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highwaytothedangerzone502 · 1 year

Text

Ghost Story - Chapter 13

Pairing: Rooster x Female OC

Word Count: 3294

Warnings: Strong language

Summary: No one will miss a ghost. It'd been a running joke for as long as anyone could remember, something Ghost herself started, and she always said it with a smile on her face or with mirth in her voice. The untouchable stealth pilot in every sense of the word, no one could've predicted the depth of her turmoil over recent events, nor the extremes she would go to in order to protect the man she loved, not even those closest to her. Now, all that was left of the young aviator for Maverick, Hangman, and Rooster were the memories of the past, which would slowly fade with time. She'd come into their lives and made an unforgettable impression, and then, like a ghost, she was gone... Then again, ghosts can't die a second time.

Notes: The chapters/parts in italics are flashbacks. Also, I know I used Melissa Benoist as Juliette in India Lima Yankee but I really love her as an actress okay...

Chapter Songs: Like I Loved You How Not To

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Ghost

Oooh, I fucked up. Ghost thought when she cracked her eyes open and saw Hangman passed out in bed next to her, fully unclothed. The activities from last night flooded her mind, and as enjoyable as it had been, Ghost still regretted it. She didn't want Hangman to get the wrong idea, even if they had agreed beforehand the night would mean nothing other than the breakup sex they never had after the second time they separated.

With a splitting headache and no wish but to hit the pillow again, Ghost quietly got out of bed and stepped into the shower, anxious to get rid of the bar and beer smell lingering on her skin and hair. She held no concerns about waking Hangman in the process. Like her, once asleep, he remained dead to the world. On more than one occasion, they'd both slept through tornado sirens, only to be woken by their frantic parents scrambling to get them out of bed. Things didn't change, and by the time Ghost had finished her shower, dried her hair, and put on enough makeup to hide the bags under her eyes, Hangman still hadn't woken. Tossing her Top Gun hat on and putting in earbuds, she slipped out of her apartment, hoping the brisk morning air would clear her headache and her head.

Ghost selected walking over jogging, her stomach just rough enough after all the drinking last night that she didn't want to overdo it. Instead, she listened to a mixture of calming soundtracks, a favorite music genre of hers, and quiet enough that it didn't add to her pounding headache.

Ghost hadn't drunk that much in years, and her body reminded her that she was no longer in her twenties. She wasn't one to drink to forget, but the image of Rooster and Bryn making out burned itself into her mind, and Ghost turned to alcohol and Hangman.

I'm such a dumbass. What good is sleeping with Jake going to do other than a temporary distraction and a morning of regret, no matter how good it was? God, I shouldn't have done it. Drunk or not, I knew better, but I did it anyway because I had my heart hurt. I'm better than that, and Jake deserves better than that too. I've got to get a grip on myself. Since when has a guy ever made me this stupid? What have I let Rooster do to me? What have I-

Ghost would've crashed headfirst into a muscular chest had the person not grabbed her shoulder. Startled, she looked up, and of all people that could've blocked her way, it had to be them.

"Rooster! Bryn!" Ghost exclaimed, taking out her earbuds. "What are you two doing here?"

"Hey!" Bryn replied cheerfully, exhaustion well-disguised by still visible dark circles under her makeup. Rooster had his arms around her shoulders. "We thought we'd go for a walk, wake ourselves up after the copious amounts of alcohol we drank last night. I have an appointment in a bit, and it's just down this road, so I'll probably walk there from here. We saw you and were calling out your name, but I don't think you heard us over your music."

"Oh, yeah, I was engrossed in it. Side effect of the hangover, too, probably," Ghost lied. It was a better option than telling them she was thinking things over because that would make the couple prod, the last thing Ghost wanted them doing. Of course, judging by the crinkle in Rooster's brow, he already understood she had a racing mind.

"Yeah, I haven't seen you that drunk in a while, and then you disappeared with Hangman after midnight-"

Ghost cringed, wishing more than anything to disappear from that line of conversation. "The one time I didn't want to be seen, and I am."

"You two were hard to miss," Bryn said with a laugh. "If it makes you feel better, only Rooster and I noticed."

"I guess that's a little solace. I-" Ghost's phone blared 'Slow Ride,' giving her a welcome interruption. Recognizing the ringtone, she said, "I gotta take this. I'll see y'all later!"

Waving goodbye, Ghost turned around and headed back toward her apartment, grateful to escape the couple and for the perfect timing of the call. "Hey, what's up?"

"I wanted to check on you since I couldn't find you in the apartment, that's all," Hangman said groggily. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I was getting restless and went for a walk. How are you feeling?"

"I'll never admit this to anyone but you, but like shit. I'm going to catch a ride back to my apartment. Are you good to get home safely, or do you want me to wait for you?"

"No, you can go. It's busy out, and I have Ghost on me," she said, gripping the dagger Maverick gave her in her pocket, comforted by its constant presence. "Between me and the knife, I'll be fine."

Hangman chuckled. "All right. Text me when you get home, though, so I know. Love you, Annalise."

"I will," she promised, smiling to herself. Despite having broken up with each other, their friendship endured, and they did love each other with a passion, but it now was only platonically. There wasn't much, if anything, Ghost wouldn't do for Hangman. "Love you, Jake."

Hanging up, Ghost shoved her hands in her pockets, set on getting back to her apartment to eat and crash in her bed to sleep off the rest of her hangover when Rooster's voice sounded beside her. "Mind if I join you?"

"Oh, shit!" Ghost jumped, not having expected him. Glaring disapprovingly at him, she said, "Jesus, Rooster. Are you trying to kill me?"

"I thought nothing could surprise a ghost?" he teased, bumping her elbow with his.

"Must be an undiscovered seventh sense. Shouldn't you be walking Bryn to her appointment?"

"She decided to catch an Uber because it was later than she thought, and she was worried she'd be late. So I thought I'd catch up with you. Feel like we've barely hung out since I started dating Bryn."

"It's time-consuming having a girlfriend," Ghost remarked drolly, trying to hide any sign of her discomfort being around him, especially when all she could think about was how much she still loved him and how she hated herself for not telling him to cancel his first date with her 'friend' the night before. Ghost had had her chance, and she blew it. She had to live with the consequences, and it wasn't right to take it out on Rooster, even if her heartstrings pulled painfully at the mere sight of him.

"She's not my girlfriend yet," Rooster said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ghost raised an eyebrow at him. "Does she know that? Because you kind of announced to everyone last night that you two were together."

"We're dating exclusively, but I'm not sure I want a label yet. I don't want to move too fast with this."

"How come?"

"I want the honeymoon phase to pass, to see how we really are around each other when the novelty of first being with each other fades away. Speaking of being together, are you and Hangman back together?"

"No," Ghost said firmly.

"So the hookup last night-"

"The breakup sex that never happened the second time around," she said with a grimace. One of the last topics she wanted to talk to Rooster about was her sex life with Hangman.

"Does he know it was just that?"

"Yeah, he does. I made sure he does."

The two fell silent, but an unusual and unwelcome awkwardness settled over them. Ghost wanted to break it but had no clue how. Rooster, however, took it into his own hands. "Hey, are we okay?"

"Yeah, of course," Ghost answered, her hand tightening nervously around her pocketknife. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"Because you've been avoiding me since I started dating Bryn," he pointed out softly yet matter-of-factly. "At first, I thought it was because you were still settling in. I know you hate clutter, and the boxes stacked in your apartment undoubtedly drove you nuts. But when you got it all unpacked, you still avoided me. For better or worse, I know you Ghost. I know when you're avoiding me. I just want to know what's going on."

Ghost groaned internally. Why couldn't he have brought this up in private? "It's- it's nothing you did. At the risk of sounding cliche, it's me, not you."

"Oh, so it's most definitely me," Rooster joked lightly.

"No, no, it's really not anything you've done. It's my own issues. Don't worry about it."

"I am going to worry about it when you're pushing me away because of whatever it is. Talk to me, Ghost."

"I don't even know how to bring it up. I've always been shit at talking about my feelings, anyway. I'd rather deal with it on my own than drag other people down, too."

"Speaking from experience, it's not healthy to do that."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to go in a death spiral toward the ground with my captain because of it," Ghost said, shooting Rooster a sly smile.

"Mav told you about that?"

"Hangman, actually. He told me about the training and all that happened."

"Got it, got it... while I do trust you not to go in a death spiral, break the hard deck and commit insubordination in the process, I'm still not going to drop the subject."

"Can we at least talk about it in private at my apartment?"

"Of course," Rooster said instantly. The two once more fell silent, only a few bits of conversation popping up between them that never lasted long. By the time they reached her apartment, Ghost regretted her request to talk to him in private. She should've put her foot down and told him she didn't want to talk about it, but Rooster had always had a way of convincing her to do things she shouldn't. This would probably be one of those times.

Entering her apartment, she headed to the kitchen and asked, "Want anything to eat?"

"Sure, if it's not too much trouble," Rooster responded, leaning against the counter next to her and too close for comfort. "What's on the menu? Anything I can do to help?"

"PB and J, so it's super difficult and time-consuming."

Rooster clutched his heart. "I'm honored you would treat me to such a great meal."

Giving him a genuine grin, Ghost got out the ingredients, purposefully not starting the line of conversation Rooster so desperately wanted to discuss in hopes he'd forget or chicken out about it, but he annoyingly didn't.

"All right, we're in the privacy of your apartment. So, talk to me, Ghost. What's on your mind?"

She groaned. "Oh, I was hoping you'd forgotten about that."

"Nope."

"Fine, fine... I-I don't know. There are a few things, but mostly I feel guilty."

"Guilty? About what?"

"For sleeping with you the night before your first date with Bryn, for one thing. I may not have known it was her, but I still knew it was a friend, and I still slept with you."

Rooster looked at her curiously. "You know, that's the first time I've ever heard you acknowledge we slept together."

Ghost kept her eyes on the food in front of her, unwilling and unable to meet his gaze. She ignored his comment and continued, "I lied to Bryn as well. I told her nothing happened between us, and while that's true romantically, we still slept together, and more than once and recently, and while I kept it from her so she wouldn't think I was like that other bitch of a friend who slept with Bryn's boyfriend at the time, I worry if Bryn finds out, she'll think I lied for a different reason."

"Did you?"

Ghost didn't respond at first, trying to formulate an answer that wouldn't cause her to admit her feelings for him because it wasn't like she could ever act on them now that he had dated Bryn. Unfortunately, her moral code wouldn't allow her to.

Rooster refused to let up. "Ghost, is there another reason you lied to her?"

"Yes, but there's no point in bringing it up."

"Why not?"

"Because nothing will come of it. You dated her, and I don't date my friend's exes, no matter how long they dated and-"

"You like me?" Rooster interrupted, his brown eyes flashing with surprise.

"You think I slept with you for the hell of it?" Ghost countered, slightly irked, although she had no reason to be. "I don't sleep with any guy I find attractive."

"No, that's not- why did you never tell me?"

"You hated me for a while, and as much as you got on my nerves, I still liked you. Then by the time we got on good terms, I was dating Hangman. The first time you and I slept together was after I broke up with him, and I didn't want you to be rebound, so I said nothing. The second time, I was deploying the next day and didn't want to start something for one day and then be separated for months. The third-"

"We had an entire summer," Rooster pointed out, bristling. She heard the anger tinging his voice. "Why wait until the last minute to sleep with me?"

"I got scared. The last time I fell hard for a guy, he broke up with me, and it damn near broke my friendship with him. I didn't want that happening between us."

"And what about the third time? You knew I was going on a date with one of your friends, but you still slept with me. Why?"

Ghost's shoulders sagged. "Because I knew after that night, it would never happen between us again. I should've told you to cancel your date. I should've told you that night how I felt, but I didn't, and that's on me. It's why I didn't say anything to you about this because saying it aloud isn't going to change anything between us."

"We can't just ignore it!"

"Yes, we can, and we will." Ghost's voice remained steady. She stayed careful not to raise it, aware of Rooster's volatile temper when inflamed and not wanting to fan the flames any further. "I haven't just been avoiding you because of the guilt. I've also been doing it because every time I see you, I think of what I could've had and how I screwed it up by staying quiet like I always do. As happy as I genuinely am for you and Bryn because you two are a perfect match with your values and your personalities and interests, I still find myself wishing it was me instead of her, and I can't get that last night between us out of my head."

Rooster ran a hand through his hair, clenching a fist of it at the end. "So, what exactly are we supposed to do? Pretend like nothing ever happened between us? Pretend there's nothing between us?"

"Yes. I compromised my morals once by sleeping with you before you started dating my best friend, and I can't do it again by dating you if you two break up. I'm sorry, Rooster..."

"This is bullshit." He pushed himself off the counter and stalked off. Ghost followed, their sandwiches long forgotten on the counter. As he reached the front door, he whirled on her, pointing an accusatory finger at her. "I don't get it. You knew I liked you all this time, and you said nothing until I found someone else!"

"You asked me what was wrong, and I told you!" Ghost finally snapped, letting loose a little of her own temper. "This is why I didn't want to tell you in the first place!"

"No, you didn't tell me because you're afraid of commitment ever since Hangman broke your heart after your first breakup. But instead of moving on, you keep returning to him and getting back together."

"Might I remind you I'm the one who broke up with him the second time, and last night was a one-time thing-"

"We were supposed to be a one-time thing, and look what happened there! So sorry if I have a problem believing you and Hangman are done after last night."

"I was upset and drunk, and he was there making me feel like a million bucks while you never took your eyes off of Bryn, so I'm sorry for wanting to be with someone on New Years' Eve that was interested and available."

"Oh, you think it was easy for me to watch Hangman practically eye-fucking you on the dancefloor or seeing you sit in his lap with you two hanging all over each other? Do you think I felt nothing seeing you two stumble out of the bar, knowing full well what would happen?"

"If you liked me so much, then why did you never ask me out?!" Ghost demanded, stepping toward him with a challenging glare in his eye.

"Because you never showed interest!"

"I didn't sleep with you for the hell of it! I slept with you because I liked you!"

"Obviously not enough because you still keep running back to Hangman." Rooster threw open the door, his face red with rage.

"Where are you going?" Ghost asked, her fight evaporating. She wanted to work this out with Rooster, to try and find some peace between them.

"Home. This conversation is finished. I'm not going to be your boy toy. If you want one, go fuck Hangman. I'm done."

His words were a slap in the face to her. After everything she just said, after everything she just confessed to, he thought he was merely a boy toy to her? Voice cracking, Ghost started to say, "Bradley-"

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Ghost shell-shocked. She had feared Rooster would react negatively toward her if she voiced her troubles, but not like this. Never like this. It's not like she could talk to anyone about what went down just now, either. If Ghost told Bryn, she'd lose another friend because the truth would come out about her relationship with Rooster, and Bryn would undoubtedly accuse Ghost of being another Britney.

Ghost couldn't go to Hangman. He'd deck Rooster for treating her the way he did because if anyone knew Ghost better than Rooster, it was Hangman, and he knew she wouldn't sleep with anyone for the hell of it.

Ghost couldn't even go to her mom because her mom would've said things she already knew: Ghost shouldn't have lied to Bryn in the first place, she should've told Rooster how she felt in the beginning, and she had to reap what she sowed.

No, Ghost was alone in this. She'd dug this grave for herself and now had to lie in it. The road to hell was paved with good intentions, and Ghost certainly found herself in a hellish place now.

Bzz! Bzz! The vibrating of her ringtone shocked her back to reality, and she hastily grabbed it, desperately hoping Rooster would be on the other end to apologize but forcing herself to be realistic. Ghost lived in the real world, not in fantasy novels or fanfiction stories. The guy she loved wouldn't come crawling back to apologize.

Her realism stood correct. A familiar but unexpected name flashed on her screen. Frowning, Ghost answered the phone. "Hello, sir."

"Are you crying?" Cyclone inquired, sounding shockingly concerned.

"Uh, no, sir. I had a sneezing attack. What can I help you with?"

"I need you to report to base within the hour. We have a mission for you."

****

Tags: @supernaturaldawning @shanimallina @polikszena @lgg5989 @callsign-milano @bradshawsandbridgetons @harper1666 @shadeops21 @double-j @copaceticwriter @rotating-obsessions @sharkprestige @thedarkinmansfield @lapilark @mickeyluvs @starshipfantasy @bennypears00 @mandowife221b @the-navistar-carol @getmyprettynameoutofyourmouth @carmellasworld @0hb0llocks @nicangelinee @summ3rlotus @3picklesinajar

Chapters: Chp 1 Chp 2 Chp 3 Chp 4 Chp 5 Chp 6 Chp 7 Chp 8 Chp 9 Chp 10 Chp 11 Chp 12 Chp 13

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multi-lefaiye · 2 years

Note

2, 3, 7, 8 for the ask game? you don't have to answer them all if that's too much!

Nah you're good, thank you for the ask! :D

2. Is there a trope you’ve yet to try your hand at, but really want to?

Y'know, I've really wanted to try my hand at a story about a character living some kind of double life that their closest loved ones (whether they be romantic partners or otherwise) are unaware of. I'm talking something extreme, like one character being a serial killer or something. I'm aware that that's a recipe for disaster, but I think it'd be interesting to explore a conflict like that--it just doesn't work with the WIPs I'm focusing on rn.

(I did try to write a fic like this when I was still into YB, but tbh I might delete that fic because I'm trying to avoid that fandom now)

... Now that I think about it, this conflict is at the heart of Femurs and Feelings, but I want to explore it More and In Other Fun Ways.

3. Is there a trope you wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole?

Okay I finally thought of a trope I actively hate aside from ones that are just blatantly offensive- anyway I don't think I'd ever want to write a hanahaki fic. I'm sure that there are many amazing stories featuring it, but honestly it just makes me uncomfortable nine times out of ten when I see it. I don't mean this as a diss to those who like it!

However, personal experience with a person guilt-tripping me about me not reciprocating romantic feelings just makes the whole concept of "this person will literally die if their crush doesn't return their feelings" not sit right with me personally. Again, no judgments to those who feel differently! You do you! It's just not for me!

(I'm aware that this isn't all there is to the trope and I apologize for oversimplifying it, but honestly I just don't like how it's been done whenever I've seen it and I just... no, I'm good, thank you.)

7. Share a snippet from one of your favorite pieces of prose you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

OOOH THANK YOU,,,, bragging time- (I'm kidding)

Anyway one of my favorite pieces of prose that I've ever written comes from Femurs and Feelings, a collab fanfic that my friend Spoods and I have been writing since... oh god since my sophomore year of college wait-

Anyway the excerpt I want to share is from one of my chapters that I have posted on here somewhere but I don't feel like digging up the link to that <3 Also, don't worry about the fact that one of the characters here is named Xavier. He's not a self-insert or anything, it's a fun coincidence <3 He's my friend's OC.

This excerpt is violent so I'm gonna put it under the cut actually- But I'll say that what I like about it is that I think I did a good job here portraying how Addison's trauma throughout their life has affected them and continues to affect them even long after the events happened. As we all probably know, writing about the long-reaching impact of trauma is MY SHIT.

But, yeah, if you're not comfortable reading a description of a character being choked to death (in a nightmare, but still), tread lightly!

At first, they saw Jackson’s face, screwed up in a snarl and bleeding from several scratches. Then it morphed into the face of the scarred parts pirate, smirking as though he was enjoying every second of choking the life out of them. Then, the eyes turned a bright emerald green, and the scars faded away to reveal Xavier.

Xavier, who was looking at them completely impassively, as though this was simply business as usual. He was unaffected by their frantic thrashing, and at most they saw a flash of annoyance in his eyes. As though they were a burdensome pest, an annoyance that he was glad to be rid of.

He seemed to grow bored of Addison’s struggles, then, and turned their head sharply at an angle. Addison felt it as their neck snapped, and they let out one last strangled gasp for air as the life bled out of them and onto the cold concrete.

That was when they’d woken up, screaming and clutching their throat as if that would stop the phantom hands from strangling the life out of them.

Man I really wanna talk about this more now whoops-

8. Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.

Okay I was going to share some dialogue from Femurs and Feelings or Twelve Years, but honestly I think this dialogue from a different fic I wrote and never posted is one of my favorite bits I've written.

The context being that one character is attempting some necromancy <3

"Why are you doing this, again? You know he was an outlaw, right? Like. A murderer."

"Well, we all have our flaws. And I wanna see if I can do it."

"And, like, wouldn’t it be rude to bring him back to life? What if he was enjoying the afterlife or whatever?”

“First of all, there are multiple afterlives. You have to be more specific. Second of all, he’s not going to remember whichever one he ended up in.”

“And, I gotta ask, why do you have to do this in my apartment?”

“Because my landlady doesn’t like it when I do rituals inside.”

I like this dialogue because I think it introduces the characters' personalities and dynamic pretty well? And also it very quickly establishes a bit of worldbuilding for this story without going into too much unnecessary detail. I might go back to this one at some point actually-

#talk to the bunnykitty #long post #ask game #wahoo this took a while to answer #ask to tag #approximately20eggs #i'll have to think of a fun tag for u but thank u for the ask!!#(that is if you want one--if not that's ok!)

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twinkle-art · 3 years

Photo

i’m relistening........here’s s1-2

#the magnus archives #jonmartin #martin blackwood #jonathan sims #gertrude robinson #melanie daisy basira agnes tim sasha elias michael georgie EVERYONE IS HERE #tma #fanart #oooh you thought i was done you thought you were rid of me #i did anyways i really did #**

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stone-stars · 2 years

Audio

I edited together the clips of the NADDPod cast talking about fan reactions/backseat gaming from fans on the short rest this week because I feel like it’s something more people should hear.

Transcript:

Murph: So I don’t- I don’t venture into the comments very often-- Caldwell: Oooh, shit Murph: --because I try to, um, y’know, stay sane. [Emily laughs] But I thought-- I was like, you know what? The characters have joined the rebellion, there’s gonna be lots of fun discussion about, y’know, like-- oh, so cool that they’re about Mothership and all this stuff, like... things are picking up!

[The audio cuts forward-- Emily is in the middle of laughing as it picks back up, and continues to laugh in the background as Murph speaks] Murph: The top discussion of the episode, by far, is how bullshit the Callie Finale is. How unbalanced it is. That is the TOP thing. And-- Caldwell, quietly: What the fuck? Emily: Well, the funny thing is, I-- Callie Finale hadn’t come out yet, but I had seen how people were already complaining about Doom Blade, and I got rid of all my-- I got rid of my two homebrew spells. [All overlapping] Murph: Yeah, Emily threw out her christmas present Emily: No more fucking-- Murph: So you guys won. Caldwell: Are you fucking happy? Jake: You guys ruined fucking christmas. Murph: You ruined christmas. You ruined christmas. Emily: I mean Jake gets to-- Jake-- [The others stop talking, and it’s just Emily.] Jake still has access to them because I know that you will not hold him to the same fuckin standard that you hold me. Murph: It’s true. Yeah. 1,000 points of damage Hardwon is fine. Emily: And in fact, if there had been a Calder finale, you all would’ve been like-- Murph: It would’ve been fine. [Overlapping, sarcastically.] Emily: Aww, so much growth. Caldwell: Such growth. Murph: Such growth. So powerful. Emily: I’m so proud of this boy who has literally been playing as much [laughs] D&D as the girl. Murph: Lemme continue my beef of the week-- Emily: So it’s all gone. No more-- Caldwell: Oh we’re halfway through the fillet. Murph: They’re all gone. They’re all gone. The beef of the week will continue though. The beef continues. [Murph on his own, more seriously.] So I agree that getting 30 HP from it was too much. I would not have done that again. ‘Cause that’s what happens. You make judgement calls. Caldwell: Are you saying that a DM can... change rulings? After an episode? Murph: I’m saying that just ‘cause I said it the one time does not mean we’re going to cheese and fucking break the game fo-- like, I have a hundred and forty some odd episodes out there. And people somehow, still, I need to prove myself every week that I’m not a dumbass. Every week people are like “this is the end of the show I guess. I guess he just gave her something where she just gets 40 HP for free!” No. No. What are you talking about? [Caldwell, Emily, and Jake laugh in the background as Murph speaks.] Caldwell: I’m wondering if I could join the beef real quick?

[The audio cuts again, once again picking up as Emily is in the middle of laughing. She continues to laugh as Caldwell speaks.] Caldwell: There were people like-- criticizing Callie for like-- sexualizing Sol? And like, speculating that I was uncomfortable with it?? [Everyone laughs.] Murph, incredulous: Speculating that you were uncomfortable?! [Overlapping; Murph’s following lines are said at a yell, distant from the microphone so it’s not overwhelmingly loud.] Murph: You got fucked through a bag?! You have had sex. On this show. Through a BAG. Caldwell: Dog, I-- Let me just say right now, I am 35. I have a mortgage. Murph: This is a FROG. Caldwell: I own a RAV-4. I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me. Murph, more quietly: Oh my god. Jake: Woah you own that RAV-4?

[The audio cuts forward again.] Jake: --The idea that like, we’re suffering at the table when we record, the four of us, and it’s up to the audience at the end of the week to be like-- Murph: --to decide if-- Emily: --to protect Jake and Caldwell? Jake: --”hey I noticed, actually”-- like, we’re totally good. Caldwell: We’re fine. Murph: Yeah, this is an edited-- Jake: I’m having the time of my life. The happiest I am is after-- is like-- either right after or during our recording sessions. Murph: Yeah, we’re just buds, guys. Emily: We are just really good friends having a lot of fun with like, a deep mutual respect. And that’s why the show is fun to make. And that’s why you don’t need to protect them. Murph: The beef-- Caldwell: I feel like all the comments should just be like-- “Wow, check out these buds!” Murph: Yeah: check out the buds!

End of Transcript.

#naddpod #ba2mia #short rest #not another dnd podcast #all i edited out were chunks of them goofing around #to hear the goofs you gotta subscribe to short rest lol #but this is stuff more people should hear #because my god #despite the fact that they're saying this lightheartedly this is bullshit #naddclips

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hajiberry · 2 years

Text

waxing the haikyuu boys hc

characters: post-time skip!Oikawa, Bokuto, Iwaizumi, akaashi warnings: language a/n: this is another repost loll hoping to actually have a new fic out soon! <3

Oikawa

You were waxing your legs when he walked in the bathroom

He just stood there and watched you

“Does that hurt?”

You looked at him and chuckled

“eh not too bad anymore”

“Do mine”

you looked at him like tf

“you want me to wax your legs?”

“Yeah i’m curious”

“You’re going to be all whimpy about it”

cue HARD gasp

he immediately takes his pants off and looks at you like ‘okay than do it now’

You grab a stick, stick it in the wax, lay it down on his leg, grab a strip and pull it. Earning a screech from Oikawa

“YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE”

You’re just dying of laughter

“I DID NOT I TOLD YOU”

“You could’ve been more gentle”

“That’s how I do my legs”

He’s just looking at his leg now like ‘fuck’ because he doesn’t really want you to continue but now he’s got a random patch of no hair on his leg

“Why do I let you do these things to me”

“This was your idea drama king, do you want me to do the rest?”

“Well duh this looks stupid”

Cue more dramatic screams and accusing you of being too rough

safe to say that was a one time thing

but definitely is obsessed with how smooth his legs are now

like that night he keeps randomly going

“Y/n feel my legs”

Iwaizumi

The two of you were watching a movie when you noticed how messy your boyfriends eyebrows were

“Babe”

“Hm”

“You should let me wax your eyebrows”

“What? Why?”

“Because they look messy”

He looked over and glared at you

“They’re fine”

“Hm if I were you I’d wanna get rid of that unibrow”

Whips his head in your direction

“I do not”

You raised your eyebrows

“Fine”

So here you are, him laying on the floor in the living room with you holding the pot of wax

“Please don’t make them thin”

“I’m not, I’m just gonna clean them up bud”

He looks very skeptical but just shrugs and closes his eyes, he’s excepted his fait

When you pull the first strip of wax he flinches a little

“Damn that kinda hurts”

“You need me to stop?”

“Shut up”

He tries to stay still the whole time but flinches every-time you pull a strip

When you finished you handed him a little hand held mirror

“Oh wow they actually look good”

“ACTUALLY”

He chuckled and kissed your cheek

“Thanks baby”

Started asking you to do them every couple months

Bokuto

He saw your wax pot sitting in the bathroom and was looking at it like 🤨

“Babe what’s this?”

You’re in y’all’s room so obviously you have no idea what he’s talking about

“What’s what?”

“This pot thingy”

You walk in to see what he’s talking about

“Oooh it’s wax, I waxed my eyebrows earlier”

He looks at it then at you and you can literally see the light bulb going off in his head

“Can you wax my chest?”

You just look at him before you start giggling

“Baby you barely have any chest hair”

“I HAVE ENOUGH”

“okay okay”

“You’ll do it?”

“Yeah go lay down on the floor”

Runs to the room and rips his shirt off before laying on his back on the floor

“I’M READY”

You chuckle to yourself before grabbing the wax pot and walking over to him

Sitting on his lap you look down at him

“Ready?”

“Yup do it”

You lay the first strip and look at him, watching his face as you pull it

He gasped so hard before sitting up

“Holy shit OW”

“UH YEAH”

Groaning he lays back down

“Okay continue”

After you pull the second one he smacks his hand on the group

“Damn I thought that one was gonna be easier”

“Do you want me to stop?”

“Mnm I can do it”

You chuckle and finish up

Once your done he runs to the mirror

“ooooh it looks good thanks baby”

he tells the whole team you waxed his chest and everyone’s like ‘hmm can’t tell the difference’

Akaashi

The two of you are going through your night time routine when he ask you

“Would it be weird to you if I shaved my underarms?”

“No, why?”

“I don’t know, I kinda don’t want the hair there anymore”

“Okay, yeah babe you do you. But I wouldn’t shave cause then it’ll be itchy when it grows back and you’ll get in grown hairs ”

“Than what should I do?”

“I can wax it”

He raised his eyebrows at you

“What? I have a wax pot”

“You know what you’re doing?”

“Yes”

Another brow raise

“I can figure it out, cmon it’ll be good let’s do it now!!”

So now he’s laying on his side on your bedroom floor while your laying wax on his armpit

“Will it hurt?”

“Not too bad”

When you put the wax on his underarm he’s just watching you out of the corner of his eye

“I feel like you don’t trust me”

“Hm I do”

“Very convincing”

When you pulled off the wax he winced but definitely could handle it

“Oh that’s not too bad”

“Seeeee”

When you finish he’s all looking in the mirror with a cute lil smile on his face

“Thank you”

“Of course bud”

Definitely becomes a regular thing

#haikyuu!!#haikyuu hcs #haikyuu x reader #oikawa x reader #oikawa headcanons #oikawa hcs #iwaizumi x reader #iwa x reader #iwaizumi hcs #bokuto x reader #bokuto headcanons #haikyuu bokuto #akaashi x reader #akaashi hcs #.writing ☕️

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lokisprettygirl · 2 years

Text

Love is Selfless, It's Kind (Part 23) (Loki x Female reader)

Summary : You and loki discuss his past sexcapades, Joysha tries to ruin your relationship and a person from your past comes back again.

Warning ⚠️: 18+, Sexual talk but no actual smut, Talk of abuse, loki being loki

Taglist : @purplekitten30 @colifower @rinacreateart @otakumultimuse-hiddlewhore @christineblood @delightfulheartdream @the-wounded-healer05 @lokiprompts @stitchinaride @geeky-politics-46 @sharklover927 @virtualstrawberrydinosaur

You were relaxing in Loki's room as you waited for him to get done with the meeting, sometimes you wonder how stressful all this must be for him, he's a prince, a god, having his life turn upside down like this must be so infuriating, but he never complains, never let it show on his face, he smiles as soon as he sees you. That's one of your most favourite thing about him, whenever he sees you after being away for sometime, even if minutes, he would greet you with a smile. That precious smile of his never fails to make you feel all warm.

You were fixing stuff around his room as it seemed a little messed up when you saw the photo frames he kept next to the bed, you picked it up and saw a picture of you and loki, a candid one that you haven't seen before, must be wanda who clicked this or clint, it was from a movie night you guys had here with others, before your separation, You sat on his lap as you both watched the movie, thor decided it would be fun to watch the movie they made on him like 20 years ago, loki was so done with the movie as soon as he saw he was playing the villain ofcourse. You're looking at the tv while his eyes are fixed on you only, he's smiling and looking at you so lovingly. Sweet baby lo. Maybe that's why wan clicked it sneakily.

There was this other picture of you, him thor and frigga, right next to it, he's so adorable and sweet, it often makes you wonder why nobody was ever able to bring out this softer side of him before, you remembered what frigga said about him being so lonely even as a kid. The thought hurts you, 1000 years without having the love and affection, he so desperately needed and deserved is saddening to say the least. You can't wait for him to get back so you can drown him with lots of affection and sweet lovings. You heard a knock on the door so you went to open it and saw Joysha? What does she want?

"Hi, Y/n is it? You want to hang out?" Hang out? Why does she wants to hang out with you, does she think loki is here? Should you let her in ? But then Is she here to murder you? "Ofcourse come in" you smile, you could feel the awkwardness and tension from the both sides, she walked inside the room and went straight for the couch, she have been here before, the thought made you furious but you trust loki, he would never hurt you "Sooo tell me how did you two meet?" She asked you, you kept the door open for some reason, everything keeps you slightly on edge ever since Thanos's incident happened "Did he not tell you?" You asked her and she shrugged "No we talk about intellectual things" she gives you a sly smile and there it is, the attitude you hate.

To get rid of the awkwardness you told her the story of how you and loki met, became friends and got together "Oooh cute, for you but that's really tragic, I mean for him" she responds to you and you're so flabbergasted by it "Why it is tragic for him?" You cross your arms and she chuckled "I mean he just got out of this abusive relationship and then fell for the first woman he met afterwards, I mean have you see him? he could have had anyone but now he's stuck in a relationship.." Before she could even finish you heard his voice "Joysha" she almost got a whiplash at the sound of his voice "Loki I was.." he cuts her off again as she tried to get out of the hole she dug for herself, you couldn't help but be amused by the situation "You're Stark's niece, you are kind, well apparently to others atleast, and I respect that, but don't even for a second think that you can just barge in here and hurt or disrespect my woman like that, I won't allow that" His woman, damn right you're his woman "I wasn't saying anything wrong loki" she teared up but that didn't seem to faze him much "You intended to, don't even try and lie to me, please kindly step out of our room" he said to her as politely as he could and she fleed almost instantly.

When she left he locked the room and looked at you, he approached you with a smile "I'm sorry about that princess" he says softly and you hug him "Why are you sorry sweet baby" he picked you up and sat down on the couch, you kept your thighs on the either side of his as you sat facing him "Maybe I shouldn't have indulged her, when she was trying to be my friend" he said to you and you shake your head "you didn't do anything wrong baby, she doesnt know her limits, it's her fault, not yours, you deserve to have as many friends as you want" you kissed his forehead, now that he's finally here you can finally give him all that pent up lovings.

"All black, did you dress up to kill me today?" You placed soft kisses all over his neck as you mumbled and you heard him moaning, he's so easy to please "Do I look fuckable like this?" He asked you and you giggled, where did he hear that word "Oh Baby you always do, saw that picture by your bed, when did you place it over there" you ask him as your tongue licked a stripe on the side of his neck "uhh, on your birthday, wanda gave me that picture to remind me what an utter disgrace I am for hurting you like that..told me something about ruining her ship, massacring her otp, honestly I didn't understand half of the terminologies she used but I got the important message" you chuckle at his confusion, wanda has always looked out for you, maybe you need to return the favor too one of these days "You're not a disgrace lo, never, just a bit clueless and lost at times, all you need to do is tell me whatever you have in there and I'll help you find a way out of it" you kiss him softly on the cheek, before you moved towards his lips.

"Can I ask you a very personal question?" You look at him sheepishly and he nods "How many have been there? How many people you have had sex with?" His eyes widened at the sudden turn of the events and he gave you that nervous open mouth laugh. You have always been curious about it but never dared to ask "umm you really want to know?" He asked you and you mumbled a yes in response, " I uh.. probably more than a thousand but under two" he looked at you as he answered, you were not expecting that but then what were you expecting, he's like a thousand years old, oh god the age difference between you two, it just clicked in your head that you're basically dating an older man even though he looks like he's in his early 20s "I went through a really concupiscent whorish phase in my 7th century that lasted like 100 years, I'm not proud of it, slept with everyone i could " he chuckled and you smile at him.

"I'm not judging lo, there's nothing wrong as long as you didn't hurt anyone and enjoyed it yourself, I'm just curious about your life before me, we have never talked about this, when you say everyone what do you mean babylove?" You unbuttoned his shirt slowly and he moaned as he felt your hands sneaking inside "mmmm maids mostly"

"Maids? Naughty boy, you are" your hands crept towards his back and you caressed it with your nails, you asked him to continue "How did you approach them?" You were not sure if you wanted to know that "I would just give them a look and they'd understand, didn't have to say much, it's pretty common there for royals to sleep around with servants when they are unspoken of, most of the maids desire it too and are willing to fornicate with a young handsome prince such as me" he chuckled. Cocky little baby.

If you were in Asgard, you'd not be lucky enough to be born as a princess for sure, you'd one of the maids too "would you sleep with me if I was one of your maids?" You bucked your hips into his as you asked and he gripped your hips "Sleep with you? Oh darling I would give you everything if you were one of my maids" you smiled as you heard him and asked him who else did he chose to have sex with.

"Well princesses from other realms, some of them only did it to get close to thor but I didn't care at that point, I just wanted to fulfill my carnal desires and also several guards" you stop torturing his neck with kisses and look at him "guards like men?" You raised your eyebrow and he nods, you didn't expect that too but then again what did you expect, he's an enigma and you'd live to figure him out and know more about him all your life "So you're telling me now I have to worry about men snatching you up as well? Life was already hard for me lo" you giggle and he smiled at you, He assured you how you had nothing to worry about, Before he started to reveal on his sexcapades, he was worried you might judge him for it but how did he forget that you are you, you would never judge him for his past, you never did, never will "So is it different sleeping with men and women?" You asked him curiously and he nodded in no "Not really, I mean anatomically it is, but feeling is still the same"

"Hmm..All these experiences and you never got attached to anyone?"

"I would sometimes feel a connection, but it never really developed into anything serious and I'm glad it didn't, wouldn't have found you" he kissed you softly and you moaned and blushed at the same time, he never fails to sweep you off your feet "Well I'm still jealous of every person who got to see you like this" you kissed him a little harshly and he moaned so sweetly in your mouth, he's so perfect you want to cry and then die sometimes "Don't have to, I wasn't like this back then, I have never allowed anyone to dominate me before you came along, Always had the upper hand, always kept my walls up" he mumbled and you felt weak in the knees all of a sudden, he submits to you and he's so submissive with you because he trusts you with his vulnerability, he knows you would keep him safe, sure Carla would lay hands on him but he never submitted to her sexually, never went to his happy space like he does with you.

"I'm happy you did lo, because none of them deserved to see you like that" you kissed his forehead again and he leaned his head forwards to place soft kisses on your neck "I know princess, I have waited a millennium to find you, I have longed for you all this time" your hand slid down and you rubbed him over his pants, he was getting excited with all this too, the kind of intimacy he craves so much, only you can fill him with that "Any thing..ahh... anything else you want to know?" He asks you, stuttering his words as he felt your hands all over him, and you nod in no.

"Do you want to know about me?" You ask him and his response is an instant giant no "I can't picture you like that, I'm sorry, I just..if you'd tell me I'll just visualize all that in my head, other people with you, you naked with them, somebody else making you cum and I can't.." You cut him off with a kiss right there, if he didn't want to know he didn't have to know, you don't mind his possessiveness even a least bit. This beautiful gorgeous god of a man could have anyone and he chose you, Joysha was right about that atleast but she was wrong to say he's stuck with you, he's choosing to be with you, all that hardships you faced, you have wished all your life that you didn't have to, but if it meant that you were supposed to find him, you're not at all complaining anymore.

When you're done showering him with your love and affection, you're hungry, not just for him but food. As soon you both entered the dining area, you see pepper storming towards you, with a puffy teary faced joy, this can't be good "Loki, Y/N, why did you bully my niece?" She asks angrily and you both tilt your head simultaneously to the side asking as if really? That's what you think happened? She looks at your face and then his and then turned to Joysha "Arrgh ofcourse, Joysha you listen to me young lady, you're going to straighten up your act or I'm calling your mom today" she yelled at her niece and joy gasped at that "You're believing them over me? I am your family aunty pep" she cried but it looked really fake, where was she going with this?

"You are but they are too, don't forget that and you're not going to ruin my wedding that's finally happening, I mean only took Tony what, 10 years to make his move? So behave or get out" She yelled again and you and loki both stepped two steps backwards at the intensity "screw you and your wedding and these freaks" she runs away and pepper fanned herself with her hands to calm herself down. You walk towards her to make her relaxed but you're also very scared of her "You two owe me a bridesmaid" she laughs a little and then look at you "Oh my God why didn't I just ask you in the first place?" She hugs you jumping up and down and you're just mind blown, Virginia Pepper Potts wants you to be her bridesmaid.

Once she left you started feeling a little bad about the whole situation, but then, it's really her fault not yours, none of this would have happened if she kept her mouth and hands to herself and far away from your lo. That night you slept in his arms, feeling like the most loved person in the universe. He's yours. You're his.

Loki rubbed your back softly until you fell asleep, however he woke you up in the middle of the night gently to tell you that you were bleeding. You got your damn periods in your sleep. Nothing feels worse than waking up with wet bloody panties, and the feeling of cramps starting to set in. He picked you up and took you the bathroom, you saw your blood on his sweatpants and cringed internally "loki baby I'm so sorry about that" you say to him, your voice all groggy from the sleep "oh sweetheart don't worry about that" he kisses your forehead "I need tampons or pads, can you get one for me please?" You ask him and he goes back to the bedroom and brings you both "Kept it in case you'd ever need one, you change and come out soon okay, I'm here my love" he kissed your forehead before he left. You love him so damn much.

He also changed his bloodied pants and sat on the bed waiting for you, yours cramps will start bothering you soon and he hates seeing you like that. Once you're out you quickly sprawl down on the bed, groaning. He scooted closer to you to caress your forehead "what do you need princess?" He asks you softly and you just groaned as you answered "ice pack" Ever had cramps so bad you wished for death? That's how it was for you every month, he kept his hands over your tummy and you felt the coldness instantly. Unfortunately his healing charm only works on external wounds so he can't do much about it. He gave you the painkillers and you fell asleep again soon after, life was okay, it didn't matter what you were going through as long as you had him things were always okay at the end.

In the next few days, loki got really busy, the trial date was right around the corner and you both were stressed about it. You just want to get done with her bullshit and never see her again ever in your life, you also want her to feel humiliated publicly for what she has done, Eddie was one of the witness for the case and he finally managed to convince that woman to come forward and speak against her. You were getting ready for work when you got a call from someone, loki was on his way to pick you up from your apartment so you thought it was him but it was Bucky, you sighed and picked up the call "hey y/n, been a few days, how are you doing?"

"I am good buck, how are you, when you will be back?" You continued to talk with him for a while, he didn't mention anything about the previous tiff between him n loki so you didn't either, you fell back into your banter pretty quickly, maybe he realised his mistake and moved on. Good for him, you just want him to be happy and find someone who'd love him the way he deserves. When loki dropped you off to work there were some paps outside your store, so he didn't let you get inside on your own, as soon as they saw you both you heard the clicking noises from the cameras and their bombarding questions "Loki, can you tell us about the case, how did she abuse you?" "Is this the new woman you're dating?" "What's your name miss?" "We heard you made Thanos kidnap Carla is that true?" What the fuck, you were so annoyed by such invasive questions but that's the downside of all of this and you both just have to deal with this, you will pamper him with love and kisses once you're home. However you're not too happy about ending up on the front page of the newspaper and blog sites tomorrow.

When loki left the store, you got yourself immersed in the work "Y/n there is a woman asking for you in the cafe, can you go see her?" Your supervisor told you and at first you thought it was Carla, but she can't get inside the store anymore, loki and his lawyers made sure of it. When you reached the cafeteria, you looked around but didn't see anyone you'd recognise but then you heard a voice calling your name and no matter how long it has been you'd always recognise that voice anywhere. You turned around and looked at her.

"Hi mom"

#loki #loki x reader #loki x reader fluff #loki x female reader #loki x reader smut #loki x reader fic #loki x reader insert #loki x reader angst #loki x you #wanda maximoff #thor

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mieohmy · 3 years

Text

𝖠𝗍 𝖸𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖲𝖾𝗋𝗏𝗂𝖼𝖾 | 𝖪𝗂𝗆 𝖲𝗎𝗇𝗐𝗈𝗈

PAIRING: kim sunwoo x fem reader

GENRE: fluff, angst, humor, strangers-to-lovers, unrequited love au, dancer!reader, formeridoltrainee!sunwoo

WC: 14.7k

NOTES: drinking+alcohol consumption, slight cursing, tiny hint of sexual harassment, a temporarily sad sunwoo :(

SUMMARY: for years, sunwoo’s harbored a crush on the same girl. even though his feelings are probably unrequited and she has no idea, insert you into the picture: a recently-turned-single person that finds interest in assisting his love quest! well, except for the fact that some feelings (that really shouldn’t be happening) begin to stir..

+ happy valentines day to everyone ^^

Day 11. Of your newly turned single life. You’re not even sure why it’s upsetting. He wasn’t that impressionable and left an unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth. Maybe it wasn’t even him, the way he randomly suggested an end to your several months of life together.

Maybe it was just you.

Nonetheless, drinks are always a way to get rid of all unwanted thoughts, the liquid flowing through your body and numbing all senses. But apparently not enough for you to miss a rising conflict at a couple tables away from yours one night.

You didn’t want to involve yourself in someone else’s business, you affirmed internally, downing another shot. But the increasing noise and tension grab your attention nevertheless.

There’s some guy. Wasted, you can definitely tell. It’s what he attracted that’s causing all the disturbance to your inevitably lonely night.

You’re not really sure what’s going on, but he’s obviously pissing off some other people, and the noise isn’t going down.

Seriously, no one else is gonna do anything?

It’s getting increasingly worse, and once of the guys raises an arm, (probably to incite something violent you don’t want to deal with, but you do anyway) your body takes over your mind and forces you over to the table.

“Excuse me, not to pry or anything, but is there something wrong?” You don’t even know who this horribly drunk guy is, and still, here you are, attempting to save his butt.

Maybe you should’ve used your brain once to actually look and see who you were facing against. The extremely bulky man scoffs, squinting at you.

“And who are you? Another fangirl of his?”

The drunk man suddenly stirs next to you, aggressively pointing at the guy. “Don’t worry about him,” he slurs, “he’s just jealous he doesn’t have anyone that likes him back.”

Muscly guy (you can’t think of any other way to describe him) lets out a loud guffaw, slapping his thigh rather hard. “And what about you? What about that girl you’ve liked since forever? Can’t say anything back now, huh?”

Drunk boy (another great nickname) abruptly stands up, knocking glasses over and making more of a ruckus. You notice he’s super tensed, and his eyes flash something you can’t read.

“Don’t you dare say anything about her.”

“Oooh, the tough boy becomes a softie. It’s sad how-“

It is sad, you think. It’s sad how he never gets to finish his sentence before the supposedly wasted guy launches a solid fist at his face.

And then you’re not sure what really happens next. A lot of chaos that wasn’t settling well for a still somewhat drunk person like you.

Although, you miraculously manage to appease the angered employees and drag the guy with you outside.

“No-just- Sit!” You huff, finally shoving him down onto a bench. You forgot how exhausting it was to take of other drunk people. You have absolutely no clue as to why you’re still helping this guy, but it’s too late to just leave him now, you suppose.

Slumping next to him, you exhale, enjoying the finally peaceful moment. It’s a cold night, but you feel.... warm, buzzing alive. The usual numbness in your body was nowhere to be found.

“Well, aren’t you gonna thank me?”

His head ever so slowly turns to you. “Me? Why would I?” Scoffing, you glance him over.

“You’re such a troublemaker, that I can tell. Maybe I should call you that from now on unless you give me a name?”

The guy starts humming a random tune, eyes closed and basking in the moment. “Sunwoo. Kim Sun. Wooooo.”

You nod, making a note in your head to find a Kim Sunwoo later to pay you back. All of a sudden, you hear sniffles.

Is he- is he crying? But he’s laughing too? What kind of crazy person did I just save...

“Um, are you alright? What’s so funny?”

His head lols toward you.

“Have you ever been in love with someone for years? And they never knew? And then they started dating your ex-best friend, and even after he left, you stayed by their side and never said anything about how you felt?” Until the guy freakin shows back up again after years, and then you feel like the stupidest person ever for not saying anything?”

You blink. “.... I’m sorry?”

“Well, that’s my life right now.”

You think about how you should probably be at home instead of sitting next to a stranger at 3am, but you stay. And listen.

He spills everything. The girl he not so secretly likes. The guy she’s dating. Was, he corrects. Who also was coincidentally his best friend when they were younger. Until said ex-friend went overseas for school. Leaving sunwoo and his crush together all alone. And then ex-friend has to mess it all up by unexpectedly coming back to Korea.

You weren’t asking for the juicy details, but what can you expect for a very much still intoxicated person?

And after the whole story’s done and said, you can only laugh.

“So he came back? From overseas? Without even saying anything in advance?”

“Yup, and now I’m here. Left alone, just like before. Knowing them, she won’t be able to resist his charms, and they’ll probably be back together in a month, give or take.”

He laughs again, a sad bark. “Honestly, I don’t blame her. They’re like soulmates.”

Whistling, you shake your head. “That’s really something, Kim Sunwoo... You’re really something.”

He clumsily stands up, giving you a surprisingly cute smile. “Thanks, stranger. I don’t even know your name.”

Coughing, you stand up as well, ignoring his remark. “Do you have someone to take you home? It’s really late..”

Sunwoo looks around aimlessly before giggling, “I don’t know where my phone is.”

“It’s in your pocket.”

“Oh my god, are you a psychic or something?”

“You took it out a minute ago to show me pictures of your crush.”

“Haha, right.”

Rolling your eyes, you decide to take initiative for once and reach for the phone in his pocket, ignoring his little sound of surprise.

“Wow, you don’t even have a password. Is this Eric guy alright to call? You know what- never mind, I’m just gonna call anyways.”

......

“Hello? Where the heck are you?? It’s freakin almost four and-“

“Excuse me? Is this kim sunwoo’s friend?”

“A GIRL?? wait, you don’t sound like-”

Interrupting him, you explain everything while somehow able to watch over a melancholy sunwoo gaze off into the distance like in a melodramatic movie.

His friend Eric? sends you an address, and you haul sunwoo over.

Once the door opens, you don’t even stay to hear what he says, just leaving sunwoo and trudging your way back home. To finally sleep. To get back to your boring life and forget about Kim sunwoo.

ꔫ

Until you see Sunwoo again. You were surprised to run into him, almost not recognizing who he was.

Thanks to the ice cream you wanted to remind you of the favor Kim Sunwoo totally owed back.

After purchasing your lovely snack, you spin around to leave when you bump into someone.

“Ah- I’m sorry,” you stop. His face.... could it be?

Eyes wide, you tilt your head at him. “Oh- troublemaker.”

He raises an eyebrow at you, confused eyes boring into yours for a solid minute.

“Who? ..wait a second.” You almost laugh as the recognition slowly flickers in his eyes.

Everything in his body screams to run. Sunwoo attempts to sprint as fast as he can away, but he’s extremely shocked at how fast your reflexes are, hand clenched tight on his wrist.

“Wait, are you just gonna try and run away after I helped you?”

Coughing awkwardly, he bows and still tries to get the hell out of there- Eric’s words about some girl and totally wasted resurfacing from his memory.

Your words prevent him from leaving. “How are you and your crush doing?” You say it so casually, it’s almost as if you two are friends.

Sunwoo sighs frustratedly, contemplating before accepting the defeat and beckoning you outside to follow him. He isn’t one to talk to strangers -Sunwoo likes to describe himself as a ‘cold and silent’ type of person. On the other hand, he figured he’s already spilled everything to you while drunk.

But it’s not just that, Sunwoo finds it strangely easy to open up to you. Possibly because from as much as he can recall, you didn’t judge him for having a stupid one-sided crush for the longest time.

Once seated on the curbside comfortably, he starts.

“It’s okay, I guess. I don’t know if she’s met up with him yet, how she’s feeling. Honestly, I have no idea what to do.”

Humming, you open your ice cream with gleaming eyes. Sunwoo doesn’t miss your face, unconsciously smiling but dropping it when you face him with the ice cream positioned at your lips.

“Well.... you said it’s been years, right?” He nods.

“Maybe things have changed. Maybe she doesn’t like him anymore. I mean, how do you know she doesn’t like you back? You’ve been by her side for so long, she might’ve developed feelings- you never know.”

“That’s the thing,” he groans, “I don’t know. I have absolutely no idea if she likes me back or not.”

Tapping your feet in a random beat against the ground, you contemplate.

“... maybe you could test it out.”

“How?” he huffs.

“Hint at it, so she’ll have no choice but to know. Or even better-make her jealous. Flirt with other girls and see how she reacts. It’s quite simple, troublemaker.”

His eyes flick to yours, irritation evident. “Will you stop calling me that? And also tell me who you are if you’re just gonna start giving me love advice? A name?” (On the inside, he’s wondering why he’s making such a fuss over you; someone he’s met a total of one time before this.)

You shrug nonchalantly, enjoying the taste of your savory ice cream. Darn, you should’ve tried this flavor out before...

“Does it matter? After all, I’m the one who saved your ass.”

Sunwoo scowls, even when he was drunk he didn’t remember you being so exasperating without even trying.

“Whatever, I guess I should say thanks for helping me that one night. You won’t tell anyone about this, alright?” He glares.

If you’re trying to be scary, it doesn’t work, -is what you want to say. Instead, you respond with raised eyebrows and a tiny smirk.

“No, I’m not that disrespectful of a person. You would know that the best, wouldn’t you? After I helped you and all?”

He mutters ‘you’re annoying...’ under his breath.

Collecting your things, you brush yourself off and stand up, not bothering to look down at him. “I’m not annoying. I’m y/l/n y/n.”

You miss the disgruntled expression of his face, what a shame.

Taking a couple steps forward, you abruptly stop and turn your head to smile back at him. “Don’t forget, Kim Sunwoo. Be expecting that favor.”

ꔫ

When you offered to get drinks for everyone at the studio, you didn’t think you’d end up carrying four stacks of beverages on top of each other.

Making your way slowly and precisely to the exit, eyes locked on the wobbly coffee tower, a body knocks into you right as the door opens.

You can only watch in slow motion as the tower knocks over, one drink toppling over.

However, you manage to catch that flying drink. Dang, my reflexes are doing great lately.

As for the tower, it’s.... actually saved? By a pair of hands stabilizing the sides. You’re eternally grateful to whoever’s standing behind the tall tower that was able to rescue your precious drinks.

Exhaling in relief, you tilt your body to look past the barrier and thank your savior. It’s a... “Sunwoo?”

“What’s with all the coffees?”

You narrow your eyes. “It’s for my work. Now, if you would excuse me.“

You attempt to push your way past to the exit, but sunwoo lets out a whoa! and reattaches his grip back to your leaning tower of drinks.

“You’re gonna kill someone with these.”

Rolling your eyes, you retort, “It’s all good, so please-“

“Alright, whatever you say, y/n.”

Biting your lip, you slowly turn your body to the door, preparing your hand to let go and quickly push open the door.

Spoiler- it doesn’t work, and you’re left frustrated with sunwoo still watching your struggle for a couple of minutes.

“You know, if you’re just gonna stand there, maybe you could do something more... helpful?”

“Oh? I thought you didn’t need any help.” Sunwoo believes he doesn’t care much about assisting others, but watching you is too amusing.

“Just get over here. Before I start calling you some other nicknames.”

He smirks. “At your service, miss.”

He takes a couple of stacks, relieving your tired arms, and you manage to make it outside, slumping down on a bench.

“Thank you, sunwoo.”

“Does that mean I don’t owe you a favor anymore?”

“Um, no,” you snort, “ that was just you being polite and helping someone else like any other person would.”

He puts his hands on his waist, pretending to think thoughtfully.

“I think that was about, 20? 30? dollars worth of drinks that could’ve been spilled. “If-,” he points with a finger, “I hadn’t saved you.”

Squinting back up at him, you slightly shake your head in annoyance. “Fine. We’re even now.”

He snaps his fingers. “Ah, that’s right. I tried the jealousy thing or whatever you were talking about.”

“And?”

“It doesn’t work,” he deadpans. “She knows I’m not one to flirt with random girls-if anything, it’s the opposite, and I usually reject them.”

You raise an eyebrow, fiddling with your hair. “Okay? Why are you telling me that?”

“I’m meeting her in a couple of days at a restaurant, and I want you to go with us.”

Your face shows no reaction. “We just got even, and you’re asking for another favor, troublemaker?”

Gathering all the drinks, you’re about to leave when he stops you again.

“Wait. I don’t think I explained myself clearly. I want you to tag along, and I can see how she reacts, you know?”

“No, I understand what you mean. And no thank you. You’ve known her since what, high school? And we’ve only met like a couple of times. That’s awkward. I’m gonna be a total third wheel, and it’s the literal worst, so I’m fine.”

He stomps his feet in frustration, making you cough at his sudden cuteness.

“Please. I’m a prideful man and don’t like asking others for favors. So just come and play along with me. I don’t really talk to other girls, so you’re the only way for me to see if she gets jealous or not. Besides, I’m always the one paying for the food in the end.”

He had you at food. You suddenly nod, replying, “Alright, I’ll go. Just text me the place and time.”

He scoffs, “it’s always the food...”

Ignoring him, you make your way back to the studio with your coffee tower before hearing a yell.

“Wait! y/l/n y/n!! I need your number?!!!?”

You stifle a laugh, hearing his quickly approaching footsteps from behind.

ꔫ

He sends you the details the next day, with a winking selfie of himself (that you ignore).

‘i sent u the location of the restaurant’

‘dont forget were still trying to make her jealous’

‘and dress up’

‘the nicer u look the better’

‘not that looks matter that much tho’

‘and also not that i think u look nice or anything either, dont get any ideas’

There’s no option but to leave him on read after his choice of grammar. Just kidding, you send a simple ‘ok’ and don’t think about it until the day comes.

You can’t tell if this is a normal feeling, but your insides feel queasy, palms slightly sweaty like you’re about to perform in front of a huge crowd.

Why do you feel nervous? It’s just meeting the girl that sunwoo has liked for years. That’s all.

Closing your door, you retrieve your phone to check the location he sent you.

Actually, sunwoo asked you to meet him earlier near the restaurant. You’re not sure why, he simply answered, ‘research tings’ you corrected his spelling after.

He stands a couple feet away from you, anxiously tapping his foot.

“Wow, didn’t know you had such an e-boy style.”

He whips around towards the sound of your voice. Sunwoo isn’t sure why he’s surprised, you look quite... pretty nice.

Coughing, he mutters, “I appreciate that you took the time to dress up.”

You duck your head in perhaps, shyness? Glancing at your phone, you remark, “we have five minutes.”

He suddenly jolts, checking his outfit. “Hey, how do I look? Okay? Does it seem like I tried too hard?”

Your eyes flick to him for a split second before looking away. “You look good.”

There’s a pause before he clears his throat. “Is that it?”

You inhale, facing him again. “Yeah. What do you want me to say? Oh, you’re so handsome, and your stylish clothes match your hair perfectly!”

Sunwoo suddenly grins. “Well, if you wanted to call me handsome you could’ve done so earlier.”

While you’re distracted grumbling about him, Sunwoo sneakily captures a shot, the sound making you jump.

“Why.... why did you just take a picture of me?”

He grins, shrugging. “Contact photo.”

Your face suddenly returns back to its normal blank expression, and you take his arm. He’s surprised, looking at you before you mutter, “Is that her?”

You can remember the time drunk sunwoo showed you photos of his crush, but to be honest, you didn’t really pay close attention to her. His eyes glance around before he swallows and nods. “She’s coming over here. And don’t worry, I told her I invited a friend.”

Sunwoo watches as his longtime crush spots him, shooting a wave and a smile. Then he sees her eyes flick down to you, the smile quickly fading as she walks over.

Once she arrives, she takes your hand off his arm, making your eyes widen in astonishment.

“Excuse me- whatever it is you want from him, I don’t think he’s interested.”

“Sunwoo!” she turns toward the boy with her back to you, “where’s your friend?”

You and Sunwoo stare at each other in shock before you raise a hand over your mouth to contain your laughter.

He blinks, looking back down at the girl. His hand slowly raises to point at you. “Right here.”

You weren’t able to notice earlier, but you can tell why sunwoo likes her.

Oh. She’s prettier in person.

She stares at you for a moment before spinning back to him, whispering not so quietly, “since when did you talk to girls that weren’t me?”

Sunwoo rolls his eyes, “That doesn’t matter. This is y/n.”

You give a polite smile, accepting her very quick apology.

ꔫ

“Actually Sunwoo, this is a trendy place to go to now, I wonder how you got a table- I actually came here once before with...... ah, never mind. “

You quietly listen to her talk, following behind as she sits at a table.

Not wanting to make it awkward, you sit across from her, leaving two seats open-one next to you and one next to her.

Also leaving Sunwoo to stop, eyes flicking between the two options.

“Why are you hesitating?” the girl says impatiently, “just sit.”

You glance at him, almost speaking with your eyes, this is a chance.

Sunwoo slides down next to you as you study the girl, waiting for any sign of a reaction.

You do get something. It’s not much, just a curious look at the two of you seated next to each other.

After ordering, Sunwoo chooses the same dish as you.

You smirk. “Ah, of course. My taste in food is excellent.”

He scoffs, “No, I decided I was gonna get this way before you. If anything, I have great taste, and you’re just a copycat.”

Grinning, you retort, “Yeah right, I’m actually a psychic. Sound familiar?”

He groans, bringing a hand to cover his face. You laugh at his misery. “Let’s not bring that backup...”

You turn to the girl, casually sipping her drink as she studies the two of you. But once realizing you’re both looking at her, she shoots up.

“Um-did you say something?”

You can tell. The way he stares at her, the soft smile that appears only when she speaks to him. You honestly don’t understand how she hasn’t figured it out yet - that is if she really doesn’t know.

Deep inside, you think you know the answer. But you don’t want to assume anything just yet-you’ve only reached the opening stages of the plot.

In the end, Sunwoo doesn’t get much. If he’s learned anything, it’s that you’re a much better actor than you seem. The subtle touches, flirting. He knows it’s all for show, though.

But for you, you get much more than sunwoo. A full stomach without having to pay anything. And you got to meet the girl of ‘sunwoo’s dreams’.

She’s nice. Funny. Really pretty. You can see yourself becoming friends with her. All in all, she’s a great person to have a crush on. Except for all the ex-boyfriend stuff.

Before you leave, she speaks up once more.

“I’m kinda upset.” she pouts. You and sunwoo immediately look at each other, waiting for her to continue.

“You never told me you had other female friends. You always said you weren’t interested, I thought you would’ve mentioned it to me or something....”

Awkwardly turning to you, she bows and apologizes once more. “Sorry again, for earlier. It was really nice to meet you. Let’s see each other again, Sunwoo’s other female friend.”

Sunwoo elbows her, “what’s that supposed to mean?” But she only laughs.

You don’t know what he’s thinking, but you remember he mentioned he was gonna hang out with her after this, just the two of them.

Waving bye to them, you suddenly freeze once you spot someone behind sunwoo.

It’s... your ex. Coincidentally in the same location as you. Walking in your direction. Luckily, you don’t think he’s spotted you. Yet.

It shouldn’t bother you as much, but it does.

Sunwoo notices your fallen face. “Y/n??”

He doesn’t know what’s behind him that caused that reaction of yours, but he recognizes that expression anywhere. It’s the same one he probably had on too. Whenever she was with him.

He wraps an arm around your shoulder, turning you the other way so you can’t look. You break out of your trance and stare up at him. “What... what are you doing?”

Sunwoo only stares ahead of him. Then he walks. And you do too.

He walks until you’re outside, away from everyone.

It’s silent, but you gather some confidence to speak up. “Thank you.. what about your friend? Isn’t she still inside?”

“Oh, she’s probably fine waiting. It’s okay. This seemed more important right now anyway.”

That’s the first time your heart fluttered, whether you knew it or not.

ꔫ

After that, you find out sunwoo texts a lot. Well, he texts you a lot. Mostly about girl advice. Which he shouldn’t even be asking you -I mean you’re the one who recently got out of a relationship.

Even if you complain that he’s annoying, you find helping him to be pretty entertaining. Also attacking his texting skills.

Because the rest of your life is just that boring at the moment.

That could be a factor in why you decided to go on a blind date. With some random guy. You weren’t even looking for anything serious, just a night out different from your usual staying in.

But you deeply regret wearing shorter clothes. He wasn’t bad at first. And then came the touching.

It was just a knock of the feet. It seemed like nothing, a mere couple of accidents. And when he moved to sit next to you instead of in front, you should’ve known.

His thigh touching yours, an arm around the back of the seat.

Occasionally you would cough and scoot away, trying any way to send signals of back off.

After his hand brushes your thigh, you sigh. “I’m sorry, but please don’t touch me, while I’m asking nicely.”

He chuckles, moving his arm to hang around your shoulders. “Come on, you agreed to go on this date with me. Might as well have some fun.”

You calmly fling his arm off you, standing up to grab your stuff when he just won’t stop, will he?

“Let go of my hand,” you say calmly.

“Girl, just-“

“She asked you to let go, didn’t she?”

Why is it that he keeps popping up in your life? And it’s not just him alone, he’s with her again. Probably came here together to eat too, you guess.

“Who are you? Her boyfriend? Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Does it matter? She asked you to stop, and you didn’t.”

Sunwoo harshly removes his grip from yours and takes your hand, leading you outside of the place.

You move your hand away from his, but the warmth still remains. Arms crossed, you only look at him blankly. “You know I could've handled it, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, but sometimes guys are really stubborn and need someone to physically beat them up so they listen.”

That causes a tiny smile to surface. “I’m guessing you came with her, right? How’s it going?”

He shrugs, “dunno. She’s been acting okay since the last time we three went to that restaurant.”

You nod thoughtfully. “Well, are you gonna keep her waiting? You can go back in now, I’m going home.”

“What? I’ll take you.”

You frown. “Why do you want to take me home? To find out where I live, stalker?”

Sunwoo scoffs. “First troublemaker and now stalker? And no, I’m just being a gentleman. Now accept my offer before I take it back. I’m not always this kind.”

Huffing, you begin your walk back, leaving him behind.

“Hey-! Wait up!” Once again, sunwoo has no clue why he follows you instead of easily going back to where he should be- originally wanted to be.

The first couple of minutes of the walk are a peaceful silence, basking in the cool night. It doesn’t last for long, because something comes to your head.

“Wait. What about your crush?”

“Why do you keep asking about her? When you’re in more distress? Of course, I’m gonna help you right now.”

“That’s not what I mean... if you’re just trying to make her jealous, you don’t have to walk me all the way.”

I don’t get why you’re here with me, instead of with the girl you like.

Sunwoo stops. “Wait what- Do you really think I would do that?”

Your nod causes him to scoff. “No, I told you before, I’m just being polite. It’s fine. She can wait.”

“You hang out together a lot,” you remark, “you must really like her.”

“Yeah, I just- I think she’s just bored and asks me to go out with her because no one else will... and I always accept.”

“Oh. It seemed like you were the one constantly forcing her to go out with you.”

Sunwoo laughs, if it’s sarcastic or genuine you can’t tell. “You’re funny.”

You take a couple more steps before deciding to break the silence that reformed. “Anyways, aren’t you curious about how we met? That night?”

Frowning, he responds, “that’s right, I don’t exactly remember.”

“To start with, I actually went to that bar because I got broken up with.”

Sunwoo makes a surprised face. “I see...”

“Yeah, and you were there that night. Causing a scene with some bulky guys, and I saved your butt. You talked. A lot. I listened. That was it. Oh, and that day at the mall... it was my ex that I saw.”

He hums thoughtfully. “So that’s who it was....”

Once you reach your doorstep, Sunwoo suddenly breaks out in a dance.

“Niceee- I paid back the favor for making you come with me to that restaurant!”

“That doesn’t count Kim Sunwoo because you came here on your own will. Goodnight.”

Shutting the door in his face, you hear him spluttering from outside. That guy is really something.

ꔫ

Sunwoo finds your requests very weird. Your service is attempting to help him win over his crush, and in return, you only want a simple hangout with his company? It’s strange.

(If he asked you, you would probably just say you were bored and had nothing to do. That’s the only reason. Really.)

One afternoon, he receives a text from you, your contact saved as “annoying y/n”.

‘Let’s get food. That means you’re paying. I’m at my studio right now, so 3?”

‘where r u’

‘i can pick u up’

‘-current address sent-’

One thing he wasn’t expecting from you was a dance studio? And weirdly, he feels a tiny bit guilty for not knowing anything about you, except your name.... and your ex.

Cautiously opening the door, he looks around for any sign of where you could be.

But the place is kinda confusing with all the doors, so he eventually gives up and decides to ask some nearby strangers.

Ignoring their blushes and remarks of his handsomeness, Sunwoo asks, “Do you know where y/l/n y/n is?”

They quickly point at a door before running off, whispering ‘is he their boyfriend or something??��

Sunwoo coolly makes his way over, peeking through the small window.

Another thing he doesn’t expect is how good of a dancer you are. It gives him flashbacks- back when he used to do routines in his old practice room.

He observes the way your limbs move so fluidly but still sharp and exact. Everything just feels so right, in tune with the music. It almost takes his breath away, watching you for who knows how long.

Once the music stops and your tired breaths fill the room does sunwoo finally pop in, clapping and nodding.

“Pretty good, stranger.”

You scrunch your nose. “Is that my nickname now? Not even a little more creative?”

Ah, there it is. “You know, I like you a lot better when you’re dancing, not talking, and being mean to me.”

You blink. “So you like me, huh? That was fast.”

He ignores your comment. “You should be grateful you’re in the presence of Kim sunwoo, alright? Many girls would kill to be you.”

“Not your crush, though? I’m sorry. That was low of me.”

“It was,” he agrees. Falling back onto the ground, he stares up at the ceiling, speaking up.

“How long have you been dancing for?”

The atmosphere feels strangely peaceful. “Since I was young. Just kinda picked it up for fun, and it became a thing. I like it -sometimes it’s exhausting, but I like it.”

His eyes fixate on the blinding lights. “Hmm, this place is reminding me of when I was younger. In high school.”

You join him on the ground, the sound of your breaths can only be heard in the room.

“What do you mean?”

“I used to be an idol trainee. Practiced for a couple of years before quitting.”

You turn your head to look at him. “Impressive. What did you do?”

Sunwoo closes his eyes. “Rapping. Dancing. Singing. A little bit of everything. But mostly rapping.”

“Will you rap something then?”

His eyes flick open. “What? I can’t just rap off the top of my head.”

You pout, “no fun. Well, can you still dance?”

“Maybe..”

You suddenly sit up. “Should we dance something together?”

Your eyes sparkle, the first time sunwoo’s noticed them doing that.

“Just- don’t make fun of me. It’s been years.”

“I won’t.”

“... -guarantee anything.”

Sunwoo’s doesn’t know. What this fleeting feeling in his chest is. When your hands softly correct his position, when you try not to laugh at his mistake. And then your delighted face when he gets it right in the end.

It’s probably nothing, sunwoo thinks. He’s sure, very sure that he’s still in love with his high school crush..

It’s all strange, really.

ꔫ

You would say your life is pretty boring. You didn’t do much until Kim Sunwoo shoved his way in.

Your next meeting occurred a couple weeks after the dance practice incident. It was weird, almost like fate was constantly crossing your paths (maybe they were huhu).

The mart’s automatic doors slide close behind as you walk into the night.

But you stop. There’s some kind of shuffling, commotion coming from the dark alley next to you. So what better than to check it out, right?

It’s almost pitch black, but you’re 99.9% sure some guys are beating someone up. So you yell.

“Hey! What’s going on?”

Thankfully, they don’t try to attack you, instead just running off in the opposite direction after the sound of your voice.

It’s hard to see, but you briskly make your way to the huddled figure on the ground, heart pounding.

“Sir? Sir? Are you alright?” You’re trembling but still manage to gently shake his shoulder.

And when he looks up, you can only gasp.

“Troublemaker?”

“...y/n? Why are you here?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Oh my god, are you okay?”

He attempts to sit up, chuckling lowly. “Just got ganged up on. I guess it happens when you mess with the wrong people.”

Your eyes flash. “This isn’t the time to be joking, sunwoo. Where are you hurt?”

He groans, sighing and holding a hand out in front of you. “Just.... don’t. Leave. I can take care of myself, it used to happen all the time.”

You can tell something definitely happened to him, but what exactly is the question.

You scoff, squatting next to him. “Listen Kim Sunwoo,” you speak harshly, “I don’t care how long we’ve known each other. I’m not letting anyone obviously hurt like this alone. If you’re just gonna stay here, then I’ll drag you out myself if I have to.”

There’s a break before you notice he’s slighty shaking. Is he? Is he laughing? What a crazy guy.

“You’re funny,” he chuckles. And then an arm is held out to you.

You take it, pulling him up.

Groaning, you note he’s heavier than you thought. One of his arms hanging on your shoulder, yours around his waist. He’s slightly limping too.

You hold back the urge to scold Sunwoo. What did you do to make yourself come out this bad?

Slowly, you walk over to a bench, but before you make it, you spot a certain someone across the street.

And you think he does too.

You stiffen. He freezes. Biting your lip, you look back at sunwoo, trying to read his face.

“Is that- is that him with her? The ex?”

He nods, eyes never leaving the two, who were probably hanging out together-maybe even going on a date. He has no clue and no wish to find out. The familiar feeling sinks to the bottom of his stomach.

You shake your head, clearing all distractions and eventually making it to the bench where you set him down.

“I need to get medicine. If you leave, I swear I’ll-“

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t think I can anyway.”

But before you run to the store conveniently 10 steps away, you unwrap the soft scarf around your neck, raising it up to his face.

“W-what are you doing?”

“Just trust me,” you say softly, “and put this on. This way, you won’t look at them together, and it’ll be a little easier.”

Gently, you tie the scarf around his eyes.

“Five minutes. I promise I’ll be back.”

ꔫ

Once you return, a bag of medicine in hand, you set it down next to him, causing him to slightly jump.

But a lightbulb flashes in your brain. Quietly tiptoeing in front of him, you aim the camera and shoot.

You laugh at the way sunwoo jumps slightly at the noise, blindly looking around, and you also laugh at the way the photo came out-an unsuspecting Kim sunwoo.

“What was that? Did you just take a picture?”

He can’t see, but you grin cheekily. “Contact photo.”

Squatting in front of him, your warm hands deftly unwrap the scarf blindfold, removing it from his face.

He squints, your concerned face coming into view.

“It wasn’t too bad, right?”

“Delete it.” His reply is curt.

“Why? I needed a photo for you.”

“Delete it or retake it!! It looks bad. I’m literally wearing a blindfold,” he whines, arms weakly attempting to snatch your phone away.

Luckily for you, he isn’t able to move much and steal it. “No,” you respond indignantly, “it’s cute.”

There’s a pause.

You quickly clear your throat, pretending nothing just happened as you rummage through the plastic bag.

Sunwoo feels weird. Having someone caring for him. It was usually him looking after everyone else- his mother, sister. He can’t remember the last time someone else took care of him.

You take out a box, screwing the cap off the bottle.

“They’re gone now. You don’t have to worry anymore.”

“What?”

You stare at him again. “Your crush? And her ex?”

He shifts. “Oh, right.”

Humming, you examine him again. “I’m not a professional, but I’ll try my best..”

Sunwoo sighs once more. “As I said, I don’t know why you’re doing this-“

You cut him off. “Just be quiet, will you?”

After putting ointment on his bruised face, you shuffle through the bad to find another tube, letting out an aha! when you retrieve it.

When you lean in super close to his face, sunwoo tries his best not to turn red. He blames it on the weather.. even though the temperatures were freezing today.

“Why are you helping me?” he mumbles. Sunwoo attempts to avoid looking you in the eye -he doesn’t want to know what’ll happen if he does.

It’s silent for a little bit as you concentrate on all the minor scratches and bruises on his face. Focusing on the cut on his lip, you whisper, “you’re such a troublemaker, aren’t you?”

Offended, he jerks away from you. You return it with a glare and a hand on his chin to hold his face still.

“You can’t even deny it. Now stay still.”

His heart flutters at your delicate hold on his face, soft and focused gaze. Why are you like this?

After a couple more treatments and unusual thumpings in his chest, sunwoo is free to go.

You’re satisfied with your work. “ I would help you home, but I’m tired so call someone or whatever.”

Pausing, you add, “and that’s another favor from you, Kim Sunwoo.”

He rolls his eyes but can’t help thinking of the next time you’ll call for him. He goes home feeling warmer than he remembered, the ghost of your touch still lingering in his dreams.

ꔫ

It’s actually not as boring as one might expect to go to a restaurant alone, in your opinion.

No effort has to be made to communicate to someone else, no worrying about if there’s food stuck in your teeth. No worrying about anyone else but yourself.

So that’s why you alone find your way to the entrance of a nice place- it had almost a five-star rating online.

The waiter seems a bit surprised you’re here by yourself, but you shrug it off. Who cares- you came for the food anyways.

Following the server past other tables and chairs, you abruptly get stopped when a chair pushes out, blocking your way.

The guy seems to notice you then, getting out of his seat and apologizing.

“Whoops, my bad.”

He looks somewhat familiar.

“Oh! Aren’t you-“

“Sunwoo’s friend Eric, right?”

“Y/n???”

You can recognize that voice anywhere. It’s almost making you frustrated. “Again you?”

Spinning around, you didn’t imagine a whole table of eyes locked onto you.

You hear whispers of who’s y/n?, and spot a startled Sunwoo standing up from his seat.

“What are you doing here?”

It makes you suddenly shy, standing in front of all these guys that you suppose are his friends? There’s quite a lot of them all together at one table...

Fidgeting with the ends of your hair again-sunwoo notices this time-you hesitantly speak.

“I came here to eat. Because it’s a restaurant. What-um, what about you?”

Sunwoo gestures at the group. “I’m having dinner with my friends. You know Eric, he’s my roommate.”

Nodding slowly, you just wish to get away, having no idea what happened to your waiter.

And then Eric has to make your night a lot more- let’s just say, stimulating.

“Wait! You can join us at our table!” Eric grins. “It’ll be nice to know who’s been stealing sunwoo away from us.”

Your eye twitches. Who what now?

And the other guys around seem to think the same thought, immediately asking nearby servers for an extra chair.

You don’t move. This could be your death wish for all you know.

And still, you end up sitting squished between Sunwoo and another friend named Newt? New? Who cares.

Half the boys launch an investigation, questioning you with ‘how did you manage to get sunwoo’s attention?’, ‘how did you manage to seduce him?’

Truly an exciting night.

“Guys, for the last time, stop interrogating the shit out of y/n.”

It quickly becomes stuffy, being wedged between twelve boys sharing one small table. How do they do it? Getting up, you mutter an excuse, something along the lines of ‘I need to use the restroom’ and escape the damned table.

Once you’re out of ear's reach, Kevin makes his move, wiggling his eyebrows at sunwoo.

“So..... you and y/n now? What happened to your other crush?”

He rolls his eyes, sipping on his drink. “Like I said, we’ve got nothing going on. I don’t like them like that.”

Eric snorts. “Nah, you like her.”

Sunwoo raises a fist threateningly at him, but Haknyeon’s pat on his shoulder stops him. “I’m happy for you. It’s been so long, everyone’s glad to see you finally moved on.”

He isn’t really sure what to say back. Luckily you return to squeeze between everyone, making the conversation change to a more appropriate topic.

You notice sunwoo’s thoughtful expression. “What’s up?”

“Uh, it’s nothing..” A sudden ringing from his pocket catches your attention.

“Oh, sorry guys. My mom’s calling. Gimme a sec.”

Your eyes follow sunwoo as he steps outside for who knows how long.

“Y/n?”

Your head whips back to the group.

“Yes?”

You think Jacob’s the one who called your name. “Thank you.”

“For what?” You frown.

“Being there for Sunwoo, of course. I’m guessing you probably heard about the girl he used to crush on for ages. She was really important to him, probably still is.”

“Actually, I don’t know much about their past together, ” you reply, eyes focusing on the exit door where sunwoo left through.

Jacob sighs, clearing his throat. “It’s a long story. Sunwoo used to be a bad student in high school.”

You aren’t surprised, gesturing for him to continue.

“Skipped school, failed tests, got in a lot of fights. But it was all for his mom. She was sick, and sunwoo was out doing jobs to make money and support the family. His dad's been gone for a while...”

You stay silent.

“But she was the one who helped him out of it, changed him. That’s how you met the Sunwoo we know today. Even if it was only friendly intentions, I think that was why Sunwoo was so stuck on her. Except when she started dating this other guy, I don’t know why he stayed by her side without making a move for so long.”

There’s a brief moment for everything to sink in.

“He’s scared,” you speak up. Jacob watches you with raised eyebrows.

“He’s scared that she’ll reject him, and he would lose her as a friend.”

Jacob laughs, causing you to tilt your head in confusion.

“But not with you, y/n. You’re special. He seems so different around you. Sunwoo’s liked the same girl for so long, he probably didn’t know how to act around a new person he found interest in -especially one like you who compliments him so well.”

You choke. “Compliment him??” No way.

He nods eagerly, “I’ve never seen sunwoo so-“

“Never seen me so what?”

Your head jerks toward the sound of said person’s voice.

“Never seen you so drunk,” you retort.

Sunwoo squints down at you, keeping a mental picture of your innocent stare looking back up at him in his mind.

While everyone orders, you whisper to sunwoo.

“Are you gonna steal my order this time too?”

He recoils before shooting a glare back.

“No,” he says indignantly, “I’m getting something way better than yours. And if yours is good, then I’ll just steal some.”

You raise your fork up as a threat. “If you even look anywhere near my plate, I’ll make sure you won’t get to eat.”

As you two engage in a fierce staring contest, the rest of the boys watch on, sharing knowing looks.

ꔫ

The food’s good. No wonder they like to come here.

Your attention is taken away by a gasping Sunwoo, mouth open you think in an attempt to cool his burning tongue.

You glance at him, unimpressed. “You have food all over your mouth.”

“What?” he rasps back, huffing and puffing air.

“Idiot,” you reply, throwing a napkin at his face.

“Ow,” he whines.

“I think it stabbed me in the eye.”

“The napkin???”

“Yes, you threw it into my face! It totally cut my eyeball.”

You scoff, turning towards him. “You’re so dramatic.”

“I’m serious! It hurts,” sunwoo complains, “can you look at it?”

You’re sure it’s perfectly fine because he’s holding his eye wide open right in front of you, but just to appease him, you lean in closer to examine his face.

Squinting, you mutter, “Seriously sunwoo, I don’t see any sort of-“

Click!

Both of your heads whip toward the sound. Changmin? giggles evilly, eyes focused on the screen in front of him.

Sunwoo groans again, but he’s cut off.

“Yah, don’t get all worked up. I’ll send the picture to you later, no need to worry!”

You’ve given up at this point. Sunwoo has too.

When the torturous dinner finally comes to an end, you were exhausted. This was supposed to be some enjoyable alone time at a great restaurant with great food and definitely no sunwoo, but life doesn’t like you.

At least his friends were super cool. You found yourself getting along quite nicely with them.

And you also got more insight into sunwoo’s past. It was odd to hear about his past self. It makes you think about your life, what you’ve been doing all this time...

“I can take you home,” sunwoo offers.

“No-!” You quickly respond. “Sorry, I’ve had enough of people. Not you specifically, just people in general.”

He shrugs, “whatever suits you.”

And you’re left alone with thoughts. And unknown feelings. About him.

ꔫ

Melon or banana?

The grocery mart just has too many flavors to choose from, and you don’t have enough freezer space to buy it all.

Humming happily, you place your selected choice into the cart, continuing forward.

When you turn, a mother and son come into view, their back’s facing you as they shop together. It makes you smile at the cute view.

As you stroll past them, you freeze. No way. That voice?

Right as you stopped, the lady turns her shopping cart absentmindedly, causing it to knock into yours with a clang.

“Oh my! Goodness, I’m sorry about that.”

“Mom! Watch where you’re pushing the cart. You know what, just let me do it. It’s getting heavy.”

He turns to you. “Sorry again... you!??!”

You awkwardly turn towards them, failing to muster a smile.

His mom looks between the two of you before a delighted smile appears.

“You know her, sunwoo?” He nods reluctantly.

“And she’s a girl???” she says suggestively to sunwoo, elbowing him hard in the ribs. It takes everything in him to hold back a wince- still not having completely recovered yet from the last time you saw him.

She eagerly holds her hand out to you, and you quickly take it, bowing.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Kim.”

She guffaws in the middle of the aisle, one arm on Sunwoo to balance herself in the middle of her excitement.

“What a kind and polite girl!”

“Sunwoo,” she mutters, “you found an even better one!”

He can’t even muster any sort of response.

Sunwoo tries, he really does, taking her arm and forcing her to continue on, whispering fiercely to just leave!!

But his mom is a fighter -a good one. She yanks his grip off her, threatening him harshly before turning back to you with a lovely smile.

The duality though, you think.

His mom suddenly gasps, making sunwoo brace himself, sighing ‘what now...’

“Y/n! Is it okay if I call you that?” You nod.

Clapping her hands together, she says excitedly, “You should come over to our house!”

Sunwoo protests at the speed of light, but she shuts him up with a hand.

“We were buying ingredients to cook dinner tonight! You should join us!! That is if you’re not busy??” Her eyes sparkle.

From behind her, you watch a frantic sunwoo do everything in his power for you to decline.

Unfortunately for him, you have absolutely no plans for tonight.

“I would love to, Mrs. Kim.”

Sunwoo thinks his soul has officially left his body.

His mom laughs bashfully, taking your hand and going off together deeper into the store, deeper into sunwoo’s pain.

It was pretty early on you decided that you really liked his mother. Or, auntie, as she forced you to call her.

And it’s quite obvious she loves you too, much to sunwoo’s shock and disgust.

ꔫ

She opens the door to their apartment, ushering you in.

It’s quite a nice place, a small and lovely house.

“Your home is really beautiful, Mrs- um-auntie.”

Sunwoo’s mother laughs again, placing a hand over her chest.

“You are such a sweet girl. Sunwoo will show you around while I prepare the food!” she finishes with a glare in his direction.

Perking up, you glance around. “Where’s your room?”

Sunwoo gives up, sighing and beckoning you to follow him. He guides you down a hallway, past two doors to the end where a final door stands -you’re guessing that it opens to his room.

“What are the other two doors?”

“Bathroom, and my sister's room.”

You raise your eyebrows. “You have a sister?” He nods, “younger.”

Opening the door, you’re shocked at the neatness. It’s a nice and simple room.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting such a clean room.”

He snorts in response, slumping down into a chair.

Finally alone, you start your attack. “Troublemaker?”

He grunts.

“How come I didn’t know you weren’t such a troublemaker with your mother? You literally turn into a softie next to her.”

“Whatever. I’m not always the best person, but I’m a good son,” he snaps.

You may be teasing him, but on the inside, you soften at how well he takes care of his mother. He must’ve had a hard time working for the family since he was young...

You glance around before your eyes focus on a giant bag of.... juices??

“What,” you start, “What are these?”

“Oh,” he looks in your direction. “Vitamin juices. It has a lot of health benefits.”

You’re suddenly quiet, your voice low. “Kim sunwoo.... collects and hoards juice?”

He moves, uncomfortable at the sudden change of tone. “Yeah??”

And that for some reason that causes you to lose it. A hand clamped over your mouth, you almost can’t even support your own legs as giggles erupt from your body.

Sunwoo thinks it lasts for a much longer time than it should have.

“Why is it so funny to you that I like to drink juice -healthy juice that’s good for you?”

You have no idea, instead just collapsing onto his bed and rolling over in a fit of laughter.

The only thing he can do is unknowingly smile at your shaking figure and flushed face.

It takes a couple more minutes before you finally calm down, letting out a satisfied smile.

“Your bed’s comfy.”

“Yeah, so maybe you should get off it before it becomes uncomfy.”

You ignore him, does that sentence even make sense?

The photos on his wall catch your attention. You suddenly sit up, carefully taking one off that caught your eye.

“Is this you and her? Wait- that’s what you looked like in high school?”

You save a mental image of young sunwoo in your head. This could be great blackmail...

He hisses at your comments, reaching over and trying to snatch it away.

“Stop looking at my old photos-!”

Laughing delightedly, you avoid his grabby hands, holding the photo as far away as you can.

Sunwoo growls, reaching as far over you as he can to take it back.

“Aha!” he yells triumphantly once his fingers make contact with the picture. But sadly for him, he loses his balance over the bed and falls.

On top of you.

His hand fortunately catches him, planting softly right by your head.

The sound of your laughter is cut short, and you can only stare up at him.

Your breath hitches at the close proximity, noticing his legs on either side of yours. Did your heart just skip a beat?

And the fact that he’s just staring down at you so you’re trapped doesn’t help at all.

“Hey, sunwoo! Mom wants you to-“

Both of your heads turn toward the voice.

“.... is that Y/n?”

“Sis?”

Sunwoo’s sister blinks, staring at the position you both were in. “Well then.” She simply closes the door behind her.

“Wait no. It’s not-“ you give up in the middle of speaking.

There’s an awkward silence-you could almost hear the crows cawing in the background.

“So are you gonna get off me or?”

Sunwoo snaps out of his daze. “Right, yeah, sorry.” He wordlessly moves off to sit next to you on the bed.

Coughing, you stare at the ground. “So she’s your-?”

“Yep. My little sister.”

“But,” he frowns, “how did she know your name?”

“Because we know each other?”

He glances at you. “Huh? How?”

You only shrug suspiciously. “Secret. But I didn’t know you two were related...”

Sunwoo makes a face, confused, but the noise outside gets your attention.

“Dinner’s ready!! Come eat!!” his mother’s shout echoes through the walls.

ꔫ

“You’re so lucky to have a mother to cook such good food for you.”

Sunwoo looks down at his bowl. “Yeah, I know.”

His mother smiles at you, asking curiously, “what about your family, y/n?”

You swallow before speaking. “Oh, they live farther away. I came here to dance, so I don’t really see them often.”

She gasps. “You poor thing, living out here all alone. Come over whenever you want, okay?”

Sunwoo opens his mouth to respond but decides to just close it. You smile and nod gratefully, feeling a lot more at ease.

When you finally finish eating, sunwoo’s eager to guide you out -even though you disregard his attempts so you can charm his mother even more.

The number of times during the dinner his mother has hinted at the two of you being a couple and the number of times sunwoo has denied that there was anything at all were too many to count.

And then he eventually gets you to leave, shutting the door close once and for all.

Sunwoo almost collapses, making exaggerated sounds of exhaustion and relief.

He sprawls out on the living room floor, completely tuning out his mother’s complaints about his manners and whatnot.

But as he lays there, he can only think about his heart. Why does it do that? Whenever you look at his mom with such tender eyes. When you’re acting so kind and respectful, but still being yourself. Eyes crinkling when someone says anything remotely funny.

Why does his heart stir so much when you spare even a glance at him?

ꔫ

After that, you get extremely busy. Upcoming dance competitions and events take up most of your day.

That leads to barely any rest for you since you’re constantly in and out of the studio, practicing, practicing, and more practicing.

You’d be lucky to even get 4 hours of sleep a day.

But the one night you can finally close your eyes for maybe a solid 5 or 6 hours, (you were so excited you even leaped into bed) your fucking phone rings.

You want to kill whoever is calling you at a deathly time. It was only 1 am, but your sleep is too precious.

At first, you ignore it. But it rings a freakin second time, and now you’re unable to fall back asleep.

Biting your lip harshly, you angrily grab your phone, turning it on to see-

three missed calls from sunwoo?

It’s been a while since you’ve seen him, so you have no idea why he’s calling you and wasting your hard-earned rest.

The phone rings again. Your brain can barely function, but you manage to accept the call.

“What the fuck do you want? My beauty sleep-“

“Are... are you busy?” His voice is quiet, maybe too quiet.

You want to slap him through the phone but alternately just let out a strained huff. “Does it seem-“ but you don’t finish.

Something didn’t seem right. You’re fully awake now.

“Sunwoo? What’s going on?”

There’s a pause before his voice comes through again.

“Can I see you? I’m actually out near your place.”

It takes five minutes for you to get out of bed, throw on a jacket and close the door behind you.

Head whipping from side to side, you search around.

Your palms start to get sweaty even though the night was frigid, cold wind blowing past.

Where is he? His voice....felt off. You could sense it even through the phone.

Briskly walking, you keep looking until you spot him.

Well, Sunwoo was right. He was sitting down alone at a park about 5 minutes away from your apartment.

Your anger rises again as you approach him.

“What the fuck is going on?“

Your feet slow as your voice lowers to a whisper.

“What....what’s wrong?”

You rush over to him, forgetting everything and cupping his face in your warm hands.

Sunwoo looks at you, his red and watery eyes void of any emotion. How long has he been out here?

“Kim sunwoo, you-“

He cuts you off.

“Why does she not like me back?” His voice is soft, shaky. It’s like he doesn’t have enough strength to say it any louder.

Your breath gets caught in your throat, and you swallow. Your mind races, seeking any words to make a sentence, just to say anything.

“Is there something wrong with me? Did I-can she just look at me for once?” his voice cracks. You watch as the tears slowly trickle down his cold cheeks.

His voice lowers to a whisper. “I’ve been her friend for so long, and she never noticed me and all the things I did for her. I waited, and it was too late. Y/n, I tried. I really tried.”

You can hear the cracking of his heart.

When the sobs start, you only hold your breath and wrap your arms around him. You let sunwoo cry into you, even when you so desperately want to cry for him too.

Shutting your eyes, you rub his back comfortingly.

It feels like it’s been an hour. Or a couple, who knows.

And when the cries ultimately slow, you slowly move back, cautiously glancing at him. His swollen eyes and red nose cause your chest to tighten.

You speak in a hushed tone, almost afraid to speak louder as if it’ll make him break.

“How do you feel?”

He laughs a small but painful sound. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have called you out at this time. I can tell you’re exhausted. Just leave and get some sleep.”

You’re frustrated. You don’t want to be, especially not right now, but the feeling crawls all over you, uncomfortable and itchy.

You stand up, staring into him with fierce eyes. “Stop worrying about me. Stop worrying about others. You always look out for everyone else but yourself. Can’t you see that you’re hurting, and I just want to help?”

You regret saying that almost immediately, sinking down onto the bench next to him. The only sound is his occasional sniffles and coughs.

Sunwoo’s shocked. But he tries not to show it.

Instead, he stares at the trees. The streetlights. And eventually you.

“You’re right.” You jump slightly when he speaks up.

“As usual,” he chuckles.

“So thank you for coming here. I don’t know what was going on with me. I think I was just going through a lot and needed to let it out.”

You’re still not looking at him, but your hand inches over slowly to cover his. Surprisingly, he accepts the warmth.

No words are exchanged, but it’s enough. A silent apology. A silent sense of comfort.

A bout of laughter across the street gets your attention. It’s just an annoying couple, you think.

But... it’s not just any annoying couple. No. Are you serious?

Their voices fly over the wind, going in one ear and out the other. “Wait a second. Is that sunwoo over there?”

He tenses, eyes frantically looking at you. You immediately understand.

It’s happened many times to you- how embarrassing and humiliating it is to get caught crying. Even when crying is supposed to be a normal and natural thing. And then comes the hilarious made-up explanation behind the whole waterworks.

You can’t imagine how it must be for sunwoo.

The sound of their footsteps come closer.

You scoot closer to him.

Thump.

Your hand slowly reaches out. He doesn’t move, almost as if entranced by your actions.

Thump.

Sunwoo watches, confused as your hand guides his head, burying him into your shoulder and efficiently blocking anyone’s view of his crying face.

Thump.

“Pretend to be asleep,” you murmur.

He closes his eyes, inhaling your familiar scent.

“Oh! It’s you again!”

You smile awkwardly at sunwoo’s crush, even though you kinda want to scream at her for causing him so much pain.

Then your gaze shifts to him. You’ve never seen her ex before, only hearing stories from sunwoo. So this is him...

“Hello. I’m afraid we’ve never met before? You seem close to sunwoo.”

“Oh, my name is y/l/n y/n. I’ve heard a lot about you. Why... why are you two out so late?”

They exchange looks. “We were just hanging out, and lost track of time, haha. You know...” she laughs. “And you two? I see he’s asleep. Sunwoo was always sleeping in class..”

You feel him just barely move.

You grimace and give a small smile. “Ha, sunwoo here was drinking and fell asleep. That reminds me, I should probably get him home. It’s late, so you guys should go too.”

You don’t know, but they see the loving way you look down at sunwoo, pretending to shake him awake to leave.

When he only groans in response, you curse him. What a sneaky little.....

Biting the inside of your cheek, you can barely haul sunwoo up, placing his arm around your shoulder. Didn’t know you were so good at acting, troublemaker.

They move to help you, but you quickly and aggressively protest, groaning as you weakly step forward.

“Well,” you barely get out, “it was nice to meet you. Maybe we can meet again under better circumstances,” you wheeze.

Once you make sure they’re out of sight, you drop him onto the ground, gasping for air.

“You couldn’t have even helped a little?”

His still red eyes and small pout make you soften.

“Come on, I’ll walk you home.”

His voice is quiet but still teasing. “Why? So you can find out where I live, stalker?”

You roll your eyes. “Okay. I’m going then.”

“Wait.” He grabs your wrist. “That was a joke. I want you to take me.”

You fight against the ends of your mouth that want to curl up. “Fine... only since I don’t want you running into them again.”

When he randomly takes your hand, enlacing your fingers together, you keep silent. It stays like the for the whole walk, peaceful and tranquil. It makes you think of that time he offered to walk you home from that creepy date. How different it seems now...

Once you arrive, he lets go of your hand normally like he always does it or something. But you still miss the snugness.

“How you’re gonna get home?”

“Walk. Why? You know I can take care of myself.”

He smiles, the first one you’ve seen today. “Yeah. I know.”

Before you leave, you inhale. “Cheer up, alright? It makes me feel weird, seeing you so down. Get some sleep, trouble.”

After making sure he gets in safely, welcomed by a worried eric, you start the cold and lonely journey home.

ꔫ

Once you finally arrive, truly exhausted from the night’s(day’s?) events, you lay in bed and contemplate.

Why does your heart hurt so much for him?

Why do you even care?

You take out your phone, opening it to sunwoo’s profile photo, the cute pout on his face along with your scarf blindfolding his eyes makes you smile.

It takes a little bit of thinking-staring at the ceiling and searching your brain for possibly hours, but the answer finally appears. Even when you don’t want it, trying to push the thought out and bury it so deep you can’t breathe, it echoes in your brain, loud and clear.

How?

No, this isn’t possible. He-I’ve known him for less than a year.

I... I can’t.

You feel suffocated underneath the blankets, doing anything to stop the flow of your thoughts, feelings.

The one thing you can do is force yourself to pass out, to escape the hurricane of emotions.

ꔫ

And just like that, you disappear from sunwoo’s life. For a couple of weeks. It was, sadly to report, very much boring and bleak.

It was harder than you realized. To shut someone out. Someone like him.

Luckily, your upcoming dance performances took most of your day, so the only time he was able to sneak into your mind was during the dark of nights and the peak of dawn.

First, it was ignoring the messages. You wondered how people could simply ghost someone else so easily.

But you had to. Because you knew he liked someone else. Because you shouldn’t be like this, whatever this is, with him.

You did it for yourself. And him. Even when everything about him was confusing.

Kim sunwoo was a troublemaker. One you met months ago with a strong one-sided crush. And you wanted to help him win her heart.

Now, you couldn’t even look at Sunwoo. You didn’t want to, not wishing to know what would happen if you looked into his eyes. What words would spill out of your mouth, words you didn’t even know the truth to yet.

Second was avoiding him at any cost. Especially when he came to your dance studio, obviously looking for you and only you. (it was a whole mess sneaking out from his sight)

And once again, fate loves to mix things up and make you spot sunwoo with his crush down the street. Holding hands.

You go home with mixed emotions and a missing appetite.

The sad thing is, you can’t tell if you miss him or not.

ꔫ

One evening, just as colorless as the nights before, you go out for a walk.

You always went later than most to avoid human contact with others. But fate plays a trick again, so you’re not alone this time.

“I found you.”

Your feet come to a halt. Or maybe it wasn’t fate this time...

“Why have you been avoiding me?”

“I’m not avoiding you, sunwoo.” Funny how you suddenly have the urge to run away after saying that.

He looks tired, stressed-like he can’t find the answer to any of his homework questions (but you know he probably didn’t even do his homework in school).

“So ignoring my calls and texts aren’t considered avoiding? And running away whenever you see me in person too?”

You mess with the ends of your hair. “Why were you looking for me?”

Sunwoo sighs and starts walking, you know he’s waiting for you to join. Hesitating, you finally move to his side, deciding to stare at the ground -your feet, his feet, anywhere but him.

“I came to tell you something,” He starts.

You gulp, nodding for him to say it.

“I confessed to my crush. She was... really surprised. But I still asked her to give me a chance, to please think of me as a guy and not a friend. Just three dates with me. And then she could see how she felt at the end.”

Why do you suddenly want to vomit?

You find looking anywhere but at sunwoo or near his direction comfortable. The amount of effort it took for you to find your voice was funny. “Oh. Good for you.” (unlike your tone that doesn’t sound too pleased)

“...How was it? Did she decide to return your feelings back in the end?”

“No. We never finished all three. After the second, I realized it was a waste of time and quit.”

He stops walking, making you stop as well.

This man messes with your mind too much. You snort. “What are you talking about? How could it be a waste of time when you finally got to go on a true date with your crush since high school, sunwoo?”

“Because I kept thinking of something else. Someone else.”

You’re extremely confused, not able to comprehend anything. Sunwoo suddenly looks at you with such conviction you almost take a step back.

“Is... there something wrong?”

“I wished it was you, instead. Instead of her next to me. Even on the very first date, I was only thinking of you.”

Your brain -it just doesn’t work anymore. You’re looking at him, standing in front of you -but somehow you still can’t see him. What?

“I like you, y/n.”

Your mind is reeling, adrenaline rising.

No, he’s confessing to the wrong person.

Is this a good or bad feeling? I don’t know...

Sunwoo doesn’t notice your reaction, too shy and focusing on the trees instead of your face.

“I realized it when we stopped meeting. That I missed your company .”

Your voice is quiet. “Suddenly?”

He scratches the back of his neck. “Yes, but you’ve always been in my head. I just didn’t want to admit it because she was in there for so long. I didn’t want to give her up, and I didn’t want to move on. But then I met you, and suddenly I wasn’t missing her so much.”

You swallow, preparing to say something in return, but sunwoo quickly speaks up a second time, hand on his chest.

“But-! Uh, you’re not a replacement for her. It’s different. How I feel. I really do like you.”

Sunwoo doesn’t know how you snuck your way into his heart, letting him breathe fresh air and become anew. He’s only ever liked one person for so long -kept space for only her deep in his heart, that’s why he couldn’t figure out it was you who stole it.

He repeats the confession, this time sounding more confident and assertive.

When you don’t say anything back, he begins panicking. Was I wrong? Did I only assume-?

“Sunwoo,” you start, looking at him uncertainly.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think I could like you too..”

Sunwoo doesn’t get his hopes up just yet, waiting for the catch. There’s always one.

“But maybe we should wait. Give each other a little space and time apart, I mean. For you to completely get over her and for me to figure and sort everything out. I think that would be best for us,” you finish in a whisper.

You’re scared. At his reaction -his current thoughts.

“Okay.”

You quickly look up at him, startled.

There’s a strange easy and light smile on his face. “I get it. I’ll wait for you. I’ve done a lot of waiting, so I can do it for a little more.”

Your heart almost breaks when he says that, but you know it’s for the best.

Just give me some time, please.

ꔫ

When you said a little space, you didn’t mean two days.

And you sure weren’t expecting him to show up at your dance studio.

“Sunwoo? What are you doing here???”

“Ah, well, l thought we could just walk home together. I-I’ll walk you home, I mean..”

Your whole body aches, and you feel a tiny bit annoyed, but you still can’t find it in your heart to reject him. And so sunwoo takes you back home.

After that day, he would go almost everytime to pick you up whenever you had dance practice. Sometimes you would go with him, and sometimes you wouldn’t. (but 98% of the time you couldn’t reject him). Maybe you felt a little bad, but sunwoo seemed so happy and excited whenever he saw you, you just couldn’t not go with him.

You still had plenty of moments apart. Sunwoo would only ever walk you home and chat, the occasional grabbing food and drinks on the way back. (You didn’t consider them big enough to be dates-not yet, at least.)

Every time he would wait and stand in the waiting room, a bunch of the other dancers would be either fangirling over him or teasing you two whenever you came out to meet him.

You totally did not feel that wave of jealousy after seeing all of the staring girls. But you were very satisfied to see the looks on their faces when sunwoo would ignore them and go straight to you.

And you won’t lie -it felt nice. To have sunwoo waiting for you every day, even though you could reject him at any moment.

You would never.

Even though technically you two were on a ‘break that wasn’t really considered a break’, your time alone was mostly taken up by the upcoming dance show.

It was just a little showcase. But of course, sunwoo insisted on going.

You were the most nervous you’ve ever been -the most nervous sunwoo had ever seen you. It had been a while since you last performed, and for some reason, you felt so different preparing this time around, which is why you basically lived at the studio for a month.

The day of the show finally arrives, and you want to pull your own hair out. Sunwoo was only able to see you briefly before you were dragged along to rehearsals, and in that short time, he shot you a thumbs up, and you sent a small, extremely nervous smile back.

When your name was called, and you walked onto the stage, heart almost bursting out of your chest, somehow you were able to find sunwoo in the crowd.

It lasted for a second, but you were able to capture his excited but still reassuring eyes cheering you on, the clapping and yells coming from his mouth.

And that’s how you were able to perform beautifully, dance to the greatest extent. The feeling of fulfillment when you finished along with the immediate applause and sunwoo’s loud hollers sparked something inside.

That could be why you didn’t care. Didn’t care about jumping off the stage and running over to sunwoo, the shocked look on his face making you laugh.

But he still holds his arms out, and you basically fly into them.

Sunwoo lets out a grunt, holding you tight as you laugh and bury your face into his shoulder.

He pulls back, eyes sparkling. “You did amazing. I’m so proud of you.”

You're unable to form any words back, only able to stare into his eyes.

His face is a lot closer than you realized...

You can feel your heartrate rising again.

Sunwoo leans in, you think? and your eyes close even though you’re not sure what’s even going on.

“Y/n!!! Great job!!”

You snap out of your daze, turning around to see who it was.

Sunwoo curses the random guy -he thinks it’s the director of the show or whatever. He doesn’t care at all for the person that rudely interrupted your moment together.

And when you follow the director after, totally distracted with the aftermath of the show and leaving sunwoo behind, he can only pout.

Maybe next time...

ꔫ

You finally got to sleep. Properly. The show left in the back of your head, set there as a significant memory to stay forever.

After you start getting back into the groove of normal dance practices, Sunwoo comes to pick you up as usual.

But today was not a usual day.

“Sorry Sunwoo, I have someone to meet today. Maybe Thursday?”

You frown at his obviously fallen face. Hopping in front of him, you pout cutely.

“Don’t be sad, I’ll see you soon. And we can get food too!”

He stands there, frozen.

Checking the time, you realize ‘shit-you’re gonna be late.’

“Bye, sunwoo. Don’t forget Thursday!!” You wave goodbye, running along.

Sunwoo gives five minutes to compose himself. Even though he desperately wants to fall on the ground and roll in agony from what you did to his heart, he simply breathes in, out.

He’s for sure disappointed he isn’t able to walk you home, but after that cute act.... sunwoo thinks he can let it go. Only for today.

The mysterious place you were supposed to be at was a cafe. (a nice one with also great reviews online.) You run in, lighting up when you spot the person you invited out.

“Hi! How have you been?”

You offer a small smile. “Doing well. And you?

Sunwoo’s- well, you suppose former crush now- beams. “Good! What about sunwoo? I-uh, haven’t seen him recently.” The knowing look in her eye makes you nervously laugh.

“He’s fine too. I didn’t tell him about our meeting today. Did you?”

“Oh, no- don’t worry. It’s a secret between us!”

You’re pleased, but the reason you asked to meet was not for small talk.

“Well, I’m not sure if you know the reason I asked you out here..”

She nods, waiting.

“But basically, I knew about Sunwoo’s longtime crush on you. The funny thing is, I was actually trying to help him win you over... but that obviously did not happen.”

She bursts out laughing, and eventually, you join in too.

“Wow, I’m sorry,” her tone turns more serious.

“But yeah. I was... really shocked, to say the least. That he liked me. I honestly never thought of him like that, and I’m guessing you know about the dates that we went on then?”

You nod sheepishly.

“That was also really strange for me. It was just a lot, you know? And my ex also came back from overseas -you met him that one time. So there was just a lot of feelings going on all at once.”

She takes your hand, squeezing it gently.

“And even though I don’t like sunwoo that way, I’m glad that you’re here for him. I can tell you two really like each other. Even though it wasn’t your original intentions.”

Those words strangely comfort you. Like the chained truth you already knew was finally released.

“I don’t mean to pry,” you start, “but what’s up with you and your ex then? I saw you two were out and around together?”

You don’t fail to notice her reddening cheeks. “Ah, about that... He just came back so suddenly... and right as I got over him. but we’re spending more time together, and ugh, I don’t know.”

The smile on her face says otherwise. It makes you smile as well.

“I wish you luck, then.”

“And I wish you luck with sunwoo too!”

You weren’t expecting to gain a new friendship that day as well.

ꔫ

Now that everything seemed cleared and out of the air, you had more time.

To think. Reflect. Focus on what your ideal life is like.

Is it one that includes Kim Sunwoo? Waking up next to him, having the ability to make fun of him 24/7, being able to press your lips onto his whenever, wherever?

And when the answer finally comes, it’s another sunny afternoon with Sunwoo waiting for you after class.

The day was nice. And you feel nice too, strangely happy. He notices.

“What’s got you looking so upbeat for? Is it seeing my face?”

“No,” you happily respond, laughing at his offended face.

“It’s nothing. Let’s just go to the park.”

He’s confused but smiling as well.

“Okay. How was your day?”

You chat along the walk to the park.

“-did I make you wait long? What time did you get to the studio?”

He frowns, taking the phone out of his pocket to check the time. Your legs stop working when you see what his lock screen is.

“Sunwoo?”

He grunts.

“Is your lock screen... a picture of us?”

He fiddles with the back of his neck. “Oh, yeah. Changmin sent that picture of us at the restaurant to me, and then I-uh changed it.”

You try, oh so hard, to fight that bashful smile attempting to break free on your face. Thank goodness sunwoo was walking a few steps ahead.

ꔫ

When you arrive, sunwoo finds a bench, and you plop down next to him with a content sigh, staring at the view.

You purposely picked this park because of its location, higher up so it overlooked the city. It was peaceful and beautiful, above all the commotion.

“You know Sunwoo, I think I found what I want to do.”

He looks at you, curious. “Which is?”

“I want to dance.”

“But you already do that?”

“Yes, you’re right. But I also want to teach others too. Like a dance instructor. That day when I taught you that routine was fun.”

“Are you sure it wasn’t fun because you were with me?” You flick him playfully.

“What about you then? Did you ever meet up with your ex-crush after that whole mess?”

Sunwoo scoffs, looking down. “It wasn’t a mess...” he mumbles.

“No... it was,” you wish to say, but your lips remain zipped.

“But yeah. We made up. I’m glad that she’s still my friend and our relationship is better now. To be honest, I think I’ve known since the beginning that she never liked me that way. I just was too scared and prideful to admit it.”

“Well, isn’t that a good thing?” His eyebrow quirks up at your words.

“What do you mean?”

“That you never stopped liking her.”

He looks at you, truly confused.

“Because you got to meet me.“

You expect him to retort back with something mocking back but he actually looks down at his shoes, smiling. “Yeah, you’re right.”

You lean back on the bench, relaxed and peaceful.

“Anyways, what about you? Did you find a passion or dream you wanna pursue?”

“Actually, I did.”

You sit up. “Really?”

He suddenly looks shy. “I kinda want to get into producing. Music.”

You look at him, interested.

“After we met up at your dance place, it made me think of my old trainee life.”

You cut him off. “Wait- I never asked why you quit being a trainee.”

“Oh. I just fell out of it. Being an idol just didn’t seem like it was for me anymore. But after seeing you reach your dancing dreams, it made me inspired. I started writing lyrics and rapping again for fun. Then I realized I really liked it. And producing music was always a hobby,” Sunwoo continues to ramble on.

You listen with a soft smile. And he eventually notices, stopping his tangent. “What is it?”

Smile growing, you tilt your head to the side and state, “I support you. You should totally do it.”

Sunwoo feels warmth bloom in his chest. Another reason for him to fall in love with you even more. Yes, he was sure that he loved you. But sunwoo didn’t want to say it just yet.

He was waiting for you.

“Thank you, y/n.”

You nod, suddenly picking at your fingers distractedly.

“But I don’t know... I think right now I just really want to go out with you, Kim Sunwoo.”

He chokes on air, looking around almost as if to make sure this is actually reality before taking your hand. “What-no. Are you serious?”

“Yes. Let’s go on a date.”

You say it so casually he thinks he must’ve misheard you or whatever. But he didn’t.

For you, it just happened. The night before you were laying in bed, and he just popped up in your dream. A wonderful dream that was like your ideal life came true-even when sunwoo appeared you didn’t question it one bit. A dream where you were able to remember everything fully when you woke up this morning.

And so it was decided. It had to be it, right? You definitely liked the troublemaker Kim Sunwoo.

When you look away at some point, he pumps a fist in the air, elated and barely restraining a yell of happiness.

You turn around. “Are you alright?”

He quickly straightens up. “Yep. Good. Just fine. Doing great, actually.”

You smile, eyes crinkling. “Okay.”

But you couldn’t suppress the feeling,

-of hunger. Today was a long practice, and you needed energy.

“Sunwoo, let’s go. I’m hungry.” You take his arm, trying to pull him up.

He easily gets up, adjusting his hold on your hand. But you don’t mind.

This has to be a dream right? Sunwoo thinks. The happiness he feels from seeing you-a once stranger that he poured all his feelings out to-turn into someone he trusts with his life, his heart.

Walking down the sidewalk together, you speak up.

“Did I make you wait too long?”

He scoffs, free hand raised to his face in a supposedly cool expression. “Nah, if it’s you, I could wait forever.”

You cringe, letting go of his hand in an instant.

He almost immediately protests.

You wanted to shut him up. There was one way that you believed would be very effective. It just took a little preparation.

Gathering the confidence, you kiss him on the cheek, mid-protest.

Sunwoo’s surprised expression makes you laugh. But that laugh is cut short when he suddenly pulls you closer, your noses barely touching.

You can feel your heart pounding- he can probably feel your heart pounding. But it’s okay because his is too.

When he leans in the tiniest amount, your eyes flutter shut, holding your breath and waiting.

Until he starts chuckling softy, and you peek an eye open.

It makes your face heat, the way he stares at you with such adoration, and possibly love?

You huff, turning and beginning to walk away. “If you’re not gonna kiss me, then just leave.”

You hear his protests but also his laughter that echo through your body.

“I didn’t know you were such a baby,” he comments, snatching your hand and spinning you around once more so his arms can encompass you.

His eyes bore into yours, occasionally flicking down to your mouth and back up again.

Maybe you were just a little impatient, so you lean in, just barely hovering over his lips.

His grip around you tightens. Who’s the baby now?

And then he finally closes the gap, letting his soft lips glide over yours.

It’s just... Sunwoo. All you can see, even with your eyes closed, is him. All you can feel is him. Everything is sunwoo.

And you think you love it.

When you break the kiss reluctantly a couple of seconds later, sunwoo’s eyes flick open, staring back at you indignantly.

“What? Let’s go eat. I said I was hungry.”

“Was this not enough?” he grins cheekily.

You slowly lean into his ear, whispering, “No, it wasn’t.”

You grin at the way he shivers, your warm breath tickling his ear.

“That’s why we’re going to get food now. And you’re paying as usual,” you finish, basking in the fact that Sunwoo is rendered speechless.

You like how your hand easily finds his, fitting perfectly together as you drag him along.

Wherever you go, I’ll go with you.

Wherever you fall, I’ll pick you back up.

Wherever you can’t, I’ll love you instead.

taglist: @elcie-chxn @00seonu @mochinyu

a/n: if you made it to the end of this, i sincerely applaud and thank you :) after the end of that drama i couldn’t stop my feelings and had to write this but then it kinda turned into a whole fic 🤡

also can’t believe i wrote this much-sunwoo constantly in the brain 😶.

#ig we'll never find out the secret between reader and sunwoo's sister o.o?#the boyz #kim sunwoo #sunwoo #the boyz sunwoo #sunwoo x reader #kim sunwoo x reader #sunwoo scenarios #sunwoo imagines #the boyz x reader #the boyz imagines #the boyz scenarios #kim sunwoo scenarios #kim sunwoo imagines #sunwoo fluff

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raspberry-arev · 3 years

Text

After the Flood (a.k.a. bicci fic)

Hello friends! Some of you may remember that back in... er, who knows, I was writing a Bicci Proposal Fanfic. However, school and lack of motivation got in the way, and essentially, I forgot it existed. Until now. It's done, it's ready, it's here for you to read in whole! (I posted half of it before, but I can't find the thing.)

Characters: Jimmy Kaga-Ricci, Lister Bird, Rowan Omondi, OC (Abby Omondi), Angel Rahimi

Themes: older Ark, marriage proposal, coming out, grand gestures, The Ark Revival Tour, and peak Bicci romance (hopefully)

TWs: mentions of recovery from addiction, anxiety, food

Word count: 9k

JIMMY

It’s often impossible to pinpoint what exactly set off an event – or perhaps multiple – that changed your life as you knew it.

That was not Jimmy’s case, however. He remembered that Barbecue Saturday very well.

This time, it was Rowan and his spouse Abby who hosted. The two couples took turns and Jimmy was oh so grateful for it; the idea of managing Lister’s chaotic culinary experiments more than twice in one summer filled him with dread.

On Saturday morning, Jimmy and Lister packed up and drove all the way to the suburbs of London where Rowan and Abby lived. The sun was bright, everything gleamed buttery yellow, and Jimmy managed to talk Abby into letting him set the table and carry in all the food instead of her, which was quite an accomplishment. She was about as stubborn as her husband.

They rarely invited more than three extra people though. Being in the public eye in your formative years made you appreciate small gatherings of trustworthy people. And one of those proved to be Angel. Or, you know, Feresteh, but her nickname really stuck with them. From that time Jimmy nearly quit the band and Lister impaled himself and almost drowned in mud… yeah, call that a wild youth.

Over ten years later, they were hardly the same people.

After they decided to quit being The Ark for their own wellbeing and safety, Rowan kept his place in the music industry as a songwriter, producer and a solo artist. He went with the name Le Monde, a play on his surname as well as French for “the world”. It suited him. He was the world, never small, never just one thing.

Lister stopped being involved in music after a few collabs. While he was figuring out what to do next, he took a few modelling jobs, acted in music videos and got a small part in a sitcom. Jimmy used that time to get a college degree, but found he just wouldn’t be able to get the usual “college experience” he yearned for, and only got his diploma after doing classes long-distance.

Jimmy and Lister also got together. After many failed attempts at courtship and pretending being friends with benefits was enough… they got together. To Jimmy, it felt like it was inevitable; they have acted like partners long before it was official, they just needed to clean up their own messes before they could be a couple. It wouldn’t have felt right back then, but it did now.

Rowan was already at the grill preparing meat and wrapping camembert in shiny aluminium foil when Angel marched in, tall, elegant, beaming. Jimmy loved to see her again. Each time, she seemed a little more confident, more expressive, more… just more. She really did find her calling in the music industry, just as much as he found his tucked away in rural England with his boyfriend.

Yet, he was to be “tucked away” no longer.

At a certain point, their group fell momentarily silent; everyone was chewing their meal and soaking in the sun. Then Angel said, in an unfamiliar, cautious tone: “You see, I was talking to a couple of people…”

Rowan exchanged a quick look with Jimmy. “Go on,” he said.

“It’s gonna be ten years since you guys disbanded, you know.”

“I know,” Jimmy echoed.

“So. I was thinking. Hear me out, even if you think it’s bollocks…” Angel shot them a look, and then made a motion with her hand as if she was presenting them with something. “Have you ever thought of doing a revival concert?”

As Rowan did a theatrical “errrm”, Jimmy saw straight through his best friend’s bullshit: the two of them rehearsed this conversation. He knew Ro for most of his life, who did he think he was fooling?

His mind offered the answer quickly: Abby, perhaps. He wants to see how she would react, doesn’t he? Rowan would love to do a revival show like that, no doubt, but he valued his wife’s opinion too much to make a decision without her.

He felt movement on his left, and looked Lister in the eyes.

“Well,” said Lister, looking at him. “Wow, okay,” said Jimmy. Both were considering.

Angel swiftly picked up, “Just wanted to run this idea by you. Not because it’s me who would love to see you play once more – I mean, of course I would – but it’s expected to have an amazing turn-out.”

“Obviously, they’re The Ark,” Abby commented matter-of-factly.

“You’re right, Abby. So, guys? How are we feeling about this?”

It was bizzare. Normally, Jimmy would have expected to say he wasn’t at all interested – the boyband life was not for him anymore, tough luck – but recently, he felt a strong sense of nostalgia surge through him as the ten year mark got closer. He found himself reaching for his old guitar way more often, strumming at it, looking for something between the strings he could not reach.

Maybe he could do it just once.

What eventually came out of his mouth was… “I haven’t sung like that for a long time though.”

“You sing to me,” Lister contradicted him, his fingers intertwining with his. “All the time.”

Jimmy felt his face get hotter. “That’s hardly… Are you thousands of people?” He turned to Angel. “How many are we talking, anyway?”

She smiled a kind smile. “I don’t know, Jimmy, that depends on whether you three are up to it or not.”

Rowan cleared his throat. “Personally speaking, I think I wouldn’t mind, as long as we are just doing it once, and not trying for a comeback. I wouldn’t go there.”

“Same,” Lister nodded. “I love you guys, but I’m fine the way things are.”

“Right,” said Rowan firmly. “But… just this once, I mean, why not? We could use some extra money.” With this, he gently let his palm rest on Abby’s belly that swelled under her summer dress like a balloon. (Jimmy fought the urge to aww at them.)

Abby immediately assured him they were more than fine financially, but Rowan barely listened, clearly waiting for his former bandmates to say something. Jimmy felt Lister looking at him, unwavering. So he turned to him and asked, “What do you think? Cool or not?”

“I’m waiting for you to say.”

“Why?”

“Don’t want you to feel pressured or anything.”

“You shouldn’t… Just say what your opinion is!”

“You express your opinion,” Lister retorted, pretending to square his shoulders as a threat. Jimmy lovingly nudged him, and to stop being annoying to the remaining three people at the table, he shrugged, “It doesn’t sound so bad. One concert. I mean, we are still friends after all this time, so why not?”

“In that case, I would love to be the centre of attention again!” Lister exclaimed and gave Jimmy a boyish grin. “The crowd was deprived of my looks for too long.”

“Buddy, you were the drummer,” Rowan said. “Bold of you to assume anyone even looked at you with me and Jimmy jumping at the front.”

Jimmy snorted with laughter, but Lister was quick to defend himself. “Google all Lister Bird slash Reader fanfic and then we can talk about who got noticed, buddy.”

“Oi, you’re not even properly revived yet, stop fighting!” Angel called out, but laughter started bubbling from every direction before she even finished the sentence.

They had a proper business meeting about it in two weeks. And then another and another. When they announced the first date, the sales went through the roof. Jimmy had to get off of social media because the internet exploded with their names and faces. But he sort of found it a bit sweet, that so many people stuck around for them, like old friends that he never had the chance to talk to. One concert became three and then five, which was, honestly, more like a small tour at that point. Jimmy fought to call it After the Flood and won.

LISTER

“You really shouldn’t do that, you know. This bitch is hard to get rid of.”

Rowan tried to hide a small cough and put out his cigarette on the metal window sill next to him. “Hey,” he greeted Lister. “Didn’t expect you to come out here.”

“Yeah.” Lister found it hard to hang around smokers, and unfortunately, he met quite the number of them while they were in the process of rehearsing. “I wanted to talk to you.”

“What’s up?”

“Can we walk, like, over there? So… nobody can hear us through the door?”

Rowan eyed him suspiciously, but he followed him to the railing on the edge of the roof. There, he turned to him, seeming to fight himself.

“I’m really looking for a less shitty way to ask this,” he admitted eventually. “But… What have you done now, Lister?”

Lister felt a sort of numbed cramp seize his stomach for a second. It took a lot not to let anger overcome him. They were well over thirty, how the hell was Rowan still treating him like a fuck up? But no. This was more important than old grudges.

“Nothing! As of yet,” he assured his bandmate.

“Okay…?”

“Right. So. Erm. Nobody is here, right? Fine. I had this idea… you know, Jimmy and I have been together for a long time and I obviously care about him a lot, I always have, you kind of know that…”

“Yes, go on,” he pushed on gently.

“Fuck it. I want to fucking propose!”

A giant weight fell off his shoulders when he spoke those words aloud. It was like coming out all over again, god.

Rowan’s eyes twinkled. “Oooh,” he almost whispered, “and you need my help with that? I’m your man, tell me the plan!”

“There is none right now.”

“Oh, okay. I can still help if you want.”

This was another part Lister dreaded discussing.

“I… okay, so, I was thinking of… doing it on stage?”

His friend’s face changed rapidly.

Lister’s dream of a grand proposal to the love of his life in brilliant stage lights and the roars of the audience faded away. “That’s a no? That’s a no. Shit, forget it then.” He felt sick.

“Lister, I’m absolutely positive you mean well,” Rowan started. “But Jimmy would-“

Speak of the devil.

The door opened and out of it peaked Jimmy’s unshaven face. “Oh! There you both are.”

Rowan froze for a second. Lister was ready to improvise. “Alright, so how about I come by yours after practice and you transfer the files to me?” He smiled, but impaled Rowan with a meaningful look.

Fortunately, he caught on. “Oh yeah, yeah, that could work.”

“What files?” Jimmy inquired as he joined them, oblivious.

“Rowan has some of our old drafts still saved. I was thinking of squeezing in a drum solo somewhere, maybe with spoken word over it?”

“Sounds cool,” Jimmy smiled at him and slightly brushed the back of his hand with Lister’s. “Anyway, Dick the Sound Guy wants us all in there immediately.”

“Stop calling him that or I’ll have a Freudian slip at some point,” Lister laughed and guided Jimmy back into the building. Him and Rowan managed to exchange a subtle nod over the shorter man’s head.

JIMMY

As they were packing up that day, Jimmy tried incredibly hard to catch Rowan alone. Just like the old times when he needed to discuss something personal. And yet again, it involved Lister. Jimmy felt young and stupid again, but not really in a good way.

Finally, he managed to stop him while he was putting away the equipment. Lister was meanwhile in the office of their temporary new manager. “Ro, I need advice!” he whispered to his best friend.

“What about?”

“It’s Lister.”

“Oh dear Jesus, I’m having flashbacks.”

“Don’t be a dick, it’s important.”

“Okay then, tell me.”

“It kind of involves you too. Just… tell me if it’s a good idea.”

“Go on!”

“I want to, uh… I want to tell people Lister and I are a couple…” He took a breath. “Which means I would be coming out as gay as well, probably. I know that’s, like, a huge pile of drama, so if you don’t want me to complicate the tour, just say it, it’s honestly kind of irresponsible when I’m thinking about it now…”

“Jimbob. Easy.” Rowan waited for a second for Jimmy to wind down, leaning on a stack of five chairs, and then asked, “Are you really sure about it? Do you want people to know?”

Jimmy felt his thoughts humming in his head. He forced himself to say exactly how he felt.

“I know it’s gonna sound super dramatic, but I don’t want to die not saying it,” he explained slowly. “It became really important to me… I don’t know when. But it did. Talking about this part of me, too. I’m just worried about what Lister might say.”

“So I take it that you didn’t discuss this?”

“No way. I don’t even know how to start!” Jimmy exploded in loud whispering. “I should have talked to him a long time ago, but I just didn’t have the balls.”

“I get that, but… just bring it up. Like, theoretically. What if. I think he’s going to support you through it.”

“How could he?”

“What are you even saying at this point?

“You think he would like people sticking their nose in our personal business? I feel like it’s so unfair to him and his privacy… And I feel terrible about still wanting to do it… even though it’s inconsiderate. It’s all a fucking mess.”

“Okay, okay.” Rowan massaged his nose. He looked like he was trying incredibly hard not to snap at Jimmy and be at least somewhat encouraging. “Look, no spoilers, but I am going to say this. Lister absolutely will notbe mad and he will want to talk about the two of you if you give him the chance. That is all.”

“Wait, what? Ro, did he tell you something?”

“I am not talking!”

“Is that how you treat your best friend in a life crisis?!”

“You’re putting me in a life crisis, don’t you dare play the pity card! I swear, the two of you are a nightmare.”

“Rowan! Come back!”

LISTER

His visit to Rowan’s place was very brief, but it was enough for him to understand Rowan’s concerns. Eventually.

Lister explained that it didn’t feel appropriate for him to just whip out a ring in a restaurant: Jimmy was his love, his dream boy, as cliché as it sounded, and he wanted to do something that would measure up to all he was feeling. Which was… well, a whole lot. Like a “get down on one knee in front of thousands of people” lot.

And yet.

“It’s all great, and I’m sure there are people in the world that would love it, but we are talking about Jimmy.”

“Come on. I know, he’s private about… well, everything, but…”

“That, yes,” Rowan pointed at him while holding a can of coke, “but don’t you think this proposal on stage would be an anxiety-inducing situation? Because to me, that sounds like a lot of pressure and nerves.”

“He hasn’t had attacks since we moved and he went on those meds.”

“That doesn’t really –“

“Matter. Yeah. Yeah, I get your point, mate, he would die of shock. And everybody watching him. Fuck, I’m stupid.”

“No, you’re not,” Rowan grinned. “The two of you are just different… in some aspects. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

Will I? Lister asked himself as he was driving back to the hotel that Jimmy and him were staying at for the time being. This was the only thing I came up with, like, ever.

When he swept his key card over the sensor and the door to their suite opened, he was greeted by the smell of dinner. He took a look into their little kitchen and found his boyfriend sitting at the table with his laptop. He didn’t notice him for a second, so Lister came up behind him and hugged him tightly.

Jimmy yelped.

“Where’s the food?!” Lister shook him a little, imitating Batman.

“Your hands are so cold!” Jimmy protested, but there was a trace of laughter in his voice. “On the stove, you bully!”

Lister almost flew over there, looking under the lid on the pot.

“Pasta,” Jimmy shrugged. “I needed my comfort food, so that’s that for you.” Lister smiled and thanked him, because yes, he was starving. Pasta was Jimmy’s go-to meal to cook, as it was quick to make and he was a pasta-sauce prodigy.

While his dinner was heating up in the microwave, Jimmy made small-talk about the supposed unused lyrics Rowan and him exchanged. Lister found it hard to lie to him, so he just turned to playful teasing, telling Jimmy to stop sniffing around, he’ll hear it when the time comes.

“Oh come on,” Jimmy huffed. “I’m just asking! And it’s my show, too. Spill it.”

“Sorry. Totally gonna steal your spotlight.”

“Lister, just tell me what it is.”

“A song.”

“What song?”

“A song that you have to wait for.”

“Babe, what song?!”

Lister took him by the waist and pulled him against his body. “Are you trying to ‘babe’ me into telling you right now? Is that what’s happening? Right in front of my pasta?” He went in for a kiss, and Jimmy tried to murmur something against his lips… but then he gave up. They leaned into each other and kept kissing until Lister pulled away to open the microwave. He got himself a fork and went to sit down after the long day, but Jimmy stayed there, right next to the sink. Looking a bit like he was going to hurl.

Before Lister could ask if he’s okay, Jimmy sat down on the other chair with a determined look on his face.

“There is something I need to discuss!” he blurted out.

Lister cautiously dropped the fork back into the bowl. “Okay…? And it’s something to do with me, yeah?”

“Yep. A lot to do with you.” He was visibly nervous. He clasped his hands together, as if Lister would have not noticed. “I… I was thinking about this one thing, and I need your opinion about it.”

“Cool. Go for it.”

“It’s about our relationship.”

“Are you aware you sound very sinister right now?”

He wildly shook his hands as if he wanted to dry them off. “Sorry, didn’t mean to,” he apologized in a strained voice. Then he cleared his throat, sharply lifted his eyes towards Lister’s and exclaimed, “I would like to reveal that we’re together.”

Lister felt everything about his face go lax in shock. He opened his eyes round and wide, his mouth followed, and Jimmy looked like he would faint.

“I, er. I just. I thought about it and I think it’s a decent idea and – please say something, Lister, before I get a fucking heart attack right now.”

It must have been so hard for him to speak up. Lister thought of his proposal plans and felt his mouth slowly form a smile. “I think it’s… brilliant! Yes, I would really like to do that!”

“Wait, really?”

“This is – I didn’t think you would want to, when did you change your mind?”

Jimmy shrugged, grinning in a sheepish way that made him look much younger. And cuter. “I thought I just… wanted to be open about this part of my life. Figured it’s time to say we are together. But if you, like, don’t feel like it, then…”

Lister beamed. “I feel like it. If you do, I do, trust me.” He walked around the table and lifted Jimmy into a hug. He laughed, relieved.

This was when it dawned on Lister… it was not such an easy matter. Exciting, yes, but it would gather all kinds of attention. He leaned onto the table, grabbed his dinner and him and Jimmy started talking about the situation it would put them in. If both are truly okay with it, how much would they reveal, when is the best time to do it. They kept talking through the bathroom door and while they were changing into pajamas in their bedroom.

As they were laying down and Lister gestured Jimmy to crawl into his arms, they became quieter. “You know why I also want to say it?” Jimmy mumbled, lying on the soft linen with one eye open.

“I’m all ears.”

“If I have to see one more article about which model or actress you’re screwing, I’m gonna lose the remaining marbles that I have.” Lister started chuckling as Jimmy awkwardly added, “Which is, admittedly, not many. Most have been lost in my youth.”

“Oh no,” Lister laughed and turned Jimmy’s face upwards to his. “So this just in: my boyfriend is possessive. Fancy that.”

“I’m not, it’s… I am… Oh, you hated Jowan, stop being smug.”

“I know I did, we both know. But jealous Jimmy? That’s a rare sight.”

“It’s just super uncomfortable. It’s all women, as well.”

“Heteronormativity is a bitch,” Lister nodded. He snuggled closer and let out a breath, “Don’t worry though. I am exclusively your problem.”

Jimmy kissed him, smiling. Lister felt lightheaded. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against Jimmy’s. He loved this – he loved how much he felt for him after so long they have been together. It never ceased or faded away… because it was Jimmy.

Lister was pretty sure he would love him until his last day on Earth.

It was time to start looking for a ring.

JIMMY

Not much later, they had a team meeting scheduled with all the important people at their recording company that were involved with their tour. Jimmy and Lister announced their intention to come out during the tour, and with Rowan’s full support, it wasn’t too hard to win the producers over. Jimmy had anticipated the PR people would deem it overly risky to their image, but they were fairly chill. As Rowan had put it, “As if anything about The Ark was ever about pandering to conservatives.”

They agreed that their demographic is absolutely different, and before they knew it, they were being ignored while people were exchanging speculations about how it all could help them promote the tour.

“If they do it on, like, the second show…”

“…we could sell some extra tickets after… another wave…”

“…that would probably be a good time to release a single, something related to…”

Jimmy felt something in his chest sink. This is why they left. These people took something good, something from their hearts and souls, and wanted to turn it into money. Some part of him understood, that’s how business works, but mostly, he just felt really sad for them.

“Oi!” Lister exploded over the chatter. “Sorry, but we are still here, and – Could you maybe not act like this coming out is a marketing tactic?!”

The room went briefly silent.

Jimmy squeezed his hand under the table to say a silent thanks. Then he choked out, “That’s not why we’re doing it!”

Their producer looked at them over the top of her reading glasses.

“Of course it’s not, love,” she cooed. “But to say it bluntly, I think you need all the help you can get.”

After many weeks and many briefings, they had agreed on making the announcement on the third show. Right in the middle of tour. Everybody was nervous, expectant, but there was this air of hopefulness when Jimmy and Lister ended up alone together. The glimmer in his partner’s eye when their eyes met promised something… no, it was not living absolutely openly, they still wanted privacy. But it felt like they were sealing something.

This was not an easy coming out.

But they were in for it. Together.

LISTER

“Just so I know,” Rowan said as Lister was trying to take off his Doc Martens with all his might, “what did you tell Jimmy this time?”

“We’re still working on music.”

“We should really make something then, before you go. I am not gonna lie to my childhood best friend, y’know.”

Finally, the boot came off, and Lister got off the little cabinet in Rowan’s hall. Abby was already making tea, and when she saw him walk by the kitchen door, she just nodded at him. Lister smirked at her; she loved pretending to still be mad at him for taking Rowan to a strip club on his stag night. (Or was it dancing on the table at the wedding reception? Anyhow.)

Rowan sat him down in the lounge and started the conversation with: “So. The big reveal is getting closer. How are we feeling?”

“I – great, good. I’m fine, and Jimmy seems to be fine, so yeah, we’re fine.”

“But I assume that’s not what you need help with?”

“You assume right. I will need you to bear with me, though.”

“That sounds interesting,” Rowan retorted and flashed a smile at Abby who was bringing them two steaming mugs of earl gray. “And when I say interesting I mean impending doom, why thank you, Abby!”

“No problem.” She slowly leaned over, careful not to lose balance with her belly, and kissed him on the forehead. “I’ll be off for my swimming class then. You two behave, will you.”

As she was making her way to the hall, Lister jokingly remarked, “No goodbye kiss for me?”

She stopped in the middle of the room and exchanged a glance with Rowan. Rowan, stirring his tea with a teaspoon, said, “Please don’t kill him, I need him for the concert.”

“Come on, you guys, I was fully kidding. Goodbye, Abby,” he waved to her with a bright smile. “Enjoy your swimming stuff!”

“Thank you, will do.” She disappeared.

“Just a question!” he called after her. She came back with an eyeroll. “Is it, like, harder to swim when you are pregnant? Like, I don’t mean to insult you or anything, I’m just genuinely wondering.”

She, too, put aside her snarky façade for a second. “Actually, I go there because it’s relieving. The water makes you float, so the weight of the baby is taken off my back and legs for a little while.”

“Oh! That’s clever.”

“Thank you. The more you know, am I right?”

“You know what I was just thinking of?”

“Yeah? I really have to go.”

“When you’re swimming, you’re a human submarine for the baby.”

It seemed to take Abby a minute to realize what he was saying. Very slowly, she brought her palm to her forehead.

Rowan then didn’t make it much better by adding, “Since when does a submarine have water inside? That would defeat the purpose.”

Lister thought about it and then gasped. “So… right now, you are a reverse human submarine!”

Abby looked at them both, clearly lost for words. “I’ll just go…” She closed the lounge door behind her.

After a good ten minutes of Rowan half laughing and half chastising Lister for saying the things he says, Lister threw his hands up in the air and claimed they seem to have “traded their sense of humour for a marriage certificate” two years ago.

Rowan immediately followed: “Speaking of marriage, any updates on that? You and…?”

“Well, my friend, that is precisely what we need to talk about today.”

“Okay. The meeting is officially in session, go.”

“First: am I the only one that was really surprised by Jimmy wanting to make us public? Because I really didn’t expect that at all.”

“Yeah, I guess he’s still full of surprises, huh?”

“That he is. However, Ro, I was thinking, and I still want to do a proposal. No – let me finish, it’s not that straightforward. I spent a lot of time talking to Jimmy about what he wants and how he sees the future, and you were super right in saying that I should never put him on the spot like that. Being so exposed to the public when we were kids messed with us in a big way, all of us.”

Rowan snapped his fingers in agreement.

“The idea is… It would be a proposal before a proposal. Like… I don’t know, announcing that I have the intention of proposing to him soon. And asking him if he is okay with that, you know? If he’s okay with the idea of saying yes. That way,” Lister gesticulated with his hands, “he’s not forced right there to say yes, the eventual real proposal can be sort of expected, which would calm him down a bit, but still a surprise, because when is it going to happen? I’m not saying.”

Rowan stared at him for about three seconds. “That was… a whole thing, buddy.”

“Thoughts?”

“I’m just trying to wrap my head around this. Wait. You want to do a proposal before the actual proposal.”

“Yes.”

“On stage. At the same time you are announcing that the two of you are together?”

“No! I mean, I don’t think so. I thought like, more at the end, maybe.”

“Proposal before a proposal…”

“It’s clever, if you think about it.”

“To me, it just seems very extra, Lister. Which I know is your trademark, but –”

“No, but listen. I want to propose to Jimmy. He wouldn’t survive a big flashy proposal, but I still want to make it a big deal, because it is. Ergo, I announce that I want to spend the rest of my stupid little life with him and ask him if it is okay to propose to him one day, likely soon.”

Rowan’ expression changed. “That does make sense,” he said. “For the two of you, especially.”

“Okay then: dear dad, do I have your blessing?”

“Never call me that again. But yes.”

“You are the closest to being a father out of all of us.”

“That is not what it sounds like and you know it.”

JIMMY

The first show was an explosion of feeling and memories. Nauseous with anxiety, burdened with expectation and weak in the knees, Jimmy ran into his first appearance on the stage the same way he would run into the middle of the highway. The lights and screams and colours almost blew him to pieces and then glued him back together. His first words addressed to the crowd and the earth-shattering screams that came in answer woke something in him, a force of nature. The gig was rather small compared to those they ended on ten years ago, but the crowd loved them to pieces and oh, he felt so alive.

The second show was slightly bigger, yes, and their fans didn’t disappoint. Plenty of pride flags were chucked at him, and he waved them and gave them to his mates and it made him even more excited about what him and Lister were going to do the next time round. These people stayed with them for so long, this sea of faces that looked toward him… for many of them, he would be the representation they need, again.

He remembered being a young trans boy, questioning if there is a life, a future, for him. Where were all the queer adults? The trans adults? How could he imagine adult life if he had never seen someone like him live it?

There he was, now. Adult. Gay. Transgender. A lot of time, he still knew very little about what he was doing, but he had a boyfriend who knew equally little, and together, they might be just what some queer kid in the crowd yearns to see.

LISTER

It was D-Day. Christ and Mary, it was, and they were going to say it. Finally. The staff have been informed, the security has been strengthened, they did everything so that some fan wouldn’t try and knock them the fuck out…, but he was still incredibly nervous. Minutes before the show, among all the rush and flourish, he caught Jimmy and pulled him to the side, apologizing to a couple of sound guys securing some cables on the ground.

“How are you doing?” he blurted out.

“I’ll die, but maybe in a good way. You?”

“Same. Or I’ll throw up, in a bad way.”

“Wait really?”

“No, I’m sick, but not the vomiting kind.”

“Anxiety! Welcome to the club!” Jimmy shouted as he was being ushered away under the stage so he could come up on a platform.

More pushing, more ushering, and he stood next to Rowan.

Their intro – a dramatic organ solo as light flashed through the artificial fog like sunbeams – was rumbling all around them. The crowd was losing their minds. He didn’t know how, but he still heard Rowan whisper:

“Lister, promise me you won’t do the other thing today!”

“Told you I won’t, stop being patronizing!” he snapped back, but then it was their time, and they were on a stage, coming up from behind Jimmy, each on every side, acting astonished as they supposedly came down from Noah’s Ark onto new land.

Listed dared to put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder as they did so.

The show was on.

Here we go.

JIMMY

During the concert, he used every opportunity to interact with the audience that he had. It felt a bit manipulative at first – he wanted them to be up for a bit of talking, eventually – but then the feeling of guilt faded away. However complicated his relationship with the fans used to be, these people were the fans. They stayed loyal to them, they kept their music in their hearts, and came to this revival gig…

It would be okay, okay, okay.

When the last accords of the last song whizzed away into the night and he was thanking the crowd that stomped and cheered and waved signs in hope of an encore… he stopped at the front of the stage. Rowan strummed a few last cords on the guitar and fell silent.

He wished he had somewhere to sit down. His legs were shaking.

But he was not afraid. Not really.

“Now, you guys, these shows are very special for us. Because every single one of you, as we’re standing here and looking at each other, you have been waiting for so long…” His voice was drowned out by cheers. “For so long, you have not forgotten us, you came to our shows, you have been amazingly supportive, and I want to thank you, from the bottom of my heart!” He shouted the last few words as the sea of faces roared in joy.

When they calmed down again, he continued. “And because you are the ones that stuck with us… because of that, I would like to say a few things to you.

If you know about the days of my youth…” Pause as people laughed and shouted affirmations at him. “…you would probably remember that I was presumed to be in a relationship with a person that is standing on the stage with me, right now.”

It was good that only a few people cheered. But it made him sick to the stomach, still.

“Okay, no,” Rowan came in, and people applauded, and he pointed at them with a not-so-fake scolding look, “no, no, don’t you woo at me, young lady. This is so utterly not a thing! Jimmy has never left the friendzone!”

“Same here,” Jimmy laughed and patted Rowan across the back, maybe a little too hard, overcompensating. “Did you all, like, miss that Rowan came out as straight all those years ago?”

People were laughing. Nobody really cared, they just found it funny. Rowan claimed he was leaving it to Jimmy before “the PR team has me taken out”, and retreated a few steps, leaving Jimmy to face the crowd again.

Deep breaths, he told himself.

“What I wanted to say was that there was one thing that those people back then got right.” Breathe in, breathe out. “I am gay.”

Two seconds of silence and then an absolute thunderstorm of an applause. A rainbow pride flag landed at his feet and Jimmy took it, with meek laughter, and put it around his shoulders. He heard Rowan cheer and clap too, and for what felt like years, he couldn’t get a word in. He wished the whole world could be like this.

“I – gosh, thank you all, I’m not sure whether it was a surprise,” he finally managed to say, his voice breaking a little from surprise, “but yeah. I am a trans, gay man…” The hall exploded with joyous noise. “…and it’s not all that there is to me, but I’m here. And queer. Hello.”

He thought he was going to pass out. He had a clever segway prepared, but he couldn’t remember a word of it. This was the moment. He wanted to say it, but at the same time… How could he? It was so hard, why do things have to be so hard?

“The other… the second thing,” he said, gripping the pride flag. “It is that… wow, it’s hard. It’s that I am…” He felt himself turn around, and like a lost child call: “Lister?”

Lister climbed out from behind the drum set instantly. Nobody cheered, there were only confused whispers. Jimmy looked at him, asking for help without words, and he knew, as he always did. Jimmy found a place to look, above the crowd, beyond everything, as Lister stepped in and slowly took his hand.

“The second thing is that we are together,” Lister said, his voice steady.

And the crowd lost it.

There were people wailing in happy tears. Screaming at the top of their lungs. A dissonance of chanting their names, all at a different rhythm, before Rowan ran up to them and hugged them and spurred the crowd on, and they stood there wrapped in a pride flag, and Jimmy was kind of crying and leaning on Lister, and it was another half an hour of a pure mess, before they really left the stage with their ears buzzing and eyes wide.

Jimmy and Lister tumbled into a corner somewhere, and Jimmy had happy tears streaming down his cheeks and they were kissing and holding each other and shaking.

“Oh, I’m such a mess,” Jimmy laughed as he was smearing tears and foundation on his sleeve.

“And I love you so much,” Lister blurted out in a moment of raw honesty.

“Me too,” Jimmy took one of his hands and kissed the palm. “I love you so fucking much it’s unreal sometimes.”

LISTER

This was, hands down, the most jittery Lister got before a show. Ever.

Currently, he found himself sat at an old sofa in the dressing room, hands clasped and both legs involuntarily jumping up and down. Was it annoying? Likely. But he had to let his knees jump in such a vigorous way because if he hadn’t, his teeth might start clattering.

He hated that he couldn’t just be pumped and excited. He had to feel this unsettling, buzzing mess of an emotion. Anxiety, as Jimmy informed him. This is what it’s like for an anxious person, he said… except make it all the time and often for no real reason.

Lister shook his head a little.

His reason, too, was basically nothing. He knew. As if Jimmy would actually reject him or something…

Or would he?

Maybe he could? Oh God, maybe he could…

“Hey! You’re actually scaring me, what’s up with you?!”

Lister blinked in confusion. He saw Jimmy as he was making his way over. A half scolding, half worried look decorated his face.

He lowered his voice when he added: “The last time I saw you like this was when you had withdrawal symptoms. You can tell me if that’s what it is.”

“It’s not that. I’m fine,” Lister insisted. Crap, he was panicking too hard to actually come up with anything convincing. Come on, Bird, focus… He’s onto you…

“Actually,” Rowan’s voice travelled to them from the corner, “I just think we had weird coffee.”

“What? But you’re fine.”

“Yeah, well,” Rowan continued to make up a story, “we both got one, but I didn’t like the taste, it was too strong. Lister felt bad for throwing them out so he finished both of them, didn’t you?”

“Ye-Yes,” he finally caught on. Had to admit, Ro was impressive at this. Lister started to believe what their friend used to say: that he can lie very well, he just chooses not to. “I didn’t want to waste it. The coffee.”

“Lister,” Jimmy grunted in disbelief, hands on his hips. “That was a brilliant idea, you walnut! Look at yourself, you’re gonna be sick now!”

“I’m not.”

“You look it.”

“I’m just…” He rubbed his clammy hands together. “I’m just anxious I guess.”

“Well, no shit. Why do you think I avoid caffeine?” Jimmy sighed and dropped into a squat in front of Lister. He took Lister’s hands in his. “Seriously, are you okay? You’re not gonna have a heart attack, are you?”

“No, babe. I’m alright.” The last thing he wanted was for his boyfriend to be anxious too.

He looked down at Jimmy. The realization dawned on him, as he noticed that his partner dropped onto one of his knees to be more comfortable; very soon, the roles will be reversed. It will be Lister down on one knee, only Jimmy would be standing up in that case…

Okay.

Wow.

This is what true internal screaming felt like.

“You need water, as in now,” Jimmy decided and jumped up. “I’ll need you to drink at least three glasses before we start, that should help.”

He rushed out of the room to get hands on some water. Rowan and Lister looked at each other, the pretence gone.

“Alright?” Rowan nodded.

“I’m fucking choking, dude,” Lister replied.

It almost looked as if his friend was going to give him advice, or maybe say something generic and calming… but instead, Rowan let out a small laugh. Lister’s lips started twisting without him giving the command.

And then the two collapsed laughing. The pressure of this being the very last show and the knowledge of what Lister was about to do at the end of it were just the right recipe for hysterics.

Jimmy didn’t bother to ask twice what the joke was, as long as they promised they weren’t laughing at him.

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

As the concert was coming to an end and the crowd was cheering and chanting for an encore, Rowan seized the opportunity and called: “Alright, friends, we would like to indulge you in a little experiment! Can you join me at the front, Lister?”

Lister got out from behind the drum set and jogged to meet the rest of the group. Jimmy smiled, but his eyes studied both of them suspiciously. “What is this?”

Lister lazily raised his arms with the palms of his hands towards the crowd. “I have to admit, we kind of didn’t tell Jimmy what this is about. Sorry, my guy.” People laughed. Rowan signalled someone backstage, as Lister added: “But just so you don’t feel left out, you can have this triangle.” A nervous assistant handed Jimmy the instrument and ran off again.

Everybody was jeering and whistling, but there was an air of anticipation in the air.

“Oh wow, that’s generous of you,” Jimmy grimaced.

“I know, right? Anyhow.” Lister took a step forward, trying to calm himself. He could do this. He had acting jobs, he could absolutely pull this off.

He was Lister freaking Bird! He was the fan favourite!

“Dear audience, allow me to tell you a tale,” he addressed the crowd in his best narrator voice. A couple of screams rose from the crowd, but everyone else was listening intently. Behind him, Rowan started strumming a little melody on his guitar – one they created especially as a backdrop to Lister’s talk.

“I know this is a little unusual,” Lister admitted to the sea of people, “I know that you’re used to stories coming to you via this man’s voice,” he pointed at Jimmy, “and this man’s lyrics.” Rowan. “I know that I am just a simple drummer in this arrangement. But today, I will do the voice and the words. Because, well… Talking all the time is the one thing I am actually good at.”

That made the crowd laugh. Good. Great.

“But now, on with the story!” he exclaimed and made a motion with his hands as if he was showing them a canvas.

“Picture this. We are all fifteen, stuffed into a tiny studio in London,” he smiled, as if nostalgic. His voice flowed out of him in a steady melody, like the hum of a river. “We all had that awkward long hair phase – yes, I see some true veterans in the audience today. Good,” he smiled at a couple of girls in the front who seemed to know exactly which haircuts he meant. He raised his hands again. “I am sitting outside the recording room, behind the glass. On the other side, there’s Jimmy. I can see him clearly, I hope you can too,” he said, keeping his dreamy smile. “The giant black hoodie. The fringe almost hiding his eyes. Jimmy waits for the cue, bouncing up and down,” he chuckled as he swayed up and down on his toes, “and then starts singing the interlude in our first album. It’s only about two lines that we need to record, but I remember wishing it lasted longer. Obviously. Because his voice is amazing.”

The audience started yelling and swooning at once. Lister was honestly more okay looking at them than if he had to look at Jimmy and see what his reaction is.

Now, here comes the real cliché.

“But then,” he paused with real embarrassment in his voice, “then he looked up from under his hair… at me, with those big brown eyes… and asked me, if he was okay.”

Breathe in, and:

“My friends, that was the moment I have fallen for Jimmy Kaga-Ricci.”

A roar of screams started rising from the audience, when Rowan strummed dramatically on the guitar, as if something tragic had happened. Lister shot a look at Jimmy and found him laughing. Surprised, but amused.

Thank fuck. I’ve never told him that before.

On the outside, he theatrically turned to Rowan and scolded him: “I was just getting sentimental here?”

Rowan shrugged and strummed a more positive jingle. Everyone laughed and clapped. Lister was starting to enjoy this, actually. He sighed and walked forward onto a prolonged platform where Jimmy was usually stood on.

“Well, maybe my trusty assistant was right with the sound effects,” he admitted jovially. “Because my crush absolutely did not like me back for years. Hey, but that’s not to throw shade at the guy,” he added quickly to prevent any pitiful reaction that would make Jimmy feel bad. “Because you have to consider that I was and still am a bloody mess of a person.” That amused the listeners. Lister turned round, as he exclaimed. “I am the creator of problems, the maker of terrible decisions. We can all agree that Jimmy is a lovely lad…” He had to pause for the overwhelming reaction in support of that statement. “Yes, he is, but inflicting my teenage self upon him, that would just not be right.”

Jimmy suddenly clanked the metal stick against the triangle in an absolute cacophony to draw attention to himself. “Excuse me,” he called to Lister, “could you stop insulting yourself? I would enjoy that.”

A girl somewhere below them screamed as if she was getting murdered. They exchanged a quick glance, as if to say a little yikes, but then Lister laughed it off.

“Sorry, sorry,” he continued. “Through it all, Jimmy was always here for me. He was one of my first real friends. He was understanding when I needed it most, and ready to kick my ass when I needed it most.” He smiled at his boyfriend and hoped his voice is not shaking. “Look at you, Jimmy! I’m being embarrassing in front of hundreds of people and you still haven’t walked off stage.”

Jimmy laughed and lightly hit the triangle. He was ever the professional, but his eyes glimmered in curiosity. Expectation.

Lister kept looking at him. Rowan was strumming a slightly different melody now, and if Lister did say so himself, the atmosphere was fucking perfect.

“What I want to say is…, I feel that we were together before we got together. We were always partners. A great team. Maybe you wouldn’t think the same,” he admitted to Jimmy, “but a girl can dream. Oh! A rhyme!” He exclaimed to a symphony of awwws and ooohs. People were laughing again, clapping here and there. “That will be the only time!” Lister made a face of feigned shock. “Or not? Wow, I’m unpredictable!”

“You’re hot,” Jimmy rhymed with unexpected confidence.

The crowd was screaming their heads off at this interaction. Even Lister was a little flustered. He came back to his bandmates and gestured toward Jimmy, who was still smirking a little. “And he can improv, what’s not to like, honestly!”

Now, there came the challenge. Lister took a deep breath and prayed to all deities that were listening for this to come off as more sweet than cringy.

His voice fell into a different rhythm. One he kept studying every possible minute from any good slam poetry or original poem reading he could find online.

“But now, if our audience permits,” he put one hand on his chest, turning directly to Jimmy, “I would like to address you. Because, dear Jimmy, although I love each face in the crowd, my friends, my family, those that are both… I can state loud and proud that the biggest part of my heart goes to you.” He grinned sheepishly at Jimmy’s stunned expression, when he added: “If not all of it.”

“I can only guess what goes on in that mind, whether you think this is suspicious or kind… I can’t know these things. But there is one thing I do know. That no matter how much we grow, what we lose and what we gain, through all the smiles and all the pain, I will love you. It’s as big and as small as this. And today was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. So, nobody panic, stay in your seats. It’s not what it looks like.”

He got down on one knee in front of his boyfriend.

Jimmy gasped in sync with the audience: “Lister!” He backed away.

“Oh no, mister, don’t panic,” Lister retorted. That managed to amuse Jimmy a little – that he would know this would be the reaction. The audience was still going absolutely wild. Another pride flag just about missed Lister’s left ear.

“As I said, it’s not what it looks like. And I’m sick of rhyming by now, so…” He reached for Jimmy’s hand. Pulled it down to his by the triangle and encouragingly pressed a thumb into his palm. “I wanted to tell you – in a way that means something – that I don’t see myself living my life with anyone but you. So I have a question. Can you imagine me proposing in the near future?”

Jimmy looked like he suddenly couldn’t speak any human language. The only thing that came from his open lips was: “Huh?”

He was trying not to panic. To explain it well. Better than he had to Rowan.

“I would like to start talking about marriage. With you. I’m asking your permission to… go pick out a ring, perhaps. And propose to you. One day.”

“You want to…” He was trying so hard to make sense of this situation. Lister could almost hear the wheels in his brain clanking and whirring. After a second, Jimmy blurted out about the last thing Lister expected. “You really want to marry me?”

He had to laugh. That sounded so bizarre! You have the wrong number, I don’t think you want to marry me, of all people. As if.

Covering Jimmy’s hand with both of his own, he answered: “Who else, Jimmy?”

As there was no instant reply, Lister felt the audience grow impatient.

This was the time to smooth things out. Make it amusing.

“Okay, I don’t want to stress you out. You can just think about it,” he ensured his partner. But I just wanted to let you know my, er, intentions.” Wow, great choice of words, Bird. But was there any better? He decided to make fun of himself a little when he sarcastically added: “Because this is the regency era, apparently.”

People were losing it. However, Lister was only looking at Jimmy now… and realized that the eyes of his boyfriend were welling up with tears as he looked down. Were they happy or sad tears? Shit.

“Oh…” Lister managed to say, when Jimmy dropped the triangle on the floor with a thud and shakily took Lister’s face into his soft palms.

His voice was trembling with emotion, as he answered:

“Allister Bird, I would love to marry you. I don’t think you even need to propose again.”

Before Lister could even register what he meant, Jimmy leaned down and gently pressed a kiss at his forehead. This was probably as close to kissing in public as Jimmy would ever allow.

Lister finally realized. He realized.

At the same time, Jimmy dropped down and Lister shot up. They embraced each other tightly, a mess of crumpled clothes and limbs and teary laughing, and Lister almost lifted Jimmy off the ground as he was happy-crying into the shorter man’s shoulder.

They heard Rowan screaming at the top of his lungs: “HE SAID YES, PEOPLE!” His voice was drowned out by the massive storm of excited screams that wouldn’t seize for good twenty minutes after.

But Lister and Jimmy didn’t really pay attention.

Paradoxically, although everyone could see them – and everyone would see them, as the news probably already travelled through the internet at the speed of light – it felt like this moment was theirs alone.

#osemanverse #osemanverse fanfic #alice oseman #jimmy kaga ricci #lister bird #bicci #rowan omondi #angel rahimi #oc #bicci proposal #i was born for this #iwbft #the ark #older ark #older au #proposal #engagement #grand gesture #fanfiction

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mendesblurb · 3 years

Text

Waxing

Shawn Mendes x female reader

Warning: fluff, maybe grammar error and maybe some punctuation errors.

“Baby, do you have any wax?” Shawn asked as he walked into the living room where you were reading your work related emails.

“For what?” you asked him back,clearly confused.

“I need to get rid of my chest hair for the Calvin Klein shoot tomorrow.”

“Oooh,” you said while giggling. “I think it will be harder to get the actual wax but we can go to the store and get the strips one.” You suggested.

“Hmm...sure, you know better...”

Soon the two of you leave the penthouse and walk to the nearby store. “You don’t have to be embarrassed Shawn.” you said while chuckling and lean in to kiss his cheek.

“I know, it’s just awkward,” he said as he shifts uncomfortably while the two of you continue to walk hand in hand to the store.

“Ahhh, there it is,” you said as you kneel down in front of the shelf to pick out a box and proceed to show it to Shawn, “This one okay?”

Shawn then picks up the box and reads the label, “I don’t know, pick whichever you think is best,” he responded.

After that the two of you walk over to the cashier to pay, as Shawn was about to pull out his wallet. “OMG you’re Shawn Mendes!!” the cashier said enthusiastically and Shawn’s face went to the reddest shade you’ve ever seen.

“Y-yeah, I am,” he replied shyly. “It’s really nice to meet you, I am obsessed with all of your songs,” the cashier said.

“Thank you, it’s always nice to meet a fan,” he said and gave a smile to the cashier.

“You should have seen you face,” you chuckled as you walk out the store. “It was not funny, I was so nervous...” Shawn said, trying not to smile as the two of you walked back home.

————————————-LATER—————————

“Okay, shirt off Mendes,” you said, and he pulled off his shirt to reveal his muscular form that still gave you butterflies till this day.

You couldn’t help but stare at his beautifully sculpted chest that you frequently lied on. “ Y/N, my eyes are up here,” Shawn said teasingly and you rolled your eyes. “You’re at my mercy now, keep that thing in mind,” you pointed out as you took a step closer to him.

“Please have mercy on me! Ooohhh!” He sings.

“Shawn?”

“Okay, okay. I will keep my mouth shut.”

Because he was way taller than you had to sit on top of the sink counter to get better access. Finally after finding a comfortable position you pulled out a couple of the strips from the box, “Does it hurt?” Shawn asked you.

“For men, yes, for women, not as much. We’re not as weak as you think,” you say with a grin.

“Oh, you’re calling me weak now, huh?” he asked you and you nodded your head. “Well, we see about that tonight,” he whispered and began rubbing small soft circles on your chest under your shirt.

“You’ll see that I’m right, in just a few minutes,” you mumbled while leaning your lips into his, almost touching, but not quite. He then tried to kiss you but you teasingly pulled back. “Not yet, baby.” you whispered and he pouted.

“Okay, you ready?” you asked and he nodded his head.

“You sure you don’t want a towel to bite on?” you smirked.

“Nah,I’m trying to prove to you how strong I am,” he said proudly and clearly trying to stand up straighter. “I thought you were gonna do that tonight?” you said to teased him and he just rolled his eyes in response.

You then proceed to peel the backing off of the strip and placed it on his chest, rubbing to make sure it stuck on properly, “You’re lucky you don’t have much hair.” You remarked and quickly rip off the strip without warning. “Owwwwwww!!!!,” Shawn screams out, “That fucking hurt!” he said as he began to move his hand up to touch his chest.

“No!! don’t touch it! I have to put moisturiser on it,so it won’t form a rash,” you said.

“You should’ve done a countdown for me! And..You also forgot to tell me it would hurt this bad!” he whined dramatically.

“Excuse me Mr, I did tell you but then you pretended to be this tough guy when we both know that you’re clearly a softie.” You said and kissed his forehead. “You’ll always be my forever softie.”

“I can’t believe you do this to your whole body on a regular basis,” he said. “I blame the society,” you replied.

“Baby....You know, you don’t... you don’t have to get r-rid of your hair for me. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy,” he said nervously.

“I love you,” you said, staring into his eyes. “I love you, too,” he replied and starts wrapping his arms around your waist and nuzzled into your neck.

Thank you for reading guys... feel free to like, reblog, follow my account, leave a comment and my chat is always open for random chats or requests... appreciate every single one of you... ❤️

Taglist: @holland-styles @bvttercupbby @monikamendes @itsalwaysbeen305 @lonelyreputation @badreputationlove @smendes-forever @nervousmendes @shawn-youth @username2002 @rainyseb

#shawn mendes blurb #shawn mendes fic #shawn mendes fanfic #shawn mendes fluff #shawn mendes x reader #shawn mendes #shawn mendes story #shawn mendes smut #shawn mendes fandom #shawn mendes imagine #shawn peter raul mendes #shawn mendes x you #Shawn mendes fic #Shawn mendes oneshot #Shawn mendes blurb #shawn mendes x y/n

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theratsareinspace · 3 years

Text

Cigar Smoke and Metal-Karl Heisenberg x Reader

Check out the Masterlist for the complete fic!

Chapter 5

“He really did that?” said Donna as soon as you told her what had happened.

“I know. I think he was expecting me to come back, because the next morning I found him passed out on the couch. I may have acted like a damsel in the moment… but I can handle fear on my own.”

“Uncle Karl is so annoying! And bad!” Angie sighed, reaching towards the skylight in the Sun-Room.

“Now Angie. Let’s not be rude.” Donna lightly scolded.

“He’s listening, anyway. Apparently he can use his weird metal powers to eavesdrop in every room in this place.”

Donna sighed. “Of course he can.”

“Do you have any family meetings coming up?”

“Tonight!” Angie squealled. “Mother Miranda’s gonna talk about when the village purge is! Oooh, I can’t wait!”

“Village… village purge?”

“Yup! When Mother Miranda gets her baby back she’s gonna trash this place!”

Donna didn’t comment, an indicator that this was a touchy subject for her.

Would I go up in flames with the rest of the village?

You decided not to push it for Donna’s sake, but the thought plagued you for the rest of the day. You found somewhere where you were safe, and had friends and music to keep your company, albeit you were held against your will. But this situation was much better than your old one. Even if you didn’t die… would Karl? You had grown to begrudgingly care about his well being. You sort of liked being around him. If he died… where would you go?

You set out a low-effort dinner for him to eat after the meeting, but you didn’t feel like talking to him. You holed up in your room, listening to sad music and contemplating death.

As you began to drift off, a metal clank alerted you to Karl’s presence outside your door. “You’re not asleep, are you, sweetcheeks?”

“No. Just don’t feel like talking to people. Have a good night.”

“Aw, come on, sugar plum. I don’t intend to eat alone.”

“Then turn on the TV. I’m staying in here.”

You heard him leave, prompting a sigh of relief. Your regained solitude was again stolen when you heard him come back. A half-eaten bag of chocolates was slid under your door.

“… what are you doing?” You asked as you went to take the chocolates.

“I’m not eating alone. Besides, you’ll love to hear what the Big Vigaro did at the meeting.”

You tenitavely sat down by your door, quietly eating your chocolates as he regaled you with tales of Lady Dimitrescu’s antics.

“I think she’s still mad I got you, sweet pea.” The smirk was obvious from his voice.

“Is she that worried about not finding… prey?”

“Mhm, but soon there will be plenty of corpses for her to eat herself to death off of. That’ll be the day.”

“… there will?” He’s talking about the village purge.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let the lycans get to you. Who’d cook? Or do my laundry? Besides, I got another plan that’ll get rid of all our problems.”

… our?

“What do you mean?”

“Can’t tell you, Buttercup. You’ll see real soon.” His chuckle sent a shiver down your spine.

He’s planning something.

“… your plan wouldn’t happen to contain killing the other lords, does it?”

“No. Not yet, anyway. I would love to see the giantess bleeding out, though…”

“The way you casually talk about murder is concerning.”

“Murder is a casual thing to me now, babydoll. Gotta do what you gotta do. World will still spin even if one schmuck isn’t at the dinner table.”

You didn’t say anything. You were terrified. Would he murder you if murder is just ‘casual’?

He continued rambling about something or other for the rest of his meal. You didn’t pay attention, or frankly, care. You were too busy plotting your escape. As of now, Donna’s would be your best bet. You had a map that you had picked up while cleaning that showed the village as well as the 4 Lords’ estates around it. It was a bit of a trek to Donna’s, but you wagered if you left just after Karl fell asleep you’d be able to make it by morning. As soon as he left, you began to pack necessities into a pillowcase. You put on your warmest clothes and silently slipped out of your room and into the elevator. Though it made a lot of noise on its descent, you didn’t seem to wake him. You dashed out as soon as the elevator opened and didn’t look back, blindly making your way into the village. You soon made it to the gates.

“Which one was it again…” you squinted to read the map, not being able to see in the dark.

Suddenly, behind you, you heard a growl. Wolves? No. Lycans. What had moments before been an empty square was now crawling with lycans— on top of houses, climbing the fence, and surrounding you on all sides. You hadn’t foreseen this in your meticulous planning. You screamed, the only thing your brain could think to do. One lunged at you, but dodged at the last second.

“Well, well. Look what the dogs cornered today.” Heisenberg emerged from the shadows. “A little runaway and her rucksack. Where do you think you’re goin’, huh?”

“I… I… I… you don’t scare me! You and your weird monsters and crap. You’re not scary. I am going to Donna’s. She’d treat me better than you.”

“She would? She doesn’t talk half as much as I do. Wouldn’t all that quiet make you as crazy as everyone else who ever goes in that house? Trust me, sweetheart. You don’t want to go there.”

“Donna isn’t as crazy as you think she is.”

“Sure, sugar. Are you done with your little…” he flicked his wrist. “Temper tantrum?”

You sighed. “I have conditions.”

He raised an eyebrow. “I’m listening.”

“Let me have Donna over for tea at least once a week. I need to do something besides your bidding. And no more freaky movies. And let me go to the duke with you so I actually know what I have to cook with.”

“… it’s a deal.” He walked over to you and stuck out his hand.

You shook his hand, but he used it to throw you over his shoulder and start walking back to the factory.

“HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING, YOU… STINKY METAL MAN?”

“You walk too slow. You’ll freeze to death if we go back at your pace, babycakes.”

You thrashed around wildly to make the experience for him as uncomfortable as possible. Weirdly, this didn’t phase him.

He didn’t put you down until you were back in your room, at which point he dropped you straight onto your bed. “Sleep well, kitty, because tomorrow there’ll be punishment for leaving like that.” He grabbed his hammer and sauntered out of the room.

You sighed, curling into the fetal position. He had saved you from those… things, yes, but he didn’t bring you where you wanted to go. You really were stuck here with him.

Tags: @baphometwolf666

Please send me a message or drop a comment if you would like to be tagged!

#Heisenberg #Karl Heisenberg #Karl Heisenberg x Reader #Heisenburg #Karl Heisenburg #Resident Evil Village #Resident Evil viii #Resident Evil Fanfiction #House Heisenberg #Lady Dimitrescu #Donna Beneviento #Salvatore Moreau

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plant-gt-thought-box · 3 years

Text

Tom and Jerry but its Wilbur, Tommy, and Tubbo- aka Mole AU

So fun story this is my first ever AU and I just forgot to post the story- I hope you all enjoy the antics that comes with this and send in some ask if you want!

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

Niki finished up her little bit of breakfast she'd made herself and grabbed her gardening hat and watering can. She’d been growing quite a big garden in her backyard for about 2 months and the garden had already taken up basically the entire backyard.

However, Niki left one area untouched by the garden; a small area with a few tables and a wooden chest that held blankets. So if anyone were to sit on the ground they didn't have to sit in the mud.

"Aw, I can't wait until all my flowers come in, then the others and I can have a picnic!"

Niki filled her watering can up at the outside faucet she had and started walking over to the tulips she grew in the garden. As she got closer she noticed a few holes in the two of the flowerbeds and a few of the tools even dug up

"Huh? Oh, that’s not good" she quicken her pace a bit and sat down on the ground to inspect the holes and flowers, yep there is no doubt about it it looks like she had a mold problem, she now considers herself a bit lucky that Wilbur just opened up a service to get rid of rodents.

Niki headed back inside her house and grabbed her phone "Hello Will! Yay I'm good, I have a small rodent problem-No they're not in my house they're in my garden. I think it's moles? Yes they ripped up some of my tulips already- Ok see you in a little bit! I'll have some cookies ready for you"

----

Wilbur pulled into Niki's driveway parking his car and quickly got out running up to the front door, he started knocking are Niki door extremely excited "Niki! Let me in!"

As Niki open the door she was greeted with a big hug from her friend and started apologizing for getting him covered in flour "You actually made cookies??? In the time it took me to get here???" Wilbur looked at her amazed "Yup! It's your first time doing something like this, and since you're refusing to let me pay you I thought I could pay you in cookies!"

Wilbur went out to the garden and started setting his stuff up "Ok moles, time to meet your maker" "Um Wilbur could you maybe do this in a more humane way? I don't want them to rip up my flowers but I don't want them to die either..." Niki looked up at Wilbur with a pleading face her lip quivering a bit "....Niki how dare you use my greatest weakness against me-" "So you won't kill them?" "No but-" "Ok! I'll be inside making some lemonade! Have fun catching the moles!". And with that Niki headed back inside her house trusting Wilbur wouldn't hurt the moles

----

Tommy poked his little head out of the Tulip he was sleeping in once he heard the commotion of people "Tubbo! Wake up we got to go!", Tubbo poked his head out of the Tulip right next to Tommy's "Why? it's morning, we sleep during the morning!" Tubbo complained as he's Mouse ears wiggle to get some of the pollen off of them. "Yay we usually do, but look!" Tommy pointed over at Wilbur he was setting up a what look like metal boxes and a few sticks that have strings tied to them and we're hanging in trees

"Oooh right Dream said if we saw any humans besides the cotton candy one we had to go tell him!" Tubbo find out of the two of the pillows and slid down the stem down to the ground Tommy following close behind "Yup! C'mon! I don't want to give him another excuse to get mad at us".

The two field mouse scary away running to the closest Mole Hole and follow the tunnels leading to where all the moles were having a meeting, Tommy went straight over to Dream and tugged on his hoodie "Hey! We sew a new human-" "See!? You ripping up those damn tulips was a mistake!" Eret, the king of the mole colony, yelled as he started walking closer to Dream.

Dream grabbed Tommy by his ear so he can't try and run "But your majesty as far as we know it could just be the humans friend! Boys, did the human bring anything special into the backyard?" Eret crossed his arms waiting patiently for Tommy and Tubbo's response

Tubbo quickly piped-in grabbing Tommy's hand to reassure them that they would be okay "Um yay! He brought weird metal boxes and put some rope in a tree! It kind of looked like he was trying to make a swing with it!" Tubbo nervously chuckled as Dream and Eret's expressions with quite dark

"See Dream? you trying to play Hero and impress George got an exterminator called on us!" Eret freed Tommy's ear from dreams hold "You two go watch the human and make sure he doesn't find any of our holes, understood?". Tommy and Tubbo simply nodded their head and quickly ran off heading back to the surface, Eret looked over to Dream "I can't believe I'm saying this but we might have to go along with your idea..." Dream smiled putting an arm around Eret "Hey just remember there field mice, no one's going to miss them if they get killed", Eret ignored the bit of guilt he felt in his stomach as he watched the two boys run off

----

Tommy and Tubbo watch the strange human as he set out more metal boxes and strange rope swings "Tommy what's an exterminator?" Tubbo asked His companion finally breaking the silence. Tommy just stood there and thought for a moment "I actually have no idea...Eret is the only person I've ever heard use it" Tubbo started picking up a few of the small shiny rocks that littered the garden floor "Hmm well he doesn't like to see whatever exterminators are".

Tubbo and Tommy continue to discussing between each other trying to figure out what an exterminator was and why Eret didn't seem to like them, the two were so engrossed in their conversation they didn't notice the shadow that slowly crept behind them.

"Huh quite talkative for mice" the two boys froze as they slowly turn their heads to see the human looming over them, without much thinking Tubbo started throwing the shiny rocks he was carrying at the human which caused him to drop the metal boxes that he was carrying.

Tommy grabged Tubbo's hand and started running towards the tall willow tree that rest in the middle of the garden "Look! We can use the rope swing he made to get up to the top!" Tubbo let go of Tommy's hand and started running on all fours quickly climbing up the Rope.

Tommy stopped when he noticed the circle that was at the bottom of the rope and moved it over a bit, he quickly started running up the Rope behind his friend

----

Wilbur went into a a MadDash when he noticed the two were escaping up into the tree, but as he was about to grab the blond Mouse running of the broke his foot tripped somehow getting stuck in his own trap, he watched the two mice get flown into the air by the rope and safely land on a branch up in the tree "OH THATS BULLSHIT!" Wilbur yelled in frustration as he tried to get his foot free.

Niki poked her head out of the kitchen door when she heard Wilbur yell "You ok Wil? You didn't get your head stuck in one of the cages again did you?" Wilburs face turn to hot pink from embarrassment as he looked over at Niki "N-NO! I just tripped I'm fine!"

"Ok! Don't overdo yourself Wilbur!" Niki returned her attention to the cake she was making "I hope Wilbur's not giving those moles too hard of a Time"

----

Wilbur violently shook the cage that had gotten stuck on his hand as he continued chasing the two mice through the garden "GET BACK HERE!!!!" Of course the mice did not follow this order and instead split apart from one another, Wilbur had already been duped by the blond Mouse so he followed the brown one

-----

Tubbo continue running on all fours trying to get away from the angry human, he spotted one of the metal boxes up ahead and quickly do been to it, the human Wil-Bur fell to the ground and quickly closed the door behind Tubbo "AHAHA! I got you now!"

Tubbo just stared up at the human a little confused as he very easily walk through the bars of the box and started running again, "HUH!?" Wilbur brought the caged up to his face opening the door to try and figure out how the mouse got out.

Tommy swing on one of the ropes kicking the cage so Wilbur dropped it causing it to land on his head and get stuck there "AH! NIKI! HELP!"

Niki ran out of the kitchen and stopped in her tracks when she saw Wilbur state "....Pff-" "Don't laugh at me! help me!!!" Wilbur said in a bit of a whiny tone

----

Tommy and Tubbo dove into the closest mole hole and started doing their best to catch their breath after all the running and climbing they had done, the two simply sat there in silence for sometime.

Until Tubbo started quietly chuckling and Tommy soon after joined him, "Did you see he's face!?" "Omg he was so mad!" "well that's what he gets for trying to grab us!", they continue to burst out laughing

"So that's what the Exterminator is?" Tubbo asked wiping some tears from his eyes "Haha yeah I think so, that was so much fun!" Tommy declared happily "Do you think we can do it again tomorrow?" Tubbo asked Tommy

Tommy thought for a moment "Maybe? If the human comes back sure! He seemed to be having fun in his own way to!", the two then had a brilliant moment

"Thats why Eret doesn't like exterminators! They're fun!" Both of the boys said at once "Omg Eret is such a stick-in-the-mud that he hates anything that's fun!" Tubbo slowly started piecing the puzzle together in his head "Well we're definitely not going to let him ruin our fun!"

Tommy stood up and helped Tubbo to his feet "let's go ask Dream give us the rest of the time the exterminators here off so we can play more games!". the two mice ran down the tunnel and quickly a stream that question before they were sent off with a very confirmed yes

----

"Dream... we can't just let the Exterminator kill them" Eret said a part of him already knowing Dream's response "Hey I'm not the one who thought it'd be a good idea to steal two kids from an Owl, besides this makes it so they're finally useful for once"

Eret look down at the ground ashamed "Look" Eret hesitantly looked up at Dream "You heard what those two did today and they're still alive! We'll just let them play their little game with the Exterminator so we can do whatever we want in the background, besides it's easier to steal food during the day when there are no Predators around"

Eret just stared at Dream for a few minutes before he slowly nodded his head "Fine...But if we're going through with this plan we need to give them extra rations so they can keep their salmon up", Dream Shrugged his shoulders "Sure, I'll go give them their dinner now".

Dream walked into the direction towards the boys room as Eric was left all alone "...they're just field mice, the safety of the colony comes first" Eret continues to repeat this sentence in his head as all the other moles came into the courtroom to enjoy dinner together

#mole au #tiny!tommy #tiny!tubbo #tiny!eret #tiny!dream #giant!wilbur #giant!niki

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seanfalco · 3 years

Text

The Great Death Defying Nathan Young | Nathan Young x Reader

Word Count: 3.9k Warning(s): Suggestive language, Blood, Character Death (but it’s Nathan, so he’s okay)

Summary: Becoming a Vegas magician’s personal assistant, you get more than you bargained for when you find out the hard way that the magic is actually real, and so are your feelings.

a/n: Dedicated to @midnightseance / @imagine-you for our one year friendaversary! You were the one to inspire this fic with your ideas after all lol. Thank you Mel for being such an amazing friend and writing partner. I love you to bits! (To bits, I say!)

“This your first day?” the woman with the clipboard and headset next to you asked, startling you. Tearing your eyes from the stage, you nodded.

“I’m [y/n],” you introduced, shaking the woman’s hand as she checked her clipboard.

“I’m Deb. Ah, yes, here you are,” she said, looking back up at you. “You’ll be shadowing me today,” she explained. “Apparently Mr. Young needs more than one personal assistant,” she added under her breath.

“What’s he like?” you asked as you fell into step with the woman.

“A giant pain in my ass,” she grumbled with a twist of her lips. “Everyday its something else: ‘I’m hungry, fetch me some more cornettos’, ‘get Marnie a new pair of lingerie, you know th’kind I like’, ‘I need more condoms’,” she exclaimed in a poor imitation of an Irish accent.

“Oh,” you exclaimed, your brows rising in surprise. You were starting to get a better picture of what this Nathan Young you were going to be working for was like and he seemed like a bit of a prick.

——

“Mr. Young,” Deb called through the door to his dressing room after knocking several times with no answer. “Mr. Young!” she tried again, louder this time.

“What? Jay-sus, come on in!”

Deb rolled her eyes as she opened the door and you got your first look at ‘The Great Nathan Young’. Sprawled back in a rather grandiose throne-like chair, one long leg thrown over the arm rest, he wore naught but a half open silk robe tied loosely at the waist and a long silver chair round his neck that glittered against his bare chest.

Sporting a dashing goatee and dark wavy locks that framed his face, his dark limned emerald eyes unabashedly looked you up and down, openly checking you out with a small quirk to his lips.

“And who’re you?” he asked, his lilting accent taking you by surprise. It was nothing like how Deb had impersonated.

“This is [y/n], she’s your new assistant,” Deb introduced, sounding bored as she looked disdainfully around his messy dressing room.

“New assistant? I thought I was your assistant!” the dark haired girl you’d seen on stage earlier exclaimed, her voice a rather grating whine.

“What? No, sweetheart,” Nathan soothed, pulling her into his lap. “She’s my new personal assistant, you’re my magical assistant,” he explained and the girl ‘ohhhh’d’ in understanding, letting out a high pitched giggle.

“Well, that’s a relief,” she exclaimed. “I thought you were gettin’ rid of me for a moment there.”

You noticed Deb roll her eyes again and fought the urge yourself.

“Alright, well, if you don’t need anything—” Before she could finish, Marnie spoke up, cutting her off.

“Actually, I’d like a coffee!”

“Oooh, and I’ll have a soda, and a sandwich,” Nathan added.

Ushering you out of the room before the two could asked for anything else, Deb grumbled under her breath, showing you where the food cart was and how to make Marnie’s coffee the way she like it, with extra sugar.

——

You’d only been on the job a handful of days, but you had to admit it was kind of exciting, despite Nathan’s constant demanding whims. Standing off to the side to watch that night’s rehearsal, you couldn’t help but marvel at how real it all looked.

“Marnie! Stop stop stop!” Nathan cried, frustration lacing his voice as he stopped the production to chastise his partner for about the third time.

“What now?” Marnie exclaimed with a huff, crossing her arms petulantly over her chest.

“You’re not hitting your mark!” Nathan groaned, gesturing to the taped off X on the middle of the stage. “How am I s’posed t’make yeh disappear if y’don’t hit your mark?”

“I don’t know! Does it really matter that much?”

This wasn’t the first time they’d ended up in a shouting match either. It seemed over the past few days, since you’d started, there’d been trouble in paradise, the two constantly picking at one another.

“I need a break, I’m gettin’ a fuckin’ headache,” Nathan groaned, walking off the stage and you hurried after him.

“Can I get you anything?” you asked and Nathan pulled his hand from his face to look up at you.

“An aspirin?” he asked, a pathetic note to his voice before covering his eyes again as he slumped back in his chair. Shaking your head ruefully, you went to go grab a bottled water and some aspirin, holding them out to him.

“Here y’go, drink up,” you prompted, watching him pop the pills in his mouth and down them with a swig of water.

“Thanks,” he muttered, eyeing you askance and you smiled— it was probably the first time he’d actually thanked you for anything.

“No problem,” you murmured. “Can I ask you something?” you wondered after a moment, your curiosity getting the better of you. You knew he was probably going to tell you “a magician never reveals his secrets” or some other bullshit line, but you had to ask anyway.

“Hmm?” Nathan prompted, his eyes still closed.

“How do you make it all look so real?” you asked, a hint of awe in your voice and Nathan’s eyes opened as he straightened, fixing you with a smirk.

“That’s because it is all real,” he exclaimed grandly.

Snorting, you rolled your eyes. “Alright, keep your secrets then.”

“I’m serious!” Nathan insisted. He looked like he was gunna say more until the production manager called him back to the stage and he let out a heavy sigh, pushing out of his chair. “I’d love t’stay and chat, but duty calls,” he muttered, spreading his hands apologetically.

“Oh, but first… this is for you,” he said, stopping suddenly to turn, and with a flourish he held out a single red rose to you. “I didn’t know what your favourite flower was… or really how t’make anythin’ that isn’t a rose so…” he trailed off with a shrug and you took the flower, watching him walk to the stage in awe.

Turning, you found Deb watching you, rolling her eyes at the grin you quickly wiped off your face. However, once she left, you smiled to yourself, tucking the flower behind your ear.

Busying yourself with rearranging Nathan’s wardrobe rack, you lost track of what was happening on stage until an angry shriek filled your ears and you jumped, your head snapping up. Before you knew what had happened, Marnie was pushing past you, nearly knocking you over in her haste, Nathan hot on her heels.

“No, I’m done!” she exclaimed, stomping her foot in consternation.

“But Marnie, baby, c’mon!” Nathan pleaded, rushing past to follow her to his dressing room.

“You better go after them,” Deb groaned, running her hand down her face.

Not exactly wanting to eavesdrop, it was kind of unavoidable, however, as you stood outside the open door. Marnie was throwing her clothes into a suitcase in a huff.

“I can’t do this anymore! You said it was gunna be a cakewalk, but you lied!” she cried hysterically, her already nasally voice raising an octave.

“What am I s’posed t’do without you?” Nathan countered, trying to get her to stop.

“I dunno, get another assistant! How about her?” Marnie pointed at you, having caught sight of you standing by the door. “I’ve seen you flirtin’ with her!”

Nathan grimaced as he caught your eye, the rose he’d given you still tucked in your hair and you flashed him an apologetic look. “Marnie—” he tried again, but she brushed past him, her bags in hand.

“No, Nathan, we’re through. Don’t follow me!”

“You’ll be sorry!” he yelled after her before sweeping dramatically back into his dressing room. “Well, y’comin’ in or not?” he called when you hesitated.

“What, uhm, what was all that about?” you asked, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind you. Nathan already had a bottle in his hand and when he turned to face you, plopping down in his chair your brows rose in surprise.

Instead of the long hair you’d come to recognize on him he sported a mess of dark springy curls piled atop his head, and his facial hair was nowhere to be found, making him look nearly ten years younger.

“Oh, who knows? She’s always been fickle, but who needs her, right?” Nathan replied with bravado, waving his hand as he brought the bottle back to his lips.

“You-your face… you look—” you floundered and Nathan snorted.

“Different?” he scoffed, snorting. “Yeah, well, it’s fake.”

“But you said…”

Giving you a patient look as he sat up, he seemed to find your shock amusing. “Th’magic is real, but my appearance ain’t,” he explained. “I mean, clearly, I’m gorgeous, but d’yeh think anyone would pay t’see ‘The Great Nathan Young’ if I looked like this?” he asked, gesturing to his face.

“I dunno, probably. I think y’look better this way,” you added with a shrug, your words taking him aback and he gaped at you. “So, what’re you gunna do now?” you asked, quickly changing the subject, your face starting to warm at your admission.

Groaning, Nathan deflated in his chair. “I’ll have t’find another assistant t’take Marnie’s place, and fast, opening night is tomorrow and if we have to postpone… it’ll be a disaster.”

“It can’t be that bad, can it?” you asked, trying to lift his spirits, but he merely gave you a flat stare before burying his face in his hands.

“I’ve got a lot riding on this show, if it flops... As a kid, all I ever wanted was t’be a magician and this show is my big break. I guess I could always go back t’do card tricks in casinos...” he sighed, the sadness in his voice tugging at your heart.

Trying to think of something to say, you awkwardly patted his shoulder, jumping when he suddenly sat up, his gaze lifting to you and you didn’t like the appraising way he looked at you.

“What…?” you asked hesitantly, although you could already guess what he was thinking.

“You could be my new assistant!” he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. “You’re already familiar with the show and—”

“Oh, no no no,” you quickly protested, holding your hands up.

“Oh c’mon! You’d look stunning, and you’d be savin’ th’show,” Nathan argued. “D’you want me t’beg?” he asked, promptly dropping to his knees at your feet, only making your face flare hotter.

“That’s not—”

Before you could finish, he’d taken your hands in his as he gazed up at you entreatingly, his gorgeous green eyes getting the better of you.

“Alright, fine, but Deb’s gunna be pissed,” you groaned.

Instantly Nathan’s demeanor brightened, a grin stretching his face. “Leave that crusty old bat t’me,” he exclaimed, waving the thought away as he leapt to his feet, pressing a kiss to your cheek before you’d even realized it. “C’mon, we better get you into costume, we have a rehearsal t’finish!

——

As you’d feared, Deb was not happy about this new development, leaving her once again to Nathan’s whims as his main personal assistant, and grumbling under her breath, she led you to wardrobe.

“Let’s see how long you last!” she exclaimed as she left you to change. Holding up your costume, you eyed the scanty sequined outfit with reluctance. Sighing, you pulled the costume on and inspected yourself in the mirror. Though you weren’t usually very comfortable wearing something so revealing, you found yourself looking forward to Nathan’s reaction, touching your cheek where he’d kissed you.

“Wow!” he breathed, left stunned for a moment as his mouth fell open, his gaze taking you in. It wasn’t long, however, for his cocky demeanor to return, and he let out a low whistle before flashing you a cheeky smirk.

“See, told yeh you’d look amazin’,” he exclaimed, back in his wig and goatee, and you rolled your eyes; you really did like him better without that ridiculous get up.

Climbing up on stage with him, he walked you through each act and you were thankful you had at least some knowledge of what you were supposed to do after watching Marnie so many times. Up close and part of the action, the magic tricks seemed even more real and though you tried, you couldn’t quite figure out how he did it.

“Well, I think that went as well as can be hoped for,” the production manager exclaimed, a haggard look on his face. He, like Nathan, needed the show to go off without a hitch.

“Hey, you were great up there!” Nathan called, catching up to you as you headed back to the spare dressing room — yours, now — to change.

“Really?” you asked, kinda surprised; you’d felt like you’d just been fumbling your way through it.

“Yeah, you’re a natural,” he insisted, leaning against the wall next to your door and you rolled your eyes, fighting a pleased grin.

“So…” Nathan murmured, his gaze dropping as he leaned in closer, trailing his fingers up your arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “Wanna come round t’mine tonight? I’ll help keep your mind off the pre-show jitters,” he offered.

For a moment you merely stared at him incredulously.

“We’ll get drunk, have a little fun—”

“I can’t believe you!” you exclaimed in disgust.

“What?” he asked, a confused frown pulling at his lips. “I’ve seen th’way you look at me when y’think on one’s watching. You want me,” he argued.

“So you think just because I took Marnie’s place that I’ll sleep with you too?”

“Yeah, why not? Y’know you want to,” Nathan countered.

Growling, you pushed past him into your dressing room. “And here I was starting to think you might not be a total prick!” You caught the surprised look on Nathan’s face before slamming the door in his face, and that at least made you feel a little better.

——

It was the night of the performance, opening night, and you felt like you were gunna be sick. You’d never done anything like this before. What if you fucked it up and ruined the show? Looking at your reflection in the mirror, you groaned, wishing you could relax when a knock at your door made you jump.

“C-come in!” he called, your voice wavering.

When Nathan’s head appeared around the door you directed him a flat stare. “What, you here to ask me for a quick shag before the show?” you sneered, trying not to think about how handsome he looked in his suit.

“No!” he exclaimed hastily, though he looked slightly guilty. “No, actually I just came t’check on you. I figured you might be a little nervous.”

“A little…” you admitted, your glare softening somewhat and Nathan offered you a smile.

“Just… don’t think about the audience. Focus on me,” he murmured. “You’re gunna do great,” he assured you before his eyes trailed downward and quickly back up. “You look stunning by the way,” he exclaimed, quickly ducking out the door before you could chuck something at him, leaving you flushed and slightly flustered.

“Prick,” you muttered under your breath, but the word held no heat.

Waiting in the wings, you felt stage fright wash over you afresh as you caught sight of how many people were in the audience. Your heart pounding in your ears, your breath sped up as your whole body felt rooted in place. How were you supposed to do this?

You have no speaking lines, you reminded yourself, taking a deep breath, then another. All you have to do is bring Nathan his props and look pretty. All you have to do is focus on him…

Suddenly the house lights dimmed and went dark, a hush going over the house.

“You ready?” Nathan’s voice in your ear sent a shiver through you, and you yelped softly as he pinched your ass. Before you could turn to smack him he disappeared with a flourish of the cloak he wore, appearing in the middle of the stage in a cloud of smoke for his grand entrance to a crescendo of music and applause.

For a moment you stared at where he’d been in surprise. You’d never been that close before when he did that, you always just assumed it was some sort of trick with a trap door, but now you weren’t so sure.

“Allow me to introduce t’you my very lovely assistant, [y/n]!”

Nathan’s lilting voice calling your name snapped you out of your thoughts and you nearly missed your cue, hurrying on stage to stand next to him, bowing low to the audience before hanging off his arm.

“Took your sweet time,” he whispered, his brows furrowing slightly. “Thought you got cold feet…”

“How’d you do that?” you hissed, still trying to wrap your head around it.

“I told you, it’s magic,” he replied with a smirk, turning back to address the audience. “For my first trick—”

After your first near miss, the rest of the show went off without a hitch and you were actually starting to enjoy yourself, thankful for the brightness of the lights overhead which kept you from really being able to see the audience that clearly.

“You ready for the big finale, sweetheart?” Nathan whispered, slipping his arm around you.

“I have a name, you know,” you reminded him, but there was no snap to your voice and he merely raised his eyebrows at you.

“Are y’ready for the big finale, [y/n]?” he amended, bringing a grin to your face though you tried to hide it.

“Yeah, I think so. Are you?” you asked. Even though you’d seen him perform this trick several times it still made you nervous.

“You know it,” he answered, a genuine smile splitting his face. “Y’know, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were enjoying yourself,” he pointed out, nudging your arm.

“I am,” you admitted, hurrying back on stage before he could react.

——

“And now for my final performance of the night, I will be recreating a feat first done by Harry Houdini himself!” Nathan exclaimed grandly to the audience, throwing his arms wide. “Let’s see if I survive!”

“Please don’t say that,” you muttered, helping him shed his cape and fitting the straitjacket on him, securing his arms in place while dramatic music played.

“What, y’worried? I can do this in my sleep,” Nathan murmured, flexing his arms, testing his restraints.

“I’m not… worried,” you argued, stepping back to gesture toward Nathan with a flourish for the audience.

“You are, you’re worried bout me,” Nathan insisted, a smug grin on his lips. “I always knew you cared.”

Scoffing quietly, you didn’t contradict him as the hook descended from above.

“Now that I’m fully restrained, my lovely assistant is going to attach me to this hook where I will be suspended upside down over the stage while I attempt to free myself from my confines!”

The audience gasped.

“Good luck,” you murmured as you helped Nathan lay down on stage, attaching the hook to a rope tied round his ankles.

“I don’t need luck, I have magic, remember,” he countered, grinning coyly at you.

“Nathan—“ you sighed.

“Can I get a kiss for luck, if y’think I need it so badly?”

Rolling your eyes skyward, you bit your lip, bending over him to press your lips to his before pulling back.

“There, now I feel better,” he teased. “When I get back down will y’give me a proper kiss?” he asked as you gave the signal for him to be lifted.

“We’ll see,” you muttered, watching him as he slowly ascended into the air til he stopped, the spotlights training on him.

Holding your breath, you watching him struggle, squirming in the straitjacket, til just like the other times he’d practiced it, he finally freed one arm and then the other, wriggling out of the straitjacket and letting it fall with a thud to the stage below as the audience gasped.

It was when he fought to free himself from the ropes tying his feet together that it happened; he was reaching for the hook to hold onto when the last of the rope fell away too quickly.

You watched in horror as Nathan fell, his name on your lips, the scene unfolding as if in slow motion.

This was not how this was supposed to happen, but the audience didn’t seem to realize it wasn’t part of the show. As soon as he hit the ground at your feet with a sickening crunch, you fell to your knees at his side, a sob catching in your throat, time snapping back to normal even as the world around you felt muted, your pulse the only thing filling your ears.

The quickly spreading pool of blood beneath him had reached your knees now, but you didn’t care, pulling his lifeless body into your arms, stroking his curls away from his forehead, the glamour having faded away.

He’d been telling you the truth this whole time— it was all real...but so was this. How was he supposed to come back from this?

“Nathan, you idiot,” you sobbed, stroking his cheek. “Why’d you have to do something so foolishly dangerous? You should’ve been wearing a wire, just in case…”

You felt your tears fall hotly down your face, blurring your vision. “What am I supposed to do now? I was just starting to like you, you ass—”

“You were?”

At Nathan’s raspy voice, your eyes snapped open and your jaw fell as you found him watching you, a small grin playing at his pink lips which just moments ago had been alarmingly pale.

“Nathan, you’re—! How?” you gasped, quickly wiping at your eyes, blinking back your tears.

“Am I in heaven? Cause you must be th’hottest angel I’ve ever seen,” he joked, his lips twitching as his grin widened.

“Nathan!” you huffed, unamused, your lips quivering. “You fucking asshole, that wasn’t funny! You scared me half t’death!”

“Were you cryin’ over me?” he asked, tilting his head as he reached up to wipe at your damp cheeks. “Don’t cry, [y/n]. I’m alright,” he assured you, his gaze softening, touched at how much you cared.

“How-how did you do that?” you asked, thoughts of anything but the young man in your arms far away.

“Well, I’m immortal, so…” he shrugged as he sat up, wincing slightly.

“That’s ridiculous,” you scoffed, met with Nathan’s raised eyebrows.

“Is it? After everything else you’ve seen me do?”

“I guess not…” you conceded. “You’re still an ass though,” you exclaimed, helping him up to face the audience who applauded and cheered deafeningly.

“Yeah, but you still like me,” Nathan pointed out cheekily.

Opening your mouth to argue, you decided against it, too relieved that he was alive, that you had more time. Yanking him toward you, your mouths collided and he reacted instantly, his arms snaking around you as he dipped you low, kissing you back with a fervor that stole your breath, leaving you panting in his arms as he righted you.

“You wanna come back t’mine after the show?” he asked, watching you expectantly.

“Do you always go to these lengths to get laid?” you teased, even though you already knew your answer.

“Nope, you’re th’first I’ve died for,” he answered with a smirk that made you grin back. “Besides, I’m hopin’ it might be a little more than that,” he admitted as the curtain fell.

Searching his face for a moment you kissed him again. “I’d like that.”

———————

Tag list: @magic-multicolored-miracle @messengeronthemoon @the-freckled-luba @firstpersonnarrator @xenteaart @gurlimtired @phoenixhits @super-unpredictable98 @nightingale-rose @salvador-daley @duck-noises @forenschik @simsiddy @a-ghoulish-tale @love-is-dirty-baby @captainsheeballs

#misfits #nathan young #nathan young x reader #vegas!nathan #vegas!au #robert sheehan character fic #my writing

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