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coyotesongwriting · 4 years

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Confessions - Ch. 1

Chapter 1 - Vegas

Story Summary: You’ve never been able to deny Nat anything, so when she asks if you can take the long way back from your mission in Los Angeles you agree. The problem is, you’re hopelessly in love with her and she has no idea. How are you going to survive a week alone in a car with her?

Word Count: 2883

Author’s Note: I needed a cute happy fic with no real angst and I feel like Nat deserved it

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters so don’t sue me please. I just really like them haha

“Pleaseeee [Y/N]!”

With a groan you threw yourself back on the motel bed, trying desperately to zone out Nat. Ever since you’d found your way back to the cheap motel you’d been staying in for the last week, she’d been begging you almost non-stop to take a road trip back to the tower.

“Nat, no. You know we have to get back” you buried your face in the pillow as she collapsed onto the bed next to you.

“Please? My birthday’s this weekend and it would be so perfect.”

You picked your head up from the pillow and raised one eyebrow, “I seem to remember we had a party and all of that for your birthday about four months ago.”

“Yeah, alright. But, I have an idea. If I can get both Fury and Steve to give us the time off, then can we?” her voice was pleading as she shot you her best puppy dog eyes.

You never could say no to her, but when she gave you that look you knew you were done for. Normally you’d have jumped at the chance to spend some time alone with her in a car, no one looking over your shoulder, no mission hanging over your head. Lately though, you’d come to realize that your crush on Nat wasn’t just a crush. Nope, you were head over heels for her, and you hadn’t even realized until Clint of all people pointed it out to you just a few days ago.

“Fine. If they both agree, then we can drive back, okay?” you sighed dramatically, focusing on the fact they would likely shoot her down and you’d be off the hook.

~~~~~

The next morning you were woken by a very excited Nat, they had approved your time off and today you’d get to start your road trip home instead of taking the flight back you’d been expecting. You hadn’t really believed she’d be able to get permission with all of the new problems Hydra had been causing, so the reality of the situation hadn’t hit you until the two of you were climbing into the Subaru Crosstrek she’d rented. You were going to be alone, in a car, with the woman you’d just realized you loved, for a week. It was hard enough hiding your feelings from her on a daily basis, but now you’d be together nonstop.

Nat’s excitement was infectious and you hadn’t been on the road for twenty minutes before you were singing along with her to whatever was on the radio. As you sang along, you tried to convince yourself that just because you now knew you were in love with her it didn’t mean anything had to change. Above all, the two of you were really close friends and you wouldn’t risk losing that or her by speaking up unless you knew she felt otherwise.

It wasn’t until you’d been driving through the desert for an hour that you realized you had no idea where you were even going. When you turned to ask her, the question faded from your lips at the sight of her. She drove with the window down, the warm desert air rustling the hairs that had slipped from the messy bun she’d put her hair up in. You were too distracted by the way the sunlight seemed to dance across her to notice when she glanced over at you.

“You okay over there?” she asked, a playful smile lighting up her face as she kept her eyes on the road.

“Yeah, uh, sorry. I was just realizing I don’t actually know where we’re going right now?” you laughed.

“Vegas. What better way to kick off our trip than a little bit of debauchery,” she smirked, glancing away from the road just long enough to wink at you.

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”

The drive passed quickly, miles seeming to fly by in the blink of an eye. You took turns playing songs - well, technically you played all the songs but Nat was telling you what to play on her turns and at one point you basically made a competition to see who could come up with the best new lyrics. You both refused to admit defeat, claiming you’d been the winner. You’d eventually had to change the subject to keep the peace.

Before you even knew it, you could see Vegas in the distance. In the daylight, the city looked like a completely different place than you were used to seeing. You’d passed through Vegas quite a few times on missions with the team, but you’d never been able to come solely to have fun and you were excited to see what the city had to offer when you weren’t working undercover.

You studied the people on the sidewalks as you drove down the strip, “So, how thought out is this trip?”

“What do you mean?” Nat asked curiously.

“Well, I mean you knew you wanted to come here first. Do you have destinations in mind for every night? Hotels?” you’d always been a bit of a planner, it’s what made you good at your job, but that meant the idea of not having a set plan slightly stressed you out.

“Oh I have a plan, but it’s a secret,” she explained as she pulled into the valet parking area of the Bellagio, “You’ll just have to trust me.”

“I always trust you, Nat”

“Well, that’s not true. Remember the time in - “

“Shut up! That was one time” you laughed, throwing a chip at her before you climbed out of the car.

Inside, Nat checked you into a hotel room she’d apparently had time to book at some point while you looked around. In the years since joining the Avengers, you’d gotten used to spending time in fancy places but you never forgot the tiny midwest town you’d grown up in.

During the ride up to the hotel room, you turned to Nat, “Let me know how much I owe you so we can split everything.”

Nat merely smirked and held up a black credit card, “Don’t worry about it. Tony’s got us covered.”

“Does Tony know he's footing the bill?”

“Not yet.”

Nat had booked a room with two queen-sized beds overlooking the fountain, and you claimed the bed closest to the window. The air conditioner was closer to that side of the room and Nat wasn’t a big fan of the air blowing on her while she slept. It was a routine you’d fallen into years ago on your first solo mission with her. In less than a month you’d stayed in 12 different rooms, so the two of you were more than comfortable in a hotel room by now.

As soon as your bags were put away, Nat led you from the room. Your first stop was the hotel bar where your drinking began. Whenever you tried to ask her what the plan was or where to next, she merely ignored you. By the time you finished your first drink, you’d given up and accepted your fate.

For an hour and a half, you drank in the bar, trading stories of missions you’d shared with the others, tales of life before the Avengers, anything and everything that came to mind. There was never a dull moment, no awkward silences as you spoke. After your third drink, Nat looked down at her watch and paid the bill.

“Come on, it’s time for the next activity. We have a schedule to keep to.” Before you could protest or even question her, you were being pulled out. You’d tried to protest when you ended up in a trendy boutique.

“I have clothes. I don’t need anything, and this place looks insanely expensive.”

“Come on [Y/N]. You expect me to believe that when you packed for a mission in the desert, you packed for Vegas nightlife? Besides, Tony’s paying, remember?”

“Nat -” she cut you off with a raise of her hand before you could even get started.

“Just try some stuff on, okay? Give it a try” her voice was a half step above a plea and you sighed before giving in.

It took almost two hours for you both to find the perfect outfit. When Nat had stepped out of the fitting room in a skin-tight little black dress you’d forgotten how to speak for a moment. The neckline accented her curves perfectly, but what really got you was the dip of the back. It came to a stop only an inch or two above her butt. When she turned in a slow circle in front of you, you suddenly found the idea of not crossing the line and telling her how you feel very difficult.

You’d stammered out a compliment and when she went to find the perfect necklace to pair with the dress, you’d shot Clint a quick text.

‘I think she’s trying to kill me’

It took a long moment before he responded

‘If she really was trying, you’d be dead.’

After you picked out the perfect outfit and you had both paid using Tony’s credit card, you made your way back to the hotel room.

“Be ready to leave in an hour and a half, okay?” she warned you as she headed towards the shower.

“Do I get to know where we’re going yet?”

“Nope.”

“Then how can I truly get ready.”

“Just shut up and get ready for a night out” Nat laughed, throwing a washcloth at you as she shut the bathroom door.

Exactly an hour and a half later, the two of you were climbing into a taxi out front. Apparently, the first stop of the night was going to be dinner at EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine. It was a quick drive to Chinatown and when you strolled in, you were greeted by a gorgeous mural on the back wall. You weren't sure when she had the time, but Nat had made reservations at some point as when you walked in, you were immediately seated.

“When did you even have time to make all these plans?!” you chuckled as you took a seat across from her.

“Do you even know how long I’ve been planning this trip?” Nat smirked, as she took a sip of water.

“No, no I guess I don’t” you laughed, “So how long?”

“Longer than I care to admit” she winked.

The conversation flowed smoothly and before long you’d ordered drinks and their 10-course tasting menu. You both had tears in your eyes from laughing so hard about Clint’s latest prank on Sam by the time the first course arrived.

“I love the idea of making Tony foot the bill for our trip, but I do feel a little bad” you admitted over the third course.

“Would it make you feel any better if I told you that Pepper’s the one who told me to use the card and has made all the reservations?”

“Wait, really?”

“Yeah, I mean, I knew where I wanted to go but she’s the one who made all the calls and all that.”

“We gotta make sure we get her a really good souvenir then.”

Nat raised an eyebrow playfully, “We’re going to use her money to get her a ‘really good souvenir’?”

“Shut up” you chuckled, “When you put it that way it sounds really bad.”

“Just pointing out the truth!”

Dinner flew by, and you had to fight so many times to not reach out and take her hand. Her laughter was infectious, and as she spoke you hung on every word. After you paid for dinner, using Tony’s card, of course, Nat called another taxi and away you went to your next destination.

Your next stop was a show called Absinthe at Caesars Palace. The crowd was a fascinating mix of people, and as you walked in you studied the performers. As you walked in, you saw women dressed as burlesque dancers, men in traditional circus outfits, and a variety of people in revealing clothing.

“I have to ask, what in the world are we doing here?”

Nat turned to you, her face lit up in a smile. “Okay, so I found out about this show in the New York Times. They said ‘Imagine Cirque du Soleil as channeled through The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ and I’ve always wanted to go but I never got the chance.”

Nat’s hand found it’s way into yours and she pulled you along, dragging you to the front row seats. Your heart stopped when her fingers linked with yours and you felt your pulse began to race. It was different this time, her touch. It was different than her touch when you were in the field. There, every move every brush of fingers was calculated. Now it was a spur of the moment, her touching you because it was she wanted, not because she had to. It wasn’t just a job, not this time.

When you sat and her fingers slipped from yours, you felt immediately like the loss of the sun. Your hand started to follow hers like a flower chasing the sun, but you caught yourself right before they caught up. When you sat though, you sat together, close enough in your seats that your thighs brushed one another.

The show was fantastic. Many times you found yourself almost doubled over in laughter with Nat, other times gasping when it looked like someone was going to fall and get hurt. All too soon, it was over and you were climbing out of your seats. For 90 minutes, you’d been in constant contact with Nat so when you stood, you couldn’t help but mourn the contact at first.

You didn’t even get the chance to ask where to next before Nat pulled you deeper into Cesar’s Palace. As you went along, you guys talked all about the show and shared your favorite parts. The way her eyes lit up when she spoke left a smile on your face you couldn’t help but love.

As she led you through the doors of Omnia Nightclub, Nat turned to you “Okay, we have to be back to the room by 3am okay? We need to be on the road by 9 - it’s a 7-hour drive.”

“3am, Nat?! A 7-hour drive after this? Are you insane?” you laughed, weaving your way through the crowd to the bar.

“I never said this road trip would be boring, did I. No, we have a lot to do and only 10 days to do it!”

Three drinks later you were both on the dance floor, pressed together by the swirling crowd. Over the thump of the music and low hum of the crowd, you heard a woman call out for someone to stay away from her.

When you turned, you found a woman being hassled by a nearby man. Apparently, he wasn’t taking no for an answer, and he had his hand wrapped around her upper arm. She tried to pull away from him but his hand didn’t let go. Nat and you immediately began to work your way over to her, and when Nat grabbed the man’s shoulder and forced him to let her go, you led the woman away from him.

While you helped her find her friends in the crowded room, Nat made sure the man wouldn’t be an issue again after kneeing him in the groin and removing him from the club. You didn’t see the full extent of his injuries but as he left, he cradled his hand in his other and you could tell from the look on his face he was in quite a lot of pain. When the woman reassured you that she was okay and thanked you for your guys’ help, you headed towards the bar, Nat following you.

“She okay?” Nat asked, sliding into place by your side and ordering a drink.

“Yeah, she’s fine. She said she’s gonna be okay, she’s back with her friends now,” you ordered water, sobered up after the incident.

By the time you left the club an hour later, Nat had had a few more drinks and was slightly drunk. Nat nestled into your side as you walked, and your arm draped over her shoulder, holding her tight to you. She rambled as you made your way back to the hotel room, and you listened as she told you all about how Clint had messed up the last mission they’d gone on together.

When you got back to the hotel room, Nat stumbled into her pajamas and brushed her teeth while you stepped into the bathroom. The smell of Vegas clung to you, and you wanted nothing more than to wash the smoke scent from your hair and skin.

As you collapsed into your bed, you turned to see Nat passed out on hers. Her hair was spread out around her and she curled up into a ball, half asleep. With a low groan, you got to your feet and tucked her under the covers. When you crawled back into bed your mind just kept wandering back to what the rest of the trip was going to bring. How were you going to survive this without telling her how you felt?

~~~~~

Next Chapter -> (releases 7/22/20)

Taglist OPEN: @he-is-chaotic-she-is-psychotic @queenoftheunderdark @redfoxwritesstuff @brokenthelovely @collinsstanharbour

#natasha romanov x reader #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff #natasha romanov #natasha romanoff/reader #Marvel's The Avengers #marvels the avengers #Marvel The Avengers #Marvel's Avengers #marvel #happy #cute #Avengers #The Avengers #black widow/reader #Black Widow

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buginateacup · 4 years

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@dalniente I’m making a new post for this

So based off our previous conversation I’m reposting this thing separately because I went for a walk and words started percolating and now I have three pages written already and there would be SO MUCH PINING. Because of course they cant be married they just need to get an annulment there’s no way this could ever, would ever work between them...right?

Original idea below based on the idea that Roxanne bills Megamind for destroyed shoes and clothing for the last seven years

Just Megamind looking over this list Roxanne’s presented him with and just going “Minion fetch the piggy bank!” and just smashing it open to hand her a diamond or something! And then being like, “Wait no that ones flawed you need something better...aha!” and hands her a better diamond on a ring instead (my brain escalates these things. Its what it does) and Roxanne just boggles and throws it back at him shouting “I wanted to get my shoes replaced not for you to ask me to marry you!”

“I wasn’t asking you to marry me!” Megamind did not think this through he’s panicking and Roxanne is looking furious and elsewhere in Metro Wayne Scott’s superhearing just heard the words “Marry me” and yes finally things are happening its about time.

“Well good!” Roxanne should not open her big mouth when she’s angry this is utterly humiliating why did she even mention marriage of course he wasn't proposing he doesn't even like her. This was the worst idea ever she just wanted to not have to worry about the blisters from breaking in another pair of shoes when she’d rather pay attention to the giant spiderbot or talk to him about how the brain-bots AI works.

“No. Not good! Not good at all!” You handed her a ring you mega-idiot what else would she think! This is nothing like the occasional hours weeks years of daydreams he’s absolutely never had ever in his life that she would say yes. That she would ever want to marry him. This is the worst this is the absolute worst “As if that’s the kind of ring I’d ever propose to you with!”

“EXACTL- wait what?” He’s thought about a ring? He’s thought about a ring specifically for her? That is not a normal thing. That is something people only consider when things get really serious. Why has he thought about a ring for her?

“What?” You just...keep making it worse for yourself don’t you Megamind. “Of course I wouldn’t propose to you with some possibly cursed ring! You deserve sapphires as blue as your eyes!”

“And you deserve emeralds to match yours!” Oh my god Roxanne shut up shut up shut up, “ Why are you giving me a cursed ring!”

“Possibly! Possibly cursed!” Ahahahahaha help oh evil gods help, “Any ring I did propose to you with would be 100% not cursed! Emerald cut sapphire in a platinum band framed by baguette cut diamonds!”

“See now that sounds like a ring I would be happy to accept!” Stop talking Roxanne please, please try and get out of this with some shred of dignity left.

“Fantastic! I’ll make it for you tonight!” Oh no.

“Wonderful! I cant wait to wear it!” Oh fuck.

“Brilliant! Are we engaged now?” Of all the ways Megamind’s plans have backfired over the years he never imagined an outcome like this...

“Yes! I don’t know!...I guess? Sure! Fine!” Roxanne wonders if this is what it feels like when one of his plans goes awry...

And then we have two options, the first where the shouting continues...

“Thank the evil gods because I have been in love with you for years!” and Megamind storms towards Roxanne and pulls her into his arms

“Well good because I love you too!” and she wraps her arms around him and...

well...

turns out billing your supervillain for damages is a great idea after all.

And the Second which is much funnier...

They are not engaged. Definitely not. Today has just been a shared hallucination and they are going to go home and never speak of this again.

And this is about to get really funny or really terrible but they’ve finally stopped shouting at each other and they’re just looking at one another and Roxanne sort of sways and Megamind sort of sways and...

And Minion is suddenly there hugging them both and is just so ecstatic that neither of them have the heart to tell him that its all a big misunderstanding (is it?) and they’re not really engaged (are they?) but sure he can make Roxanne’s dress so they can get him out of the room for ten minutes while they actually work out how to tell him this was a mistake....

And then Metro Man flies in like “I’m so happy you two crazy kids finally worked this out!” And Megamind and Roxanne are both just...freaking and Wayne is going on and on about how much he wants to help plan the wedding and Roxanne says the first thing she can think of to not get roped into a Scott Family Event with a capital E and blurts out “We’re eloping!”

“We are? I mean yes! We are! Absolutely!“ Megamind agrees. They can get in the invisible car and just drive until they figure this out or until they run off a cliff whichever will be easier

(the cliff is currently winning)

“Oh great!” says the oblivious Wayne Scott who is just so, so happy for these two, “I’ll fly you down to Vegas right now!”

And he does. With Megamind and Roxanne in one arm and Minion in the other and Roxanne and Megamind have no way of communicating without the others catching on so they are just exchanging these panicked glances and then blushing because holy fuck why is this happening this was not the plan and before they know it they’re standing in front of an Elvis impersonator saying “I do” and Minion is throwing confetti shaped like brain-bots and Wayne is crying and Megamind and Roxanne managed to get a whole five minutes to themselves before the wedding to be like “Okay this is insane but we just get divorced later right? How hard can it be? We’re a damsel and super-villain no one will be surprised when it doesn't work out” (no matter how much they each privately might want it to).

That kiss though...that is really something.

They share a honeymoon suite with the works (courtesy of Wayne). Flowers, chocolate, champagne, his n hers bathrobes. It is extremely awkward. (except the bit I just wrote with body chocolate which, omg) There is only one bed and it is the size of a small continent and they still wind up accidentally tangled together the next morning.

But its fine. Its absolutely fine. There’s a divorce register in the hotel lobby exactly for these kind of situations. No one is even going to know.

Except Wayne flies back to Metro with Minion and they make a big delighted announcement so when Megamind and Roxanne do show back up (the Divorce register opens late on Sundays and they had to check out by ten. The universe really must have it in for them or something). The whole city knows.

And is actually pretty happy for them.

Apparently there had been a pool.

(Carlos, Roxanne’s doorman, won if you’re interested)

Okay fine, they can pretend for a while. Figure out some way for Megamind to go back to villainy and for Roxanne to go back to being kidnapped. This isn’t going to backfire at all.

Only Roxanne goes back to her apartment (alone) to have the panic attack she’s been pushing back for the last 36 hours, to find removalists on site and a representative from the city explaining seeing as she’s no longer the Metro City damsel she’s not entitled to remain in her lovely open living giant balcony apartment she’s been living in for the last seven years that the city has been subsidising her rent on.

Roxanne’s apartment is was very nice and extremely expensive. More than she can afford on her own. So she puts her stuff in storage, packs a bag and hunts down the Evil Lair. And she walks in like “Hi Husband. I live here now I guess.” (please don’t throw me out can I stay? Can I stay forever?)

And Megamind who has been contemplating cutting off his own finger rather than trying to remove the ring he’s still wearing, sees her walking in with a bag, still wearing that awful (possibly cursed) ring and just...

Right.

Okay then.

Hi wife, please stay and never leave but of course we cant be married what were we thinking and now we have to keep this a secret from Minion except we live with Minion and he’s going to be very concerned if you ask for a separate bedroom and I guess I’m a superhero now which means you’ll be getting kidnapped by other villains and that is NOT OKAY AT ALL and there will definitely be a “That’s my wife!” moment and no one understands why I look so absolutely gobsmacked when you kiss me on live tv after I rescue you and you tell me you love me but oh of course it was for the cameras it wasn't real

SO MUCH ANGST AND PINING

...

This is a problem they can solve...somehow

Except now they’re stuck married and living together and all of Megamind’s uncles are asking when he’s going to bring their new niece in law to visit. and there is so much PINING because they each think the other doesn't want to be married except they sorta want to and ugh...

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

Roxanne woke up in the middle of the bed, one leg twisted around someone else’s and the taste of chocolate still in her mouth.

This is not her bed.

Did she hook up with someone?

There is someone snuggled close behind her breathing softly. She can feel a lean chest bare against her back and is that a goatee pressed against her shoulder?

Roxanne opened her eyes and looked down blearily. there was an arm around her waist, pulling her back against the body behind her. She has her fingers tangled in the other persons hand. There's something about the arm. She squinted in the early morning light.

Its blue

Well

That’s okay that’s just Megamind then. Roxanne closed her eyes and snuggled backwards a little. The arm around her waist tightened and the lips on her shoulder pressed a sleepy kiss against her skin.

...Wait

That's Megamind.

Roxanne's eyes shot open. She pulled her hand and the one she was holding up to the light. Definitely blue. Long fingers and square palms and definitely not human.

And there are rings

There is one ceramic zirconium band in dark grey and a large (possibly cursed) diamond ring on the ring fingers of each of their hands.

Why is she in bed with Megamind and why are there rings and oh god she just remembered everything.

Very carefully she laid their joined hands back over her waist and hoped desperately that she can just fall asleep again and not deal with this.

She can feel the moment Megamind wakes up. A whole body shudder goes through him from his feel up to his head and he shakes into full alertness.

"Oh evil gods"

She felt him roll onto his back and press his hands over his face. But her hand is still tangled in his so he winds up pulling her on top of him instead.

And Roxanne panics and flails and rolls over as well until she is lying on top of

...her husband

He's her husband.

He's her husband and he's awake and she's awake and he's looking up at her with brilliant green eyes the colour of emeralds and she sees the recognition dawning and she wants to kiss him, wants to say "hi", wants to say "want to stay married?", wants to say "what if this wasn't a mistake?" but what comes out is "We should get divorced."

#fake married #megamind #vegas wedding #dal is a fanfic #bug is writing a thing #help somebody please #rings #is a working title #I keep writing the same scenes as sweet and then as painful painful angst

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master-sass-blast · 4 years

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It’s Truly Magical.

IT’S HONEYMOON TIME!!!

Summary: You and Piotr enjoy your honeymoon --by going to Disneyland, no less.

Pairing(s): Piotr Rasputin x Reader.

Rating: T for implied sex, mention of needles, and briefly referenced childhood trauma but this fic is a fluff fest I promise.

Set after “In the Dawn of a New Day.”

Taglist: @marvel-is-perfection, @chromecutie, @super-darkcloudstudent, @girl-obsessed-with-things, @nebulous-leo

“So let’s see… a week and a half is… uh…”

“Make list.”

You stare down at your suitcase as you try to do the math in your head. You’re trying to pack for yours and Piotr’s honeymoon.

Because the two of you are married now. You, Y/N Rasputin, managed to snatch up the world’s greatest catch for yourself.

Suck it, universe.

“That’s… ten-ish days, so ten outfits –except for the nice dinner, so that’s another outfit, oh, and the plane flights…”

“Just make list.”

The two of you are going to California, courtesy of your uncle; you two get to spend the first four days of the trip at Disneyland, and then the rest of your honeymoon will be spent at a little beach house AirBNB where the two of you can just chill and enjoy the ocean.

“So that’s like… twice as much underwear? Three times as much?” You blink when you remember that this is technically your honeymoon. “Do I even need underwear?”

“This might be easier if you made list, moya lyubov’.”

“And I’ll need… uh…”

“Darling wife of mine.”

You smile bashfully, butterflies fluttering in your stomach at the reminder that you’re his wife now, and look over where Piotr’s sitting on your two’s bed.

He smiles at you, loving and endeared, and tosses a pen and notepad at you. “Just make packing list already.”

(You do, eventually, wind up making a list –though your husband does have to help you with the process.)

***

The day of the flight brings its own boughs of anxiety and struggle. There’s the prospect of trying to navigate the airport properly and get through security –which promises to be a headache regardless of how much time you give yourselves—and then underlying tension that the two of you might get thrown out for being mutants—

But the unarguable worst part of the day happens before the two of you even leave home to head to the airport.

Piotr crosses his arms over his chest, face strained with worry as he stares down the small vial of yellow fluid in your hands. “I do not like this.”

You’re not cleared to fly on commercial flights –and technically won’t ever be, since the psychic scarring on your brain is permanent—without having your mutation repressed in some way, shape, or form. After an extended discussion between Hank, Professor Xavier, Alyssa, and your uncle, the four of them figured that you’d be unlikely to get a repression cuff or collar through airport security, which only left one option to keep your mutation repressed in the event –albeit unlikely—that you had an episode.

Repression serum.

The dose in the vial is only enough to get you safely to California –and you’ll have to use it all for it to work properly. Another vial will be provided before you and Piotr leave California to come back home. There’s no way for you to use it under any other circumstance or hoard it away for later, and Alyssa and Professor Xavier were both confident that you were well past the issues that led you to using it regularly that you wouldn’t be likely to relapse—

But yeah, you don’t like it either.

“It’s what we have to do, sweetheart,” you say, expression grim as you load up the syringe. “It’s for everyone else’s safety. And mine.”

“I know,” Piotr says, paling slightly as he watches you prepare the injection site on your arm. “I just… I really do not like this.”

“It’s going to be okay, honey,” you reassure him. “I’m going to be okay. I promise.”

There’s really not much else to say, considering what you have to do or your history with the repression serum, so you take a deep breath and insert the needle into your arm.

The serum hits as fast as you remember it hitting (since the dose was calibrated for your resistance to the stuff). Within about thirty seconds, you can feel your connection to the air around you being tamped down. It’s almost like someone’s put on a very thick jacket all over every inch of your body.

You grimace once you remove the needle and press a piece of gauze against the injection site. “I don’t like that.”

“Are you alright?” Piotr asks, panic evident in his voice and on his face as he kneels in front of you. “Do you feel sick? Do we need to see Hank?”

“No, no, I’m fine, I just don’t like how the serum feels,” you clarify. “I don’t like not feeling connected to the air. It doesn’t feel good.”

Piotr blinks as understanding flickers across his face, then he abruptly claps a hand over his mouth and stands, turning away from you in the process.

“Baby, what’s wrong?” You quickly set the syringe and the now empty vial aside and stand, maneuvering so you’re positioned in front of your husband. “Piotr, talk to me. What’s going on?”

Piotr shakes his head as he wipes a few tears away from his eyes. “I was afraid… that you would like it. That you would miss using serum. And that you do not… it is big relief to me.”

Tears well up in your eyes as your heart tears for your mush of a man. You wrap your arms around Piotr’s waist and hold him while he takes deep, shaky breaths. “It’s okay, Piotr. I’m okay.”

And you are. You really, truly are.

***

Getting through the airport is just about as much of a hassle as you anticipated. It’s confusing, it’s chaotic, there’s far too much standing in line involved, and the ratio of people to available outlets –logically—should’ve caused a bloodbath by now.

Fortunately, you and Piotr don’t get tossed out for being mutants (even though the two of you “pass” relatively well, you’re both legally required to register as mutants, which always opens up the risk of being thrown out of anywhere that checks your ID).

(Piotr also doesn’t set off the security checkpoint metal detector when he goes through it, which –while logically being a good thing—is honestly kind of disappointing.)

You opt to lean against your husband’s shoulder while the two of you wait to board, at which point you lament over having to wait even longer, to which Piotr remarks that the two of you will still get to board earlier than everyone else because you’re flying in first class, which prompts you to pull out your boarding pass and study it—

“We’re flying first class?”

Piotr chuckles as he drapes his arm over your shoulders. “You just realized this?”

“You’re the one who checked all the tickets and reservations, not me!”

The ticket does, in fact, confirm that the two of you have first class seats reserved –next to each other, too, which is a bonus.

“Why’d my uncle get us first class seats?” you ponder quietly. “It’s so expensive.”

“Probably my size,” Piotr reasons. “I have trouble fitting in smaller seats.”

You shrug, then smile up at your spouse. “Well, we can at least have fun with flying first class for the first time!”

“That we can,” he agrees before dipping his head to kiss you.

***

As it is, Piotr still barely fits into the first class seat. It’s clearly better suited to accommodate him than an economy seat –but only barely.

Fortunately, you don’t need the dividing armrest down to be comfortable, and you’re more than happy to be closely snuggled against your hubby for several hours. You take the window seat so Piotr has an easier time getting in and out of your seat and nestle up against him while he scans the in-flight safety pamphlet.

“You two are absolutely adorable,” one of the flight attendants comments with a smile. “We don’t see a lot of super lovey couples on the flights.”

“I think it helps that we’re flying out for our honeymoon,” you joke; at home, it’s a well known fact that you and Piotr are a pair of regular lovebirds –though, the added buzz from the wedding and honeymoon doesn’t hurt.

The flight attendant beams when you show off your engagement ring and wedding band. “Congratulations! That’s so wonderful! We do offer complimentary beverages and snacks to our first class passengers. Maybe some sparkling wine to celebrate, or a cookie and some milk if you’re not alcohol drinkers?”

You look up at Piotr. “Cookies and milk?”

He smiles down at you, then nods at the flight attendant. “Cookies and milk would be nice.”

***

Fun fact: A non-stop flight from New York to California is a little over six hours.

Additional fun fact: years of being able to fly one’s self makes travelling by plane a touch lackluster.

“We’re not even breaking the sound barrier,” you whisper to Piotr at one point. “Where’s the fun in that?”

He merely snorts and kisses the top of your head.

All in all, though, it’s a good time. The two of you snuggle against each other as the plane soars through the skies, Piotr fills you in on all things Disney, and you play games provided on the little screen interfaces on the backs of the seats in front of you.

You’re also provided a proper meal a couple hours into the flight –and, much to Piotr’s delight, it’s reasonably healthy, if not necessarily portioned out for someone of his size.

“The perks of flying first class, I guess,” you comment before starting in on your food.

***

Actually arriving in California, admittedly, is a bit of a mindfuck, solely due to the time difference between the East Coast and the West Coast.

“None of this feels right,” you mumble as you try to reconcile the earlier time to your inner body clock.

“Imagine how I felt first coming from Russia,” Piotr comments as he scans the directional signs to figure out where the two of you need to pick up your luggage.

“Shit, yeah, that’d be insane.” You frown. “How does your family manage to jump between here and there, then?”

Piotr shrugs. “Lots of coffee, probably.”

***

The process of getting to the famed park is far less drawn out than the flight. Once you two have your luggage, you head over to the car rental place and pick up your car –rented so the two of you have a reliable way to get around for the rest of your honeymoon—and take the half hour drive to the park.

You give Piotr a goofy smile when another motorist curses you out for abiding by the traffic laws. “It’s like we never left home.”

Piotr just tips his head back and laughs.

***

To make everything extra special, your hotel reservation is at one of the hotels in the park itself –very appropriately named “Disneyland Hotel.” The two of you get checked in and head up to your room—

And it’s nice. There’s a massive king-sized bed that sits directly across from a combination dresser and TV cabinet. A desk and chair sit next to the dresser-cabinet combo, and a cushy looking armchair sits next to the bed on the far side of the room. Everything’s decorated in warm, inviting tones of brown and gold, save for a genuinely pretty blue and gold carpet. On the other side of the bed, closest to the door, is another door that leads to a bathroom.

It’s nice. Clean. It has amenities like a mini-fridge and a coffee maker and an ironing board.

It’s also like almost any other hotel you’ve ever been in.

Piotr shrugs when you remark as much. “Were you expecting something else?”

“I don’t know… mouse ears everywhere? Super bright colors and patterns?”

Piotr chuckles as he sets yours and his suitcases down. “The crucial experience is park. Rooms are supposed to promote rest and relaxation.”

“Fair enough.” You dart over to the window on the far side of the room to check out the view, then chuckle when all you can see is the parking lot. “Oh, damn, can’t get this view anywhere else.” You whip out your phone to take a Snapchat video of the view, then tuck it back in your pocket and turn around when you hear Piotr groan and the bed creak ominously.

He’s dropped face-down into the bed, arms spread out like a starfish and legs hanging haphazardly off the bed.

You cross your arms over your chest. “Feeling comfy, baby?”

“Planes do not agree with me,” he laments, voice muffled by the bed.

“I bet.” You cross over to the bed and hop up next to him. “How about this,” you suggest as you gently rub his back. “We just get some room service –because I’m hungry—and then just stretch out and rest. We’ve got four days here at the park; that’s plenty of time to check everything out.”

“Sounds wonderful.” He lifts his head and grins at you. “We are at Disneyland.”

“Yeah, we are,” you reply with a grin of your own. “Are you excited?”

He giggles and nods before dropping his head back down. “Very.”

You gently run your fingers through his hair and kiss the top of his head before turning and rummaging through the nightstand drawer for a room service menu. “You get comfortable, babe. I’ll get us some food.”

***

The two of you eat and take a little nap before unpacking. Since you aren’t staying the entire duration of your trip at the park, you only unpack what you need –a few clothes, some toiletries, a couple of things to do during down time…

And, in your husband’s case, an entire pantry’s worth of healthy snacks and protein bars.

You gape as Piotr carefully tucks away a supply of unsalted veggie chips, mixes of dried fruit and nuts, crackers with “extra fiber” (whatever the fuck that means), and a couple boxes of protein bars into one of the dresser drawers. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Piotr! We are on vacation!”

“We still need to eat!” he retorts defensively.

“They have restaurants and room service here!” you argue, trying to hold back amused laughter. “And we can always buy food if we need something they don’t have!”

“It is still less expensive this way,” he reasons.

“The park expenses are on someone else’s tab, and we’ll still have to get groceries for the rest of our trip.”

The gears in Piotr’s head visibly turn while he processes your statement. He huffs –and shoots you an amused glare when you giggle—and continues unpacking his snacks. “Just wait until end of trip, when you are sick from travel food and I am not. You will eat words then.”

“The only thing I want to eat is your dick,” you fire back, snickering when the tips of Piotr’s ears go red. You pick up one of the boxes out of the dresser drawer and read the label. “‘Multi-grain Nutritional Crackers, now with Extra Fiber.’ Honestly, you are such an old man.”

Piotr shakes his head, takes the box from you and puts it back in the drawer, then lifts you up into his arms. “Not old just yet.”

You giggle and press your lips against his.

***

The following morning hosts massive bouts of excitement –Piotr—and general disgust at the existence of mornings in general –you.

Your mood does perk up, though, upon having some proper breakfasts in one of the restaurants in the hotel –accompanied by coffee and some of the park’s legendary Dole whip, no less. By the time the two of you head into the “attractions” part of the park, you’re just as pepped up as your Disney-loving hubby.

The two of you wander around a bit, getting a sense for the park and where everything is, until—

“Babe!” You point at the Alice in Wonderland spinning teacups ride. “Let’s go on that one!”

Piotr acquiesces, and the two of you get in line for the ride. It takes a fair bit of standing and waiting, but eventually the two of you are ushered onto one of the massive teacups. You both get settled, then wait for the ride to start.

“What’s this for?” you ask, tapping a stand in the middle with what looks like a steering wheel attached to the top.

“To spin ride,” Piotr explains. “It makes cup spin faster.”

Your eyes widen as you stare at the device. “I thought the ride just spun the cups on its own.”

“It does.” Piotr gestures to the frame the cups sit on. “Entire ride spins like merry-go-round. Riders can spin cups while ride spins.”

You grin, borderline maniacally. “Fuck. Yeah.”

Once the ride starts, you immediately start trying to spin the cup as fast as you can. Under any other circumstances, you suspect the cup would spin without too much resistance.

However, those circumstances don’t involve having the world’s heaviest Russian husband in the cup at the same time.

You grunt as you try to spin the cup. “Dammit! Why do you have to be so heavy?”

“It is not end of world, msyhka,” Piotr chuckles. “Just sit back and enjoy ride.”

“I want to go fast! But I can’t do that because I just happened to shack up with the one Russian juggernaut that eats lead for breakfast!”

Piotr laughs again –then grips the wheel and gives it a mighty yank.

You shriek, delighted, as the cup whips around at maximum speed. The world dissolves into a blur of color and noise as your hair whips around and smacks your face.

It’s like flying without the physical effort of flying. It’s amazing.

“That was awesome!” you giggle as you stumble off the ride. “We should go –babe?”

Piotr staggers after you, looking considerably worse for wear. He’s gone pale –paler than usual, at least—and clammy looking, and his jaw is clenched tight. “I think,” he manages in a weak, shaky voice, “that was mistake.”

You put your hands on his arms, helping steady him. “Holy shit, baby, you look awful. Come on, let’s get back to the hotel room so you can lay down.”

“Perhaps that would be for best,” Piotr agrees as you steer him in the direction of the hotel.

***

“No fucking way. The Steel Boy Scout can’t handle rollercoasters. That’s incredible!”

“I mean, in his defense, it was a spin heavy ride,” you say to Wade as you stroke Piotr’s hair.

The two of you are back in your hotel room; Piotr had opted to lay face down on the bed and bury his face in a pillow, while you’d opted to call Wade and update him on how the vacation was going –or, rather, wasn’t.

“Yeah, well, still,” Wade insists in your ear. “It’s funny. He’s a superhero who battles diabolical villains on a regular basis, and he can’t handle spinning around a little.”

“I mean, you make a valid point—”

The bed lurches as Piotr shoots off it and sprints to the bathroom.

“Ah, shit. I’ve gotta go.”

“Has Chernobyl finally decided to blow?”

You wince as the sounds of Piotr emptying his stomach contents into the toilet emanate from the bathroom. “Yeah. I’ll talk to you later.”

***

You spend the rest of the day in the hotel room to let Piotr properly recuperate. You order room service for the two of you once Piotr’s feeling well enough to eat, and otherwise spend the day texting, scrolling through social media, or watching TV while you hold your husband and stroke his hair.

All in all, it’s a day perfectly spent.

And, fortunately, Piotr’s feeling well enough by the time the day comes to a close that the two of you can catch one of the park’s famed fireworks shows. Granted, you have to stand off to the side so Piotr doesn’t block anyone’s view, but it’s still a stunning spectacle to behold.

(It also gives Wade’s fireworks “demonstrations” a run for their money, which isn’t something you’d ever thought could be possible.)

“Are you feeling better, honey?” you ask as the two of you stroll back to the hotel, hand in hand.

“Much.” Piotr squeezes your hand gently. “Tomorrow should go much better.”

“Here’s hoping. No more spinning rides for you, mister.”

Piotr chuckles and shakes his head. “On that, we are agreed.”

***

The following morning, Piotr’s in a much better state than the previous day. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, the two of you head back into the attractions part of the park and scope out more rides to try out –with a strict emphasis on “non-spinning” for your husband’s sake.

Eventually, the two of you come across a ride called “Big Thunder” that seems promising. The two of you hop in line to get on the ride—

Except upon finally being able to get on said ride, it turns out that Piotr’s too big for the safety mechanisms to work properly.

You burst out cackling as Piotr sheepishly extricates himself from his seat and steps back onto the platform. “We can’t win with you, huh, baby?”

“It would see not.” He kisses you gently. “I’ll see you back at walkway.”

You smile at him and blow him another kiss as he heads towards the exit.

Then, an attendant comes by to check your harness and the harnesses of the other rides. There’s the sound of the motors that run the coaster coming to life and hissing –and then the ride shoots forward.

And you scream.

***

“It was awesome!” you gush to Piotr once you find him outside the ride. “It’s like flying, but I get to sit down the entire time. It’s basically perfect! Although, I think we’re gonna have to skip rides while we’re here. You’re not gonna fit on… any of them, really.”

Piotr chuckles and kisses the top of your head. “You can still go on rides, myshka. This is your trip, also. And there are calmer rides and other attractions I can enjoy.”

“Alright.” You take a moment to check a map of the park that Piotr downloaded and sent to your phone. “Do you want to go find a ride we can both go on?”

“That sounds very nice.”

You smile and take his hand in yours, then the two of you head off in search of a ride that both of you can go on.

***

The two of you wind up going on Astro Blasters –even though neither of you are very good at hitting any of the targets—and going on the famed Pirates of the Caribbean ride together, and you also hit Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones rides on your own.

(Piotr pays to get pictures of you riding the rides on your own and gets a good chuckle out of your open-mouthed, exhilarated expressions.)

You also take time just to wander around the park and take everything in. You two take a selfie in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, spy the Mickey Mouse costume character strolling around and saying hi to kids, and generally take in the sights and sounds of the park –of which there are many.

Just like the advertising says, it’s genuinely magical.

***

“Are you enjoying Disneyland?”

Piotr grins as he wipes his fingers on a napkin. “Da. I really am. Are you?”

You grin back and lean over to kiss his shoulder. “Yeah. It’s pretty awesome.”

The two of you had opted to stop for lunch after a bit, with Piotr citing that getting overtired or going too long without eating in the baking California heat would wind up doing either of you in. You’d decided to get a corndog and a soda, whereas Piotr had purchased one of the famed turkey legs and a bottle of water.

(The picture you’d taken of Piotr biting into his turkey leg was nothing short of priceless.)

“I want to get something to remember trip by,” Piotr continues as he polishes off his turkey leg (which had taken him the same time to eat as it had for you to devour your corndog). “Proper memento.”

“Well, Mikhail did give us that jar of money after the reception,” you point out. “You want to use that to get a little honeymoon treat? Maybe some matching mouse ear headbands?”

Piotr beams and nods. “That sounds wonderful.”

***

The two of you resume wandering around the park after eating lunch. You briefly stop to watch a parade of characters and decorated vehicles go by, then resume the hunt for some proper mementos to commemorate your honeymoon at the park.

Which, actually, is easier said than done. The park has several shops scattered throughout it and different kiosks by rides that host specially themed mouse-eared headbands. Trying to compare all the options available, let alone narrow things down to a top pick, is almost too tall a task to handle.

(Not to mention that the headbands themselves are egregiously expensive. Holy shit.)

Eventually, though, you settle on a sequined Minnie Mouse ears headband –complete with a sequined red bow with white polka dots—while Piotr opts for a classic –sequins free—Mickey Mouse ears headband.

“I think we look pretty good!” you declare as you post one of the selfies you took of you and Piotr to Instagram.

Piotr brushes a soft kiss against your temple. “I agree –but you look best.”

You sputter and duck your head bashfully. “You’re awfully sweet, Mr. Rasputin.”

“Says person eating cotton candy.”

“Not my fault it’s good.” You split your last bite in half and offer part of it to him –then gape when he actually accepts it. “What’s this? You actually ate cotton candy!”

Piotr rolls his eyes good naturedly –though he does pull a face at how sweet the candy is. “Is my vacation. I eat treats if I want.”

You grin and giggle, then yank on his hand and head in the direction of another vendor stand. “Ooh, come on! I need to get a pretzel!”

“You just finished cotton candy.”

“Yeah, but—” you glance around and lower your voice carefully “—I need to get a Snapchat of it so I can send Wade a snap about being a ‘childless whore fucking up the pretzel line.’”

Piotr’s eyes widen and he claps a hand over his mouth to stifle a massive snort. “What?”

“Baby, please?”

He shakes his head, but ultimately acquiesces. “Lead way, myshka.”

***

You wake up on the third day of your trip with sore legs and feet, a barely there stomach ache from eating too much cotton candy the day previous, and an erection pressed against your ass.

You grin when Piotr’s lips start pressing against your neck. “Morning, sweetheart. Feeling good?”

“Chrezvychayno.”

You sigh, content, when his hand latches onto your hip and his other arm presses against your chest, pulling you flush against him. “Y’know… we’ve pretty much done everything we can do in the park. We could just…” You swing one of your arms back so you can slide your hand down his side. “Stay in bed today. Order room service. Do what all honeymooners do.”

“That,” Piotr murmurs huskily, lustily. “Sounds perfect.”

***

You two spend the last day of the Disney part of your trip largely lazing around. You stroll through the park to get more pictures and check out a few more rides, but other than that you two simply enjoy each other’s company until the time for your dinner reservation at the renowned Blue Bayou restaurant comes. The two of you take a few hours to get cleaned and dressed up for the dinner –a cocktail dress with blue and purple flowers for you and a suit with a blue and purple tie for him—and head over to the Blue Bayou restaurant.

The space itself is nothing short of breathtaking. There’s trees along the edge of the outdoor dining area, and lanterns and flowers are strung across the space to give it a soft, ethereal feel.

You two are seated in a quiet corner of the dining area at a sleek black table bordered by chairs with elegant backs that look like wrought iron; the waiter hands you two your menus and takes your drink orders—

And then it’s just you and Piotr.

You glance up from perusing your menu and smile at your husband. “Anything in particular looking good?”

He “hmms” thoughtfully. “Possibly lamb… or roasted chicken.”

“They both look good,” you agree. You nudge his leg under the table, then grin at him when he looks up at you. “Love you.”

Piotr beams at you. “I love you, too.”

The waiter returns a couple minutes later with your drinks, jots down your orders, then takes your menus and whisks away once more.

Piotr reaches across the table –careful not to knock into either of your glasses or the candle at the center of the table—and takes one of your hands in his. “So. We are married.”

You grin. “Hell yeah we are.”

He smiles back, then gazes thoughtfully at the engagement ring and wedding band on your left hand while rubbing circles against the back of your hand with his thumb. “What comes next?”

You let out a huff. “I mean… we have a house to furnish.”

“That we do,” Piotr chuckles. “But I meant more for us. What do you want us to do next, as couple?”

You glance around surreptitiously, then quietly suggest, “Have lots of sex?”

Piotr snorts. “Duly noted, myshka. Answer question seriously, please.”

You sit back in your seat, taking a moment to enjoy the way his thumb rubs against your hand before mulling over the question. “I don’t know. Right now, I’m kinda just content to enjoy the moment and our new life together.”

Piotr nods after a moment. “Okay. And… in future?”

“Kids, eventually,” you say, flashing a demure smile at him. “I mean, I think we should get the house furnished and functional first, but… maybe in the next year or two.”

Piotr smiles at that, eyes sparkling and face glowing. “Alright. It is your body; you set all rules.”

“I think in a year or two we can start trying,” you reiterate. “But, right now, I’m just looking to enjoy us. You.”

His smile softens, and he squeezes your hand gently. “That sounds very nice.”

You smile back, slowly getting lost in the depths of his sparkling blue eyes—

It really is magical.

#sass writes #piotr rasputin x reader #colossus x reader #IT'S HONEYMOON TIME #BOW CHICKA WOW WOW #deadpool fanfiction #x men fanfiction

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darkficsyouneveraskedfor · 5 years

Text

Witness : 29

Dispossessed

Character(s): dark!Bucky, dark!Steve, too

Masterlist

Warnings: this is a dark!fic, it contains non/dubious-consent elements. Some violence as well at the beginning. It goes without (and with) that this is 18+.

In this chapter: just usual Bucky.

Summary: Things starts moving too fast for the reader.

Notes: Alright, since you all asked so nicely, you get two series today (part 3 of Happy Together was posted earlier). So here you guys go. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Some interesting plot so forgive the lack of smut but I hope you have fun with it. <3

Please, reblog and or reply with your thoughts!! I’ll see you in the next one. :)

The distant melody of your alarm rang in your head. Slowly the haze began to clear as you felt yourself ascending. A warmth on your shoulder, your name uttered next to your ear. “Y/N, wake up. Come on.” Your eyes shot open and you looked up in the dim, Bucky sat next to you on his large bed. He was still naked, as were you, and by the wrinkle of the sheet and duvet next to you, you could guess that he had slept next to you. You couldn’t even remember falling asleep and assumed that you had passed out during your nocturnal activities and been shuffled aside thereafter.

“What?” You croaked, reaching up to touch your forehead. You were sore all over. Every inch of you was screaming with the weight of the night before. “Grrmph.” You grumbled as Bucky helped you to a sitting position.

“You have to work,” Bucky said, his face clearing through your vision. “I went by your apartment and grabbed some clothes after you nodded off.” You shrugged his hand away from your shoulder, “You should get washed up.”

“I...should,” You agreed dumbly. You turned slowly, groaning as your legs thrummed. You bent forward and held your head. “Goddamnit.” You could still feel the layer of sweat and cum clinging to your skin. Bucky moved to sit next to you, his hand on the small of your back.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” He asked in a low voice, “Hmm, take your body and leave everything else?”

“Fuck you,” You sat straight, your head spinning, “You’re disgusting.”

“You like it,” He smirked, “Just a touch and your soaking wet.”

“Where’s your shower?” You stood, holding in another grunt. You crossed your arms over your bare chest.

“This way,” He rose and squeezed your ass as he passed, heading for the door.

You sighed as you watched his naked ass disappear through the doorway and followed him reluctantly. The faster you showered, the sooner you’d be gone. He opened the second door along the hallway and waved you inside. He watched you intently as you neared and entered ahead of you. He closed the door and pressed himself against you as he guided you towards the large shower, a sliding glass door already open and waiting. He was hard again and you shuddered.

He parted from you and stepped away, reaching into the shower to crank the faucet on. The water sprayed down, steam rising around the downpour and you yearned for its hot embrace. You almost forgot about Bucky for the promise of cleansing. You were disappointed however as he entered the shower, realizing you would not be left alone. You rolled your eyes and dropped your head a second before kicking yourself into action. He beckoned you in ahead of him, right under the waterfall, and you couldn’t help the breath of relief that escaped you.

You found the soap upon the shelf, reaching for it even though it smelled of thick sandalwood. You squeezed some into your hand and Bucky reached over your shoulder to steal the bottle. You heard the bottle deflate and inflate, the lid flipped shut as he hovered it beside you, waiting for you to replace it. You set it back on the shelf and began to scrub yourself with just your hands and nails, content enough to do that. When you lathered your hair with some of his shampoo, he helped the process, his erection poking you in the back as his fingers played with your hair.

“If we weren’t running against the clock…” He purred, turning you so that your head was under the stream and he began to rinse the shampoo from your hair, guiding the bubbles down the strands. “You were very good last night but it will be a while before I can trust you.”

“I know,” You said grimly. “I think I’m done.” You gesture to your hair, “May I?” You gestured to the shower door.

He grinned, his hand tracing the line of your clavicle before he pulled away. “Go ahead,” He stepped back and slid open the door, “I’ll be out shortly. Your clothes are on the sofa in the bedroom.”

You grabbed a towel from the rack as the door slid closed behind you. You walked back to the bedroom as you dried yourself off, wrapping the towel around your head. You dressed, realizing he had refrained from grabbing panties for you. You couldn’t help but think it deliberate. You pulled on the knee-length pencil skirt and retrieved your bra from the floor. You buttoned the pale blue blouse while you searched for your tights. Great, there was run right up the length of the left leg. Well, the fall weather would not be kind to your bare legs.

Your rubbed dry your hair and brushed it out in front of the mirror hung on the wall. You looked decent considering, though your eyes were dark with fatigue. You heard footsteps and Bucky followed, a towel at his waist as he opened his dresser and searched for clothes. “Could you throw on a pot of coffee?” He asked over his shoulder, “Machine’s along the counter right beneath the microwave.”

“Uh, sure,” You hid your scowl. It was odd. You hated when he spoke to you like this. When he pretended that this was normal relationship. You turned and left the room, opting to focus on brewing caffeine as much for your own sake as his. You could be annoyed with him later.

After Bucky had dropped you off at work, you spent the day trying to keep yourself awake at your desk. Pepper was halfway down your throat about a booking at some venue or another and you were trying to find a caterer who did bacon-wrapped shrimp for Tony’s birthday. You suspected you’d not be invited nor partake in the delicious-sounding appetizer. Either way, it distracted you from memories of the night before.

When the day was over, you yawned and departed for you own car. You were almost elated to drive yourself and dared to be hopeful that your night would be quiet. You stopped by the liquor store, a bottle of wine paid for, and headed to your building. You dropped your bag and kicked off your shoes as you entered your apartment and dragged your feet over to the couch before flopping on it. You uncorked the wine bottle and drank straight from the neck as you flipped on the television. Every hour passed and your stomach fluttered as Bucky made no appearance and your phone remained entirely inert. You fell asleep when the bottle had barely a gulp left to it, deep into alcohol-laced splendour.

Wednesday. Middle of the week, halfway to the weekend though for you it Saturday was rarely a day of rest. After spending your night in a drunken stupour, you felt just as poorly rested as the night before. Your work didn’t help as your eyes drooped and you sucked back your third cup of coffee. The caffeine fueled your lingering paranoia. You wondered at Bucky and Steve’s absence since Monday night. It wasn’t peculiar, they weren’t there every day, but you still felt uneasy.

You drove home in silence. No radio, just the engine and your own thoughts bouncing around. You didn’t speed, patiently waiting at stop lights as you glanced around the busy New York streets. You were feeling wistful. As if mourning your past once and for all. You were so tired, so worn out, it was all sinking it. You didn’t know if you longed for those lonely, boring nights, but the life you lived now made it seem a distant dream.

As you pulled up to your building, you stopped short. A large moving truck sat centre and blocked most of the spots, empty or otherwise. You huffed and parked your car on the street, tiredly grabbing your purse and heading for the salvation of your apartment. The stairs seemed too steep to climb and you were nearly out of breath as you reached the top. Your door was wide open. The hairs on the back of your head stood up and you entered cautiously. You could hear hangers sliding along a metal bar as you entered, the noise of someone rummaging through your closet coming from the bedroom.

Your clothes were stacked on your bed and Bucky was tossing more on the pile. You stared at him and gaped, the rest of your room stripped of all but the furnishings. No…

“What the fuck?” You hissed.

“Finally,” Bucky set more blouses atop the mound, “Start putting these in boxes,” He ordered, merrily continuing his work.

“Woah, woah, woah, what are you doing?” You crossed your arms, your purse sagging annoyingly down to your elbow.

“Moving,” He said as if it was a perfectly acceptable explanation.

“Jesus,” You dropped your purse and grabbed a handful of hangers, moving to return them to the closet. Bucky stopped you, his hand on yours as he backed you away from the folding door.

“I was thinking about it,” He took the clothes from you, tossing them without looking on top of the rest. “It’s a hassle having to run over here to get you clothes. In fact, I’ve wasted a lot of time driving back and forth across this city. So I figured it would be easier if you just stayed at my place. Less expensive, too. No rent for you.”

“I’m not doing that,” You growled, “You’re fucking insane.”

He scoffed before carrying on. “And since you’ve shown me how I can’t trust you, it would be all the better to keep an eye on you.” He leaned down, lowering his voice as he spoke in your ear, “Keep you nice and close so you can’t go sneaking around.”

“I won’t go,” You snarled, trying to back away but he latched onto your arms and held you in place.

“Fine, but you won’t have much longer before you have nowhere to go if you do,” He smirked, his expression startling, “I already gave your notice. You’re out at month’s end and the landlord’s set to auction off all your furniture. Proceeds are yours, of course.”

“You’re fucking kidding?” You sputtered angrily, trapped in his clutches.

“When do I fucking joke?” He released you with a shove and turned back to the closet, pausing to bark over his shoulder, “Well, get to work. We still have a lot to go.”

tags: @they-call-me-le @holylulusworld @petit-funsize @ladyofmyst @kellyn1604 @thelostallycat @grayxswan @collette04 @butteryoptimisticpeanut @buckycaptspideypool @blackpantherimagines @lilithhellfire @captainfreecandyvan @spaghettirogers @phoenix21love @sathlens @iheartsebastianstan @bethanyzed @breezy1415 @alexakeyloveloki @beautiful-and-strange @momc95

#bucky barnes x reader #steve rogers x reader #bucky barnes #steve rogers #dark!bucky #dark!bucky barnes #dark bucky #dark bucky barnes #dark!fic #dark steve rogers #dark!steve rogers #darkverse #au #witness #series #fic #mcu #marvel

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porchwood · 5 years

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Okay, here goes. The incredible @everlarkedalways created a GoFundMe to help me out through present circumstances, but before I share that link, I wanted to explain a bit of what’s been going on. I feel awful accepting financial help, in part because I’ve been such a dry well for the past 18 months (I have nothing creative to give back/say “thank you” with) and also because so many of you have previously contributed monies to help me through other crisis points over the past five years (yes, it’s been that long and no, it doesn’t seem to be getting any better). But things are maybe the most desperate they’ve ever been and I really can’t say no to badly needed help.

Because I’m long-winded, I’m going to try to condense this into a simple chronological order. Things have been relentlessly bad since my car accident on December 26, 2013, but this is where the current run really started:

December 2017: The day after Christmas, I went to the ER at 3am with excruciating chest and upper back pain, a bad experience all around (terrible staff, indifferent care). Their best guess was that I’d had an acid reflux attack, something I’d never had before (but have had since, alas :/).

January 2018: The ER bill saga began, and after loads of paperwork/headaches applying for any kind of aid/bill forgiveness, they put me on a payment plan for the $1,343 balance (and yes, that was "after” insurance - Marketplace policies are crap and all they did was “adjust” the total; nothing was covered). Meanwhile, I started taking Lucky to an acupuncturist over an hour’s drive away, desperate to find something to ease her severe separation anxiety (nonstop barking and howling when I was gone, which we have been struggling to treat, with varying degrees of success, for over two years). The sessions were very expensive (around $400 for one month - I had to put them on a credit card that I’m still chipping away at) and actually made her WORSE.

February 2018: The downstairs neighbors left a mildly threatening note about Lucky’s howling - the day before my birthday. In a ridiculous twist of luck, I managed to find a great sitter who only takes little dogs and was (and still is) able to watch Lucky for me as needed, but it cost me $25/day. (At most I would use her two days a week, but you can see how quickly that would add up.) At the same time, I also started administering CBD drops (suggested by our new vet) to Lucks when I had to leave her at home.

July 2018: After increasing the dosage multiple times, I finally started seeing improvement in Lucky’s behavior from a combination of the CBD drops and SAMe, which was huge (note the timespan), but these therapies cost about $100 month. I resolved to make it work somehow.

September 2018: I found out that my workplace had been bought out by an area salon and would be changing hands soon. Shortly thereafter the new owner sent us the employee handbook, which stated that we could not have another job in the same field (many massage therapists in this part of the country work at multiple places as there simply isn’t enough work to go around, especially in the off-season). The new owner was originally okay with me keeping my second job (on-call work at a yoga studio), and then I learned that that position was switching from a subcontractor to an outright rental (I would have to pay up front for the use of the room and possibly make none of it back while having to promote myself as a business), so for several reasons I decided I would leave that second job at the end of October and try to pick up more hours at my “main” job. One bright spot in all this: the downstairs neighbors moved out at the end of the month, but...

October 2018: ...the day after the neighbors moved out, the landlord informed my roommate (a THG fandom friend and content creator) that the owner of our building had sold the property and that we had 30 days to vacate. I can’t even begin to articulate how stressful, expensive, frightening, and exhausting that time was. By the end of October our only real option was a little house approximately 10 miles from town, and miraculously we got ourselves moved out there - to the tune of lots of $$$ and insane energy expenditure.

November 2018: Because I now lived about 20 mins from work and I have to come home at lunchtime to take Lucky out (and give her a booster of anxiety drops), I had to switch to split shifts. If you’ve ever worked split shifts, you will understand why this sucks (you’re never home, you’re always tired, and you never see or spend time with the people you live with). My new boss put me on the schedule for two additional days a week (I initially had just two days a week, period, hence the second job), which initially seemed very promising, but neither myself nor the rest of the staff realized that the new management had an either/or policy when it comes to pay. (This is messy and frustrating to explain, but in a nutshell: instead of getting paid commission for massages and hourly for the rest of your clocked-in time - laundry, desk help, etc - you get paid ONLY commission, i.e., nothing for all the extra things you do, unless the commission divided by hours amounts to less than minimum wage, in which case they pay you minimum wage for the week instead, including for your massage hours. Which is not cool but is, apparently, legal.) So I was driving about an hour a day (20 mins each way, twice, to the tune of about 300 miles/week) just to make minimum wage (we were entering the dead season for massage and I’m the perpetual “second string” therapist anyway, so some weeks I had just four clients in four days :/), which was exhausting and disheartening.

December 2018: Daylight glimmered: my sister (with whom I am extremely close and who I hadn’t seen in a year and a half) flew out to see me after Christmas. A coworker agreed to cover the whole week and a half of her visit for me, and I was a little nervous about taking the time off (unpaid, of course) at such a rotten financial time, but I hadn’t had a vacation of any kind since moving to Maine nor a weekend off since August of 2017. I resolved to be extra frugal during her visit and my work schedule was going to be almost full after she left, so I was pretty sure I could squeak through somehow.

I saw her off on her return trip, and that night I was carrying some dishes down from our living room when I took a very bad fall down the stairs. These are awful, steep “Maine stairs,” and in my fall my left leg shot out through the open side of the staircase and wedged the knee against the bookcase in the dining room below. When I tried to get up I realized that something was very wrong with my knee, and my roommate helped me to bed with ice, a brace, ibuprofen, etc. The following morning I went to the hospital and was directed to the same stupid ER (the last place I ever wanted to go again, but they don’t have urgent care out here and wouldn’t let me just see a GP, so I broke down and cried in admissions). The care I received was middling, if not as bad as on my previous visit, and the nurse-practitioner ordered no weight-bearing for three days, which meant losing the rest of that (desperately needed) work week, and advised following up with orthopedics the next week if the knee wasn’t better.

My wonderful roommate made all kinds of accommodations for my comfort for those three days, and I implemented all the extra therapies I could think of (turmeric, arnica, l-glutamine, Epsom salt soaks, etc). I asked my employers about the possibility of picking up non-massage hours (covering the desk, laundry, etc) but was given the impression that there was nothing for me to do till I could return to massage again. I went to the orthopedic doctor last Thursday and his diagnosis was an MCL (least concerning of the knee ligaments) sprain or tear. I was already strides ahead on his self-care recommendations (getting myself off the crutches, constantly wearing a good brace) and he was supposed to refer me for some PT, but I haven’t heard a peep on that front, and I’m not particularly concerned because, Lord knows, my insurance probably wouldn’t pay for that anyway. He estimated 4 weeks to full recovery but I’m determined to get back to work before that.

So, here’s where we’re at: I’m out of work at the worst time of year, and at the very least, I’ll lose 2.5 weeks of pay (on top of the planned week I took off, plus Christmas and New Year’s were unpaid holidays). Because we live in Maine where everyone has beastly heating fuel, even in a decently insulated house (as I believe this one to be), it costs us around $350 a month to keep the place at 58 degrees through the winter months. (Yes, 58 degrees. 60 if we’re splurging.)

My credit cards are maxed out from car repairs and copious Lucky expenses (including an emergency vet visit - she ended up being fine but it was one of those things that happens after hours/over a weekend and you really shouldn’t wait several days to have checked out).

Oh, and just for fun, our January rent payment got lost in the mail. The landlord was very nice about it and we promptly sent out a replacement, but this meant paying $35 for a stop-payment on the missing check (did I mention that I had to buy checks, to the tune of almost $30, just for paying rent?).

Those of you who have already donated: you are quite literally keeping me going right now. You covered Lucky’s rabies booster yesterday and refills of her food and supplements (all of which, naturally, were running out at the same time), and Lucky is absolutely the reason I’m still alive, so her care honestly means more to me than my own.

I have no idea what my medical bills will look like at this point. I’m assuming the ER visit will be around $1000, and I’m sure the orthopedic visit will be up there somewhere too. As soon as bills start coming in I’ll apply for aid (or, likelier than not, a payment plan), but in order to do that they’re going to want my new tax returns, which means I’m going to have to get my taxes done (probably in Feb) just to find out what my ultimate medical expenses will be. (I used to do my own taxes cheaply through TaxAct, but I was a subcontractor for part of the year, which complicates things and means having to pay someone $$$ to do them this round. I may actually owe on my taxes this year, which is terrifying.)

The healing has been going well overall and I’m hoping to be able to go back to work next week, but I don’t want to assume my knee will oblige. To add insult to injury, I just got hammered with a terrible cold (the kind that levels you in bed), so my body is triaging itself and I’m not sure which is going to get the care first. Surprisingly enough, Lucky’s being a great little nurse, but recovery is a difficult and very lonely process, especially when you get saddled with illness on top of injury.

Anyway, sorry for the ramble. I’ve been reluctant to talk about the miserable past year, but in light of the fact that I’m receiving (and, I guess, asking for :/ ) help, I thought you should know what’s been going on. Thanks for listening and blessings on your day. <3

#bad stuff #gofundme

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cards-onthetable · 5 years

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Seems I'm wearing grumpy pants again... sorry

(LOL OOPS I get notifications for asks and messages but not submissions for some reason, so I’m just seeing this. Sorry if it’s been sitting since last week...)

Thanks for the review. I needed that laugh!! But I had questions, oh so many questions. So I watched the Jamko bits on instagram. I tried to send an ask but not enough characters (do you wanna punch me yet)?

1. Why does arsehole Janko have Jamie's mobile number? Do they have a relationship independent of Eddie? Maybe it's just me being stupid for assuming, but wouldn't Jamie's number be unlisted to avoid dealing with BS from those he arrests?

I’m sure Jamie’s actual cell number is not public knowledge - Maybe Armin knew which precinct Jamie’s at, and went through Police Channels to contact him? Like maybe that’s his duty phone as a sergeant or something? Or maybe Lena had passed on an NYPD courtesy card to him in jail lol. Hooray for plot holes. Who knows.

2. Did Lena know more about her husbands shady dealings than she lets on/Eddie is aware of? To me that would explain why never divorced. Or she may just be the marriage is forever no matter what type. Given the strained relationship between Eddie and her mother and also the way Lena seems to have treated her, I'm not so sure Lena was totally clueless. She may have moved a bit because people give her grief but she sure is not struggling financially so maybe her husband in jail is worth the high life.

It wouldn’t surprise me. When I wrote (and named, yo) Lena Janko I characterized her as a petty, materialistic person who was a knowing bystander at least, if not actually complicit in Armin’s crimes. But lol I also wrote Armin as a reformed, sympathetic, Good Guy out of prison so what do I know? But we saw that Eddie does not have contact with her father so I do assume Lena still has contact with him at this point - how else did he know Eddie’s engaged, which precinct to find her fiancé, etc?

3. Does Eddie still drive her Porsche? Given that it came from a dubious money source, it seems odd to me that she would still be driving it. The fanfare of the wedding will invite media attention so why make it so easy to make nasty comments? You know Garrett is all about OPTICS and she is about to be a REAGAN aka NYPD ROYALTY. What if Frank is asked about their relationship at a press conference? OPTICS PEOPLE! OPTICS!

No idea dude. When’s the last time we actually saw that car? I don’t know but previously I accepted the headcanon that she kept it at her parents’ suburban McMansion most of the time, with rare times she’ll bring it to the city for a few days. Parking in NYC is expensive af, yo. Like an actual assigned space costs as much as a second rent in some places. But now we know Lena’s been moving around the city for the last 5 years, not up in Westchester babysitting Eddie’s car, so your guess is as good as mine. As far as the optics, I’m not sure how they’ll play it. Lena has brought up the Irony of Eddie, daughter of a criminal, marrying the PC’s son but nobody else has said very much. Maybe the show will address it in a typical Who Cares way and it’ll just be a non-issue.

4. REDACTED because I have some Thoughts about this topic that I hope to address in this fic I’m hoping to finish soon. 👍

5. Why do you hate Anthony? I personally enjoy his sarcasm. But then I also enjoy Gormley's putting the mouth in gear before the brain so frequently.

WHY DO I HATE ANTHONY? OH HERE’S A CAN OF WORMS, AUSSIE. But I’ll be succinct. Anthony’s entire existence bothers me. He’s only here to make Erin’s lawyer-y storylines into detective-y storylines. How often do we see Erin actually act as a lawyer? We usually see her and Anthony Investigating or maybe arguing/discussing a case. We rarely see her actually going her job (except when her ADA position conflicts with Frank’s NYPD agenda). It’s like the show runners have no faith in their audience, and think the viewers only want to see detective/police storylines - as if lawyer storylines, and that whole branch of the justice system, would be too Boring for tv. So I hate Anthony because he takes away any opportunities for Erin - a supposedly powerful and successful woman - to do her actual job, and her entire position as ADA is minimized in the show. It’s insulting to the audience and insulting to Erin too. Anthony’s entire existence is unnecessary for the show to go on. Let us see Erin actually be a lawyer in a context other than being the Reagan Family Bad Guy (and maybe that would humanize her a little bit! We all know she gets some pretty shit writing/characterization lately) and drop this whole charade that investigative, action-packed storylines are the only interesting or relevant storylines.

The whole Jamko and the precinct secret is still BULLSHIT. There is no way there is no push back if their coworkers do in fact know. Does anybody know if this is actually allowed in the NYPD? A superior can date a direct subordinate? Seems ridiculous if that is actually true. Corruption allegations would be made daily. (Agreed yo. We all know it’s ridiculous. And like, does the precinct know? Are they still in the dark? Jamie and Eddie can discuss wedding plans in front of everyone, but it’s still a secret? Coooolcoolcool.)

Jamie not understanding Eddie's messy family situation is BULLSHIT for someone about to be married. If Eddie can't talk to Jamie about this because she fears being judged/not supported then really they should not be getting married. I'm not saying spouses have to share absolutely everything, but what you go through in life often does shape how you see the world generally, so the fact both Eddie and Jamie have chosen to not discuss important aspects of their lives with each other should be a massive red flag. (AGREED AGREED AGREED. I have so many issues all the time. If they’d dated like normal people before jumping into rings and vows, they’d have worked out the majority of this Big Stuff before deciding to commit to one another for life. Like, you typically want to know these things as relevant info when making that decision to get engaged - not after. This “get engaged and figure everything else out later” shit was/is terrible. If the show insisted on doing it this way, they AT LEAST should have moved the Armin situation and the Baby Discussion to the first few episodes of the season. Don’t talk to me about the weird time lapses and inconsistencies in this show, I don’t care if a month of ~actual time~ passes in one week between back to back episodes... they should not be introducing these topics for the first time in the two episodes leading up to the wedding. GOD I HATE EVERYTHING.) There's a reason divorce is so prevalent. I wonder if Eddie feels she should reconcile with her parents because of the closeness of the Reagan family. Or is it something Eddie herself actually wants? Family or not, sometimes people are just toxic and you need to cut them off for your own sanity. (I hope the Reagans don’t put pressure on Eddie to fix things with her parents, ugh. That would be overstepping in a major way and yeah, your relationship to someone shouldn’t trump their toxicity - like Eddie doesn’t have to forgive her parents just because they’re her parents.)

We've already discussed my thoughts on the Reagan siblings getting arsehole sprung from jail before the show aired (spoiler: they were not nice thoughts folks), but as for the BB continuity, consider this: the only consistency is the inconsistency!

@kwannemacher and I have kinda discussed the whole prison fiasco and I think arsehole lost his temper one night after watching a TV show that drove him insane so he started a prison riot and got extra time. He didn't just throw things at TV, he tore TV off wall, set fire to his mattress and started an all in brawl. So 5 years extra for totally losing his shit. BB has the capacity to ignite tempers here so it's feasible arsehole Janko totally lost it. Probably watched one of those dating shows where they pick the so called love of their lives and he couldn't believe who the guy picked. We all have bad days!! (😂😂😂😂😂 omg I can be on board with this)

In closing I hope @ontherockswithsalt has insurance because I am wondering if her TV can withstand the wedding viewing party if you will be enjoying with her (lol I think I will be, and I plan to wrap myself in whole body bubble wrap for the protection of myself and everyone/everything around me). I'm already emotional 🤮🤮🤮 if they go with their own vows. I may be wrong, but I think Will shows Jamie's soft side next week. He won't be dead face or whatever it is you call him. (Dude I am ALL IN on those ridiculous vows. If they’d only said them once, I’d be rolling my eyes @ the grossness, but it would be whatever. BUT THEY MADE A POINT OF SAYING THEM TWICE so they’re committed at this point. Make Jamie recite those ridiculous words for the third time. I want to see the pain on his terrible face as he suffers through that again. If we don’t get those vows I’ll riot.)

Enjoy your week

Aussie

P.S. Yes I realise his name is Armin, but that guy is a narcissistic ARSEHOLE

#submission #aussie

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sakuswritersblog · 5 years

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Accidentally Engaged - Part 2 of a Noah Centineo Mini Series

A/N: Hey Everyone! Here it is… part 2 of ‘Accidentally Engaged!’ Things are getting real now and you’re gonna see how things are changing between Noah and the reader. I had so much fun writing this one, it’s actually one of my favorite parts, so I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did writing it! Let me know what you all think! Every kind of feedback is appreciated :)

This is an AU. A lot of the things I mention about Noah aren’t true. I know his family is like super supportive of him in real life, Also the things about his career are not true either. It’s just that the character in the movie is like that so I had to change it for the storyline as well.

read part 1 here and part 3 here :)

****

The weekend arrived faster than I thought which meant that it was almost time for us to go through with our crazy plan. I just picked Noah Centineo up from his apartment and we were heading towards the airport to catch our flight to Conway.

“I can’t believe people actually think we’re engaged. This is insane.“ I said as I was driving through Noah’s neighborhood. It was the fancy, expensive part of Los Angeles, a part of town I could never afford to live in.

“It’s all part of the break-up plan. A stereotypical Hollywood love story. Got engaged and that’s what ultimately leads to the break up. Fear of commitment. Wedding vows.“ Noah explained as he was scrolling through his phone.

“Cheating with another woman.“ I threw in, my eyes still focused on the road.

Noah looked up from his phone and over to me, “Hmm? What did you say?“

I rolled my eyes at him. “Can you put that thing down for like two seconds? We have to make sure our story is on the same page if we’re getting married.“ I say, tilting my head to look at him.

Noah put his phone down and sighed, leaning his head against the headrest of his seat, “Alright, I got it. We met on set. You spilled coffee on me. You offered to pay for my dry cleaning and when I called to collect it, you asked me out. And the rest is history.“

I scoffed, “I asked you out? I don’t think so.“

“Why not? Girls ask me out all the time.“ He looked at me, confused.

“Yeah… starstruck girls who get week knees just by looking at you. I’m not in that category.“

“Okay. What’s your brilliant idea then?“ He asked me.

“I don’t know, Noah. We don’t really know anything about each other.“ I tell him as we come to a stop at a red light.

“Let me guess. You grew up bored in a small town, always yearning for more. You watched chick flicks at the movies and always dreamed about being the next Julia Roberts. So you saved all of your money from the local five and dine and hopped on a bus to pursue your dreams in the City of Angels. Am I right?“ He looked over his shoulder and glanced over to me.

“You got me. Except for the part where I went to college and studied communications because I was too scared to chase after what I really wanted. Oh and the year I moved back with my mom because she was battling breast cancer. And of course the one time I almost got lost in Los Angeles because my car broke down in K-town and I didn’t have the money to fix it.“ I told him as I keep driving the car.

He gave me a sympathetic glance, “Oh shit. I’m sorry to hear that.“

“Don’t be sorry, I’m fine. I mean everybody has tough rides. But now, Mr. Centineo, it’s your turn.“ I said, looking at him.

“Oh come on. You gotta guess.“

“Okay. So… Rich parents. Had you in acting since you were a toddler. When the cool times ended you wanted to break out of that perfect Disney star persona, so you did that one terrible movie where you played a psycho pre-teen who was racking his neighbors. Shunned by your entire fan base, you’ve been doing everything you can to regain that perfect image for the last decade. Smiling into cameras, doing interview after interview, trying to portray the picture perfect Hollywood star everyone’s expecting you to be. But it’s hard because it’s not who you really are.“ I guessed, looking at him.

Noah sighed, “Ouch. That was pretty rough.“

“So what did I miss? Except for all the girls of course.“

“Well, you got me. Bad guy right here.“ He said, pointing to himself.

“I never said you were a bad guy, Noah. Just that you’re not perfect. But nobody is.“

“Tough rides for everyone, huh?“ He laughed before changing the topic. “You’re an only child?“

I nodded, “Yup. You?“

“One older sister. My parents are divorced, thank God for that. They still live in Florida.“

“You’re the black sheep of the family?“

“Kinda. I always lived in my sister’s shadow. She’s the perfect A-student who went to Harvard University. She has her own doctor’s office up on the East Coast. The only thing I’m good for is to pay for stuff my parents can’t afford.“ He stated, looking out the window.

“So no rich parents then?“

“No. I moved out to Los Angeles to live with my aunt when I was little. I always fought with my sister and got into trouble a lot. My parents never believed I had the potential to be something better. They never supported me or my acting career. My aunt on the other hand always believed in me. She was the one who helped me channel all of that into my acting. We’re still best friends ‘til this day.“

I couldn’t help but smile at that. There was more to Noah Centineo than I expected. He wasn’t just a self-oriented guy who only cared about himself or his career. He truly seemed to care about his aunt and all the things she had done for him. Maybe I shouldn’t have judged him so quickly.

“That’s cute. The part about your aunt I mean.“ I smiled at him. He just smiled back at me, locking his eyes with mine.

We spent the rest of the ride just chatting away, getting to know each other better. When we finally arrived at the airport we had to hurry through security to catch our flight back to my hometown. Unfortunately, things did take a lot longer than expected and our flight had to be delayed. After a couple of hours, we eventually landed in Conway and hurried over to the car I rented for us and made our way to meet my friends.

It was already dark outside when we finally arrived at the location for the rehearsal dinner.

I pulled the car into the parking spot in front of the restaurant before we both got out of the car.

“Okay, so who’s getting married again?“ Noah asked as he closed the car door behind him.

“My best friend Emily. She’s the least of our worries though. The ones we have to think about are Ashley and Jane.“ I explained as I walked over to him.

“Why? What exactly are they going to do?“ Noah asked, sounding a little worried.

“They’re gonna do anything they can. Just be careful around them okay?“ He nodded.

“Oh and I almost forgot. All of my friend’s call me (Y/N/N). It’s just an easy nickname.“

Noah grabbed something out of his jacket. “I almost forgot about this too.“ He said before, handing it over to me. It was an engagement ring.

I looked at him with wide eyes, “Noah, are you crazy?“

He smiled at me. “Put it on.“ I put in on my finger and just stared at it for a second. “Wow… that’s amazing.“

“Yeah, that’s from my aunt’s first marriage. She let me borrow it.“ He saw that I was struggling to put it on completely and immediately helped me out. “Here, I’ve got it.“ He touched my hand and slipped the ring on until it fit perfectly onto my finger.

“There you go.“ He smiled at me.

“Thanks,“ I whispered, blushing a little.

He let go of my hand and stared at me for a moment, before hiding both of his hands inside his pockets.

“Okay, let’s do this.“ He said, opening the door for me. I gave him a short smile and entered the restaurant before he followed me inside.

****

Once we walked into the restaurant I saw Ashley and Dylan, who immediately stared at the both of us.

“I don’t believe it.“ Ashley stated, completely amazed about Noah being there.

Soon the rest of the group noticed our presence and turned around to look at us, all of them just as surprised to see my fake fiancé as Ashley was.

“Uhm… they seem nice.“ Noah whispered, leaning over to me.

Jane rushed over to Ashley and squeaked into her ear. “Oh my gosh, he’s real.“ I heard her say before they both walked over to greet us. Everyone else did the same, but of course, Emily was the first one to arrive.

She pulled me into a hug and smiled. “Hey.“ I smiled and hugged her back.

“Noah Centineo, look at you. Just as handsome as you are in the movies.“ Ashley pointed out, a shy smile on her face.

“Yeah and tall,“ Jane added, looking him up and down.

Noah just smiled at everyone, but I could tell that he was already feeling a little overwhelmed. I put my hand on his shoulder to reassure him before introducing everyone.

“Okay, so this is Noah. And this is… Emily. Jake. Dylan. Ashley and Jane.“ I said, pointing at each of them as I was saying their names.

“Okay, let’s see. Hello Emily. Jake. Dylan. Ashley and Jane.“ He shook the boys' hand and smiled at the girls as he was going through each of their names.

“We all went to school together except for Jake,“ I explained to Noah.

“My fiancé graduated in the ’90s.“ Emily said, looking at Jake.

“Yes. We didn’t have books then, there was no fire. A lot of us didn’t make it.“ Jake joked, making Noah laugh.

“Oh my gosh, look at this!“ Ashley noticed the ring on my finger and took my hand to look at it.

Jane’s eyes widened, “Oh… wow. Congratulations to both of you.“ She said a little flabbergasted before looking back at us.

“Yeah… congrats.“ Dylan chimed in, a hint of jealousy in his voice.

Noah smiled before looking at Emily and Jake, “Congratulations to you guys as well. I got you a little something.“ He said before pulling out an envelope and handing it to Emily.

“Wow… thank you.“ She smiled at him and Jake did the same. “Thanks, that’s so sweet.“ He then realized what he just said and turned away in embarrassment, but Noah just laughed it off.

“Did we really miss the entire rehearsal dinner? I’m so sorry we were late.“ I apologized, looking at everyone.

“Yeah, you did.“ Ashley answered but Emily brushed it off. “No, it’s seriously fine. Besides you know how these things go. Walk down the aisle, smile, grab a bouquet, done.“

“and what held you guys up anyway?“ Ashley asked looking at us.

“Believe it or not they had to delay the flight because everyone asked for autographs. Luckily they eventually took off though.“ I explained and the others laughed.

“Wow, everything must be easier once you’re famous,“ Ashley commented, glancing at Noah.

He just smiled uncomfortably, clearly wanting to escape the situation.

“Okay, how about we get some punch? We’re here so… come on, help yourselves.“ Emily said before walking over to the buffet. The rest of the group followed her, leaving Noah and me alone.

“So… what did you get them?“ I asked him once everyone had left.

“Uh, it’s nothing.“ He replied, looking at me.

He put his hand on my back and smiled, “I like your friends.“

“So do I.“ I answered before we joined the others.

Noah headed to the buffet to grab some food while I sat at the table, talking to Dylan.

“Okay, so how are things with Hollywood?“ Dylan asked me.

“Oh they’re good. Great.“ I answered, looking at him.

He shook his head and looked over to Noah. “No I mean Mr. Hollywood.“

“Ohh, okay. They’re fine. Everything’s great.“

He sighed, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.“

“No, it’s fine. It’s all just new, you know? We’re still getting to know each other. Just how it is with new romances.“

“I’m only making sure you’re not making the wrong decision, that’s all.“ He stated, looking back at me.

I glanced over to Noah, who was caught up in a conversation with Ashley and Jane while putting some food on his plate.

“I could say the same thing to you, Dylan.“ He sighed and looked over to his girlfriend Ashley before focusing his eyes back on me.

“Are we ever going to talk about what happened after graduation?“ He asked, folding his hands together.

I shut my eyes and let out a breath before responding to him. “Dylan… I just didn’t know what to say.“

“I told you that I loved you. You could have said it back, you know?“

I sighed, “I just… of course I loved you, Dylan. But-“

“You didn’t think I was good enough for you?“

“We were friends and that meant too much to me.“

He sighed and looked down at his hands, “sweet.“

There was a tension between us that I hated which is why I decided to change the topic.

“Do you remember freshman year? I told my mom I was staying at Ashley’s parents beach house.“

Dylan laughed a little, “yeah and I told my mom that I had to go to Charleston to compete with the debate team just so we could go camping together. You heard a sound and thought it was a bear and completely freaked out.“

“I did not! You got freaked out. You could barely roast your marshmallow.“

“Truth be told: I wasn’t scared. I just wanted to get closer to you.“ He admitted, looking at me.

I didn’t know what to say to that which is why I just looked back at him.

He fumbled around with his hands before he said, “I don’t think I have with Ashley what I had with you.“

“Maybe you haven’t tried. Maybe you should though. I mean, Ashley’s great.“

Dylan nodded, “Yeah, maybe you’re right.“ He paused for a second. “Do you have with Noah what you had with me? Or maybe even better?“ He asked, sounding a little nervous.

“I mean he’s my fiancé, right?“ I answered before Noah joined us back at the table.

****

After two hours at the restaurant Noah and I decided to leave and go back home to my parent’s house, which was where we were staying for the night.

When we arrived it was pitch black inside, meaning my parents were already asleep.

I quietly closed the door behind me before putting all my stuff down on the floor.

“So this is where you grew up, huh?“ Noah asked, looking around the house.

“Yeah.“ I whispered back while I was fumbling for the light switch.

When the lights turned back on, my parents jumped out of their hiding places, scaring both Noah and me.

I screamed and Noah jumped out of his skin while my parents just laughed at us. “I told you guys to never do that again!“ I said before greeting them with a hug.

“Oh come on, it’s our tradition.“ My mom said, laughing.

“Whenever she came home late, we’d be hiding in the dark and go 'paaah’ and it would scare her every time!“ She told Noah, making me roll my eyes.

“Yeah, it’s a creepy tradition.“ I pointed out which made Noah laugh.

“Oh look at you. My future son-in-law.“ My mom smiled before pulling Noah into a hug. He smiled and hugged her back. “Welcome to our home.“ She said once they pulled apart from each other.

“Thank you for having me, Mr. and Mrs. (Y/L/N).“ Noah smiled at my parents.

“No, sir. It’s Bill and Sandy.“ My dad said, wrapping his arm around my mother’s waist.

“Bill and Sandy. Okay.“

My mom looked at us, “Okay, let’s get you guys settled in. (Y/N), you know the way. You young man just follow her.“ She said as we were going upstairs.

I lead the way to my room where Noah and my parents followed me to.

“Creepy fact number 2: they left my room exactly like this.“ I said, pointing towards my childhood bedroom.

“I think this is awesome. Every time I go home my room is used for different activities. Yoga studio, game room. And the last time I visited it was a room for foster dogs.“

“There’s no reason for us to change it. I mean it’s not our’s to change.“ My mom stated, leaning against the bedroom door.

“They’re probably hoping for me to move back here.“

“Oh honey, what kind of parents would we be if we didn’t?“ Noah smiled at that, looking over to me.

“Alright. You two should probably get some rest. If there’s anything that you need, just let us know.“

Noah nodded, “Thank you Mrs-“ My mom cleared her throat. “I mean Sandy.“

My mom smiled at us before both of them went back to their room next door.

Noah sat down on my bed and looked at me. “Yeah, your parents are pretty awesome. You’re very lucky, (Y/N).“

“Yeah, but you’re still not sleeping here.“ I said and Noah looked at me confused.

“There’s a futon next door with your name written all over it.“ I said, pointing towards the guest room.

“Alright.“ Noah got up from my bed and walked out of the room. I let out a breath before getting ready to go to bed.

****

When I walked downstairs the next morning I heard laughter coming from the kitchen. I went to check out what was going on and saw Noah making breakfast with my parents.

They seemed to have a lot of fun together which I thought was really cute. I also got to see a different side of Noah that I hadn’t seen before. A more funny, sweet kind of side that I really enjoyed being around.

I was just hoping that my parents didn’t get too attached to him though since we weren’t actually getting married.

I smiled at them before we sat down together to have some breakfast. Once we were finished with eating, Noah and I had to head off to the next wedding-related event.

We grabbed our suitcases and walked out the door.

“Alright, so what’s next on the big wedding agenda?“ Noah asked as we walked to my car.

“We’re headed to the beach. Tonight is the Bachelor and Bachelorette Party.“

“You know, I’ve actually never been to one of those,“ Noah mentioned as he put our suitcases in the trunk.

“Oh relax, it’s not gonna be as bad as it is in the movies. You guys are gonna play some video games and eat lots of junk food. There’s probably also gonna be a burping contest and lots of other manly stuff.“ I explained, looking at him.

“All of the things you just mentioned sound awesome to me.“ Noah said before we got into the car.

“Thank you by the way for helping me with my suitcase,“ I said as I pulled out of the parking lot.

Noah smiled at me, “You’re welcome.“

A few minutes later we arrived at the beach where everyone else was already waiting. I parked the car and grabbed our suitcases before we both headed to our cabins.

Once I brought my stuff up to my cabin I went back outside to meet my friends, who were all waiting by a table right next to the beach. Noah was already there, talking to them when I arrived and smiled when he saw me. I smiled back and walked over to him.

“So… he proposed to you at work?“ Ashley asked after a while, looking at us curiously.

“Actually it was more like-“

“It was a whole thing, you know.“ Noah interrupted and I played along.

“yeah and then it was just… wow.“ I added and Noah nodded, “yeah totally. I’m usually not that romantic but I just couldn’t help myself when it comes to her.“ He then wrapped his arm around my shoulder and I looked at him with loving eyes, playing the perfect part.

Ashley and Jane 'awwed’ at that, but Dylan just looked at them confused, “What are you guys awwing about? They didn’t even say anything.“

Ashley rolled her eyes at her boyfriend, “They don’t have to say anything. It's so romantic.“ She said, looking at us.

“What’s so romantic about that?“ Dylan asked before he added, “I’m romantic. I’m very romantic.“

“How are you romantic, babe?“ Ashley asked, raising her brows at him.

“I took you to the pier last week and we got ice cream.“

“Yeah, but Jane went with us.“

“Ashley, you don’t even like all that romantic stuff.“

“Oh yeah? How do you know that?“ She asked, clearly annoyed at Dylan.

“Well to me and it might be sappy, anything can be romantic with the right person. It doesn’t really matter what you do together as long as you’re with the person you can be romantic with.“ Emily chimed in, looking at her fiancé, who smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

“Anything can be romantic?“ Jane asked and Emily nodded, “Yeah, anything. Like making breakfast in the morning together. That can be very romantic.“

“Yeah. Noah makes great omelets.“ I commented, thinking back to earlier this morning when he and my dad made omelets together. Noah smiled and blushed a little.

A tall, brunette, beautiful but slightly older woman walked in and looked over to us. “Uhh, guys. I’d like you to meet my publicist Susanne. She’s just coming by to make sure everything’s good, you know?“ He said, introducing us to her.

“Hey, guys. Look at you… all so cute and American.“ Susanne said, looking at everyone.

Noah looked at me, putting his hand on my back. “And this is my fiancé (Y/N).“ He introduced me to her.

Susanne stared at me for a second before reaching out to shake my hand. I took it, feeling a little bit of tension coming from her. She was probably the one Noah was dating in real life which I assumed because of the way she was looking at him while looking at me with jealous eyes.

“Hey, (Y/N). It’s so nice to finally meet you. Noah has said so many good things about you.“ She smiled while she kept shaking my hand.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Susanne.“ I said, looking back at her. She was still shaking my hand which just felt weird at this point and luckily Noah seemed to sense how uncomfortable I felt and stopped us by putting his hand on Susanne’s arm.

“Okay, that’s enough. You guys are officially shaken.“ He said and I gave him a thankful smile.

Susanne looked at me one more time before turning around, “I’m gonna dip my toes in the pool. Anyone care to join me?“ She asked, looking at the boys who were there for the Bachelor party.

They nodded and the three of them disappeared towards the pool. Once Susanne was gone, everyone let out a breath.

“Was that the stripper for the bachelor party?“ Ashley joked.

“She can join us at the bachelorette party tonight if she wants.“ Emily said, looking at me and Noah, who instantly shook his head at that, “No… no it’s okay.“

“I’d love to!“ Susanne interrupted, causing all of us to look at her.

“Okay, good.“ Emily said, trying to cool the atmosphere which didn’t really seem to work though.

I could tell how tense Noah was and wrapped my arm around him. “Hey, you okay?“ I asked but he just smiled at me. “Yeah, sure. Everything’s great.“ I know he wasn’t being honest with me but decided to just drop it and smiled back at him instead.

****

It was a few hours later and Emily’s bachelorette party was still going. We were headed towards the pool, trying cool off a little bit.

Emily and Susanne were getting along pretty well and were walking together, while Jane and Ashley were with me.

“Have you ever met that publicist before?“ Ashley asked when we arrived at the pool.

I shook my head, “No, not before today. She’s very big in the business though.“

“She was getting really flirty with your fiancé at the beach this afternoon.“ Ashley commented and Jane nodded, “yeah and she’s like super gorgeous.“

“And she’s flirty. Very flirty.“ Ashley said again but I just brushed it off. “Relax, you guys. She’s married to this handsome big-time agent in L.A. Besides, she’s not the first girl to flirt with Noah. Girls flirt with him all the time, you two included.“ I said, looking back at my friends. “I’m not worried about it. I trust Noah.“

“Or maybe you’re just a very good actress.“ Ashley stated, looking at me.

“He’s dated a lot of girls, (Y/N).“ Jane added.

“Yeah, I know. But he never makes me feel insecure so I’m not worried about it.“ I told her, which was the truth. I never did feel insecure around him even though I had a lot of reasons to be. Sure, he’s been an asshole to me when we first met, but he wasn’t like that to me anymore.

“Wow. A lot has changed since high school, huh?“ Ashley stated.

I looked at her confused, “What are you talking about?“

“I don’t know. You just used to be very insecure.“

“No, I’m not. Wasn’t. I wasn’t.“ I defended myself.

“Come on, (Y/N/N). You were super insecure. You never went out with anybody. You buried yourself in like-“

“The glee club, jazz choir. You did everything.“ Jane interrupted, looking back at me as well.

“I went out with Dylan all the time!“

“Yeah, but you used him to feel better about yourself.“

I gasped, “Yeah? Is that what you’re doing with him now?“

“Don’t try to turn this around on me. Dylan and I are doing just fine. I just worry about you, (Y/N).“

“What is that supposed to mean?“ I asked, looking at her with questioning eyes.

“Oh come on. He’s Noah Centineo. And you’re… you.“

“Can’t imagine why I’m insecure when I’ve got friends like you.“

“I’m not trying to pick a fight here, I’m just saying. He’s really good looking and I’d understand if you felt insecure. I just don’t want you to sabotage anything.“

Wow, so that’s how lowly my friends thought of me. I actually thought things had changed since high school, but they clearly hadn’t. At least not when it came to them.

“You’re wrong,“ I said and Ashley gave me a questioning look. “About you and Noah?“

“No, about how things have changed. You’re still playing games. Stupid little high school games.“ I told her before walking away from them.

I walked off and took a little breather when I saw Noah heading towards the bar. I decided to join him and walked over to him.

“Hey. What are you doing here?“ I asked before taking a seat next to him.

“Hey. I just needed to get away for a while. It started to get a little crazy with the guys. How about you? What are you doing here? You’re the maid of honor. Shouldn’t you be… I don’t know, leading the party or something?“ He asked, looking back at me.

“Yeah, apparently that honor has been crowned to your publicist Susanne. She sure knows how to have a good time.“

Noah laughed before taking a sip out of the wine he was holding in his hands.

“She’s the one you’re seeing, right?“ I questioned and Noah sighed, “Yeah. Are you mad?“

“I’m not.“

“You seem mad, though.“

“I’m not mad at you, Noah. I’m mad at my friends. They got to me tonight. It’s like high school drama all over again. Ashley made me feel bad about myself just like she used to back in school.“ I explained, immediately feeling angry again.

Noah noticed how tense I was and handed me the bottle of wine he was holding, which I gladly took.

“Thanks.“ I said before taking a big sip out of it.

“She’s probably jealous,“ Noah commented. I put the bottle down and looked back at him.

“Wow, you have an ego, Centineo.“

Noah laughed at that, “I didn’t mean about me. I meant about Dylan. I see the way he looks at you.“

“You picked up on that?“ I asked, a little surprised.

“I’m not quite as self-involved as you might think. I am capable of observing too.“ Noah said, looking at me.

“Yeah… we used to be close and then we weren’t. I don’t know it just ended. I was young and stupid. He… told me he loved me and I freaked out.“ I explained to him.

Noah nodded, “Yeah. That happens sometimes.“

“Things just got kind of weird since he started dating her.“

Noah leaned against the bar counter, crossing his arms. “Do you think he’s just with her because he can’t be with you?“

I shrugged my shoulders, “I don’t know. I hope not.“

“Do you think people always find their perfect match? Their so-called 'other half’?“ He suddenly asked, his voice changing a little.

“I mean…my mom and dad did.“

Noah sighed a little, “Yeah, they did give you pretty high standards, didn’t they? I don’t think it was as easy for them as you think, though. They worked pretty hard for what they have. Like all relationships do. I wish my parents would have worked harder sometimes. Maybe things would be different then.“ He said before taking another sip out the bottle.

I looked at him not really sure what to say. He certainly wasn’t the kind of person I first thought he was. He acted like a picture perfect Hollywood star that had everything anyone would ever want, but I could tell that he wasn’t really happy. It bothered him that he and his parents weren’t close and that he never really tried to work things out with them. I think the reason why he dated and hooked up with a ton of girls was because he liked the attention he was getting from them, which was something he never really got from his parents. He probably just felt insecure about himself and wanted to be with someone who didn’t make him feel that way.

“But I guess what really matters is how do you feel about him?“ He asked, looking back at me.

“I don’t know. I mean I did have feelings for him but I was… insecure and not mature enough or maybe just not ready. I don’t really know, probably all three of them.“ I said, laughing a little.

“and what about now?“

“I don’t know, it’s different. He’s different. Not like it used to be.“

“That’s because you broke his heart. You’re a heartbreaker.“

“I’m a heartbreaker? What about you? Haven’t you broken plenty of hearts already?

“Probably not as many as you’d think. I had my heart broken though and I can tell you that it changes you. Which is probably why Dylan is acting the way he is in front of you.“

I laughed a little, “Seems like you’re quite the expert, Centineo.“

Noah smiled, “Just speaking from my own experience.“ He stated before taking another sip.

“You know… I gotta admit. This is not quite as bad as I thought it was gonna be. It’s actually been kind of fun.“ He admitted and I nodded, “Yeah, it’s definitely gone better than I expected.“ I paused and looked over to him.

“You too, for the record. I’m sorry if I gave you a hard time before.“

“Yeah… I wasn’t exactly a gentlemen around you either.“ He responded, smiling at me. I smiled back at him, our eyes meeting. My heart jumped a little as I stared into his hazel brown eyes and I immediately looked away from him.

You can’t (Y/N), you know you can’t. He’s your fake fiancé, remember? Things can’t get real between you two. Besides he’s with someone else, so don’t even try to get too attached to him. I tell myself, knowing it was the truth.

“So… you think the party’s still going on?“ Noah asked, changing the topic.

I nodded, “Yeah, I should probably go and check on Emily. She never stays up past midnight and she’s probably passed out on the couch, especially after all that wine we had.“

“Alright.“ Noah said, getting up from the stool. I followed his movement before walking over to the entrance of the building.

“Okay, so what time are we supposed to leave tomorrow?“ Noah asked once we arrived at the entrance.

“I think at like 10? The wedding starts at five so.“

“Alright.“

He stared at me for a moment and smiled, “Thank you for a nice time. I had a lot of fun tonight.“

“Yeah, so did I. Thank you too.“ I answered, smiling back at him.

We stared at each other for a while and I could tell that he wanted to make a move on me. It wasn’t like I didn’t want him to, because I did. There was an unspoken connection between the two of us that was really intriguing to me, but I knew it couldn’t happen though. Because of that I turned around and walked away from him without saying another word. I felt his burning eyes on me as I walked inside but didn’t turn back around to look at him again.

Instead I headed back inside to check on my best friend Emily, who was fast asleep on the couch, before going back to my cabin to get some sleep for the big wedding day tomorrow.

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sasuhinasno1fan · 6 years

Text

I love you, you and your scars- Shiro Ship Week Day 7

When I was trying to come up with an idea, I kept thinking about a moment from Elementary, the TV show, episode 6 season 1 when Joan sees Sherlock’s scar and I wanted to do a shance version of this episode and went a bit deeper. So enjoy! Scars (Shance)

Lance woke up to the loud sound of...was that police scanners? What the hell was the insane boyfriend of his doing now? He climbed out of bed and went downstairs, his hands blocking his ears as he got closer and closer to the little nook in the living room. Screen of computers and blocky boxes of scanners completely filled the table. Lance leaned down trying to find the volume switch but these switches were completely foreign to him.

"Too loud?" Lance turned around to see Shiro standing behind him in his usual large sweater, his usual beanie not on, with a bowl of cereal in his hand. "I went to get breakfast and I didn't want to miss anything." He walked over, leaning around Lance to turn the volume down.

"I like being woken with kisses, sex or breakfast in bed, not the noise of work the follows us home everyday." Lance said, pouting as he moved away and flopped into his favourite seat near the window.

Shiro gave him that know-it-all look and walked over and planted a kiss on his lips. "better?"

"We're getting there. Why are you listening to this stuff anyway?"

"It's been dull lately and I don't know how much of these meetings I can take you dragging me to to fill up our time. I couldn't be more bored."

"They're to help you with your rehab Shiro, you know the deal."

"Yes, yes, I get the chance and privilege to date the one guy who's caught my attention since moving here and we still do what you were initially hired to do by being my sober companion and making sure I don't fall down the hole of drugs again."

Lance knew it was unprofessional, dating the guy he was a sober companion for. He'd been hired by Shiro's father to make sure his son stayed with his rehab. Shiro's mind was amazing, like something out of a book and it had impressed Lance. Shiro took one look at him and had been able to point out certain things about him most people would need an in depth conversation to find out. It also didn't help that he was really cute, like god worthy cute. Lance tried staying professional, he really, really did but the more time he spent with Shiro, helping him and the NYPD with cases and slowly – like molasses slow - getting to know him, it got worse. Lance was about to contact Shiro's father and ask he find his son a new sober partner but then Shiro told him how he felt.

"I fall in love really easily, or I guess in like would be more accurate. I like dating a person and having our relationship build from there. I'm not going to lie Lance, I do find you attractive and I do want a chance but I know it'll be hard because of our relation. I've been able to keep secrets from my father and I know you have it in you to be with a person yet still be professional."

He was glad Shiro had that trust in him, because he barely had it in himself, but Lance pushed through. He only really allowed Shiro to be affectionate and couple like inside their house and it helped him stay focused when they were out.

As Shiro sat back at the table filled with police scanners, Lance remembered an e-mail he’d gotten the night before.

“Oh, your dad e-mailed me to say he’s in town and wants to have dinner with us.”

Shiro stifled laughter, “my father? Wants to have dinner? don’t be ridiculous, my father doesn’t do dinner with those he’s hired. If he knew I was dating you it would do one of two things, you’d lose your job already or he’d care less.”

Lance knew Shiro didn’t get along with his dad, not even thinking he cared about him despite getting him to rehab and hiring Lance to be his sober companion, not to mention renting the very expensive brownstone in the heart of New York.

“Shiro, come on. Don’t you want a chance to at least talk to your dad? I’m sure he’s got a lot to say to you.”

“Since you said you can’t speak Japanese, I’ll give you translation: Takashi, why can’t you be more like your brother? You’re such a disappointment. Your mind is too flighty, think more seriously. That satisfy you?”

Lance sighed. He could tell Shiro wouldn’t budge. He could only hope he could convince Shiro to come with him by the time the day came.

“Last chance Shiro.” Lance said fixing his tie as he walked into the living room, where Shiro was planted trying to work on the new case. It was a plane crash that had a murder that started it. He was trying to find their new suspect but no luck so far.

“Also the last chance for you to also realise he’s not going to be there.” Shiro said, focusing on the screen

“Seriously? You’re still on this? what makes you so sure your dad isn’t going to show?” Lance asked standing over Shiro, getting annoyed with how much Shiro was trying to get him away from the dinner.

“Because he’s my father and it’s what he does? Breaks promises and boy’s hearts by never sticking to what he says? Because he doesn’t care enough to at least pretend to care?” Shiro said, like it should be obvious. Lance wasn’t going to take the bait. Shiro could be mad at his dad all he wanted, Lance was going.

“Fine, whatever you say. I’m going, I’ll text you when I get there.”

“If he’s decent enough to have your meal paid in apology, order the most expensive dessert.” Shiro called as Lance pulled his jacket on and left.

Lance was brimming to prove Shiro wrong, so when he was told that Mr. Shirogane was waiting for him at their table by the hostess, he wanted nothing more than to text Shiro, saying ‘Ha’ like a little kid. Granted Shiro could act childish when he wanted to so maybe that’s why they somehow worked well together. Sitting at the table was a tall man, with dark skin and white hair. Lance was surprised with how different he looked compared to Shiro, but he wasn’t going to judge. Shiro hadn’t told him much about his life but he never mentioned being adopted and they had their cases with such children. It didn’t matter, if Shiro’s father wanted to give him the whole story, then he would.

“Mr. Shirogane?”

“Ah, Mr. McClain. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Oh!” Mr. Shirogane had a pile of books on the table and knocked a few over as he got up to shake Lance’s hand. Lance was quick to help, slipping the receipt into the top book. “I’ve been meaning to catch up on reading and I rather physical books then electronics.”

“I understand. I feel the same way. The lab tech your son and I work with, not so much.”

“Speaking of which, is he parking the car?” Lance felt awkward all of a sudden, but Mr. Shirogane seemed to notice. “not coming is he? I didn’t think he would. My son and I don’t stay on the same page most of the time.”

“So he’s told me, but I’m so glad that we get to talk.” Lance said

“As am I. I do hope his opinion of me hasn’t darkened your picture. We’ve always been at odds, ever since he was a boy. Did you know that he once scaled the fence of our estate and walked along it pillar to pillar, even though I told him not to? Of course he fell off the fence and gained a compound fracture, bone went through the skin. But that boy was so stubborn to make sure I didn’t say I was right that he reset it himself, wrapped it and then wore long sleeve shirt for a few days. If it weren’t for the fact that he got sick with an infections a few days later, I would have never known.”

“Shiro did that?” Lance asked, astonished Shiro would go through such lengths to avoid his father.

“Yes, he has a scar, probably covered by one of those tattoos of his.”

“See, this is why I’m so glad we can do this. I have so many questions about Shiro’s life.” Lance knew he should wait for Shiro to tell them himself, but he was getting impatient. The guy was also his boyfriend.

“Of course. But if you could allow me a question?” Lance nodded. “how’s the sex?”

The table was silent as Lance blinked confused at the man in front of him, wearing an expect smile. “excuse me?”

“The sex? With the exuberant fees I’m paying, you must have to cater to everyone one of his needs.”

Lance continued to stare at the man in front of him. Tadashi Shirogane was to the point and polite in his e-mails he’d gotten from him. He was never crass or crude and kept things short and sweet. This guy was not. Not only that, he knew nothing of the relationship between Lance and his son, so for a comment like that to be made, Lance got fucking duped

“You’re not Tadashi Shirogane are you?”

The man burst into pleas of laughter, answering his question. “no, I’m so sorry. Shiro called me and asked me to come in his father’s place since…”

“His father wouldn’t be here.” Shit. Shiro was right. His dad had backed out and that smartass took advantage of that.

“I know that the two of you are together and I told him that this would be a sure fire way to have him sleeping on the couch, but he insisted that you needed to know he was right. I am very sorry.” It was hard to believe he was with how hard he was still laughing.

Shiro wouldn’t have to worry about the couch, because of his odd hours, especially during a case. But one thing was for sure, Lance was pissed off. Shiro was a dead man.

The man in question hadn’t been killed, but he had been yelled at by Lance who let him know just how much it upset him that he felt like he could take advantage of the fact that Lance knew so little about his boyfriend because his boyfriend wouldn’t open up. It did lead to him waking up to find Shiro on the window seat in his room telling him about his fear of flying that Lance had already figured out. he decided to ignore the whole event from the night before and keep Shiro on warning. He was still expecting a huge apology. The breakfast that was waiting for him from his favourite bakery was a start.

Now they stood on the other side of the integration mirror watching Matt and his boss Coran interrogate their main suspect in their current case. Shiro knew that the man had done it, it was just a matter of poking at the right place to get him to admit it but he was lying his ass off.

“I’ve never seen a more horrible liar.” Shiro said, his hand still covering his nose and mouth as if he could still smell the modelling glue wafting off their suspect.

“I doubt that. Is the smell really that bad? Is it like when we went to his office or when he came into Coran’s office?” Lance asked

“I can’t smell it much anymore but it’s like I look at him and I’m stuck in his office again, the huffing factory. I’m surprised I haven’t felt the need to relapse.”

“Well I’m proud of you and how your acting shows how much stronger you are than this.” Lance pointed out, his focus on Shiro has he removed his hand from his face and pushed some of his white fringe from his face.

In doing so, the large sleeves of Shiro’s grey sweater slipped down starting to show off the inked letters of a quote that Shiro seemed to live by, ‘Patience yields focus’. Funny, seeing hoe Shiro sometimes had little of it. What caught his eye was a scar underneath the‘s’ of focus. With a doctor brother, Lance had learned a lot about different scars and it looked like…

“Something wrong?” Shiro asked, seeing Lance stare at him.

“No, just never noticed that scar, on your wrist.” Lance pointed out, hoping Shiro couldn’t tell that Lance knew something.

“Oh. Yeah I got it when I fell off a fence during a childhood adventure. Bone went through and when I tired hiding it by setting it myself, I got an infection because I wasn’t careful.” Shiro explained looking at the scar, like he’d forgotten about it.

“h, cool. I just remembered, I have to do an errand. Think you’ll be ok?” Lance asked

“I’ll try to survive.” Shiro teased, grabbing onto Lance’s wrist when he was about to leave the room. He knew he was still in trouble from his stunt but he still asked, “kiss?” he was expecting a huff and a ‘no’ but he was surprised that Lance quickly pressed a kiss to his lips before leaving. Shiro stared after his boyfriend, his mind trying to work out what was going on with him but his attention was drawn back to the integration room as Coran and Matt left. Ugg, what now?

Lance walked into a Bookends bookstore, looking for a familiar white head of hair, spotting him move down the steps to the upper level of the store.

“Hey. Think you and I have to talk about your dear old son, Ulaz.”

“My, I haven’t seen someone look this annoyed at me since I helped break my friend’s unwanted engagement. How did you know where to find me?” Ulaz, the man who’d played Shiro’s dad only the night before asked.

“The receipt you dropped at the bookstore’s name, plus it said you had 20% off and members get 10% which lead me to believe you were an employ. A quick call asking if my boyfriend’s uncle whose name I didn’t remember worked here and I got my answer.”

“Allow me to drop these books off at the pickup desk and I’ll be on my break. I could do with a cup of tea.”

Lance kept an eye on Ulaz as he watched him drop the books off and then go behind the counter of the bookstores café and pull out a tea set. He watched as he steeped the tea and brought it over. The particular set looked familiar.

“A gift from Shiro. He’d helped a potter with an issue and got a set as a gift, which he gave to me and on his birthday was gifted another one the he ended up keeping.” Ulaz answered the questioning look on Lance’s face. “So, you have questions for me no doubt. Why else would you come looking for me and not start yelling at me in the middle of the store if you weren’t upset.”

“Oh I’m still upset with what you and Shiro pulled, but there’s something I need to know. You know Shiro don’t you, like really know him. The story you told about his scar is true, I saw it and he told it to me. I could tell he was telling the truth and I know Shiro. If you were some actor he hired, he’d never tell you that story, not when it had to do with his father. So how did you know?”

Ulaz stared at Lance, before asking, “Did you know that Shiro’s father didn’t even find out about his infection until after?”

Lance felt confused. “After? What do you mean after?”

“When Shiro got sick, his father was in back to back meetings when he was supposed to be accompanying his son’s out the shops in order to get out of the house, but apparently he considered the trip not hugely important. His brother, the one he doesn’t get along with had been the one to find out and get him to the hospital. He was there for two days before they allowed him to leave. His father found out 2 days after.”

Lance sat there stunned. “What happened?”

Ulaz shrugged. “As far as Shiro told me, he got a lecture about not climbing on the fence and he can’t even remember if he’d been asked about his infection.”

“R-really?” Lance asked almost disbelievingly.

“I know that you’ve seen how much distain Shiro holds for his father. In all honesty, it’s completely sound. While Shiro’s hidden many scars from that man, he’s gained just as many from him mentally.”

They sat in silence as Lance went over what he knew. He knew Shiro made it clear how much he disliked his father but he thought that was him being stubborn but after what Ulaz told him, Shiro’s dislike was well found. He couldn’t even imagine thinking about hiding an injury from his parents; they were always able to tell if one of their children was hurting even if their own lives were busy.

“How did you meet him?” Lance asked, curious and wanting to talk about something different. He wanted to prod more but he knew that something as sensitive as that had to be talked about between him and Shiro.

Ulaz’s sombre look was replaced with one of fondness. “Back when I lived in Japan, I had a job as a voice actor in a radio drama as a doctor. I had been killed off but was acting as a conscious for the main character and the producers wanted to still have me live instead of doing recordings and around then when I came back as a conscious, I received a fan letter from a boy in high school telling me he was glad my character was still around even just in spirit because I happened to be the only one who captured the real essence of the show. We kept in contact and eventually met up where I helped him with his accents.” Ulaz’s gaze started to turn sombre again. “I knew him when he was using drugs. I’d just moved down here and I know he was in town, we just hadn’t gotten the chance to meet up and then one night, he shows up on my doorstep, so drugged out of his mind he could barely speak. I took care of him but to see a mind like his that could work a while a minute be so slow, it scared me. I wanted to help him but he wouldn’t stay in a program. I knew him well enough that if I tried pushing, he’d disappear like smoke. I am glad that while he seems to be a hurtful man, his father was able to get him into rehab and eventually lead him to you. I am glad that he was able to find you in the end. I know you’ll be good for him, be it relationship wise or in your job as his sober companion. I know he very much appreciates you. I could tell by how much he spoke of you.”

Shiro closed the box on their newly closed case. After realising that their suspect had been cut and lost a large amount of blood he was trying to replenish with water, they’d been able to poke at a new place that got him to admit to the crime. He picked up the case box for all his thought pieces and such when Lance walked in

“There you are. We got a confession and Coran said he’d let me know when he find the partner’s body, though I’ve got a feeling it won’t take long.”

Lance walked over to him and pulled the case box from his hands, dropping it heavily on the floor before dropping his head on Shiro’s chest. The room was silent before Shiro rested his hands on Lance’s back.

“You smell like books and tea. I take you went to see Ulaz?”

Lance sniffed as the tears he’d wanted to cry since hearing about Shiro’s father started to come back up. “He, he, you were hurt and he didn’t even care to check on you or be concerned after hearing you had to go to the hospital. There were other situations like that weren’t there?” Shiro didn’t say anything but that seemed to answer Lance’s question. “I’m so mad for you and angry at myself.”

“You shouldn’t be. I might believe and have proof that my father doesn’t care about me, but it was because of him I can get better and we live in this amazing house and that I got to meet you. I may never forgive him for not caring but I will always thank him for getting the chance to be with you.”

#shiroshipweek2018 #shance #elementary au #sherlock shiro #joan lance

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uncle-ak · 4 years

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What Do You Do When...?

They say; April showers bring May flowers. It is still showering/raining in May. I pray these are showers of blessings because, with the condition of the world at this time, we need to hold on to the slightest glimpse of hope.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month; I used to think it was October. World Mental Health Day is on October 10th. Raising awareness about mental health involves fighting stigma, providing support, educating the public, and advocating for policies that support individuals with mental health challenges and their families.

A sequel from my previous blog post… Have you been or are you on a journey to something non-traditional in your culture, society, community, home? It doesn’t have to be work-related.

Reflecting on some challenges I have experienced, not directly mental health-related but affected my mental wellness. Background story; a journey to a non-traditional profession in the African community. The first month of grad school was so challenging that it was the first time I thought of giving-up/dropping out. Prior to my grad school experience, I used to make the statement that the only reason I would ever try the Insanity Workout by Shaun T was if something in life drove me insane. Well, guess what, life in grad school was getting me there barely weeks into it.

It was September 2012, I had just left the financial aid office the third time that week where I was told that my financial aid/school loan application which I completed in July 2012 was not processed. So my tuition and housing weren’t paid for, I couldn’t buy textbooks which cost an arm and a leg and I was pursuing a degree that wasn’t/isn’t “typical” in the African community so who do I call to ask for financial assistance while waiting for financial aid to kick in before I am kicked out of the program? I did have a letter that stated the application was processed but the financial aid office was yet to receive it; something wasn’t adding up. So what do you do when…?

I had about $2000 in checking, about $1000 in savings, a $700 unused credit card, and a reasonably functioning 2004 used car which I drove about 7hours with from Maryland to Massachusetts and the car insurance of $600 due by December for the next six months. I was in a new territory away from family and friends, with no known relatives in the area. I had done some job searching from retail/cashier, to a home aide, to a residential assistant for individuals with a disability but looking at my class schedule, most of the jobs I found were not flexible enough to accommodate that and the locations were all over the place.

It was probably the second week into September 2012 when I left the financial aid office the third time, I found myself at the center of the campus when my binder suddenly dropped from my hand and the binder rings popped open. I didn’t have the energy to pick them up so I just sat on the pavement and watched the wind blow the papers away. I’m not sure how long I sat there but as the papers were flying, I noticed a yellow paper that caught my attention. I somehow dragged myself up, went to the paper, and realized it had the list of resources available on campus one of which was counseling services and fitness classes. One of the exercise classes for that day was… you guess right! The Insanity Workout by Shaun T.

Prior to this moment, I had never considered seeking counseling. I took a course in counseling psychology in undergrad so I had a vague idea of what it was like but I battled with the notion that going to therapy meant I had a mental health condition. Even with that thought process, I felt the need to talk to a “stranger” who would listen from a different perspective. So I found the strength to pick-up my binder and walked to the counseling center. I signed up to receive counseling once a week which continued for the duration of the grad school program while school was in session. After my first intake session, I decided to go try out the Insanity Workout. I always kept workout clothes in the trunk of my car; so I grabbed them and went to the class. I must say it was a good way to take out my frustrations, I kept going two to three times per week for the duration of the semester.

I must say seeking counseling was the best decision I ever made. It didn’t eliminate life challenges, it helped me realize how my thought process amplified situations or how I was self-limiting or how I was unconsciously holding on to the past or holding onto something in the present that wasn’t there or expecting others to act/respond a certain way, or feeling entitled or blaming others for things I had no control over or trying to control things that I couldn’t.

So the theory part of the grad school was drawing to an end in December 2014, the thought that the counseling sessions were ending gave me anxiety. My counselor gave me a gift with a heartwarming message.

Back in Maryland, from January 2015 to June 2015 I did fieldwork (aka clinical/non-paid internship) Mondays to Fridays in addition to working 8hours overnight on Fridays and 16hours on Saturdays and Sundays. I barely had a social life. Funny how the mini extrovert side of me was trying to override the major introvert side of me during those years in grad school. I was granted a break from fieldwork to go attend the commencement ceremony back in Massachusetts which took place in May. Initially, I didn’t think I was going to attend it because of the workload but my supervisor made it happen. The graduation party took place in June. By August, my classmates were posting on Facebook about passing their board exam and I had not even registered, so what do you do when…?

So I deactivated my Facebook account (I haven’t reactivated it since then) that same month and registered to take the exam by the end of October. In September my youngest brother became seriously ill and in early October I experienced the most heartbreaking betrayal EVER relationship related. It was my first experience of how emotional pain can be mind-numbing. You know how you can take medications for a headache or any physical pain or put heat/ice on a hurting joint and it somewhat feels better? Besides going for long walks and driving in silence to sometimes unknown destinations and using the GPS to return, nothing else helped.

During this time, I did contemplate seeking counseling services but I didn’t follow through because I felt like I did not want to depend on counseling. Besides I was out of school so I would have to pay for it. I had Medicaid insurance at the time so I assumed the copay was no joke. With that and my brother’s health on my mind, I couldn’t study so I postponed the board exam to November before thanksgiving week because it was the holiday season; thanksgiving, Christmas then New Year. It would have been too much distraction to study including working. I was charged for postponing the exam, money that I didn’t budget for; so add financial burden to emotional pain. The good thing is I wasn’t paying any rent at the time. My only bills were car insurance, phone bill, and taking care of my basic necessities.

Three days before the November exam date, I fell sick and was diagnosed with an upper respiratory tract infection; I started treatment right away. I didn’t want to postpone the exam again. It was more expensive to postpone this time because it was close to the scheduled date. I had not told anyone about taking the exam. Uber wasn’t a thing back then, getting a taxi/cab wasn’t within the budget given the distance and I’m not into inconveniencing people to render me a favor especially since it was last minute and I didn’t want to explain to anyone why I was going to that location. So what do you do when…?

So I drove myself there. I just wanted to get the exam over with. I said to myself, if I don’t pass, then I’ll retake it hopefully with less emotional stress/pain the second time around. I just didn’t want the year to end without at least trying. I don’t recall answering all the questions before the timer went off and the testing screen closed out. I went to my car, took a nap then drove home. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulder.

The results were out a week later. I was at work, I had worked 8hours overnight. I logged into my account and the first thing I saw was PASSED. I took a picture then refreshed the screen to see if it will change but it didn’t. I logged out and logged back in and it still said PASSED. I went to my car. I took a nap, drove home. I logged in on my laptop and the results didn’t change. I logged into the home desktop and got the same results. Do I need to say I was in disbelief that I passed? I checked my results for the next three days and then I shared with family and friends. I would say I didn’t feel comfortable sharing nor asking for anything relating to my journey in the undergrad or grad school because I was pursuing a degree that wasn’t understood and still isn’t understood by a good number of people around me. So I had to do a lot of figuring out on my own.

I later received my certificate via mail with the numerical results. I had 450/600, the minimum required score for passing. My heart stopped for a few seconds. Recounting this got me teary-eyed. My journey from 2009 in undergrad, to my unpleasant experience in grad school (details for another day) to the very trying year of 2015, was about to be over… I can’t put the feelings into words. I had some emotional healing to do, so I decided I won’t start the job searching until after the New Year but it dragged through till the end of January. During this time I reflected on what I had learned during counseling in grad school and did a lot of reading on emotions and the mind for self-healing.

The first week in February 2016, I posted my resume around 9 AM, by 11 AM I had two interviews scheduled for that week. By mid-February, I had two job offers but they didn’t sit well with me. By the end of February, I reconnected with a friend whom we went to community college together. He was the first African (Nigerian) I knew to study in the field, had recently graduated and was working. He had shared some suggestions/resources on how to study for the board exam. It turns out he was in contact with the regional manager of a location where I did the first portion of my fieldwork/clinical/rotation. That regional manager was looking to fill an open position. Per the regional manager’s words during our communication via text; “based on your work ethic during your time with us, you are hired.” I was in disbelief, he asked for my email and by the next day, I received an offer letter. The rest they say is history…

So what do you do when life throws you curveballs or there’s a sudden stop sign, red light, yield sign, crossroad, speed bump, extremely curvy ramp, exit? I think it all depends on the options available; stop and take a moment to reflect on your why. Why am I thinking/feeling this way, why do I want this to be this or that way? Counseling services can be expensive and sometimes the waiting time to see a counselor could be weeks. Last year I took a class to become a Mental Health First Aider; it’s like CPR for Mental Health. I learned a lot about a number of resources, some of which provide options for those with low income. Link

As I type this, I am reminded of a Stuck in The Middle interview which discusses mental health in the African/African-American community; a topic that is shunned in our community and needs to be addressed more. Link

I am generally on the quiet side depending on the topic of discussion so I have come to realize that my silence may give off the impression that my life has been smooth and dandy. I would say it has taken me a while to write in the first person (I) and share this much depth about me. In my earlier writings, I typically wrote in the third person because it is easier and it deflects attention. Sitting here, recounting/writing this which has taken me years to share this experience in this much depth, I have come to appreciate who I am and who I am becoming more now than before. And with that said, may I share that I am working on bringing to life the book I’ve been writing in my head since 2017. Inspired by Achu Ebong Mba (aka Riflex) the newest published Author in town; No Such Thing As Halfway. Grab a copy if you haven’t yet and joint to the conversation.

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trans-hamlet · 4 years

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10 Reasons Your Buy A Car With Bad Credit Is Not What It Should Be

A great deal of you guys are intending on buying a car when you get your income tax obligation and also everything, yet that's the upside-down to do it. And I'm going to inform you why let's check the inside of this, isn't it? Lovely? That's nice. When you millionaire they allow you examine out anything, I guess. Anyway, yet anyhow, like I was saying a whole lot of you people are in the process of taking your revenue tax obligation and planning on buying a vehicle and also that's the wrong method to utilize your earnings tax. Because you people won't get the most significant benefit, and also the reason I'm saying that is. kissing door so I would tell you individuals rather of just purchasing an as opposed to just buying a cars and truck with your earnings tax. I would establish up a home-based service. And the reason that I was established up a home-based business is that if you set up a home-based service after that even if you do not acquire that car, I'll pay. So you still will be able to create off the devaluation worth of the cars and truck, even though you really did not get the car fast, I'll cash so Instead of taking your money and dropping to the dealer and also placing it down on a car established a company first as well as after that out of your home at your residence address. Once you do that take the rest of the money as well as down payment right into your organisation bank account, and also then what you can do is establish it up. If you have tough credit rating, after that I would tell you if you have tough credit history, after that I would certainly inform you to recover the credit score but established business upset the service up and also I'm a because you'll obtain once more the decreased worth on your business tax obligations, right so you're mosting likely to save on your own a great deal more cash. I would do it that means instead of jest. As opposed to just going to acquire a car straight out cash. Okay, begin to business first set the organisation up using your home setting up a office additionally by you establishing a house office. An additional thing that occurs is that here's an traditional occasion. Would certainly that office then you're able to cross out a portion of your lease or your home mortgage to so you still get a larger bang for your buck. On average, most workers are functioning. They're mosting likely to be anticipating between 4 to possibly $7,000 and also a tax return. So that's the reason that I would certainly tell you to really What is this? I think this S500 we're going to return to the other cards in min individuals. Yes, a 550 S550. Establishing up the corporation, like I stated, you get the right off a portion of your rental fee as a organisation expense because you have a residence office after that like I said, if you go by your cars and truck, also though the auto isn't under the business you obtain to take off the decreased value of the vehicle under your service. For those that desire to get high-end vehicles like the bins or BMW or Been like that Rolls-Royce Bottega that I was just checking out. I would certainly do that initial because once more, you'll conserve a lot more money. You save a lot even more cash. You claim so a lot extra in tax obligations and after that actually finding out exactly how to run a business. Because it's vital, that's where 3-way funding we offer that various program that educates you exactly how to run a company. You must have several streams of revenue, you understand, however, for those people that like their job Things contending office is very important as a result of the tax obligation benefits. You'll conserve on your own so a lot on tax obligations plus establishing up that service and also creating off a portion of your income. I resemble this below. It's a this is a two-tone Rose to the skin with two-tone Array Wanderer. It's limited entering here since it is Maserati, however allow's see if we can enter right here. This is great. I such as cuz it's the two-tone. Yep, also for those of you that are intending on buying a residence this year, whatever you obtain your income tax once again, put the money into a service bank account and also due to the fact that if you establish the firm and also put the cash into a company financial institution account, it's going to assist improve up your company Financial institution ranking and after that just make monthly or once a week down payments as well as things the program task. You finish up structure company credit history much faster that means so that's the reason those are some of the bigger factors why you must set up a company or organisation out of your residence as a company. Okay. Now, I recognize a few of you all do not such as the corporation you desire the LLC or whatever. Well, that can take place to you too. However my important things is being not able to take that capitalize on all the tax obligation benefits. So having that tax benefit of having the ability to also if you so like say that you acquired this right here G-Wagon, right? So claim that you acquired this hemp usage binder G-Wagon and also you were making regular monthly payments. Well, even though you were making regular monthly settlements you will certainly still have the ability to remove the diminished worth of the car. right, Aunty G-Wagon Fallen leave it's kind of amusing to me. So if your person desires to G-Wagon or whatever type of automobile you desire being able to take off the decreased value due to the fact that you are possessed a business. Like I said writing off a part of your rent or home mortgage. Claim that you are trying to buy a house currently, you know, that's who I was looking at a 1400 square foot residence, but I know that since I have I must establish up. And the home based business. I can take a look at a 2500 square-foot a 3,000 square foot home due to the fact that I'll be able to write off a section of the home loan on my company tax obligations. You're getting utilize by having it at home organisation. Okay, if you intend to discover more concerning establishing that in the house service I required assistance to establish that Firm for your at-home organisation. organisation click the link below I claimed no my child. He likes the G-Wagon a whatever. He's probably mosting likely to be ticked off that I came right here without him. Yet hey, I'm on the roadway as well as I asked him did he want to come and also he desires to socialize and also play. So anyway. And now you presume the essence of what I'm saying. Look at this Rose was developed Agra. The insane component concerning these right here cars currently. Below's the point regarding it resembles these cars are coming off at about 350 right and also look how wonderful it is the Leathers. Let all of us. And also for every 50,000 on a cars and truck, you're paying $1000 so every fifty thousand a thousand dollars. One-two, three, 4, five 6 seven Okay, so You obtained the tree in right here for it. Allow me see just how much room there remains in it. It needs to be like a buddy something that elevates that. Like when you're traveling as well as things you're sitting in the back seat.

Like I said composing off a section of your lease or home mortgage. Claim that you are attempting to purchase a house now, you recognize, that's that I was looking at a 1400 square foot residence, however I recognize that since I have I must establish up. And the residence service. Okay, if you desire to discover more concerning setting up that at house business I needed aid to set up that Firm for your at-home service. He's possibly going to be ticked off that I came here without him.

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corporationsetup · 4 years

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Where To Start With Buy A Car With Bad Credit?

A whole lot of you people are intending on purchasing a cars and truck when you get your revenue tax and also every little thing, however that's the wrong way to do it. And I'm going to inform you why let's check the within this, isn't it? Beautiful? That's good. I guess when you millionaire they allow you have a look at anything. So anyhow, yet anyhow, like I was saying a great deal of you people are in the procedure of taking your revenue tax and planning on purchasing a auto and that's the upside-down to use your income tax. And also the reason I'm stating that is due to the fact that you people won't obtain the largest advantage. kissing door so I would certainly tell you men instead of just purchasing an rather than just acquiring a automobile with your income tax. I would set up a home-based business. And the factor that I was established a home-based organisation is that if you established up a home-based organisation then also if you do not buy that automobile, I'll cash. You still will certainly be able to compose off the depreciation worth of the automobile, also though you didn't buy the vehicle quick, I'll cash so Rather of taking your cash and going down to the dealership as well as placing it down on a car established up a corporation first and after that out of your residence at your house address. Once you do that take the remainder of the money and deposit right into your company bank account, and also then what you might do is establish it up. If you have tough debt, then I would certainly inform you if you have challenging credit score, after that I would inform you to recover the credit history however established business distressed business up and also I'm a because you'll obtain again the diminished worth on your company tax obligations, right so you're going to save yourself a whole lot even more cash. I would certainly do it that way instead of jest. Rather than just mosting likely to purchase a vehicle right out money. Okay, begin to service initially established the business up using your home establishing up a office also by you setting up a office. One more thing that occurs is that right here's an old school event. Would that home workplace after that you're able to write off a part of your rent or your home mortgage to so you still obtain a bigger value. On standard, the majority of staff members are working. They're mosting likely to be expecting between 4 to perhaps $7,000 and a income tax return. So that's the factor that I would certainly tell you to actually What is this? I think this S500 we're mosting likely to return to the various other cards in min people. Yes, a 550 S550. However establishing the firm, like I claimed, you obtain the straight off a part of your rental fee as a organisation expense since you have a home workplace then like I stated, if you go by your vehicle, even though the auto isn't under business you get to remove the dropped worth of the cars and truck under your organisation. So for those that wish to get luxury cars like the containers or BMW or Been like that Rolls-Royce Bottega that I was simply having a look at. I would do that initial since once again, you'll conserve a lot even more cash. You conserve a lot even more money. You say so much more in taxes as well as after that in fact finding out just how to run a service. That's where 3-way funding we provide that various program that instructs you exactly how to run a organisation because it is essential. You have to have multiple streams of income, you recognize, however, for those individuals that like their job Stuff contending home office is extremely crucial as a result of the tax obligation advantages. You'll save on your own so much on tax obligations plus establishing that business and also crossing out a part of your earnings. I resemble this here. It's a this is a two-tone Rose to the skin with two-tone Array Rover. It's limited entering right here since it is Maserati, yet allow's see if we can enter here. This behaves. I like cuz it's the two-tone. But yep, also for those of you that are intending on purchasing a house this year, whatever you get your earnings tax again, placed the cash into a company financial institution account and because if you set the corporation and put the cash into a organisation checking account, it's mosting likely to aid increase up your company Financial institution score and after that just make regular monthly or once a week down payments and stuff the program task. You end up structure company credit report much quicker that means so that's the reason those are some of the larger factors why you should establish up a firm or business out of your house as a firm. Okay. Currently, I know some of you all don't like the firm you want the LLC or whatever. Well, that can occur to you as well. However my primary thing is being not able to take that make the most of all the tax advantages. Having that tax advantage of being able to also if you so like state that you got this here G-Wagon? Say that you purchased this jute use binder G-Wagon and you were making monthly repayments. Well, even though you were making regular monthly repayments you will still be able to take off the depreciated value of the car. right, Aunty G-Wagon Leaf it's sort of funny to me. Nevertheless so if your person wishes to G-Wagon or whatever sort of cars and truck you desire being able to take off the diminished value since you are owned a service. Like I said crossing out a part of your rent or home mortgage. Say that you are attempting to get a residence now, you recognize, that's that I was looking at a 1400 square foot home, yet I recognize that since I have I should set up. And also the house service. I can check out a 2500 square-foot a 3,000 square foot residence since I'll be able to create off a section of the mortgage on my company tax obligations. You're getting utilize by having it at house business. Okay, if you intend to learn even more regarding establishing up that in the house company I required assistance to establish up that Company for your home company. organisation click the link listed below I said no my son. He suches as the G-Wagon a whatever. He's possibly mosting likely to be checked off that I came right here without him. But hey, I get on the road as well as I asked him did he want to come and he intends to hang around and also play. So anyhow. Now you think the essence of what I'm stating. Check out this Rose was built Agra. The insane component regarding these right here cars and trucks currently. Below's the point regarding it resembles these automobiles are coming off at about 350 right as well as look just how wonderful it is the Leathers. Allow us all. So and also for each 50,000 on a cars and truck, you're paying $1000 so every fifty thousand a thousand bucks. So one-two, three, 4, 5 6 seven Okay, so You got the tree in below for it. Allow me see just how much room there is in it. It needs to resemble a buddy something that elevates that. Like when you're traveling and also stuff you're resting in the back seat.

Like I stated creating off a part of your lease or mortgage. Claim that you are trying to get a house currently, you recognize, that's who I was looking at a 1400 square foot house, but I know that considering that I have I have to establish up. And the residence service. Okay, if you want to find out more regarding establishing up that at house organisation I required aid to set up that Corporation for your home business. He's probably going to be ticked off that I came right here without him.

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avecorviidae · 4 years

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Fic: Aubade - Chapter Seven

Fandom: Mob Psycho 100 Rating: M Relationship(s): Kageyama Ritsu/Suzuki Shou Word Count: 4004

Ao3 Link

As with most things, they clearly haven’t thought this through.

Still, even when they’re folded up and empty, cardboard boxes are clunky and difficult to carry on buses and Ritsu is dreading carrying them back when they’re full, so when they leave the apartment at some point in the early afternoon to pack up Ritsu’s dorm room, they only bother taking the two boxes Shou had found tucked between a shelf and a wall in one of the hallway closets. Somehow, they mutually assume that this will be fine.

And the thing is, while they’re actually packing, it is fine. Ritsu had never really bothered to unpack most of his clothes in the past year, half out of pure laziness and half out of a reluctance to properly make himself at home in the dingy yellowish dorms, so they’d all still been sitting in a duffel bag in his closet that they’d stopped to grab last night. Probably the biggest bulk of space in the boxes ends up being taken up by his rented textbooks, which are the most expensive items he possesses and are as such stored safely under his mattress. He likes to think that at the very least, he’s sleeping on top of a small fortune that he can pawn off on the black market for drug money when his life inevitably spirals out of control.

For someone who doesn’t really have that much stuff, Ritsu learns that he apparently has a lot of stuff, as Matsuo keeps drifting in and out of the room with new things that Ritsu half-remembers buying in his frantic fit of oh-god-why-are-these-people-content-to-live-in-filth that had embodied his first week in the dorms, before he’d brought everyone’s standard of living up drastically with things like dish soap and bleach spray.

More than half of the stuff that Matsuo brings in Ritsu tells him to keep, because his former roommates are dysfunctional wrecks of human beings who don’t really understand that every house should probably have its own mop bucket, and Ritsu will be buying one of his own, thanks anyways, dude, but he and Shou end up being quite proud of how economically they pack the stuff that they do take. They close up the boxes with the roll of packing tape they’d dug out of one of Ritsu’s desk drawers, feeling perfectly satisfied with themselves, and Ritsu wonders why on earth freshmen tend to show up with an entire moving truck’s worth of boxes shoved into the backs of their parents’ cars.

And then Shou tries to pick up one of the boxes.

Again, they clearly didn’t think this through.

They, much like their two boxes that they have chocked full of Ritsu’s shit, are absolutely fucking dense.

Ritsu watches with a vague sense of horror as Shou manages to wedge his fingers under the box and slowly but surely stagger to his feet, veering precariously from side to side like a thin tree in a strong breeze. There is a part of him, small but there nonetheless, that really wants to give Shou a gentle push to see if it’ll tip him over.

The rational human being part finally kicks in and he grabs the other side of the box, and although their combined strengths are still somehow meager in comparison to the Heaviest Box Ever Packed, it’s enough to steadily lower it onto the floor, and they manage to set it down with minimal trouble and only a couple of fingers crushed underneath it.

For a few moments, they both just stand on either side of the thing, Shou’s hands on his hips and Ritsu’s crossed over his chest.

“Well,” Shou says tonelessly.

“Well,” Ritsu echoes, equally so.

“We’re dumb, huh,” Shou says, eyes wide and distant in surprise as if he’s just now realized this. Ritsu nods.

“Ritsu,” Shou hisses half an hour later, “we’re really dumb.”

Ritsu is back on the floor, cross-legged with his chin in his hands, trying to work through a plan, so he barely spares this comment a second thought.

“Yeah,” he replies absently, considering the logistics of taking one of those rolling box-carrying things that come in moving trucks on a bus. Of course, even if they did get it on the bus by some miracle of physics, they’d still have to return it eventually, which would be a real bore, and jeez, all of this sort of thing had been way easier when they’d had Reigen to drive them around in his janky used car.

He blinks back into focus to find himself staring straight at Shou’s knees. He follows them upwards to find Shou looking down at him with an expression like he’s had a religious sort of revelation. With an oddly apt sense of comedic timing, one of the boxes floats into view behind him, surrounded by an orange-pink haze.

“Ah,” Ritsu says serenely. “We’re fucking dumb.”

Shou taps him on the shoulder about halfway through the bus ride home, snapping Ritsu violently out of his thoughts. He doesn’t say anything, but he’s got on a concerned frown and his eyes are questioning, so Ritsu’s guessing some of his thoughts must’ve seeped into his expression.

Shit. He hadn’t even realized he’d zoned out. Maybe moving vehicles just make me weird, he thinks, somewhat absently.

“I’m just…” he sighs, then trails off, waving his hands vaguely at the boxes on the seats across from them. Thankfully, the bus is mostly devoid of people, so they’d only received a few mildly horrified stares when they’d floated onto the bus behind the two of them.

“It’s weird,” he says finally. “That my entire life fits into two boxes and a duffel bag. That’s it, that’s everything. It just doesn’t sit right with me, that I can pick up everything that’s been mine the last year and just go.” It makes even less sense out loud than it did in his head and he feels kind of stupid for trying to articulate it, but it’s as close as he thinks he’s going to get and, well, if anyone’s going to understand what he’s trying to say, it’s Shou.

Shou squints over at the boxes for a few moments, before turning and nudging one with the toe of his shoe. “Well,” he says, tone considering, “not unless you’re gonna try and fit me in one of those boxes.” He blinks, then adds, “Or your brother. Or Pops. Or the microwave in the apartment, actually, because if we ever move out I’m stealing it.”

Ritsu sighs, but there’s no heat in it. They’re already pressed pretty close in the bus seats, touching more or less from thighs to shoulders, but he finds himself leaning a little closer anyways, feeling weirdly light in the chest when Shou’s head drops onto his shoulder and stays there for the rest of the ride.

Being in the apartment is weird. It feels like looking at a puzzle that’s missing every third piece, or an optical illusion where it all seems to work out logically until suddenly there’s a crucial gap and then it all falls apart. Objectively, they have most of the pieces required to make this apartment a lived-in place, but there’s something missing from everything, just one little crucial piece that should tie it together. They’ve got a stovetop and a fridge and drawers and cabinets in the kitchen, and a thousand little knick-knacks from the dorm, but they’ve got no pots or pans or spoons or spatulas, nothing that’d actually make it usable. They’ve got closets and clothes, but no hangers, so they’re both still living out of their suitcases. They need shelves for books, bags for the trash, plates and cutlery for the food.

It’s kind of driving Ritsu fucking insane.

It goes down kind of like this:

On day two, after they’ve recovered Ritsu’s stuff from the dorm, they stock up on basic necessities at a tiny, on-the-go sort of grocery store that they find just down the street. Paper plates, plastic cutlery and cups for now, until they can go on a big shopping trip. Milk, eggs, snack foods, that sort of thing. They realize as soon as they get home that they’ve forgotten bread, but Shou’s trying to figure out how the fuck getting new internet works and Ritsu’s preoccupied with a mysterious stain on the bathroom wall, so neither of them can really be bothered to go back and get it.

On day three, Ritsu finds Shou attempting to construct a sandwich by precariously stacking up Decidedly Not Sandwich Ingredients. He notices Ritsu leaning in the doorway and freezes, one hand still halfway between the bag of doritos and the abomination on the countertop, looking for all the world like a raccoon that just got caught pilfering a trash can. Ritsu leaves the room, takes three deep breaths, then takes Shou’s wallet and goes to buy bread.

On day four, he wakes up at around five in the morning to the sound of unfamiliar traffic outside of his window, which is getting really fucking annoying. He gently advises his mind to get the fuck over it already because they live here now, you’re gonna have to get used to that, and then decides he’ll just get some water or something and then try to go back to sleep.

In the kitchen, Shou is committing a war crime.

More specifically, he’s got a box of cereal Ritsu doesn’t remember buying in one hand and a gallon of milk in the other, and appears to be trying to pour cereal into his mouth, hold it there, then tilt his head back far enough to pour milk in afterwards.

Shou spots Ritsu mid-milk pour and spends a good few minutes almost choking to death, though somewhat impressively, manages not to spill the milk at all. As soon as he’s breathing again, Ritsu points one finger directly at Shou’s nose and says, “You. Me. IKEA. Today.”

He goes back to bed.

They realize that this could get somewhat complicated without a car.

See, when Ritsu’s parents had ever bought anything big from IKEA, the type that came folded up in big boxes in the terrifying warehouse before the checkout, it’d ended up in the trunk of the car, or strapped precariously to the top of the car, or crushing him and Mob in the back of the car. Point being, the car had been a constant. He and Shou are decidedly carless, and their internet isn’t set up yet, so they can’t just order stuff online. Ritsu morally objects to managing an entire furniture order on a tiny phone screen, no matter how good Shou’s data plan is.

They employ their usual solution to problems.

TO: DAD Dad we need help being functioning adults

FROM: DAD Who’s in hospital?

TO: DAD ………….No one??? I think????? we need to get big things from IKEA

FROM: DAD ...I see. You know they deliver, right? Like, you go to the store, tell them what you want, and then they take it in a big ol’ truck to your place. It’s on their website and everything. I swear you used to be the one with common sense.

TO: DAD I gave it to one of my professors in exchange for an A on a paper Also no internet yet

FROM: DAD Fair. Good luck, kid. Try not to kill each other when it turns out you don’t actually know how to use a screwdriver.

IKEA appears over the horizon like a great blue leviathan, immediately compelling the two of them into awed silence as they stare at it through the bus window.

While Ritsu’s content to look out of the window for a while, he’s inevitably drawn back to Shou, whose gaze seems to be transfixed on IKEA with just a tad too much genuine trepidation. It’s almost as if…

There’s no fucking way.

“Shou,” he begins hesitantly, “have you ever actually… been inside of an IKEA?”

Shou whips around to glare at him, a furious pink flush rising on his cheeks. You’d think someone who acts as cool as him wouldn’t be so easy to tease, he thinks with a grin, and yet.

“Shut up,” Shou hisses, trying to elbow Ritsu in the ribs, but the effect is somewhat lessened by the smile he’s trying to suppress. “Do you not remember who my dad was? He wouldn’t buy furniture from anywhere within like, a five mile radius of a place like this, he was afraid he might accidentally touch a commoner or something.”

Ritsu ignores this entirely, instead leaning close to Shou and plastering on a Teru-worthy smirk. “Well,” he says, pitching his voice embarrassingly low and doing a godawful impression of a seductive lilt, “I’m honoured to be your first, Mister Suzuki.”

It’s the kind of dumb shit Shou pulls on him all the time, so it’s incredibly gratifying when Shou immediately starts spluttering, possibly choking on his own spit, then doubling over and wheezing “I hate you,” in between hacked laughs. When Shou finally looks up, his face is bright red and there are tear tracks on his face, his grin twitching like it’s threatening to break out into another giggling fit. “Fuck you,” he says, whacking Ritsu halfheartedly in the chest, “take me out to dinner first. Buy me IKEA meatballs, asshole.”

As soon as they walk inside and go up the escalator into the showroom, Shou’s enraptured. Ritsu can’t blame him. Reigen had once said that IKEA contained the organized, smooth Swedish aesthetic that all Hot Messes secretly aspire to, and honestly? Ritsu is feeling it already.

Shou perches on the edge of some sleek black pleather sofa, squinting around with an indeterminable expression. After some time, he declares, “We live here now.” “They will probably try to kick us out when the store closes, you realize,” Ritsu tries to reason.

“Try,” Shou echoes, nodding agreeably.

When you’re a kid, you’re more likely to accept weird stuff that happens to you. Ritsu doesn’t just say this because he grew up with a brother possessed of terrifyingly powerful psychic abilities; he’s pretty sure it’s universally true. The unnatural qualities of the world seem a whole lot less noticeable when you're a little kid and the boundaries of your natural world aren’t clearly defined.

Case in point: Ritsu is just now coming to realize that IKEA is a sentient building with labyrinthine qualities.

They spend their first little while in the showroom sitting on every soft surface and staring at lamps that look like bizarre enemies from some futuristic sci-fi video game. Ritsu tries to ignore the niggling feeling that the building looked too small from the outside to have this many turns in it. Instead, he picks up one of the massive blue crinkly bags and hands it to Shou, who holds it up and says, “Hideous. Absolutely awful. I love it.” “Wow, thanks Hanazawa.”

In one of the rooms clearly designed for pre-teens, they find a bunk bed decked out in fairy lights and Shou plops down on it immediately to take selfies in the lighting. Ritsu takes the opportunity to text Teru to have a very serious conversation about comfort versus style, the subject of the argument being an armchair in a truly unsettling shade of green that sits in the corner of Mob and Teru’s living room which also, apparently, can be found in an IKEA showroom.

“It was really soft, though,” Shou points out, chin resting on Ritsu’s shoulder so he can read off of his phone. “That’s not the point,” he replies, betrayed in the deepest sense.

At one point Shou physically clambers into a bed, kicking off his shoes and crawling under the covers. He pulls the quilt up over his nose when Ritsu tries to drag him out, but he can still see the grin crinkling the corners of his eyes. “You’re gonna get us kicked out,” he says tiredly. At almost the same exact time, he looks across the showroom and sees a woman in an IKEA shirt stretched out on one of the couches, pillow over her face and fast asleep.

Ritsu toes off his shoes and climbs in next to Shou.

The bathrooms are Ritsu’s personal favourite, usually dark and aggressively sleek, the perfect style for his residual emo soul. He’s been taking pictures of the tags of stuff they’re actually going to buy, so he doesn’t quite notice where Shou’s wandered off to until he turns around from a bathroom sink and spots him in a shower stall, calling him over with a wave of his hand. Ritsu steps inside, ducking his head under the bar for the shower curtain and noting with some interest the glossy black tiles that cover the walls.

He almost startles when Shou reaches over and pulls the shower curtain closed with a flourish, leaving them enclosed in the shower stall, somehow still mysteriously lit by no lamp that Ritsu can see. He shoots Shou a questioning look, only to snort when Shou leans back against the shower wall, a hand over his heart and eyelashes fluttering.

“Why, Mister Kageyama,” he says, all false coquettishness, “Cornering a young girl like me alone in a place like this? How scandalous.” Payback for the bus, he thinks as it suddenly clicks into place. He considers giving Shou the reaction he wants, a laugh and a shove on the shoulder and possibly a comment about exactly how classy making out in an IKEA shower stall is, but the reaction he’d gotten earlier was too good to resist playing along with the joke.

He shamelessly uses his height advantage when he steps into Shou’s space, one leg between Shou’s and a hand propped casually on the wall beside his head. He leans down so that their noses are almost touching, and says low, “Well with you standing here all gorgeous like this, how could I resist?”

It’s pathetic joke flirting, some cheesy disaster line out of every old black and white movie he’s ever watched with his mother, so he doesn’t quite expect it when Shou seems to freeze, eyes wide and locked onto Ritsu’s. It’s only for a few seconds, a barely noticeable pause before Shou’s howling with laughter as he pushes past him out of the shower, but Ritsu gets caught on it, on the hitch he thought he’d heard in Shou’s breath, on the way he feels oddly wired, like his skin is buzzing from the proximity, and what the fuck had just happened?

Still, he shrugs it off as probably nothing and steps out into the bathroom after Shou. He seems to have shaken the… whatever it was off pretty quickly as well, because he turns to Ritsu with a grin and says, “Can we go back and look at those weird round chairs again?” To which Ritsu shrugs and nods, and leads them out of the bathroom–

And into a completely unfamiliar part of the showroom.

Ritsu looks behind him and squints. See, as far as he’d been able to see, that bathroom had only had one entrance and exit, that being the one he had just come out of. And logically following, the one he had originally come through to get there in the first place. So how in the everloving hell had they just walked out into new and strange territory? “Oh, this place is so fucking with us,” Shou whispers next to him, like he’s afraid that IKEA will hear him and get angry. Ritsu, irrationally sharing that fear, just nods.

A couple of hours in, they have a shopping cart carrying two blue IKEA bags filled with Household Necessities, probably more spoons than are strictly necessary in a cutlery set, and a toilet roll holder inexplicably called GRUNDTAL, because the Swedish are conspiring against him.

They are also both starving to death, and Ritsu hasn’t seen hide nor hair of the supposed restaurant since they arrived. Eventually they drift over to one of the huge “YOU ARE HERE” maps, which Ritsu swears changes in basic layout each time he looks at one, and heave a collective sigh when it tells them that the café is pretty much on the other side of the building. Ritsu looks from the room around him to the map a few times, trying to orient himself, but finds that it’s all for nought because Shou has already chosen a random direction and started walking.

Now, Ritsu has learned to expect that every time they turn a corner, they will encounter a room they’ve never been in before. It’s happened on literally every single turn they’ve taken since they arrived in the showroom.

He’s not exactly prepared to follow Shou around a corner and find himself face to face with the supposedly-miles-away café. He and Shou exchange a look, and Shou silently mouths “it knows” with wide eyes. Ritsu is inclined to agree, and so chooses not to ask any more questions. He’s just happy to have food.

Partially for the sake of the joke and partially for propriety, Ritsu does end up buying Shou’s meatballs, which he devours with vigor. Ritsu has a weird sandwich… thing, which isn’t bad, but tastes distinctly and weirdly European. Over a piece of some chocolate dessert cake, Shou says, “So what now? Do we have everything?”

Ritsu does a halfhearted rummage through the bags at their feet, and scrolls through the pictures of tags on his phone. Floor lamps, shelves, dressers, cutlery, plates, chairs, he mentally counts off, though he’s been doing it all day in his head. He’s pretty sure they’ve got everything and more, including all of the extra whatsits that Shou had thrown in the bags along the way. “Yep. The website says that we should flag down an employee and ask them to draw up an order, or something, that we can take down to the checkouts. That way we’ll be buying the big furniture and the delivery costs, and I think we can arrange the delivery dates and times down there.”

He frowns at the thought of going over and asking one of the employees. It’s not that he can’t, or that he won’t, but for whatever reason he feels like he’s going to make an idiot of himself by asking. Which is silly, because he’d gotten through their apartment hunt with the landlords no problem, but then he’d rehearsed for that and there was protocol and social etiquette, and he’s not sure what the procedure is for this, or if it’s even actually a thing or just something that they don’t even offer anymore and they just haven’t taken it off their website, or–

“Okay, cool,” Shou says around a mouthful of cake, inadvertently interrupting his train of thought. “Gimme your phone?”

Ritsu hands it over without thinking, and blinks when Shou is gone, halfway across the room before he can process the movement and chatting animatedly with someone in an IKEA shirt. He watches for about ten minutes as Shou scrolls through pictures on his phone, waiting for the IKEA guy to copy it onto some tablet he’s holding. The two of them walk out of view for a few minutes, and Ritsu can’t quite help the small smile on his face when Shou starts walking back towards their table, a small packet of paper held triumphantly above his head.

He allowed himself a small sigh of relief. That’s the worst of it done with, then.

That was in no way the worst of it. The path downstairs to the checkouts was a disaster zone full of shiny things for Shou to touch and buy, and Ritsu ends up following closely behind Shou’s heels, putting the infinite number of colourful ice cube trays and bright orange photo frames carefully back into their rightful spots.

Somehow, when they get home and start unpacking their bags, Ritsu still finds no less than three sets of one hundred tiny candles. Asshole pyromaniac.

#/#//#///#////#/////#robin fic #mp100 fic #fic: aubade

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decadenttimetravelmentality-blog · 6 years

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