#like my dad used to take me to the airport to ride them

[bunnywritesjunk]

My King

Series summary: Your parents signed you up for an Alpha Omega Match company when you were eighteen. It took years for them to find your match, but you meet the giant austrian man. Will he be a good partner?

Chapter summary: You are settling in to living in a new country. Your Alpha wants to show you how important you are to him.

Pairing: König x Fem Reader

Warnings: A/B/O dynamics (Never use this abbreviation without the slashes it is an indigenous slur) 18+ MDNI (no others for this chapter)

Word count: 3.4k

Genre: Mostly Fluff a little angst here and there.

A/n: Oh my GOD. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I can't believe the amount of love this fic is getting. I just had to write another chapter for you guys asap. I have a taglist so comment if you'd like to join it.

Previous Chapter

Chapter Two:

You sigh as you take in the barren state of your room. All that was left was boxes and your suitcases. Your mom is going to send the rest of your belongings after you arrive in Amsterdam. You were sad to leave your childhood home and your parents but, excited to see what the future holds. Especially now that you have a very sweet Alpha taking care of you. As much as you hate to admit it, your inner Omega has longed for this day. You still couldn't shake the nerves of moving to a completely different country. The AOMO assisted you with your visa which was easy to get approved for. Countries were more lenient with citizenship when it came to obtaining a mate. You haven't seen König in about a week. He went back to Amsterdam to prepare for your arrival. A knock sounded at your door before it opened. 

“You ready?” Your Dad asked, moving to grab your suitcases for you. 

“Yeah.” You followed him out of the room.

Your Mother was standing near the door, her eyes filled with tears that threatened to spill. You went over and hugged her. 

“My baby girl, moving out. I'm gonna miss you.” 

“I'll come visit, don't worry.”

“You better.” Your dad called an Uber to get to the airport.

The drive was silent besides the quiet radio in the background. The airport was busy. This was your first time flying by yourself, you took a deep breath to calm your nerves. You gave your mother and father one last hug before to went to check your bags. Your mother shed a tear and adjusted your protection collar again, urging you to be safe. You bid them goodbye and headed to check your bags and go through security. Once you made it to your gate your phone vibrated. You didn't recognize the number. 

'Hello liebe, It is König. Kara has given me your number.'

'I am not used to texting, I text no one. Are you at the plane?'

Your heart jumped with excitement hearing from him. 

'Hi König, I am at my gate. It boards in about an hour I think.'

'Wonderful, I will be waiting for you when you arrive.' 

'See you then.'

You suppressed a squeal as you put your phone away. Your inner Omega was getting a little out of hand with her feelings about him. You felt like a middle schooler with a crush. You distracted yourself by using the bathroom and buying some expensive airport snacks to tide you over on the ride. It was a seven-hour overnight flight set to arrive at eleven am Netherlands time. Once you boarded the plane you got comfortable for the long flight. You brought a blanket from home and a neck pillow. Kara set you up with a window seat. As you took off you silently said goodbye to the big city and hello to your new future. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You woke as the lights of the plane cabin turned on. The flight attendants told everyone to prepare for landing. You gathered your things and gazed out your window. The city was lush, the leaves were turning slightly as fall rolled in. Your heart pounded against your chest with excitement, your Omega desperately wanted to see König. You still had to go through customs and baggage claim. 

König wasn't much better. Throughout the week he had distracted himself by cleaning and buying things for your arrival, but that did little to quell the Alpha in him. He brought new bedding for your nest. He didn't know what kind you'd like so he got a little bit of everything. Fluffy faux fur blankets, cooling quilts, silk sheets, you name it. He also started putting aside t-shirts he has worn in case you wanted them for your nest. His apartment had two bedrooms, one of which he never used. It had a bed and that was about it. Although he desperately wanted you to sleep in his bed, he knew Omegas needed their space to nest and feel at home. He furnished the room with a desk, nightstand, dresser, and TV. He would leave the decorating up to you as that has never been his strong suit. He waited outside of baggage claim tapping his foot anxiously. He had arrived entirely too early but couldn't stand to sit in his apartment any longer. 

Customs went by smoothly. You scanned the conveyor belts for your luggage. The longer the wait was the more your heart pounded. You were starting to sweat making your scent waft to the people around you. You moved to a corner with fewer people to avoid the annoyed looks people would give you. Your luggage finally made its round in the rotunda and you snatched it as fast as you could. You walked outside to the pickup area the sun blinding you for a moment as you looked around. You inhaled deeply trying to pinpoint König's scent. The faint smell of bread and cinnamon entered your nose through the breeze. You looked to the left seeing a familiar mop of hair behind a black SUV. He was too tall not to be the Alpha you were looking for. You walked up to him his back turned to you. 

“König.” You said happily. 

He turned to you surprised. “You're here.”

König was trying to contain his excitement. His inner alpha pressured him to pick you up, to hold you. As if reading his mind, you hugged him. He wrapped his arms around you, dwarfing you. He bent down resting his nose in your hair, savoring your scent. You looked up at him keeping your arms around his waist. He had his black surgical mask on. 

“I'm so happy to see you.”

“I spent every day thinking of you liebe.” 

He reluctantly released the embrace and opened the passenger side door for you. You sat in the car and watched him load your luggage into the trunk. He slid into the driver's seat glancing at you before pulling off onto the road. His scent sweetened the longer he was in your presence. 

“How was the flight?” He asked.

“It was easy, I just slept.”

“Are you hungry?”

“Yeah, I could eat.” 

König reached behind your seat to the back and grabbed a white paper bag. He handed it to you all without taking his eyes off the road. Inside was a croissant and a peach Danish. 

“Oh thank you König. You really know the way to woo me.” You chuckled taking a bite of the Danish. 

He responded with 'hmm' and a content smile. The ride was about thirty minutes. You gazed out the window taking in the sights of your new city. Many people rode bikes and there were endless cafes. König parallel parked onto a quiet residential block. You got out of the car taking in your surroundings. The houses were all unique in color and style. Only one person was walking down the street. König unloaded your bags and put them on the sidewalk. You went to grab them but he shooed your hands away. He locked the car and started walking. The house he led you to was a brick home with a few steps leading to the foyer. He opened the door and let you walk inside first before carrying your bags in with ease. You walked up the two flights of stairs. 

“The door is open.” König said from behind you. 

The second door came into view and you opened the door for him. He sets your bags down and closes the door behind him. The apartment was furnished but bland. Not much decor or color. It was obvious he doesn't spend much time here as it did not look lived in. 

“Come.” He said leading you down the small hallway.

 He opened the first door, it was the bathroom. Quite large for an apartment bathroom, you were excited to use the tub. He then lead you to the second door it was a nice furnished bedroom there were a lot of shopping bags near the bed. 

“This is your room. I brought nesting material for you but, I was not sure what you liked.” 

You walked in. The natural light of the morning flooded into the room through the large windows. The building was high enough that you had a decent view of the neighborhood. 

“König, you didn't have to buy all these for me.” 

“Nonsense.” 

You smiled. “Thank you, Alpha.” 

König's heart thumped against his chest. He didn't expect you to use his title so soon, but he was over the moon.

“You're welcome Omega.” He purred.

Your Omega preened at the title. Although the situation was new, you felt safe and cared for. You started opening some of the bedding to assess them for your new nest. There was a large dark blue comforter with matching silk sheets. You knew you should focus on unpacking but the temptation to build your nest was too high. König watched you from the door with adoration. He was proud of himself for making his Omega feel happy and safe. He brought your luggage into your room to unpack whenever you were ready. 

You were completely engrossed in your nest you didn't realize König was watching you. You took off your shoes and jacket and started arranging the sheets first to have a silky base. Then you used the quilts as a border before you could arrange it properly your phone started ringing, taking you out of the daze you were in. You reached for your phone in your jacket pocket. It was your mom. 

“Mom it's so early there you didn't have to call now.” 

“I know sweetie I just was paranoid. Did you arrive safe?” 

“I did, I'm at König's now.” 

“Oh, great ok that's all I was worried about. I'm gonna head back to sleep. I love you, sweetheart.”

“I love you too Mom”

You hung up the phone and looked around at the mess of packaging on the floor. You were debating whether you should continue making your nest or clean your mess up. Sensing your internal struggle König spoke. 

“Let's unpack Schatz.”

“Oh, right.” 

You unzipped your suitcases and started sorting things into the dresser and closet. You instructed König to put your toiletries in the bathroom and put your clothes in certain drawers. He was happy to help, spending time with his Omega was the most important thing to him. König was given a little over three months' leave to settle with his Omega. After Christmas, he had to go back on missions. The thought made his heart ache. He shook off the negative feelings before she could pick up on anything, not wanting her to worry. König picked up the packaging placing it in one of the shopping bags. He went to the kitchen to throw it away. 

Now that he was here he did not know what to do. Does he give her space? Should he take her out? König wants to spend as much time as possible with her, but he did not want to be overbearing. Before he could overthink, he heard you calling him. Walking into your room he saw you kneeling on the bed. 

“Take off your shoes and come I want to test something.” You said. 

He obliged, taking his shoes off. You waved him over to your unfinished nest. He stepped up to you hesitantly not wanting to cross any boundaries with your nest. You grabbed his hand and made him lie down. König stiffened not wanting to ruin anything. He has never been invited into an Omega's nest before. You started arranging your nesting materials around him. Once you got a good sense of how many blankets you needed for both of you to be comfy, you released him. He sat up carefully trying not to disturb anything that you arranged. He was honored that you'd feel comfortable just being in the room while you created your space. 

While making your nest you noticed how barren the room was. You wanted it to be warm and cozy. You looked up at König. 

“Let's go shopping, Alpha. Can we?” 

“Sure, liebe.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

König was surprised you had so much energy after your night of travel. You took in the scenery of the local shops. You slipped your hand into Konigs and led him into a home decor shop. König let himself be dragged around as you browsed. Every shop they went into you picked up small things. A wall mirror, a pretty tapestry, a cute frog statue, you had to have it. One of the shops you walked into sold Omega protection collars. You sighed.

“I wouldn't mind wearing mine as much if it looked better.” 

The shop made custom-fit metal collars. There was a beautiful gold metal collar with a dangle charm in the center. It came down to a point near the clavicle. Contrary to your basic black leather one. 

“Would you like this one?” König asked. 

“Oh, no it's expensive.” 

You moved to walk out of the shop but you felt a hand on your waist stop you. König pulled you back to him gently and waved over the sales associate. 

“Can she try this one on?” The worker nodded and took the collar out of the case. 

You removed your collar with the key you kept in your wallet and let the worker place the gold one on you. You looked in the mirror and smiled. It complimented you in the best way, simple yet elegant. The worker explained that they do custom fittings that take a few days to make but it's worth it. You removed the collar and handed it back. 

“She would like to get fitted.” König said suddenly. 

“What? No König really it's too much.”

“Just in case.”

“In case what?” 

He didn't answer. The worker did a few measurements around your neck and the size and placement of your scent glands, writing them down on a form. After they were done they bid the both of you goodbye and looked forward to your order. 

“I don't think I'm gonna get it.” You told König.

“It's too much...” You added

“That's ok.” He said. 

He placed his arm around your waist as you walked, holding your shopping bags in the other hand. You had a feeling he was planning something but you let it go for the time being. 

By the time you got home, it was getting dark. König placed your shopping bags into your room. You yawned. 

“You should sleep liebe, you've had a busy day.” König said. 

“Yeah, I'll head to bed early so I can finish my nest.” You stretched your back and walked to your room. König followed behind you heading to his room. He grabbed your wrist spinning you back toward him. His other hand caressed your cheek while leaning down to your level. He pulled down his mask revealing his plump lips.

“Goodnight Omega.” He kissed your cheek. 

König felt it was only right to return the kiss you gave him before. He let the kiss linger for a few seconds before pulling away. Heat crept from your neck to your cheeks. König walked to his room smiling to himself. You leaned against your door, heart racing. You opened the door, your inner Omega was reeling from your Alpha's attention. Your alpha? You were completely smitten by the giant Apex. You closed the door, changed into pajamas, and jumped into your nest. You sighed into the pillows, fantasizing about your Alpha. You began adjusting your nest to your liking. It ended up taking you an hour to make it perfect, keeping in mind the space for König. You'd never made a nest with someone else in mind but it was nice. You got cozy and let sleep take over. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Light entered your room slowly waking you. You looked at your phone, it was 6:04 am. You sat up and stretched, happy that you beat the jetlag. Wondering if König was awake, you quietly stepped out of your room and down the hallway to his room. You knocked gently. König was a light sleeper. He heard your small footsteps before you knocked and went to open the door. He looked down at your face still flushed with sleep. 

“Good morning.” You said, absentmindedly rubbing your eyes. 

König purred deeply. You looked so cute in your PJs he wanted to pull you into his bed., for more than just cuddling. He leaned down and kissed your forehead. 

“Morning Schatz.” He guided you down the hallway to the kitchen. 

“I can make us pancakes for breakfast.” You suggested.

“Sounds wonderful.” 

König watched you flit around the kitchen. The kitchen was barely used because of his job, so it was nice seeing it get used. Your head snapped to the alpha when you realized he was watching you. 

“Go sit, I'll bring it to you.” 

König nodded and sat on the couch. He turned on the TV as he waited and listened to the kitchen utensils clanging in the background. A few minutes later you emerged with a plate for him topped with syrup. He took the plate and looked at the food quizzically. 

“What's wrong?” you asked. 

“These...are pancakes?” He analyzed the fluffy discs.

“Yeah, are pancakes different here?” He nodded.

“I'll try them.” He carved out a bite with his fork. You watched him intensely. 

“How is it?” 

“...Sweet, but good.” He said. 

You smiled and went to get yourself a plate. You plopped down next to him on the couch and you took a bite. You watched the random movie he put on as you ate, feeling perfectly content with your Alpha.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later, you were on the couch typing away on your laptop working on your next chapter. König was struggling to find something to do with himself. He wanted to give you space to write, but desperately wanted to spend time with you. He understood that your job was time sensitive. He was lucky to have you here at all. You heard König pacing behind you causing you to lose your concentration. You got up and went to your room. You rummaged through your suitcase, finding a copy of your fantasy novel. You walked up to König and handed him the book before returning to your spot on the couch. He appeared next to you on the couch glancing over the blurb. 

“I thought I had to buy a copy?” He said. 

“Well, you need something to do.” You chuckled. 

You two fell into a comfortable silence with König's mind now occupied. After a while, you glanced at the Alpha. He was engrossed in the pages well into the starting plot. 

“How is it so far?” 

“So good Schatz. I have not read a novel in a long time, I like it.”

“I'm glad.”

König bent the corner of the page he was on and closed the book. You nearly felt your heart jumped out of your chest.

“Ah! König!!!” You grabbed the book and attempted to straighten the corner out.

“This is a book sin!” You exclaimed.

“Oh? But I have no bookmark.” He gave you an amused look. 

“Ok just ask for one I have many!” You pouted.

“The book isn't hurt.”

“How do you know?” 

König laughed. It was so genuine and hearty that you almost forgot what you were upset about. You turned away and set the book page-side down. König's laughter died down and he looked at you. 

“You're adorable, Schatz.”

“Hmph.” You said. 

König reached around cupping your cheek. You turned to him. It was surprising to see his face a couple of inches away from yours. His eyes were soft as they gazed into yours, he looked down at your lips before capturing yours in a chaste kiss. Your eyes fluttered closed, leaning into the kiss. Your bottom lip slotted in between his in the most delicious way. He pulled away, resting his forehead on yours. You wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him again. One of his hands slithered around your waist pulling you flush against his torso. The other hand firmly gripped the side of your jaw. 

Your heart pounded so loud you swear he could hear it.

König smiled against your lips. He finally had his Omega. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taglist: Comment to join

@that-fangirl-1106 @itsryuken @y2katsuki

#konig fluff #konig cod #konig mw2 #konig x you #konig x reader #alpha konig #tw a/b/o #a/b/o fic #alpha/beta/omega au #alpha/beta/omega dynamics #omegaverse #omega reader #könig x reader #könig call of duty #könig x y/n #könig #könig fluff #könig mw2 #könig mwii

[its-time-to-write]

how about a Jamie x reader fic when they go away to Amsterdam they sit together on bus and they wake up cuddling and then there’s an issue w hotel booking and there’s a one bed trope and they end up waking up cuddled together and then they admit feelings and reader goes to game with a tartt jersey on <3

I’ve been thinking about this forever, and I’m terribly sorry it took so long!! I do enjoy being an adult, but I’m at a point in life where I don’t have much free time and if I do, I use it to sleep😂

I really miss the days when Ted Lasso was still airing and the x reader tags had new content every day. I feel like that one meme of Thanos when he’s like “Fine. I’ll do it myself.” Shoutout to all y’all who are still here and reading my stuff! Love you!!

smile at me

It’s straight-up fucked. It really, really is. But also maybe it’s good, as Keeley pointed out, because not having a boyfriend anymore means you can focus on yourself?

Or something. 

Of course he had to break up with you right before leaving for Amsterdam. Hell, he broke up with you because you were leaving for Amsterdam. 

“I don’t want you going to another country with a bunch of other guys,” he had said. “It’s them or me.”

“It’s literally my job,” you told him. 

Apparently, that didn’t matter. 

But what-fucking-ever, you’re at Keeley’s waiting for a car to take you to the airport, and she’s promised to make sure you don’t think about your stupid ex even once. 

It’s times like these you wish Ted were still here with a spot-on pun and some dad-type advice. All you ever get from Beard is a weird anecdote and a vaguely threatening look. 

Keeley chatters on for the entirety of the ride to the airport, through customs, and all the way to the lounge. 

“You’re gonna get loads of great content for the socials, babe. Candids, action shots, behind-the-scenes. Friendlies are fucking amazing!”

Last time Richmond were in Amsterdam, they had lost horribly. They’re hoping to make up for it this time around. 

The plane is full of Greyhounds, both footballers and coaches alike, with Rebecca at the very front. Keeley plops done in the seat next to her as Dani waves at you from the middle. 

“I saved you a seat!” he calls. You smile as Sam takes your bag to put it in the overhead. “Thanks, Dani. You excited?”

Dani grins. “I think this time I am ready to see a whole field of tulips!”

You laugh as the lads roll their eyes. Jamie leans across the aisle toward you and says, “Oi, what’s the twat doing while you’re away?” 

You press your lips into a thin line. “Not a clue.”

He raises an eyebrow and says, “You break up with him?”

“He broke up with me.”

Jamie twists his face into a scoff. “And you wonder why I call him the fucking twat. Prick. Bet it was so he could finally fuck his coworker.”

You shrug. Jamie’s never liked your boyfriend. It’s not like you were together long, only a few months. And sure, he was a little bit of a twat, but sue you. You had a special place in your heart for pricks with a heart of gold, only he didn’t even have a heart at all. 

“You should date someone better,” Jamie continues. 

You glare at him and retort, “Oh yeah, because it’s just that easy. You got some one in mind?”

Jamie gives you his most angelic look and says, “What about me?” which makes half the plane dissolve into laughter, yourself included. 

“Cheers, Jamie,” you say as you wipe your eyes. “I needed that.”

A strange look crosses his face, but it’s quickly replaced by his usual cocky expression. “Anytime, love,” he replies as you turn to start a conversation with Dani. 

As much as you’d like that, Jamie would never date you. His joke stings a little but you brush it off. Maybe you’ll find another twat in Amsterdam to distract yourself from the fact that you’re half in love with Jamie Tartt.

—

“I’m sorry, we don’t have a booking under you name,” the hotel concierge says.

You tap your nails to your wrist. “Are you positive? I’m with AFC Richmond, they should’ve had one.”

The concierge taps on his computer for a moment before shaking his head. “No, I’m afraid we don’t have anything. And all of our rooms are booked this weekend. Might I recommend the hotel down the road?”

Damn it. There’s no way this is happening. Everyone else has gotten to their rooms without a hitch and here you are, alone in the lobby as you pull out your phone to call Keeley. There’s no way this is fucking happening. 

“Everything alright?” asks a voice behind you, and you jump. 

“They don’t have a room for me, and they’re fully booked,” you explain. 

Jamie looks at the concierge, who shrugs apologetically, then back to you. He asks, “Why don’t you share with me?” and you frown. 

“I thought you were rooming with Declan,” you say. 

Jamie lifts a shoulder. “Yeah, but he switched with Richard because O’Brien fucking snores and he don’t give a shit.”

You say, “So you’re with Richard, then,” and he shakes his head. 

“Nah, Richard’s with Jan.”

“I thought Dani was with Jan,” you say. These fucking footballers. What’s the point in having set rooms if they’re just going to switch it all up.

“Dani is with Jan,” Jamie says patiently, as if this all the most obvious thing in the world. “But Dani’s a cuddler, so he’s probably going to fucking end up with, I don’t know, Isaac or someone. Which means I get a room all to meself.”

“Right,” you say slowly. “Alright, I can do that. As long as you don’t mind.”

Jamie winks. “Sharing a room with a pretty girl for four days? Ain’t a problem, love.”

You laugh and follow him to the elevator.

—

It feels a bit like playing with fire, agreeing to room with Jamie. Especially since you’re freshly single and definitely open to a rebound. But there will be two beds and a lot of space and anyway, you’ll be busy with the match and social media, respectively. 

Except as soon as you walk through the door, you realize there’s a tiny little hitch.

“There’s one bed,” you blurt out, so surprised you’re unable to filter your words. Jamie blushes a little bit as he says, “Yeah, um, Cockburn and I hate sleeping alone, so we asked for one. He grew up sharing a bed with his brothers and I just fucking hate being alone. I can sleep on the couch if you want.”

“No,” you say firmly, “you need good rest. It’s not a problem.”

It’s not a problem. 

Or at least it wouldn’t have been if Isaac had been a shittier captain. 

But as it is he’s great, so he’s got the whole team going out to dinner at a pre-determined location complete with a dress code of no t-shirts and apparently you count as part of the team, so you have to go too. You’re in your massive bathroom trying to curl your disgusting travel hair when Jamie walks in wearing one of those white hotel bathrobes.

He asks, “You mind if I’m in here?” so you shake your head, struck temporarily mute by his bare clavicle. Fucking hell, you feel like a repressed Victorian woman. 

Jamie says, “Mint,” and goes about his alarmingly detailed skincare routine. You’re pretty sure you’re done with your hair so you crane your neck in an attempt to check the back. 

“Missed a spot,” Jamie says. “Want me to get it for you?”

You shoot him a dubious look but hand him the curler. He runs a hand through your hair, picking up the offending strand and it’s all you can do not to shiver. 

“Mum taught me,” he explains and you nod ever so slightly, not wanting him to accidentally burn your neck. Jamie says, “All good,” and runs his whole hand through your hair this time, making the curls bounce. 

You choke out, “Thanks,” and hurriedly put away your things, desperate to leave before Jamie can pick up on the fact that you can barely handle being in the same room as him, and that you have great concerns about what the night will bring. 

—

“You look fucking hot,” is the first thing Rebecca says when you meet her in the lobby. Keeley looks mildly offended that Rebecca took the words out of her mouth, but she just laughs and taps your arm. 

“Gonna break a few hearts tonight, yeah?” she grins.

You’re not sure about that, especially since dinner turns out to be a very domestic affair. It’s loud, sure, but it’s definitely toned down since it’s a pre-match celebration instead of a post-match one. You’re with Sam, Keeley, and Roy with Jamie far, far away. You push all thoughts of him from your brain only for memories of your ex to surface. You frown. 

“The fuck’s wrong with you?” Roy says and for a moment, you think he’s talking to you. But he’s actually talking to Jamie who has moved from his place across the restaurant to right behind your chair. 

“Fuck off grandad,” Jamie says good-naturedly. “Wanted to tell this one that some of the lads are going out dancing after this. Not too late,” he hastily adds at Roy’s burning scowl, “just for two hours and we’re only allowed one drink.”

You’re pretty sure that’s a bit more liberal than Roy likes, but he nods his head slightly so he must be in a good mood.

“So, you coming?” Jamie asks and before you can reply Sam and Keeley chorus, “Yes she is.”

You give Keeley a Look before turning back to Jamie. “Guess I am,” you reply.

The smile Jamie gives you does more to make your head spin than any amount of alcohol you’ve had in your lifetime.

—

Jamie has taken it upon himself to wipe that frown off your face. He might have been watching you over dinner and that might have been why he chose that exact moment to invite you out, but he’ll never fucking admit it to anyone except Sam. And Keeley. And maybe Cockburn when it was the off-season and they were a little tipsy. (But not drunk, never drunk.) 

So yeah, sue him if he’s spinning you around on the crowded dance floor just because it makes you laugh. It’s not his fault that he’s been wildly in love with you since the day Higgins hired you. It’s not his fault that you’re easy to be around and have the most beautiful smile he’s seen in his life. 

And fuck, it certainly isn’t his fault you can’t see in yourself what others do. Why you settled for a piece of shit like your ex, he’ll never know. But he’ll be damned if he doesn’t do his best to show you how special you are. He knows you’ll never feel the same about him, but maybe he can help you level up your standards. Maybe if you’re with someone good, it’ll hurt less that it’s not him. 

So he lets you hold his hand for the entirety of the two hours that the team is out and doesn’t say a word when you don’t let go in the cab back to the hotel. 

You’ve gotten that closed-off look in your eyes again, the one that means you’re thinking about your ex, so Jamie knocks his shoulder into yours and asks why he can’t have the password to the team’s Instagram account, which is a sure fire way to get you to lecture him on irresponsibility and aesthetics and the best way to get your eyes to come back to life.

—

Honestly, it’s easier to fall asleep than you might have expected. It’s a big bed and you’re fucking tired. 

You just didn’t expect to wake up in the middle of the night crying, but it’s always fucking like this when you go through a breakup. You go to sleep fine and wake up sad, so you do your best not to wake up Jamie except you’ve both ended up entangled in each other’s arms, so he can feel you shaking. 

“Hey,” Jamie says in a soft voice, “You’re okay, love.”

You half expect him to push you away once he realizes you’re so close, but he only pulls you closer and presses a kiss to your forehead. Maybe it’s because you’re both half-asleep, but it feels like the most natural thing in the world. 

You sigh and settle into him, drifting off in a matter of moments. 

—

You wake up to a pair of blue eyes watching you. 

“How you feeling?” Jamie asks, voice gravelly with sleep. 

You just blink at him. It’s hard to form coherent sentences within the first ten seconds of waking up, and even harder with the memory of Jamie’s arms around you last night. 

Wait. Not just the memory. The present reality because neither of you have moved. 

Jamie misinterprets your silence and begins to extricate his arms.

“Sorry,” he says, “I’m not to trying to like, cross and fucking boundary or something. Should’ve left you alone.”

You’re still not awake enough to talk so you grab him to stop him from moving away. He gives you a questioning look so you say, “I wouldn’t have agreed to share a bed if I thought you were a creep.”

Jamie grins. “So like, if Jan had offered to share a room you’d’ve said no.”

You wrinkle your nose as you say, “Jan’s not a creep.”

“He’s the fucking worst,” Jamie grumbles, “And anyway, can we not talk about Jan fucking Maas this early in the morning?”

“Sure,” you say, “let’s talk about something else.”

Despite your comment, you both lapse into silence. You’re enraptured by Jamie’s blue eyes. You’ve never been able to study them this close before, and you want to take this opportunity to memorize every fleck of green. 

Jamie seems to have a similar thought, except his gaze flicks to your lips. 

“I have morning breath,” you tell him and he says, “Real men don’t give a shit, babe,” before leaning forward.

It’s softer than you’d expected, sweeter. 

It’s also strange to think that you’re making out with Jamie in bed, and that he’s the one who initiated it.

The thought is so absurd that you giggle, mid-kiss. Jamie breaks away and says, “Oi, there’s no way that was a shit kiss.”

“No,” you say between giggles, “it’s just weird that we’re doing this. Like, how are we supposed to look each other in the eye after?”

Jamie moves so he can look at you better, and you roll from your side to your back. “What do you mean?” he asks.

“Oh come on, we share a room and a bed, we kiss because I have all these sad feelings and you’re feeling a lot of emotions about the match, and then we have to work together after. It’s silly.”

Jamie cocks his head. “That’s what you think is happening?”

“Yes?” you say. None of this is going how it’s supposed to. “What do you think is happening?”

“I like you,” he says, and there is absolutely no mistaking his meaning. 

“Oh,” you reply in a small voice. “Since when?”

“Since before you started dating the twat. When Higgins introduced ya to the team.”

“That’s a fucking long time ago!” you exclaim. “Were you ever going to tell me?”

Jamie rubs his face. “Yeah, ‘cept you showed up to work tellin’ everyone how you started dating the twat. And I ain’t a home wrecker.”

You groan. “Fuuuck. I literally only dated him to try to get over you.”

Jamie shoots up. “What?!”

“Yeah,” you say, “I’ve been like a little bit in love with you ever since you winked at me during that first promo I did.”

Jamie blows out a breath. “Okay. Think that’s enough talking. C’mere. We’re making out proper, like, then we’re going to breakfast.”

You grin as you climb onto his lap. 

#jamie tartt x reader #jamie tartt fanfiction #jamie tartt imagine #jamie tartt x y/n #jamie tartt x you #jamie tartt #ted lasso

[apomaro-mellow]

Every Baby Needs a Daddy 12

Part 11

@spectrum-spectre before you say anything, there's no smut in this one so go to sleep and read it at a more reasonable hour

In Eddie's fantasy world, he took off in a plane with Steve, escorted him back to Indiana, dropped him off at the door of the home he'd be staying at, giving him a very thorough scenting before letting him go.

But Eddie had work to take care of and Steve said he would be fine. And Eddie had gotten the hang of figuring out when Steve meant what he said. It wasn't hard. Whenever he wanted to be spoiled, he put that bratty lilt to his voice. They parted ways, Eddie having rubbed himself all over Steve before they exited the car, then again before getting to the check out counter.

Eddie was avoiding notice by wearing his hair in a braided bun and big sunglasses. He insisted on getting Steve a first class ticket. It was the only way to keep too many people from rubbing against him and thus making his scent fade sooner.

"Don't miss me too much", Eddie teased, looking over the rim of his shades.

Steve wrapped his arms around his neck. "I already do, Daddy", he whispered. He kissed him and then murmured against his lips. "Can't stop thinking about it. In less than ten days..."

Eddie put his hands to Steve's waist. He couldn't wait either. They'd be reuniting for Steve's heat. But they weren't coming back together just for that. While Steve was pretty regular and was 99% it would come when he said it did, Eddie would have Steve on the first jet to Texas on January 1st.

Steve thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of first class and landed back home with less than half the stress of a normal plane flight. Eddie had been a little zealous in spending on him sometimes, and it reflected in how much money he sent to Steve so that he could get a ride at the airport. Steve had specifically told him that Lucas could have picked him up and then he'd be with family for the rest of the time.

Eddie must've heard something different because when Steve checked his venmo, he was several hundred dollars richer. When Lucas picked him up, he decided that money could be well spent doing some last minute shopping.

"You know, I'm actually kind of relieved", Lucas said as they packed the last of the stuff into his trunk.

"Why?", Steve asked.

"I thought when you started being a sugar baby and junk you'd turn into a different person. But you're still Steve."

Steve smiled. "Didn't go through a name change last I checked."

"You know what I mean. You were still cursing out the ref at the game back in DC. And you got Robin a mug with a weird picture, not like a diamond encrusted dog bowl or something."

"She's gonna love the mug more than that. And the ref had his blinders on for the whole first half."

Steve didn't realize how relieved he was to hear that though, that he had retained the real parts of himself even though he felt completely changed by Eddie. Would he start to change in time? How long would it take? His reverie was broken when Lucas pulled into the driveway of his home.

"Okay, so Dustin told my parents you were seeing someone and Mike told them it was someone famous but they don't know it's Eddie Munson."

Steve felt his stomach drop. "Do they know that I'm?"

Lucas shook his head. "You get to tell them that."

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me", Steve groaned.

The last thing he wanted to tell the people who helped him through the final years of high school and the first couple of college was that he was getting dicked down by a celebrity and was falling for him too. The Sinclairs were more like his parents than his actual mom and dad.

They didn't hold back either, bringing it up the moment he entered and they got their hugs.

"Dustin told us you're seeing someone?", Mrs. Sinclair said.

Steve snuck an ear twist as Dustin walked by with a grin, one that the Sinclairs definitely noticed but let him get away with. He had to be honest not just because of how important they were, but because they'd find out everything sooner or later. New traveled fast online and he was honestly surprised they didn't know more already.

"I met him one night at a bar. He covered my dinner when I was a little short", Steve said as his hands were kept busy helping with the food preparation.

"Sounds like a gentleman", Mr. Sinclair said.

Lucas and his friends were sitting in the living room, which Steve was thankful for. He knew they'd want to spill every last bean. He got away with giving them minimal info: Eddie's first name, the fact he was a musician, an alpha, and that they'd been on a few dates.

That night, he cornered Dustin and Mike and made them swear to keep their mouths shut about anything else.

"Lucas got basketball tickets. We should get something to", Mike said.

"How's about you don't get a tanned hide?", Steve offered, eyes hard.

Christmas went as usual, Steve spent the day of and day after in the Sinclair home, then returned to his own apartment where Robin was already waiting to celebrate New Years. He didn't get two feet into the door before she was feeling his stomach.

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not-"

"But you could be. I know you and your cumslut tendencies. So I know you're not making him wrap it up."

"But I'm still taking my birth control", Steve said.

"You just know that if you get knocked up I'll have no choice but to move back in with you and help you raise this pup", Robin said.

"There is no pup. And I wouldn't make you do that."

"I would though. For you", she promised.

"I know Robs. That's why I'm not gonna let it happen. If I wanna have his baby, you'll get a six month notice before we conceive."

"Thank you for that."

They spent December 31st ordering take out from three different places and binging Empire. When it got to the time for real festivities to begin, they turned the tv to where Eddie said he was going to be performing.

"So that's your beau. He's not bad", Robin complimented. "How's the rest of the band?"

"They're great. I think you and Jeff would really get along. He's actually really into brass instruments too. And Gareth knows a bunch of nerd languages."

"You mean like Klingon and Elvish?"

"And apparently he's learning Atlantean."

Midnight came and Steve kissed her forehead and Robin kissed his cheek.

--------------------

The next day, he was packed and ready to hop on his flight. Robin dropped him off and hugged him tight enough to hold him over until the next time they met. His ticket was first class again and when he landed in Austin, he was already feeling a tingling under his skin. He missed his alpha. Need his scent, his touch, the rumble of his voice.

Because of this, while he loved the other CC boys, he was a little disappointed to see them awaiting his arrival and not Eddie.

"The Ed-man had to finish something in the studio last minute", Gareth explained as they led Steve to the car.

"Thanks for picking me up, guys", Steve certainly preferred them over a stranger from Uber.

Grant drove the way back, taking them to a mansion that had Steve's jaw dropping. He was no stranger to big houses, but he was used to them being simply for status. They'd been grand but sterile, devoid of any personality. The moment Steve stepped in, he could see that wasn't true for this place. He could pick out each of the resident's scents, could see each of their quirks as he was given a tour of the place.

They saved Eddie's room for last and he found out when Eddie barreled down the hallway to meet them at his door.

"They're really good pack", Steve said as Jeff, Grant, and Gareth left the two of them alone.

"I knew I could trust them with you." Then Eddie kissed him about six times. "For all the missed mistletoe." Then again. "For New Year's."

Steve laughed against his lips. "You gonna show me the bedroom anytime soon? I'd love to lie down, Daddy."

Eddie bit his lip, looking nervous all of a sudden as he slowly opened the door. Steve wanted to take in everything. After all, a bedroom could tell you a lot about a person. But his attention was immediately grabbed by the bed situation and what was sitting on the bench in front of it. There was a thin quilt turning it into a canopy bed, much like the den Eddie had made in their hotel room back in New York.

Steve recognized the pattern from what he'd heard before. Jeff's handiwork. And by the foot of the bed was a small bench where a collection of clothes sat. Steve went right to them and took a whiff of the first shirt. It was so undeniably Eddie, he would have thought his neck was pressed to his nose were he not still by the door.

Then he picked up a tank top and caught notes of lemon and ginger. "Are these...?"

"I tried to scent a lot of stuff before you got here, the boys helped out too. I hope that was okay?" His hands were stuck in his pockets and his back was tensed like he might run.

"It's more than okay", Steve reassured him.

"And the den? You like it? I can always change it if you don't. We've got tons of linens here, all that can be scented in a moment's notice and-"

"Eddie", Steve put a hand to his arm. "It's great. Now...", he held up one of the garments. "Help me nest?"

Eddie swallowed and nodded. He followed Steve's lead as they arranged everything on the bed for maximum comfort. Once Steve was satisfied, he sank down into it, smirking when he saw the way Eddie gingerly lied down next to him.

"Your first time doing a heat?", Steve asked.

"I've been around omegas in heat before. Just not as the uh, let's say star alpha", Eddie admitted.

Steve turned so his back was against Eddie's chest and pulled his arm over him. It took Eddie a moment, but he got comfortable and melted against his body. The exhaustion from the flight and being up for hours finally got to him and Steve closed his eyes.

When he opened them hours later, his body was warm and he felt a wetness between his legs.

Part 13

Tag Team CLOSED

@awkotaco24 @lingeringmirth @littlewildflowerkitten @estrellami-1 @tartarusknight @velocitytimes2 @mrsjellymunson @trashcanniballecter @paintsplatteredandimperfect @a-little-unsteddie  @sllooney  @starman-jpg  @oxidantdreamboat  @xxbottlecapx   @newtstabber @tiny-enthusiast  @desidrarry-wolfstarshipper @y4r3luv @hello-fellow-nerds  @anonymousbandgirl @alyelf @potato-of-the-lord  @beckkthewreck  @croatoan-like-its-hot @pluto-pepsi @abstractnaturaldisaster @ellietheasexylibrarian @eyesofshinigami @dragonmama76 @greatwerewolfbeliever @chaosgremlinmunson @blackpanzy @millseyes-world @batxsignalsx @lilpomelito @goosesister @libraryofgage @aresthelostboy @royjaimie4eva @silenzioperso @she-collects-smut @lost-wondering-souls @eddielives1986 @marklee-blackmore

#apo writes #stranger things #steddie #omegaverse #a/b/o #i literally checked the clock b4 posting #bc i know now i have the uncanny ability to post smut #and therefore keep specs up at all hours of the night #but this time there's no smut so haha! #there will be a healthy dose of debauchery in the next one tho

[saltofmercury]

Reunion (ii)

Author's Note: Part 2 of 3 where we meet König's family

Summary: König takes you to meet his family

Requested by @wikusiax0

Part 1

"Reunion"

The plane ride to Austria was hectic.

In the middle of summer, it seemed like everyone was either traveling from or to Europe it was like it would never end. Your flight was delayed the first time, then stopped somewhere, before actually telling you it was delayed again, and then finally getting to your destination.

Once there, it seemed like nobody could take their eyes off of König.

People stood still, watching your boyfriend guide you through the airport as you trailed behind him attempting to keep up. Red faced and nervous, he pulled on a face mask and sunglasses.

You squeezed his hand, approaching an exit.

Once outside he took a deep breath.

“I think it’s worse when people don’t assume you speak German and they talk about your height.”

You smiled, rubbing his hand. If you were being completely honest, you were a nervous wreck. So little did König talk about his family which made you question and wonder so many things about them.

What was his mother like?

Would his father even come?

Would there be a language barrier?

You got in a taxi with him which dropped you off in some small town about an hour away from the airport.

König thanked the driver and proceeded to get out. You said thank you, then winced at the fact that maybe this man did not speak English.

“You are welcome!” he said, however his face was more serious than his cheerful voice.

“Alright, we start walking. It’s not far from here.”

You turned around in awe, watching how the houses and buildings were so different from what you were used to. The sun was setting already showing a streaks of orange and purple up ahead. Not many people were out, but it still amazed you how small, quaint this town was.

You tried to picture König as a kid running around or even as a teenager running around…

“Paul?”

König stood still.

Your thoughts quickly evaporated as you turned to where the voice came from.

Anxiety poured into his veins. Turning slowly, he looked at the person addressing him.

“Ah, no. I am not Paul.”

König was speaking English to a man who clearly spoke German.

The man cocked his head to the side, smiling, then shook his head side to side. Spoke in German again.

“You are Paul’s son?”

König stood still, then proceeded to nod his head.

“Andreas?” the man said curiously.

The man walked over quickly and shook his hand furiously.

König excused himself and introduced you. His mother tongue coming out so effortless and strong.

You shyly held out your hand speaking slowly.

“So. nice. to. meet. you!”

The man eyed you up and down, staring back at König like something was off. Before the man could say anything, König excused you guys and you made your way up the trail again.

“I’m sorry for all the walking. We walk in Europe.”

You laughed, watching him carry your luggage, his luggage, duffel bags, all while you held your backpack.

“Yeah… I’m really struggling over here.” you said, rolling your eyes.

You had started wondering why you left the man down the road.

“Paul is your dad?”

“Yes” he said, making eye contact behind you then trailing up ahead.

“Andreas... is your brother?”

The gravel crunch from his feet stopped. He let out a soft laugh, proceeding towards the road.

“Andreas is my name schatz.”

“What......” you said so softly

You stopped

“What do you mean your name is Andreas?”

He laughed, shaking his head. The crinkles in his eyes forming.

“You know this, you saw my drivers license.”

You sucked your cheeks in, realizing your mistake.

“Actually my name is whatever pet name you call me, I never call you by your real name.”

“All this time I thought your name was König and your last name was Andreas…”

He laughed harder this time, adjusting the duffle bags on his arms.

“Schatz, my mother calls me Andy!”

“I thought it was because Toy Story was your favorite movie…”

He holds in his laughter.

“Come on, schatz, or should I call you by your first name?”

You roll your eyes, embarrassment flooding your face as you walk behind him.

Andreas…

*

He guides you down a road, towards a medium-sized house.

It was a two story white house with brown accents. The roof was made of wood. Behind the house was a small hill. The house had several windows in front, a pointed roof, and a small garden in front of it. The fencing around it was made with wood, as its pillars were made of stone.

You tried to picture König walking from school everyday to his house, working on the garden like he did at home, or even just him sitting outside from the balcony, watching people walk by as he talked to his mom about life.

“Nobody’s home, thank god.” Konig snapped you from your imagination.

Leading you into the house, you stepped foot in the living room.

The living room was adorned with several awards in ice hockey and soccer, and many “serious” kid photos. There were two couches placed around a rectangular coffee table.

“I’m taking your bags into my room, make yourself at home.”

You continued to admire all his awards in ice hockey. His photos where he’s off to the side with "friends." He’s never smiling in any of them.

It reminds you of his photos –chiseled face, eyebrows pulled together delivering a menacing look.

“Schatz.. come here please.”

You follow his voice up the stairs and down a hallway. There’s a door at the end of the hall painted black, with a gold doorknob.

You enter his room and are immediately filled with curiosity.

His room is covered with posters of Batman.

There’s a small bed in front of you, above it there’s a shelf where two buildings are built out of random legos. You notice one is Wayne Tower, and the other is Arkham Asylum.

Behind you is a desk with a computer, old notebooks, piles of CD’s, and a teenage picture of him and his mom at a park.

You admire the room around you.

He sits on his bed, looking comically huge compared to it.

“I’ve ordered a bigger bed, but I'll need to assemble it. We can stay in the guest room tonight.”

You don’t listen to what he says, just stare around the room.

Suddenly, it clicks.

“Batman wears a mask…Is that your inspiration?”

He exhales, his face turning red.

“Uh, yes, I think so. I think Batman was one of my favorites. I haven’t been here since I was seventeen.”

He brushes it off.

He grabs you towards him, hugging you from the waist, then places his head on you. He exhales, like he’s been holding his breath on this entire trip.

You rub his hair back, scratching parts of his scalp to relieve him.

He speaks softly.

“I just get so much anxiety coming back here.”

“You’re okay, I'm here, we don't have to do anything you don’t want.”

He looks up at you, his bottom lip captured between his teeth, his eyes shift from your eyes to your lips. He stands up, guiding his hands from your waist to your head, entangling them in your hair bringing you into a kiss.

His kiss is hungry, sloppy, like when he greets you after a mission that went too long for his liking. He sucks on your tongue, pulling you in closer, then elicits a moan where he begins to suck on your bottom lip. He keeps making a mess of your lips, as his hands guide down to your ass, bringing you in closer, squeezing and putting his finger right where he would finger you from behind.

He stops, pulling away, just as you’re out of breath, looking up at him, dizzy from all the love.

“Thanks” you say.

“I’m sorry, I just never thought I would be back here… with someone.” His lips are swollen and wet.

“Just fulfilling a fantasy you always had?”

He smirks, and doesn’t answer.

“I’ll get started on the bed, we have dinner with my mom tonight so you should get ready.”

*

You had been fidgeting with the rings on your fingers. He stationed the car a little further away.

He turned towards you. Seeing you fidget, emotionless.

“You have nothing to be scared of. My mom is very much like me.”

He grabs you, pulling you into a kiss before stepping out.

"I'm so happy you get to meet her."

You walk down towards the road, to a similar one story house.

König opens the door, and wonderful smells hit your nose.

There’s rustling in the kitchen, music playing from the tv.

“Andreas? Are you home?”

His mother comes out of the kitchen, smiling, eyeing you with adoration.

“Hello! So good to finally meet you!” she walks towards you embracing you in a hug.

“I am Andreas' mom, my name is Anna.” She rubs the sides of your arms, tears clouding her eyes. She looks at your face, bringing your hands into hers and holding them. There's so much softness to her.

“It’s so nice to meet you Anna” you say. You’re taken aback a bit. She receives you with so much love, almost as if you’ve met before.

“Come in! Come in! Let us sit in the kitchen while we wait for Walter.”

She guides you to the kitchen, holding your hand completely ignoring König.

König whispers to you: "Wait for Walter?"

“Please have a seat with me, the roast is almost done.”

Anna is a tall woman, she has white hair that comes down to her shoulders. Her skin looks soft, with small wrinkles around her eyes. Her upper lip has wrinkles making her look like she’s been pouting or sucking on a lemon.

“Ja…. Hi mama? Your son is here too!”

She side-eyes König.

“Well if you wanted me to acknowledge you, you should’ve put her on FaceTime the first time I asked.”

König smiles, taking the seat next to you.

“I’m not going to start with you.”

Her boyfriend comes out. He’s a man just as tall as her. He’s got a more stocky build to him. He wears thick framed glasses that sit on a small nose. He’s dressed casually, a button up with jeans, and loafers. However when he enters the room, it’s like he radiates warmth.

“Hello! Anna, why didn’t you say guests arrived?”

The man puts his hand out, König doesn’t stand up with you.

You shake his hand introducing yourself.

“Wonderful name, my name is Walter.”

Anna gets up, ready to serve dinner. She looks at you,

“Do you mind helping me in the kitchen?”

Once in the kitchen, you realize her food still isn’t ready.

She’s smiling, bombarding you with questions. Her cheeks are pink, from the heat of the oven.

“I need the FULL story. Where did you meet!? Are you involved in the military too?

No actually we met at a grocery store.

“What was your first date like?”

He took me to the observatory…

“I love that ring, I have many stones you should take home with you! I don't wear them I just have them stored away.”

No no! I couldn’t.

“Does Andreas work too much? I told him he needs to stay home with you.”

He tries to stay for longer periods of time, but—

You were cut off, König coming into the kitchen.

“Don’t scare her please this is the only one who has stuck around.”

He sneaks his arm around you, rubbing your shoulder.

She sees how you two fit together. It gives her an idea.

“Andreas! Let me get a photo for my album.”

She runs out of the room quickly, König whispers—

“She left me in the kitchen on purpose so I could talk to Walter.”

“Well what did you say? Kind of rude not to stand up when he offered his hand” —

His mom returns, an iPad in her hands.

“I can put this on my Facebook!”

“Mama why the iPad when we can take it in the phone?”

“Stop it! Now smile!”

She takes several photos, then has you pick which one you like best.

“Oh my friends love to see Andreas! I haven’t posted a photo since he left for the military…. I also never seen him smile this big before!”

König turns red, remembering how much he actually hated photos.

Anna guides you back to the kitchen where she tells stories of König as a child as you have dinner.

How small he was when he was born, fragile, breaking bones almost every year since he could walk.

He then randomly had a growth spurt when he went to high school.

When he cried because there were six other kids in his class who dressed as Batman for Halloween and he thought his mother wouldn’t recognize him at pick up.

When he wrote a poem for his project but got so anxious he cried all night and ended up missing school the next day.

How his brother was mean to him because he was always the taller one, König was smaller.

All memories he’s told you before but with less details.

Was his brother still taller? You couldn’t even imagine someone bigger than your boyfriend.

As Walter cleared up the dishes, Anna brought you to the living room.

She had already positioned a small cookie platter with a variety of biscuits, fruits, and sugary crackers.

“Walter please make coffee.” She yelled out.

There were many pictures of König positioned in her living room. He had a pout as a child, his eyes sad, and cheeks round.

He looked as if he had finished crying and his mother took the picture immediately.

Then you eyed it, a picture of all of them.

“Is this… your dad and brother?”

König stepped behind you.

“Yeah that’s me, Elias is behind me, my mom and dad.”

“Elias? Like Uncle Elias?”

“Yes, my brother was named after him. His first name is Paul, but we call him Elias.”

He paused for a moment.

“Elias thought he would never have kids because he was gay. So my mom named my brother after him.”

Anna pulled you into a hug again from behind.

“I am just so happy!”

“Mama stop. You’re scaring her.”

“You never bring one girl or boy to the house! I can smother this one.”

You gather around the living room. Swapping stories you two living together—the raccoon that entered the house, the garden König tends to, your library of books that he promises will make a bookshelf for.

His mom sits like a child, wide eyed, indulging in the stories you tell.

König interjects once in a while to give his side of the story or says things like

“Did it happen that way? I could’ve sworn it was—“

His mother hushes him, focusing on you.

It’s around 1 in the morning before König finally has had enough.

“Mama, we have to go. The funeral is early tomorrow.”

“Stay here for the night!” She begs, her eyebrows furrowing loving your company.

“No mama, you know we don’t have things here.”

König is tired, eyes bloodshot red weighing down his cheeks.

“Fine, but it’s not any trouble. Walter, please bring me my box.”

Walter walks down the hallway, appearing with a golden box.

His mom opens the box, searching for a gold necklace.

It’s when you see what she’s doing that you immediately decline.

“You don’t have to give me anything! You say, objecting the gift in her hand.

You can feel König's hand on your lap, reassuring you it's okay.

“I don’t have to, schatzi, but I want to. I cannot express how much happiness you’ve brought my son and now me.”

She rummages around the box, pairing small stones with the gold necklace but nothing satisfies her… until she sees it.

Her mouth smiles so big as she eyes you.

The necklace she presents you has a teardrop pendant. The stone in the middle is a radiant blue topaz.

She walks behind you, lifting your hair aside.

“When Andreas was born, he was born during the last month of the year. I think postpartum hit me the hardest this time around because I knew my son would be lonely, little, and I was very sad….”

She locks the necklace behind you, smoothing your hair down.

"Uncle Elias gave me this necklace in the hospital after seeing how small Andreas was after delivery. He said the stone was as strong as he would be."

“Andreas father had shamed me for giving birth prematurely, I was all alone fighting for him and myself….”

“And now I can see he’s not lonely anymore, he is not small anymore, and I am no longer sad but fulfilled.”

You stand up to hug her, she squeezes you, like you’ve been her best friend all these years.

“I am so happy you were born because it means there was a friend out there for my son.”

König interjects —“A friend who kisses me on the lips.” Rolling his eyes.

His mother swats him on the head speaking in German.

“OKAY I’m sorry. I’m just tired.”

“Go home get some rest. I will see you tomorrow at the funeral.”

As you walk to the car, you can’t help but think about how lonely the world must have been for him. How much it meant for someone to come home to his mom to reassure her that he was not alone in this world anymore.

#könig #könig x reader #konig x reader #könig mw2 #konig call of duty #call of duty #könig cod #könig x you #könig fanfiction

[whimsical-roasting]

You reblogged that Sam gifs post and it reminded me of that headcanon i have of being Sam’s friend but you’re feisty and take no one’s shit. Like he’s always takes the high road and you’re like when they go low i go lowER. I would fight that Akufo dude for him no questions asked.

hi wifey <3 you are absolutely right!! i fucking love that idea of Sam having a bestie who'd throw hands for him.. it's on sight all the time.

special thanks to @sokkigarden for bouncing ideas off me, love you bby. okay, i wanna write about being friends w the AFC Richmond boys more, so if yall have ANY thoughts on being friends with ANY of the lads then send me requests on it so we can DISCUSS

OKAY BUT BEING BESTIES WITH SAM OBISANYA

he's such a wholesome and loyal friend... a breath of fresh air yknow?? Dani is more of that 'unconditional sunshine' energy, but Sam is positive whilst still keeping it real w you

and sooo you're hella loyal to him too. well, you're loyal to everyone you care about. you'd take a bullet for them, no questions asked, but probs a lot of cussing involved (same, but i'll come back to this)

sharing an airpod each if yall go out on a walk or join the team on a bus ride - if you're dating jamie then he NEEDS you next to him on the ride back, probs uses your shoulder to sleep on and has an arm around your waist so you can't leave, but that's a diff post ahahaha

having a shared spotify playlist that you both keep adding music too...the vibes are all over the place. "Y/N, I was trying to jam out to J.Cole, and then Adele came on??" "Oh yea, I was sad bout something earlier"

blanket forts and microwaveable caramel popcorn for when he's missing home

playing as him in FIFA when you're with the lads and yellin "YEA THATS MY BESTIE" every time you score as him

pinching his earlobes like his dad would for good luck on the days of a big match/when he's really nervous

since opening OLA'S, you join him when he attends small business owner conventions, but that's mainly to try the free food

since i'm vegetarian, telling him that his menu looks great but you can only stick to sumn like the jollof rice.. so next month when he invites you over to his restaurant for a catchup dinner there's a whole new lil section for vegetarian dishes on the menu (or whatever dietary inclusivr thingy etc.)

warning Sam about Afuko because "a man simply doesn't feed you pasta and lobster and send you a stack without something in mind" and him being like ??? what and you groan, "did you watch the tiktoks I sent you??"

hearing about how the Afuko rejection went and Sam only focusses on "he called me medium talent??" and you're SEETHING

you're like "what the living F U C K" and he's like "oh hey Y/N, don't worry, I know I am not medium talent" and you're like "what? no, shut up, obviously not, but that's not the POINT here. how did that ASSHOLE have the audacity to speak to you like that?!!"

you're searching up flights to Nigeria and opening a google map from the airport to Afuko's business residence or something, and Sam is like, "seriously, forget that guy. bullet dodged." and you're angrily muttering about how Afuko's gonna have to dodge the bazooka you're gonna smuggle onto the plane

"We cannot be best friends if you end up in jail because you tried to smuggle a bazooka onto the plane." "I just wanna talk to him...with a bazooka." "No." "Pleas-" "No."

telling Sam you might be getting feelings for Jamie and being nervous he'd be mad because of their relationship in S1, but you promise he's changed, and Sam is like, I know

wearing the Obisanya jersey and the rest of the boys are like 'hey why don't you ever support our merch' so like every match you're switching out jerseys before texting a pic to the groupchat

running into that Francis guy who's Afuko's right-hand man and "accidentally" stepping on his foot real hard like OOPS

giving him updates on your love life and vice versa. "Y/N, please tell me this one is not a loser." "Um, Sam, shut up; you know my rizz only seems to work on losers??" "hey, Jamie told me that telling a woman my favourite movie is Ratatouille is a bad idea... is it?" "just bake her a lasagna or something and say that's how you learnt to cook." "I am not doing that." "dammit, I thought we'd get lasagna for dinner"

doing random tiktok trends or challenges - the baking one where one person is blind, one is deaf, and one is mute, but they all gotta work together to bake a cake!! sam (tape around his mouth) x you (blindfolded) x jamie (loud ass headphones on)

jamie: pass the FOOKIN sugah!! *back turned to yall as he stirs the mix*

you: WHAT. WHERE. *randomly smacking shit, picking up the salt and dropping it on the counter and onto a spoon*

sam: mmmhnph! *waving his hands in your face like NO but you can't see*

you: *turning to jamie with a spoonful, which he probs tastes absentmindedly whilst stirring* OI TASTE THIS

jamie: FOOKS SAKE

#sam obisanya #besties with sam obisanya #sam obisanya x reader #ted lasso #ted lasso x reader #jamie tartt x reader #afc richmond

[bradshawed]

“Save a horse, ride a cowboy.”

summary — Bradley Nicholas Bradshaw certainly has something someone to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

warnings/tags — mild swearing, some suggestive content, female reader, use of she/her, Bradley missing his parents, switching between 2nd and 3rd person but you get both povs? Bradley being absolutely speechless and momma Seresin being an icon but that isn’t really warning.

note — wanted to write something for a while and I had this idea in my drafts and figured why not. I haven’t written for tg:m before so I hope I did them justice and you guys like it enough to read some more.

word count — 1.2k words

Texas hadn’t exactly been a planned trip but here they all were at the Seresin ranch in Austin, Texas.

You could say that it had been the Daggers’ fault for unintentionally parading in on one of Jake’s phone calls to his mum but they’d all claim that it was a combination of Jake bragging about his home town and Bradley retelling his sob story to Jake’s mother, who she insisted he call her by her first name, and then invited them all to the Seresin ranch for Thanksgiving.

They’d managed to get a couple days leave and decided to forgo the 15 hour drive down and take a flight there instead, choosing to get there in one piece with as few arguments as possible than the ones they would’ve had if they’d chosen to go with the road trip option.

When they’d arrived at the airport, Jake’s oldest sister and her husband picked them up in two cars and drove them down to the ranch. Bradley could easily see why Jake had been right to brag about his home, not that he would ever tell him, but it really did feel like home.

The Dagger squad talked for hours that night, finding themselves huddled together on the front porch, staring at the stars. It had been a beautiful night, filled with laughter and mischief, but also with something warm and comforting that made Bradley’s heart ache.

He’d been unusually quiet that night but the group knew better than to push it, Jake included with a threat from his mother, but it hadn’t been from what they’d expected. Jake’s mum had brought Bradley aside when they were all busy with the rest of the family and had a talk with him, one filled with a motherly love that accepted him into the family and promises that he could come by anytime or call her up whenever he’d like. The comforting hug after, as she reached up to wipe his tears, made him smile as he whispered up to the stars later that night, a thank you to his mum and dad.

The next day had been filled with the typical Seresin chaos that you’d expect with a single mother, three daughters, their partners and children, and the one and only, Jacob Thomas Seresin. Plus the Dagger Squad. Then someone mentioned line dancing and Jake’s elusive childhood best friend (Javy was extremely offended) and they’d subsequently made plans that night to visit the local bar that Jake promised they’d all love.

Never, and Bradley means never, let Hangman choose your outfit. That boy is picky as hell and a force to be reckoned with once he’s connected to his Southern routes. Shame that Bradley’s much more stubborn or you would’ve seen him decked out in a similar outfit to Jake’s right down to the bolo tie.

“Jacob Thomas Seresin!” Heads turned towards the woman walking towards them, an empty serving tray in one hand, the other resting on her hip as she looked up at the blonde raising an eyebrow. “You didn’t think to give me a heads up before you walked into my bar?” She leaned behind him to place the tray on the bar before resuming her stance, cracking a smile once Hangman did and wrapping him in a warm hug.

Introductions were made with Jake using your full name, which you hit him lightly on the arm for, Bradley practically speechless, almost drooling, since you first walked towards them.

He was cute, fucking gorgeous if you were being honest, and if he was the Bradley you’d heard so much about from Jake and his mother, then the idea that just sparked in your mind would be more than just a good idea. So, you took your Setson off your head and placed it on his with a wink.

Sadly, you still had a job to do, and with the blooming bar, you needed all hands on deck, so you walked off, not without a mischievous glint in your eye or an extra sway of your hips for the brunette in the floral Hawaiian shirt who had caught your eye. You turned around for a brief second to see Bradley transfixed and Jake shaking his head at you, as you gave your best friend a wink and sauntered off.

The Dagger squad, minus Bob and Javy, looked between Jake and the hat on Bradley’s head in confusion, the former shaking his head with a smile on his face. Jake wasn’t the least bit surprised, he knew you down to a T, just as you knew him. Bob and Javy on the other hand tried and failed to suppress their laughter, especially as Bob launched into an explanation at what it meant seeing as Jake was clearly too amused and entertained to do it himself.

Bradley, well… Bradley had short circuited to say the least. He could barely register the pats on his back or squad’s laughter under the weight of the cowboy hat on his head, your hat on his head. Fuck, he was whipped and he didn’t even know you. Not yet.

The crowd had begun to filter out the later it got, and by the time you got off your shift, the bar definitely wasn’t bursting at the seams anymore but still somehow just as lively. As you contemplated grabbing yourself a beer, you felt a presence behind you, causing you to turn around to see the cute brunette wearing your hat. His palm was placed gently, face up towards you as he asked you for a dance, not forgetting to add a ‘sweetheart’ at the end.

Bradley can dance, he knows that, the whole squad knows that, anyone who knows him knows that. But the way your body feels next to his has him forgetting the steps he learned just moments ago. Or at least, that was until you leaned up at starting singing along to the lyrics in his ear, gently guiding him along, something that he’d expected to cause him to stumble even more but surprisingly got him to relax. Bradley Bradshaw was putty in your hands and you knew it. You however, didn’t know that you’d be melting in his, not until he began singing back to you, his lips just grazing your ear. That’s when it turned into a little more than dancing, with a little less talking.

With you body pressed against his, his arms pulling you impossibly closer as you adjust your Stetson on his head, you whisper a question in his ear. Bradley placed a kiss to your collarbone and another beneath your ear before pulling away and grabbing your hand, leading you to the exit.

The squad burst into cheers as you both approached the door, the pair of you hazarding a glance back at the group and a wink towards Jake who raised his glass in acknowledgment with a smile on his face. He knew you were perfect for each other, not that he’d ever admit that, but he knew. For now, he refused to acknowledge what would happen when you both left the bar, nose crinkling at the reminder of the rule.

#drew writes! #tg:m #bradley bradshaw #bradley rooster bradshaw #he’s whipped your honour! #jake hangman seresin #bradley bradshaw imagine #bradley bradshaw fluff #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x y/n #bradley bradshaw x jake!best friend #rooster x you #<3

[glittter-vamp]

Ohio Is For Lovers | J.B

CHAPTER 15

Joe Burrow x Reader.

Warnings:18+ MDNI. Mention of Pregnancy. Angsty. Mention of Miscarriage. Alcohol. Raunchy jokes.

Word count: 4.7k

6 Months Later:

Getting your luggage at baggage claim in the sea of people at this busy airport, you make your way outside. The freezing cold winter weather smacks you in the face waking you up and sending shivers down your body. You had just flown into Cincinnati from Providence for the holidays. After what happened 6 months ago you got your shit together as quick as you could, stayed at your parents for a few weeks before you left to Providence and left your old life behind. You never found out who set fire to your apartment because the apartments surveillance system wasn't functioning properly and you also never found out who was behind the hit and run but you wanted to move on from that and you did, focusing on your new life in Rhode Island. Things had been going really well for, you loved your new Job, loved the new city and have met some pretty cool and nice people along the way.

You wait for a bit outside in the freezing cold weather, the crazy traffic and honking overstimulating you a bit but you finally spot the familiar car. "Hey bitch!!" Peyton yells and honks not caring about being annoying to those around you as he pulls up with Sasha riding shotgun. They both hop out of the car and hug you tight. "Oh I've missed you so much!!" Sasha says. "Me too bitch! Spending thanksgiving alone this year fucking sucked, I missed out wine and Chinese take out." Peyton says. "I missed you guys too and I told your ass I'd send you a ticket to come to me for that weekend!" You say to Peyton as you guys hop into the warm car, Peyton taking your luggage and putting it in the trunk. "Here, we got you some hot cocoa!" Sasha says passing it to you in the back. "You guys are the best, thanks." You smile taking a sip of the delicious chocolate and milk. "So, how was the plane ride?" Peyton asks as he gets us out of the crazy airport. "It was fine, lots of crying kids on board but thankfully I had my headphones." You nod.

"I hope your mom and dad aren't too upset you didn't go with them to Paris and decided to spend the holidays with us." Sasha says sipping on her own hot beverage. "Nah, my sister and her little family went, so they're enjoying that and have forgotten all about me by now." You shake your head. Your parents were yet another trip for the holidays, this time they invited you but you really didn't feel like traveling far for the holidays and skipped out on it, plus you were spending a lot of money on your new place. "Are you hungry? There's this new Mexican place in downtown where that Thai place was." Peyton asks. "I'm so down for some food, I haven't ate anything since last night." You agree. You guys talk about what you had been up to the last few days and end up at the Mexican restaurant sooner than you'd thought you'd be, which you knew was courtesy of Peyton's speeding. Walking into the restaurant it wasn't too busy, few people every other table. 

After you guys get seated and given menu's Sasha speaks up. "So...meet anyone new?" She wiggles her eyebrows at you. "No, you know I told you I don't want to date anyone for a while." You sigh. "Okay well maybe not date but have you hooked up with anyone? What are the guys like over there?" Peyton grins. "I haven't hooked up with anyone but I have gone to a few gay bars over there and the guys are cute! You're going to have a great time when you go." You smile nodding. "You're hanging out with other gays out there!? Oh, I should of let your ass walk here, how dare you replace me." Peyton scoffs making you and Sasha laugh.

"What about you guys? Anyone you guys are hiding from me?" You ask looking at your two best friends, Peyton shaking is head no. "I've been out with this guy a few times from work...his name is Jason." Sasha smiles. "Oh yeah you mentioned him to me a couple weeks ago, you guys hooked up yet?" You ask and she blushes. "Yeahhhh!" You and Peyton laugh making her blush even more. "Okay... okay! Hush there's people around!" Sasha says getting embarrassed. You guys enjoy your dinner and then head over to their apartment. Sasha and Peyton had moved in together since the whole weird note situation and my place getting burned down. They thought it would be safer for the both of them since they both lived alone. The place was super cute, spacious and just outside of the downtown area with good security.

"So, what do you guys want to do tomorrow?" Sasha asks Peyton and I after we all shower and change into our pajamas. "Wellll, I kind of promised Tee and Ja'Marr I'd hang out with them before they leave for the holidays." You bite your lip. "Wait...you still talk to them?!" Peyton asks as he makes us some drinks from the bar they had near a window. "Yeah...they text me all the time before games and keep tabs on me. We have a group chat & they are always asking when I'm coming to a home game so I thought we can go to one tomorrow if that's okay with you guys."  You say, your friends looking at you weird.

"You're not scared that they're telling Joe about what you're up to and how you're doing?" Peyton asks. "I don't... really care, What are they gonna tell him? That I'm doing good and I'm happy?" You shrug. "What about running into him tomorrow or having to see him?" Sasha asks. "I watch him every week on my tv and I have no issue ignoring him if I have too." You shrug. "Does he know his friends and teammates still talk to you?" Peyton asks. "Probably, Tee posted us on his story, it was a picture from when we volunteered last year, I don't really think they care much for Joe's opinion on this. After I basically told Joe to get out my life...the guys reached out and we had drinks one night before I left Ohio and they heard my point of view of things. They supported my decision, they knew Joe and I weren't compatible no matter how much we all wanted . " You shake you head taking the drink Peyton was making for you out of his hands.

"Do you... like either of them or something? Did you hook up with his teammates?" Sasha asks and you snort rolling your eyes. " Oh bitch, please tell me you did!" Peyton grins. "No! First off, one of them literally dated Mariana... no fucking thanks. Second, I am never ever getting involved with another professional athlete much less another football player that still plays with Joe and are really good friends with him. That's weird." You shake your head. "I mean, you could do the funniest thing ever and hook up with his teammates and kick Joe while he's been down, you know I like supporting women's rights but I also loveeeee supporting women's wrongs." Peyton smirks making Sasha laugh and you roll your eyes at him.

"Like I said, I'm not putting myself through that shit again. Once is enough." You shake your head taking a sip of the drink. "Can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer but I'm pretty intrigued to know." Sasha speaks up and you nod. "Do you miss Joe at all?" Sasha asks and Peyton rolls his eyes as her question. "Oh girl c'mon on, let's not ruin Y/N's night here." Peyton scoffs. "What?! It's a valid question! She almost had a baby with the guy! ad everything happened so quick!" Sasha defends herself making you laugh as you sit on their couch.

"I'll be honest, even though he did bring unnecessary drama in my life for a while and things were never perfect between, he was still a very comforting person for me so I miss that, I think that's why I stuck it out so long with him, things felt at ease when  was around him...and maybe I miss the sex." You bite your lip making your friends chuckle. "That makes me sad that you guys ended the way you did and felt like this about him." Sasha pouts. "It is what it is, I'm sure he's moved on plenty since us." You shrug. "I heard he was dating a swimsuit model now, seems like he can't fathom being alone." Sasha snorts. "Can straight men ever?" Peyton laughs. "Good luck to her." You breathe shaking your head. You guys talk a bit more and enjoy your drinks while watching a Christmas movie before you all go to bed, you sleeping in their guest bedroom which was super cute and cozy.

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

In the morning Peyton made you guys a delicious breakfast with French toast, eggs & bacon and you texted the group chat with the guys letting them know you were in town and if it was possible to get three tickets for tonight's game. Tee almost immediately texting back that he would get back to you as as he could about them.

"I say we go ice skating tomorrow." Sasha says as we sit around enjoying our breakfast. "I'm not that type of gay." Peyton says making you and Sasha laugh. "Oh come on! It'll be fun, maybe you can fall into the arms of a big strong guy." Sasha wiggles her eyebrows. "Girl, I'm 6 foot 5, I am the strong the guy?!" Peyton shakes his head making us laugh. We finish our food and as Sasha and I cleaned up since Peyton made breakfast, your phone dings. Drying your hands quickly on a towel nearby, you pick up the phone and see it was the guys, they had gotten tickets for you and your friends for tonight's game.

"The guys got the tickets." You say to your friends as you respond to the guys and thanking them for pulling some strings so last minute. "You know its supposed to be cold as shit tonight right guys?" Peyton says. "That's why whiskey exists!" You smile and he rolls his eyes. "Hey, you don't have to come if you don't want grandpa." Sasha says to Peyton. "Oh, I'm going!  You bitches aren't leaving me behind." Peyton says leaving us in the kitchen in the sassiest manner making you laugh. "You need to have your revenge dress moment tonight." Sasha says to you as you start the dish washer. "What are you talking about?" You chuckle looking at her weird. "In case you run into Joe! Which I'm sure might happen, you need to look good to see what he could of had if he wasn't such a dumbass ad respected you." Sasha nods. "Girl, it's going to be like 15 degree's tonight. I'm gonna be warm, I really don't care about making Joe feel some type of way." You shake your head. "Ugh, have some fun will you!" Sasha scoffs making you laugh.

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

It was afternoon now and you guys had just finished getting ready for the game. As always, you just wore whatever you wanted not really caring too much about team colors. You just wore mostly black layers, cozy boots and some thermal blue jeans wanting to stay as warm as you could tonight. "The uber is here!" Sasha says walking into the living room from her room. We all head out into the cold air and make our way to the car the SUV that was waiting for us. "Do you know who they're playing today?" Sasha asks me as we ride in the back of the car. "Not a damn clue." You shake your head. "Go sports!" Peyton says making you guys laugh. You guys make it to the stadium, happy that you guys left when you did because the place was super packed with people making it hard to find your seats after you got through security.

"I'm getting us drinks!" Peyton says to Sasha and I. You guys not and Peyton leaves to the concession stand which wasn't that far away. "This is exciting!" Sasha smiles. "Last time I was here, it was with Mariana and then Joe and I had fight in the locker room." You snort shaking your head. "Crazy how time flies." Sasha shakes her head. Soon Peyton returns with some strong drinks for everyone and you take a picture of you three posting it on your story. After a bit, the game eventually starts and pretty much you three just cheer when everyone else cheered. It was a bit a weird for you to see Joe playing on the field right now, you guys hadn't talked since the day at the hospital when you lost the baby. 

You remember going out for those drinks with Ja'Marr and Tee and them trying to convince you to at least talk to Joe but you knew if you did in that moment, you probably wouldn't have left to Rhode Island and be where you are now. Part of you felt guilty for a bit after that, but it was really the only way for you to get out of every situation that had you unhappy plus, getting threatening notes and your apartment set on fire just wasn't something you wanted to stick around and play with to just attempt to be with Joe.

"I really... don't understand this fucking game, I'mmmm getting us more drinks." Peyton says making you laugh. "Get me vodka this time please!" Sasha says to him before he leaves us. "I don't know much about football but it seems like no one is having a good time out there, people keep getting hurt and they look so cold." Sasha says. "We are so undeserving of these tickets." You laugh shaking your head. All of a sudden you guys then spot Tee and Ja'Marr getting into it with some players of the opposing team on the field after a dirty hit on the field.

"What the hell is going on out there?" Peyton asks handing us drinks. " The other team is playing dirty and the guys aren't having it." You shrug. Taking a sip of the new drink, the game continues until half time. "We should get sushi after this!" Peyton says over the loud music that was playing, Sasha and I nodding in agreement.

You guys talk amongst yourselves and take plenty of pictures during halftime and before you knew it the guys were back on the field. They were pretty much neck in neck with the other team so this game could really still go either way. You spot Joe running on the field getting into position and instead of throwing the ball to one of his teammates he makes a run for it with the ball. "He's really... not that fast. Reminds me the rat from Ice Age with the acorn" Peyton says making your snort. "That's a squirrel not a rat!" You laugh as Joe runs with the ball almost making it to the end zone but out of no where this huge player from the other team tackles him, hard. The hit looked painful and it wasn't long before everyone spotted Joe holding his elbow in pain. "Oh fuck." You stand up feeling your heart sinking in your chest. "That doesn't look good." Sasha shakes her head standing next to you. "Are you fucking kidding me?! That was a baby hit!" You hear some guy behind you angrily yell to which you rolled your eyes at, as did many other fans around him.

Soon you heard the sea of people becoming disappointed and worried over Joe, the medics soon were on the field checking him out and every time they attempted to move his arm Joe would immediately wince in pain. "Oh baby... he's out. There's no way he's gonna keep playing." Peyton shakes his head. They get Joe up from the ground and he walks towards the tunnel looking extremely upset and in pain. The crowd cheers for him but even behind the cheers you could tell they were as upset as he was.

The energy in the stadium after that had did a complete 180. Luckily Joe's injury didn't cost them the game but people were still sad over what happened. As we were leaving two security guards approach us and you already knew the drill. " Y/N Y/L/N?" One of them asks me, Peyton already looking at them weird and getting defensive. "Yeah, let me guess. I gotta follow you." You raise an eyebrow at the man and he nods. "C'mon guys." You tell Sasha and Peyton who look at you weird. "It's the guys sending for us, we're not in trouble." You tell them and they nod still suspicious of this but still following you guys to the golf carts.

"This makes me feel like Beyoncé when she's backstage." Sasha says making you and Peyton look at each other and start laughing. "Humble yourself honey." Peyton snorts, Sasha flicking him off. You guys get taken the room you haven't seen since you had basically hated Joes guts. You all thank the guys and they let you know the drill with snacks and drinks. There was a few women in there probably waiting on their husband or boyfriend but you guys find a spot somewhere and sit down. "This is pretty cool." Sasha looks around. "They said anything was for grabs right?" Peyton says eyeing the snacks. "Go crazy." You chuckle as he gets up and heads over to the snack table.

"You think Joe is okay?" Sasha asks you. "Probably not." You shake your head. After a little while you hear two familiar voices call your name. Smiling you get up from your seat turning around seeing Tee and Ja'Marr. "Hey guys!!" You smile at them giving them each a hug. Sasha and Peyton greet them as well and you guys sit down at an empty table. "So how have you guys been?" Ja'Marr asks us. "Pretty good... Thanks for the tickets, that was quite the game." Sasha smiles. "No problem and yeah, this one's a tough one. Critical timing too since the play offs start very soon." Tee shakes his head. "At least you guys won though! Something good came out of it." You smile trying to lighten their mood. "Yeah but Joes out the rest of the season, he tore his UCL so if we were to make it to the Super Bowl... he can't even play. That's gonna fuck us up so much." Ja'Marr shakes his head. You couldn't help but to feel horrible for everyone especially Joe.

You all catch up for a bit, them asking you a billion questions about Rhode Island and asking if you'd ever return here to Ohio. Ja'Marr had asked you about Mariana, specifically if you've heard anything from her and you'd tell him no which was the truth. You didn't know exactly why he was asking but you didn't really want to ask. That was his business and you weren't getting into anything that had to do with her ever again. "I need to pee." Sasha says to you, Peyton nodding in agreement. "Bathrooms are over there to your right." Tee points. They thank him and they walk off leaving just you, Ja'Marr and Tee.

"So... have you talked to Joe at all?" Ja'Marr asks, both men looking at you for an answer. "No, I debated on reaching out a few times but I heard he was dating someone and I'm not getting into that type of drama again like that. Hell no." You shake your head. The guys look at each other for a moment and then bust out laughing which had you confused. "Dating who?! Dudes only focus has been football and stalking you on social media all these months." Tee laughs. "It was all over social media that he was dating some model & why or how would he be stalking my social media?" You ask confused since it was private. "That was just a stupid rumor started by some dumb gossip website and we've caught him on your Instagram a bunch of times. I think he has a fake profile which we've told him how weird that shit was by the way and his excuse was that he just wanted to make sure you were happy and safe." Ja'Marr shakes his head rolling his eyes.

"Did he leave already?" You ask. "Nah, he's in a medical room dealing with his emotions and shit. He doesn't wanna see anyone, he's going through it." Tee shakes his head with a disappointed look on his face. "Although... maybe he wouldn't mind seeing you." Ja'Marr smirks and your eyes open wide. "Hell no, no way." You shake your head. "No way what?" Sasha asks coming back to us, Peyton following her. "They want me to go talk to Joe." You shake your head. "Oh?" Peyton looks at you and you shake your head no. "He's down this hall to your left. C'mon guys, let's get some snacks and talk about how much Rhode Island sucks." Tee says to your friends and you scoff. "What? Guys! No—assholes." You mutter annoyed at them as they all ignore you and leave you standing out in the hall like an idiot.

Sighing you make your way to the door where Joe was behind, taking a deep breath before knocking and opening the door. Immediately you heard his voice. "Get out." He says in a very monotone way. You peek your head in and see he was laying down on a stretcher facing up in a dimly lit room with his good arm draped over his face. "I guess I deserve that attitude." You nod closing the door behind you. Your stomach flip flopping from nervousness. Joe freezes and peeks under his arm towards you.

"Wh-what are you doing here?" Joe asks slowly sitting up. His injured arm in a sling. "I'm in town for the holidays and the guys gave me tickets to the game tonight." You awkwardly say stuffing you hands in your back pockets. He looked like he had been crying. "Of course they did." Joe scoffs. "I know I'm the last person you wanna see right now or ever but I just wanted to check up on you." You bite your lip awkwardly. "Yeah right, like you give a shit about what happens to me." He scoffs, it sucked hearing those words come from his mouth but you couldn't blame him, you weren't the nicest to him the last time you saw him. Plus, he was upset cause of his injury which is understandable.

 "I know I shouldn't have bothered you but I just wanted to apologize on how I left things... and your injury tonight...but I'll uh, leave you be." You nod reaching for the door again awkwardly. "Wait!" You hear Joe say before you could even touch the door. "I...shouldn't have snapped at you like that, I'm sorry. I'm...I'm not even mad at you." He shakes his head as he sits looking down at his dangling feet. He was still in half of his uniform and even though he was a grown ass man well over 6 foot, he looked so small to you in this moment. "You don't have to lie, I know the way I handled things was beyond fucked up." You sigh leaning against the door. "Honestly, you had every right. I was being a stupid jackass, my parents knocked some sense into me after I came clean with everything. You put up with too much shit with me and I was worried too much about myself and not enough about you. I'm surprised you didn't come fined me and ran me over with your car" Joe admits. "Well...to be fair I didn't have one at the time so, maybe that worked in your favor." You tease making him chuckle. 

"Maybe it was just a classic case of right people, wrong time." You shrug. "You really think we could of been right for each other if things weren't so fucked up around us and I wouldn't have fucked up most of it?" Joe asks. "I'd like to think so, we pretty much ignored every red flag between and around us Joe... I think that ultimately fucked everything up because we choose to ignore and ignore." You say, Joe nodding. "How's Rhode Island?" Joe asks and you snort. "You should know...the guys told me about your Instagram stalking." You tease seeing Joe's freeze and his face turn a light shade of pink. "Fucking assholes." Joe mutters shaking his head making you chuckle. "I didn't mean to be weird, I just still feel paranoid about your safety with everything that happened. M=Ja'marr thinks Mariana was behind everything, he found some weird folder with information about us two...I think she was going to try and blackmail us if news hit about the affair she was having on Ja'Marr. She's disappeared. We think she left Ohio." Joe fills you in and you scoff. "That fucking crazy bitch." You shake your head. 

"Things are pretty good, I like the city, co workers are pretty cool." You nod changing the subject. "I'm really happy to hear that." Joe says giving you a small smile. Before you could reply there was a knock on the door followed by the voice of a man you didn't recognize. "Burrow, your parents are looking for you dude, pack it up, get some rest." The guy says. "I should... get back to everyone, I'm sure they're hungry and waiting on me." You say to Joe and he nods looking sad. "I'm really sorry I couldn't be the man you deserved Y/N, I kill myself over it everyday." Joe says somberly. "People aren't perfect Joe, don't beat yourself up over it, but I really do hope you recover as quickly and good as possible. I would tell you to not be too hard on yourself while you recover but I might as well talk to a brick wall for that." You joke making Joe chuckle. "Take care of yourself and you should come to more games, helps motivate the guys." Joe says glossy eyes which almost triggered your own emotions that you were pushing down. " I will take it under consideration, take care of yourself." You smile at him before leaving the room and letting out a deep breath trying to control your emotions before you meet everyone up again. 

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

A month later:

The holidays came and went. You spent time with your best friends and you were now back in Rhode Island in your home. Winter had officially struck the north east as it was snowing today. Cuddled up on your couch with the fire place on and a glass of wine in your hand you were on facetime with your friends. "So, when are you coming back?" Peyton asks you. "Uh! no Sir, it's time you guys come to me. We can do something this summer...I just finished the guest bedrooms and we can hit all the bars out here, maybe even drive to Boston for a weekend." You suggest. "I'm down for some Boston cheeks." Peyton smirks making Sasha roll her eyes and you laugh. "Did you spend the homegoods gift card we got you for Christmas?" Sasha asks changing the subject. "I did! I got stuff for the guest bathroom and a few holiday clearance stuff for next Christmas." You nod. You talk more with your friends about what you guys had planned for the next few weeks until your doorbell rang. It was 7PM on a snowy Friday night and you weren't expecting anyone over. "Uh oh booty call! We'll let you go so you can have your fun." Peyton winks. "It's probably my neighbors stupid doordash again, she keeps putting my door number for some reason, but I'll talk to you guys later." You sigh getting up. You hang up your phone tossing it on the couch and setting down your wine glass on your side table. You go to your door opening just a bit expecting some poor delivery driver in this snow but you almost choke on your own spit when you saw who it was. "Wh-what are you doing here?" You stand there frozen in place. 

"I'm... done ignoring." Joe responds. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: I know I said this last chapter was coming Sunday but I couldn't wait that long lol Ohio Is For Lovers has officially wrapped up and I just want to thank you guys sosososososo much for reading and supporting this series. I haven't written a series in years and the love and support you guys have shown me has meant soooo much! If you haven't checked it out already I have been working on a new Joe Burrow series called Cherry Waves, so check that out if you'd like and if it's not for you I plan on doing a small holiday series in November. Thanks again for the support 🖤🖤🖤

#joe burrow imagine #joe burrow #joe burrow x reader #joe burrow fanfiction #joe burrow fic #joe burrow fan fic #joe burrow x you #joe burrow x y/n #joe burrow series

[watchmegetobsessed]

THE SUN WILL RISE (part 6)

A/N: here we are, last part of this little series! i hope you guys enjoyed it, i did, and now im excited to work on the next story!

PAIRING: College!Long-hair!Harry X Reader

WORD COUNT: 5.8k

SERIES MASTERPOST | SUPPORT ME!

It’s been only a few weeks since the last time you saw Harry, but it feels like a decade has passed since you said goodbye at the airport. Now you’re on your way to pick him up and you can’t wait to see him again, to feel his arms around you, kiss his lips… You never thought you could miss someone this much, but here you are.

The arriving terminal is full of people when you arrive and check the board to see that Harry’s plane just landed, so he could be here any moment. You lean against a pillar and stare at the exit, your heart jumping in your chest every time someone walks out who resembles him even the slightest.

And then it’s finally him.

He looks just like when you parted ways in December, his hair is let down, he’s wearing a black hoodie and a pair of black jeans, carrying a sports bag on one shoulder as he stops in his tracks, his gaze roaming through the crowd until they find you.

You move towards each other at the same time, pushing past waiting relatives and loved ones before finally meeting halfway. You throw your arms around his neck and practically smash against him, he catches you just in time, his bag sliding off of his shoulder and landing on the floor with a thump as he holds you in his embrace.

“Hi baby,” he murmurs, kissing the side of your head.

“Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to live together just when we started dating,” you mumble against his neck, making him laugh.

“I’m guessing you missed me.”

You just nod and hold him a little longer before leaning back just enough so he can kiss you. He takes his time savoring your lips, his hands holding your face as if he had some kind of treasure in his palms. You used to frown at couples who made out at public places but now you’ve gladly become one of them. 

The ride to the resort is over an hour, but it’s just some extra time you can spend alone with Harry. You try to hold him a briefing about the key characters of the family, who he should be watching out for (basically everyone) and who are the safe people (maybe your aunt Cecilia on her better days). He listens carefully and nods along, keeps telling you there’s nothing to worry about, but you know better than that.

“You haven’t met my family, Harry,” you groan, when he repeats the same thing.

“I met your sister,” he cheekily replies.

“But she… she could be fine. And she was alone, she’s different when the whole family is around.”

“Y/N, it’s gonna be fine. I can handle it.”

“I’m serious, Harry. My dad can… he can easily say the most hurtful thing and not even realize it.”

“Okay, I’m a big boy, I can handle that,” he chuckles and reaching over he gives your thigh a squeeze.

“Alright,” you sigh and then add with a chuckle: “Big boy.”

Even though you told Harry in advance that the whole thing is gonna be unreasonably over the top, his eyes widen when he sees the luxury resort that was rented out just for the wedding. Of course, everything is paid by your father, because his favorite daughter deserves only the best.

Grabbing his bag from the trunk of the car you head inside, hands clasped together and you’re silently praying you don’t run into anyone before you could reach your room, but it seems like the gods have turned their back on you. Just as you walk into the lounge, you’re met with your father and one of his partners that obviously needed to be invited to the wedding to keep up the good partnership and make it look like they are friends, when in real life, they would both push each other to the sharks if they had the chance.

“Fuck,” you breathe out when your father notices you right away and seemingly excuses himself from the conversation. “Brace yourself,” you hiss to Harry.

He gives your hand a squeeze before your dad walks up to the two of you, not even trying to hide the way he is examining the man standing beside you.

“Hey dad, this is Harry, my boyfriend,” you speak up, not as confidently as you wanted to, but it’s too late now. “Harry, this is my father, James.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Harry holds his hand out. Your dad glimpses down at it before finally taking it and giving it a shake. 

“Harry, I finally get to see Y/N’s mysterious plus one, huh!”

His words alone would be normal, but there is just something in the way he said them that makes you shiver. The cold gaze he is shooting Harry before letting go of his head, you just know he is already taking the poor boy apart in his head. 

“Not so mysterious anymore,” Harry smiles at him politely. 

“No, definitely not,” your dad agrees.

“We’ll see you later at dinner, dad. Harry must be tired from all the traveling.”

“Sure. Please dress properly for dinner,” he adds, clearly referring to his simple outfit. You just take Harry’s hand and pull him towards the elevators, feeling your dad’s burning gaze on the back of your head until the elevator doors close finally.

“He is…” Harry starts, looking for the right words. “He is surely something,” he ends up saying and the two of you just laugh at his wording. 

“You’re right about that, yeah.”

You have just a few short hours before dinner that you spend making up for the time you spent apart and then taking a walk to look around the luxurious resort that truly looks like a winter wonderland. The staff is already dressing up the place for the big day tomorrow, fairy lights and white and silver decoration hanging from every corner with a hint of light blue. 

Harry doesn’t comment on it, but you know what he is thinking: that this is all just so over the top, way too much for a wedding. You agree. Even if you weren’t the blacksheep of your family and you got treated the same way as your sister, you wouldn’t want your wedding to be like this.

More like an intimate little event somewhere hidden, but special, only with your loved ones. No business partners or work related people. You never understood how your dad can mix work and his private life so much. 

There’s a massive sunroom in the back of the building, watching over the snowy mountains in the distance, that’s where you settle for a bit before heading back to the room to get ready for dinner.

“I told my mum about you,” Harry speaks up, breaking the momentary comfortable silence.

“You did?” you ask with genuine surprise. You’ve been officially dating for just about a month and you spent weeks apart from that, you weren’t expecting him to tell his family about you.

“Of course. She knows me too well, she would have noticed that something happened, so I went ahead and told her about us,” he grins at you.

“And… what did you say?”

“In case you want to know if I shared our past and the deal we made, I didn’t. She knew I moved in with a friend when I had to leave the dorm and I told her that probably living together brought us together. Which is not entirely a lie,” he chuckles.

“Right,” you let out a small chuckle as well. 

You’re tempted to ask him about what his mother had to say about you or the relationship, but you don’t want to look too eager or anxious. However, Harry knows you well enough to figure out what’s on your mind.

“She is thrilled to meet you as soon as possible,” he tells you softly.

“Really?” You breathe out.

“Of course. She wants to meet the girl who makes her son so happy.”

Your nervous thoughts turn into heat in your chest that spreads up on your neck to your ears and cheeks. He seemingly never fails to make you feel so cared for like never before. 

Leaning closer you press your lips against his, kissing him as your response when words fail to come to your tongue.

“Wow, look at these young lovers!”

Your sister’s voice snaps you out of the moment and when you pull back you see her approaching the two of you with Gabriel by her side. You and Harry stand up to greet them, Harry kisses Alice on the cheeks and then shakes hands with Gabriel.

“Nice to see you again,” Harry smiles at your sister politely, one arm coming to curl around your waist effortlessly, but you see that Alice notices the movement right away, a small smile playing on her lips.

“I’m glad you’re here too. Y/N has been moping around without you all winter break.”

“Hey!” you protest, though she is right.

“What? I saw you checking your phone every ten minutes to see if Harry has texted you,” she outs you without hesitation. “Y/N, I want to discuss something with you about the ceremony, can I steal you for a moment?”

“Oh, sure.”

“Gabe, why don’t you show Harry the sports center downstairs?” Alice suggests, clearly wanting to get some alone time with you.

“Sure,” he nods. “Do you play anything?...” he asks as the two of them walk away.

“What’s up with the ceremony?” you ask, worried that something might have come up.

“Nothing, just wanted to ask you something without the guys around. Tell me, when did you and Harry get together?” 

You freeze at her question, but then manage to recover and act like nothing happened.

“What do you mean? I told you we started dating–”

“No, I don’t want the little story you made up. I know it was all fake when I visited you, but now it’s genuine. When did the change happen?”

You open your mouth a few times just to close it, unsure what to say or how to react. 

“How… how did you know?” you ask at last

“Please, the two of you were so awkward when I visited, clearly not a real couple. But I could tell you both had feelings for each other, so I decided to wait till you figure it out yourself. That kiss at brunch though…” she chuckles, fanning herself with her hands. “That was hot.”

“Yeah, it’s a shame we barely talked for weeks after that,” you mumble under your breath.

“But it seems like it all played out well in the end,” she smiles at you. “You look good together. That guy is wrapped around your finger.”

“You think so?” 

“Absolutely,” she smirks. “I can see it in the way he looks at you. I’m glad you finally found each other.”

“Me too,” you nod with a soft smile. 

Harry is your rock during dinner that evening. He is such a natural, meeting all these new people and charming them with his confidence. You’re in awe how he can easily chat with basically anyone. 

The only person who seems skeptical about him is your dad. You catch him staring at your boyfriend several times during dinner and the look on his face is just not too pleasant. It’s kind of the same you usually get from him, you’re just not sure how Harry earned it when he’s been amazing all evening.

“So, Harry, what do you study?” your dad asks at one point.

“Graphics design, sir,” he answers and you swear you see the disappointment in your dad’s eyes at his response. 

“And what do you plan to do with such a degree?”

“Well, I think I have plenty of options. I’m really interested in doing digital illustrations though, I’ve actually designed a few book covers, maybe I might continue doing that.”

“So, no solid plan after graduation?”

“Dad,” you plead quietly. He is obviously trying to shame Harry and his studies and plans or the lack of them in this case, when it’s completely fine that he doesn’t have his future planned entirely. 

He gives you a piercing look as if it was a warning for you not to get involved. Harry’s hand finds your knee under the table and gives it a gentle squeeze to let you know he’s got it.

“I have plenty of plans, sir. But I don’t want to restrict myself to just one while I’m still not done with my studies.”

You’re amazed how he can stay so calm and collected, there’s not one ounce of irritation in his tone. 

Your dad doesn’t say a word, just lifts his nose up and then turns to talk to someone else, a clear sign that he felt like he couldn’t control the conversation the way he wanted. Pride fills your chest, knowing that Harry could stand his ground against him and he didn’t let your father intimidate him.

Leaning closer you press a tiny kiss to his cheek, which earns you a smile as he glances at you.

“What was that for?” he quietly asks.

“For being so amazing,” you murmur back, his smile stretching even wider. 

Dinner seems to never end, but when it’s finally time to retreat and get some rest before the big day tomorrow, you’re aching to finally be alone with Harry. When you get into the elevator you’re already eyeing him with lust, but not just in a sexual sense. The way he dealt with your family, especially your dad tonight, how he didn’t let anything or anyone get a rise of him, he remained calm and patient, even in moments when you could feel the hair standing up on your back.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks with a chuckle and you swear you see him blushing. “Is there something on my face?” he jokes.

“Yeah,” you nod and moving closer you place a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth, his hand coming to rest on your lower back out of instinct. “This was on your face,” you giggle.

“Mm, put it back,” he teases you, making you laugh, but you obey and move to kiss him again, this time on his lips. 

You walk to your room, hand in hand, feeling like a giddy teenager, a tired sigh slipping through your lips when you finally walk inside and the door locks behind you. You’ve been dreading this moment of the evening, especially because you’re wearing a matching underwear set you bought just for tonight. You knew it’s gonna be a challenging evening, so you thought you’d end it on a better note.

“Would you mind unzipping my dress?” you bashfully ask, turning your back to him.

“Sure,” he mumbles and you don’t miss the way the corners of his mouth curl up.

You lift your hair up to give him access to the zipper, which he pulls down slowly before brushing the straps off your shoulders, letting the dress bunch around your waist before you push it further down so it pools at your feet. His hands find your waist and move to your stomach as he pulls you into his embrace from behind, his lips brushing against the shell of your ear.

“You had this on all evening?” he murmurs, before kissing the soft spot underneath your ear. You tilt your head to the side to give him more access and he eagerly peppers the curve of your neck with soft kisses. 

“Wanted to surprise you,” you hum with your eyes closed, giving yourself over to the sensation. “Though you might need something extra after tonight.”

“I might need this extra every night,” he chuckles against your heated skin before his hands get a hold of your hips and he turns you around so he can finally kiss you. 

Soon enough, his dress shirt and pants come undone and thrown to the floor as you fall to the neatly made bed, limbs tangled together while your kisses never stop. Feeling confident, you push him so he lies on his back on the mattress and you get on top of him, the sight of his exposed chest in front of you burns into your mind forever. Leaning down you capture his lips in a sweet kiss.

“Thank you,” you whisper against his pink lips.

“For what?” 

“For… everything. I couldn’t do this without you.”

He exhales through his nose, one hand coming to cup your jaw as he runs his thumb over your cheek, looking deep into your eyes.

“You definitely could. Don’t belittle yourself, Y/N. You’re capable of so many amazing things. But I’m glad I could be here to support you.”

Turning your head you kiss into the palm of his hand, every time Harry does or says something that’s proof of how much he cares about you, part of you doesn't even know how to process it, because you haven’t experienced anything like this before. 

His hand moves to the back of your neck and pulls you down so your lips touch, but he doesn’t kiss you just yet, holding your gaze. You can feel his chest rising and falling underneath you and you’re pressed against him so tight that you feel his heart hammering in his chest. You’re just about to ask him if everything is alright when he speaks up at last.

“I love you.”

The words sink right into your chest, wrap around your heart and burn into it while they also echo in your mind, on repeat. You move back, just enough so you can look him in the eyes easily, his pupil is dilated as he stares back at you, lips parted. 

“Do you mean it?” you ask in a whisper.

“Of course,” he breathes out, brushing your hair out of your face before taking your face in his hands. “You’re an easy person to love, Y/N. I hope I can make you believe that soon.”

With wobbling lips you lean down and kiss him with everything you can’t say out loud. You know you feel the same way about him, but you need more time to be able to say it, so you tell him without words this time.

And he gets the message. Loud and clear and the way he kisses you back reassures you about it.

“Okay, are you ready?” you call out from the bathroom, nervously smoothing your hand over the soft fabric of your dress.

“Have been for like… twenty minutes!” Harry teases you from outside with a chuckle. You wanted a big reveal for your bridesmaid dress, because it’s the only aspect of the wedding you’ve been looking forward to. Alice has excellent taste and she made sure the dresses are flattering to everyone, so it fits you perfectly, emphasizing your best features.

“Alright, alright. I’m coming!” you announce before taking a deep breath and opening the door. 

You walk out, Harry is sitting on the edge of the double bed, already dressed in his black suit pants paired with a blue shirt, the sleeves rolled up to flaunt his tattooed arms, his hair in a neat bun at the back of his head. He looks insanely hot and you’re already having a hard time not throwing yourself at him.

Harry looks up as you step out of the bathroom, holding the long skirt of the dress with one hand before letting go of it as you stop in front of him, nervously showing your outfit to him. His eyes scan over your body, several times, with his lips parted and the look on his face mirrors an expression of someone who just found the biggest treasure in the world.

“Woah,” he breathes out at last, standing from the bed holding his hands out as if he was afraid to touch you. Pride fills your chest and you give him a twirl to show him the whole look and he is drinking up every drop of it. 

“Do you like it?” you ask, biting into your bottom lip. 

“I fucking love it,” he groans before his hands finally grip your hips to pull you against him. “You look beautiful, baby,” he murmurs before kissing you.

Since last night, you’ve been in a bubble of joy, the wedding, your family and everything that’s been weighing down on your shoulders stopped existing inside the walls of your room. Harry’s confession and the passionate night you spent together after has brought you blinding bliss, ignoring anything that’s beyond him.

“You look amazing too,” you smile at him, running your hands over his arms, up to his broad shoulders. “Let’s get this over with,” you sigh before stealing one last kiss.

Luckily, your sister doesn’t turn into a bridezilla, she is actually taking it so well, making it easier for everyone else around her. You keep going back and forth between her and Harry before the ceremony, even though Harry reassures you every time that he is fine on his own, you shouldn’t worry about him. Honestly, you just don’t want him to run into your dad and have to deal with him on his own, though he is pretty busy himself, pretending like the wedding is just as much about him as it is about Alice.

The ceremony is beautiful, the back of the room where the altar is has floor to ceiling windows that look out on the mountains. It truly is a winter wonderland. However all you can look at is Harry, who keeps staring back at you, as if you were in the center of the attention. As your sister and Gabe exchange their vows, you share a secret, intimate moment with Harry too with just smiles and looks, but it says more than words can.

When the ceremony is over you’re quick to make your way to Harry, planning to stay by his side for the rest of the evening. 

“You were supposed to look at the bride and groom, did you forget?” you tease him, as you lace your fingers together and head to the ballroom where the reception is going to be held.

“I found someone else I liked better,” he smirks cheekily, before pressing a kiss to the side of your head and your stomach is somersaulting from his words.

Everything is going as planned, you’re even having a good time and what you enjoy the most is when you get to introduce Harry to people. Finally, you’re not the sad little single sister, you’re glowing with Harry by your side. 

You eat and drink, dance and have a blast finally. You do more of the dancing, the DJ is playing amazing songs, Harry is always eager to have you in his arms whether it’s an upbeat or slow song. He is a great dancer as you learn it and you gladly stay on the dancefloor with him until your feet start hurting from the high heels.

“Let’s have a break,” you giggle, dragging him back to your table.

“Want another drink?” 

“Yeah, that sounds great,” you smile at him, plopping down to your chair. He leans down and kisses you shortly before heading over to the open bar. 

Your sixth sense kicks in before you even see your dad sitting down beside you. The hair on your arms stands up and your blissful mood is gone in an instant. 

“Stop this parade, this is not a nightclub.”

“W-what?” you ask, turning to face him, but he is not even looking at you.

“This Harry guy… He is not the right fit for the family.”

“Why would you say that?” His words are like punches in your stomach and you feel your confidence crumbling.

“He’s got very little plans and even those are bullshit. You’re gonna be a lawyer, you can’t choose just anyone, we have a reputation to keep up.”

“Dad…” you breathe out, so many things are crowding your mind as you try to process what’s happening. 

“I don’t want to see him after the wedding. You’re better off without him, he would just keep you back.”

You’re seeing red. Like never before.

It’s one thing for him to destroy you and make you believe you’re worth nothing. You’re used to that and you can deal with it. But for him to talk like this about Harry? That does not sit right with you. He doesn’t know him, he just judges him based on some ridiculous assumptions he made after having one short conversation with him. 

“Don’t talk about him like that,” you speak up, your voice coming out stronger and more confident than you expected, but you guess that’s what rage is doing to you. Seemingly you surprise your dad with your reply, he looks at you with an expression you’ve never seen before, a mixture of disbelief, anger and confusion. 

“What did you just say?” he grits his teeth, shooting you a death glare.

“I said, don’t talk about him like that! You don’t even know him! But still, he is an amazing person and I’m lucky someone like him wants to be with me. Harry is caring and inspiring and he treats his loved ones with so much respect. But what do you know about that, am I right?” you snap and you just know this is the moment when the dam has broken and you won’t stop until you unload everything that’s piled up throughout the years. 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he growls, clearly irritated by your behavior. From the corner of your eyes you can see Harry approaching the two of you with the drinks in hands, but he is quick to realize something is happening.

“It means that you never treated me like you love me. Like a father should treat his daughter. You put me through hell, trying to turn me into my own sister and nothing I did was enough for you, but I swallowed it all, just wanted to please you. Because that’s what children do, they want to see their parents be proud of them, though you never showed an ounce of that to me. It’s fine, I will eventually get over that. But I will not let you talk like this about him. He showed me that I’m more than just a burden, which I am to you. I know I always have been.”

Harry places the drinks on the table as you stand up from the table, already knowing you’ll have to leave as soon as possible after you’re done talking.

“You know what? You always said I should do things that take me ahead and make me succeed. I finally figured out what would help me do that,” you chuckle bitterly. “I just need to get myself away from you and live my own life. Thanks for nothing, dad.”

When you turn around to storm away you see that Alice was standing close enough to hear what you just said. She is staring back at you with guilt and when she opens her mouth to say something you just shake your head and march out with Harry following you right behind.

The farther you get from the ballroom the more the adrenaline wears out of your system and reality sets back in, your actions finally sinking into your consciousness. 

All the things you just told your father. All the pent up feelings and hurt that just snapped right out of you. It comes down crashing on you and in a blink of an eye, you can barely breathe.

Harry notices as panic takes over you and when you take a turn towards your room he grabs you by your shoulders and pulls you to the side.

“Hey, hey! Y/N, look at me,” he tells you, slouching enough so his gaze is in line with yours that is now filled with tears. “Baby, look at me. Why are you crying?”

“I-I don’t… Harry, what did I do?” you wheeze, your chest heaving crazily as you lean against the wall.

“You stood up for me and yourself! You did amazing, okay? Nothing to panic about.”

“B-But my d-dad… The things I-I said… He will never talk to me again.”

“If that’s what happens, it’s not your fault. He treated you horribly all your life, made you feel like nothing. You did what should have been done a long time ago, Y/N. No one deserves to be treated like this, especially not by a parent.”

He takes your face in his hands and wipes your cheeks with his thumbs, urging you to look him in the eyes.

“The guilt you’re feeling is because of all the mistreating you had to go through growing up. You were conditioned to want to please your parents at all cost, even if it takes your own happiness. I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself, Y/N.”

You can only nod, gulping your tears back as you try to calm yourself down. Harry stays with you the whole time, pulling you into his embrace and giving you the support you always needed. 

“Harry?” you breathe out, looking up at him again.

“Yeah?”

“What’s gonna happen now?” you ask in a weak voice. “What if… What if I never see my family again? If they never speak to me again? What will happen after this?” you voice your fears and questions.

“I’ll tell you what will happen, alright?” he speaks to you softly. “The sun will rise. Tomorrow and the day after and so on. Life will go on and you’ll learn to live your own life without wanting to please the people who are not worthy of your time. And I will be there with you the whole time, okay? We will figure it all out.”

His words slowly sink in and you nod. All you care about is to have Harry with you on this new journey you’re going on, wherever it takes you. 

“Okay,” you whisper. Harry leans down and brushes a soft kiss to your lips. When you pull back you look him in the eyes and say the words that've been forming on the tip of your tongue. “I love you.”

Harry stares back at you in awe, the corners of his mouth curling up as he holds your face in his palms like you’re made of glass.

“I love you too, Y/N,” he kisses you softly. “Now, I think it’s time to leave, alright? Let’s pack our bags and find a flight back home.”

“Home?” you ask, looking up at him.

“Yeah,” he nods, smiling. “Home, where we live together and where you truly belong.”

You change from your fancy clothes and start packing up the room, while you’re looking for the earliest flight you can take. Luckily, there is one in two hours so you’re planning to make it to catch that.

Then there’s a knock on the door. You look at Harry with panic.

“Do you think it’s him?” you ask in a whisper.

“I don’t know.”

“Y/N? It’s me, Alice,” you sister calls out from the other side of the door. At first you feel relief, but then you realize that you literally just walked out of her wedding reception.

Rushing to the door you open it and find her standing there in her white dress, a concerned look on her face.

“Alice…” you breathe out, not sure what to say. Luckily, she knows.

“It’s okay. I understand. I’m not mad that you’re leaving,” she reassures you with a sad smile. “I just… I wanted to apologize.”

“Apologize?” you ask and then realize that she is still out in the hallway, so you step aside and let her walk in.

“I heard what you told dad and… I feel so bad, Y/N.”

“You didn’t do it.”

“I know, but I witnessed it and never said anything. I never stood up for you. I was a horrible sister, I should have taken your side, but I didn’t do anything.”

“You always had your fair share of pressure on you, Alice. I don’t blame you,” you softly tell her.

“But I do blame myself. So I’m sorry and… I hope you don’t want to cut me out too.”

“Of course not,” you breathe out, hugging her to reassure her you’re fine. “Is dad mad?” you ask, rubbing your face with your hand when you move back.

“Oh, he is vivid!” she chuckles, wiping off the tears that escaped her eyes. “He is fuming about how disrespectful you are, but I told him to just drink a shot and relax,” she snorts.

“He is famous for knowing how to relax,” you laugh. 

“Do you think he won’t want to see me? Like, ever?”

“I don’t know. He is so unpredictable…” she sighs looking around. “You’re leaving now?”

“Yes, we found a flight back home. I’m sorry I’m leaving in the middle of your wedding, but I just… I can’t stay here any longer.”

“It’s okay, I get it,” she shakes her head. “Just promise you won’t shut me out.”

“I promise.”

You hug one more time before Alice moves over to Harry who’s been quietly packing up. She stands in front of him and he looks at her patiently.

“Take good care of her, Harry,” she pleads and he nods right away.

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

Alice stays for a few more minutes, but then she needs to go back, after all, it’s her wedding that’s happening. She is the only one who comes to your room until you leave. It’s bittersweet, knowing that your dad didn’t realize the weight of your words and now he is letting you leave, just like that. But you also feel free in a way. You most likely need time to process it, but you know you’re heading into the right direction.

The flight is delayed, so it’s the middle of the night by the time you get to board. Every time you feel your anxiety growing, Harry just simply takes your hand and squeezes it to let you know you’re not alone. Sitting by the window you smile when you realize that Harry has fallen asleep, his head on your shoulder, one hand on your knee. You press a soft kiss to the crown of his head, careful not to wake him up before turning towards the window.

As the plane is flying above the fluffy clouds, the sky is starting to light up, the sun rising as a new day is starting. You can’t help but smile, thinking at what Harry told you, because, of course, he was right. 

And today is the first day of your new life that you’ll share with him, leaving your past behind.

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

#harry #styles #harry styles #harry styles au #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry styles fiction #harry styles imagine #harry styles series #harry styles x you #harry styles x y/n #harry styles x reader #harry styles oneshot #harry styles oneshots #harry styles fluff #the sun will rise

[youcouldmakealife]

LBTE: Jared (118-121)

We head to Vancouver! And Joey makes the news.

If you want to follow along, the series page is here.

TW for a homophobic slur in here.

118. Niceties

Jared calls Bryce back, and manages not to cry on the phone. He packs with the help of an even quieter than usual Julius. He calls his mom, and promises he’ll talk to his dad tomorrow, because he can’t yet, he knows his dad being furious on his behalf is going to be just — too much.

They’re often so united on a hockey standpoint — remember Don’s gone to hundreds if not thousands of Jared’s games over the years, accompanied with almost as many debriefs — that talking to Don about stuff, especially stuff that they’re both angry or upset about, is often hearing his own thoughts from another person. And when he’s trying to suppress some of those thoughts so he doesn’t burst into tears, talking to Don is unhelpful.

He’s got a text from a 604 number when he gets off the phone. Hey, welcome to the Canucks! This is Gabe Markson. I’m probably your new centre. Sorry about the downgrade. Let me know if there’s anything you need. Whether that’s a ride from the airport or help finding a place, we got you.

Gabe!!!

It’s nice, especially since Jared’s used to being basically the only person he knows who uses proper capitalisation and punctuation in his texts, with the exception of Raf and Grace.

Love that Jared immediately approves of Gabe thanks to the magic of punctuation use.

hi new teammate! it says, followed by a slew of hockey related emojis and four blue whales. Jared guesses there aren’t any orcas.

Dmitry! Who forgot to identify himself.

“I can’t believe my mom gets to see you tomorrow and I don’t,” Bryce complains.

Which one is he more jealous of, I ask?

“We’re going to talk shit about you behind your back,” Jared says.

“Pft,” Bryce says, with the certainty of a man who knows his mother would never, even though his husband totally would.

Elaine is a Saint, and you can’t tell Bryce otherwise (or Jared, honestly)

He grabs a smoothie at Booster Juice, can just see Raf’s judgmental eyes, since it’s like, okay, only a smoothie in the loosest sense — chocolate almond milk and banana and frozen yogurt, a vaguely more socially acceptable milkshake for breakfast. Whatever. He deserves it.

The Funky Monkey is delicious. It also contains 67 grams of sugar. But jokes on Raf, the ostensibly more nutritious one he ordered after loser bought the winner a smoothie in their rookie years? Has 73. (and way more protein, but!)

Jared’s kind of figured out the standard of lying about his and Bryce’s marriage is that lying by omission: cool and also often necessary. Lying by lying? Not okay.

The current status of their compromise.

“I think you just jinxed me to get injured like, my first practice,” Jared says.

“Please don’t, our LTIR is literally just a list of all my former linemates right now,” Markson says.

Gabe is unfortunately not exaggerating. But on the bright side, their D is very healthy!

Raf says Oleg Kurmazov tells him not to take anything his brother says seriously, and between that and Markson’s surprise at how tame the text Jared got is, he’s getting a faintly terrifying picture of what to expect. If he got away from Jacobi just to play on a line with another Jacobi, he swears —

Jared is going to suffer and I will enjoy every minute of it.

That seems like the kind of thing the hockey gods would do. Not that Jared believes in them in a non-joking way, but the irony of Bryce and Jared swapping hometown teams feels exactly like something those non-existent hockey gods would do.

I am the hockey gods. It's a fun job, honestly. And also truly is hard to avoid a bit of sadism, I understand the not-real-but-also-don’t-wash-that-jersey IRL hockey gods.

Jared writes ‘Bryce Marcus’, and, in case there was any doubt it’s just a weird name doppelganger, Bryce’s date of birth probably cancels that out.

It’s not like the Canucks can trade him until the season’s over anyway.

Way less scary to write it in a form than tell your GM in a face to face meeting, but still pretty big.

“The leftovers are the best part,” Elaine says serenely when Jared questions her judgment on portion size. “Just pick whatever you like.”

What Jared apparently would like, is everything. Elaine may have made a good call, because he’s famished.

Her mom sense extends to you now too, Jared. And she’s right about leftovers.

“How jealous are you right now?” Jared says.

“I want to be there too,” Bryce complains.

“We had Chinese,” Jared says. “I’m sleeping over.”

“Stop rubbing it in,” Bryce says.

He's so pouty right now.

19. Acclimation

Jared’s nervous, walking into practice. It feels like the first day of school, but more — maybe the first day of school after you transfer. To a school of your enemies.

Evil Orca High.

Jared doesn’t ask what she needs to be downtown for, because he suspects the answer is ‘so I can drive you home’ but she’d make an excuse, so.

I mean, yes, but also: she's going shopping. Bryce didn't get that from nowhere.

but Elaine’s like Bryce — doing nice shit genuinely seems to make them happy.

Jared does not understand.

“We do not do this last names bullshit here,” Kurmazov says sternly, before tossing him a roll. “Dmitry. I don’t care if you pronounce it wrong, everyone does.”

Unlike his poor brother, stuck being referred to solely as Kurmazov by his own adopted hockey child for literal years.

“Please tell me you’re not like doing a Riley-Lapointe, married to a rival thing though,” Foster says.

“Um?” Jared says.

“Okay!” Foster says. “Okay. I. That’s fine!”

Poor Brian has not learned a key GM duty: keeping his inside thoughts on the inside.

“Good,” Foster says. “Maybe have a chat with Gabe? If there’s anything you’re concerned about, or — he’s good people, he’ll listen.”

Brian leaning so hard on 'please talk to our queer player about this' without actually saying it.

“Have I told you how happy we are to have you on the roster?” Brian says, and Jared has the sudden urge to hug him, but he’s pretty damn positive hugging your GM is not appropriate.

As far as GMs go, he is pretty huggable, despite the fact he could still likely snap Jared in two.

“I redecorated your room a little today,” Elaine says. “Bryce told me which mattress you guys like and they delivered it right away, it was terrific, and I’ve put Bryce’s spare clothes in storage, so there’s space in the closet and the dresser for your things, and in the bathroom too — I got a shower caddy, and the medicine cabinet’s —”

Count is at 3 magic beds now. Also she's nervous, bless her: she really wants Jared to feel welcome.

She’s taken the Canucks stuff out too, which he appreciates, because it was funny when he was visiting with Bryce, giving him shit about it, but feels faintly weird now that’s playing for them.

Can you imagine how much shit he would get. Can you.

“It’s like ten years old,” Bryce says. Jared wonders if Bryce and Elaine rehearsed the ‘override Jared’s protests’ together. “Need to play at your best, you know?”

Well, Bryce had to prepare her for Jared's tendency to turn down gifts.

The Canucks aren’t the Oilers, and if Jared wants to stay in the roster, avoid getting sent halfway across the continent to Utica, there’s no slacking off here.

The Canucks' AHL team is now in Abbotsford, which is a mere 70 km from Vancouver, but for literal years it was in upstate New York and boy were emergency recalls of players a fucking mess. Only arrangement I can think of that was less convenient was Montreal's farm team briefly being in Newfoundland, less because of distance (though there was plenty) and more because of weather and lack of alternate forms of transportation if Canadian winter was being Canadian winter (inevitably, it was).

Anyway, Jared has nothing to worry about: those cursed former linemates are all pretty far off from rejoining the roster.

“Okay, we’re both equally awesome,” Jared says.

“You’re more awesome,” Bryce says huffily.

Even their arguments are gross.

120. Machiavellianism

Jared has now seen a lot of Joey Munroe. Like — all of him.

Joey is not having a good day, everybody.

“You and Bryce don’t send each other nudes, do you?” his mom asks instead of saying ‘hello’.

“What!” Jared says. “Mom!”

“It’s a valid concern!” his mom says. “Just tell me you don’t and I’ll drop it!”

The cold fear that went through her body when she saw that article.

“How was your day?” his mom asks.

“Well, no one leaked nudes of me, so better than his,” Jared says.

“You said there were no nudes!” she says.

“I meant it hypothetically mom, oh my god,” Jared says.

They're both actively shrieking at one another at this point.

Greg’s sent him an email with no subject, the body reading ‘Would this be something to worry about? Greg’ because everyone in his life is collectively trying to murder him with embarrassment.

Greg also had the cold fear moment.

Jared’s too mature to respond with ‘No, oh my god’. Well, he clearly isn’t, because that’s exactly what he said to his mother, but he responds to Greg with a simple ‘No, nothing to worry about’, then, after a moment of thought, cc’s Summers in the email so hopefully Bryce doesn’t have to deal with the mortification too.

This is why Jared's Dave's favourite.

Maybe Jared’s too dumb to be Machiavellian. It’s distinctly possible.

I like that Jared has this thought and then later just goes straight back to schemes, some of which work out…poorly

“You see the thing with the Scout?” Jared asks before their game against the Golden Seals, voice carefully pitched low so Dmitry won’t overhear.

“Yeah,” Gabe says. “That was super fucked up.”

“That he’s gay, or—”

I know Jared's fishing. You know Jared's fishing. Gabe just hears a dude saying 'yeah it's fucked up he's gay' when he's already in a clenched stomach bad mood about this.

He feels even more off when he notices Gabe talking to Munroe at centre ice, both of them looking serious. Maybe they know one another, but Gabe wasn’t talking about him like he knew him personally when Jared brought it up. Gabe skates away, skates back when another Scout calls his name, and Jared watches warily. It doesn’t look like a fight, or like Gabe was giving him shit? But then, there’s no way to tell.

Gabe's a good boy. Reminder that the other Scout was Scratch communing with Gabe, as he is obligated to do with every other Torontonian, while Joey silently sighed at him. Already married.

“What’d you tell Munroe?” Jared asks.

“That I was really sorry that happened to him,” Gabe says. “And that I don’t know what he’ll deal with from other teams, but that none of the Canucks are going to be assholes about it.”

“You can’t exactly guarantee that,” Jared says.

“I know our room,” Gabe says, then frowns at him. “I don’t need to tell you not to be an asshole about it, right?”

All members of Canuck leadership would lose their shit if someone was an asshole about it. Well, that's not true. Gabe would do 'I'm really disappointed in your behaviour', and that would hurt the most.

Oh great, Jared’s just — really hitting his accidentally appearing homophobic stride with Gabe lately.

He could not do better if he tried.

The loss isn’t his fault — the Scouts terrifyingly talented first line is responsible for every single goal

Stupid sexy Willy. Stupid shitty Shithead.

“But would you be cool about it?” Jared asks. “I’m pretty sure he’s going to be cool, he’s the YCP rep—”

“Casterley’s the YCP rep for the Flames,” Bryce says. “And he calls the refs faggots every time we get a goal disallowed.”

Hey remember when Andrew Shaw got suspended for calling the ref that exact thing and became the Canadiens' YCP representative after? Because I do.

Also: you may recall Casterley as the dude low-key cheating on his wife in Luke's narrative. He sucks.

“I get it,” Bryce says. “Good luck?”

Jared’s faintly concerned at this rate he’s going to somehow come off as homophobic when he’s coming out, so he probably needs it.

I mean, if anyone could…

“Elaine and I hate it,” Jared says. “No more fights.”

“You can’t just team up with my mom against me,” Bryce mutters.

“We’re an awesome team, though,” Jared says. “The best team.”

Way to shut Bryce down. Man can't argue that.

121. Confession

“I can—” Jared interrupts, because if he doesn’t get it out soon he knows he’s going to balk. “I’m um. I’m married.”

“Okay,” Gabe says, frowning the exact same way Foster did, like he’s confused by the nonsequitor. Which is understandable.

Generally the wedding ring speaks for itself.

“Dude,” Gabe says. “I’m not kidding. You met Stephen. Like, for a minute, but you met him.”

“Your roommate?” Jared asks.

“He’s my boyfriend,” Gabe says, and the living arrangements suddenly make way more sense.

To be fair if there was anywhere someone making NHL money would require a roommate, Vancouver’s near the top of the list.

“Dmitry, all of the vets know for sure,” Gabe says. “Pretty much everyone who’s been here since before this season. I think the entire roster has figured out he’s my boyfriend. We’re not shouting it from the rooftops or anything, because the media—” he makes a face Jared wholly agrees with, “— but we’re not hiding it from the team.”

Stephen routinely hosting wine parties for the WAGs is a pretty big tell, there.

“I don’t think they’d be adopting my husband any time soon,” Jared says before he can stop himself.

“Stephen’s like the grumpiest person alive sometimes, if they adopted him I’m sure your husband will be part of the crew in a day,” Gabe says.

Yeah, he'll do okay.

“I told him you guys have the same sense of humour and view of the world and stuff,” Gabe says.

Jared is no less confused, and now he’s kind of curious what Gabe thinks Jared’s sense of humour and view of the world is.

“Like —” Jared says finally. “Snide? And — cynical? Or—”

“Yeah, he’s going to love you,” Gabe says with a laugh.

A minion of his very own?! Gabe, you shouldn't have!

Schmid’s in the shower when Jared gets back, and who knows when he got in it, how long that’ll last, but he’s a bathroom hog, takes forever with his whole grooming thing — Jared has no clue what takes so long, dude always looks unkempt, but maybe that’s a purposeful look? — so Jared’s probably safe.

Poor Schmid doing nothing but minding his own business in the proximity of the most judgmental man alive.

And that’s on top of Jared getting to play for Bryce’s childhood team, to live in his childhood home with Bryce’s mom. Jared’s pretty much living the life Bryce would have wanted growing up. Except not even, because Jared’s probably living the life Bryce would never have dreamt he could have possibly have when he was growing up. And there wasn’t a hint of resentment in Bryce’s voice when he told Jared he was happy for him.

“I love you, you know that?” Jared asks.

“I know,” Bryce says, which Jared needs to hear more than ‘I love you too’ right now, though Bryce says it immediately after, because he’s Bryce.

Bryce <3

“Chaz could come, it could be like,” Bryce says. “Chill. Like, we could grab drinks or dinner or something somewhere. Maybe not like — I don’t know if I’d be ready for him to like, know who we are to each other, not when I don’t actually know him, but like — meeting him’s the first step, you know?”

Chaz will not find this chill. Chaz will find this the opposite of chill, in fact.

“Because I’m snide and cynical,” Jared says. It maybe comes out a little snidely, because seriously, how is Bryce still confused.

“No you aren’t,” Bryce says.

“Bryce,” Jared says.

“But like in a good way!” Bryce protests. “I like it from you!”

<333333 Bryce

Though it’s faintly worrying that Gabe picked up on those things within weeks of meeting him, especially because Jared has been on his best behaviour the whole time. Apparently Jared’s best behaviour’s still noticeably snide.

Such a lack of self-knowledge. And actual good behaviour. Jared is admirably true to himself, though!

#liveblogging the end

[e-louise-bates]

Thursday morning we drove through a spring nor’easter, one of the worst we’ve had all year, to get to the bus station to take the bus to the airport. White-knuckled through the driving, but the bus ride was great. Airport was fine, boarded the plane a little late due to the weather, but still no reason to fret.

TWO AND A HALF HOURS later, due to reasons that had nothing to do with the weather, we finally took off. In the back half of the plane were a large group of the most obnoxious teenagers and useless chaperones I have ever come across—and I generally have a pretty high tolerance for teenage nonsense, because I remember being a teen pretty well, plus I actually like teens. So. Late plane, rude passengers. Red-eye flight. Not much sleep due to teenagers being loud and obnoxious in the back. We finally get to London and have to circle for half an hour before we can land. Our 6-hour flight has now turned into 10.

Joy and my parents make it through the automated passport check just fine. Grace, Carl and I get error messages and have to do it in person. There is only one official at the desk and she is haranguing a family with very little English language skills entering the UK on holiday—from Boston—for not having visas. (????? That’s not how this works) She is so busy being nasty to them that the line piles up behind. The guy behind us in line pulls out his phone and calls his doctor’s office to tell them in despair he’s not going to be able to make his appointment. Finally we’re routed to a different official, who is sweet and kind and passes us through no problem.

There are various other mishaps, including the SIM card we got for my phone only being able to receive texts or calls but not send them, and Carl and Mom and Joy getting separated from Dad, Grace and me and me not being able to call Carl, BUT

24 hours since we drove away from our house in the middle of a blizzard, we are settled into our Airbnb outside Cambridge and our grand three-generational England adventure has officially begun.

#England #Cambridge #I got about an hour of sleep on the plane #and I am so looking forward to sleeping tonight #and then to finally showing my parents around Cambridge #though I am pretty sure I am going to have a lot of emotions about being back here once I’m awake enough to feel them

[countrymusiclover]

18 - The Lehnsherr Family

Part 19

Battle of Heart and Mind

Tag list - ask to be added (in my ask box please) @aintinacage @hiraethrhapsody @mostlymarvelgirl @importantgalaxyrunaway

Five years ago

Shutting the car door Erik went behind me opening the backseat door getting our two kids out. I was wearing a red jacket over a black jacket, some dark blue jeans and some black combat boots. We hadn’t heard anything from Logan from the future in a few years so we had to assume that everything had been changed. “Daddy! Piggy back.”

“I won’t be able to do this if you keep getting bigger, Astraea.” Erik told our daughter who had my bright blonde hair and the same eye color. He scooped her up and carried her on his shoulders.

Shaking my head I felt a hand touch mine meaning it was little Ryder. He looked exactly like a mini version of his father no doubt about it. “Why are we going to see Uncle Charles, mommy?”

“Because you’re father and I have some business to take care of and Charles said he didn’t mind getting a visit from his favorite Lehnsherr twins.” I answered his question by pushing the front door open with our family walking through the entrance.

Charles and I had pushed to get the school back up and running again. Since we had changed the future it felt right to try it for a second time. Some kids ran past us before I paused in the doorway eyeing the professor sitting behind his desk still in his wheelchair. “Uncle Charles!” Our daughter cheered climbing down from her father’s shoulder rushing past us and towards him directly.

“There's my favorite twins. Ohh!” Charles sat the book down in his lap.

Ryder ran past his sister since he was given his father's height jumping up into his lap first. “Dad and mom says we are spending a few days here.”

“Can you give me a ride around on your chair?” Astraea asked, sitting on his other leg showing the same excitement level.

Standing in the doorway I leaned against the wood with Erik coming to stand beside me. He looped his hand through mine looking at his friend. “I have a favor to ask of you, old friend. Can you watch the kids for a few hours. I have a date planned for us tonight?”

“Of course I can watch them. I'll have Hank cancel my classes for the evening.” Charles agreed, entering his friends mind chuckling at what he saw. Even though he would never get a chance to be with Addi now, He still had found a way to appreciate when his friend made her happy.

Bending down on my knees I instructed our kids forward. “Alright you two come give us hugs before we go.”

“And you be good for Uncle Charles.” Erik warned them, wrapping his arms around each of them. I hugged and kissed their heads before we made our way out of the school doors.

Erik and I got back in the car and we just drove in silence until we reached the airport that was closest to us. We had decided to make a trip out to DC and get married there out on my mothers backyard porch. We had both been busy raising the kids and trying to find somewhere where we were comfortable living and we had settled on Portland. Changing into a short white dress that reached past my knees but above my ankles. “Don’t get angry at me for asking this but you aren’t thinking of backing out are you?”

“Charles already gave me a pep talk about our relationship. So I am not backing away from you, Addison. Not anymore.” Erik shrugged his shoulders with his arms down at his sides. He was in a black leather jacket and one of his old dark brown turtlenecks he wore when we first were training with his friend.

Clasping my hands together in front of me I just chuckled back at him knowing Charles was very persuasive. “That is very reassuring, Lehnsherr. Oh here comes my mom.”

“Alright you two I am officially a wedding preacher.” My mother walks up to stand in front of us. She glanced between us knowing we probably wanted to get this thing out with and just say I do. “Do you two have vows prepared or are we skipping that?”

I cleared my throat by unfolding a piece of paper from inside one of my boots. “I have something to say…Erik the day we met wasn't the most romantic and we certainly aren't like one of those couples in the romantic films. But I can't imagine spending my life with anyone except you. I love you and our kids and I am excited to say it's going to be us against the world, always.”

“Addison, I know that I haven't been the easier person to get along with. Especially when you get so frustrated I won't call you Addi like you wished I would. But getting through all that you found out that there are still good parts of me. That I am just looking for love that I now get to have in you until the end of our days.” Erik reached down intertwining our hands together sending me a smile that was rare to see still to this moment in time.

My mother grinned, holding out one ring to me and the other for my soon to be husband. “Now we can get to the super romantic part. Do you Addi take this man to be your husband?”

“I do.” I responded by slipping the ring on his left hand.

She looks at her son in law. “Erik, do you take this woman to be your wife?”

“I do.” He answered her question by putting the ring on my left hand.

My mother Angela clasped her hands together. “By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss my daughter.” She backed away before he cupped my face in his hands, kissing me deeply. Wrapping my arms around his neck I deepened the kiss feeling like we were now going to remain a family.

I heard Erik's truck pulling up in the driveway where I ran from our bedroom downstairs knowing he'd drop his keys in the kitchen. Peaking around the corner he was standing there for a few minutes before I ran up behind him throwing my arms around his neck from behind. “I was wondering when you were coming home.”

“Addi.” He chuckled, twirling me underneath his arm so that we were now facing one another.

Running my hands up his chest I smiled, kissing him. “How was your day?”

“Better now that's for sure. Where are the twins?” Erik asked me wrapping his arms around my waist, holding me as close as possible.

“Out back. I'll show you.” Gesturing my head towards the backdoor I led him outside by the hand. We had set up a wooden playset outside the back of our house.

Astraea was running around in the grass with her brother chasing after her until she gave him a look before she looked in our direction. “Daddy!” She ran forward jumping up into his arms and he caught her in his arms grunting a little bit since she was getting bigger being ten years old now.

“Mommy, when can we see Uncle Charles again?” Ryder asked me with his messy hair falling in front of his eyes. He had always adored Charles Xavier and the way he was able to run a school.

Putting my hands in the pockets of my jeans. “Maybe sometime soon if your father can take off for a few days.”

“Does my brother have powers like me?” Erik and I shifted our attention to one another hearing our daughter's voice inside of our minds. It was so clear that she had gotten the same ability as our old friend. But the sad truth was that Ryder didn’t seem to have any or had yet to unlock his abilities. We weren't really sure which one was true.

Erik bounced our daughter in his arms changing the conversation. “I’m hungry. Are you kiddos hungry, let’s go eat.” The four of us had gone back inside the house sitting down and having the chicken and potatoes we had from the night before.

Erik and I had been patiently waiting for his powers to come through but it was beginning to look like he was simply born human even though he had two mutant born parents. The sun had finally set on our small house when we went to put the kids to bed. “Where did you learn that song, daddy?” Astraea asked, settling herself down underneath the covers of her bed.

Erik answered by brushing hair out of her eyes. “I learned it from my parents and they learned it from their parents. Then one day you and your brother will sing it to your children too.”

“What happened to them, your parents?” Ryder asked, laying on his side in his bed, seeing me standing in the doorway just silently watching.

Silence fell in the room when my husband’s eyes lowered to the numbers on his arm. “They were taken from me when I was a little boy. But they’re still here inside watching over you both.”

“Is someone going to take you and mom away?” Young Astraea, always so curious just couldn’t stop asking questions even when she needed to go to sleep.

Entering the room I put a hand on Erik’s shoulder before he rose from the bed turning off the light telling them to get some sleep. “Never, my sweet twins. Now get some sleep.”

“So when are we going to have the conversation with them about him not being like us?” I questioned once we had left their room and were in the living room sitting on the couch. Moving one hand over my stomach it wasn’t visible yet that I was certainly pregnant. “I feel like it should be before they start asking about me having a third baby.”

Erik draped his arm over my shoulder tugging me into his embrace. “I think the idea of them having a sibling will be easier to understand.”

“What aren't you telling me, Erik. Is it about Ryder not being a mutant?” I could sense that he was holding something back from me. I knew that he wished his son was a mutant just as much as I did.

He shifted his gaze down to mine reading my facial expression. “Don't think that I hate him for not being like you and me. I can't ever hate my own son.”

“I know that, honey. I just know we need to explain it to them before they get any older. Especially if we feel like our daughter should be taught at Charles school.” Intertwining my hand with his I laid my head on his chest. Erik wrapped his arms around my waist holding me close just enjoying the little family we had created.

Comments really appreciated ❤️

#battle of heart and mind #erik lehnsherr fanfic #erik lehnsherr fanfiction #erik lehnsherr fic #erik lensherr #erik lehnsherr x reader #erik lenhsherr x reader #erik lensherr x reader #erik lehnsherr x oc #michael fassbender #jenny boyd #x men fic #x men raven #x men oc #x men movies #x men apocalypse #x men fandom #x men fanfic #x men fanfiction #charles xavier #james mcavoy #oc : addison shaw #jennifer lawrence #wattpad fanfiction #ask box is open for feedback #comments really appreciated #x men #magneto x oc #magneto #professor x

[fishsticksloser]

A hc of reader sister (little sister) who loves using memes sound effects to communicate with the family instead of her talk like " bruh " or " why are you running? ".

And it's fun because it makes everyone laugh.

Meme!Younger Sibling

RotTMNT & gn!reader

Warnings: swearing, platonic fluff, what you say is in green

A/N: They are meme connoisseurs, Raph doesn't understand, but is supportive. Coloring the words took way longer than I thought... I have a 6 hour car ride to the hospital so ask away!

Previous  |  Next

You got your taste in memes from your brothers

Leo and Donnie definitely have the most knowledge in memes

"Tight! So let me be, I'm here to give you customer service. and I'll set you free! (right)"

"Reese's Puffs! Reese's Puffs! Reese's Puffs! Reese's Puffs! Eat 'em up! Eat 'em up! Eat 'em up! Eat 'em up!"

It's almost completely random

They've learned not to ask what you're doing...

"Hey, what are you doing Waiting for them to play Gangnam Style..."

Mikey and Leo participate the most

At one point you were really into Bully Maguire memes

Raph was terrified of you

"I'm gonna put some dirt in your eye... W-What!? What did I do?"

Remember that video of the country guy standing on his truck with Nunchaku?

Yeah... That's a you and Mikey staple

"Daisy Dukes, bikinis on top. Sunkissed so hot it'll melt your popsicle!"

You, Leo, and Donnie are the most chaotic about it

Raph and Mikey are a little annoyed by the meme bond you guys have

"I got a plane! I got a plane! I love the fame! I love the fame! You know my name! You know my name!"

Being the 2 youngest, though, you and Mikey have something you will never have with the others

and that's having unlimited meme potential

"It's wizard time, motherfucker! Fire Ball!!"

Raph was very upset about this... ^^^

You are probably the only one allowed to chill in Donnie's lab because of your shared love of certain memes

He vocally stims in his lab and I have a feeling a lot of those are memes

"Wow... Your raps are too wack to handle. Let's do this like we do on the Discovery Channel!"

Leo is the one you go to if you want to recreate some dance you saw on TikTok

And he's very good... It should be a crime

Leo also quotes the Pedro Pascal edit that went around...

"How would you like to ride home on a real cowboy? I got a 6 pack of cold ones all nice and my roomies out all night, so you can scream my name as loud as you need to, sugar."

Is anyone surprised by that though?

"Aren't you excited? You're going to the airport tomorrow! Ehrpohort? I'm not going to the ehrpohort."

Although Raph isn't that knowledgeable in memes, he does know some

"Excuse me, brah. You're excused.... But I'm not your brah..."

Just random things they'd quote:

"I'm almost proud of you... That's the most proud of me you've ever been!"

"Give me back my gamer girl!"

"Material girl!"

"Just got diagnosed with cool guy syndrome... Now I take Adderall!"

"Ugh, you can't sit with us. Actually, Leo, I can't sit anywhere, I have hemorrhoids..."

"Look at all those chickens!"

"Is this an internal dialogue? I can't see the end of the horizon... Hastune Miku!?"

"Its really cute how you're going to defeat me with the power of friendship, but again, I am da Devil... From da Bible..."

"Hey~... What's up... It's me!"

"Whopper. Whopper. Whopper. Whopper. Junior, Double, Triple Whopper. Flame Grilled taste with perfect toppers. I rule- I rule this day!"

"You're an asshole, Leo. You are what you eat, Donnie." I'm so sorry...

"Freddy, you're supposed to be on lock down... VanessaAAAAAA!" When he's been working in the lab too much

"Nah, nah, nah nah. Nah, nah, nah nah, yeah. You're are the music in me! You know the words 'once upon a time' make you listen... There's a reason!"

"HOLD ON! HOLD ON! SO HER SISTER WAS A WITCH, RIGHT!? AND WHAT WAS HER SISTER? A PRINCESS! THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST, BRO... I'm gonna stab him..."

"Laloyd? That's right! It's me, your son! And it's Lloyd, Dad! No. L-l-o-y-d. I named you. You ruined my life! How can I ruin your life? I wasn't even there!"

#rottmnt #rise raph #rise leo #rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #rise disaster twins #rise donnie #rise donatello #rise mikey #rise michelangelo #tmnt donatello #donatello #teenage mutant ninja turtles donnie #donnie tmnt #donnie hamato #tmnt michelangelo #michelangelo hamato #leonardo teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt leonardo #leonardo hamato #tmnt raphael #raphael hamato #{fish answers•°} #{snipersiniora•°}

[bellarkeselection]

Hello! I hope your finals went well, I was wondering if I could request a lee oneshot where the reader is Thomas rainwaters daughter and they are seeing eachother secretly but john finds out and is a mad but tells them that he will accept it.

Changing an Enemy List

"Does your dad let you ride a horse, sweetheart, or is that against his beliefs?" Lee, my boyfriend asked, coming into the barn while I was running my fingers over his horse's mane, knowing he was coming in here early for his long day of work. By some crazy circumstances, we became romantically involved with each other. My father was against their way of life thinking that no one owned the land. I still believed it somewhat, but from my boyfriend's eyes, they were doing better than the idiots who wanted to put up an airport here. Tourists weren't ever going to understand true beauty. "He will let me ride, but I haven't ever rode one, really. Could you teach me, cowboy?"

Lee moved forward, taking my hands in his tugging me towards the horse, holding onto one of my hands as he instructed simply. "Throw one leg over the saddle, then I'll get on behind you and show you the rest." I do as he told me with my hair falling in front of my face. He climbed on behind me, resting his hands on my waist. "So you kick him in the belly to go and pull the reins to make him stop." Footsteps entered the barn before we both lifted our heads up quickly, not expecting anyone to enter the barn at 3. Considering most of the cowboys didn't get up for work until 4 or 5 in the morning. "You want to explain to me why one of my enemies' family members is on my land and hanging around one of my sons." I recognized the voice of his father John, who was an enemy of my father, meaning our relationship was in secret.

"Mr. Dutton, I - uh we're - I should go." I stuttered, struggling to get down from the horse, so Lee quickly got off catching me in his arms when one of my feet got stuck in part of the saddle. He puts me on my feet, resting a hand on my lower back, sighing heavily to his father. "Dad, I can explain. We're dating, and I knew you wouldn't like it, but I'm falling in love with Y/n." His father's eyes went bug before he stomped up, and Lee gently pushed me behind his back, figuring that what happened next wouldn't be good for either of us. "You've got some god dang nerve bringing her here and even more for letting it be an enemy of our family. Just know I'll allow it. I won't be happy, and if she is giving her father intel on us, I have a bunch of shotguns in the kitchen. But I'll allow it only if she makes you happy." He tipped his black hat down to us, simply leaving the barn. Spinning around to face Lee I felt my heart skip a beat. "He's not kidding about the shotguns, is he?" Lee wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my forehead with a small smile. "No, he isn't darlin." Don't worry, I'll prove to him you're not an enemy one day."

Comments really appreciated ❤️

#lee dutton x reader #lee dutton #yellowstone #yellowstone tv series #yellowstone tv show #yellowstone tv #requests open #thomas rainwater #thomas rainwater x daughter reader #john dutton #john dutton x reader #kevin costner #ask box is open for anything #comments really appreciated

[lurkinglurkerwholurks]

Single Dads Club

First posted: August 7,2018

Focuses on: Bruce Wayne (and Jim Hopper??)

My favorite bookmark:

Tier: Bottom third, easily. The nichest of niche.

This is my "behind the scenes" series where I indulge myself horribly by annotating my fics. Link to the fic itself above. Thoughts below the cut.

Chapter One

What an absolute fever dream of a fic this is. I wrote this... after watching Season Two? I think? I just thought new adopted dad Hopper and Bruce would have things to chat about.

Clark is the one who put them in touch. The odd events and strange reports coming out of the area caught his attention, and when he found out what was at the center of them and the interpersonal trouble at the heart of it all, he thought it best to reach out to an expert.

Makes sense, doesn't it? I put a premium on writing things that make sense.

He regrets it the entire drive over. (Can’t fly the private jet, because it’s such a backwoods town that they don’t even have their own airport. Bruce is appalled.) He regrets it when he walks into the town’s one diner and every head swivels to take in him and what he had thought was a subtle and tasteful outfit. (Seems Hawkins doesn’t have much call for chinos and loafers.) He regrets it when his contact—the bearded head of the local law with a beer gut and a ketchup stain on his lapel—eyes Bruce doubtfully before shaking his hand. He definitely regrets it when he has to slide into a booth that squeaks and groans as he scoots across the seat.

The urban vs. rural dynamics tickle me to no end. Bruce is a chameleon when in costume or disguise (see: Matches) but as himself? He's such a city boy. A rich city boy at that. Also, I am constantly trying to google what rich people wear or own or drive for this guy. I don't hecking know.

Bruce almost chalks the afternoon up to a waste of time and excuses himself, but then a group of kids ride by the window on their bikes. They’re loud and obnoxious, all talking over each other and the clatter of the plastic and metal tied to their spokes. Bruce would have paid them no more than a glance, except the sheriff looked out the window, too. “Which one is yours?” Bruce asks. He shrugs slightly when Hopper gave him a narrow, surprised look, but waits rather than repeat the question. “That one.” Hopper points to one of the girls, a curly-headed tween with apple cheeks and skinned knees. “Jane.” Almost as if she hears her name, the girl’s head turns toward the window. When she sees Hopper, she lifts her hand and waves with a small, secret smile before pedaling off with her friends.

Some fics are extremely hard to write. Some aren't because I don't feel like I'm writing them. They're a movie I'm transcribing as I watch, that's all. That's what this one was.

Bruce waited in silence for a beat, then pulled out his wallet and placed two photos in front of Hopper. “That’s Dick,” he says, tapping the first photo before pointing to the next. “And that’s Jason.”

And now I'm mad because I wrote this fic in present tense (not my usual style but it seemed to fit) and didn't notice that I reverted back to past tense for that single sentence.

“Adopted,” Bruce explains. “Dick when he was ten. Jason when he was fourteen.”

I refer to this post by @batmanisagatewaydrug constantly so I don't have to do the math.

Chapter Two coming soon, though it should be noted now that that chapter spawned from evrymeeveryyou reminding me that Hopper used to be a dad before Eleven. (This was before the show expounded on that part of my history.)

#fanfic bts brain dump

[lovelylogans]

the parent trap

CHAPTER TEN: domine dirige nos

Remus spends a great deal of time weighing the most British way to say hello. He’s going to have to repress throwing in a what’s all this then, guv’nor? the entire time.

⁂

It’s hard to believe that eight weeks have gone by, Roman reflects as he looks around their cabin.

All their battle plans have been disassembled, the pieces of it packed carefully away to avoid any prying parents who might cotton onto their plot too quickly. Their beds are stripped, their trunks are packed (the pair of them packing their own trunk and helping the other twin pick out an outfit for the plane and subsequent reunion with each parent) and the cabin looks just as empty as it did when they first arrived.

“Big day’s here,” Remus says, and Roman turns to look at him.

He looks only minorly uncomfortable in Roman’s tweed suit; Roman can’t blame him in this blasted heat. He has Roman’s case in hand, Roman’s earrings in his ears, and even though they’ve done this sort of thing before, it’s still rather jarring.

“All right,” Roman says, adjusting Remus’ bright lime duffle over his shoulder, pushing Remus’ sunglasses up onto his head, Roman in green checkered shorts, and a jean jacket over a green, barely-clean Camp Walden t-shirt; Remus assures him that this will track well with the adults. Roman can only imagine this is the case, considering Remus had never once voiced interest in seeking out laundry services during their entire roomateship. 

“Tell me what the plan is when you get to London.”

“Arrive in Heathrow, where Uncle Logan will pick me up,” Remus says promptly. “Do the handshake, get in the car, be subtle, blame any weirdness on jet lag. You?”

“Arrive in San Francisco and switch planes for Napa County airport,” Roman recites.

“And chew your nails on the plane.”

“Ugh. And chew my nails on the plane. Papa will be there to pick me up and drive us back home. Maybe Virgil also, but most likely just Papa. Pa,” he corrects, enunciating it in Remus’ accent. 

“Reunite with Pa.”

“Reunite with Dad,” Remus says quietly.

They are both quiet at the enormity of this.

“Okay,” Roman says, and looks to the last piece of the cabin they have to pack up. “Last things.”

“Last thing,” Remus repeats.

Roman picks up Paddington from what has become his usual spot next to Cuppy, briefly kissing Paddington’s fuzzy little forehead.

“Take care of him,” Roman says anxiously.

Remus squeezes Cuppy tightly to his chest before he extends Cuppy to Roman.

“You’re probably going to do a better job with him than I ever did anyway.”

Their childhood bears change hands; each boy turns to lay their bear carefully in their luggage. Well, Remus tries his best to settle it neatly, finding a spot nestled within one of Roman’s jumpers; Roman figures chucking it in where it fits tracks well with Remus’ personality, just barely doing enough to make sure that Cuppy isn’t pinched by re-zipping his bag.

“Okay,” Roman says, and he inhales, exhales. “Okay. When we walk out of those doors… I’m you.”

“I’m you,” Remus repeats.

In unison, each boy takes on the habits they’ve spent six weeks observing. Remus straightens his back while Roman slouches; Roman cocks a hip to the side and settles his sunglasses low on his nose while Remus does up his top button; Remus starts to stride out of the door while Roman swaggers.

From now on, I am Remus Parker.

And I’ve never even heard the name Roman James.

⁂

When Roman said this was a looong plane ride, he was not kidding.

He shuffles through his carryon to make sure it’s as organized as Roman would have it. He digs through his pockets for anything fun to play with—no luck, but he does find his notes that he’d smuggled away. He reviews those to stay up-to-date on the minutiae of the life he’s about to steal.

That takes him about an hour.

Only about twelve hours to go.

Remus groans to himself and thunks his forehead against the plastic food tray.

Sleeping eats up about eight hours; the in-flight movie takes up another two.

And, very suddenly, the plane tilts, and the pilot comes over the crackly intercom, and Remus seeing his uncle and Dad is very suddenly less a vague in the future and a much more solid just about now.

Remus’ hands go up to his mouth, and he just barely stops himself before he bites down with a vengeance, instead adjusting to sit on his hands. Roman doesn’t chew his nails; Roman taps his foot or bounces his leg or messes with his hair.

So Remus starts bouncing his leg, staring out of the window as the plane breaks through the clouds, swooping low over the gray skyscrapers and massive churches and winding roads of London.

My Dad is somewhere down there, Remus thinks, and he starts bouncing his leg faster.

⁂

Okay, so when he thought just about now, he’d handily forgot the business of departing the plane.

Which takes. For. Ev. Er.

If everyone would just hurry up and grab their bags from the overhead bin—

But it’s fine, because now Remus is speedwalking through the hallway that attaches to the plane—Roman would know the word for that, so Remus just resolves not to say it—and racing into the gate, then through customs, holding his case tightly, turning to look through the crowds…

No, that man with spectacles has entirely the wrong hair color—that one almost looks right, but he’s too short—a similar suit as to what’s in the photographs, but the wrong face entirely—

Remus clambers up onto a seat to stand on, looking through the crowds, straining his neck, until—

“Roman!”

Remus turns his head; bustling through the crowd, hair a similar shade of brown as his and Roman’s, yes—there he is.

Remus’ Uncle. So strange he’s got an uncle!

(Yes, technically their dad’s cousin, he knows.)

“Uncle Logan!” Remus blurts out, grinning, and Uncle Logan’s upon him quick; before he can even think about it, Remus leans forward and wraps his arms tightly around his Uncle Logan’s shoulders.

Before Remus can panic if that’s something Roman would do or not, Uncle Logan is already holding him, lifting him up, and depositing him back on the ground.

“I missed you!” Remus says loudly, over the rush of the crowd in the airport.

“I’ve missed—goodness, Roman, what have you done to your hair?”

“Dyed it!” Remus says, combing his hand through his hair the way he’s seen Roman do it. “There was a boy in my cabin who—oh, it doesn’t matter, anyway, do you like it?���

“It’s very modern, isn’t it?” Uncle Logan says, briefly smoothing a hand over Remus’ hair. “Is this your first step toward trying out… oh, what are they called. That boyband boy, he has them—?”

“Frosted tips?” Remus says, then, thoughtfully, “I hadn’t really thought about it. Maybe I will.”

“Well, regardless, it’s very fashion-forward of you,” Uncle Logan says, then he extends a hand. 

Remus doesn’t gulp, even though he wants to: this is his first real test.

One shake—two—three—then Remus sticks out a hand, Logan puts his hand on top, the Remus’s then Logan’s again, down with their hands and up—they hit backs up of their hands, clap up middle down down down, snap to the hip—bump one hip, then hop for the other—grin to each other—then swap places, and shake hands once more.

Uncle Logan smiles at him. “Welcome back.”

Remus lets out a soft sigh of relief.

“Come along, then,” Uncle Logan says, gathering Roman’s case. “Let’s get you home.”

Remus beams up at him.

⁂

Oh, wow, this is swanky, Remus thinks, trying to be subtle about running his hands over the nice leather.

Uncle Logan and him are seated in the back of a chauffeur’s car, Uncle Logan occasionally switching from reading the society pages of the paper to asking Remus the occasional question about camp to watching as Remus stares out of the windows, trying not to be too obvious about gawking at all the landmarks that speed by.

Big Ben—the London bridge—Remus abandons all pretense and just starts leaning out of the open window at that point—Westminster Abbey—Buckingham palace—

“Eight weeks at camp and you’re acting like an American tourist,” Uncle Logan says, amused, folding down one corner of the newspaper.

“Camp makes you appreciate home more, I guess,” Remus says, distracted by some street performer holding still as a statue. “Oh, Uncle Logan, look at the guards with their funny little hats!”

“You’ve seen the guards a thousand times!” Uncle Logan says, the edge of a disbelieving laugh in his voice.

“But never with dyed hair,” Remus retorts, “and never after eight weeks away from home!”

Uncle Logan simply shakes his head and returns his attention to his paper, murmuring something about children.

They keep driving past great big museums and churches—a lot of other buildings Remus is sure are historically important for some reason—and they turn onto a quieter side street, lined with roses and hydrangeas, and Remus is suddenly very sure they’re coming up on Pembroke Lane.

Remus sits abruptly back in his chair, rolling his window up and combing his fingers quickly through his hair.

“How do I look?” Remus asks Uncle Logan. 

“Only a little like you’ve just spent the past thirty minutes with your head out of the car window.”

Remus combs his fingers through his hair a little more aggressively as the car meanders through the lanes, and suddenly they’re pulling up to a door and they’re slowing down and—

And there’s a set of columns with the number 7 on them.

“Here we are,” the chauffeur says, putting the car in park, before he gets out and opens the door for Remus. “Home again.”

“Thank you,” Remus says breathlessly, staring up at the house.

There’s an open window, and curtains that move with the faint suggestion of someone behind them.

That could be my Dad.

And Remus is up the stairs and his hand is on the great golden knob before anyone else can open any doors for him. 

Roman’s sketch, come to life in roaring color; the walls are painted a faint shade of orange, the stairs curving up the wall just like in Roman’s image. Remus takes a deep breath and sidesteps into the parlor, yes, that’s right, that’s what Grandfather calls it—

Only to see a banner hanging from the ceiling above the arch that leads into the less formal dining room.

WELCOME HOME ROMAN, it reads, with Roman in a glittery red script, streamers hanging down, and Remus can’t help but grin at it.

Roman probably would’ve loved that.

There’s a faint cough, and Remus jolts to attention—yes, there’s the doorway to the study with the leather chairs and the towering bookshelves, and Remus scampers toward the sound as quickly as he can. 

Remus comes face to face with—

A newspaper.

Remus chews his lip, before he clears his throat.

“Grandfather?”

It comes out reedier and higher than expected, but the newspaper folds and suddenly there’s a man; white-haired and balding, bespectacled, besuited, be-tweeded, be-mustached, a pipe in his mouth, just like Roman said he might.

“Is that my little boy?” Grandfather exclaims in amazement, taking the pipe from his mouth and removing his glasses. “That tall, gangly thing?!”

“It’s me,” Remus manages, dropping Roman’s case to the floor as Grandfather stands, spreading his arms.

“Welcome home,” he says, and he embraces Remus. Remus wraps his arms around his Grandfather—his Grandfather!—and hugs him for all he’s worth.

“Did you have a good time, darling?”

“Uh-huh,” Remus mumbles, burying his face into his Grandfather’s chest, covered in tweed as it is. “Great time.”

“What on earth are you doing?” He says, amused.

“Just… smelling.”

“Smelling?” Grandfather chuckles. “Whatever for?”

“I’m making a memory,” Remus says. “Whenever I think of you, Grandfather, even if it’s when I’m all grown up, I’ll remember that you always smell of—” he takes a big whiff, “peppermints and pipe tobacco!”

“Be a dove and don’t tell your father I was smoking when you got back, hey? I’ve told him I’ve cut back,” Grandfather says, chucking his chin, and Remus thinks of Pa and misses him so intensely for a moment, just a moment, and—

“I never do.”

“Good lad.”

“Roman?”

A voice floats down the staircase, through the parlor and the study, a lovely voice like one on a radio or a nature documentary with a smooth accent just like Uncle Logan and Grandfather’s and Roman’s. 

Remus jolts for the archway of the parlor, where he stares up at the face of the voice in question.

Remus’ entire body locks up for a moment.

He looks almost entirely like his photograph, except at this angle Remus can see the port-wine stain splashed across his cheek and he’s changed the way he styles his hair. His Dad is dressed in tailored palazzo pants, brown, high-waisted, and cinched at the waist with a crisp white shirt, with pretty gold-and-pearl dangly earrings and a matching bracelet. 

He’s still so handsome; even outside of the elaborate suit he’d worn for his wedding all those years ago, he looks like a movie star.

And then Remus is running.

“Dad!”

“You’re back!” His Dad says, quickening his pace down the stairs, and Remus flings his arms around his shoulders, burying his face into the crook of his neck.

His father presses a kiss to his temple, and smooths a hand over his hair just like Roman said he would, and Remus inhales like he did with Grandfather too. Remus’ burgeoning vintner nose picks up freesia, sandalwood, sage; some fancy, expensive cologne to match with the rest of his glamorous appearance.

“I can’t believe it’s you,” Remus says, and hopes beyond hope he isn’t snotting into his father’s fancy shirt. What a first impression that would be, even if his Dad doesn’t know he’s making one!

“And I can’t believe it’s you,” his Dad says, putting his hands on his shoulders and pulling back to look at his face. “And with dyed hair!”

“A boy I met at camp did it—do you like it? Do you hate it?” Remus says anxiously.

“I absolutely love it,” his Dad reassures him, smoothing a hand over it. “Very unique! Whichever friend of yours helped with this managed a good dye job for a boy your age! Oh, and a switch to silver, I see,” he adds, touching Remus’ earrings.

“Uh—yeah, I thought I’d try it.” Remus says. “Silver and diamond—old classics, right?”

“It’s all very chic,” his father says warmly, and Remus glows from the praise. His Dad thinks he’s chic! “Experimenting with your style is precisely what you should be doing at this age. I’m very proud of you, finding ways to express yourself like this.”

His Dad is proud of his self-expression!

“Any other surprises?” His Dad says, grinning. “I’m afraid I shall have to have a stern word with any of your camp counselors if you managed to sneak off and get a tattoo or something.”

Remus laughs, wiping a hand under his eye and shaking his head. 

His dad cups his face and sweeps his fingers under his eyes.

“What is it, Rome?”

“I’m sorry,” Remus chokes out. “It’s just—I’ve missed you so much!”

“Oh, darling,” his Dad says, leaning in to hug him again. “It seems like it’s been forever.”

Remus snuffles, leaning harder into the embrace. “You have no idea.”

⁂

Roman, Janus thinks as he observes his son carefully splitting open a scone and smothering it with jelly, seems a bit… different.

He seems mostly recovered from his tearful little wobble on the stairs—at least, he’s been devouring the tea that Logan’s set up for them both.

(Logan, the neat freak, is unpacking Roman’s luggage to tuck it all away and start on laundry. Clutter seems to give him hives, always has, since they were children together and Logan would categorically refuse to leave any room without returning his books to the shelf and the toys to their proper places.)

Perhaps it’s just because he’s a few centimetres taller. Or he’s jet-lagged, or it’s the hair, or he’s recovering from eight weeks spent around a boisterous crowd of teenage boys.

There’s something. Janus just can’t quite put his finger on it yet.

“Should I get more?” Janus says, watching Roman carefully as he attempts to fit the scone into his mouth whole. “Would you rather a late lunch or an early dinner? I know plane meals aren’t necessarily the most appetizing…”

Roman shakes his head, cheeks puffing out like a chipmunk. Janus waits patiently as he chews, takes a small mouthful of tea, and swallows.

“It’s been ages since I’ve had a proper tea, s’all,” Roman says, before he picks up a sandwich.

“Well, I can certainly understand that,” Janus says, picking up a sandwich himself. “No one makes a cuppa quite like a James. I’ll have to thank Logan again.”

Roman nods eagerly in agreement, about to shove the sandwich into his mouth before he hesitates and takes a much more manageable bite.

Americans have eroded his table manners, Janus thinks but doesn’t say, taking a sip of his own tea.

“Tell me all about camp,” Janus says. “Have you made plenty of new friends?”

“Some,” Roman says, then, gesturing to the streak in his hair, “The guy in my cabin who helped me do this—Augustus, but everyone calls him Gus—I guess I got closest to him. He’s an American, he lives in California.”

Janus’ back stiffens. Ever so slightly. Not so much that Roman can tell.

“Have you ever been to California?”

Hm. Maybe he could.

“Once,” Janus says in a light, airy tone, setting down his sandwich. “A long time ago, before you were born.”

Roman accepts this without much commentary, instead changing the subject to how Camp Walden looks; Janus has heard some of this from Logan, but it’s nice to hear it in Roman’s own words. 

And also to steer away from that particularly smiley, tall, infuriating, dishy subject—

Stop, Janus orders himself, and refocuses on Roman’s descriptions of the lake, watching the way his hands cut through the air as he describes it.

(It’s no use; Janus thinks of him at least once a day, (oh he’s lying to himself with that number) more so when Roman smiles in that way he does, that same dimple flashing out of his cheek.)

And then Janus’ landline rings.

Janus sighs in frustration, setting down his teacup. “I’m sorry, dear, would you mind—”

“No, go on, go on,” Roman says, getting up himself; Janus crosses the room, picking up the phone and placing it to his ear.

“Janus James speaking.”

He turns slightly to watch out of the corner of his eye as Roman meanders to his dresser. Roman lifts his cologne to his nose, sniffs it, and examines the label; he sets it down, and then lifts the lid of his jewelry box.

Little cad is probably trying to find some jewelry he can pretty-please borrow it for just thirty seconds Dad please, Janus thinks in amusement. He hopes he does; Janus thinks those imitation-emerald teardrops might suit him well, now that it seems like he’s taking steps outside of his red-and-gold signature colors... 

An aggrieved sigh makes its way through the phone lines. “Hi, Janus, it’s Vendela.”

“Ah. Hello, Vendela,” Janus says, trying not to wince; if Vendela is calling, then it’s probably a fiasco. “How’s the photoshoot going?”

“No one can make a decision and everyone is five minutes away from nuclear war, from the sounds of it. I mean, really, we’ve had this look set for ages—”

“Precisely—we’ve had it set for ages, can’t you manage without me? Roman’s just gotten home from camp.”

“Oh, bring him, please, if that’ll get you here!” Vendela urges, then, in a whisper, “this photographer they’ve brought is a nightmare, honestly, and this director of photography barely knows lace from satin, so he’s no help at all—”

“Okay, hold on a moment.” Janus puts his phone to his shoulder. “Roman?”

Roman turns from where he’d been tracing the frame of one of Janus’ sketches, the first design that had really netted him any sort of main-stream attention.

“Would you mind terribly coming to the studio with me?”

A huge grin bursts out on Roman’s face. “I’d love it!”

⁂

And so they’re off through the streets of London again, Remus now admittedly a little loopy from the whole meeting his Uncle and Grandfather and Dad and that tea may have been a bit more caffeinated than he’s used to and also the jet lag—but Roman had said it would get worse if he went to sleep earlier than he usually went to bed according to local time, so up Remus will stay with absolutely no napping.

His Dad holds his hand when they walk along major streets, which, if it were anyone else, Remus would probably protest, but as it is, Remus is happily swinging their hands between them and is only vaguely aware that he’s probably jabbering Dad’s ear off.

“—and eventually I ended up winning a key to the kitchen in a poker game, so I could get into the kitchen at night like all the older boys at camp.”

“Yes, I remember you wrote me about that. Odd tradition, isn’t it?”

“Very,” Remus says in an enthusiastic tone he realizes is a bit off for Roman on this particular subject, but he hastily adds, “Dad, there are so many weird American foods!”

There. He’s righted the course. Roman had been very enthusiastic about the concept of American foods.

“I don’t doubt it,” Dad says, amused, then, craning his neck to look ahead, “ah, blasted traffic! They’ve started construction up there since you’ve been gone.” 

Remus nods, pretending he knows anything about London roads.

“All right, hold on tightly, now, we’re taking an uncharted course.” Dad says, and Remus falls in quick step alongside his Dad as they skirt around cars come to a dead stop in this traffic, heading quickly for another sidewalk.

“What was your favorite?” Dad urges, squeezing his hand once they’ve gotten past all the cars. “Of all these weird American foods you tried.”

“Chili,” Remus blurts out, curses himself for saying his favorite food rather than Roman’s, and then realizes that Dad probably wouldn’t have asked if he already knew what Roman’s favorite American food is.

“Isn’t that some sort of stew? Odd choice for summer.”

“Nice on rainy days, though,” Remus says, craning his neck up to look at the cloudy, overcast skies above.

“Yes, I suppose a nice warm stew is rather nice on rainy days—and we’re back on course,” Dad says, adjusting the brown, buttery leather satchel slung over his shoulder with his free hand. “Just a bit longer now, Roman, I wasn’t expecting us to have to deal with a fashion emergency today…”

“S’allright,” Remus says contentedly, skipping over a crack in the sidewalk. “I like the studio. An official photoshoot sounds fun.”

“Well, I’m pleased one of us thinks so,” Dad says. “Tell you what—we’ll stop at that dreadful little chippy you like on the way back. I’ll phone Father and Logan for their orders, remind me to do that after the shoot, won’t you?”

“Deal!” Remus says happily. Roman had raved about fish and chips; Remus is excited to try for himself. 

And soon—very soon—a building Remus has only seen in sketches:

JANUS JAMES is on the building above an awning, and Remus pulls his Dad up to the window, gawking at the mannequin.

The mannequin is wearing a dress that would look perfectly at home in a Disney movie: a full, ballgown style skirt, dramatic lace details, the back studded with buttons like pearls.

They’ve also put a Vespa in the display. A full, real white Vespa!

“Wow!” Remus says.

“Well, I had to do something while you were away at camp,” Dad says, amused, and Remus curses himself again: what if this had been a design that Roman had seen a hundred times before?!

There’s a mannequin clearly meant to be a spouse, too, in a suit that matches-mostly-but-not-too-matchy, in Remus’ professional opinion; he stares up at it thoughtfully.

“You know who would look beautiful in that?” Remus says, pointing. “Like, really beautiful?”

“Who?” Dad says, still examining the display with a critical eye.

“You.”

That gets Dad’s attention. “Me?!”

“You look really good in white and pearls!” Remus says, gesturing to his outfit today; Dad’s added a matching brown coat to his flowy pants, and the buttery brown satchel is resting casually on his shoulder. Remus is frankly uncertain how he still looks like he could be on the cover of a magazine after walking through city streets for so long.

Dad snorts, reaching over to gently tweak his ear. “I think this jet lag is making you a little loopy.”

Remus cannot deny that. Especially in comparison to what must be Baseline Normal Roman Behavior.

“C’mon,” Dad says, physically turning him away from the window and towards the door. “Let’s go see what all the fuss is about.”

They enter the boutique, and Remus, wary of his near miss with the window, tries his absolute best to act like he’s never seen the inside before. 

But it’s really something.

There’s flowy white gowns made of almost every material and style Remus can think of, and quite a few he can’t even name; suits are tucked alongside one side of the building; and Remus can’t get much of a closer look at the impressive chandelier or the couches meant for people to spectate dress shopping without losing track of his Dad, who is heading for a door marked EMPLOYEES ONLY with the sort of confidence that, Remus assumes, can only come from having his name on the building.

Remus falls into step beside him as Dad traverses up the stairs, past a few assistants who bid them both hello and keep going, and finally, he opens a door ahead of them.

“All right, I’m here,” Dad announces, removing his jacket and satchel and tossing them onto a nearby chair without breaking stride on his way to the mode.

Remus gapes safely at the scene before them. Makeup artists, lighting technicians, the director of photography, and some of who must be Dad James employees who are fixing the train of the models’ dress all turn to look at him.

“Ah, we’re saved,” says the woman who Remus is pretty sure is Vendela. “Sorry—we don’t know what to do with the veil…”

“If she wears it, it covers the back of the dress,” the photographer explains, “if she doesn’t, it looks—”

“Incomplete,” Dad finishes for him. “Quite right. Now,” he addresses the model, “can you try turning sideways with your chin up?”

The model positions herself accordingly. 

“Yes, I see the problem,” Dad says, putting a thoughtful hand to his chin. “Can I have the veil?”

An assistant quickly hands it over.

“Roman, darling?”

Remus startles, not expecting to be included in Grown Up Business Of Import.

“Pass me one of those hats on display in the window, will you please?”

Remus scuttles over to the display in question; he’s not really sure why his Dad has requested a hat rather than a tiara (several on display to the right) or a jeweled headpiece (one’s already attached to the veil, but there are more options in the display to the left) and hesitates at the sight of his options.

He picks the two fanciest—tophats, one entirely black and one entirely white—and moves to his Dad, holding them up for approval.

“Which do you like best?” Dad prompts him.

Remus cannot help but feel like this is some kind of test.

“The white one,” he says. 

His Dad shoots him a smile, quick and secretive, and takes it before schooling his face back into a businesslike, stern expression. “Me too.”

The sense of approval washes over Remus with the enormity of an ocean wave.

“Try this,” Dad says, doing some sort of magic to affix the veil to the hat and passing it to the model. “Yes, toss the veil straight back and turn, I want to make sure the detail comes through…”

And as the model turns, Remus suddenly understands why he went for a hat rather than a tiara or a headpiece: the hat’s taller than a tiara or a headpiece would be, making the veil a bit shorter, which means the detail on the back of the dress is much more obvious.

Dad steps back, too, out of path of the camera, as various assistants and the photographer and director make sounds of approval and ahhs.

“See that? Beautiful, how it falls just there,” Dad says, then, to the model, “Don’t worry about the bouquet as much, just remember to look happy, it is,” with a sarcastic smirk, “your wedding day. What number is it now, your fifty-seventh shoot you’ve done with us?”

That does make the model laugh, and the camera goes off with a great flashbulb pop, and Remus witnesses his first ever high-fashion photoshoot.

Dad is too cool.

⁂

There must be something in his face by the time they get to the chippy, because Dad calls the chauffeur to come meet them there and drive them the rest of the way home.

As they wait—for both the orders and the car—Remus takes his chance.

“Dad?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Doesn’t designing all these wedding gowns ever make you think about getting married again?”

There is something almost like panic in his Dad’s eyes. Interesting.

“Or at least,” Remus pushes, “make you think about the F-word?”

“The F-word!” Dad exclaims. 

“My father,” Remus says, trying to look innocent and probably failing, but Dad is too preoccupied by letting out the relieved laugh of a parent who realizes they get to live another day without explaining profanity to a child.

“Oh, that F-word.” 

Remus raises his eyebrows at him.

“Well—no, actually,” Dad says. “I’ve never worn a wedding gown, you see, much less when I married the F-word.” 

Dad’s name is called; they shuffle forward to accept their boxes of greasy food, then back to their waiting place. Remus thinks it might be a little bit torturous to wait until they get all the way back before eating this.

“You can’t avoid the subject forever,” Remus says. “Can you tell me what he was like, at least?”

His Dad sighs, chewing the inside of his mouth, before:

“He was quite lovely, to tell you the truth,” he says, then, quieter, “when we met, he was actually entirely lovely. Lovelier than I thought I’d ever… well.”

That tracks well with Remus’ standing of Pa, but Roman doesn’t know that.

“Did you meet him here in London?” Remus pushes.

“No—we met on the QE2.”

“The what?”

“The Queen Elizabeth II. It’s an ocean liner, it sails from London to New York,” Dad says. “You know how I am about flying, and I suppose your father wasn’t too fond of it either, and the opportunity presented itself—he told me he’d always wanted to try a cruise.”

Remus waits, quiet.

“We met our first night on board the ship, we were seated next to each other at dinner, and I suppose that’s history. He’s an American, you know.”

Remus digs deep for an appropriately sappy, Roman-esque question.

“Was it love at first sight?”

Nailed it.

Dad simply laughs, cranes his neck, and says, “Oh, look, there’s the car!”

Remus lets out a little sigh to himself, but he lets the inquisition go as his Dad shuffles the boxes and opens an umbrella for them both on their mad dash to the car, trying their best to avoid any puddle splatterings.

It’s not like, Remus reflects gleefully, I don’t have loads of time to keep asking him all sorts of questions.

previous chapter | masterpost | next chapter

#my fic #my fanfic #tpt fic

[stay-curious]

Right Where You Left Me | Chapter 2

Series masterlist

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x Fem!Reader | Actress!Natasha Romanoff x Singer!Reader

Summary: Your debut single puts you in the spotlight and one night you meet a redhead who will turn your world around. How will both of your jobs affect your relationship?

Warnings: fluff, alcohol, slight mention of SMUT at the end, AU

A/N: For the purpose of this fic, please imagine every song title as written by the character. English is not my first language so there might be some errors.

It’s 10 AM, you have just landed at LAX and the one thing you really need right now is your morning cup of coffee. One must think that after sleeping through the entire flight you would not be dragging your feet through the airport floor. After a short ride home, you leave your suitcase on your bed reminding yourself to unpack later and take a quick shower. Then, you freshen up a bit, put on a white t-shirt, grey sweatpants, and your favorite Airforce and you head out. 

It’s a nice and warm day, and your lack of energy makes the perfect excuse to grab an iced coffee from the café across your apartment. There's no other place that makes it like them, the freshly brewed coffee beans, and the earthy bitter taste of it remind you of the days you used to make breakfast with your dad as a kid. You enter and Grace starts making your usual. One of the perks of your best friend being the barista, and getting free pastries from time to time.  

You start your way to the studio and as you anticipated, it’s going to be a long day. Usually, you wouldn’t stay long but after finishing promoting the single there’s a lot of pressure from the label to finish the EP. There are a couple of songs you need to finish and one that is half done so you’re hoping to finish the lyrics and record today. Regardless, you can’t get around to writing the rest of the last one. The high expectations set by the first single makes you feel as if any song you make would not be good enough. That’s what has mostly slowed down the creation process, the lyrics don’t make sense, the melody doesn’t fit, etc.

After a couple of hours, it’s time for a lunch break so you go to the Mexican place a couple of streets away to get a burrito bowl. Ever since you moved to LA, it has been one of your go-to restaurants, mostly because the food there makes your mouth water only by its smell, but also because of its closeness to the studio. You can’t recall the number of times you’ve come to clear your mind from the chaos surrounding the studio. Its atmosphere gives off a sense of serenity that allows you to focus on what you set out to do that day.

Once you’ve ordered, you sit down at a table in the corner of the room. The place was almost empty as most people had already had lunch. you’re scrolling through Instagram when a notification pops up, a message from Natasha. Your face instantly lights up and you tap to see it.

Hey! Hope you had a safe flight :)

What are you up to?

I did. Thanks for checking in x

Nothing much. having lunch before going

 back to the studio and finish a song

wbu? 

You type the last message as you think about how someone you met yesterday can have this effect on you. The two of you had fun and you'd like to do it again sometime. You can’t help but think that it might be too soon to ask her out as much as you’d like for this to lead to something more. Before you let your mind wander, her reply comes.

Slept until 12 PM and ordered lunch from room service 

I’m meeting my sister for dinner in a few 

So your day was quite productive haha

you could say that

still much left to do tho

You suddenly get the courage to ask her about the offer she accepted at the bar, about her inviting you to a drink when you’re back in LA. 

About yesterday’s invitation,

Is it still standing?

Depends

Her answer leaves you taken aback but you still take the shot.

On what exactly?

Would you take me on a date first?

Now that was not a reply you expected from her, but again, she was the one that acted so bold yesterday. You take the opportunity to tease her about it.

Miss Romanoff you're a bit too forward, aren’t you?

Yes, I would very much like to take you out

Great. Next Friday, pick me up at 6

Hope that one week is enough time to plan it 

oh you're on

You won’t regret it ;)

After sending that last message, you go back to the studio to make the final touches to the song and before it’s dinner time, you have already left the studio. On the way home you quickly make a stop at the supermarket to grab some groceries for dinner and make a mental note to stop by tomorrow and buy the rest for the week.

When you get home, you start by washing and cutting some vegetables as well as some sweet potatoes. You put the veggies in a pan and season them with some garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika. While it’s cooking you put the diced potatoes on a baking sheet and put them in the oven. You pour a glass of red wine and wait for it to cook. Once the veggies and potatoes are done, you plate them and start eating.

You spend most of the dinner thinking about ideas for the date with Natasha but none of them feel perfect. That’s one of the traits you hate about yourself, you are an overachiever and a perfectionist, so you tend to be too hard on yourself. A dinner date is too cliché for the first date but a safe option; going to the movies might be awkward at some points, god what a mess. You tidy up the kitchen and pour another glass while you go through the tv to see which show you should watch tonight. You decide on Grey's Anatomy and by the third episode has ended, your body succumbs to sleep.

It is Tuesday and everything seems to run smoothly: you are almost done for the day in the studio and your manager is sorting the details for a possible tour; except that you still have not decided where to take Natasha. You’ve been so busy with recording the songs that you completely left it aside. Speaking of the redhead, you’ve been texting occasionally, she arrived yesterday and has been doing interviews for the movie. Because of that, you want this date to be a thing for her to unwind and have fun after an eventful week. 

You get home and leave your stuff on the kitchen island. You can’t complain about the place you were able to get after spending 4 months here. It’s a small but cozy loft in an apartment complex, which is in a nice neighborhood. The kitchen opens to a dining table and in the back a living room. The stairs on the right lead to the bedroom and bathroom. Thankfully, you had a few savings from the summer jobs, and you were able to afford it. Once your hands are free from your belongings, your phone rings. It’s Grace. You put it on speaker as you get started with dinner. You put her up to speed with how the EP is going and what’s left to finish. 

Dinner is ready, the call with Grace is still ongoing, and you have changed into your pajamas. At some point, you mention Natasha, and she instantly bombards you with questions. You answer them, trying not to forget any. She hasn’t talked to you that frequently because of the promo of the single and it’s obvious as you can feel her beaming with this gossip. As soon as you finish telling her all about Natasha and your date on Friday, you end the call promising to meet up for lunch on Sunday. 

The clock marks 11 PM and the only thing left for you to do is to finalize the details of the date. You pick the outfit because you don’t want to stress over one more thing while also making sure everything is perfect and because you like having things planned in advance. When you’re done, you turn in for the day, a feeling of nervousness settling in your stomach as you close your eyes and try not to think about the end of the week. 

You continued with your work in the studio. The rest of the week went by rather slowly to your taste, it must have been because of your anxiousness. It’s been a long time since you last went on a date, and you don’t intend to make a fool of yourself. At the beginning of the week, you let your manager know that you would take Friday off. 

It’s Friday morning and you make your last trip of the morning to run one last errand and pick up a small bouquet of orange tulips, which stands for a deeper sense of understanding and appreciation between two people. When you get home, you heat up some leftover chicken and cut some tomatoes and lettuce to make a salad for lunch. After you’ve finished eating, which by the way was incredibly delicious, you put the plates in the sink and wash the pans you’ve used too. You decide to clean up a bit and take a short nap before you start to get ready. You wake up and realize you don’t know where Natasha lives, so you send her a quick text.

need I remind you if i’m taking you on a date 

i need your address to pick you up?

it completely slipped my mind

*insert address*

see you later Boston

thank you. I won’t be late 

You get inside the shower not without first putting on your playlist to try to loosen up a little, a mix of your favorite songs plays in the background as you get ready. You slip on your mom-fit jeans followed by a plain white t-shirt, which you tuck in, and your Docs. You let your hair dry in the air to then put on some light makeup, not overdoing it. You spray a few flushes of perfume to finish up and you make your way to the door. You pick a leather jacket and the bouquet and walk to the car. 

Once you’re inside, you put the address on the GPS and head over. When you arrive, you get out of the car and approach her doorstep with the flowers behind your back. You knock a couple of times and after a few seconds, the door opens, letting the redhead come into view. Your eyes go up slowly, taking every inch of her in until they meet her face, a sweet smile plastered. She’s wearing black jeans, a black shirt that accentuates her figure, and black boots. Your eyes stay longer than you should have so you try to disguise it with a chuckle.

“You look absolutely gorgeous Natasha.” The words leave your mouth before you have time to think about it.

“So do you.” She replies. “What do you have behind your back?” She asks with curiosity. 

“Uh um… these are for you,” you answer handing her the bouquet. 

“Thank you. You shouldn’t have.” She tells you, a hint of surprise in her voice. “I’m going to…” She signals to the inside of the house. You nod in response as you wait for her to come back. 

You silently head to where the car’s parked, you open the door for her, and you quickly round the car to get in. The ride is rather short, about 20 minutes so you turn on the radio. There’s an awkward silence that fills the space. You grip my hands on the wheel and take a deep breath. There’s intimidating. After a while, Natasha looks at me and asks, “where are you taking me?”

“It's a surprise, if I tell you I will spoil it.” You say with a serious tone, trying to keep a small smile from forming on your face. “No but seriously. I think you’d like it”. She laughs and hums in acknowledgment.

“We’re almost there.” You inform her. A few moments later you arrive at the destination. You get out and go around the car to open the door for her. She takes a quick glance at her surroundings and her eyes fill with excitement. You offer your hand and she gladly takes it as you make your way to the arcade bar. The moment you take a step in, 90s pop music hits your ears. The walls are painted black with details in neon blue and pink, and vinyl art. It might seem small from the outside, but you realize how spacious it is once you get inside. To the left, there’s a restaurant with booths that match the colors of the place, neon blue, pink, and black. The arcade machines are situated on the right side of the building and on the back, separated by glass walls, the bowling alley. 

Firstly, you head to the counter to sign up for two bowling games and the worker kindly hands you the shoes and tells you which lane is ours. You settle in your booth, take your jacket off and leave it with the rest of your belongings. You put on the bowling shoes and Natasha goes to pick up a ball as she starts throwing. You are near the end of the first game and winning by a landslide, so you take the opportunity to tease Natasha. 

“Didn’t you say and I quote ‘I’m going to crush you’?” you nudge her shoulder with yours. 

“Oh shush. The next game is mine.” The green-eyed replies with sass.

“We’ll see about that”

She definitely stuck to her words. She ended up beating you and rubbed it on your face all the way to the arcade games. You let her pick the next game and she leads you to the basketball machine. You start this time, so you make a show of stretching your arms. You quickly get the hang of it and hit the record right before the buzzer rings. She rolls her eyes and mutters “show-off.” It’s her turn, she gets in position and starts shooting as many balls as she can. Surprisingly, she’s doing quite well, but she’s nowhere near your mark. You cheer on her whilst you stare at the cute face she makes when she’s focused.

The buzzer goes off, signaling the end of the game. Natasha lets out a sigh of defeat when she looks at the score. You offer her a smile of reassurance and lead her to the Skeeball machines. You decide to be on the same team this time to try to win as many tickets as you can. 

“Can we play air hockey next?” She asks with a pleading look.

“Of course, whatever you want.” You say

Natasha rolls the sleeves of her shirt up, an air of confidence surrounds every move she makes. Feeling as if someone was watching her, she turns her head and catches you staring. You mentally stumble to form an apology but relax as she throws a wink at you. The game starts and she is already up 2 points. You’ve got the feeling that you might regret your cocky attitude from earlier. As you predicted, she wins the first game easily, but you ask for a second one, alleging that she was quite distracting. You’re currently tied but just as you think your hit is going in, she blocks it and scores the winning point, taking advantage of your bewildered state. She shoots her arms up in victory while shouting and jumping. You might have lost and your ego took a big hit. However, the sight in front of you has you smiling from ear to ear like a fool. On the other hand, she definitely has redeemed herself from the basketball defeat with the last two games of air hockey. 

You leave the handles on the table, go round the table and meet her in the middle. You get closer to Natasha as you lean on the table, placing your hand on the edge. She does the same, but her hand falls on top of yours. A simple touch that makes your heart race and your breath hitch.

“Nat, …” You start but soon realize the nickname that slipped your mouth.

“Nat?” She asks in a voice full of surprise. Your cheeks immediately go red and you fluster.

“Whoops, it slipped out, sorry.” You try to apologize as quickly as you can.

“No. Don't. I like it. It's cute. Say it again.” She answers.

You ask what you intended in the beginning. “Nat, are you hungry or not yet?” She nods in response. “I was thinking about going to a drive-through and then eating dinner in a park if you are up to”

“Yeah, that sounds nice.” You exit the arcade and approach the car and drive to an In and Out that is close. The two of you each order a burger and fries but Natasha also gets a vanilla milkshake. Then you head to a park that is usually not so crowded or empty. When you park outside, you take a blanket out of the boot and you make your way inside. You walk until you reach a secluded spot, under a tree, but light enough to see. Once you settle on the blanket, you start to dig in. You fall into a comfortable conversation, asking questions to keep getting to know each other.

“So what’s up with you calling me Boston?”

She takes a bite of her burger and replies. “Dunno. You mentioned the other night that you studied there. Also, calling you (y/n/n) just seemed too lazy. I wanted something more original”

“Do you think Nat is lazy?” You wonder hurt by her statement.

“No. Not at all. I like how it sounds when you say it.” you blush at her response as she continues talking. “I just I like to be thoughtful with nicknames” 

You’ve finished your burger but still have some fries left, the redhead has eaten her burger and fries. You thought she might still be hungry as she reaches for your fries and grabs a couple. Nonetheless, her intentions are completely far from that. As you catch on to what she’s going to do next, you decide to speak up. 

“Tell me that you’re not thinking about what I think you are.”

She giggles, with a knowing smirk on her face. “What?” She begins to dip the fries into the milkshake and proceeds to eat them. 

“Are you insane? THAT is the definition of pure madness.” you watch her with a look of disbelief on your face. “You did not just steal my fries to dip them into a milkshake. You Natasha Romanoff are full of surprises. What other unknown fact should I know about you?”

“I keep my promises, but there’s one I had not had the chance to keep” you raise an eyebrow at that.

“What are you going to do about it?”

“Well, if you’re up for it, would you like to go to my place and have that drink I owe you?”

“Yeah, let me clean up, then we’ll go.”

After the walk back, you’re in the car on your way to her house. You take a look at the clock and see that it’s 1O PM, a great time to have a drink and end the night. 

You pull up in her driveway and turn off the engine. Nat walks up first and you follow her. She opens her door and beckons you to follow her into the house. She leads you to the kitchen, which opens to the living room. The house seems too big for just one person but it has the right amount of decoration. The open distribution and its minimalist style match Natasha's personality, elegant and luxurious.  

“Do you fancy a glass of wine or a drink?”

“I’ll have a drink if you don’t mind”

“Sure, gin and tonic, right?” I nod at her remembering.

You take a seat on the blue velvet sofa and you glance around to better look at the decor. A few pictures of her and a blonde, who you assume is her sister, are hung on the walls, alongside a round mirror fit to perfection with the light touches of gold in the statues on the shelves. Your bodies are slightly turned to face each other, your sides against the couch. You place your glass on the table and put your arm on the back of the sofa letting your chin rest on your hand. She gently scoots closer and maintains eye contact while taking a drink sip. Thank God you were not standing, or you would’ve collapsed right there and then. You finish your drinks and realize that her hand is on your thigh, drawing random patterns. 

She leans in but stops before you can meet her halfway. “Can I kiss you?” She utters her words in a whisper. You lean again, your lips colliding. The sweetness that you’ve been yearning to taste again since that night makes you melt against her. You follow her lead. Her lips part enough for and her tongue to find yours with eagerness. A low moan escapes your mouth when she grips your hips, putting a bit of pressure. You take that cue and lean back completely, pulling her on top of you. You find yourselves lost in each other’s until you have to pull apart to breathe. 

“I usually don't do this on the first date, but I really want you to stay the night.”

“I want that too.” You say a bit dazzled by the make-out.

She leans again for another kiss, placing her hands under your shirt. There’s some sort of urgency to her touch, a touch so gentle that warms every inch of the path it takes. Then, she tugs on the hem, you lift up your arms and she takes the shirt off, throwing it to a corner of the room. 

“Do you want to keep going?” She stops and asks before things get more heated than they already are. 

You nod. “I need words, babe.” She whispers close to your ear. Her voice sounded raspier and deeper than usual. You let out a shaky breath before answering. 

“Yes, I want to.” 

“Let's move this to my room.”

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