, and Levi all get done with cleaning fairly quickly, with only the dishes left to do, but because Furlan actually is going to go to bed early, he leaves to take a shower, and because the water pressure turns to shit when someone’s using the sink, Levi decides to leave them for later.

Levi watches from over the kitchen countertop as you and Isabel continue talking, mostly about girl stuff or what Isabel should pack for her trip because she apparently hasn’t fucking packed either, and because Levi has genuinely lost all grasp of time at this point in the day, Furlan’s back in the kitchen to say goodnight to everyone, and the sink is now available to use.

Levi goes to do that, and after you tell Isabel to go pack, you’re suddenly next to him, grabbing the drying cloth for the dishes and wiping away the water spots on the ceramic and aluminum before they can form.

There’s no words exchanged between the two of you here, but Levi still thinks it’s overwhelmingly loud that you understand he’s exhausted and just in need of quiet company.

And even though it’s not what he expected, when he’s found himself washing the dishes with boring, ordinary lemon soap, and you’re next to him, drying towel in hand, he’s sure this is what love smells like.

Day 13

“Do you need help putting it on?”

“That’s if I’m even going in,” he complains, but he still raises the wristband to you.

You roll your eyes and take it from him. You let go of his other hand and grab hold of his wrist to help orient it so you can put the wristband on properly.

You smile to yourself when you feel the tiny spark that shocks you when you touch his hand.

You tug the paper snug on his wrist. “Is this too tight?”

“No.”

You hum then, and you take off the protective sealant to get the sticky side ready to put on. You apply it onto itself, and you rub the spot to get the seal fully stuck together. “Done.”

He hums too, and his hand finds its way back to holding yours. “I still can’t believe you managed to get me to come to this with you.”

You squeeze his hand in yours before tugging him along with you to the entrance. “You didn’t really put up that much of a fight, you know?”

He squeezes your hand in return, and you smile to yourself when you catch him taking a barely larger step to catch up to you.

“I wasn’t going to let you go alone to a festival, idiot,” he just barely whispers.

You and him reach the ticket verification checkpoint in a few more paces, and you both raise your wristbands to the person scanning them. They let you pass, and you split ways to get through the security check. He gets through faster than you can because you brought your purse with you, though, so he gets swept up in the crowd of people that continue to pass by as he waits for you.

After you’re done with going through the check, you walk towards Levi and hold out your right hand for him, but instead of staying where he is and taking the hand you offer to him, he steps to the other side of you and grabs hold of your left hand, accidently bumping into a few more people than favorable to anyone.

You can hear some random teenagers laughing in your direction, probably at the awkwardness of him having to maneuver so much just to hold your hand, and you giggle along with them.

“Any reason you went through all that just to hold this hand?”

He stops for a second before leading you both towards the main walkway into the inner parts of the festival, picking up a map brochure with his free hand on the way. “I’m not telling you.”

You look over to him, and you laugh even harder when you see red start glowing on the tips of his ears. “You shy about it?”

“No.”

You swing your linked hands as you walk, looking away from him at the different booths that line the beginnings of the festival. “If you say so,” you tease. “Tell me! Now I’m curious.”

He sighs, going along with the swing that you initiate, though the way his eyes soften when he looks down at where your hands meet tells you that he’s more than willing to go along with your silly, lovesick antics.

“I’m not about to embarrass myself right now.”

You have to stifle a giggle. “You said that when you were trying to confess to me, and I didn’t think it was embarrassing then.”

He rolls his eyes, stopping at a less crowded spot so you and him can look at the brochure together before deciding where to go. “I guess, but I’m still not telling you.”

“Please, Levi!” You whine halfheartedly, following his gaze down at the sheet he’s held out. “You wouldn’t keep a secret from me, would you?”

“It’s hardly a secret when it’s not worth knowing,” he mutters. “Maybe I’ll tell you one day. What do you wanna do first?”

You use your fingers to lightly graze over the paper, trying to land on something you think would be interesting to do first while the sun is still high in the sky, and you end up fixated on a small section marked as where to get baking advice for raspberries and several other summer fruits.

“Let’s go there,” you beam.

Levi hums in agreement, and you and him stay there for a little while longer, trying to figure out how to get there. You both know that you could very well just ask one of the many workers who pass you by and ask if you need any help, but you’d like to believe that this is just the two of you prolonging the quiet before the inevitable whirlwind of a day set out in front of you.

✰

You have no idea what Petra was saying about this being boring, because even before you get to anything more objectively fun, you’re having the time of your life browsing through the different booths and asking questions to the other bakers that have their goods on display. Levi takes interest in everything as well, listening along to the conversations you strike up with the workers and even asking his own questions.

You try a bit of everything as you pass through, and even though you’re sure Levi thinks all of it is too sweet, he still asks to try everything to make the experience a bit less lonely for you.

The exhibition hall for the baking part of the festival leads into another that’s more concentrated on cooking, and you and him swap roles as you try your best to keep up with the conversations.

He doesn’t say much in the first place, but you latch on his every word as if your life depends on it anyway. He does take some pamphlets and other miscellaneous resources from the booths, though, so you know he’s enjoying his time.

And for whatever reason, right at the exhibit’s exit over into where the carnival games are, there’s a random fortune-telling machine for couples. There’s an input keypad, a small screen, a slot to slide in your money, and an opening that presumably prints out your results.

You know that Levi would just say no to it if you asked to try it out, so you drag him to it without asking at all and start digging into your purse to get the five dollars in cash you need.

“You know this is a fucking scam, right? They probably reuse the same two answers for everyone,” he says, though you can pick up a small hint of curiosity in his tone.

“Yeah, but I still want to know,” you confess.

He’s closer to the slot where you insert the money so you hand the money for him to put it in, and the small screen lights up with your first prompt.

Enter today’s date. Please input this date as MM/DD/YYYY.

You type in the date.

07/07/2023.

The screen changes, and your next prompt shows up.

Enter the date of your first date. Please input this date as MM/DD/YYYY.

“Should I enter Valentine’s Day or our actual first date?” You ask.

Levi hums, going to hold your hand again now that your left hand is free. “Valentine’s Day, I think.”

You type it in.

02/14/2023.

A few hearts show up on the screen, and then the next prompt shows up, this time with 10 symbols placed in the same pattern as the keypad.

Choose one symbol that represents you, and choose another for your partner. The position of the symbol on-screen corresponds to that of the keypad.

You hum to yourself before looking over the symbols. “What do you think? I think you're the moon.”

Levi leans in closer to look at the screen, then down at the keypad before tapping the inputs for both the moon and the star symbols.

Remembering what he called you when your first kiss, you giggle to yourself before squeezing his hand in yours.

There’s a probably fake loading screen as the results get printed out for you, and Levi pulls it out of the slot to hold it between the two of you. It’s a faded yellow color with text meant to resemble that of a typewriter.

You can’t contain the cheer of joy that bubbles from your throat when you read the first line, and you’re sure that Levi’s just as happy with the results.

✰

RESULTS

Relationship Level: SOULMATES

THE MOON and THE STAR are lovers destined for greatness. Ordinarily, THE MOON and THE STAR are fated to never meet, so fate must be on your side to bring the two of you together!

Your first date: 02/14/2023

02/14/2023 Meaning: There’s no explanation necessary. Valentine’s Day is the most romantic day of the year!

Days since your first date: 143

143 Meaning: 1-4-3 is a common abbreviation for the phrase “I LOVE YOU.” Usage of this number in popular culture dates back to 1915, when LIGHTHOUSE keeper Winfield Scott Thompson would flash 1-4-3 from the lighthouse to express his love for his wife and children. Though having fallen slightly out of usage, 1-4-3 remains as one of the most prominent numbers for love in the universe.

Conclusion: You are destined for each other, but even if the universe had no part in you meeting and falling in love, we’re sure you’d have found each other somehow and fallen in love just as hard! Love is a choice, and you already know that you’ve done good on that.

Thank you for using our services! Have a wonderful day.

✰

Levi lets go of your hand, but before you can whine about it, your breath gets taken away when he takes out his phone to take a picture of the sheet, and as soon as he’s done with that, he tucks the sheet into one of the thicker pamphlets he has on him to keep it from creasing.

“You’re not allowed to make this one into stars, okay? We’ll get a frame for it on the way home.”

You smile shyly, squeezing his hand again.

“I’d love that.”

Levi’s terrifyingly good at all of the festival games.

All of them.

You’ve never really paid any mind to them before, seeing as they’re all scams anyway, but when there’s a cute plush rabbit that you can’t help but stare longingly at, Levi hands the worker some cash before you can even tell him you don’t need it.

This first game is one you particularly hated growing up: the ring bottle toss.

You never indulged in it the same way your friends and family did, but you’d practically feel their misery when they’d inevitably lose after spending a ridiculous amount of money on it.

But that’s not what happens here.

By some stroke of luck (or skill, since Levi’s apparently great at everything), he gets the red ring around one of the bottles within the first 5 throws, and after the worker hands him that bunny plushie you were staring at, Levi gives the rest of his ring basket to the kid playing next to him and lets you have the stuffed animal.

And because neither of you care for any of the rides that surround you (and because you think he doesn’t want the day to end yet), Levi makes it his life mission to win every single carnival game you come across.

The darts, the bean bag toss, the skee-ball, the basketball, the test of strength.

All of them, he wins with just a single purchase of play.

Before you know it, your arms are full with plush animals, and one of the event volunteers has to run off to grab you a large clear plastic bag to put them all into so they don’t fall.

The sound of the bells that get rung when Levi wins something seems to get louder every time, and even though it's a bit silly, you think it might be the sound of love.

You can feel the glares of other festival-goers, all of them jealous that your boyfriend is so good at these games, but when you so much as express mild discomfort over it, Levi takes the bag from you and bears the brunt of the staring himself.

“Fuck you,” he says to a particularly envious group of teenagers laughing at the two of you. “My girlfriend deserves all the fucking stuffed pandas and teddy bears and whatever other fucking animals there are, and I’ll be damned if I can’t win all of them for her.”

And even though Levi gets kicked out of this section of the festival before he can win all the stuffed animals there, you reassure him that you’re more than happy with what he’s won for you today, and you give him a kiss on the cheek as thanks.

He looks away from you, and he returns the act of affection to you before excusing himself to the restroom to wash his hands before you both leave.

As you’re waiting for Levi to come back, you wait at a bench nearby, scrolling on your phone and holding upright the bag of prizes.

“Excuse me, miss?” A small voice calls out in front of you. “Can I ask you a question?”

You look up to see a young girl, probably no older than ten, and when you’re sure that you’re the one she’s talking to, you set down your phone. You see who you assume are her parents in the close-enough distance, seeing as they offer you embarrassed expressions as their child goes up to a stranger to ask her a question.

You send them a smile to reassure them that you’re fine with it, and you nod to the girl in front you. “Sure, go ahead.”

The girl fiddles with her fingers nervously before pointing at something in your prize bag. “Which game did you win that rabbit at? My mommy and daddy said they’d let me play for it.”

You lean forward to get a better look at what she’s pointing at, and you recognize it as the first one Levi won for you tonight.

You frown, knowing that there’s practically no way that she’d be able to win it on her own. “Oh, the ring toss.”

She seems to share your sentiment because she frowns too, looking back at her parents. “Oh…”

She looks like she’s about to cry, which you really can’t fault her for because she’s just a child, but before you can try to console her, Levi comes and clears his throat next to you.

“I can just win another one for her.”

You look at him, blinking. “We just got kicked out from that section.”

He scoffs. “And? It’s not like we were in the wrong. It’s not going to take that long anyway, we’ll just run if we see the person that made us leave.”

By now, the girl is looking up at you and Levi, eyes now glossed over with adoration for your boyfriend’s game skill, and you decide that he’s right.

You let him pull you up off the bench, and the girl guides you back to her parents to tell them what’s going on. The couple thanks you for your time, and even though Levi refuses to acknowledge it, you really do think he’s the sweetest.

✰

“So, is he your first love?” The girl’s mother asks.

The two of you are standing a bit further back away from the game itself, just barely out of earshot of the booth.

Embarrassed, you tear your eyes away from Levi to look at the woman next to you and nervously laugh. “Is it that obvious?”

She laughs good-naturedly and nods her head. “It is, but I’m a teacher, so I know a girl in love for the first time when I see it.”

You glance back at Levi and smile sheepishly, heart overflowing as you see him showing the young girl and her father how to throw the rings. You saw him tuck a ring away into his pocket at the start of the game, just in case they run out and he has to make the final throw, and there’s just no way to describe the way you feel right now just watching him.

“Yeah, I very much am just a girl in love,” you tell her, turning away from that scene in front of you to face her.

The woman in front of you sighs happily. “You two are the cutest,” she coos. “But really, thank you so much for helping us! I used to come here with my husband before we were married, and we’d waste all our money on this darn game!”

You laugh good-naturedly and nod. “Yeah, I hated ring toss when I was growing up.”

The bell gets rung by the game attendant, and you look over to see the girl excitedly pointing to the plush rabbit. Levi walks over to you, not wanting to intrude on the moment for the father and daughter, but before the woman can thank your boyfriend, you recognize the security person that kicked you out of this section, and you have to cut your goodbyes short to get the two of you out of there.

Levi looks back in the direction you’re coming from to see that security person, and he takes the bag of prizes from you so that you have an easier time running out of the festival grounds and to the car.

It’s quite fun, actually.

Kind of like when you and him ran through the parking lot in the rain, but not really like that at all.

You and Levi stop running when you’re at the parking lot, and when you're back in the car and about ready to go, he clears his throat before breaking the silence. 

“I overheard what you said. About me being your first love.”

You freeze.

Neither of you have broached the subject of past lovers, but you decided for yourself that you wouldn’t ask because you couldn’t bear even the thought of him loving another person the way he loves you.

You don’t make much mention of your lack of dating history, but you’d be lying if you didn’t at least think that it’d be better for him to assume you’ve had a partner or two in the past.

Fuck, if he knows that he’s your first love, then how’s he supposed to feel when you’re definitely not his?

He’s definitely awkward, but you assume that that’s just because he hasn’t dated in a while, and he’s a few years older than you, so there’s no way that he hasn’t already had his first love.

You’ve heard stories about how people treasure their first loves. They hold them close to their hearts forever, even if they get married to someone else in the future, and as cynical as that seems to be, that’s just how love is, right?

People never forget their first, and you might’ve scared him off if he knows he’s yours, especially when you’re not his, and-

You’re snapped back to reality when he awkwardly leans over to bump your shoulder with his.

Turning to face him better, you frantically wave out your hands in front of you. “I’m so sorry! I understand that your first love is a big deal, you don’t have to feel bad that I’m not yours!”

You nervously dart your eyes in every conceivable direction to avoid his gaze, but he stops your franticness with a reassuring hand on your thigh.

“You don’t have to be sorry, I didn’t have a first love before I met you.”

You blink.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice.

And then you laugh.

Fucking Christ almighty, you were building yourself up to be so worried about nothing.

Levi leans over you to wipe away the tears escaping your eyes, both from relief and this very specific underlying anxiety about your relationship.

And you’re proven wrong again.

Even though it’s not what you expected, when he leans in to kiss you to give you the reassurance you’re both too shy to ask for, and you hear both of your hearts slowing in sync, you’re sure this is what love sounds like.

Day 143

Levi’s never bothered to keep track of the days before.

Sure, he knows what day of the week it is or what season it is because of the weather, but even then, everyone’s pretty understanding of the fact that he just… doesn’t really care.

It’s never really been an issue for him to lose track of the numbers and dates, especially in these last couple of years where he’s just been too preoccupied with other things to really care about whether it’s one specific day or another.

And of course, he knows that he has to know what exact day it is because he has to set up meeting with clients, so it’s not like he’s totally unaware of how much time passes when he’s busy navigating life.

But really, it’s in spite of himself that he’s found himself keeping track of the number of days since the two of you have been dating.

He marks that number in the margins of his plain staff-issued desk calendar, and after he’s done putting away whatever random pen he’s used to write it, he smiles to himself before going about his day. Before he goes to bed, he'll take the calendar with him to his bed to write down what he loved most about you that day, and he goes to sleep with wishes to dream of you and the infinite things he finds perfect about you.

He’s especially smiley today because it’s been 143 days since he’s started dating you, and even though neither of you take the bus anymore and his collection of paper stars continues to grow beyond however many he had when you first started dating, he holds the number close to his heart.

Even though the date itself is ultimately unimportant, his date with you later tonight is enough for him to care that it’s the 14th of November.

Fuck, just calling it a date makes him excited.

He made a gift for you and everything, too, even if it's just another insignificant day.

Was it worth all the papercuts?

No. Levi needs his hands to work.

But would he do it a million times over just for you?

Absolutely, so he slaps on the thousands of band-aids he needs to cover up the splits of skin.

Today’s a Tuesday, though, so he has to make it through the seemingly (never ending) carousel of clients before he can declare himself done with work for the day.

Not that his date with you won’t occupy an entire day’s worth of thoughts.

Regardless, he still has to work, so he has to abandon his paramount romantic thoughts for ones more concentrated on building structure and design theory.

He cares about his work, obviously, but can the day fucking pass already so he can fuss about how to do his hair?

✰

Every single fucking time.

Every single fucking time Levi’s at your front step, he thinks he’s going to have a fucking heart attack.

The seconds that pass between when he knocks and when you open the door are probably the longest in his entire fucking life, and even though he tries his best not to worry, his heart just can't handle it.

This time, he has a bundle of white roses for you, and when you open the door, he thinks he's going to actually fucking collapse to the ground when he sees that you have a bouquet of white lilies for him.

And of course, he's going to have a heart attack because he thinks you're the most beautiful person to ever step foot on Earth.

Actually, no, that's a lie.

You're the most beautiful being in the entire fucking universe.

And seeing as you've both planned to wear matching blue as a callback to Valentine's Day, he's thrown back in time to that day.

He can't even remember most of the details of that day, he's never forgotten the feeling that he felt when he saw you that day.

Okay, actually, that's a lie too.

He does remember everything. The way you talked, the way you fiddled with your necklace as you talked on the phone with Hange, the way you folded the paper stars with the dark blue napkins.

And of course, the way your eyes lit up with all the stars in the sky, but he thinks he's going to fucking die if he lets his mind stay on that thought for longer than a second.

Thankfully, you're just a tiny bit more graceful of a lover than he is, and you lean forward to kiss him before taking the bouquet of roses from him and putting both bundles of flowers on your table. You close the door behind you, and he dumbly holds out his right hand for you to take.

You giggle, taking it. "Still not going to tell me why you only like holding my left hand?"

Levi melts into your touch, but that doesn't make him budge. "It's not that I don't like holding your right hand, I just want to hold your left."

The reason is so fucking stupid that he doesn't even want to admit it to himself, but maybe he'll tell you one day.

"If you don't tell me, what else am I supposed to think?" You muse playfully, swinging your hands as you walk down the hallway of your apartment.

Levi rolls his eyes, feigning annoyance. He knows full well that you're alright not knowing, and it's become a bit of a joke between the two of you.

"That I hate you?"

"Exactly!" You beam. "Also, I know I've already asked a million times already, but are you sure you're okay? Papercuts really aren't supposed to happen this often," you ask, rubbing your thumb over his.

He squeezes your hand in his, looking away sheepishly.

Even if his hands do slightly sting, he hopes that it'll all be worth it to see the smile on your face later tonight.

✰

The car ride is filled with conversation about the intricate web of drama you both retell to one another about your work colleagues. After so many days spent together, he knows everyone in your department from top-to-bottom, and it's exactly the same for you.

The restaurant he's taking you to tonight is one neither of you have tried, but even though Levi used to be quite apprehensive about trying out new places to eat, he likes to think that being with you has challenged him to be a bit more adventurous in the mundane.

When you arrive, there isn't anything particular new or different about this night other than the setting.

You and Levi have developed a comfortable routine: pretend to look at the menu, order, ask for paper napkins, fold them into stars before the food comes, eat, hand those stars to each other to have as keepsakes after dinner ends, go home.

It might not seem like that's enough to keep the love alive, but Levi knows that it's more than enough.

And even though this love is comfortable, it's still exciting.

The things Levi learns from you, and more importantly, about you, have him on his toes at all times, and he imagines it's the same for you. There's plenty of things in life to experience together for the first time too, and even if those things are new, it's still comfortable because it's you and it's him.

Levi doesn't need fiery, burning love.

Fuck, he wouldn't even want it if it was offered to him.

He wants this.

You, him, and all of the nothing in the world.

He'll give you the world if you want it, but he doesn't need it when he's got all that he needs right in front of him.

He's got half the mind to know not to propose just 143 days into dating, but he thinks that he'd say something adjacent to that when the time comes.

Tonight, time passes slowly as conversation flows, food gets eaten, paper gets folded, and payments get paid, but the whirlwind of love that surrounds the two of you still is there, and before he can catch his breath after stealing kisses from you at red lights, you and him are on your couch, kissing again without the added adrenaline of crashing the car.

You pull away from the kiss, and you lazily throw your arms over his shoulders, humming sleepily against his neck.

"Happy 143 days, love."

The announcement throws Levi off guard, because in every single scenario of this night that he's run through in his mind, every single one of them had you not knowing that today was the 143rd day of you dating.

His brain short circuits, and he feels you pull away.

"It's okay if you didn't know, it's not a big deal," you reassure him, petting his hair with a soft smile.

Levi frantically shakes his head, going to take the gift out of his suit pocket. "You fucking idiot, of course I know what day it is."

"You do?"

Levi nods. "Yeah, I mark the days on my calendar at home."

His fingers wrap around the box, but before he can pull it out to give to you, you push him down onto the couch and wrap your arms around him in a tight embrace, kicking your feet. "That's so cute! My boyfriend is so, so, so cute! I love my boyfriend so much!" You cheer, peppering his face with lipstick-kisses.

The box falls out of his pocket and onto the ground beneath you, landing with a small thud.

Levi wants to lay down and enjoy it, he really does, but he's too worried that the gift will get lost underneath the furniture if he doesn't get it immediately, so he gently pushes you up off of him before reaching down to get it.

Thankfully, you don't take it negatively and just wait patiently as he readjusts himself and clears his throat, a dumb, lovesick smile still on your face.

He holds out the box to you, and you get up from the couch after giving him another kiss.

"Wait here, I have a gift for you too."

Now it's his turn to wait, and even though it's not as bad at the feeling he gets when he waits for you to open the door, it's still pretty fucking intense.

You got him a gift too?

Fuck, this is just like when the two of you would fucking force each other to take boxes of tea every other week. Levi still hasn't gotten through all of it, and neither of you.

In retrospect, it was a wildly immature excuse to keep seeing each other, but if that's what had to happen for Levi to feel as much joy as this, he'd happily buy a million more boxes of raspberry tea.

It's not like those exchanges ever stopped anyway.

You and him get each other flowers on every single date, you come over with desserts for him whenever he's too busy to come see you, he comes over to help you clean when you're in need of company, you make tea for each other with the millions of blends you still have in your kitchens.

And yet, even after everything that's happened, it still doesn't feel like that's enough to repay the lifetime of love that he's already been able to experience with just that very first batch of shortbread and earl grey tea you gave him after the shrimp fried rice incident.

He's stolen from his thoughts when you come back and sit next to him on the couch, the weight of your shoulder leaning against his.

You hold out a small box to him, almost identical in size to the one he has for you. "Can you open mine first?" You ask, the rosy pink on your cheeks radiating warmth next to him.

Levi nods, and you straighten up to look at him properly.

And his heart gets caught in his throat when he sees that inside the box is paper stars, all different shades of grey, neatly folded and arranged to fit well inside the box. There's small spots where ink seeps through the paper, and Levi can make out a few letters that show on the face of the star.

Well, Levi's going to have a good laugh about this after he stops crying.

Tears prick the corners of his eyes almost immediately, but he makes no effort to stop them.

"I wrote 143 things I love about you on them," you confess shyly, looking down at your lap. "I know that's super corny and that it probably wasn't worth the effort, but I thought it'd be kinda cute, especially since I wrote a message for you on one before we started dating, and I..."

As you drone on, Levi stops paying attention your words, and he revels in the image in front of him.

Even though he's sat here a million times before, in this exact same position, you've never looked more beautiful to him than right now, with your lipstick all smudged from the kisses you leave on his skin. Your face and ears are flushed in a muted red, and as you talk, your lips move frantically, forming words that go in one ear and out the other. Still, he lets himself soak in the tone of your voice as you speak absolute fucking gibberish to him, and he thinks you look stunning, even with your mind totally lost in its own confusion.

Levi shuts you up with a kiss, careful not to be too rough and knock the stars out of their box. He pulls away, and he forces his gift into your hands after he swiftly wipes some of his tears away.

"You don't have to explain yourself, I think we're both on the same page here," he whispers breathlessly.

He hears you hold your breath as you open the lid to the box to see the pale yellow stars he's folded for you, and despite his best efforts to not spill them, both sets of stars fall to the floor as you tackle him in another hug.

This time, instead of singing praises, Levi just hears sniffles from you. You let out a laugh through your own tears, and even though Levi knows that he really should pick up the stars before they're crushed by the weight of your bodies, he wants to stay here, in the kind, loving arms of the stranger from bus 143.

He lets himself cry, and the two of you just hold each other while you wait for the overwhelming feelings to pass.

When you pull away from each other, your arms get tangled together when you both go to wipe the other's tears. He lets you go first, your gentle hands blotting at the red on his face, and when you're done, he tugs the sleeve of his shirt a bit longer to wipe away the love that still overflows from your heart and spills from your eyes.

You and him look down at the mess on the ground, now composed of 286 paper stars, and you laugh before dragging him down to the floor with you to start reading them to each other.

And even though it’s not what he expected, when his tired hands unravel yet another a yellow paper star to tell you what he loved about you on the most mundane of days, and you smile at him like he's the moon itself, he's sure this is what love feels like.

✰

Next Chapter

#attack on titan #levi ackerman x reader #levi x reader #tao.levi #levi aot #levi ackerman #the romance of reimbursements #levi #fanfiction

[practically-an-x-man]

Then for Desert Song:

The Scream, Persistence of Memory, The Kiss, Wheatfield with Crows, A Sunday Afternoon, and The Swing :)

Ahhh Desert Song my beloved!! Can't wait to dive into this! Thank you again!

OC/Writing Art Asks

This one will be interesting since we're still so early into it. A bit like Necrosis for you, I think, there's so many things that I want to talk about but don't want to spoil the surprises headed your way.

The Scream: are there any moments in this work that you think could scare a reader? Are there any moments where the characters themselves are profoundly scared?

I think it depends on your perspective. This is going to be a pretty dark one no matter which way you slice it, so it's less a matter of "what's scary?" and more a matter of "where is this scarier than normal?". There's going to be a lot of high-octane action that I hope will have the readers on the edge of their seats, but there's one scene in particular that will involve some medical horror, and that might be scary. Idk, I'm pretty hardy and I genuinely like horror, so I'm sure I've got a skewed viewpoint on what's scary.

As far as when the characters are scared.... well, yes. Yes there are. You've seen a few of these already (namely the fall, and when Quinn gets hurt in chapter 7), but there's a lot more still to come. Like I said, there's some major high-octane action here, in true Michael Bay fashion, so the characters are gonna be worn to their last nerve.

Persistence of Memory: are there any moments in this work where a character's memory plays a strong role? Either an individual memory, or simply a character's ability to recall the past.

I mean, this whole fic plays with the comparison between past and present, and both Quinn's and Billy's memories of the prior crew play a massive role in how they interact both with each other and with the other Ghosts. Plus, as you've seen, there are a few flashback scenes involving Quinn's memories, and likely a few more still to come.

Memory is very important here, I'd say. In fact, I'd advise you to watch very closely for the comparisons of past to present. It's a major part of who Quinn is.

The Kiss: share your favorite kiss scene from this work. If there's no kiss scene, share your favorite moment of intimacy (romantic or platonic)

Now, I'm not usually fond of my first-kiss scenes (the balance of making it feel special without overdescribing it is difficult for me), but this is the one exception:

Billy leaned closer, impossibly closer. He was enjoying this, maybe a little too much. And maybe, past the pounding of their heart and the clouds brewing in their mind, Quinn found themself the same.

“For luck?” Billy whispered, green eyes still glinting dangerously. They were convinced, then, that he was of the Unseelie Court. He was a Fae, come to take her name and her voice, to put her under his spell, to leave her lost and wandering.

Well, she said, Take it. That name never belonged to me anyway. 

She closed the gap, and the world fell away.

The wall at her back was the only thing keeping her tethered to Earth, the concrete hard and cold against her spine. Everything else seemed to have dissolved under the weight of his touch. Billy’s hands were warm as they navigated her waist and hips, pulling her close against him. Quinn’s heart was pounding, each beat a mix of exhilaration and terror and wonder and regret. They’d dreamed of this a thousand times, each time forced to wake up and remind themself that he doesn’t see you that way. 

But he did. And if not for the warmth that flooded their body, real and tangible, they’d have wondered if they were in fact still dreaming.

She’d fallen hard. And it was far too late to turn back now.

There's just so many sides of this that I ended up loving. For one, the comparison of Billy to a Fae followed by Quinn "surrendering her name" to him was one of the things I was particularly proud of. I feel like it added an element of magic to the scene, and implemented Quinn's perspective as a transgender woman (surrendering the name that didn't belong to her) in a way that, at least to me, worked incredibly well for this scene.

I also feel like I managed to escape what is usually my downfall for kiss scenes: describing the scene in enough detail to bring the reader into it, but not so much that it becomes awkward. It's always a very difficult balance for me to strike, but I feel like this one just... worked.

And then, of course, it ends with a bit of foreshadowing, since that chapter ends with the two of them literally falling hand-in-hand. And if that's not enough... 6 Underground has this running symbolism about "luck", where pretty much every scene that involves a direct mention of luck ends up going wrong in some way or another. That's another thing I'd keep an eye on, if I were you....

Wheatfield with Crows: are there any scenes in this work that involve birds? Do the birds play a definitive role, or are they simply part of the setting?

So this is interesting, since birds are often one of my favorite topics to use for symbolism. There's just so many ways they can be utilized, both in general and by species. But from what I've written for Desert Song... not yet.

I do incorporate birds' wings a fair bit (which, admittedly, just began as an excuse for far too many X-Men references) but I don't think actual birds come into play. Yet. But knowing me, there's bound to be something eventually. I do love birds.

A Sunday Afternoon...: pick one "little moment" from this fic. How representative is it of the fic's tone and story as a whole?

I admit, it's a little tough to find a "little moment" in a fic that's still so close to the beginning. This is the part of the story where I'm still setting everything up, planting all of the seeds that will eventually blossom into ongoing symbolism. There's not much that feels "little", this early in the story. But here's this:

“Hey,” Billy said, jogging up to her from behind. Quinn twisted, ignoring the little twinge of pain that danced up her spine at the motion. 

“Hey.” 

“So what’s Plan B?”

“Hm?”

“I mean, if he’s not gonna make one, we might as well make one.” he said with a quick shrug, “That way we’ve at least got something, y’know? Still would like to have the whole team on board, but if nothing else… we’ve got each others’ backs, right?”

“Yeah, of course.” she agreed at once, “Always.”

“Right. So what’s Plan B, then?”

Quinn pursed their lips, squinting up ahead at the gleaming metal of their trailer. They lifted a crutch and pointed at it, then kept moving. 

“Inside. It’s too hot out here, anyway.”

“Ah, yeah.” Billy said with a nod, following her over to the trailer, “We’ve gotta get you a mini-fridge. Mine’s got a mini-fridge. Mostly booze One doesn’t know about.”

“Of course it is.” 

“Hey, easy with that! I might share.” he joked, “If you ask me nicely.”

Quinn huffed out a brisk laugh as she pushed open the door to her trailer. The air inside was still awfully dry, the same as the rest of the desert, but at least it was cooler. She unstrapped one crutch and propped it up by the door, then dropped into the booth at the side of the room.

I feel like this is fairly representative of the story. It shows a lot of the relationship between Billy and Quinn, mainly in how comfortable they are around each other. It shows that they've done this sort of thing before and know what to expect, perhaps even more than One despite the fact that he's the team leader. And it shows that underneath the lighthearted banter, there's actually a lot of intelligence and strategy below the surface.

I also think it shows something very important about the two of them: they're devoted to the team, but their first loyalties will always be to each other. This particular moment is small, just choosing a Plan B in case the Ghosts' main plan goes wrong (which, spoiler alert, but you've read Chapter 7...), but it shows that they trust each others' judgement much more than that of the other Ghosts, and will even go behind the others' backs for the sake of their own motivations.

The Swing: are there any moments in this fic where the characters get to slow down and have fun? If not, why is that?

This is similar to the "little moments", but so far there's not a whole lot that's separate from the plot. It's still early, and I'm still setting everything up, so even the "slowed-down" moments have some larger significance (often significance to Quinn and Billy's relationship). I'd say that the closest thing so far is the scene where Quinn sits down for breakfast with the Ghosts, since it allows for a bit of early-stage building of their alliance and friendship without too much larger significance to the plot. Even the scene with the flooded hotel, while it's a reprieve for Quinn and Billy, is a crucial private moment to the development of their relationship, and therefore not separate from the core plot.

Just like with the prior question, I feel like there's bound to be more of these moments as the story progresses, once I've settled into the themes and symbolism a little more and have room to take a break from the primary plot once in a while. But it's a little like knitting - I can't take a break until I've got enough woven that it won't fall apart when I set it down.

#this turned into a ramble that could rival some of your best (in a good way) #thank you again for the ask!!! #my friends!!! #answered asks #my ocs #oc quinn/aces #ask game #oc asks #oc ask game

[offthefieldsmau]

⚽ 1.92

Wednesdays, attentive reader, were the bane of Stede’s existence. It was lucky for him that since Mary and Doug were back from their vacation; Alma and Louis spent their Sunday thru Wednesday with them, relying on Stede to pick them both up at Alma’s nighttime soccer practice for the rest of the week. The duo would then be deposited back into Mary and Doug’s careful hands at family brunch on Sunday.

However, with the recent honeymoon trip and re-acclimation back into reality, Mary and Doug had been frazzled. Post-wedding chaos was palpable, especially with all the legalities that one had to go through.

Lucky for Mary, she didn’t have to worry too much. Doug was keen on taking over just about every detail that he could. Down to changing his own name, solely because he didn’t want Mary to stress too much about the process all over again.

The bar may have been low, but Doug was hell bent on raising it for the rest of society.

You’ll be inclined to know, however, that while Doug was busy taking care of all the Marriage Things, that left Mary to take care of all the Art Studio and New House Things. And Wednesdays were always fairly busy for Stede as hump day meant all kinds of meetings and check-ins with his infant team of real estate aficionados.

Routine was paramount to him: wake up at 6, breakfast by 6:30, dressed by a soft 7:15 (you never know how his hair will behave, especially by mid-week,) and out the door by 7:45. The drive to the office was a short fifteen, but even then, Stede was the boss.

If he showed up late, but with an armful of donuts, who in the office would have protested?

So his Wednesdays were down to a science, that not even a loose cog in the wheel could disrupt. He gave himself time buffers, just in case he doddled too long getting his skincare routine done, or matching the perfect button-up for his suit.

Which was why his well-oiled Wednesday machine sputtered to a stop when he got a phone call from Alma at 7:00 AM sharp.

“Petal?” Stede patted the lapel of his bathrobe as he stood in his closet, “Why are you—”

“Mom and Doug aren’t home,” Alma sighed and muttered something offhand to Louis, “I think they forgot us.”

Stede scoffed, “They did not forget you. That’s wholly unlike them,” lucky for them, he was ahead of schedule and pulled a blazer off the rack, “You’re sure they’re not home?”

“Pretty sure, dad,” she bemoaned, “my homeroom starts in 30 minutes and we can’t be tardy again. They both left this morning, like, super quick. The coffee pot was still brewing when I came downstairs for breakfast.”

Stede already had his top-half clothed and jumped into a pair of slacks, “I’ll be over in fifteen. Please eat or grab something for the drive to school—”

“Already fed,” her smile in tone was familiar — Stede could see the fondness on her face, “and thank you.”

“Of course,” Stede stopped what he was doing and grabbed the phone, “anytime. You ever need me, you call, okay?”

“Okay.”

Once Stede got in the car, he had to give Oluwande a call about a late show to work, since the school was in the opposite direction of the office from his house. With that push-back, he had to reschedule two morning meetings with prospective buyers. 

Like dominoes, his whole day was thrown for a loop. Lunch was an hour later than Stede normally took it (and his stomach protested violently.) His mid-afternoon tea had to be canceled for the day as he got email after email about bank appraisals needed for not one, not two, but three homes.

Someone at Bank of America had it out for Stede Bonnet, surely.

One gold, lone shiny star (like the stickers on his fridge) from the day was the fact that he was not late picking the kids up from school. He and Alma were nearly late for practice drop-off (to which Stede didn’t even get a chance to say hi to Ed, much to his heart’s dismay.)

#prose #chapter one #off the field #off the field smau #otf smau #ofmd smau

[selfwriting-sugarquills]

Heat in the rain pt. 3: One of those job things.

(Oof, we’re getting into the fluff now! Also, slightly unrelated but: I have a headcanon that the twins drink an absurd amount of coffee, that’s all - Hope you enjoy it! xxx) 

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 

Description: Reader decides they should get “one of those job things” (points if you get the reference- well I did use the gif so it shouldn’t be hard lol), and heads out, while she’s gone Fred urges George to confess his feelings. 

Warnings: None, just a load of fluff

Word count: 2257

 It was ten-thirty am on Sunday when the twins shuffled out of George’s bedroom looking tired. You were already sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of tea while reading a newspaper, before you sat a stack of three other newspapers, all open on the same pages, 

“Morning,” Fred yawned, scratching his hair lazily, he beelined for the fridge whilst George headed for the kettle, making himself a cup of coffee. He took a sip and sat down beside you, 

“What are you up to?” He asked, his voice gravely and sleepy, he rubbed his eyes as he squinted at the pages, 

“Are those job articles?” He asked, scooting closer to you, you smiled at him, 

“I figured I should get a job as well, make some money, get back on my feet” You took a sip of your tea, Fred pulled out his wand and behind him, eggs started cracking themselves into the heated pan on the stove, some potatoes leftover from yesterday were being chopped by an enchanted knife and bacon was separating itself from the pack and placing itself delicately onto the pan as well, popping and sizzling with the eggs, 

“You know, Y/n, if you wanted a job, you could just ask us,” Fred said, pouring himself some coffee as well, “Yeah we’d be happy to let you help out with the shop,” George added, eyes glancing up from the newspaper he’d stolen from your pile, 

“That’s sweet, guys but I couldn’t work for you, I’m already living with you for free,” You said, “It wouldn’t be fair be take from your pay as well,” You pulled the newspaper a little closer to you, 

“besides,” You pointed to the newspapers, “There are some pretty good jobs out there, I think,” 

Fred walked over beside you, looking over the black and white pages, 

“Like what? window cleaning?” Fred asked, grinning, “or dog walking?” he broke into a laugh, 

“Well, I wasn’t gonna pick those,” You said, slapping Fred gently on the arm, 

“Madam Malkin’s is hiring,” George said, pointing to an article in the newspaper he was reading, “That might not be too bad,” He added, grabbing a pen you circled it, 

“Thanks, George,” You said, giving him a smile, “You’re welcome,” He answered, sipping his coffee, “But if everything fails you better apply at the shop,” 

“Or just apply now, you know we’ll hire you immediately,” Fred said, scooping some eggs and bacon onto a plate, “Out of the question!” you said, downing the last sip of your tea and standing up, “But I have to head out now, I have to write a killer resumé without mentioning that I have zero experience,” you explained as you headed towards the door, collecting your jacket, George stared at you tying your shoes, 

“And you can’t do that here because?” He said, drawing out the last word, you beamed up at him slightly mischievously, he didn’t let it show, but something inside his chest squirmed when you looked at him like that, “Because,” You said, mimicking the way he’d said it, “you two won’t be working today, which means you’ll be here,” You tied a scarf around your neck as the two twins stared at you, still not getting the point by the look of their faces, “and I have learned from years of trying to study with you two that you can’t be quiet for more than five minutes, so: I’m going to a more quiet place,” finally, you grabbed your bag. 

Fred frowned a little, then said, “Fair point,” smirking behind his coffee cup. 

“What about breakfast?” George asked, 

“I’ve already eaten, I was up at 7,” You said, causing them both to gawk at you like you’d grown a second head, 

“Okay,” Said Fred, swirling the coffee around in his cup with a frown, looking like he was trying to solve a riddle, “Why?” He then asked, looking up at you, 

“Believe it or not, Freddie, some of us like to get up before noon,” 

“Us meaning you and all the roosters in England, I suppose,” Fred laughed, George joining in, 

Chuckling a little as well, you opened the door, 

“Enjoy your Sunday!” You yelled behind you as you stepped out onto the stairs. 

*** 

Walking down Diagon Alley, you glanced at the storefronts as you passed them by, taking in the fresh winter air. It was a busy scene, which wasn’t unusual, however with Christmas coming, it was even more crowded than usual. You walked for a while, trying to find somewhere that would be quiet enough for you to work out your essay, you’d figured a library at first, but you didn’t feel like walking all that far, you stopped in front of a small café, looking through the windows, something about the warm lights, plants and the various other small trinkets drew you in. 

Stepping inside you sighed quietly as you were taken out of the cold and instead stood in the warm, coffee-filled, air. A woman behind the counter greeted you, then moved on to make someone else’s drink, you eyed the menu hanging on the wall for a bit, then something caught your eye, a small note was stood on the counter, 

“Looking for baristas to work Wednesday-Sunday, 

if interested, please ask after Beatrice.” 

“Can I help you?” The woman behind the counter said, you glanced at her name tag and saw that she was the Beatrice mentioned on the note, 

“Uhm yeah, I’m looking for a job and I was wondering if you’re still hiring?” The words slipped out of your mouth almost automatically, Beatrice’s lips split into a warm smile, 

“Sure, when can you start?” She asked you blinked, 

“Erh, don’t you have to interview me first?” You asked, Beatrice, grinned even wider, “I probably should but truth be told I hate job interviews, too formal,” She explained, “How do you like your coffee?” She asked. You took a moment to think, this was all happening very fast, however, Beatrice had that kind of warm, welcoming energy about her, so you decided to go along with it, 

“Uhm, can you make me a flat white, please?” you said the first thing your eyes saw on the menu, your voice still slightly timid, “Sure thing,” Beatrice said, beginning to scoop some coffee powder into a small cup, you noticed how she didn’t use magic to prepare the coffee, she looked up at you and seemed to notice your slightly questioning look, 

“My mother was a muggle, she owned a coffee shop too,” Beatrice pulled what looked like a small lever, “-and even after she married my dad she swore that coffee tasted better when it was made by hand, even if magic is faster,” She explained, a look of fondness in her brown eyes, “And I have to say that I agree,” She chuckled a little, pouring some milk into the cup and handing it to you, “There you go, now let’s go over there and we can talk a little, not an interview though, just a conversation,” She said, chuckling again at the last bit, you smiled as you followed her to a comfortable corner of the café. 

***

In the shop, the twins were in the very back of their store, having been bored upstairs, so now, they were stacking boxes onto shelves and unboxing others, placing their content onto a small cart, meant for restocking the shelves in the storefront, 

“So,” Fred said, opening a box, 

“So?” George said, stacking a few boxes on Wonder Witch onto the cart, 

“Are you gonna tell her how you feel soon?” Fred asked frankly, George paused, put down the boxes and spun around meeting his brother’s grinning face, “What do you mean?” George said. He knew exactly what Fred meant.  

“C’mon Georgie, you’re not still pretending that you don’t love her, are you?” 

“I never pretended anything,” George said, sulking a little, 

“Oh sure,” Said Fred, a smirk growing on his face as he turned around and opened another box, “And you two never left the yule ball early to snog in the common room either,” He said, the immediate silence from his twin told Fred that he’d struck gold, 

“How do you know about that?” George’s voice asked Fred, who still had his back turned to him, Fred strained not to laugh, 

“I have my sources,” Fred said mysteriously, still stifling a laugh, George went back to the pink boxes, then regretted doing so. He knew damn well that those products were inspired by you, as you’d given them the idea for it at breakfast one morning, he remembered clearly how he and Fred had been exhausted from trying to come up with new ideas, and for the first time in a long time, with little luck, he still remembered how his stomach had done a somersault when your e/c eyes met his and asked, 

“Why don’t you try and make something for girls? like, colour changing mascara or something?” You hadn’t been trying to look pretty when you’d said it, mouth half-full of toast, but to George, you’d looked so gorgeous as you sat there, bathed in the morning light, streaming in through the big windows in the Great hall, he’d had to stop himself from leaning over the table and pressing lips to yours, 

“I don’t think she feels that way about me,” George heard himself say, his eyes still fixed on the boxes, 

“If she didn’t then why did she agree to ditch her actual date to the ball, sneaking off to snog you?” Fred asked, glancing at his brother, who still seemed fixated on the boxes, Fred came to a halt as well and turned to face his brother again, 

“George, I’m pretty sure there’s a reason she came here, and I’m pretty sure that reason revolves around you,” Fred said in an unusually quiet manner, “The worst that can happen is that she says she doesn’t like you in that way, and even then, she’ll still be your friend,” 

“We don’t know that” Said George hopelessly, Fred took a step towards him, 

“We do know that, George, otherwise she wouldn’t be here in the first place,” Fred clasped a hand onto George’s shoulder, “You just have to buck up some courage and grow a pair,” He said, George looked at him, looking a little too beaten down for Fred’s taste, “And then what?” He asked quietly, causing Fred to laugh, “Tell her, mate.” 

***

Exiting the café you felt positively euphoric, Beatrice turned out to be the nicest, calmest and most charming person you could have ever imagined as a boss, during your talk she’d introduced herself as a single mother of a young son, who was starting pre-school soon, hence why she needed some extra hands, who loved everything coffee related, though her secret obsession was baking, she’d laughed when she’d told you how much time she spent watching muggle baking shows, besides owning the shop, she’d always wanted to go on a tour of France, visiting various hotspots for cuisine and wine. When it had been your turn to speak, you’d told her everything, feeling safe in the little nook of the coffee shop amongst pillows, blankets and flowers, she hadn’t spoken when you’d told her about your whole situation with the war and your parents, she’d simply put a warm, soft hand on top of your own as a tear slipped down your face. All in all: She’d proven to be a fantastic person. You were pretty sure, as you turned a corner, heading towards the twins’ shop, that meeting her and getting the job there was the universe trying to make up for the many misfortunes that had hit you in the past half-year. 

Walking into the flat you were met by George, who seemed to be doing some of the accounting work that came with owning the shop, he glanced up at you and gave you smile, 

“How was writing?” He asked as you shrugged off your coat, “Well, not that great, since I didn’t write a resumé at all, however,” You said, walking up to him, “I got a job instead!” You announced, beaming at the redhead who looked at you with raised eyebrows, “Really? that’s amazing!” He said, standing up to hug you, “I know! I start on Tuesday,” You said, wrapping your arms around George. 

There was something different about the way he hugged you, you thought, it was… slower? softer? You couldn’t really name it, but something in the way he held onto you so gingerly compared to the way he used to hug you (which you’d once described as trying to hug a bludger coming at you with full speed, same went for Fred) however he also kept his arms wrapped around you for way longer than he’d ever held onto you, well safe for one time, you blushed as you remembered suddenly all too well how the yule ball had played out for you, the feeling of George’s lips pressed against your own, his hand steadily placed on your waist, the other on your face, softly caressing your cheek with his thumb - It all came to you as he held you, his head resting on top of your own, you felt your cheeks burning. You didn’t say anything. 

What you didn’t know was that George’s mind was also racing, fleeting memories of you smiling at him, quickly touching his hands and arms to get his attention in class, hugging him tightly after winning a quidditch match, the way your hair looked in the sunlight as you came running onto the pitch to congratulate him and, of course, you kissing him in front of the fireplace in the common room, the feeling of your soft lips engulfing him, making him lose all sense of time and space. 

Fred was right, George thought,  all he had to do was tell you.

__ Taglist: @lilcutekittykat​ 

#the most unrealistic thing about this isn't even the magic #it's the fact that the reader wakes up at 7 on a Sunday #what an absolute madlad reader is #george weasley x reader #fred weasley x reader #weasley twins x reader #weasley twins #Fred Weasley #fred lives #George Weasley #fluff

[wardenparker]

Killer Writing - chapter 11

Dave York x plus size female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

After divorcing Carol so she could marry her soulmate, Dave York threw himself into his work. There is no way he could have predicted that the unexpected collateral damage on an op would turn out to be his soulmate. Now all he can do is keep you safe, and try his best to get you to not hate him as the two of you try to navigate a blooming relationship that started out with threats and a mean right hook.  

Rating: Explicit for Violence. 18+! Word Count: 12.4k Warnings: *Blanket content warning for self-esteem, self-image, and weight issues.* Angst and sadness. Just so much angst and sadness. Canon typical violence: guns, gunshots, knives, stabbing, physical injury, death. Not sure if it really deserves it, but Dead Dove Do Not Eat! A dash of flirting because it’s Dave and we can, mentions of sexy times.  Summary: To say that the showdown on the mountain does not go exactly to Dave’s plans would be an understatement.  Notes: Stay tuned for next week’s epilogue to get a glimpse into Dave and his sweetheart’s future! 💕✨ And get ready to say hello to our next Soulmate Sunday story “You’re So Vain” featuring our very own Dieter Bravo in two weeks!

Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11

Three hours before daybreak, Dave is already up. Sleep comes very sporadically for him, most of the night spent just holding you after you had finally succumbed to your exhaustion and clung to him while you hopefully dreamed about something other than the nightmare that you are living in. He had only left the bed briefly, taking his phone into the living room and recording two different videos and saving them. Returning quietly and only having you protest softly when he pulled you back into his arms and smiling when you burrowed into his chest and sighed like you had missed him.

Once up, he makes coffee, knowing that he needs to be alert but not over caffeinated for the confrontation. The weapons placed strategically around the cabin and his vest are already loaded up and ready to throw on the moment the perimeter alarm is tripped. The boys will be here in half an hour, already parked over a mile away and hiking up the back side of the mountain, making sure that they were in position for when this bastard decided to show.

“Dave?” Your voice from the other room is clouded with sleep and confusion, and when you appear in the doorway in your t-shirt and sweats it’s clear that the first thing you did on waking up was panic when he wasn’t in bed with you. “You should have woken me up, love.” The words are half-mumbled as you pad across the small living room to wrap your arms around him. Every possible nightmare scenario had made it into your dreams last night and the only respite you had was one moment in one vision with him holding you before all hell broke loose. You need that right now - that moment of comfort - because you’re sure it won’t last long.

"I'm sorry." He drops a kiss on your forehead and leans against you slightly. "You were sleeping peacefully, and I didn't want to bother you." His hand finds its way under your shirt and he rubs your back gently. "I made coffee this morning." He would have made your tea, but coffee would be better. "And there's an egg sandwich for you."

“Thank you, love.” When you tip your head up to kiss him, he’s right there waiting. The moment is brief but desperately much needed. “Period stopped overnight, thank god.” The last thing you needed was to be distracted by anything today. “Is there anything left to do to…prepare?”

“Only for you to get dressed.” Despite the fact that you are going into the basement, he wants you dressed warmly, in layers and with your boots on in case you have to bolt. The alternative exit to the basement was thoroughly explained to you, the wide extra door where they bring in the barrels of gas for the generator.

“Okay.” You nod against him and pull back to grab the sandwich he fixed for you, figuring rightfully that he finished his prep hours ago. “I’ll eat and get dressed, and when the guys get here I’ll post to Katie’s Instagram. I’m thinking a photo of two coffee mugs in front of the fire with a caption about finally getting to meet? If the guy has been tracking us - me, her, whatever - he should see that.”

“Perfect.” Dave nods and glances around the cabin. He had gone through it this morning, moving things slightly to make sure his path is clear and memorizing steps to the weapons.

Your small breakfast is eaten quickly and at Dave’s insistence - two bites on you were fairly certain that anxiety was going to make you sick, but you make it through. The cup of coffee he poured is saved for Instagram, though, because the last thing you need is to accidentally have too much caffeine and end up jittery while holding a gun.

When you come back into the room, Dave looks you over, making sure there is nothing that you are missing. The holster. “Come here baby.” He murmurs, picking up the object in question. He made you learn how to wear it, how to draw from it until it was smooth. “Let me put this on you.”

“They should be here any minute.” You know the tight arrival schedule that the guys set for today. Everything was talked about across the cabin’s dining room table last night. Everything was hammered out in theoreticals, but seeing it in motion today is making your chest feel hollow.

“Yep.” Dave focuses on making sure the holster is secure. Tugging on it to make sure you wouldn’t be able to pull it off your body and lose your weapon.

“I know what to do.” The best you can reach for is reassurance right now, even though you’re scared out of your mind. Dave’s silence betrayed his own anxieties, and you wish you weren’t both wearing guns already because you would drag him back to bed to cuddle for just a few more minutes.

“I know you do.” His dark eyes meet yours and he reaches up to cup your cheek. “You are ready to handle whatever today brings.” He promises, reaching into his pocket with his other hand and pulling out his phone. “Take this. Keep it with you.”

You’re about to ask him why when the perimeter alarm goes off. Dave bolts to the monitors and sees Resnick first, letting both of you sigh in relief. You’re already on high alert this morning and the trap hasn’t even been set.

“Showtime.” Dave mutters to himself, watching the men make their way to the cabin before he walks over to the door to unlock it.

“Everything’s set.” Resnick kicks the snow off his boots before stepping inside the cabin, nodding to you briefly even as he walks directly over to Dave. “You all good here, boss?”

“All good.” Dave gestures towards the kitchen. “Coffee’s still hot.” He tells them, knowing they don’t normally drink anything with they wake up this early for an op.

“How ‘bout you?” Kovac eyes you, but not unkindly. He’s grown protective of you over the last few weeks, and has a promise to his own soulmate to uphold: to do everything he can to bring you home safely. “I know what I need to do.” You tell him, Accepting the half-hug he offers you before taking Katie’s phone from his hand. It will only take you a minute to put the post together and then it’s just a waiting game until the bastard shows up.

“Good.” Kovac smiles. “You remind me of Katie at the beginning. Nervous and yet determined.” He praises before he looks around, assessing the space. “You have water and food and a bucket down there?” He asks.

“Yeah, everything is all set up.” Food that doesn’t require cooking and plenty of bottles of water will keep you taken care of down there no matter how much of the day you have to spend in hiding. You take two steaming mugs over to the coffee table and set them up, making sure that every tracking feature on Katie’s phone is turned on while you set up the post. ‘After two years and plenty of trying, I’m FINALLY getting to spend a day with my best friend. Fresh air and a toasty fire for the first of many Girls’ Days!’

Kovac pulls out his encrypted phone and checks it. “Someone’s accessing the account to get a geo location.” He announces.

“Then it worked.” And just like that, you can feel your heart pounding in terror.

Dave stiffens, ready to send you to the basement, even though he doesn’t have a clue how long it will take the bastard to get here. “Come here baby.” He orders.

The little cabin doesn’t afford a whole lot of privacy when it’s full of five people, but you meet him at the top of the basement stairs where he beckons you. Hiding still feels like abandoning him, but he knows this world far better than you do. If it’s what he says is best, you have to believe him.

“Look at me.” Dave demands, waiting until your eyes hesitantly meet his. “I love you. I want you to remember that while you are downstairs.” He tells you to start with. “If any of us come down, we will announce our presence. If that door opens and there are footsteps on the stairs without us calling out, you shoot. Do you understand me?”

“I understand.” You nod just once, trying to force yourself to keep the tears down until you’re alone. If someone gets through to you in the basement that isn’t one of them, it will probably mean they’re (at best) gravely injured if not dead.

Leaning in, Dave presses his lips to yours one last time, taking this moment for the two of you. His fingers wrap around your wrist, the tattoo you had inked into your skin to identify yourself to your soulmate - to him - under his fingers as he caresses it. “Go.” He murmurs when he pulls back. “Keep my phone on you. It’s got very important information on it.”

“I love you.” It doesn’t seem like enough to say in this moment, and you’re sure you’ll think of a hundred things that would be better to say or do right now other than a profession of love and a desperate kiss, but it’s not as though you have time to write several drafts of your ‘good-bye’ remarks. “Be careful, baby. Please.”

“I love you, too.” He watches you go down the stairs, closing the door behind you and turns to his teams. “Get into position, check in every 15 minutes.” He orders sharply, eyes turning hard.

“Move out.” Kovac’s eyes linger on the basement door just a beat less than Dave’s do before he’s nodding and straightening up to follow orders. “We’ll take care of this,” he promises Dave - not just his leader but his friend - before turning for the door. “Once and for all.”

Dave takes a moment after the team leaves, closing his eyes and - he’s not praying because he stopped believing in any sort of higher power a long time ago - he hopes things go well today. Hoping that the universe or fate didn’t give him you just to snatch you away. When he opens up his eyes, he picks up his gun and tucks it into his back. He is supposed to appear as if everything is normal for now, like they aren’t waiting for him.

******

The hours tick by like chilled molasses, the only thing ever changing being the constant rotation of check-ins over the Walkie Talkie that has been sitting beside you in the basement since you came down here four or five hours ago. The check-ins come every fifteen minutes like clockwork and every time you hear Dave’s voice it’s a temporary balm over your terrified soul. His phone is still sits in your clasped hands where it’s been the whole time, powered down and just reflecting your somber face back at you whenever you look down at the electronic.

Around hour six, the monotony and a morbid curiosity have you powering up his phone. He said there was important information there and your mind is spinning all sorts of horrifying scenarios where the phone is destroyed, and Dave is gravely injured, and that information that he so desperately tried to preserve is gone forever. His lock screen is a photo of the two of you from Christmas Day - the roaring fire behind you making a perfect background for the selfie that you begged him to retake but he insisted was perfect. Your eyes are half closed in the picture, the chubby cheeks that you hate making them all but disappear as you smile at him. If you remember correctly, Dave hit the button right before he kissed you and the way he’s looking at you like you’re the most precious thing in the world is the only reason you didn’t delete the photo yourself. The site of it is enough to make you break right down and cry right now. There are two videos saved to his phone, one marked Legal, and the other with your name. You have never been the kind of person to snoop in another person’s property, but your name being there seems to give you permission all on its own.

The video is in the living room, the fire’s flames dancing over his face and adding to the light from the kitchen. He hadn’t wanted to wake you up making these. Looking at the camera, holding the phone away from him, Dave gives you a small smile. “Hey baby.” He speaks softly, the tone he uses when he is curled up behind you and talking after the two of you are coming down from your post-coitus bliss. He sighs softly. “If you are watching this - our plan didn’t go right and unfortunately, I’m probably dead.”

A fucking goodbye video. Of course he did… The tears are nearly immediate, and you wipe your cheeks with the edge of your sleeve quickly.

“Hey.” He frowns and shakes his head. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. I don’t like it when you cry.”

“Don’t fucking talk to me like you’re sitting there.” You answer him the same way though - like he’s right in front of you instead of outside somewhere getting ready to fight a battle.

“I wanted to tell you some things.” Dave continues on. “Things that I haven’t found the words for yet or just - haven’t had time to say.” He flashes a grin, his dimple showing. “Did you know I was pissed off when I first heard you in the building that morning?” He shakes his head. “I was furious. Another person in the building to deal with, to potentially take out.”

Shaking your head at the screen, more tears roll down your cheeks and you wipe them away. “You would hate that. Logistics gone wrong.”

“What I didn’t tell you was that I was supposed to be the one to take out your boss.” Dave admits, cocking his head guiltily. “I changed it at the last moment because you were dancing to the music at your desk and singing like no one else was there.”

“Oh my god…” Hiccupping slightly, you reach out to touch the screen softly, accidentally pausing the video on the image of his soft, slightly nostalgic face before tapping it again to start playing again.

“Honestly, I’m glad I did.” He looks down at the tattoo on his own skin and then back at the camera. “In less than thirty seconds, you turned my world on its axis and changed everything for me.” Dave smiles. “In the best possible way, baby. Even when you were terrified of me, I wanted to keep you safe. Learn everything I could about the woman the universe said was the other half of my soul.” He pauses, dark eyes slightly brighter than they were seconds before. “And you are - you are so smart and funny - fuck, you are hilarious with your sarcastic humor.” He tells you on the video. “Kind and forgiving. And despite what you think, you are gorgeous. Sexy and cute.”

You huff at the camera, tears in a torrent now, and shake your head at the little image of Dave on the screen. "You only l-like me because I punched you," you tease his image fondly.

“I want you to do something for me baby.” Dave murmurs softly, looking at the camera like he is staring through it at you. “Don’t hide yourself away.” He demands. “I want you to live. Explore, have a full life. Fall in love again.” He swallows. “If anyone on the team is still alive, they will help you however they can. We are all family, and you are a part of that. Promise me that you will write your book and travel.” He grins. “Have sex in the snow again.” The grin slides away into a more serious expression and he pulls the phone closer. “I love you sweetheart, never doubt that for a second. And because I love you, I want you to be happy, even if it has to be without me.”

The video ends abruptly and if you weren't crying so hard yourself, you would have seen the tears in Dave's eyes before he cut the recording. If it weren't such a precious thing you might straight out throw his phone across the room to shatter it against the concrete wall. How could you ever possibly be happy without him now that you've had any time with him at all? Even the month you've had together - despite how it started - has been the happiest time of your entire life. Happy without him? Impossible. Whatever the second video is, the one marked Legal, it can't possibly be as bad as that was.

The video starts, this time there is no soft smile, no hint of warmth in his eyes. Dave appears to be completely serious as he sits up straight and stares even into the camera. “I, David Tomas York, being of sound mind and under no coercion, record this video as my last will and testament, voiding all previous videos or documents.”

Serves you fucking right for being so naive. Of course this is just as bad and is going to make you cry just as hard...

He rattles off the time and date of the video and continues on. “As of this day, I hereby grant as executor of my estate to be the legal offices of Harold and Harold, to execute the wishes stated in this video.” Dave pauses and takes a breath. “First, all burial instructions are already filed with the office, it is my wish to be cremated and either interred into the veteran’s cemetery or to be given to my soulmate to keep or dispose of as she sees fit.”

"You can goddamn stay alive." Mumbling through tears isn't exactly the most coherent that you've ever been, but since there's no one around to hear you, it doesn't truly matter. "That is what the fuck your soulmate sees fit."

“The entirety of my estate, I bequeath to my soulmate.” He gives your full name. “Any and all assets, property, accounts and stocks will be sighed over to her. This includes the two-point-five million dollar life insurance policy, the death benefit of this policy should be paid out to her.”

"No." It comes out of your mouth so conversationally that you almost laugh. "No. That's not going to happen. All this stuff will get passed down to the kids." Your kids. The ones who haven't even been conceived yet. The ones that are only theoretical but will be born someday. Whenever that day comes, those will be the people who will eventually inherit everything from him. From their Dad.

“This are my final wishes.” Dave declares before he says your name again. “The lawyers have a listing of all my assets and the name of the stockbroker I use. They will take care of everything for you.” He promises before he ends the video without another word.

"They can take care of everything when we go in there together after—” The impulse to throw his wretched phone is strong again, but the Walkie crackles to life a second later. Resnick's voice is quiet but clear, barking out codes and abbreviations you don't understand. This isn't a check in. Shoving Dave's phone in your pocket, you wipe your eyes with one sleeve and reach for the Walkie with your free hand to listen to whatever the hell is going on outside.

Dave clicks his radio twice, eyes sharp as he lowers his eye to the sight of his rifle. All he needed was a fucking target. The slightest bit of movement and this asshole would have his brains splattered across the snow. “Come on asshole.” He murmurs to himself. “Come right on in.”

"I have eyes but no clear shot." Resnick's voice over the Walkie is clear but hushed, letting the team know that they finally, finally have this bastard in their sights. "He's solo. Headed north toward Ari."

“Stay alert.” Dave murmurs back, swinging his rifle towards where Ari had posted up under the large oak five hundred yards from the cabin. “Take the shot when you get it.”

"He's quick." Kovac sounds mad about it and Ari answers with a curt, "Copy."

Just sitting here listening to voices coming out of a box might be the most useless you've ever felt, and your eyes shift away from the Walkie's screen to the gun sitting beside it. The very distinct possibility of needing to use it is here now, and you swear if you had been able to eat anything in the last six hours, you would have thrown it up with that realization.

Dave controls his breathing, the beating of his heart accelerating as his adrenaline starts to flood his system. A loud band rings out.

“Goddamnit!” Ari’s enraged cry comes over the radio. “I’m fucking pinned, the tre—” the rest of the sentence is cut off and gunshots ring out.

Dave looks around frantically and cannot see anything. A large branch of the tree down on the ground but he can’t see his teammate. “Ari!” He growls. “Ari! Do you copy?”

“Does anybody have eyes on Ari?!” Kovac is already on the move, headed along the perimeter is the property where they carefully laid the land mines last night, trying to be quiet but quick and keep an eye out for this motherfucker in the process. “Son of a bitch!” The second he sees the downed branch; he tears out at a run. “I think Ari’s down. Bastard is dropping branches out here!”

“Fuck.” Dave hisses. “Resnick, do you have eyes on him?” He demands, patience already starting to wear thin. Right before Resnick keys his mic, another shot rings out. “Report!”

“I’m hit!” Kovac’s voice is strained, breath coming in pants that somehow manage to sound annoyed. “And under a fuckin’ tree branch the size of a Great Dane.”

“Goddamnit!” Dave stands, pulling his riffle up and rushes over to the door to throw it open. The bullshit of covering them from the house was getting to him. He still had the high ground, but the visibility was better. “Res? Where the fuck is he?”

“South side and coming up fast!” Resnick’s voice is full of the effort of running as he sprints the best he can through the snow on the south face of the mountain up toward the cabin. This guy is coming in hard and fast and clearly isn’t waiting for any more teammates to show up.

Dave moves away from south side where Resnick is and fires when he sees a flash of movement. Missing and taking a large chunk out of a tree to the right of the figure in white. “Fuck.”

“Give me eyes, boys.” Resnick demands, needing to suss out his position before he accidentally gets himself shot in the process.

“The cabin.” Kovac’s strained voice tells him immediately. “Get to the fucking cabin to back up York.”

“Copy.” Resnick starts to run again. Dave catches another glimpse of the man and grins to himself. “Got you, fucker.” He hisses, exhaling slowly and squeezing the trigger.

The figure doesn’t slow, seeming only to shrug off the shot before taking blind aim in the direction it came from. He can see the cabin’s roof now, and the stone chimney exhaling smoke into the clear blue afternoon. At least it didn’t rain last night - this snow would have melted to muddy slush and slowed him down.

Dave hisses in anger and his focus narrows down to the scope his eye is trained through, the short breath he takes before he decides he’s going to quit playing with this asshole. “You’re going to die here!” He shouts out.

The chuckle that meets Dave’s ears is condescending and cold, a laugh of derision. “Doubtful, Major York!” He calls back, and the words are accompanied by a shot that barely whizzes past Dave’s ear. “Your team is like being tracked by Scooby Doo characters.”

"You're one to talk." Dave huffs, scanning the area and when he sees a slight movement he fires. "You're fucking hunting my soulmate, you know. Honor says you are supposed to back off."

“Americans.” The other man spits the word as he keeps cover through the trees. “So obsessed with honor.” Where had their American honor been when entire villages had been leveled to the ground in a war they never should have stuck their noses into? Where was there American honor when his own soulmate was the target of men exactly like these?

Dave growls and his jaw aches with how hard he is tensing it. “Fucking walk away. She doesn’t know anything.” He spits. “She doesn’t have the plans; you came here to die for nothing.”

“And I should take your word for that?” Another shot narrowly misses Dave, leaving a hole in his jacket instead of his shoulder.

Resnick comes up the side, skirting the perimeter and nearly makes it to the porch when another shot rings out and he howls, collapsing to the ground and clutching his leg. “I’m hit!”

“If you wish to die with her, by all means keep shooting.” Pretending to give the option would at least amuse him. If York ran, or abandoned his soulmate like a coward, he would simply be shot in the back instead of the front. “I promise the last thing she’ll see will be your corpse.”

“You aren’t going to fucking touch her.” Dave knows that Resnick is fine, can hear the grunts in his radio. “Why don’t you come out and we’ll settle this.”

“Oh, but I have.” During his days playing a janitor in that horrible office, he had touched, flirted, and given plenty of attention to the woman. “Such soft skin…and a pretty smile.”

He knows the fucker is trying to get into his head. Knows it. Still, hot, vicious anger bubbles up to the surface. “Come out you fucking coward!” Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a detonator and presses the button, exploding a mine in the area where he had last seen the bastard move.

“Major York’s famous temper.” The condescending laugh rings out through the clearing as the man appears, gun raised and trained with deadly accuracy on Dave’s hiding place. “I was beginning to think it was a myth.”

Dave huffs, wondering what kind of background information this asshole has on him. Lifting his rifle and squeezing off a round, hitting him in the shoulder.

The man growls lowly, stepping out into the clearing that surrounds the cabin with the tightly-coiled air of a pissed off panther. “If you would like to beat your American cowboy bravado it makes no difference to me.” He announces, though it has clearly angered him that Dave actually got a shot in. “You’ll both be dead before long.”

“Yeah?” Dave wants to take the shot, but he doesn’t. The need for this death to be up close and personal is very real. “You’re gonna kill me?”

“Collateral damage.” The man’s smirk turns wolfish. “Surely you understand.”

“Oh, I understand.” Dave watches carefully as he stands, hand near his pistol while he walks down the stairs of the cabin. “But I’m afraid you’re going to fail.” He promises him. “Last chance to walk away alive.”

The offer is an arrogant one, something that makes him chuckle with amusement and derision. Arrogance is exactly what he expected. “Your legendary team fell like twigs, Major York. Perhaps you would like to reconsider?” Despite being shot, the man simply transfers his pistol to his other hand and raises it, directly at Dave’s head. “Surely she isn’t worth dying for.”

“She’s worth killing for.” Dave promises. “Question is, do you think that she’s worth dying for?” His own pistol comes out and he fires, rushing towards the assassin as he does.

In a split second it’s obvious guns will be useless, and the man holsters it with barely enough time to pull out a large combat knife from the sheath at his other side. It’s fast when it happens, like all close combat. And in the split second before his knife meets Dave York’s flesh, the opposite is also true. There is no standoff between them anymore. No further bravado. Just the anger of two violent men with everything to prove. Therefore, the gunshot that rings out from somewhere a few yards away is completely unexpected.

“Get the fuck off my soulmate!” Your voice is harder than it has ever been in your life, anger and fear making you somehow solid as stone as you bring the barrel of the gun down from pointing at the sky to aim it at the man who currently has a knife dug into Dave’s leg.

His brow wings up and there is a satisfied smirk on his face, even with the four inches of blade buried into his side. "Threatening him is all that it took to make you come out?" He chuckles. "You are more desperate that you looked. Do you know who this is?" He twists the knife in Dave's leg slightly, making him grunt and making Dave use his free hand to punch him in the other side while his knife pulls out and down to rip the wound open any more.

“You came here for me, right? I’m right here.” Right here, with a pistol gripped in two hands pointed right at him. Every single second of everything before this moment - all the training Dave put you through and all the years of teaching yourself patience and to be strong - are all choking you like a proverbial noose. You could just shoot him, but your aim isn’t good enough and he’s too close to Dave to take that risk. You need to get him to advance on you. “If this is payback for the time I made you re-clean all the lab equipment because you didn’t get it right the first time? You should know I still had to clean it all a third time.”

His eyes narrow and he glares at you. "I'm going to make sure you watch your soulmate die." He promises you, angry that you aren't scared. He loves the thrill of your anxiety and fear. Feeds off of it and despises you for denying him that now.

“I’ll be sure to give you a call in fifty years or so. You can visit us in hospice.” Dave said to throw him off. Making him mad will throw him off. And he looks furious. “It might be a longer wait, though. Dying of old age is terribly unpredictable.”

"Bitch, you'll both die today." He hisses. "Hopefully you won't still be a pathetic virgin." He taunts you, missing the opportunity to block another punch from Dave but he grinds the knife into his leg and makes the other man curse.

Dave growls and lunges again, pissed off and ready to dispatch this fucker to the afterlife - if he believed in that kind of thing. "Do—don't listen to him." He pants in pain.

“You get one more chance to step away from my soulmate.” Later, if you survive to see later, you’ll applaud yourself for sounding so confident when you’re actually sweating and shaking and about to vomit in fear. Worse than your worst nightmare is right in front of you, and your hands flex as they readjust the weight of the cocked gun in your hands.

There is a flurry of movement, Dave shifting his weight, nearly collapsing from the give of the muscle that the knife has torn through and the quick zip of his knife across the assassin's pectoral muscles, slicing through the thick fabric and into the skin while he lets go of the handle of the knife that is imbedded into Dave's thigh and he's grabbing for your soulmate, his teeth barred in anger, other hand reaching for the hidden gun he has on him.

The gunshot that rings out brings all movement to a frozen halt, and for a split second you can’t do anything but stare before you’re sprinting to Dave’s side to throw your arms around him.

Dave grunts, watching the assassin fall to the ground dead. Accepting your frantic hug, he crushes you against him. "You—you shot him." He murmurs softly, unable to believe that you had actually done it. You had done something you had sworn you would never do. Kill someone.

“H-he…he was going to kill you.” The words are muffled against him, drowned in the tears you had managed to hold back while actually pointing the fucking gun at the man on the ground. The pistol itself is laying in the dirt, dropped immediately so you could get to Dave. “I couldn’t—I mean I don’t even—” Your fingers dig into his gear, desperate to drag him closer. “I love you, dammit.”

"I love you too." Dave breathes out, pulling away so he could cup your cheek and his lips are on yours in an instant. Kissing you harshly and pouring ever bit of the emotions that he can't put into words into his kiss.

Tear-stained kisses are deep and continue the feeling of desperation. Never mind that there is literally a dead man three feet away from you. That dead man could easily have been Dave and it isn’t. “We need to find the others,” you murmur, wiping tears from his cheek. Who knows who actually cried them. “Get you all to a hospital.”

Dave shakes his head. “No hospital.” He grunts. “They are legally obligated to report gunshot wounds.” He explains. “We will patch ourselves up.”

“Then let’s at least get you inside and I’ll go find the others.” His leg doesn’t look good, and blood has soaked through part of the sleeve on one arm of his jacket. A quick scan of the rest of him doesn’t show any other major injuries, thank god, and your thumb traces his jaw gently. “I can help.” You tell him with a nod that very nearly includes a smile when his brow furrows in question. “Girl Scouts, remember? First aide training.”

Dave huffs and grumbles, not liking the idea of you trying to help the guys back to the cabin without him. "Just leave me here, and you can call me if you need a hand." He offers. "They are heavy fuckers."

“I’ll manage. Just sit tight, love.” The only thing that matters now is the fact that you and Dave will be able to sleep in his bed in his apartment again tonight. No black cloud hanging over your heads and no amorphous fears holding on to your minds. With one more earnest kiss, you’re grabbing the Walkie out of your sweatshirt pocket and heading north into the woods to find Kovac and Ari.

"Resnick." Dave calls out, looking over to where the other man had gone down. "You alive?" The groan that comes from that direction makes him chuckle once before he's groaning himself in pain.

"Wish I wasn't." The other man calls back. "When did getting shot fucking hurt so bad?" He huffs, annoyed that he hadn't been able to shake this off as quickly as he had before.

"Getting old." Dave acknowledges, turning and kicking the corpse of the assassin before he slowly shuffles to his knees to search him.

******

“Scott? Ari? Do either of you copy?” You’re grateful that you were a part of the preparatory conversations for this day, and that you’ve spent the last few weeks getting to know these woods so well. You know the major landmarks of the area and the places they were using as border markers. Right now, you just hope that they’re okay enough to answer you.

Ari is the one that answers first. "I— fuck, I'm shot in the leg." He pants into the radio. "300 feet to your left." He tells you, able to see you where you are coming down the trail.

“I’m so sorry.” The guilt hits you in the moment before you reach Ari’s side, knowing that none of them would be in this mess if it weren’t for you. “Do you think you can stand? I’ll be your crutch to get you back to the cabin.”

"I can stand." He's managed to get a tourniquet around his leg, not too tight that he might have to worry about losing his leg, but enough to slow the bleeding. "Kovac!" He shouts out. "Answer you dick!"

“I’m not going any-fuckin-where!” Kovac grunts from about another hundred yards away.

“Holy shit!” When you look up in the direction of the other man’s voice, you’re bound to wonder how you didn’t see him before.

Pinned under a large, tangled branch brought down by gunfire, Kovac growls but holds up one hand begrudgingly. “I’m good, sweetheart,” he promises, hearing you exclaim. “Just a little fuckin immobile. Get Ari back and then come back and get me.” A grunt follows, and a short pause before he asks, “Dave ok?”

“Dave’s hurt.” The hiccup in your voice is obvious. “But the other guy is gone.”

Kovac is a lot more perceptive that you would think. "It's okay." He assures you. "It was him or Dave. Dave wasn't going to let him walk away."

“It wasn’t Dave.” Standing halfway between Kovac and Ari in the woods, you figure you might as well tell them what happened. Even just the fact of it. “It was me.” It was him or Dave. And you weren’t going to let it be Dave.

"I know." Kovac murmurs, having guess that's what went down because of you being outside. There is no way Dave would have called you out from the basement until he had assessed the team. "It's okay."

You just nod, grateful for the support but not really able to say any more. “I’ll be right back for you,” you tell him, and turn away to get Ari on his feet and moving.

Dave has limped over to Resnick, assessing his wound, and grabbing the man by the back of his jacket and is slowly dragging him towards the cabin. "Shit." He hisses, feeling the burn of his wounds. You'll be pissed at him, but he isn't going to sit idle and let you do all the heavy lifting.

“You marry that girl.” Resnick chuckles, hissing when he moves just the wrong way in one direction and pulls his wound. He’s used to joking after a successful op to shake the jitters off.

"First fucking chance I get." Dave huffs, grimacing and pausing for a moment to breathe through the flash of pain. He's had worse, but the area the bastard had targeted hurt more. Because the muscles move no matter what you do.

******

“Baby, I can drive stick, I promise.” You assure him for the thirtieth time, pulling open the front door of the apartment so he can just focus on moving himself down the hall on the pair of crutches he had stashed away. His leg is healing, but slowly. In your hands you have two tote bags full of good whiskey, several bags of tortilla chips, three homemade dips, and a tray of homemade peanut butter frosted brownies for the cookout at the Kovac house. Katie and Deirdre arranged the whole thing as a sort of welcome for you and unofficial retirement party for the guys and you’re eager to actually meet your best friend in person for the very first time ever.

"You are determined to turn me into an invalid, aren't you?" He huffs, although there is no heat to his words. He's enjoyed the way you have doted on him since returning to his apartment, although he was grumpy when you wouldn't have sex with him that first night. Arguing that he was stabbed in the leg, not the dick, and he had pouted - high off of painkillers - when you hadn't relented.

“It’s only been three days.” The stern look in your eyes actually isn’t all for show for once, and you lock the apartment door with the set of keys he had made for you the day after your returned to the city. “You’re lucky I didn’t look into buying a basic ass wheelchair.”

"Fuck no." That does make his voice sharpen. "Over my dead body. Hated being in one the last fucking time."

Shaking your head, you hold the elevator door open for him to swing inside the car with you so you can ride down to the parking garage together. “Just give me a couple of more day of babying, okay? I don’t mind taking care of you.”

"I know." He does know that, and he loves you for it, plus the millions of other reasons he loves you. He just hates feeling useless. He had plenty of that when he was recovering from that fucking building collapsing around them. "I'd feel better if you rode my face." He tries, shooting you a grin.

There’s a split second of hesitation where you chew your lip and debate the current level of your own insecurities along with your concern for his injuries all in the space of time it takes the elevator car to reach the parking garage, and you lean over to kiss his cheek as the doors open. “Ya know what, baby? Sure. When we get home tonight.” It’s not like he hasn’t been asking for weeks, and you’re feeling pretty good today.

"Call Kovac, fuck if we are leaving the building now!" Dave huffs, reaching out trying to grab you to drag you back onto the car as you walk out. Damn the crutches.

“Get in the car, York.” You smirk at him, loving the exaggerated way he pouts and huffs and swings himself toward you to get into the vehicle. “I’ve been waiting to meet Katie in person for two years. You can eat my pussy when we get home.”

"I could eat your pussy now." Dave counters. "Put you in a really good mood." He knows he won't win this one. You have been preparing to meet Katie for days now. Ever since the guys had made it home and the women had gotten on a conference call together. First to complain about them, and then to plot this party.

The horrified look on the faces of the septuagenarians that walk by nearly has you bursting out laughing, and you pull Dave gently toward the car with a look of absolute false modesty on your face. “Good afternoon, folks! Lovely day, huh?”

Dave scoffs and shakes his head. "Like they haven't had oral at least once in their lives." He mutters under his breath, a little put out that you won't even consider it. He could always lean the seat back in the car and just— "Fine." He blows. "Let's go get this party over with."

“Please don’t pout all day.” When you get into the car beside him, you reach for his hand. “If it’s really that important to you we’ll go back upstairs and I’ll text Katie that we’re running late. I just don’t want you to be upset when everybody’s worked really hard to make today nice.” The idea of upsetting him still clearly doesn’t sit well with you.

"No." He shakes off his attitude and lifts your hand up so he can kiss the back of it. He's been used to touching you, tasting you, fucking you for weeks and now that he's been sidelined, he's acting like a child. "I'll behave, baby. I promise. You have just been so sexy, taking care of me and nursing me back to health." He winks at you. "Might have to get you a naughty nurse outfit."

“Valentine’s Day is coming up.” Shaking your head a little, you lean over the center console and press a lingering kiss to his lips, grinning when he opens up for you hungrily.

“Yeah, but that means sexy Valentine’s Day outfits.” He pouts.

“I’m hearing that you want the sexy nurse outfit before Valentine’s Day?” You glance over at him as you pull out into the road. The Kovac’s only live about twenty minutes away, so the ride will be nothing to speak of. “Whatever you want, baby.”

“I just want you.” He huffs. “Tired of you saying I’ll open my stitches.”

“I—I know. I’m sorry.” There’s no mistaking the way your face falls a little, the guilt and the worry showing through clear as day. “I just…the idea of you getting hurt again legitimately terrifies me. Every time I close my eyes you’re bleeding on the ground again and I—I don’t think I can deal with being the reason you get hurt again. I’m sorry if that’s selfish.”

“Hey, hey.” He feels guilty for making you feel guilty. “Baby, I’m sorry.” He murmurs. “I don’t mean to make you feel bad. I’m just— I don’t like thinking about what could have happened, we are both alive.”

“Yeah, we are.” Cruising down the highway, you can move your hand from the gear shift over to his lap to lace your fingers together. “Let’s just have a nice day and a really nice night tonight,” you wink exaggeratedly, knowing how the silly little gesture makes him smile. “And tomorrow when we go meet the realtor, I promise I won’t make noises about using the crutches. How does that sound?”

“I can walk on my own?” Dave asks, grinning. “Can I drive?” He is probably pushing his luck but that’s how he operates.

“Maybe.” His smile is its own kind of reward, and you squeeze his hand. “I won’t even try to sneak the crutches into the trunk or anything equally ridiculous.”

“And as a reward, I will let you pick out any house you want.” Dave jokes, knowing he will let you do that anyway.

“We both have to like the house.” That feeling of grasping at each other after what happened at the cabin has pushed both of you to want to start the house hunt right away. Time slips away all too easily and as such, you’re determined to make the most of every second. “As long as it has a basement for you and a fireplace for me, we can make it a home.”

“You wanna tackle remodel projects?” He asks with a wry grin. He could imagine you pouting over paint samples.

“I could see us doing that.” You certainly have the time and the budget for it. Dave is taking all the vacation time he’s amassed over the years before he officially resigns his position, and you’re giving the first draft of your very first novel - written in that snowy little cabin - a thorough copy-edit before sending it out to publishers, so neither of you actually has work to go to in any way.

“That would broaden our listing options.” Dave muses. “We can continue to live in the apartment while we do it or live in the chaos.”

“I guess it will depend on how much chaos there is.” The idea of building your forever home with him in some way - finding the little things that will make it yours and yours alone - that makes you smile and your cheeks heat up. “It sounds nice…the idea of making someplace our own.”

“Whatever you want.” Dave promises. “I just want a good security system installed.” He’s already started designing it himself for wherever you had chosen.

“I’m not expecting to find something on the first day out.” The GPS announces your exit number a second later, and the Kovac house is only a few minutes beyond that, tucked in a cute little neighborhood where everyone seems to have a fence of some level and perfectly manicured front yards. It looks like you and Dave are the last ones to arrive, and the sound of barking and children screeching says that the kids and family dog are all out enjoying themselves as well.

“Don’t worry.” Dave leans over and presses his lips to yours. “The guys love you and the girls will too.” He knows you’ve been nervous, even if you say you aren’t.

“It’s just…been building up for a long time.” For once you’re sort of glad that he can read your mind like that - you would never admit to needing that reassurance but you definitely do right now. You offer him a small smile of thanks. “I won’t make a fuss if you want to leave your crutches in the car,” you promise him. “But the second you start hurting I want you to let me know and I’ll grab them for you. Okay?”

“I promise.” Dave sighs happily and moves to shove the crutches in the back of the car, happy to rid of them.

What you don’t do, however, is let him carry anything, and you have a tote bag in each hand when the two of you open the gate to the backyard where the party is already in full swing.

Dave manages to walk into the back yard without a limp at all. Proud of himself although he hates not helping you. “Hey!” He nods towards the boys and turns towards you, “I’ll walk you over to Katie.”

“It’s okay.” You shake your head and press in to kiss him quickly. “Go see your friends, love. I’m sure that’s where all the beer is anyway.” After all this time, this somehow seems like something you have to do yourself.

“Are you sure?” He asks softly, raising his brows at you.

“Yeah.” You nod and kiss him again, shuffling the bags on your arm until you can pull out the bottle of whiskey you packed to put in his hand. “Go sit. Crack the bottle open. I’ll bring you a snack in a little bit. Is that okay?” Are you nervous? Of course. But you know Katie - you just don’t know her in person.

“Okay.” He leans in again and pressing his lips to yours gently. “I love you babe. You’ll do great.” He reassures you, squeezing your hip gently.

“I love you, too.” One more quick kiss for luck and you’re turning toward the other side of the yard, where the back porch of the house is covered in all manner of food, drink, and even a spray of toddler toys. Katie is sipping a cocktail at the grill, and you feel slightly lame that the first hello you think to muster for your friend of multiple years is a small wave when she turns and glances in the direction of your movement.

“Oh my god!” Katie immediately sets her drink down and starts speeding across the yard. “You’re here!” She squeals happily, ignoring any kind of first meeting that normal people have and throws her arms around you. “How are you? Are you okay? Not sore from lugging Dave’s grumpy ass around?”

It barely takes a second to drop your bags in the grass and fully throw your arms around Katie in return, practically squeezing the life out of her in the process. “I’m okay…I’m okay, Dave’s okay, we just…” You sniffle, burying your face in her embrace. “You’re real!”

“I’m real, you’re real!” She recognizes the signs of being slightly overwhelmed and it’s only because she’s had Scott for so long that she’s not just as emotional. “I hate that we haven’t done this sooner.” She tells you. “But now you’re going to be sick of me!”

“Well, I kiiiind of get now why you were iffy about giving out your home address to a stranger on the internet before this.” Laughing through the water in your eyes, you hug her infinitely tighter for one more second before loosening your grip to actually look at her. “Thank you for everything. I mean…not just like…the friend stuff. But our Christmas was perfect because of you, and I can’t possibly thank you enough for that.”

“Oh, thank god.” Katie rolls her eyes and sighs. “I was rushing to make sure I had everything and swore I forgot something.” She confesses.

“It was more than enough, and it was all perfect.” You smile, finding that nothing in the world could wipe the giddy expression off your face in this moment. “I have so much to tell you.”

“Scott’s already claimed that we are going to be trouble.” She tells you with a grin. “Although the day he came home to tell me, he told me he understood why I loved my gremlin.”

“He’s a good guy.” Every time Scott Kovac went above and beyond the call of any sort of duty to help you, it only proved all the wonderful things she had ever told you about her soulmate over the years. “What are the fucking odds though? For the guys to be so close and us too…completely separately.”

“I know.” Katie shakes her head, amazed again at how small the world could be sometimes. “Tell me, did Dave like the gifts I sent you for him.” She asks with a smirk on her face.

“We had a very…playful Christmas.” You clear your throat meaningfully and follow her back to the porch to unload the other food and drinks you brought. “I’m pretty sure I only got dressed once between Christmas and New Year’s.”

“Fuck I miss those days.” Katie huffs, throwing you a grin. “I see that smut writing must have come in handy.”

“Turns out my soulmate is a fan of our stuff.” Plopping down on the bench beside her as soon as the dips you made are set out, you sigh a little dreamily and offer your friend an unrepentant smirk. “There’s a scene in my book you need to read. It’s all the rough, demanding, hair-pulling, needy stuff we love…plus it’s outdoors.” Dave had read the fictionalization of your escapades out in the snow in front of the cabin with glee and immediately whined when you wouldn’t risk his stitches with a reenactment.

“Really?” Katie grins and her eyes flicker over to where Dave is cracking open a beer and conveniently sitting down in one of the chairs they had set up around the backyard. “Is this scene based off real events or what you wanted to happen?” She hums as she looks back at you.

“Honestly, I kind of reeled it in a little.” You admit with a grin. “When Dave goes feral it’s just…” A delicious shiver runs down your spine at the memory of that particular afternoon in the snow and you glance back up at your friend with the least innocent shrug in the world. “Well, you know.” Despite not exactly knowing what happened between them the one night they slept together, you can at least rest assured that Katie has some idea of what your soulmate is capable of as a lover.

Katie shakes her head, giving you a small shrug. “Honestly? I don’t.” She admits. “Dave was great, don’t get me wrong. I still love fucking with Scott about it. Respectfully of course.” She grins over at her husband, completely aware that he is confident in his own suaveness in bed. “But Dave was nowhere near feral with me.” Looking back over at you, she smirks. “Sounds like he saved that for his soulmate.”

“I mean, he wasn’t the first time.” No one knows how desperately you had been searching for your soulmate the way Katie does, and the number of phone calls between you on the topic was through the roof. It’s almost too fitting - and comically frustrating - that she has been so close to Dave the whole time. “The first time was…perfect.”

“Please tell me he used that York charm and made to romantic for you?” Katie demands. “I’ll sta— uh, I’ll punch him if he didn’t.” The joke of stabbing him wouldn’t have been good right now. Not with him still healing from a stab wound.

“Honey, it was perfect.” The memory of that particular night really is one that you don’t think will ever fade, and that’s all due to how beautifully Dave framed the experience. “We had the mattress and blankets and pillows and stuff out in front of the fireplace so we could watch movies on my laptop and…I mean I thought I was making the night special by putting something kind of sexy on, ya know? But when I came back from taking a bath he had covered the whole room in candles and turned the mattress into a literal love nest and I swear to god I almost cried as soon as I saw it.”

“Oh perfect.” Dave earns extra brownie points in Kate’s eyes by making it special for you. “That’s amazing, hun. How did you feel about it after?”

“A little sore, but nothing another bath couldn’t cure.” You flash her a smirk, knowing that that isn’t what she meant. “Honestly? It was past midnight on Christmas Day and we exchanged gifts and talked about the future. He’s everything I ever wanted.”

“You deserve it.” She tells you. “Scott says that Dave has never been this besotted before. My husband used the word besotted.”

“I know it’s premature, but…” Reaching over, you give her arm a squeeze. “You’ll be my maid of honour, right? When Dave proposes?”

“It’s not premature and I would be honored to be your maid of honor.” She promises, unable to contain herself and reaching to pull you into another hug.

“It’s premature because he hasn’t proposed yet.” Hugging her back fiercely nearly has you in relieved tears. The number of times you’ve wanted to do this with her - just be able to reach out and hug her while you talk - is too numerous to count and it feels like a massive weight off your shoulders to finally be able to do it. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, and I love that you’ll actually be beside me for everything from now on.”

“Oh we are going to be inseparable.” She promises, cackling with glee and the men look over in concern. The last time they heard that laugh, it had meant they had spent a week building the deck they were sitting on. That laugh meant trouble.

“The only way to make it more so would be if the house next door was for sale or something,” you joke, shaking your head at the absurdity of the idea and sliding down the picnic table you’ve been sitting at to pour yourself a Jack and Coke.

Kate snorts and then her eyes widen. “Well, how about a house a block over?” She asks breathlessly. “It’s— I know you probably won’t want it. It needs a ton of work, but it’s got such potential. It’s been on the market forever.”

“Wh—what kind of work?” It would be too perfect. It would be far too perfect, and you have to swallow down your excitement and prepare yourself to be told a laundry list of repairs that would be far too much even for you and Dave to be willing to take on. But…hadn’t you just been talking about fixer uppers in the car on the way over? “We were just saying earlier that we wouldn’t mind buying a project.”

“New roof, new electrical. Kitchen, bathrooms.” Kate huffs, rolling her eyes. “Someone bought it with the idea of renovating it and quickly found out that they weren’t very good at it. A lot of things have been demolished so it doesn’t show well, but it’s always been a gorgeous house.”

“So, it’s basically a shell?” The idea has a certain appeal - buying the framework of a house and building the inside to fit your needs - and you sip your drink thoughtfully. “I’ll see what Dave thinks before we see the realtor tomorrow, but the lease on his apartment is still good for another six months. We could keep living there while a crew works on the house.”

“They’ve lowered the price on it three times.” Kate confides. “Still no offers and the owners are desperate to unload it before they default.”

“Interesting…” You flash her a devious smirk before glancing across the yard at the guys. “He did say I could pick whatever house I wanted…”

“I’m jealous.” Kate huffs. “It’s got five fireplaces and an in-ground pool.” She tells you. “If you buy it, I’m going to be the hippo in your pool all summer.” She jokes with a wink.

“Five?!” The way your eyes widen is comical. “For the love of all things holy, please tell me it has a decent sized basement?”

Her brow furrows and she whips out her phone, typing the address in to Zillow and pulling up the listing. “It’s got a basement that’s the size of the house and a workshop in the backyard.” She hands you the phone so you can look for yourself. “It just photographs like shit so no one even looks at it.”

After flipping through about ten of the twenty-four photos on the listing and gasping at the shockingly low price tag, you practically jump out of your seat. “I gotta show this to Dave,” you tell her, giving Katie another squeezing hug before you bolt across the yard.

Dave looks up from his conversation when you rush over, concern that something is wrong is immediately smothered by your excited face. “What’s up, baby?”

“Look at this.” You wrap your arms around him from behind, draping yourself over his shoulders as you hold the phone in front of him. “I know it doesn’t look like much at first glance, but the basement is huge, there are five fireplaces, and the fenced-in backyard already has a pool and a workshop. Baby, it might be perfect!”

Dave stares at the pictures, noticing that the house is completely demolished for renovation. “Babe, this is a big project. Are you sure you want to take this on? It’s a lot to pick out.” He doesn’t want to stifle your excitement but it’s not like picking out paint.

“We could make it our dream house.” The three-floor work-in-progress looks like a Dutch Colonial from the outside and is basically a clean slate everywhere else. “We can keep living at the apartment until the bulk of the work is done.” Searching his face, your brow furrowed ever so slightly. “If you think it’s too much work, I understand. But…maybe we can just go see it tomorrow? Katie says the photographs don’t do it justice.”

He sees the happiness wane slightly and quickly nods his head. “Send it over to the realtor and we will look at it.” He promises. “If you think we can do to after we see it in person, we’ll talk about it, okay?”

“Is that the house in Peachtree Street?” Kovac leans over to look at his wife’s phone in your hand and chuckles. “Of course she showed you that. It’s a block away.”

“I told you that you should have let your wife put in that pool last year.” Dave scoffs, grinning at his teammate and friend. “Now if we buy that, she’s gonna be swimming in my pool.”

“Good,” Kovac laughs again, nearly shaking from it. “Then you guys can host barbecues from now on. We won’t have the biggest backyard anymore.”

Snorting, Dave leans back and takes another swallow of his beer. “At least the burgers will be done.” He jokes.

“Okay, I’m gonna leave you boys to your trash talk.” You chuckle and leave a kiss on Dave’s temple. “I just wanted to show you the house and see what you think.”

“I think that if you want to see it, we see it babe.” Dave winks at you. “It wouldn’t be too bad living near this meathead.”

You quickly text yourself the link to the Zillow listing from Katie’s phone on your way back over to her and send it off to the realtor as well, letting her know you’re interested in checking out the fixer-upper whenever the owners are next available to show it. “He’s skeptical, but I think I can win him over,” you report, returning to Kate’s side.

Katie laughs and looks over to find Dave watching you. “Promise him anal.” She suggests wickedly. “But honestly? You just have to tell that man you want it. Look at him.”

“That promise holds no power,” you admit, looking extremely sheepish. “I like it too much…so it’s not like it’s a special treat or something. We’ve done it a lot…”

Katie snickers and shakes her head. “Naughty girl.” She chides playfully.

“Says the woman who sent us a plug in the first place.” You remind her, but you both laugh. “I’m making up for lost time, that’s all.”

Deirdre comes into of the house, looking slightly relieved to be back outside, the baby finally down after a fit because she was so tired. “Oh thank God, someone get me booze.” She huffs, looking towards her husband with a grin. “That’s your daughter when she’s like that.”

“Yes dear!” Ari calls back, fully accepting the blame for whatever it is his little menace of an angel has done now.

“You must be Deirdre.” She’s the only member of the little family that you haven’t met yet, and you recognize her from the group photo in Dave’s living room. She was pregnant last Fourth of July when it was taken, but it’s not as though that mysteriously makes her unrecognizable now.

“Hi!” Never one to not welcome someone into their little weird family, Deirdre quickly wraps her arms around you and squeezes quickly. “I’ve heard so much about you from Katie and from Ari, I feel like I know you already.”

“Oh, you’re a hugger, thank god.” You laugh, squeezing her tightly in turn before she pulls away to fix herself a drink. “I’ve heard so much about you, too, and it’s so good to finally meet you.” With a half-laugh, you shrug. “Both of you.”

“We’ve already known each other.” Kate huffs. “We just hadn’t set fingers on each other yet.”

“It’s a different kind of knowing someone.” Writing fanfic with someone - growing a relationship with them through something so infinitely personal - had given you a special sort of kinship with Katie. Getting to know her as a ‘normal’ friend had come later. “I think the last time I had more than one real in-person friend was college.”

“Well, now you have two and when Resnick gets off his ass and finds his soulmate—” Deirdre calls out loudly so the man in question hears her. “You will have three. Unless she���s not super friendly. Which we’re just gonna have to talk to the universe about that, then.”

“I don’t think we’ll have to worry.” Call it an optimistic streak, but from what you’ve seen of this group it would be hard not to feel welcome right away - kidnapping notwithstanding. “For his sake I hope it happens sooner rather than later, though. Being the only single one sucks.” You were the token single girl long enough to know that.

“He will find her.” Deirdre hums. “Or him. Haven’t decided what type of human will fit Resnick.” She looks over at you with a grin. “So how are you enjoying your bad boy soulmate?” She asks. “I know Scott already told the story as soon as he could possibly work it into the conversation.”

“I mean I hate to jinx a good thing, but…he’s pretty perfect.” Barely turning your head to glance over at him, you manage to catch Dave’s eye and end up grinning like a maniac when you turn back to Kate and Deirdre. “I mean the whole bad boy soulmate thing is fun recreationally,” your raised eyebrows make the playful point you’re hinting at and both women laugh. “But he’s on board for my whole domestic fantasy and fully supported me quitting my job to focus on writing so…I mean he really is the dream.”

“Well, I have to say that I love how you have him by the proverbial balls.” Deirdre tells you. “Getting him to quit? Miracle.”

“He didn’t want to be doing it.” You’ve wrestled with yourself a little on this over the last month but really came to the conclusion that you seemed to have been the proverbial key that opened the door that Dave had been staring at for a long time. “What he needed was someone to give him a reason to quit. And…that’s really all I did.”

“You know he’s one of the best, right?” Katie whispers. “Him and the rest of the guys. They are—” she breaks off and shivers slightly. “There was a mockup battle they wanted to do for DHS and they participated. They honestly tore through the other teams like it was a practiced routine.”

“I got that feeling…listening to them plan for…the end of things.” You don’t really know how much Deirdre knows, but you told Kate everything that had happened on that last day at the cabin. It only proves how good the guy was that was after you - that he ripped through the team like tissue paper until he got to Dave. “I love that they’re planning the security company now, though. Putting all those skills to work in a reverse sort of way. Like criminals who become police consultants, ya know? They know all the cracks and holes in the system that need to be addressed.”

“I’m just going to be glad I don’t have to worry about my husband coming home in a fucking body bag after every job.” Deirdre admits quietly. “The morality of killing people aside….”

“Sometimes it can’t be helped…” you murmur, eyes tracking away to stare down into your cup. It’s only been a few days since you left the cabin and the sound of that gunshot along with the image of that man on the ground will probably never fade a single molecule from your mind.

“Shit.” Deirdre hisses, remembering what Ari had said. “It’s different in that situation.” She offers quickly, a wall of regret on her face for sticking her foot in her mouth. “It was him or Dave. I would have killed for Ari in a heartbeat.”

“They’re all here now. That’s what matters.” You look over at the guys - all four of them laughing and joking and generally having a very normal time - and actually feel the relief of a smile. If they could do what they did for decades and be okay, you will be too in time.

“So, tell me how the final edit is going?” Katie prompts. “I cannot believe that you got it out that fast.” She spends forever working on her first draft of stories. “Was it just that natural of a story?”

“I didn’t really have to invent a plot.” You admit, sipping your drink and appreciating the change in topics. “Or main characters. It’s just a slightly factionalized version of how Dave and I met and fell in love. But I set it in a universe that doesn’t have soulmates, so I guess technically it’s a fantasy thriller romance?”

“That’s perfect!” Katie grins, excited to read the little bits you haven’t told her. “If you can publish a best seller off your story that just the cherry on top!”

“If I can even get a publisher to accept it, I’ll be thrilled.” A best seller is the dream you’ve told yourself not to get caught up in. A debut novel that sells even a dozen copies would be a miracle. “Dave just likes it when I call him my muse,” you laugh. “I think it’s a little ego stroke that he didn’t ever consider before.”

“Oh, I’m sure he eats it up.” She giggles along with you. “I can see him being the type to love having his ego stroked.” She waggles her brows suggestively. She had technically spent one night in Dave York’s bed but that didn’t mean that her relationship now gave her that kind of insight.

“Mmm,” you hum, laugh morphing into a smirk and a giggle. “And such a sizable ego requires quite a bit of stroking.”

Katie smirks and Deirdre huffs. “You know, I’m the only one here - besides the kids - who hasn’t seen Dave York’s dick.” She is teasing and slightly jealous at being left out. In a completely playful kind of way.

“I’ll tell him I want him to be the stripper at my bachelorette party.” The idea makes you laugh so hard you almost spit out a sip of your drink. “I’ve gone thirty years without any other dicks in my face, no need to break the streak just for a party.”

Kate and Deirdre both laugh with you and all three of your soulmates look over towards you with fond smiles on their faces.

“I told you, man. They’re going to be trouble.” Kovac shakes his head, grinning at the sound of his wife’s laugh.

“Absolutely.” Dave agrees, smirking at the way you are relaxed and getting along with the other ladies. Once he had found out you knew Kate, he had figured you would be the troublesome trio. “We better make the business a success so we have enough bail money.” He jokes.

“Alright, boys.” Resnick bellies up to the picnic table, pulling his phone out of his pocket to download Mate Marks. For their entire careers none of them had ever been able to use the simple app due to military and government regulations, but now? Now they’re civilians, and a whole new world of possibilities lies ahead of them. “Let’s find the fourth troublemaker.”

Dave chuckles, leaning back in his seat and eyeing his friend. “What’s your hurry?” He teases. “You act like you’re ready to settle down.”

Resnick huffs at his friends before pointing a finger in the direction of your soulmates across the yard. “If the universe gave you three assholes those goddesses? I don’t want to miss another second.”

______

Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives ​

KW: @evyiione @graphitegator @bruxasolta @missredherring @writeforfandoms @sj-draws00 @whiskeyshoneybee @randeerenae  @pagannightwitch @what-iwish-you-knew @mrsparknuts @harriedandharassed 

My Masterlist!

#Pedro Pascal #Pedro Pascal character fanfiction #Pedro Pascal fanfic #Dave York #Dave York x reader #Dave York x you #Dave York x female reader #plus size reader #Equalizer 2 #soulmate au #Dave York pit #suburban murder daddy #tw death #tw guns #tw violence

[buckystevelove]

My Brightest Star

Pairing: Bucky x Reader

Word count: 2708

Warning: ANGST and fluff

A/N: This is my longest work. Please leave comments. Ask, submissions and requests are open.

A week, that’s how long has passed since Bucky’s world felt apart. He should have known, his whole life has been full of tragedy, one after the other. He had 7 years of happiness and peace, he will have to come to terms with the fact that maybe those years would be the only ones in his long and sad life that he would known what real and complete happiness really is.

He met you 7 years ago in a coffee shop, you accidentally tripped and spilled all your coffee in him. You apologized over and over again, Bucky couldn’t care less about the hot drink splatted all over his body, he was so enthralled over the beautiful woman standing in front of him, for years he thought that he would never get love, but you managed to prove him wrong. He claims that it was love at first sight, he simply knew that you were his soul mate.  

After the incident, you bought his coffee as a symbol of forgiveness, though he really didn’t care. You exchanged names and phone numbers. Just a few hours later you received a massage from Bucky, inviting you to go for dinner the next day. Soon, one date turn to seeing each other every time you could. You felt for him, and hard. Eventually you met all of his friends, you became a great friend with Wanda and Nat. They would invite you to all the girl nights they had. You got along with Sam, always joking around and making pranks, same with Tony. You also became best friend with Steve, you had a strong relationship with him besides yours with Bucky. You too were like siblings, he always claimed that you were his little sister, and warned Bucky never harm you, or he would have to face the consequences.

Nobody was surprise nor bother when you moved to the compound with Bucky. Everyone was super exited to have you closer, that made Bucky a bit jealous.

You and Bucky were attached to the hip. One year into your relationship, he knew that he was going to marry you, you were going to be the mother of his children. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with you. You were the one, so he asked you to marry him.

It was so beautiful, he took you on a trip to the museum, your favorite place to spend the time. When you were in the sculptures room the kneeled and said; “YN, since the moment I saw you I knew that you were the one, I knew that I was going to marry you, and all you have done is prove me right. You are the love of my life, my partner, my best friend I can no longer imagine a future in which you are not in it, because YOU are my FUTURE. You have been the light at the end of the tunnel, you have brought me happiness, love I thought I no longer deserved after all the awful things I had done, you helped name realized who the real James Buchanan Barnes is, and who I want him to be. I want to be your husband because I love you so much. You are my entire world YN. So, would you marry me?”

At the end of his speech both of you had tears in your checks, you throw yourself over him and said yes over and over again, you were beaming.

6 months after that, many hours of planning and cake tasting, you and Bucky had the most beautiful fall wedding. It was perfect. Your family and the team was there, everyone was so happy for the two of you.

When the time to say the vowels came you couldn’t be more thrilled, you have been writing them for so long.

“James Buchanan Barnes, you are the love of my life. You have been the one who has taught me what love really is, what it is like to love someone with every single atom in my body. You have taught me what is like to be completely and uoughterly happy, that is how I feel when ever I am with you. James, when we met you told me that you only saw yourself as a monster, as the vilan of many people’s lives, but baby, you are my knight in shining armor, you are absolutely everything to me. You are the brightest star in my universe, the one and only. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I want to tell you and show you how much I love you every day, I want you to feel how much I love you even after we are death. I want to keep loving you and choosing you a hundred of lives after this. Because Bucky, MY LOVE FOR YOU WILL NEVER END.”

At the end both of you were crying, among many other of your guests.

Your honeymoon was perfect. Tony paid the two of you a 3 weeks trip around Europe. Nine months later, you had your gorgeous daughter, Rebecca. She looked exactly like you, but her eyes, she had the most beautiful blue eyes just like her father. The three of you were the definition of a perfect family, you and Bucky did ocationaly fight like all healthy couples do, but your life was great. Your house was so full of love and happiness.

Bucky was so thankful to you, you had given him all he could ever dreamed for in life and more.

The three of you spent all the time you could together, you went to the park and had movie nights, went of family trips and spent lazy Sunday mornings in bed together. You wanted Becca to feel and understand what a loving home was, since you didn’t had one. You wanted her to feel the love you and Bucky had for her.

“Becca, Bucky, you two know you are the most important people in my life right. I love the two of you so so much. You are the ones that make me happy. You are my greatest treasures.” You said to your husband and 5 year old daughter one afternoon, while cuddling in the couch together.

“I love you too mommy, you too daddy. You are the best parents in the world, thank you.” She said kissing yours and Bucky’s face, making you giggle.

“You dolls are my everything. I love you.” He said before attacking the two of you with tickles, and whispering to your ear. “Thanks doll, for all this.”

The day had started like any other Tuesday would, you woke up after your alarm. Waking up Bucky with kisses and loving touches, after he woke up he heads to shower while you got Becca ready. Once the two of them were dressed, Bucky went to the kitchen to make breakfast wihle you got ready. The three of you ate together, you heard how Becca´s best friend was going to have a party next Saturday and you needed to buy her a present. You decided to go to the mall with her after classes and maybe have a girl’s day and do you nails. That made her smile so bright, which was what you loved the most about your life, that it was full of happiness.

After eating, you said goodbye to Bucky and Rebecca, he was going to take her to school and then go to the Avengers compound to train some new recruits, while you went to your office.

Bucky’s day went normal, as any other day would go, he did some training and hanged out with Sam and Steve. When 4pm came around the received a call from Becca´s school, her teacher told him that she was still there. You never came pick her up, he didn´t know why you were late. You always told him if your meeting was going to be longer so someone would pick your daughter from school.

“Sorry man.” He told Steve at the middle of the meeting. “Apparently YN never went to pick Rebecca from school she is there by herself, I really need to go. I also need to see what happened to YN. She is not picking up her phone.” Bucky said standing up from his chair.

“Sure pal, everything good with her?” Steve said a bit worry, he didn´t want his best friend to be in panic.

“I hope so.” He said walking to the door, but before he could reach it his phone rang again.

Steve just stood there, and watched how the color of his best friends face went completely white, then Bucky’s knees failed and he felt to the floor. Tears running down his cheeks, his face was shaking. He was wordless. Sentences couldn´t form in his mouth. Steve was next to him in second, he took the phone from his hand.

That when he heard him scream, he screamed as if he was dying, painful and horrible screams.

“Excuse me.” Steve said through the phone. “This is Steve Rogers. What happened?” He asked, though he already had an idea of what had happened.

“I am so sorry Sir, but I regret to inform you that Mrs. Barnes had a car accident today. She arrived to the New York Presbyterian Hospital at 2:36pm, she immediately went to surgery. She didn´t make it, she was called at 3:49pm. I am so sorry, but we need her husband to come.”

Steve hanged up the phone, he had tears in his eyes, he was about to cry. He had lost his best friend, but he needed to be strong for the man that was like a brother to him, to his nice.

Bucky was in the floor, sobbing and screaming. He went and called for Nat. She enter and saw the state in which Bucky was, then she saw the tears in Steve´s eyes.

“What happened?” She asked in panic.

“I… he…N-Nat” he mumbled between sobs. “Can you please look for Rebecca at school? Please.”

Nat realized, she immediately shook her head in disbelieve, “no, no, no,”

“Nat, please. Someone needs to be with her.” Steve managed to say. She wiped her tears and left the room.

Steve was in the floor hugging his best friend while he cried his eyes out, he was no longer screaming.

“I am sorry buddy, I am so sorry.” He said to his friend. “I know how you feel, just let it all out. But later you need to be strong for your daughter. She just lost her mother, she will need her dad. She needs you to be there for her, but now. I am here for you.”

“Not her, please not her. She is perfect Steve, I can’t, I love her, we can’t lose her.” He sobbed and screamed. “We were supposed to spend the rest of our lives together, the two of us.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When he calmed down, they went to the hospital. A drunk driver had crashed against your car in a traffic light. He died immediately.

Becca slept in Nat´s room. Bucky slept in his old room in the compound, he couldn’t go to your home. Too many memories. He couldn’t face his daughter, he would broke in front of her, he needed to be strong. He cried himself to sleep that day.

He next day was awful, he needed to explain to her 5 year old baby, that her mother would never hug her again. He couldn’t even began to comprehend that.

“Becca, baby. I need to talk to you.” He said the next morning the compounds living room, all  the other Avengers were in the hospital helping Bucky prepare every detail for the funeral, Steve was the only one there, next to Bucky and Becca. In case either of them needed him.

“Daddy, why did we slept here?” She asked frowning her eyebrows, just like her dad. “Where is mommy? We were supposed to have a girl´s day yesterday.”

That made Bucky tear a few tears which he rapidly cleaned.

“Babydoll, its because…” Bucky mad a pause and looked through the windows. “Mommy had an accident, and she will never come again.”

Becca made a confused face.

“Why? Can´t you just put her a bad-aid like you do to me when I have accident?” She asked in all her innocence, which made Bucky’s strength fall. He quickly enveloped her in his arms.

“That is the thing baby, she had a big accident, she is gone.” He started to sob again, so did Steve.

Becca began to stroke her father’s hair. “We will see her daddy, someday, but I am really going to miss her.” She started to cry and hug her dad.

“I want my mommy, dad.”

“So do I honey.”

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The funeral was beautiful, full with YN´s family and friends. They all told beautiful stories and tried to remember the amazing person YN was. Bucky couldn’t talk, he had so many things to say, none of them were for this people to hear, they were for his love.

A week had passed since you awful dead, Bucky stayed at the compound, he couldn’t go home, he also needed help with Becca. He could barely managed to take care of himself.

He was in his bed, looking at the celling, numb. He know the needed to stand up and shower, he needed to get up and care of his baby, but she was the carbon copy of you. It was like looking at you, it hurt, it really hurt. Lying there he heard some knocking at his door. Then Steve came..

“Hey pal, the lawyer came today, he left the will and this letter. She wrote it you when you guys had Rebecca.”

“Thanks, just leave it there.” He said gesturing to his night stand.

When Steve left he got up and grabbed the letter, it had his name in your beautiful calligraphy.

Bucky,

My love, I hope that you never have to open this letter, but if you do, I want you to know that you made me the happiest woman alive. In all the galaxies we know that exist, in all the universe that may. I was the happiest, all thanks to you. You teached me what the meaning for being alive really meant, you showed me so many incredible and beautiful things, and you gave me our most amazing gift, our daughter Rebecca, she is the tangible evidence of our love.

If the time in which you have to open this letter comes, know that you did everything you could. Under any circumstances think that this was your fault, it wasn´t.

I love you so much Bucky, you have really no idea, and I know you loved me just as much, that is why I am asking you one last favor.

Please don´t close yourself, don´t let yourself return to the man you were before be met, not that he was any less amazing, but he was lonely. I want you to continue living your life to the fullest. I know I can´t ask you to not miss me or forget me, I don’t want that. I want you to remember my memory and cherish it. I want you to show all then wonders of the world to sweet Becca. Please never let her forget that she was the most important person in my life besides you.

I want the two of you to continue to love, and let yourselves be love. I love you with all my heart, and every single atom in my body.

          Don’t forget me my brightest star, YN.

After reading that Bucky cleaned his cheeks.

“I will always love you.” He kissed the letter and placed it in his nightstand. He got up and went to find his daughter.

“I love you baby, and so did you mother. You are our greatest creations.” He no longer had you here, so he was going to spend all his breathing moments showing her how much he loved her, he was the only part left in this world of YN, and she was that greatest gift she could have left him.

He would continue to love you long after you are gone. For ever, til the end of times.

——————————————————————————

A/N: I cried so hard writing this. I am so sorry, but I hope you like it. I really appreciate feedback.

#bucky x reader #bucky x reader fluff #bucky x you #avengers #avengers x reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes fic #bucky x y/n #marvel #bucky x reader angst #Bucky angst #Bucky Barnes angst #Bucky x dead reader #angst #Angst #marvel Angst #Bucky x reader angst #bucky barnes x reader angst #sebastian stan #Stan #sad #dad!bucky x mom!reader #dad!bucky barnes #dad!bucky

[multi-fandom-imagines-stuff]

Smaller Than This

Pairings: Natasha Romanoff/daughter!reader, Peter Parker/platonic!reader, Wanda Maximoff/reader

Description: The reader is Natasha Romanoff’s daughter, best friend of Peter Parker, and girlfriend of Wanda Maximoff. Growing up in the spotlight is hard enough, but things cross a line when people start commenting on the reader’s weight.

Warnings: eating disorder, swearing, threats of violence

Word count: 3,282

A/N: I know it’s not easy to deal with eating disorders, but please know that you are beautiful and amazing and you don’t deserve to have to suffer through that. Please, if you are struggling with this, reach out for help. <3

✩❀✩❀✩

Black Widow’s daughter spotted in Central Park with new best friend Scarlet Witch and Stark Industry intern Peter Parker! Could Parker be y/n’s new boyfriend?

You laughed and rolled your eyes as you clicked on the tweet. Stalking paparazzi twitter accounts had to be one of your favorite pastimes, simply because the so-called facts they were giving out were false 99% of the time. For instance, this situation? You had gone out for a picnic with Peter and Wanda when those photos were taken, and the paparazzi completely twisted things. Peter wasn’t your boyfriend, he was just your best friend. And Wanda wasn’t your best friend, she was your girlfriend. You chose to ignore the false headline as you went immediately for the replies.

‘Do you see the way y/n’s looking at Wanda? It seems more like there’s something going on between them than there is between y/n and Peter’

You smiled and liked that tweet. You liked messing with people just a bit. Whenever someone would tweet about there possibly being a relationship between you and Wanda, you liked the tweet. It wasn’t enough information to actually confirm the relationship as true, but it was enough to keep people speculating.

You scrolled through several more replies. Most of them were people using the heart eyes emoji or saying how much they loved your mom, but there were a few in there that stuck out more than the rest. That was because they were harsh and hurtful.

‘I don’t understand how someone can live with the Avengers and still look like that. Does she ever even exercise?’

‘She could stand to lose some weight. Instead of going out for a picnic, she should try to skip a few meals’

You read through replies for a few more minutes. Similar comments would pop up now and then, and while there wasn’t an overwhelming amount, there was still enough to make you close down the app and shut off your phone, averting all your attention toward not crying. 

“Miss y/n, dinner has been called,” F.R.I.D.A.Y.’s voice rang through your room.

Pushing the thoughts to the back of your mind, you got off your bed and made your way to the dining room. There, Peter and Wanda were setting the table while Steve and Bucky carried out the food.

You walked up behind your girlfriend and wrapped your arms around her waist, resting your chin on her shoulder. You felt her jump slightly before she realized it was you and relaxed into your touch. You placed a kiss on her cheek.

“I love you,” You whispered in her ear.

“Hey! What did we talk about?” Tony directed at you, raising an eyebrow at you and causing you to roll your eyes.

“No lovey-dovey shit at the dinner table,” You mumbled.

“Language!” Steve scolded you as Clint joined the conversation.

“Oh, come on, Tony,” He said. “It’s young love. It’s harmless and adorable.”

“It makes me want to hurl,” Tony retorted.

To onlookers, it may have sounded like Tony was being a real dick, but you knew he was just teasing you. He’d never admit it, but secretly he loved how happy you and Wanda made each other.

“Watch it, Stark,” Your mom shot him a glare. “That’s my kid you’re talking about.”

Your head whipped up at your mom’s voice. She had been on a mission for the past week and wasn’t supposed to get home for another three days.

“Mom!” You yelled as you ran toward her, wrapping your arms around her as you squeezed her tight.

“Hey, kiddo! I’ve missed you!” She said, hugging you back and kissing you lightly on the forehead.

“I’ve missed you, too!”

“As much as I hate to break up this reunion,” Bucky said, causing you to pull away from your mom. “Steve and I slaved over dinner and it’s getting cold, so let’s eat.”

You took your seat at the table—in between Peter and Wanda—and filled your plate with the spaghetti and garlic bread Steve and Bucky made. Everyone was silent as you all dug into your food and, you had to admit, it tasted amazing. 

When Steve and Bucky first moved in, neither of them were allowed near a stove without supervision. They had started too many accidental fires. But after lots and lots of practice, the two of them easily became the best cooks in the tower.

After dinner, you excused yourself to your room. Your phone was still lying face down on the bed, so you grabbed it and opened it up. Right away, you noticed several notifications from twitter. Upon further investigation, you found that the rude comments people were saying about you had extended to your messages. Now, you had complete strangers messaging you about how you needed to ‘lose weight’, or ‘eat less’, or ‘exercise more’. A few of the messages even called you a ‘disappointment to the Avengers’.

You deactivated your account and deleted the app from your phone, but the damage was already done and you knew it. So you came up with a plan and decided to set it into motion the next morning.

✩❀✩❀✩

You woke up in the morning to your alarm blaring. Checking the time, you saw it was 4:30, and you wondered why your alarm was going off so early before you remembered the plan you had made the night before.

You got out of bed and quickly dressed in athletic attire before running out of your room. You knew Steve liked to run in the mornings, so you sat in the kitchen waiting for him.

When he finally sauntered in at 5:00, he was more than surprised to see you sitting there.

“Y/n?” He asked. “What’re you doing up so early?”

“Can I run with you today, Uncle Steve?” You asked him, a pleading look on your face that you knew he couldn’t say no to.

“Yeah, sure,” He said. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be sleeping?”

You nodded. 

“I want to start running. My mile time in P.E. class has been slacking lately and I don’t want to fail the class.”

You were surprised yet proud of how quickly you were able to come up with that lie, and you were happy to see that Steve believed every word of it.

So that’s how you spent your morning: running laps with Steve.

The two of you finally called it quits around 6:15 and parted ways. Steve went off to do whatever he did during the days, and you went off to squeeze in a quick shower before school.

By the time you were done with your shower, it was nearly 7:00, which meant you had to rush to get dressed. You finally made it to the kitchen, where Wanda was already waiting for you. The two of you yelled a quick ‘bye’ to whoever was listening before you started the quick walk to the bus stop.

You felt Wanda’s hand interlock with yours and a smile arose on your face as you squeezed her hand. You two didn’t want to publicly disclose your relationship yet, so you knew the minute you reached the bus stop you’d have to let go.

✩❀✩❀✩

At lunch, you sat at a table with Wanda, Peter, MJ, and Ned. You skipped the food line and instead opted to sip at a bottle of water.

“What’s wrong, y/n?” Peter asked you.

“What do you mean?” You shot back, not quite sure what he was getting at.

“You’re not eating.”

Shit. You had to think of a lie, and you had to be extra careful since your girlfriend could read minds. She promised you she’d never read your mind without your consent, but you were still wary.

“Uh...I’m just not feeling well,” You said. “My stomach is feeling a little flip-floppy and I don’t want to push it.”

To your luck, they nodded it off and changed the topic, not questioning you again for the rest of the day.

That night at dinner, you pushed the food around on your plate, eating a few bites here and there. It wasn’t hard to pretend you had eaten, especially since your family was so big. Everyone seemed to be so caught up in conversations with other people that they didn’t notice when you got up and scraped your food into the trash.

✩❀✩❀✩

These habits carried on for a few more weeks. You’d wake up every morning to run with Steve, make up some excuse for why you didn’t eat lunch, and you’d have a few bites of dinner before sneakily trashing it. On most weekends, you chose to spend your time training with your mom. You claimed it was so that you could stay sharp with your self-defense skills, and while that wasn’t necessarily a lie, it wasn’t the full truth, either. But your mom never questioned it, and you were glad.

You seemed to fly under the radar, until one Sunday afternoon.

You walked into your room after training with your mom to find Peter and Wanda waiting for you.

“Hey, guys,” You greeted, throwing yourself into a chair and downing half a bottle of water. “What’s up?” 

“We know,” Wanda said, a stern yet concerned look on her face.

“Know what?” You asked her, although you could feel your heart rate rising. You knew what she was talking about.

“That you haven’t been eating,” Peter joined in.

“What’re you talking about? Of course I’ve been eating.”

That was a lie. Your stomach hadn’t been properly filled in weeks and you couldn’t remember the last time it wasn’t rumbling. But that wasn’t important. What was important was the fact that you were finally losing weight. There’s no way you could stop now.

“Cut the crap, y/n,” Peter said, catching you by surprise. “We’ve been watching you. I can’t even remember the last time you bought a school lunch.”

“And you pick at your food at dinner every night,” Wanda added. “I haven’t seen you eat more than three bites. You think no one notices, but you’re wrong. And I can feel you, love. You feel...empty.”

Wanda rested her hand on your knee as you tried to process what was happening. You had been so good at hiding this, how had they found out?

“You guys, I’m—” You started before Peter cut you off.

“Don’t say you’re fine, because you’re not. We know it, and you know it, so please stop lying to us, y/n. We just want to help.”

“I have it under control, I don’t need help,” You protested. “Just...please don’t tell my mom.”

“Y/n—”

“Wanda, please,” You begged. “My mom has enough to worry about as it is. I don’t need to add this to her stress as well. I promise, I have it under control. I’m alright.”

Wanda and Peter shared a look before turning back to you. 

“We’ll keep this between us for now,” Peter said, and you felt like a weight was lifted off your shoulders.

“But, if things get any worse, we won’t hesitate to bring your mom into this,” Wanda warned.

You nodded and the two of them left, Wanda kissing you quickly before walking out of the room. 

‘I just need to hide it better’ you thought to yourself. ‘This is all my fault for being too obvious about things. I need to do better.’

Wanda and Peter had dropped the topic for the time being, until a week later, things took a turn for the worse when your P.E. teacher announced that your class was running the mile that day.

Thanks to training with Steve, your mile time had improved and you were one of the fastest in the class. However, due to malnutrition, any sort of exercise made you extremely lightheaded. 

You ignored the part of your brain that was telling you to make up some excuse to sit out. You convinced yourself you just weren’t drinking enough water so you drank an entire water bottle and went to class.

You were about halfway done with your mile when the corners of your vision turned black. You blinked a few times, trying to edge it away, but it was no use. By now, you heard a loud ringing in your ears and the world started spinning around you. You slowed down a bit, trying to regain your composure when you felt your knees buckle underneath you, and you were plunged into a world of darkness, not feeling it when you hit the ground.

✩❀✩❀✩

When you awoke, you were still laying on the field, your entire class swarming around you. You were trying to sit up when you felt something attached to your hand. 

You looked to the right and saw Wanda sitting there, looking scared as hell.

“Miss Maximoff, Mr. Parker, please escort Miss Romanoff to the nurse’s office,” Your teacher ordered.

You felt Wanda help lift you to a standing position and once you were up, you felt the world start spinning again. You shut your eyes tight as two arms, you assumed they belonged to Wanda and Peter, wrapped around either side of your waist. Soon enough, the dizziness ceased and you opened your eyes, signaling for Peter and Wanda to start walking with you.

You made it to the nurse’s station where you saw your mom already waiting.

“Mom?” You asked, wondering how she had gotten to your school so quickly.

“Peter called me the second he saw you fall,” She explained.

You, Wanda, and Peter were dismissed from school early, and your mom led you all back to her car. You sat in the passenger seat while Peter and Wanda sat in the back.

“What happened?” Your mom demanded.

The tone of her voice scared you a little bit, but you knew it was filled more with concern than it was with anger.

“I must’ve just gotten overheated or something,” You lied, knowing exactly why you passed out. “I was doing fine one second, and then the next I was on the ground.”

“That’s not true, Ms. Romanoff,” Peter interjected.

You whipped your head around to him and shook your head, silently pleading him to not tell her.

“What do you mean?” She asked. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“Peter, stop,” You said, panicking at what was about to be said.

“Y/n hasn’t eaten a proper meal in a month,” Wanda admitted.

You shot your girlfriend a look of betrayal before turning back around to face forward.

“You, what?!” Your mom blared. “Y/n, is this true?”

Your silence was enough of an answer for her to understand that yes, it was true.

“Y/n, baby, why?” Your mom said.

You could tell she was trying to be strong, but her voice was cracking.

“Because I’m not like you guys, okay?!” You finally snapped, letting loose all of your pent-up emotions. “I don’t have a super-human metabolism like Peter, and I don’t have a perfectly in-shape body. I’m not an avenger and it sure as hell shows. Even people I don’t even know were making comments about it on twitter.”

“Is that why you disabled your account?” Peter asked, realization hitting him.

You nodded and looked down at your fingers, not wanting to make eye contact with any of them.

By now, you had reached the tower and your mom put the car into park, turning to face you.

“Y/n, I know it’s been hard for you to grow up in the spotlight, constantly being compared to us but this isn’t healthy,” She said, cupping your chin and lightly pulling your head up to meet her gaze. “If I had known all of this, I never would have let you do all those extra training sessions with me. It’s not safe for you to keep exercising like this when you’re not giving your body proper nourishment.”

“I can’t—” You sniffed. “I can’t stop. I need help.”

You felt a tear roll down your cheek as your mom brushed it away, pulling you in for a hug before the four of you got out of the car.

Once inside, your mom told you to sit down in the living room while she left for a few minutes. When she returned, she had the rest of the team with her and you could only assume she had given them the run-down on your situation. 

You were slightly hurt that she had shared your personal life like that, but you knew it was for the best.

“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Your mom said once everyone was settled. “Y/n, you’re going to help with dinner every night. I know it can be hard once you’ve developed a food phobia, but when you’re in control of what we eat every night it makes things a little easier. No more throwing your food in the trash, okay? As for school, I’ll be making you a homemade lunch each day, and Peter and Wanda will be keeping an eye on you and will be reporting back to me. First thing tomorrow, I’ll call and set you up an appointment with a therapist. Bottling up your emotions will only make things worse, trust me. You need to talk to someone, and a therapist will help to give you healthier coping mechanisms.”

You listened as your mom laid out these new rules before telling you to go lie down. As you got up to leave, you were bombarded with your family hugging you and telling you they were there for you. You honestly had never felt more loved and supported in your life.

You finally made your way to your room, lying down in bed. A few minutes later, you heard a knock at your door.

“Come in,” You said weakly.

The handle turned and Wanda walked in, using her powers to levitate a tray behind her. You sat up and she put the tray down in your lap. On the tray, you saw there was a plate of cheese and crackers.

You looked down at the tray before looking up at your girlfriend. You forced yourself to pick up one of the crackers and take a bite, your mind screaming at you the entire time. But you were sick. You knew this. You wanted to get better.

“I’m sorry for telling your mother,” Wanda spoke. “You were slowly killing yourself and I couldn’t stand by and watch it happen. I’m so sorry, y/n. Can you forgive me?”

“I don’t blame you, Wan,” You told her. “I’m the one who should be sorry. I never should have forced you and Peter to keep this a secret.”

Wanda wrapped you into her arms, squeezing tightly. The two of you stayed like that for a long time before you pulled away and, bite by bite, finished the snack she had brought you.

✩❀✩❀✩

You had been in recovery for about a month now, and while things were far from easy, you knew you could do it. Your family was your support system and they were right there by your side every step of the way.

You were sitting on the couch with Peter and Wanda, you and your girlfriend tangled in each other’s arms as you watched your mom on tv. She was finishing up a press conference.

“Oh, and one last thing before I go,” She spoke toward the camera and the audience. “Whoever decided to make awful comments about my daughter online, I am a trained assassin and I will find you.”

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