#these two taking any chance to flirt in front of millions.. bye | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tigerseye46 · 3 years

Note

I don't know if you're up for it, but how about 148 with Freenoodleshipping being dads to the Traffic Light Trio?

WOOO! I’m up for it! Let’s do this!

148. “Is this really the time for jokes?” “You always do this.” “Wake me up when it’s over.” “You look happy.” “I’m sorry, do I know you?” “Why can’t I get you out of my head?”

—————————-

Pigsy was infuriated, his kids were hurt, little injuries littered their bodies. The pig clenched his fist, he looked towards Tang, silently telling him to get the kids out of the way so he could transform. Tang nodded and quickly moved the kids out of the way, their eyebrows raised.

Pigsy transformed into his huge demon form snarling and attacking the demon that threatened his kids. The kids stared at him in awe, they had never seen this form before but for Red, there was something familiar about it, it was his first time seeing it but he felt as if he should recognize it. He brushed it off and just watched as Pigsy continued to battle the other demon until they retreated.

Pigsy was breathing heavily, his knuckles white as he gripped his rake. His eyes followed the direction of the demon as they ran. He snarled, he looked almost terrifying and beads of sweat were dripping from the kids’ face. Tang narrowed his eyes at the pig. “Pigsy!” He called.

The pig turned towards him, still angry, his husband gestured for him to calm down. The demon breathed in and out slowly, he shifted back to his normal form. He rushed towards the group with Tang meeting him halfway. Tang held Pigsy’s face in his hands. “Are the kids okay?!” Pigsy shouted.

“They’re fine, Pigsy.” He waved towards the kids. “They’re fine,” he repeated.

“Are ya okay?!”

“I’m okay, Pigsy. Although, I would be better with some noodles.”

Pigsy huffed and crossed his arms. “Is this really the time for jokes?”

“I told you I’m okay. Come on.” He nudged him towards the kids, Pigsy ran towards them.

“Qi Xiaotian! Long Xiajiao! Red Son! Are ya all okay?”

MK replied, “Yes, papa! I’m fine! Wow! I didn’t know you could do that!” His eyes sparkled.

“I’m okay but Piggy, what was that?”

“I would like to know as well, Mr. Pigsy.”

Pigsy sighed. “I’ll tell ya inside. Let’s go.” He motioned for them to follow him inside. They all complied with Tang being the last one to enter the noodle shop.

The dads got the first aid kit and began bandaging their kids. Tang had a cotton swab and was tapping it lightly on Red’s wound, the demon hissed in pain. “Stay still, Red.”

“Sorry, Mr. Tang.”

“It’s fine. I’ll try and be careful.” He continued to bandage Red’s wounds, trying to be as gentle as possible.

It took a few minutes until they managed to patch up all their injuries. Tang and Pigsy stood side by side as they glanced at their kids, they winced at the patched up injuries, they absolutely hated seeing their kids hurt.

Pigsy growled, “Kids…” The kids froze, staring up at their dad in anticipation. He sighed and rubbed his face. “You always do this. Ya have to be careful, ya can’t just rush into danger like that. Ya could get hurt and ya already did!!”

The three frowned. “Sorry…” they apologized in unison. The pig sighed again and shook his head. He got three bowls and poured soup into them, handing a bowl to each of the kids. They took it and began eating.

“Please be careful next time,” Tang begged.

“Sorry, bába…” MK replied.

Tang ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. “It’s okay but please be careful next time. We can’t risk something happening to you, mystical monkey powers or not.” He turned to Red and Mei. “Same goes for you two. We know you’re capable but we don’t want anything happening to you.”

Red spoke up, “S-sorry, Mr. Tang… I am not used to having someone care about me… so I rushed into danger.”

The scholar’s lips formed into a frown. “Well you have us now. We care about you and we don’t want you to throw yourself in danger.”

The demon nodded. “O-okay…”

“That being said, I am proud that you three were able to handle the situation.”

Pigsy nodded in agreement. “Good job, kids but again, don’t jump into danger next time like that.”

The three nodded. “Now, papa, what was that form about? It was so cool!” MK’s eyes sparkled.

“Just a form I have. First time I’ve used it in years.”

Red titled his head. “I feel as if I should recognize that form.” At his words, Pigsy choked on air while Tang smirked and nudged his husband, the pig glared at him in response. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No, not at all, kid. It’s nothin’.”

“Why haven’t you used it in awhile, Piggy?” Mei asked.

Pigsy shrugged. “Never had a reason to use it until now. Last time I used it was way long ago.”

“Too long if you ask me,” Tang joked. His husband smiled and rolled his eyes in response.

“You would say that.”

“Well I think it makes you even more handsome. I haven’t seen that form since… you know.” Since Pigsy went by Zhu Bajie, he wanted to say but they decided not to reveal their identities just yet especially since they had only recently adopted Red. It was a bad idea to tell him that the pig and scholar that had just adopted him were Zhu Bajie and Tripitaka, they would tell them eventually.

“Yea, that was a long time ago.”

“Hm? Is there something you know that we don’t?” Red asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Now eat, ya look skinny. Ya all can do whatever after ya finished.”

Red complied and continued eating. The two adults took a few minutes by themselves to chat while watching their kids playfully banter. Mei placed a bowl in front of the counter suddenly.

The chef raised an eyebrow. “Ya done, Mei?”

“Yep!” She gestured to the table. “They won’t stop flirting. I’m going to MK’s room to take a nap. Wake me up when it’s over!”

The couple let out a laugh as they glanced at Red Son and MK, both were extremely red. Tang commented, “Let them have their fun. It’s rather cute.”

“Yea, it is,” the chef said and wrapped an arm around his husband’s waist.

Mei waved an arm. “Yea, I know. They’re so oblivious, it’s painful.”

Pigsy chuckled. “Your bába and I used to be the same way.”

“We sure did. It took us too long to notice.”

“How did you finally realize?”

“Well… someone helped and interfered…”

“Oh! So I just push them into a closet then?”

Tang shouted, “No! Don’t do that!”

“Awwww, why not?”

“Let them realize their feelings in their own time.”

“Bába, I’m going to be waiting a million years if that’s the case.”

The pig shook his head. “He’s right, y’know. They’ll realize eventually.”

Their daughter pouted. “Okay… but if they don’t get their act together soon, I’m pushing them in a closet.”

The couple laughed. Tang said, “Of course you are, just be patient.” He brushed a piece of hair away from Mei’s face.

Mei groaned. “Fine.” She kissed both of her dads’ cheeks. “I’m going to take my nap now.”

“Okay, dear. Have a nice nap.”

“Bye, kid.” Mei waved and left the shop to go upstairs to MK’s room.

Tang muttered, “I am so glad Wukong never pushed us into any closets.”

“Probably cause there weren’t even closets around. He definitely thought about it though.”

“Definitely. Although I wouldn’t mind if he did.” He ran hand against the pig’s cheek, he purred in response.

The pig playfully shoved him and looked away. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

Tang gasped. “Rude! You wouldn’t mind it either!”

“I definitely wouldn’t.” He winked. “Love ya.”

“Love you too.” He leaned against him.

MK placed his bowl on top of Mei’s. “I’m done! I’m going to play videos games in my room!”

“Okay, kid. Have fun.”

“See you bába! See you papa!”

They nodded at their son and MK sent one glance at them and Red before he left. Red smiled as the noodle boy left and ran a finger against his half finished bowl. Pigsy could tell there was something on the kid’s mind, Tang was way better with words than he was.

“I’m gonna do the dishes, Tang.”

“Alright.” He kissed the pig’s cheek. The pig grabbed the bowl and walked towards the other side of the counter while Tang strolled towards Red and sat down next to him. “You look happy,” he stated.

“Hm?” He smiled turned into a frown. “Yea… so-sorry.”

Tang tilted his head. “Never say sorry for being happy. I think it’s nice to see you smile.”

“Th-thanks. The Noodle Boy, he-”

“You like him?”

Red shook his head up and down hesitantly. “Ye-yes…”

The scholar cooed. “That’s fantastic. You two would be good for eachother.”

“T-thanks… I don’t know. I don’t know if he likes me.”

“He does. From personal experience, he does. I know Xiaotian and I know that in these matters, he does like you.”

“Personal experience? Like from Mr. Pigsy?”

“Yep. Back then I never wanted to believe the signs that Pigsy liked me, now that I look back, it is as clear as day. I used to think ‘Why can’t I get you out of my head?’” when I looked at him. It was like that all the time. Xiaotian does like you.”

“I- I hope so. I don’t get why though…”

“Why wouldn’t he? You’re a good kid, Red.”

“Really? After all I’ve done…”

Tang paused and nodded, despite the demon kidnapping back in the past and other things, he couldn’t hold a grudge against the boy, all he wanted was the approval of his parents and Tang knew he and Pigsy would be able to steer him in the right direction. Plus Tang wouldn’t be Tang if he didn’t give a demon a second chance. “Yes, I do. You’re trying your best and you have changed. I am extremely proud of you for trying to change.”

Tang could Red Son hold back tears. “Thank you, Mr. Tang. Thank you for taking me in.”

“Of course. Now eat, Pigsy might think you don’t like his cooking.”

“O-okay.” Red finished seconds later and moved to wash the bowl, Pigsy grabbed his arm.

“I’ll take care of that, kid.” He took the bowl from the other demon’s arms and began to clean it.

“You sure?”

“I’m sure. Ya go have fun with the other two.”

“Th-thank you…”

“Mhmm…”

Red shyly waved at them and left. Tang sat in his stool and stated, “You know when we on the journey I didn’t think years later we would be having kids.”

“Ha! When we started the whole thing I didn’t expect us to get together at all.”

“I know right! I’m glad we did though. Really glad.”

Pigsy smiled. “Me too. I love you.”

He kissed Pigsy on the lips. He whispered, “I love you, Bajie.”

“Love you too, Tripitaka.” They were about to kiss again when they heard crashing come from upstairs. The pig sighed. “What are they doin’ up there?”

“I don’t know. We should check on them.”

“Like we can never get a moment alone around here.”

Tang chuckled and wrapped an arm around his husband. “Part of having children. Let’s go see what they’re up to.” He guided his husband toward the door, they thought about the happy life they built up and went to see their kids, smiling all the way.

#lego monkie kid #monkie kid #pigsy #tang #freenoodleshipping #mk #qi xiaotian #mei #long xiaojiao #red son monkie kid #red son lmk #red son #spicynoodleshipping #dad Pigsy #dad Tang #zhu bajie #tripitaka #my fic #Wukong: wait... why did I never push them in a closet?! that would have worked!

49 notes · View notes

blackqueenstarseed1 · 3 years

Text

The Friend

Chapter one - Fall out

Paring - Rafael Casal x black!reader AU

Summary - You've been in love with one of your best friends for years, you've actually agreed to reveal your feelings to Daveed, but what happens when you find out he's got a new girlfriend. Will his best blonde-haired pal be the one you've always been waiting for?

Warnings - slight angst, heartbreak, Alcohol

Word count : 2,274

Note: Let me know your thoughts please. I love Rafael, and he needs more love on here.

I’m also making a tag list, let me know if you want to be apart of it.

“Not that dress it’s giving grandma vibes.”, your roommate Jamie said leaning against the doorway to your bedroom. As she nodded towards your floral dress that was in your hands.

“Well help me find something, I wanna make sure he noticed me this time.” You mumbled closing your eyes imagining his beautiful brown eyes that can warm an entire room. And that smile, oh that fucking smile that felt as pure as the source of light. Returning back to reality you signed, “I’m gonna tell him how I feel tonight, and I- I want it to be special. You know?”

Jamie raised her brown, walked towards your bed, and took a seat next to you. Staring you in the eye giving you her concerned motherly look, oh here she goes, you thought not wanting to hear another lecture, especially with your nerves today. “Listen y/n, no matter what happens tonight just know that you don’t need some guy to be happy okay? Daveed is an idiot if he doesn’t see how much of a wonderful person you are.”

That was his name Daveed, Daveed Daniele Diggs, and you were in love with him since you first met at freshman orientation which was five years ago. You wanted to tell him how you felt, but he was in a long-term relationship with a girl named Lisa. But about three months ago he learned that she was cheating on him for over 4 years. You honestly felt bad at how happy you were at the news, throwing yourself a little party at some misdeeds. No, really you actually did throw a little party, from buying a mini cake, and jumping up and down as ‘lovely day’ by bill withers played through the stereo. Pathetic. With that, you decided to give him time to heal before you tell him that you were helplessly in love with him. Three months should be good enough you mused.

“Yea, yea I get it. Love myself before someone else. I didn’t ask for a Ted talk, but okay.” You replied getting up from your seat, throwing the dress back in the closet. “Now help me find something to wear. Let me see if that fashion degree was worth it?”

Jamie chuckled, shaking her head at you. Walking into your closet she nodded, “sure.”

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

Your stomach was beginning to do circles as you and Jamie arrived at the party. It’s okay you can do this ...after some drinks… but no I should stay sober for this.

“Y/n! Jamie! Come and take a shot with me.” Oak yelled, walking towards the pair of you with two shot glasses in his hands. As he came up to the both of you his eyes went wide as he looked at you up and down inspecting your outfit. “Damn y/n, you look ummm, y-you look, I-I mean wow.”

You nodded with a satisfied smile on your face. I hope Daveed likes this too. “Thanks, oak, and no thank you I’m the DD tonight.”

“Cool, cool. Well, I’m over there if you need me.” He winked and walked towards a group of guys.

“Hey wait, I never said that I didn’t want one,” Jamie yelled frowning as Oak walked away selectively not hearing her plea. Turning towards you with a knowing smirk on her face, she shook her head. “See I told you bitch. You’re fucking hot.”

“Oak flirts with anything that moves, that was nothing.” You mumbled, rolling your eyes. It was true though, you loved Oak to death but if you had a penny for every compliment he gave to anyone you’d be a trillionaire.

“True but- Oh fuck look who just arrived. Twelve o’clock your way.” Jamie mumbled and nodded her head towards the front door. Slowly looking up your heart began to beat fast, increasing in an unhealthy way. Daveed walked in the room like the goddess that he was, dressed to the gods, hair moisturized to the lords. He waved at people nearby as he walked further through the party getting closer to you. Jamie squeezed your shoulder, giving you a warm smile. “Do it now, so you’ll have the rest of the night to drink the pain away.”

You nodded not being able to reply as Daveed walked up to you.

“Hey! Y/n, Jamie. It’s good to see you both.” He said with his beautiful eye smile lighting up the room giving Jamie a side hug. Pulling you into a warm hug looking you up, and down biting his lips. “What’s been going on with you? I felt like we haven’t talked in years!”

“Oh, y'know works have been pulling me in all areas.” You replied, wishing you had taken the shot Oak had offered you earlier. Liquid courage can be a good thing. Gathering the little courage you had you shot him a smile, “Actually I been wanting to talk to you about something-“

“Thanks, diggs for the correct directions. I really appreciate it. If you haven’t noticed I’m being sarcastic.” A voice yelps in the near distance interrupting your plan to drag Daveed away, to confess your love for him. Balling your fists trying to keep your cool, looking up trying to see who was brave enough to interrupt a girl so helplessly in love. Wearing a yellow ‘Oakland’ hoodie, with glasses on, walking towards you with a girl walking beside him, you signed as you made the person out. Rafael Santiago motherfucking Casal, great, now you didn’t hate him per se but you greatly dislike his white ass. From disagreeing on everything, arguing over stupid shit, him teasing, and poking fun at you every chance he got on you. Let’s just say you two weren’t exactly close. Walking up to the three of you he smiled, “ Hey, Jamie. I love ya man, but never ask me for a favor if you can’t cooperate okay.”

The fuck did he just ignore me. You thought saying a silent prayer in your head trying not to go off on his ass.

“Sorry, my phone went dead once I realized I gave y’all the wrong direction,” Daveed mumbled, shrugging his shoulders, reaching his hands out to the girl who arrived with Rafael. What? Who is she? “ Guys I want y’all to meet my girlfriend Serena.”

At that moment you could’ve sworn that the entire room can hear your heart-shattering in millions of pieces. After all this time of pinning after a guy, you always cared for giving your every thought to, but in reality, he will never give you the time of day. Fuck I’m a desperate piece of mess you thought feeling your throat getting hard. Fuck don’t cry you weak bitch. Jamie looked up in surprise, her eyes instantly falling on you shooting you a sympathetic look. But no you weren’t gonna be a bitter bitch just because someone wasn’t into you, you were better than that. Putting all of your feelings aside you nod. “Nice to meet you I’m, y/n, and that’s Jamie.”

“You too. Oh my god, I love your outfit, it's beautiful.” She smiled, making Daveed grin as he pulled her into a side hug, happy that she was getting along with his friends. Mumbling a small ‘thanks’, you felt defeated, not only was she pretty, but she was nice too. You couldn’t even hate her if you tried, at least his last girlfriend Lisa was a total bitch, something that your whole friend group silently thought as well. Which was good because it didn’t make you feel guilty for your feelings for Daveed because you had a villain in your love story. Kissing her cheek making her giggle, Daveed smiled and looked up at you. “So what were you trying to tell me earlier?”

“Oh, um it was nothing. Just forget it. Listen I should go see everyone else.” You rasped, pointing towards an area of the house far away from them. “It was good seeing you all.”

“Okay, well don’t be a stranger.” Daveed frown noticing the change in your state, just a minute ago you were on cloud nine. Serena waved bye at you. While Jamie stared at you squinting her eyes, silently asking if you needed her, you shook your head no. Rafael glanced up looking away from his phone for a moment and mumbled. “See ya.”

Oh? so he did know that I was here, fucking bitch.

Grabbing a bottle of vodka on your way out towards the pool area, you found a place farther away from any eyes. You began to take a gulp from the bottle. “Fuck.”

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

“I guess I don’t need this.” You laughed fully drunk after finishing almost half the bottle of vodka. Standing by the pool with the letter you wrote Daveed in your right hands, and a lighter in your left trying to burn your feelings away. Maybe it was because you were drunk off your ass, or maybe the lighter was cheap as hell. But It wouldn’t work no matter how much you flick the little rolling thingy. “Fuck can something work for me for once. DAMN IT!”

“Hey what the fuck y/n! Are you trying to burn the house down?” Rafael yelled running up to you snatching the lighter from your hands. Making you jump in surprise, him coming out of nowhere throwing you off, so much so that you slipped on a puddle of water nearby. Feeling gravity defy you, You gasped “Shit.”

But before you could even fall into the pool, you felt warm arms around you. Looking up into the eyes of the person who saved you from embarrassment. You tilted your head, eyebrows furrowed, confused as to why the guy who hated your entire existence decided to save you from humiliation. Rafael’s expression hardened. “Are you insane? What if you would’ve gotten hurt?.”

“Please, stop yelling. My head hurts, and the room is spinning.” You whined, placing your hand on your forehead trying to block any more noise, coming your way. You didn’t need someone, especially him, making you feel guilty for drinking your feelings away. Because you weren’t in the mood right now. Shoving the letter back into your purse you glared at the blonde man,

“Leave me alone.”

“There’s no way I’m gonna leave you in this state. I mean look you can barely walk.” Rafael proclaimed pulling your arm sitting you down on a nearby bench. “Stay here.”

He walked back into the house as you sat there with a dumbfounded look not believing that he was actually trying to help you at this low point. Coming back towards you he hands you a bottle of water. “Drink this.”

Squinting your eyes at him wondering if this was a setup and if he poisoned the water. You decided to take the risk, and grabbed the water from him and mumbled a small ‘thanks’ as you gulped down the water. Rafael nodded watching you finish the water pleased with your compliance. “You good?”

“Yes. Thanks,” you replied, playing with the top of the bottle trying to avoid any eye contact with this confusing man.

“Ain’t that’s what friends are for?” He mused, staring into your eyes with his beautiful eyes. You always thought that Rafa was a handsome man, especially with his way with words, and his wisdom was simply out of this world. And your attraction to him never fully went away, especially after your altercations. But just because you think he’s cute doesn’t mean you’ll go out with him, he’s still Rafael the guy who gave you hell. Peering up at him leaning further into the bench you replied. “Friends?”

“Yes, friends. What?” Rafael questioned eyebrows raised at your statement.

“I’m just saying I never consider you a friend, and I’m pretty sure you would say the same too.” You confessed not caring how honest you were being. Liquid courage 1, sober 0.

“Ouch.” Rafael chuckled, as he jammed his hands in his front pocket.

“I’m serious Raf, for as long as I can remember. You couldn’t stand to be in the same room as me, and now you wanna help me. What’s your deal? Huh.” You demanded crossing your arms, glaring at him. Wanting him to stop playing games with you.

“That’s not even remotely true! I-I, look listen to me when I say this. I know pain when I see it, and it’s written all over your face. I just want to make sure you don’t do anything stupid. Okay.” Rafael answered threading a hand through his hair, his lashes fluttering. Staring deep into your soul, bringing an unfamiliar sense of comfort to you. Damn he really is serious

“Thanks, but I’m fine. And I don’t need you to check on me.” You argue, looking away from his intense stare. Rafael huffed, shaking his head in return. “Sure.”

Sitting in silence for a few minutes Rafael stood up from his seat and jerked his head in the direction of the back exit. “This party is getting pretty boring. You wanna go grab something to eat.”

You honestly didn’t know what to make of his sudden interest in you. For the longest time, the only attention he has ever given you was to either say something rude, or correct you. This was definitely weird, yes, but you were too drunk and too hurt to care right now. Glancing up towards the house seeing Daveed with his arm around Serena. You frown, tearing your eyes away from the man who still had your heart. Standing up, throwing the water bottle by a nearby bush, you nodded. “Let’s go.”

#rafael casal #rafael casal x reader #Rafael casal x black!reader #rafael casal fanfiction #daveed diggs #oak #okieriete onaodowan #rafael casal imagine

33 notes · View notes

you-did-well-moon · 4 years

Text

Day6 reaction to s/o getting jealous when a idol flirts with them

Type: Fluff angst if you squint really hard like you’re trying to see something millions of miles away but you don't have to squint that hard in wonpils

Word count: 3373

A/n: My first Day6 request how are you MyDays? Happy to see you here lol. I hope you’re all doing okay cause zombie literally bought me to tears. Anyways I cant lie I got excited when I got this request because it’s fun. I’m letting you know right now I love every girl om this reaction. Don’t be afraid to talk to me - Moon

TW: insecurities, a little suggestive with Young k, unrealistic depiction of female idols.

Sungjin

You had been waiting for Sungjin to come back from getting his guitar case from where he had left in another room in the JYP building. You guys were going to go on a cute little café date that you surprisingly didn't have to beg for. You had thought he would suggest somewhere else since Wonpil had wanted to go to the same place with him, but he had shut him down saying Cafes weren't really his scene.

You decided to get all his stuff so you could leave quickly, putting it carefully in your bag and placing his beanie on your head with a soft laugh. You were going to open the door of the practice room when you heard two voices conversing just outside the room. You tilted your head when you recognized Sungjin’s voice putting your ear against the wood of the door. You felt your chest tighten when you heard a soft female voice loudly laughing.

You heard the girl giggle and compliment his singing. With shaking hands you tiptoed to look through the little window the door had silently gasping when you saw her hand drift down his arm. You recognized Nayeon from Twice, one of the prettiest girls from one of the most popular girl groups. Her eyes drifted to your eyes peeking from the ledge of the window making direct eye contact when she softly took Sungjin’s hand and asked him if he could give her guitar lessons.

Her eyes then came back to Sungjin, wide and faux in innocence as she slowly blinked at him. Feeling nauseous you couldn't take anymore of the scene stumbling to the other side of the room. You needed to get away or else you felt like you'd burst through that door and smack her for even having the audacity to touch your boyfriend like that. You didn't get to see Sungjin awkwardly pull his hand away telling her he needed to go.

He walked into the room meeting your uneasy smile with a bright one, eyes crinkling when he saw his beanie playfully pulling it down so it covered your eyes fondly letting his finger drift to your cheekbone before taking your hand. Even the cute atmosphere of the café didn't manage to cheer you up. Sungjin immediately noticed your mood leaning towards you when he gently asked what was wrong. Not being able to make eye contact you’d ask him if he was going to give Nayeon the guitar lessons she asked for.

He quickly understood what this was about, almost scoffing at the absurdity of it. He would be silent in the car ride home. Getting to the dorms and he’d pull you to sit down on his bed facing each other and knees touching. He would not allow you to break eye contact when he leaned his forehead against yours nose gently nudging yours as he grasped your hands in his.

“Y/n, love, from now on, I want you to stop tormenting and making yourself unnecessarily suffer like that. What you're feeling and thinking right now is completely wasteful because no matter what, no woman will ever occupy as much space in my heart as you do, no woman can make me feel the way you do. Have trust in me y/n, please.

Sungjin will not hesitate to shut down whatever jealousy you had. He will be blunt and honest with you while still being loving and romantic with you. To be honest, Sungjin thinks it’s stupid you even feel this way, but he wont tell you that.

Jae

Your stomach hurt from having to hold in your laughter curling up in your seat behind the camera, and you had to stifle your laughter with a hand clasped to your mouth. You struggled to catch your breath as a small tear slipped out from the corner of your eye. You had been texting with Jae when he told you he hadn't eaten yet, so you being the kind and supporting girlfriend you were, you had bought food for Jae and everyone in Hwaiting choosing to stay and wait for the recording to finish, so you could go home with Jae.

You hadn't really watched any of the other episodes, so you weren't prepared for the chaos that ensued when going through the games. You could see Jae’s eyes finding their way to your figure, not being able to stop himself from smiling when he saw you laughing. He smiled brighter when you laughed in response to something he had done. He just loved your laugh too much. It did weird things to his chest, and it made his heart feel light.

The recording finished and the show was wrapped up. You clapped lightly saying words of encouragement to everyone with Matthew bringing you into a headlock. You presented them with the food you had bought, a smile making its way onto your face when they all cheered. There was a table everyone could sit at, and you were going to sit next to Jae, but Jamie was able to slide in before you could. You shrugged it off knowing they were close friends, simply taking the seat across from him with a confused smile.

You didn't mind their friendship at all. You had come into Jae’s life after years of them being friends, but as you watched her interact with Jae you couldn't stop the bitter feeling on your tongue. You saw her hitting Jae in the way a child does when they have a crush on someone else, pushing his fork so the food hit his chin and laughing when he complained.

She kept on childishly flirting with him right in front of you. She asked him to go to a new noodle place with her, and told him to reschedule when Jae said he had a date with you on that day which Jae outright refused. You felt like you were about to throw your food at her, so you excused yourself saying you weren't feeling too well. Jae stood up also saying he wanted to leave with you. You were upset, and you let it out on him. When he tried touching you, you pushed him away.

He started asking you what was wrong poking at you and tugging at your arm to which you eventually snapped telling him to go to that stupid noodle place with his friend that didn't seem to understand what a friend was. Jae would be shocked, staring at you with wide eyes before laughing loudly, bending over and clutching his stomach as if he had just heard the funniest thing. Right there in the hallway of this entertainment company, one of Jae’s hands would rest on your shoulder pulling you so that your body was against his, and the other hand would take your chin making you look at him.

“You really think- I can’t go one hour without thinking of you y/n are you crazy? Like did you eat those weird candies Wonpil likes because how could you ever think I’m not constantly wanting to go home so that I can see you. You! No one else! There is nothing on this stupid planet that could ever make me love you less than I do. Not even when you drool in the morning”

The fact that you were jealous would make Jae laugh because him? Paying any kind of attention to any female? that wasn't you? and didn't have your smile or eyes that he loved so much? hah, what a joke.

Young K

When he had first told you that he would be collaborating with a female idol, you had been perfectly fine with it, excited for him even. Even when he told you it would be Sunmi he would be spending hours with, one of the most beautiful and creative idols in the industry, you shrugged your shoulders wishing him luck and telling him to remember to eat. You trusted Younghyun, and you trusted Sunmi to act respectfully since your relationship had been revealed to the public a long time ago.

You hadn't had the chance to meet her seeing as you were busy with your own work. One day, Younghyun sent you a text message asking if you could bring his notebook to the studio seeing as he had written down some ideas he had for the song, and you agreed even offering to bring them snacks. He then responded with “You’re the only snack I need ;)” which you ignored going to the convenience store and buying as many snacks as you could. In your giddiness to see your boyfriend, you forgot to knock opening the door right away.

What you saw made you realize that trust should not be given out freely. You couldn't really hear around the angry haze forming in your mind, but you heard Younghyun talking about the song. You saw her hand placed on his jean clad knee, thumb rubbing the skin exposed by a rip in the cloth, and her hand twirling one of his hoodie strings around her manicured fingers. Younghyun didn't even notice her actions, attention solely placed on the screen in front of him.

You were just about to go and slap her hands away when he noticed you in the doorway, eyes lighting up as he hurriedly stood up greeting you with a chaste kiss and a hand tenderly running through your hair. You could only manage a weak smile in his direction feeling the other female’ s glare aimed at you. You nervously tugged at your ear asking him to talk outside, chest easing up when he immediately agreed. You quickly shut the door not even bothering to talk to the girl in the chair.

You stiffly gave him his notebook and the bag of snacks not being able to look him in the eyes. He was confused at your closed off attitude deciding he would talk about it to you in private where you could tell him in the comfort of your own home. Pressing his lips gently to your forehead, he whispered a “bye” against your skin before turning to go back into the studio.

He was stopped by a hand tugging at his sleeve, and when he turned back around, you would ask him not to go back into the room because if you saw her make one more move on him you weren't sure you could hold yourself back swinging at her. You really wouldn't be able to finish your sentence before you were pushed back into the wall with his mouth desperately seeking yours. After maybe 5 15 minutes, he would lean back heavily breathing and cradling your face in his hands looking at you with sincere eyes.

“I belong to you and no one else. My heart and soul are all yours babe. You are on my mind every single minute you’re not with me. You think I care about other women? That's cute. There is absolutely no way I could ever think of waking up next to anyone else or falling asleep with anyone else by my side.

I’m sorry but I believe Younghyun will be one to take your jealousy that route. He’ll think it’s cute . Actually, he'll find your jealousy kind of hot which he wouldn't dare tell you in fear of sleeping on the couch.

Wonpil

You had actually been away from Korea to go visit your family members. While you felt happy to see your family, you missed Wonpil so much you asked him to send you voicemails talking about random stuff that had happened to him during the day. Even with all the texts and calls, you still depended on those voice mails like they were your lifeline. You just missed his voice...and his laugh...and his touch. You missed him a lot. Your family even teased you about it, noticing your bright smile when you heard from him and calling you “whipped” which you didn't even try denying.

You had been playing with your younger cousins when you got a call from Jae. As soon as you answered him you had to put the phone away from your ear because he started screeching at you about leaving because ever since you left Wonpil had been all mopey and sulky. He had even tried cuddling Jae which Jae took great offense to. That was all you could catch before his screaming became unintelligible.

You heard a slight scuffling on the other side of the room before you heard Sungjin’s calm voice telling you they would be performing at a music show the day you got back. His voice got slightly nervous when he asked you to surprise Wonpil and if you were up to it because he had been down in the dumps lately. You agreed reassuring him you felt energized just by the chance of being able to see Wonpil earlier.

Getting out of the airport and you stopped quickly at your apartment to drop off all your suitcases and bags, and you slipped on one of his sweatshirts you had stolen from him not being able to stop a feeling of warmth in your chest feeling the soft fabric against your skin. Arriving at the venue and you greeted all the members with a big smile asking them where Wonpil was. They nervously looked at each other before pointing at one of the rooms simply telling you he was practicing. Entering the room would make you freeze in surprise because instead of just Wonpil behind the keyboard, Rose from Black Pink was next to him.

You saw his shoulders hunch up a clear sign he was nervous and feeling shy. She really had no shame. She made sure her shoulders and arms were pressed against his, and she giggled whenever their hands bumped. She had the nerve to rest her head on his shoulder while telling him how cute he was. You decided to intervene softly calling his name. Wonpil gasped at the sound of your voice immediately leaving Rose behind to crush you into a hug hiding his face in your neck. You could only smile meekly, one hand coming to wrap around his shoulders, and the other resting on the back of his head lightly massaging his scalp. With Wonpil not facing her direction, she gave you the dirtiest look she could.

You asked her if she could give you guys some alone time to which she rolled her eyes huffing as she left the room. When Wonpil leaned back to look at you with a soft laugh and bright eyes, you couldn't meet him with the same enthusiasm. His eyebrows furrowed asking you what was wrong with a hand coming to brush the skin of your cheekbone. When you told him you didn't like the way Rose was acting with him, you could see the clear disappointment in his eyes. His mouth would down turn in a frown, and he looked at you through his eyelashes as his hands dropped from your body.

“Why would you feel this way? Have I not shown you I love you enough? Have I not told you I love you enough. Have I not given you reason to have faith in our relationship? What did I do to make you think that I care about anyone else when I have you, you who are my everything. Do you not trust me?

Wonpil would be sad because Wonpil is someone who needs a stable and trusting relationship. He would be disappointed because he would think you don't trust him. He would be a bit distant from you for a little bit.

Dowoon

The day had been full of laughter. You and Dowoon had gone out to eat for breakfast. It had been a few days since you really had the time to spend and enjoy time with each other. Every time you caught Dowoon staring at you while talking to him, he would giggle eyes crinkling before looking down at his food. You eventually stood up leaning across the table to look him in the eyes, and he covered your eyes with one hand chuckling lowly and telling you to stop being so cute. He let his hand fall from your eyes to cradle your cheek brushing your hair away from your eyes gently.

You couldn't help but to lean into your touch, your bright eyes meeting his tender ones. You guys decided to go out for a walk around the area where the restaurant was. There was a supermarket with a claw machine where Dowoon wanted to win you a cute plush, but the machine was one of the rigged ones. After the 17th time of Dowoon hitting his head on the glass of the cursed machine, you tugged at his sleeve whining that you wanted to take a walk at the park near the supermarket since the weather was so nice.

You smiled and laughed as the sun basked you in its warmth. Dowoon had to stop you from going and petting every dog with a hand around your shoulders distracting you by letting a finger slip under the collar of your shirt and rubbing the skin between your neck and shoulder. You saw a little boy walking a large dog almost his size, and the dog was so gentle with the kid walking slowly as to not overwhelm the boy’s shorter clumsy legs. You stopped and put a hand on Dowoon’s shoulder whispering a soft “please” to which he immediately let go of you with a warm smile.

You excitedly ran ahead gently greeting the boy and asking what his dog’s name was. Dowoon watched you happily bend down to pet the dog when the child gave you permission with a certain kind of breathlessness racking through his body. You didn't notice his ears tint red when you turned around to brightly smile at him. He was so mesmerized by the sight of you he didn't notice his name called until a hand came to rest on his bicep.

He turned around only to stumble back and bow to who he recognized as Chung Ha. She laughed lightly, her hand coming back to rest on his arm telling him he didn't have to be so formal. She kept complimenting him which made him squirm because she wasn't you. He was getting nervous, and when he got nervous his face got red. You stood up telling the boy bye, and you turned around only for your smile to drop from your face quickly. You recognized the female idol, and you saw Dowoon’s red face which you confused for him being shy and flattered by whatever she was saying. You instantly went up to Dowoon’s side greeting the female with a tight lipped smile before telling her you and Dowoon had to get home before it got dark outside.

You saw the enjoyment in her eyes when she realized you were threatened by her. You tugged at Dowoon’s arm, eyes never breaking eye contact with her until you were far enough. Getting home and you would be silent not letting Dowoon touch you and ignoring him. You were passing by him on the couch when he grasped your hand asking what was up with you. You asked him if he liked the attention he got from Chung Ha with a cold tone. Dowoon tilted his head, tugging at your hand to make you sit on his lap. He looked down at you with a confused gaze. His hand cradled your jaw to make you look up to him.

“Why would I ever want anyone but you y/n? You who smiles as me even with all my flaws. Who never fails to make me happy just by being next to me. How could you ever think I could love someone else the way I love you. You y/n. My lovely y/n. You dummy.”

Dowoon would be so confused. Why would he want someone else that wasn't you. You were everything he wanted. That's why you guys were together. Why would he be as stupid as to ruin the beautiful thing you guys had?

289 notes · View notes

kiridune · 3 years

Text

On Hallowed Ground

Sat, Sep. 07, 2002 Miami Herald

By DAVE BARRY (http://davebarry.com/misccol/hallowedground.htm)

On a humid July day in Pennsylvania, hundreds of tourists, as millions have before them, are drifting among the simple gravestones and timeworn monuments of the national cemetery at Gettysburg.

Several thousand soldiers are buried here. A few graves are decorated with flowers, suggesting some of the dead have relatives who still come here. There's a sign at the entrance, reminding people that this is a cemetery. It says: "SILENCE AND RESPECT."

Most of the tourists are being reasonably respectful, for tourists, although many, apparently without noticing, walk on the graves, stand on the bones of the soldiers. Hardly anybody is silent. Perky tour guides are telling well-practiced stories and jokes; parents are yelling at children; children are yelling at each other. A tour group of maybe two dozen teen-agers are paying zero attention to anything but each other, flirting, laughing, wrapped in the happy self-absorbed obliviousness of Teen-agerLand.

A few yards away, gazing somberly toward the teen-agers, is a bust of Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address here 139 years ago, when the gentle rolling landscape, now green and manicured, was still raw and battle-scarred, the earth recently soaked with the blood of the 8,000 who died, and the tens of thousands more who were wounded, when two armies, 160,000 men, fought a terrible battle on July 1, 2 and 3 that determined the outcome of the Civil War.

Nobody planned for the battle to happen here. Neither army set out for Gettysburg. But this is where it happened. This is where, out of randomness, out of chance, a thousand variables conspired to bring the two mighty armies together. And so this quiet little town, because it happened to be here, became historic, significant, a symbol, its identity indelibly defined by this one overwhelming event. This is where these soldiers - soldiers from Minnesota, soldiers from Kentucky, soldiers who had never heard of Gettysburg before they came here to die - will lie forever.

This is hallowed ground.

On the same July day, a few hours' drive to the west, near the small Pennsylvania town of Shanksville, Wally Miller, coroner of Somerset County, Pa., walks slowly through the tall grass covering a quiet field, to a place near the edge, just before some woods.

This is the place where, on Sept. 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 93, scene of a desperate airborne battle pitting passengers and crew against terrorist hijackers, came hurtling out of the sky, turning upside down and slamming into the earth at more than 500 mph.

That horrendous event transformed this quiet field into a smoking, reeking hell, a nightmare landscape of jet fuel, burning plane debris, scattered human remains.

Now, 10 months later, the field is green again. Peaceful and green.

Except where Flight 93 plunged into the ground. That one place is still barren dirt. That one place has not healed.

"Interesting that the grass won't grow right here," says Miller.

Nobody on Flight 93 was heading for Somerset County that day. The 33 passengers and seven crew were heading from Newark, N.J., to San Francisco. The four hijackers had a different destination in mind, probably Washington, D.C., possibly the White House.

Nobody on the plane meant to come here.

"I doubt that any one of them would ever set foot in Somerset County, except maybe to stop at Howard Johnson's on the turnpike," Miller says. "They have no roots here."

But this is where they are. And this is where they will stay.

No bodies were recovered here, at least not as we normally think of bodies. In the cataclysmic violence of the crash, the people on Flight 93 literally disintegrated. Searchers found fragments of bones, small pieces of flesh, a hand. But no bodies.

In the grisly accounting of a jetliner crash, it comes down to pounds: The people on Flight 93 weighed a total of about 7,500 pounds. Miller supervised an intensive effort to gather their remains, some flung hundreds of yards. In the end, just 600 pounds of remains were collected; of these, 250 pounds could be identified by DNA testing and returned to the families of the passengers and crew.

Forty families, wanting to bury their loved ones. Two hundred fifty pounds of identifiable remains.

"There were people who were getting a skull cap and a tooth in the casket," Miller says. "That was their loved ones."

The rest of the remains, the vast majority, will stay here forever, in this ground.

"For all intents and purposes, they're buried here," Miller says. "This is a cemetery."

This is also hallowed ground.

In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln was essentially trying to answer a question. The question was: How do you honor your heroes? Lincoln's answer was: You can't. No speech you give, no monument you erect, will be worthy of them, of their sacrifice. The best you can do is remember the cause they died for, finish the job they started.

Of course the passengers and crew on Flight 93, when they set out from Newark that morning, had no cause in common. They were people on a plane bound from Newark to San Francisco. Some were going home, some traveling on business, some on vacation.

People on a plane.

Which makes it all the more astonishing, what they did.

You've been on planes. Think how it feels, especially on a morning cross-country flight. You got up early; you're tired; you've been buckled in your seat for a couple of hours, with hours more to go. You're reading, or maybe dozing. You're essentially cargo: There's nowhere you can go, nothing you can do, no role you could possibly play in flying this huge, complex machine. You retreat into your passenger cocoon, passive, trusting your fate to the hands of others, confident that they'll get you down safe, because they always do.

Now imagine what that awful morning was like for the people on Flight 93. Imagine being ripped from your safe little cocoon, discovering that the plane was now controlled by killers, that your life was in their bloody hands. Imagine knowing that there was nobody to help you, except you, and the people, mostly strangers, around you.

Imagine that, and ask yourself: What would you do? Could you do anything? Could you overcome the fear clenching your stomach, the cold, paralyzing terror?

The people on Flight 93 did. With hijackers in control of the plane, with the captain and first officer most likely dead, the people on this plane got on their cell phones, and the plane's Airfones. They reached people on the ground, explained what was happening to them. They expressed their love. They said goodbye.

But they did not give up. As they were saying goodbye, they were gathering information. They learned about the World Trade Center towers. They understood that Flight 93 was on a suicide mission. They figured out what their options were.

Then they organized.

Then they fought back.

In "Among the Heroes," a riveting book about Flight 93, New York Times reporter Jere Longman reports many of the last words spoken to loved ones on the ground by people on the plane. They're not the words of people in shock, people resigned to whatever fate awaits them. They're the words of people planning an attack. Fighters.

Here, for example, are the last words of passenger Honor Elizabeth Wainio to her stepmother: "They're getting ready to break into the cockpit. I have to go. I love you. Goodbye."

Here are flight attendant Sandy Bradshaw's last words to her husband: "We're going to throw water on them and try to take the airplane back over. Phil, everyone's running to first class. I've got to go. Bye."

And of course there are the now-famous words of Todd Beamer, who, after explaining the situation on the plane to an Airfone supervisor in Illinois, turned to somebody near him and said: "You ready? OK, let's roll."

They're getting ready to break into the cockpit.

I've got to go.

Let's roll.

We'll never know exactly what happened next. Some believe that the fighters managed to get into the cockpit, and that, in the ensuing struggle for control, the plane went down. Others believe that the hijackers, trying to knock the fighters off their feet, flew the plane erratically, and in doing so lost control. Inevitably, there is Internet-fueled speculation that the plane was secretly shot down by the U.S. government. (The government denies this.)

But whatever happened, we know two things for sure:

We know that the plane went down before it reached its target - that the hijackers failed to strike a national symbol, a populated area. They failed.

And we know that the people on the plane fought back. On a random day, on a random flight, they found themselves - unwarned, unprepared, unarmed - on the front lines of a vicious new kind of war. And somehow, in the few confusing and terrifying minutes they had, they transformed themselves from people on a plane into soldiers, and they fought back. And that made them heroes, immediately and forever, to a wounded, angry nation, a nation that desperately wanted to fight back.

And now these heroes lie here, in this field where their battle ended. This cemetery. This battlefield. This hallowed ground.

Wally Miller, coroner, has walked this ground hundreds of times. He spent endless hours among those collecting human remains and picking up plane parts. Even now, he walks with his eyes down, looking, looking. Every now and then he reaches down and picks up a tiny piece of plane - a thimble-sized piece of twisted gray metal, a bit of charred plastic, a shard of circuit board, a wire. This is what Flight 93 became: millions of tiny pieces, a vast puzzle that can never be reassembled. Despite the cleanup effort, there are still thousands of plane parts scattered for acres around the crash site, just under the new plant growth, reminders of what happened here.

The site is peaceful; no sound but birds. Miller walks from the bright field into the hemlock woods just beyond the barren spot where Flight 93 slammed into the earth. It's mid-afternoon, but the woods are in permanent dusk, the tall trees allowing only a dim, gloomy light to filter down to the lush green ferns that blanket the ground. The woods look undisturbed, except for bright "X"s painted on the trunks of dozens of hemlocks. The "X"s mark the trees that were scaled by climbers retrieving human remains, flung high and deep into woods by the force of the crash.

Some of the hemlocks, damaged by debris and fire and jet fuel, had to be cut down. These trees were supposed to be trucked away, but Miller, who, as coroner, still controls the crash site, would not allow it. Some of the trees have been ground into mulch; some lie in piles of logs and branches. But they're all still here. Miller won't let them be removed.

"This is a cemetery," he says, again. And he is determined that it will be respected as a cemetery. All of it. Even the trees.

Almost immediately after the battle of Gettysburg, people started coming to see the place where history happened. More than a century later, they're coming still.

Some are pilgrims: For them, Gettysburg is a solemn place, where the suffering and sacrifice of the soldiers still hangs heavy in the air. Some are purely tourists: For them, Gettysburg is another attraction to visit, like the Grand Canyon, or Graceland - famous, but not particularly relevant to their everyday lives. You park, you look, you take a picture, you leave.

I think that most of the visitors to Gettysburg, even today, are some mixture of pilgrim and tourist. But as the battle has receded in time, as the scars of the war have healed, tourism clearly has come to dominate the mixture. Despite the valiant efforts of many to preserve the soul of this place, to explain to the waist-pack hordes why this ground is hallowed, Gettysburg, surrounded by motels and gift shoppes, accessorized by a wax museum and a miniature-golf course, is now much more a tourist attraction than a shrine.

But soldiers are still buried here. And people still come to place flowers on graves. And the sign at the entrance to the cemetery still makes its plea: SILENCE AND RESPECT.

Immediately after Sept. 11, people started coming to see where Flight 93 went down. The site is a little tricky to find, but they found it, and they're coming still, every day, a steady stream of people who want to be near this place. They're not allowed on the site itself, which is fenced off and guarded, so they go to the temporary memorial that has been set up by the side of a two-lane rural road overlooking the crash site, a quarter-mile away.

The memorial - the word seems grandiose, when you see it - is a gravel parking area, two portable toilets, two flagpoles and a fence. The fence was erected to give people a place to hang things. Many visitors leave behind something - a cross, a hat, a medal, a patch, a T-shirt, an angel, a toy airplane, a plaque - symbols, tokens, gifts for the heroes in the ground. There are messages for the heroes, too, thousands of letters, notes, graffiti scrawls, expressing sorrow, and love, and anger, and, most often, gratitude, sometimes in yearbookish prose:

"Thanx 4 everything to the heroes of Flight 93!!"

Visitors read the messages, look at the stuff on the fence, take pictures. But mostly they stare silently across the field, toward the place where Flight 93 went down. They look like people you see at Gettysburg, staring down the sloping field where Pickett's charge was stopped, and the tide of war changed, in a few minutes of unthinkable carnage. There is nothing, really, to see on either field now, but you find it hard to pull your eyes away, knowing, imagining, what happened there.

There will be a permanent memorial for Flight 93. The temporary one is touching in its way, a heartfelt and spontaneous tribute to the heroes. But it's also haphazard, verging on tacky. Everyone agrees that something more dignified is needed. The official wheels are already turning: Congress has begun considering a bill to place the site in federal custody. Eventually land will be acquired; a commission will be appointed; a design will be approved.

Wally Miller frets about the memorial. He worries that, in the push to commemorate this as The Defining Moment In The War Against Terrorism, people will forget that it was also - maybe primarily - a personal tragedy for 40 families. He believes that, whatever is done at the site, there should be a place set aide for the Flight 93 families to grieve in private, away from the public, the tourists, the sightseers, the voyeurs, and what Miller calls "the metal-detector assholes."

Tim Lambert, who owns the woods where many of the remains were found, agrees that the paramount concern has to be the families.

"They are forced to live with this tragedy every day," he says. "The site itself is, for the most part, the final resting place for their loved ones. People need to remember and respect that."

One of the most heartrending quotes in "Among the Heroes" is from Deena Burnett, the widow of Flight 93 passenger Tom Burnett, who is believed to have played an active role in the battle on the plane. Mrs. Burnett is describing what it's like to be the widow of a hero:

"In the beginning, everyone asked, 'Aren't you proud of him? Aren't you happy that he's a hero?' I thought, my goodness, the first thing you have to understand is, I'm just trying to put one foot in front of the other. For my husband to be anyone's hero ... I'd much prefer him to be here with me."

So we need to remember this: The heroes of Flight 93 were people on a plane. Their glory is being paid for, day after day, by grief. Tom Burnett does not belong to the nation. He is, first and foremost, Deena Burnett's husband, and the father of their three daughters. Any effort we make to claim him as ours is an affront to those who loved him, those he loved.

He is not ours.

And yet ...

... and yet he is a hero to us, he and the other people on Flight 93. We want to honor them, just as we want to honor the firefighters, police officers and civilians at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon who risked, and sometimes gave, their lives to try to rescue others. We want to honor them for what they did, and for reminding us that this nation is nowhere near as soft and selfish as we had come to believe.

We want to honor them.

And so in a few years, when grass grows once again over the place where Flight 93 hit the ground, when the "X"s have faded from the hemlocks, there will be a memorial here, an official, permanent memorial to the heroes of Flight 93. It will be dedicated in a somber and dignified ceremony, and people will make speeches. Somebody - bet on it - will quote the Gettysburg Address, the part about giving the last full measure of devotion. The speeches will be moving, but they will also prove Lincoln's point, that the words of the living can add nothing to the deeds of the dead.

Thanx 4 everything to the heroes of Flight 93!!

There will be expressions of condolence to the families, and these, too, will be heartfelt. But they will not take away the grief.

I'd much prefer him to be here with me.

And then the ceremony will end, and the people will go home. And the heroes, the people on the plane, will remain here in the ground of Somerset County.

And years will pass, and more people will come here, and more, people who were not yet born when Flight 93 went down, coming to see this famous place.

Let's hope, for their sake, that the world they live in is less troubled than it is today. Let's hope they've never had to feel anything like the pain of Sept. 11, 2001.

Let's also hope that, when they stand here, they know enough to be silent, to show respect.

Let's hope they understand why this is hallowed ground.

#9/11 #current events #life

3 notes · View notes

with-love-anu · 4 years

Text

Desiderata: When The Heart Speaks

PART: 8

WORD COUNT: 1.7K

PAIRING: Sirius Black x Reader

SUMMARY: You had been best friends with James, Remus, Sirius and Peter. Read your journey of love, friendship and jealousy through your wonderful years at Hogwarts. Enjoy!

SERIES MASTERLIST

Sirius was being different. Not that you didn’t like it, but it was new. He had started to call you “my love” which never failed to make you blush. He had stopped flirting with anyone else all together and was directing every bit of his attention towards you. And you were over the moon. You couldn’t stop smiling, giggling as Sirius flirted with you. So, you did the only thing you could think of. You flirted back.

The first time you did it, you saw Sirius’s eye’s widen as a deep red colour tinted his cheeks and neck. He stuttered, amusing you, before muttering some lame excuse and leaving as fast as possible. Your cheeks hurted from how wide you grinned. Lily beside you, eyed you with raised eyebrows, giving you a knowing expression. James and Remus were splayed on the floor laughing so hard they had tears in their eyes. Did you just see your best friend, supposed playboy of the damn school blush and stutter nervously because you flirted with him? More importantly; did he start considering you more than a friend? Did you actually have a chance with him?

It took a while, before Sirius stopped blushing uncontrollably whenever you flirted back. This had been going on for months now. The two of you would tease each other; but it never went more than that. You actually wondered whether this was a part of some big joke. James and Remus continually assured you that it wasn’t.

***

“My love, did you even eat this morning?” Sirius asked concerned as you entered the history of magic classroom out of breath. Your heart gave a flutter. You had overslept and hardly had the time to take a shower before rushing for your first class.

“No. I overslept.” You said sitting down beside him.

“Here, I saved some muffins for you”

He offered you your favorite, blueberry and banana flavored cakes. You beamed at him.

“Why, thank you!” you said in a flirty tone taking one and eating it discreetly to make sure not to get the attention of your seemingly, ever-tired professor.

“Anything for you babe;” he said lowly, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

You gulped. He looked at you like he was going to kiss you. You stared at him, his grey eyes looking at you so intensely, it made your heart rate spike up. You were sure that Sirius who was sitting at quite a distance could hear your heart beat. He moved forward, and placed a kiss on your cheek making you look away. You blushed. Hard. You looked forward trying to listen to the professor (or attempting to).

As he droned on and on about goblin wars, you felt Sirius’s hand cover your own. You smiled. You shifted closer to him and heard him suck a breath. Your thighs were touching and your arms were over each other. You pursed your lips to stop grinning. You could see Sirius at the corner of your eyes having a smirk on his face even though his cheeks were tinted pink. Throughout the lesson you were torn between wanting it to end as soon as possible; so that you could stop yourself from yanking his face towards you kissing him until you were both breathless and wanting it to last forever; to stay close to him in case he didn’t want what you did.

When the lesson ended James put an arm around you catching up.

“Have fun in the class?” he asked the two of you wriggling his eyebrows. Both of you flushed. Sirius slapped away his arm from around you put his own. You raised your eyebrows at the gesture and rolled his eyes playfully.

***

“Y/n!!” Sebastian grinned beside you as the two of you worked on ancient runes in the quiet library. “So, Sirius huh?” he said wriggling his eyebrows.

“Ahhhh…” you groaned as you face palmed. Sebastian chuckled.

“It’s okay… I’ll find a place to repair my broken heart!” he sniffed, wiping away a fake tear from his face.

“Awww” you gawked lovingly. “You’ll always be my favourite man!!” you said bumping your shoulder with his. He bumped yours in return. You giggled.

“What are you doing?” a voice came behind you.

You turned to see Sirius. His jaw was clenched and if looks could kill, Sebastian would be dead twice over.

“Studying. Runes.” Sebastian replied gesturing towards the books.

“We are done, actually. So Y/n,” he said turning towards you. “I’ll be taking my leave. Don’t forget the charms lesson tomorrow. Bub-Bye!”

“Sure. Bye.” You watched him as he packed his books to leave. Sirius was beside you fuming silently. You bit your cheeks to stop smiling. It was fun to see Sirius jealous. It was adorable, actually. It reminded you of an angry kitten.

After he left, you gestured Sirius to sit beside you. After all you still had work left. He sat beside you opening and closing his mouth frequently. You sighed.

“You could say what you want Sirius, it’s just me.” You said not looking at him.

He cleared his throat before speaking.

“I didn’t know Sebastian,” he spat his name, “and you were so close”

You looked up at him. You were shocked to find vulnerability in his eyes.

“Sirius,” you started wanting to clear any confusion. “Sebastian is a friend. Only a friend. We tease each other for fun. There is nothing between us. Ever was or will be.”

Sirius looked at you as if trying to determine whether you were being honest. He took a deep breath.

“Yaa… I knew that” he said as if it didn’t matter reading the book in front of him.

“Of course not! You weren’t jealous at all” you said smirking making Sirius stutter yet again.

***

The party was in full swing. Everyone from different houses fifth year and above had come and were having fun of their lives. You wore a black dress that hugged your curves perfectly, hiding what you didn’t want to show displaying your best features. You had curled your hair and applied a bit of makeup too. Lily whistled as she saw you. As you both went down arm in arm you tried to spot your besties. To say Sirius way surprised would be an understatement. His mouth legit dropped when he saw you.

Remus nudged him saying, “Close it, or a fly would enter in”

He stumbled and stuttered, gulping before finally saying, “You look gorgeous”

“Thank you, you don’t look bad either.” You said smiling.

You spent the rest of the evening dancing with Sirius. Man! Did he know how to move! Placing his hands over your hips, your arms around your neck; you swayed to the beats of music. You were hyperaware of the places he was touching you. Your body bloomed with heat and your heart never calmed down. Sirius gazed at you as if you were the only person in the whole wide world. He felt the same.

You were broken out of your trance, as someone spilled something over you. Shit! Your skirt was soaked.

“Fuck- why don’t you clean this up while I wait for you?” Sirius asked solemnly.

You nodded as you went to your dorm muttering some cleaning and drying spells. Once satisfied you went down looking for Sirius.

You gasped as you saw him. He was kissing Marlene. Tears prickled your eyes as your whole body turned rigid. Of-course it was a game to him. Your head felt like it would burst. You turned and ran into your dorm bathroom. No reason for anyone to see you like this. You put a hand over your mouth trying to muffle your screams. You plopped on the cold tiles as you sobbed uncontrollably, your body shaking. It hurt. It hurt so damn much. Sirius never loved you, he never could, he never would. Those jealous girls from the bathroom were right, you were nothing more than a new conquest. You heard knocking outside your door.

“Y/n!! open up, let me explain.” Sirius shouted.

You tried to breathe, but couldn’t do anything except whimpering a bit more.

“NO!” you screamed.

“Y/n, please!” Sirius pleaded.

“Why are you even here? You broke my heart, made a fool out of me; what more do you want? You knew I loved you still you played this bloody game with me!” You shouted.

“Y/n, after all this time, you still don’t know I love you?” Sirius said sucking a breath.

That cleared your mind. He loved you-?

“What?” you croaked.

“Bloody hell Y/n! I am head over heals in love with you, can’t you see? Please, please open up!” he begged.

You wiped your tears and slowly opened the door. Sirius looked at you and cupped your face. He took you to your bed making you sit down.

“Marlene was drunk. I went to take some butterbeer for ourselves and she came out of nowhere and kissed me. I pushed her away as soon as I could grasp what was happening.” He gulped. “I love you. Have for a while now. Even when I didn’t know it. Loving you is like breathing, comes to me naturally and I couldn’t live without it.”

“I love you Sirius,” you said softly looking at him. You were entranced. You both were. Neither of you breaking the long stare. The feelings so long hidden bursting around you. Sirius leaned in. He kissed your forehead. Then your nose. He started peppering kisses along your cheeks, chin and jaw. His hands held you close as your heart pounded violently. He pulled away, cupping your face. He moved closer brushing his lips against yours. There was something about you that made him feel like an inexperienced nervous child dealing with his first relationship. You pressed your lips firmly against him, finally kissing him. He kissed back, fervently as if the moment would break soon and he would have to go back to the unwanted reality. You dragged your tongue against his bottom lip as he moaned and let you in. It felt like a high you never experienced. The two of you kissed passionately, neither wanting to stop. Sirius pulled away as you both heaved breathing.

“Sirius,” you said holding his hand. “Never leave me.”

“Not in a million lifetimes.” He promised.

#sirius #sirius black #sirius x reader #sirius imagine #marauders imagine #marauders x reader #harry potter imagine #harry potter #desidereta #my work #Anu writes

55 notes · View notes

prettyboyoongs · 4 years

Text

He Thinks You’re Using Him To Get To His Members | Han Jisung

requested!

Things have been different lately, and not in a good way. You had been hanging out with the boys a lot more recently, which you thought would make Jisung happy, but it’s only been doing the opposite.

You tried to ignore it, but things just kept getting worse and it got to a point where you just couldn’t. You were upset and confused, and had no idea what you were doing wrong for Jisung to be treating you this way.

He had been giving you short responses, ignoring you, acting like he couldn’t wait for your time together to be over, never initiating physical contact and never showed you any affection back when you did it yourself. “Hey,” You beamed, walking up to Jisung’s locker. Jisung looked over at you for a split second and back at his locker. “Wanna hang out after school? I need help with my study guide, and you’re really good at science so I was just wondering. And you could even stay for dinner again, you know my mom loves you.”

“Can’t.” He sighed before slamming his locker shut. Your heart dropped once again in disappointment. “Have stuff to do. Sorry.” He slung his bookbag over his shoulder, not looking at you at all while he spoke.

“Oh,” You whispered back. “Okay, then. I’m sorry for asking, then. I didn’t know.”

Jisung snorted as he ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, you never know.” He muttered under his breath, making your eyes dart up to him in disbelief.

“What is your problem?” You hissed, looking around at everybody around you, trying to keep your voice down.

“Oh, come on, (Y/N). Don’t act like you don’t know. You’re not that stupid.” Jisung sneered, making you gasp and your lip tremble. Before anything else could be said, you felt an arm wrap around your neck as your teary eyes locked with Jisung’s. You noticed how angry his eyes became, how his jaw tightened, how his body tensed up.

“Hey, would you look at that! My favorite girl and my favorite boy,” Hyunjin cheered, pressing a kiss to your cheek while swinging you back and forth. “Hey, man. You busy tonight? I wanna hang with somebody but everybody keeps bailing on me. Fucking assholes.”

“Sure,” Jisung spoke dryly. You gulped, your throat becoming tight and dry. “I have nothing to do tonight so why not? I’d love to hang out with you.”

The whole time he spoke, his eyes were locked with yours. He watched as your eyes became soft and weak, overcome with tears as he continued. His heart ached and he felt awful, but he reminded himself of why he was doing this. He was protecting himself.

“Great!” Hyunjin shouted, letting go of you to go to Jisung. “It’ll be a blast, dude.”

Jisung nodded, gulping as he watched a tear fall from your eye, his heart twisting as you immediately wiped it away so nobody would see. You took a shaky breath before faking a smile, finally looking away from Jisung. “I-I gotta go to class,” Your voice was shaky and weak, and Jisung was the only one who noticed. “See you guys later, I guess. Have fun tonight and b-be careful, please. Bye.”

Jisung’s heart shattered when you walked away, turning the corner and disappearing from his sight. You had always kissed him goodbye, always. You had always said ‘I love you’ before leaving, always. You had never done this before and Jisung knew he fucked up.

Within an hour, you were jumping from your spot on your bed when Jisung barged in, your heart nearly exploding out of your chest. “Jesus, Jisung! What the hell are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be with Hyunjin right now?” You asked, hurt evident in your voice.

“Your mom let me in,” Jisung replied calmly, shutting the door behind him. “And I needed to see you.”

“Oh, now you needed to see me? Not last week when I wanted to hang out because I had a bad day? Or Tuesday when I was crying and begged you to come over because my sister and I got in a huge fight and you came up with a shitty excuse and just left me here upset? Or when I asked you to help me with my study guide? Because I’m pretty lost.”

Jisung sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. “(Y/N), look,” He spoke quietly, sitting at the edge of your bed. You stopped working on your homework to listen to your boyfriend, your arms crossed over your chest and your eyes pointy. “I just.. I don’t think this is working.” He finally whispered.

Your hard and cold front dropped immediately and your face fell. You didn’t know what to say, so you stayed silent as Jisung continued.

“Your happiness is the most important thing to me, and I’m sick of you faking it just to make me happy. You don’t deserve that. I don’t deserve that. You need to do what makes you happy, (Y/N). You need to do what I’ve always told you. Do what makes you happy and stop worrying about everybody else. You come first. You’re—”

“Jisung, what the fuck are you talking about?” You shouted, but immediately quieted down when you remembered your mom was downstairs. “I’m not faking anything! I’m the happiest I’ve been in years, Jisung. No, I haven’t been that happy these past couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean I want us to break up! The thought never even occured to me!”

Jisung rolled his eyes at your words, making you scoff. “Just stop, (Y/N), come on. This is your chance! We can still be friends, you know. I just need some time to get over you first.”

“Get over me?” You squeaked back, voice small and weak. Jisung’s heart ached and he sighed, running his hand through his hair.

“(Y/N/N), baby, come on. I’m not the bad guy here, you have to—”

“And I am?” You asked loudly, tears cascading your cheeks. “And don’t call me baby while you’re trying to break up with me, you fucking asshole.”

“Don’t say it like that. That’s not what I meant.” Jisung spoke gently, his hand reaching to touch yours, something he knew that would calm the both of you down. His heart dropped when you yanked yours away, scooting farther away from him. “Baby, stop it. Come here. Just let me—”

“Stop calling me that. It’s just making everything hurt even more. Just leave me alone. I can’t do this right now, I c-can’t.” You begged, hiding your face as you sobbed. Jisung gulped and his eyes began to get teary but he blinked them away. Your words hurt him and angered him at the same time.

“You can’t do this right now?” Jisung scoffed. “I may be the one ending things, but things ended a long time ago because of you.”

His words made your breath hitch in your throat. You lifted your head up and furrowed your eyebrows. “What?” You had a million questions, but this one was the only one that could come out.

“You- Shit is the way it is right now because of you. You know that? You’re the one flirting with my best friends, being all giggly and touchy and then trying to hold my hand and cuddle with me at the same time. Fucking unbelievable. It is so obvious that you have feelings for Seungmin and Hyunjin, and just the fact that you keep trying to deny it is what’s pissing me off even more.” He finally admitted, sighing deeply afterwards.

You gasped, and your heart shattered. “What the fuck?” You scoffed. “You think I like your best friends? What kind of girl do you take me for? I’m in love with you, you fucking asshole! I have been for years! I don’t even understan—”

“That’s just it! You never understand! You’re too dense to realize what you’re doing!” Jisung stood up from your bed in anger, pointing a finger at you as you cried on the bed with your eyes locked with his. “You’re using me to get to my friends and I’m done! Look, look at this.”

You watched him walk over to your vanity, where you had photos of you and all the boys hanging up. You shook your head in frustration, tears falling nonstop. “You and all your little buddies. All my buddies.” Jisung laughed, making your heart shatter. “All of this shit is just a cover up and we both know it.”

He then pointed to the hundreds of photos of the two of you around the room. The framed picture your mother had made you as a Christmas present the previous year, the collage that hung above your bed with pictures of Jisung and occasional pictures of the both of you, your favorite picture of Jisung that sat in a blue frame on your bedside table with the (now dead) roses he had gotten you for your first date that you refused to throw away.

His chest rose and fell heavily as he stared at the photos of you two together, his exterior finally shattering. “Fuck, (Y/N).” He whispered, salty tears falling down his cheeks as he yanked at his hair. His vulnerable side had now overpowered his angry one.

“Jisung,” You whispered back, your heart in agonizing pain as tears continued to stream down your face. “Jisung, please. Please don’t do this.”

Jisung shook his head, his shaky eyes finally meeting yours. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me, (Y/N), I really don’t.“ He admitted, sobbing quietly as he made his way over to you. “I’m sorry.”

You shook your head and stood up, meeting him half way. Your arms wrapped around him immediately, holding him as tightly as you possibly could. Your face fell into the crook of his neck, your tears soaking his skin and shirt. His arms flew around you instantly, his face dropping onto your head as he breathed in your scent as if it was the last time. “Please don’t go.” You muttered into his chest.

Jisung tightened his grip on you, and he pressed multiple kisses on the top of your head. “I’m not going anywhere, baby.”

#han jisung #jisung #stray kids imagines #stray kids fluff #stray kids angst

36 notes · View notes

ryik-the-writer · 5 years

Text

Rumbelle fic: A Sitting Deal

A Sitting Deal 6/6

A03 Link

Rating: T+

Summary: With the threat of a rent increase being held over her head, Lacey E. French makes a deal with Mr. Gold to babysit his three-year-old son. Soon however the town troublemaker finds herself getting close to her landlord and son…which just can’t be good!

Note: for my Rumbelle Secret Santa recipient…@of-princes-and-savages, based off the prompt: Hey, who’s kid is this

Lacey began ripping off her clothes as soon as she entered her apartment, releasing a new curse as each item hit the floor.

“Mother everlasting son of a bitch!” she howled as she turned the shower to the hottest level, welcoming the burn.

She scrubbed her skin hard, taking deep breaths to ease away her wracking sobs.

What was she going to do? She was falling hard for the Golds and it was the most unnatural feeling in the world. Lacey wasn’t supposed to fall prey to domesticity. She wasn’t supposed to rearrange her life for other people!

Yet the very idea of doing just that was possessing her. How bad would it be really? To be a friend and companion to a trifling landlord and his heart-stealing little boy?

She was being ridiculous, she thought. Gold says a few nice words and his kid learns her name and she melts? What the hell!

“This is so damn stupid!” Lacey groaned as she collapsed into her bed in nothing but a towel.

There had to be a way for her to wrap her head around all of this, to come up with a plan. She could just quit, but the idea of not seeing that curly-haired heartthrob every day was too painful to think of at the moment.

And Lacey E. French was no quitter, at least not anymore…

The shadow of the past sprang forth an idea for the confused barfly. It was a long-shot, and would probably end in a thorough smackdown, but it was the only shot she had.

With a truckload of hesitation, she called the one person who could help her sort through her most recent pile of wreckage.

“Hello?”

Lacey gulped at the familiar accent. “Belle?”

There was a brief pause and Lacey expected a tone dial to follow, but instead she heard a slight strangled noise.

“Oh my gosh Lacey!” Belle cried. “I…how are you?”

Lacey released a wet laugh, grateful for her twin’s invitation.

“Um, that’s complicated Belle. How about we start with you?”

“Okay,” Belle replied, sounding positively giddy.

Lacey listened somberly as Belle relayed her job as a grad assistant, her rough edged but soft-hearted fiancé, and of course wedding plans.

“I’m sending out wedding invintations later this week. Nick wanted me to have this grand wedding, but I know he hates big to-dos. I said I would be just fine going to the courthouse and then our favorite bar afterwards, but he said his colleagues would string him up over the physics department if he denied them this.”

Lacey chuckled. “I like this guy,”

“You’ll love him. He reminds me of you in a way.”

Lacey frowned. She certainly hoped the man holding her sister’s heart wasn’t a thing like her.

“Now,” Belle continued. “Let’s here about you. How’s old Storybrooke?”

Lacey scoffed. “Same as ever, though Granny added spaghetti to her menu for some reason.”

“Wow, it’s really come up,” Belle joked. “How about you? Will you be bringing a date to my wedding?”

Lacey blushed at the very idea of being serious enough with Gold that he would come to such an affair with her. Although she’d imagined him and Bae both would look just charming in a tux—

“Son of a bitch!”

“Lace?” Belle gasped.

Lacey groaned. “Belle, I’m in real shit here.”

She quickly relayed to her sister the weeks happenings, her deal with Gold, her time with Bae, and her strange uncertain feelings she didn’t know what to do with.

“Whoa.” Belle sighed on the line. “That’s…different.”

“It’s fucking stupid is what it is!” Lacey returned. “I don’t get it! I have one conversation with the guy and share some animal crackers with his kid and suddenly I’m a pig-tailed lamebrain!”

“Did you really put your hair in pigtails?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lacey barked. “Tell me what to do! What the fuck’s wrong with me?”

“Sounds like to me Lacey that you’re in love,” Belle teased. “Or more like falling in it.”

Lacey covered her mouth to keep from screaming, the words sounding more terrifying now that they were out in the open.

“I can’t do that Belle,” Lacey sobbed. “I can’t be…that!”

“What, happy?”

“In love, or whatever this shit is!” Lacey yelled. “I’m not right for them! I’ll drag them down with me! I’ll hurt Gold and Bae someway…I don’t want to do that!”

“Lacey calm down,” Belle soothed. “Please.”

Lacey took a moment to breathe, the light tint of static over the phone soothing her back into place.

“It’s okay to be afraid,” Belle coached. “It’s okay to not be ready for this. But it’s not like you have to marry him.”

“Oh god!”

“Hush, let me finish. You don’t have to jump into something you’re not ready for. If Gold’s really as decent as you say he is, he’ll understand! Just talk to him. Let him know how you feel and that you want to take this slow.”

“But Belle…” Lacey cried, her heart pounding. “He deserves so much better than me. I pay my rent in change and my first job since high school has been a half-ass babysitter!”

“Well…maybe we can open you up a checking account, and babysitting is a damn good gig,” Belle encouraged. “And as for you not being good enough for them…”

Lacey held her breath at the long pause Belle took, wondering if she was about to hang up on her and leave her to stew in her own disaster.

“I know what you did for me,” Belle said at last. “I know you didn’t go to college so that I could.”

Lacey’s blood went cold. “The fuck how?” she hissed. She thought she had covered her tracks!

“You’re careless Lace,” Belle pointed out non-accusingly. “You set your acceptance letter on fire, but you didn’t stick around to see if it burned. I found a piece of it left, and I put two and two together.”

Lacey groaned. Classic Lacey move.

“And while we’re on the subject,” Belle voice cracked. “I’m so sorry.”

Lacey blinked. “For what? You did great, and you’re doing exactly what you wanted to.”

“But you didn’t,” Belle stressed. “I should have pushed you to go to school, to do what you wanted. We could have split the money and taken out loans to make up the difference. But I was so selfish, and I thought you just weren’t ready but when you never mentioned Mum’s trust, I figured it out.”

“You were never selfish Belle,” Lacey promised. “You’re kind of right, I wasn’t ready, not really. And you were always destined to do something with your life, to leave this place. You didn’t need to wait around for me to do the same.”

“I would have gladly waited,” Belle said. “But you can’t keep stalling. You deserve to be happy.”

Lacey closed her eyes, feeling a comforting numbness seep into her bones. For so long she had been holding herself back, and now she needed to take a leap.

“I’m scared,” Lacey laughed.

“That’s okay,” Belle consoled. “No matter what happens it will happen because you were in control. And if by some one in a million chance it doesn’t work out, you know where to find me.”

Lacey nodded, wishing her sister were in front of her so that she could hold her.

“Thanks Belle,” Lacey said, the words coming deep from her heart.

“You got it sis,” Belle returned. “Now just what are we going to do?”

Lacey licked her lip, thinking over her options. She’d never been good a planning, and it wasn’t until now that hesitation appeared in her dictionary.

Maybe things would work out if she winged it after all?

“I’ve gotta make a blue print,” Lacey said as she jumped up to find clothes.

“What?”

“Call you tomorrow bye!”

“Lacey wa—”

Lacey hung up on her beloved sister and prepared to meet her fate.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

He shouldn’t have tried to kiss her? What the hell had he been thinking.

Gold had bathed and clothed Bae and taken him upstairs for a story before bed. The boy had longed fallen asleep in his lap, but Gold had yet to leave the rocking chair.

He’d been fearing the worst when he first hired Lacey. He kept closing the shop early just to check in on her and catch her in the act, but he had been woefully shocked to find that—while she had created chaos—it was less damaging than he had expected.

She actually bonded with Bae and did so in her own unique way. It made him proud of her in that moment, proud in his own decision to entrust his son to her.

But his admiration of Lacey French had begun long before they made their deal. Long before he’d even taken in Bae at that.

She hated him as a landlord like any other of his tenants, but she didn’t gripe or moan. She pushed through, even if he had a jar of pennies by the time he got her rent. She’d wink at him when they passed each other in the streets but never expanded on the low-key flirting. She held her self with the upmost confidence and could look men twice her size in the eye without hesitation.

Yet all this time she had been carrying a deep self-loathing. Why hadn’t he seen that she was so sad?

Because he was a cold-hearted bastard. It was a simple but true answer. He hadn’t really cared for anyone, and Milah’s abrupt departure had him wondering why he should try.

But Lacey had changed that somehow, pulled the withered remains out into the light to rejuvenate.

He couldn’t pinpoint exactly what he felt for her, but if his want to kiss her early today was any indication, it was bordering on passion that her rushing out meant she did not want to receive.

Gold kissed Bae’s curls and carefully laid him in his bed. What kind of young woman wanted an old man with a kid? She was too young, too free to be tied down to such a commitment.

He decided as he took off his tie that he’d talk to her about it tomorrow. She’d probably feel uncomfortable and quit, but he’d swallow his hurt and pay her well before she left. He’d even offer to cash in a favor with a colleague from the nearest university to get her in so she could follow her dream.

He’d hate to see her go and lose the small spark of friendship they’d manage to create, but she deserved to take back the happiness she put on hold.

Maybe one day when she was done with her degree she’d teach him to play pool, or she’d come by his shop and just talk.

Or maybe he’d get use to being alone forever.

Just as he was undoing his belt, the doorbell wailed throughout the house. Gold held his breath, counting down and sighing deeply when his son did not begin hollering.

He grabbed his cane and swore to ram it down the throat of whoever was there. He had it poised to kill when he opened the door and found Lacey standing on his front step.

“Lacey,” he breathed, his heart picking up a beat. “It’s late what are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” she stated simply, pushing past him.

Gold swallowed and closed the door behind him. “What’s going on Lacey—”

“I like you,” she blurted out, only a second of hesitation following her proclamation. “And hell, I like your kid. I don’t know why and I don’t know what to do about it, but I don’t want to act like I don’t feel it.”

Gold watched her fidget and tried to figure out if he was dreaming or not.

“And…years from now when I’m playing dinosaurs with Bae and I tell him about his mom, I want him to know that she was a total idiot because the second he was in my arms it felt impossible to ever let him go.”

Gold blinked, her words filling his chest with a suffocating tightness.

“Look,” she said as she hastily wiped her eyes. “I don’t know what the hell is going on, or what I really feel right now. Maybe I’m just being crazy or some shit but I…just wanted you to know how I felt so that we can get any bullshit that might happen over with.”

Gold stared at her for the longest time, his mouth slightly gaped.

“What!” Lacey cried. “So help me I will punch you in the ribs if you don’t—”

She watched him step closer—slow and careful as to not startle her. When there was only a gap between them, Lacey knew what he was about to do. He was hesitating, just like her. He was uncertain too, not wanting to push something that wasn’t ready to go forward. But he was awaiting her permission as well, and Lacey gave it to her by edging up on her toes and bringing her lips to him.

His were soft, the small bristled of unshaved hair rubbing comfortingly against her cheek. Her hand reached up to his shoulder, slowing rubbing it back and forth. The hand he placed around her waist was lighter, almost afraid.

When they pulled back Lacey was struck with just how brown his eyes were, and the faint scar on his lip that she hadn’t noticed before.

His eyes searched over her like he couldn’t believe what was happening. He had Lacey French in his arms and…she liked him. She actually like him!

“We need to be slow,” he husked.

“Yeah,” Lacey agreed with an excited gulp. “Figure this thing out,”

Gold nodded and for while they stayed comfortably in close proximity, catching whiffs of each other.

But Lacey French wasn’t one to stay still for long.

“Wanna have sex?”

Gold actively flinched, and Lacey waited rather patiently for his response.

“I…” he hesitated, trying to wrap his mind around the audacity that was Lacey French.

Finally, he just stopped thinking and took Lacey’s hand.

“Yes, I believe I do,”

Lacey smirked. “Great,” she began pulling him up the stairs. “Bedroom?”

“First door on your right.”

Lacey bit back an ecstatic smirk.

“Got it, gocha.”

Yes!

#rumbelle christmas in july #rumbelle christmas in july 2019 #rcij #rcij 2019 #of-princes-and-savages #rumbelle fic #rumbelle #golden lace #baelfire #lacey #lacey french #mr. gold #ryik's fics

11 notes · View notes

albionscastle · 5 years

Text

First Impressions 11

I literally just ran this chapter out in a day, which is totally unheard of for me, but when the mood hits you......

Trigger Warning: mentions of domestic abuse, rape, anxiety.

In this chapter the boys are back across the pond, Jack is in denial, Maya takes a trip and Lizzie finally stands up for herself.

Fic Masterlist

FIRST IMPRESSIONS 11

WHAT DOESN’T KILL YOU MAKES YOU STRONGER?

LIZZIE

The morning after the wrap party Lizzie woke up feeling like she was hung over. Her head pounded, her throat was all dry and scratchy and she felt sick to her stomach. How had an evening that had begun so well turned bad so quickly? How had any of it even been real it was so ridiculous. A glance at her phone showed that was 8am, far later than she usually slept and she moaned, knowing she was going to feel like shite all day. Shooting off a text to Charlie to see if his evening had turned out any better, she lumbered into the shower, hoping that the steam would at least help to clear her head.

She had to at least make herself presentable for Sunday dinner or there would be consequences. One thing that Lizzie was most certainly not in the mood for was her mother’s inferences and comments about her life choices or the way she looked. Mary and Kate would be there today and she wanted her time with her sisters to be as pleasant as possible. Of course bribery was always a good option too and so she spent the morning baking a few of Chloe’s favourite things, just in case she needed the distraction.

From past experience it had about a 70/30 chance of success, which were odds she could live with.

It seemed to be working this time too, Lizzie thought halfway through dinner. Lydia was still sulking of course, but everyone else seemed to happy enough while they planned for Thanksgiving. Chloe was insisting that everything be absolutely perfect for Tom to celebrate his first one, and while Lizzie thought some of her ideas were a bit over the top, she couldn’t fault her excitement. This would be the first time that any of the girls had brought a significant other to the celebration. Mary and her girlfriend had spent last Thanksgiving in Oregon and Colin had always insisted on spending the day with his family. None of hers had ever been invited and it wasn’t until after she’d gotten away that she realized how he had been isolating her. All told, Maya and Mary bringing someone home for the holiday was a huge deal for all of them.

Glad of the diversion, Lizzie had a great catch-up with her sisters, both of them happier than she had ever seen them. Maya was beaming every time Tom was mentioned (a lot), and for the first time in a long time, Lizzie was pretty content with how things were turning out.

There was a knock at the door after dinner, Kate and Mary having already left, the remaining family members watching a movie.

“Of course you can dear! Come on in, she’s in the living room.” Chloe was saying.

Lizzie looked at Maya who simply shrugged, apparently she wasn’t expecting Tom. Maybe it was one of Lydia’s friends. Then she looked up and her heart plummeted to her feet as she saw Colin standing there, flowers in hand while her mother beamed with pleasure.

“Lizzie, Colin wanted to have a word with you.”

Her heart was now thumping in her throat, the familiar breathless feeling rising from the pit of her belly. She couldn’t believe that her mother would ambush her like this, was she truly so blind to the situation and to Lizzie’s feelings? Or, and much more likely, had Coloin managed to charm her into believing that things were far different than they actually were? For the first time, she regretted not telling her parents about Colin’s abuse. Her mother might have a pain, but she would never have allowed Colin through the front door if she knew what he really was.

With everyone looking at her expectantly Lizzie stood up. It was time to end this, but not inside her parent’s house. She felt a hand on her arm and it was, surprisingly, Lydia.

“Do you want us to stay?” she whispered.

The girl had her moments but she was always, always there for the sisters if they needed her. Deep down, Lydia was a good egg.

“No. But thanks.” she patted Lydia’s hand. “I’ll speak to Colin outside.” she spoke firmly. “The rest of you need to stay here.”

Her look, especially toward Colin and Chloe brooked no argument and she stalked past them both and out the door. It took moments only for Colin to follow, narrowing his eyes when he noticed her stretched on the swing leaving him unable to do anything but stand.

It was up to him to start.

Lizzie watched him fiddle with the flowers, seeing him realize there was no way she was going to accept them. He was on edge because already he could see that things weren’t going according to plan. If he was smart, he would cut his losses and run.

Colin had always been too self-absorbed to be truly smart.

“Eliza, I’m sure you realize by now why I’m here.”

“I heard work.”

“No. Well yes but that’s not all of it. Anne could have sent me anywhere but I chose to come here.”

Yeah, ok, she thought wryly.

“I don’t see what that has to do with me.”

“I’ve decided to give you another chance. I’ve come to understand that you were young before and perhaps not ready to be thrust into the life I was planning. Ann thinks I have great potential and we’ve agreed that it would be advantageous to have someone to help me entertain clients.”

No way was he seriously saying this, utter astonishment at his audacity had replaced fear and she opened her mouth to respond, only to be cut off as Colin continued.

“You would be responsible for dinner parties - under mine and Ann’s supervision of course. She’s very big on entertaining potential client and her eye is absolutely impeccable. Then of course you would be expected to entertain personally on the day of, serve appetizers during my meetings, be charming and naturally you would put the company forth, first and foremost.”

“I’m confused Colin, are you offering me a job?”

“Yes and no, Ann did ask me to look for someone to fill the role and I thought that as my wife you could perform the duties required,” his eyes slid over her like a snakes, leaving no doubt about his double meaning. “It would save the company money and Ann is quite keen on frugality.”

Lizzie barely concealed the shudder that wafted down her spine, she was so stunned that she couldn’t even speak.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, but with training you could do well. Also, I don’t like to brag but the home Ann helped me pick out is perfectly suited for entertaining and is really quite awe-inspiring. Especially for the smaller names, like your Scottish friend.”

Lizzie didn’t miss the way his lips curled on a snarl as he spoke those words, a glimpse of the Colin that she knew well. Instinct had her screaming RUN in her head, this would be the moment when he would accuse and then hurt her. But things were different now, she was different, even if he wasn’t.

“No.” she said it firmly, almost surprised that she’d said it out loud at all.

Colin’s eyes flashed, his polite mask slipping for a second before he took a deep breath, concealing the monster once again.

“I see. Driving the hard bargain to hold out for more. Well, there could be travel involved. Ann’s main office is in London. There would be certain red carpet events, parties no doubt where I could wrangle a plus one, if you are doing well of course. You’d have an allowance naturally, and a driver, anything you could want.”

“Except freedom, Lizzie thought darkly.

“Still no. Not interested.”

“Eliza, don’t be stupid!” Colin snarled. “This is the best offer you are ever likely to get. I gave you time to grow up and pursue your pointless degrees, time to understand and appreciate what I have to offer you, now it’s time to think.”

“I am thinking, and my answer is still no. It will always be no.”

“Why? I don’t understand.”

“You know why, Colin.” Lizzie ground out.

Was he really so narcissistic that be believed himself innocent? Or worse, justified?

“Are you seriously dredging up the past Eliza? I think we are beyond that now. You were young and did enjoy pushing me.”

“Pushing you?” Anger now overrode all of Lizzie’s better judgement and she stood, facing him without backing down. “You punched me in the ribs for saying hello to the postman. How exactly was that pushing you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” he snapped. “I never laid a hand on you unless you incited me. You knew how I felt about you talking to other men, flirting with them. You were mine, young and out of control, I was trying to shape you into a grown up.”

“He was 73, and what about the time I didn’t scrub the counters with both kind of bleach so dragged me by my hair through the house and locked me in the basement for two days. Was that justified?”

“All you had to do was what I asked, you brought it all on yourself, you needed to learn and you needed to be punished when you deliberately went against my wishes.”

“Oh I learned alright. I learned that I am a million times better than an abusive sack of shit like you in every way. I said no and I meant no, Colin, now get off my parent’s property before I call the Chief and your dirty secret gets out into the open.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Colin had gone white, unconsciously backing up toward the steps.

“Oh, but I would. You come near me or my family again and I’ll make sure that the illustrious Anne deBourgh knows all about how much you like to hit women.”

“You bitch!” Colin was down the steps and onto the path, only feet away from his car.

Lizzie smiled triumphantly, raising her hand in a mocking wave.

“Buh bye now.” Colin didn’t say another word, instead he turned and got in his car, peeling away before Lizzie could make good on her threat. She waited until he was out of sight before collapsing onto the swing, her breath struggling in deep, gasping gulps. The enormity of what she’d done wasn’t lost on her, at one time she hadn’t even dared to look at him sideways and now she had told him to go to hell. Part of her somehow still expected to feel his fist in her ribs for even daring to speak out. That part had her eyes darting around in panic, certain she would see his car still there and him towering over her.

It was several minutes before she could pull herself together enough to breathe properly and she gratefully sucked the late fall air deep into her lungs. Her hands had almost stopped shaking and, while her legs were still a bit wobbly, she was able to stand again and slowly make her way to the door.

One unwanted confrontation down, one to go.

The expected scolding from her mother didn’t come as she closed the door behind her. Curious, she thought as she entered the living room, seeing only her father.

“Dad?”

“Kitchen. Everything ok?”

Lizzie smiled at his concerned look and nodded, leaning over to kiss the top of his head.

“It’s fine, I sorted it out.”

Watching as he turned his attention back to the t.v. Lizzie was once again glad she had never told her parents the truth about Colin. It would break her father’s heart to know that someone had hurt her - and that he hadn’t been there to stop it. A moot point now, she mused, making her way to the kitchen. The bastard was gone for good now, at least she hoped so.

Any thoughts about Colin fled as soon as she saw the state of Maya, who sat silently at the counter, fat tears streaming down her cheeks with her phone sitting in front of her. Chloe spotted Lizzie and before she could even open her mouth to Maya it began.

“Oh Lizzie, what a sad state of things! Just up and gone like that, what are we going to do?”

She was actually wringing her hands as she paced up and down the room.

“Maya?” Lizzie asked softly, her hand on her sister’s shoulder.

Maya choked on a sob, handing Lizzie her phone before dashing away to her room. Looking down she read the message on the screen with horror.

From: [email protected] To: [email protected]

Subject: Sorry

Maya, love I’m sorry to bail like this, I thought there was more time but I’m needed in London tomorrow for auditions. I can’t blow them off. I’m sure you understand. Thanks for everything, you are a wonderful girl and I had a great time with you.

Tom.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” she growled, reading the email. An email of all things! “He has some fucking nerve.”

“Maybe she can catch him before he leaves?” her mother asked hopefully.

“I don’t think so Mom, if I had to guess I’d say he’s already on the plane, probably even in London by now. If he was too cowardly to say this face to face then he’s left town already. Bastard.”

“What about Colin? He’s involved in that world, with them, I’m sure he would look him up if you asked.”

“Colin is not, and will never be involved in this, Mom.” Lizzie stated.

“I know you just got back together but considering the circumstances, I’m sure he won’t mind.”

“I turned down Colin’s rather insulting proposal Mom. It’s done and I don’t want to hear anymore about it.”

“But…”

“No Mom! I mean it, it’s done. Give it up because I am never going to marry Colin Ryan.”

“I can’t believe you Elizabeth Bennett. Why are you so intent on throwing away your future?”

“Why are you so intent on throwing me at a man I despise?”

“You’d have stability, social standing, money, everything you need.”

“No, that’s just everything you want, it’s not what I want. I never cared about money or social bullshit.”

Lizzie moved past Chloe and down the hall.

“We are not done talking about this young lady.” Chloe snapped.

“Yes we are Mom. We are done, if you so much as mention Colin to me again then I’m out, I mean it. I can’t keep going through this with you. I love you and if you love me then you’ll trust me to make my own choices about my life!”

Lizzie didn’t realize how much her voice had risen until the shocked look on her mother’s face registered. She had never, even as a teen, ever yelled at her Mom. Lydia’s head poked out of her door with a worried frown and Ben stood in the hallway looking sad. Though angry tears threatened to spill over, Lizzie clamped her jaw shut.

“Come now loves, I think that’s enough excitement for one day. We’re all tired from last night and can do with a break.” Her father’s soft voice diffused the anger, as always. “Let’s go watch West Side Story shall we?” this he said to his wife.

“But…” sniff. “You hate musicals.”

“How about we see if I’ve changed my mind?”

Chloe allowed herself to be led away, Lydia retreated back into her room and Lizzie knocked softly on Maya’s door, not expecting a reply. Her heart twisted at the sight of her sister sobbing into the pillow. In twenty years she had never seen Maya once cry over a man.

She wanted to wring Tom’s neck.

“Hey May May, what do you say to a quiet night at my place? I have ice cream.”

Maya’s favourite feel better cure, and Lizzie knew that she would much rather be away from Chloe’s histrionics while the wound was still so fresh. She gathered a few of her sister’s things into a bag, patiently waiting until maya was ready to move.

“Dad.” She whispered from the kitchen, her father appearing almost immediately. “I’m taking Maya to my place for a few days.”

“Ok, go out the back door and I’ll keep your mother occupied.”

Lizzie nodded, heading for the kitchen door.

“Oh and Lizzie….” she turned to see a gentle smile on his face. “For what it’s worth, I never liked Colin, I’m glad you got rid of him.”

Shocked, Lizzie squeaked.

“Mom thinks he’s the second coming.” “I’ll take care of your mother, you take care of Maya. I love you both.”

“Love you too Dad.” Lizzie bundled Maya out the door.

It was only 6pm and today felt like the longest day of her life, all because of a couple of selfish, stupid bastards.

She was done with all of them.

JACK

The familiar sights and sounds of London were like a balm to his troubled soul, Jack thought happily as he trotted up the Tube steps. Everything that had bothered him for the past few months seemed to have dissipated and he could finally relax. Three days back and he had fallen back into his normal rhythm, better than he had been since Lisa if he was honest. He’d even made arrangements to have his flat painted while he was in Scotland for the holiday. He told himself that he’d only been waiting until he had the time to manage it, and he believed it.

How could he not?

Tom was still moping around, but Jack figured that was to be expected. He usually pulled himself together after about a week and there was no reason to think that this time was any different. In fact, the kid had nailed the audition so well that they hadn’t seen anyone else. It was a leading role and a big one, so more than ever Jack knew he had done the right thing by extracting Tom from the Bennett girl.

Safely back in his flat, Indian takeaway on the coffee table he turned on the telly for a night of vegging.

He choked on his curry, spraying rice all over the place when Saturday Night fever immediately appeared on the screen.

The curry was bloody hot, he thought as he cleaned it up, coughing and spluttering through a bottle of water. He should have been more careful.

He changed the channel anyway and with a suspiciously small bite of his food he settled in to watch…

Strictly Come Dancing with a disco theme.

Fuck no! Agitated now, Jack threw down the remote, going over to his media case. He grabbed an old horror flick, jamie Lee Curtis was a legend and he deemed it safe enough. He’d seen Prom Night a couple of times already but that didn’t matter. Relaxing back into the couch cushions he finished his food, scrolling through his phone mindlessly.

Until… “Ya haf tae be fucking kiddin me!”

He’d forgotten about the dance scene, the whole fucking disco soundtrack to the film it seemed. Disgusted, he simply clicked it off, opting to just sit in the dark.

The Universe was conspiring against him that was for bloody sure.

His phone vibrated with an incoming text, probably his best mate Andy wanting to go for a beer. Jack was so not in the mood. Ready to type the negative reply he was surprised to see the message was from Calum. It wasn’t like him to be awake this late when they were prepping a new production. Worried for a second he quickly opened it up.

CAL: hey asshole, what the fuck? Are you holding out on me?

Confused Jack’s brow furrowed.

JL: what are ye on about?

CAL: This! I thought you said the shoot was mindless misery, but you sure don’t look miserable!

What the hell is he talking about Jack wondered, totally confused now.

Another text, this one with an attachment. Tapping to open it he was unprepared for what he saw. Someone at the party had been taking photos, for whatever reason people did he vaguely remembered that. They had captured him dancing with Elizabeth and the moment they had caught...mid argument as he held her tightly, no space at all between them. The breath left his body in a woosh. He was stunned.

His phone rang, Calum.

“No response eh? Knew ye were holdin out.”

Jack’s mouth was dry and he had to take a gulp of water before he could even answer.

“Where did ye get tha?”

“Just Jared, that’s not the point. Who’s the girl?”

“No-one, just a local lass.”

“Uh huh.” Calum drawled. “That doesna look like a no-ne photo ye ken?”

“It was just a dance Cal, she’s no-one special.”

“Then why does it look like ye’s are seconds away from needin a room?”

“Bullshit. Beside we argued the whole song.”

“Ye say arguin, anyone else who looks at this is thinkin horizontal foreplay. I mean it Jack, the two o ye look like yer about tae go at it right there.”

“She doesna even like me, hates me in fact.”

“Fine line between hate and I wantae jump yer bones, Jack, and she wanted tae jump ye bad. Tell me ye sealed that deal.”

“Don’t be crass Cal.” Jack snapped. “And no, nothin happened with Elizabeth. At all.”

“Then yer a bigger idiot than I thought big brother.”

“Gee thanks Cal, nice tae know yer so supportive.”

Calum laughed. “Jack ye knob, ye really are so easy tae rile up. But seriously man, what’s the deal?”

“There’s no deal, I saw her a few times with mutual friends. We didna take a likin tae each other, that’s all there is to it.”

“If that’s what yer tellin yerself then ok, I won’t push. Anyway got tae go, early start. I’ll see ye at home. Love ya.”

The bugger hung up before Jack could even get a word in. He was never going to hear the end of it now. Looking at the picture again he tried to coolly explain it away. Not that it mattered at all, he was never going to see the woman again so what was some random picture taken at a party? Even if someone was curious, it wouldn’t be hard to figure out that he and Elizabeth lived on different continents and had no connection between them other than having attended this party.

What was he even so prickly about?

Looking at the picture again, Jack tried to see it through Calum’s eyes. As usual he had been making a stretch. Sure they were awfully close, but the dancefloor had been crowded and he had just dipped her the final time. That was why his arm was around her, rather than just a hand on her back. It also explained her fingers on the back of his neck rather than his shoulder.

His memory of the moment wasn’t as vague as he would have liked, and he could feel her breath on his neck as they quarrelled. The way she refused to be the first to look away, and how he’d smiled seeing the way her eyes flared. Calum wasn’t altogether wrong, Jack admitted bitterly. There had been some kind of weird sexual tension between them during that dance, He’d known it then. Fuck, he’d even fantasized about taking her off to a dark corner. When he looked at the photo with that memory in mind he could see why Calum had been so certain. Even though Elizabeth would be the first to deny it, want was etched clearly on her face as they sparred.

He felt almost viciously vindicated, he may not have slept with her but he at least had the small satisfaction of knowing she wasn’t as unaffected by him as she would have liked. It was almost a victory in his eyes and he went to bed with a smug smile, the picture safely saved onto his phone.

He felt somewhat less victorious on what would have been Thanksgiving. Spending the day with Tom had been more of a chore than anything as the younger man was impossibly more morose than ever.

“Should I call her and at least wish her a happy holiday?” he questioned over tea.

“Tom really, don’t ye think that's a little unfair? You’ve left, it’s over and done an thers no sense in draggin it out. It’s no fair tae anyone.”

“I know, I know.” Tom sighed sadly. “I just feel so awful for running out the way I did. I miss her.”

Jack was convinced that Tom’s feelings were stemming mainly from being denied the girl rather than truly missing her. Granted, he’d never seen him quite this upset over a girl, but again, the lad had a way of bouncing back quickly.

“Ye only miss her cause ye got used tae havin her around all the time. I know it’s a shite situation but ye haf tae admit, there was no way tae make it work out. Yer just savin the both of ye the grief of ending it much later.”

“I know you’re right and you do make sense, you do. But I still hate feeling like this.”

“Mate, jus give it time, yeah. Once ye get started on this new job ye’ll soon forget all about it.”

Jack flinched at the dark look Tom shot him.

“I know in the end that you are right, Jack. I’m convinced that you pushed me because you care, I Know you do, and I’m glad I have you as a mate. But don’t ever tell me I’ll forget about it, because I’m not going to. Maya was special and she didn’t deserve what I’ve done.”

For the first time, Jack felt something akin to guilt scratching its way to the surface. It was a feeling he didn’t like and he tried to push it down again after he and Tom went their separate ways. He’d never seen his friend so resolute and for a split second he second guessed his actions.

No. he told himself firmly as he pulled his coat tighter around his body, he’d done what was right. Chloe Bennett was nothing but a gold digger and he couldn’t let Tom get trapped like that. Not to mention the embarrassment of the family in general. He couldn’t fault his reasoning or his actions, and while he was sorry that Maya may have been hurt, he still didn’t think she was invested as Tom believed. In fact she was probably having a great day with her family, Tom all but forgotten.

So sure was he of that fact that after dinner he opened the Instagram account he’d created while in America. The one that he told himself was so he could be himself on the internet, anonymous, not created so that he could friend Elizabeth Bennett. He actually did follow other people, he justified, scrolling through his feed. He followed Andy on both accounts, as well as random celebs and travel blogs, not at all designed to get a certain someone and her private account to agree to become mutuals.

Nothing of Elizabeth showed on his feed and he cursed the lack of chronological order on social media. He couldn’t pretend he was just just scrolling for no reason if he had to actually go to her profile from his friends list. However, if he told himself he was doing it to prove to Tom that Maya was fine then he could justify it. Right?

To his legitimate surprise he saw that she had only posted once since Charlie’s birthday. In fact not a thing up until a few days ago, a quote: Women can fake orgasms, but men can fake whole relationships. Actually there were two and with some trepidation he swiped to the next one. For every tear you make her cry, there’s another man waiting to make her smile.

Confused he looked at the comments and all he got was a vague response from Elizabeth to any inquiries, “Not me, my sister.” That was it, no explanation, no response to any other questions, she didn’t even mention which sister.

Not that it could be any sister other than Maya, unless Lydia was hiding a secret boyfriend.

Doubtful.

Elizabeth was clearly upset, he thought, but did she speak for Maya? And it wasn’t fair to lump all the blame on Tom, wasn’t Maya pushed into it as much as Tom was pulled? In fact if anything it was the bennetts who’d been fake. Right? A more insidious thought came to him, perhaps Elizabeth was talking about herself, the quotes could be aimed at Colin or even Wick if he’d done another number. In fact the more he thought about it the more he was convinced it was indeed Elizabeth. Colin had obviously made her cry, and he’d certainly faked his whole personality. The orgasms were probably a dig at his lack of prowess in the bedroom.

He allowed himself a chuckle at that thought.

Immediately he felt an inexplicable feeling of both guilt and disgust. Guilt that he’d been so blase about an abuse victim and disgust at the thought of Colin’s hands and body all over Elizabeth’s. How was he even to know if intimacy between them had been consensual or forced? The feeling of rage that began to swell at the mere thought of something like that happening to Elizabeth was indescribable. He wanted to kill the bastard, literally strangle him for ever touching her in anger or abuse. If it had been up to him….

It hadn’t and it wasn’t, he was forced to tell himself. He hadn’t known Elizabeth when she was with Colin and now, as mere acquaintances it wasn’t his place. Besides, she had shown everyone that she was more than capable of standing up to her ex now. Even if she was reduced to medicating herself to do so. She was strong, stronger than she knew and she was brave.

It was as he was thinking that, that his phone pinged a notification. She had posted something. He quickly refreshed her page, not even realising how eager he was to see. A photo, her and her sisters sitting at the table, a huge dinner spread out in front of them. Elizabeth was smiling devilishly as she held a carving knife, Lydia even had a tiny smile. He saw Mary stealing a roll and Kate smiling down serenely. They really were all beautiful girls, he admitted, even more for their diversity in both looks and personalities. Then he saw Maya and frowned. She was smiling but even he could admit it didn’t reach her eyes which looked red and swollen.

She looked sad and Jack felt something tug sharply at his heart.

Had he done that?

The next few hours were punctuated by several more posts from Elizabeth in which he saw them playing Uno, apparently dancing in the kitchen as they cleaned. There were short videos of pie eating contests and one of Mary singing, her voice clear and pure.

Maya wasn’t in any of them except the first.

He finally nodded off to sleep sometime after 4am, his dreams uneasy and conflicted as his subconscious asked him again and again….

Are you sure you did the right thing?

LIZZIE

It was another week or so after Thanksgiving that Lizzie realized Maya wasn’t doing any better. She was strong, she still went to class and she acted like she was ok, but her sister knew better. Her eyes were swollen from crying and there were shadows under her eyes. Maya was hurting more than she would let show. After another family dinner listening to their mother’s thinly veiled accusations or lamentations at her daughters’ inability to hold onto a decent man, Lizzie had enough and a plan began to formulate.

A few days later her and Maya sat on her couch eating from a tub of ice cream and watching some cheesy disaster movie starring The Rock. Maya’s books were sprawled out on the table as she studied for mid-terms which were a mere day away. There had been no mention of Tom since Thanksgiving.

“Liz?”

“Uh huh?” she answered around a spoonful of turtle tracks. “Do you think I’m stupid? For falling for Tom?”

“No! May, don’t even think that.”

“But he left, what am I supposed to think?”

“I’m pissed at him, he did dirty leaving you the way he did, but hon, he was just as mad about you as you were about him. I’m sure of it.”

It was the one thing in this whole mess that she was sure of.

“Then why?” Maya sniffled.

“I wish I knew.” Lizzie admitted. “Maybe he was scared, I’m pretty sure his friends had a lot to do with the decision.”

“I’ve heard from Caro.” Maya admitted, Lizzie’s heart jumped with hope. “She said that they’ve been really busy with work and auditions.”

“Did she say anything about Tom?”

“No, just that she really sees him. She did mention that he’s spending a lot of time with his new co-star.”

“Of course she did, spiteful bitch.” Lizzie spat.

She’s not like that Liz, she’s just trying to warn me without hurting me.”

“Bullshit Maya, no way has Tom moved on like that. Caro is obviously just trying to get you away. She’s made no secret of how she feels about us.”

“She was always good to me and I consider her a friend.”

Lizzie bit her tongue before she launched into a rant about what a poisonous snake Caro was. Now was not the time to have this particular argument.

“Maya, what if you were to go to London?”

“Don’t be silly Liz.”

“Just hear me out. You’re out of school for a month and Aunt Sharon is always complaining that she never sees enough of us.”

“She’s not going to want and extra body at Christmas, not with the new baby.” “What if I told you she would be ecstatic to have you. Also Trinity and the baby moved in with the boyfriend.”

Lizzie saw the idea forming, the hope in Maya’s eyes and tried not to smile.

“You can email Caro and meet up, and you know where Tom likes to hang out….”

“I could see him.” Maya whispered.

“And put this nonsense of you two being apart behind you. Besides a change of scenery will do you some good.”

“I can’t ask Mom for the money.”

Lizzie whipped out the box she’d been hiding, placing it in Maya’s lap.

“Merry early Christmas.”

Maya looked at her suspiciously, fingering the bow.

“Liz, what did you do?”

Lizzie simply whistled innocently, waiting until Maya lifted the lid and looked inside.

“Before you get mad, Charlie’s dad had a bunch of miles he wasn’t going to use so I only paid maybe a hundred bucks for that.”

“It’s a plane ticket. To London. For Friday.”

“Yes it is, and Aunt Sharon is going to meet you at the airport.”

“I can’t believe this.”

“You deserve a break May, you need one. Plus you need to go and see about that wayward man of yours.”

“But you’ve dreamed of going to the UK since you were little, I can’t take this from you.”

“Ok, first off, I’m giving, you are not taking anything. And who’s to say I don’t have my own plans formulating. I want this for you May, you need to know once and for all exactly where you stand.”

“What if he doesn’t want me?” Maya whispered.

“He does, I know it. And if not, well then he’s an idiot and he doesn’t deserve the greatest girl in the world.”

Maya cried for about half an hour before she finally turned in. Lizzie laid down feeling hopeful, all they needed was to be in the same room and everything would be fine. She wasn’t wrong about Tom’s feelings for Maya, she just knew it. She did hope that Maya didn’t forgive him too easily though. Scared or not, leaving with nothing more than an email was a dick move, and so was ghosting. She was going to him a piece of her mind the next time she saw him that was for sure.

Drifting off to sleep she just hoped it would be sooner rather than later.

Christmas came and went with no word from Maya about seeing Tom and Lizzie was starting to worry. What if he wasn’t even in London? Or worse if she was completely wrong about his feelings? She would never forgive herself for giving Maya hope, or Tom for deceiving them. At one point, just before New Years, Lizzie had one crazy moment and entertained the idea of trying to contact Jack and see what he had to say about it all. Thankfully she’d talked herself right out of that one, the only way that she knew to reach him was through Twitter. The thought had been insane for more reasons that she cared to admit.

There was still a few weeks before Maya was headed home so she just had to trust that things would work out in due time. While preparing herself for the possibility that it might not.

New Year’s Eve was usually spent with Maya and/or Charlie so she was faced with a quiet night in with Jane Austen and some fudge. Maya had already called when it hit midnight in London, the expected awful jokes about Lizzie living in the past ensuing. She seemed happier but she couldn’t tell how much so through the phone. At least she wasn’t spending the New Year crying into her pillow.

By 11:30pm she was almost falling asleep, fudge forgotten as her head lolled. No way was she going to make it till 12…..she was officially old now. With a bitter chuckle she stood up, turning off the t.v. and putting the fudge away. The sudden knock at her apartment door made her yelp and jump in surprise. Charlie could be seen through the peephole, looking unusually sober for his favourite party day of the year.

“Charlie! Is everything ok?” she opened the door, tugging him inside as he pulled her into a tight bear hug.

“You know I love you Red, more than anything right?”

“Of course I do silly, what’s wrong?”

Pulling back her best friend cupped her face in his hands, eyes full of trepidation.

“I have to tell you something.”

JACK

It was the week of Christmas when he saw her. Completely out of the blue, walking out of Harrods with with two teenagers and a woman who looked so much like Chloe Bennett he swore he could hear her voice in his head. He barely jumped back in time before she could see him, but he was a hundred percent certain that Maya Bennett was in London.

So he followed her, watching her laughing with her Aunt as they walked toward the Tube. The kids, twins by the look of them, were surprisingly well-behaved and looked to be a few years younger than Lydia, but he could see the resemblance in the girl. They looked like a typical happy family out doing the Christmas shopping and he found himself breathing easier. Here was proof that Maya was just fine, though her being in London couldn’t be just mere chance.

He moved closer, remaining out of sight but close enough to hear them talk.

“What are you planning to do when you graduate, Maya?”

The Aunt’s voice was a good deal quieter than her sister’s.

“I’ll intern for the summer with a law firm in the city then to Law School in the Fall, I just have to decide where.”

“Where were you accepted?” this from the boy.

“Harvard, Yale and Oxford.”

Jack’s face mimicked the nephew’s in astonishment. It was no easy feat to be accepted into any of those schools, let alone all of them. He was impressed despite himself.

“That’s a decision I wouldn’t want to be the one making.” the Aunt whistled.

“Let alone paying for,” Maya sighed. “I have scholarships but the rest is one me so I have to go where it’s cheapest.”

“Mum, couldn’t we move to Oxford so Aunty May can go there?” the girl asked in all seriousness.

“Oh love,” Maya hugged her tightly. “I would never want you to do that, not for me.”

Jack lost the rest of the conversation as the crowds grew thicker and he struggled to keep up, eventually losing sight of them.

“Shite.” he muttered.

He had questions, and he wanted to hear more about her plans as they clearly didn’t include Tom. The fact that she was moving away from home pleased him, at least she seemed to be forging her own path and not following her mother’s. Good for her, she was a lovely girl and he was feeling very generous now he was assured she was doing well.

JL: Hey caro, I just saw Maya Bennett coming out of Harrods.

CA: She’s in town for a month visiting family.

JL: You knew? Why didn’t you tell me?

CA: Because it was trivial, the girl sent me 2 emails to let me know where she was staying...I ignored them.

JL: What do we tell Tom?

CA: Nothing, he doesn’t need to know. No chance he’ll run into her, she’s staying in fucking Camden lol

Jack could hear the snobbery even through her texts and he bristled. Not everyone could be as well off as Caro’s family. He hadn’t exactly grown up rich himself and he had no quarrel with anyone making an honest living.

Choosing not to answer Caro he instead finished packing for his trip home. He’d ignored her none too subtle hints to invite her as well, apparently she thought that because they agreed about Tom it made them a pair. The very thought of it made him shudder.

He wondered if Elizabeth was in London with her sister, then quickly pushed that thought aside. She almost certainly would have been with them today.

Also he didn’t care. Not really.

He didn’t care when, after everyone else was asleep on Christmas Night he snuck out to the lounge with his phone. Sitting on the couch with only the tree lights for illumination he gnawed on a roast lamb sandwich and pulled up Elizabeth’s Instagram. Curiously there were no expected shots of food and presents, just one photo of Elizabeth laughing, playing a card game with a table of young men and women in military uniform.

Puzzled he checked to see if she’d enabled location and then he looked the place up. What an Elks Lodge was he had no idea but he quickly discovered what was happening. Apparently Elizabeth was spending her Christmas Day volunteering to host a holiday for navy recruits in basic training. His curiosity was piqued and as he clicked on previous years events he saw Elizabeth in eight years of them, minus the two she’d been with Colin. The whole family did it he realized as he poked around. Honestly surprised and inexplicably proud, he added this to the list of things he had discovered about Elizabeth Bennett. A list that was leaning very heavily towards the positive. He shouldn’t have been surprised, since he’d met her he’d seen her volunteering, taking care of her sisters, loving people and the way the town had rallied around her after the fire should have told him everything he needed to know.

She was simply a good person with a big heart.

“What are ye doin lurkin in the dark son?”

Jack started at the sound of his father’s voice.

“I didna wantae wake anyone.”

“Don’t worry, ye didn’t. What’s weighin on yer mind?”

A hand reached down and Jack silently handed his dad the phone.

“Ahhhhhh.” Gordon nodded after a few moments, handing the phone back. “That the same lassie from Cal’s photo?”

“Aye. Elizabeth.”

“I thought ye didna like her.”

“I don’t.” Jack protested, flushing under his father’s knowing gaze, even in the dark. “Much.” he muttered.

“Well, she’s pretty. What’s the deal?”

“She doesna like me.”

Gordon laughed.

“Gee thanks, Da.”

“I’m sorry lad. It’s jus the fairer sex have been all over ye since ye could walk, I never thought I’d ever see ye hung up on one who wasn’t.”

“It doesna matter anyway, we’re too different, and her family….”

“Never thought I’d see a son o mine bein so judgemental.” Gordon scolded.

“Da, ye weren’t there, it was awful.”

“Was this Elizabeth like that?”

“No, not at all. She’s quite lovely actually.”

“She challenges ye and ye’ve never experienced tha before. Yer in fer a ride ma boy.”

“It’s done Da. It doesna matter anymore.”

“Then why are ye still cyberstalking the lass? Ye want my advice?”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Aye, ye can ignore me at your peril. Find a way tae see her, if ye still feel what ye are feelin now then take a leap. If she matters to ye then don’t let her go, give her a chance tae like ye. They usually do. Now go tae bed or yer Ma will box yer ears fer sleepin through breakfast.”

Jack nodded absently, contemplating his father’s words.

“Son?” he looked up. “I saw that picture too an fer what it’s worth, I think yer in with a chance.”

Doubtful, Jack thought. Then he remembered little details….his jacket around her shoulders, dinner and the tree in her apartment, the way she’d hugged him, given him water when he was sick, shared her last potsticker..

In fact, the more he thought about it, the more his heart pounded with excitement. Maybe he was wrong about her feelings for him. At the very least she didn’t hate him and he already knew there was that tension between them.

Maybe there was hope for him after all, he smiled to himself as he fell asleep.

#jack x reader #jacklowden #jack lowden #jack lowden blurb #jack lowden fanfiction #jack lowden fic #jack lowden imagine #jack lowden x reader #pride and prejudice au #trigger warning

8 notes · View notes

sugaabooga · 7 years

Text

Regret

Pairing: Bae Jinyoung x reader x Ong Seongwoo

Genre: Angst, Fluff, one-sided love, highschool!au

Word Count: 3087

Summary/Extra: idek

“Ong Seongwoo and Jung Eunah are dating!!”

You shove your earbuds in both your ears and try to drown out the giggles, gasps, shouts, and all the envy or excitement buzzing in and out the room.

You barely notice your best friend, Bae Jinyoung sit down next to you and sigh. He knew how you had a one-sided love with the year older student, Ong Seongwoo.

Seongwoo and you were really close friends (before you met Jinyoung). Since Seongwoo was a year older than you, you spent a year at school without him, which made you become close with Jinyoung and farther away from Seongwoo. When you got up to high school, you noticed how close Seongwoo was with the transfer student, Jung Eunah.

The girl who was the same year as Seongwoo and also the girl every guy was fawning over. You should’ve known Seongwoo and Eunah had some kind of thing together. He WAS always flirting with her, but you just assumed it was Seongwoo being Seongwoo.

He told you everything. From what he ate at 3am in the morning all the way to his frustrations with his parents pressuring him to do everything well.

He told you everything except about Eunah.

You felt pretty betrayed overall, but also… you felt hurt.

You were so ready and prepared to confess to Seongwoo. The day before you planned to confess your feelings to Seongwoo, you heard the news that he and Jung Eunah were a couple. Jinyoung remembered how he had to comfort you for the whole entire day after you had found out.

“Y/N,” Jinyoung softly speaks. When you don’t answer or show any acknowledgement, he yanks out your earbuds.

“Yah!” you glare at him.

“What?” he innocently asks.

You huff and turn off your phone, knowing Jinyoung wanted to say something.

“What is it?”

“Are you okay?”

You scoff. “Does it seem like I am? My four-year long crush got a girlfriend the day before I planned to confess to him.”

Jinyoung sighs and faces forward as the teacher enters the room.

After the class ends, you shove your notebook and pencil case into your backpack. You did not want to see people ogling at the sight of Seongwoo and Eunah walking to class together during passing period. You mutter a ‘bye’ to Jinyoung and turn to leave, when Jinyoung grabs your arm.

“I’ll walk you to class,” he gently smiles. You give him a nod, but you both know that it means much more than an ‘okay’.

Jinyoung walks shoulder-to-shoulder with you and makes sure to take a different route, away from the main hallway.

“Thanks, Jinyoung. See you at lunch,” you force a smile.

“See you. And, Y/N!”

You turn around before you enter your next class.

“Let’s go get ice cream together! After school!”

You suppress a grin. “Okay!”

He sure did know what to do when you were depressed.

Jinyoung lets out a small laugh and turns to run to his class before the bell rings.

When you enter the classroom, your short moment of happiness is smothered by the sight of Seongwoo laughing at something his friend, Kang Daniel, had said.

How did Seongwoo arrive so quickly? You thought he would be walking Eunah to her next class.

You look down at the ground as you walk to your seat which was, unfortunately, right in front of them.

“Y/N!”

You internally groan when you look up to see Kang Daniel waving at you with a silly grin on his face.

“Hey, Y/N!” Seongwoo waves.

You hate yourself for feeling ecstatic when you hear the voice you had yearned for call your name.

You wave back to the pair before you sit down in your seat. You hear a chair scrape across the tiled floor and jolt up when you feel an arm plop down on your shoulder.

You turn around to meet Seongwoo’s eyes and you’re highly aware of the lack of space you have between the two of you.

You flinch back, barely noticing Seongwoo’s slight pained expression, which makes him awkwardly lift his arm off of you.

Seongwoo tilts his head. “I haven’t seen you at all this weekend.”

“Yeah,” you turn away from him and proceed to get out your things. You were acting way different than you actually were on a normal basis, but you had to push him away before you got even more hurt.

As you get your notebook out, Seongwoo takes a hold of your wrist, making you look at him.

“Hey, is something wrong? Are you okay?”

You almost melt at his concerned tone and how his eyes softened. But, you reminded yourself, he just thought of you like a younger sister AND he had a girlfriend.

You yank your wrist out of his grip. “I’m fine.”

Seongwoo opens his mouth to say something, but is interrupted by the teacher coming in. He looks at you for a solid five seconds, then turns his attention to the lesson, defeated.

You could tell Seongwoo felt distraught and you felt worse than you already were, since you were the reason why he was distracted.

The bell finally rang after what felt like a million years. You tried to get out of there as quickly as possible, but when you were done, Seongwoo was already packed up and waiting by the doorway. You pretend not to notice and walk past him.

“Y/N!”

Your steps falter and that’s enough for Seongwoo to run up to you.

You sigh and step to the left, but Seongwoo follows to block your path.

“Aw Y/N…” he pouts. He cutely jumps towards you with his body tilting to the side. “Is something wrong?”

You stop the giggle rising from your throat. Why the heck did he have to be so cute? “Seongwoo….Move. I’m not in the mood.”

“Ayyy….” Seongwoo grabs onto your wrists and swings your arms. “Let’s go get food after school today!”

You widen your eyes at his sudden offer. “B-But. Eunah…”

Seongwoo’s smile falters. “Ah...You heard?”

“What do you mean? That the two of you are dating? Yeah, obviously I heard. That’s all the school’s talking about.”

“It’s….It’s not like that. But are you mad?”

You almost let out a scoff. “Why would I be mad?”

“I don’t know,” Seongwoo states, looking straight in your eyes, making you step back from his odd confidence. “Just… I’m not dating Eunah.”

“What?”

“It’s….It’s complicated. Just know that I’m not dating her.”

You nod slightly and grab onto your backpack straps. “Well see you later. I need to get to class.”

“Wait,” Seongwoo grabs onto your wrist and pulls you back. “You never answered! Wanna go to the food market after school?”

You keep your surprise that he would persist, hidden and calmly answer yes instead. When Seongwoo leaves, you almost fall down in shock. Why was he suddenly asking you for….a date? Was it a date? Even if it wasn’t why was Seongwoo suddenly asking you this? All you two really were just acquaintances now.

After school ends, you walk out to the front of the school and spot Seongwoo standing near the bricks with a group of friends. Seongwoo sees you walking near the front and dismisses himself from his friends and runs over to you.

“Hey hey hey!”

You genuinely smile at Seongwoo’s excited figure. “So...Food market?”

Seongwoo excitedly nods. “That’s where the best and cheapest food is!”

Seongwoo cracks jokes as the two of you walk to the nearest food market. The two of you roast each other, complain about your teachers, share some gossip, and it feels like nothing had changed from before. Your heart didn’t feel so broken anymore and it wasn’t so awkward.

After eating a bunch of free samples and small portioned meals, bought by Seongwoo, you head into the bus, exhausted from the whole day.

“That was some good food,” Seongwoo sighs. “Did you see how that ahjumma kept offering us food for free?”

“Mhmm.”

“You know why she did? It’s because she totally fell for my handsome looks.”

You burst out laughing as Seongwoo smirks while doing a sassy hair flip.

“Too bad we couldn’t find any dessert tents. I really wanted ice cream.”

“Me too! Actually, I was gonna eat ice cream with-” you freeze.

Jinyoung.

You had totally forgotten to meet up with Jinyoung for ice cream after school. And this wasn’t the first time you had. You were so blinded with going out with your crush, you had forgotten you were supposed to go out with your best friend.

“Hey, Y/N? I really-” Seongwoo interrupts the million regrets running around your head, but you interrupt him as well.

“U-Uh. You should let your girlfriend know where you were. I gotta go...uh...finish homework.”

“I’m not dat-”

“Sorry! Thanks for today and see you tomorrow!” you quickly wave and get off the bus which thankfully had parked at a bus stop

Seongwoo is left looking at your running figure from the bus window after you scramble out.

“I….I don’t have a girlfriend…” Seongwoo sits back down in his seat and groans into his backpack.

“Seongwoo!” Eunah calls out.

Seongwoo grins as he walks over and ruffles Eunah’s hair. “Heyy. What’s up?”

Eunah tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear and shyly smiles.

“Eunah?” Seongwoo chuckles.

“S-Seongwoo…..” Eunah suddenly looks at Seongwoo right in the eye. “I like you. I have for a long time and I...I hope you feel the same way.”

Seongwoo’s eyes slightly widen and he realizes a small crowd has formed around the two of them. Of course a crowd would form. They were the two most popular students in the school.

“E-Eunah… I-”

“I guess you don’t?” Eunah grimaces and Seongwoo can hear a number of gasps running around through the crowd.

“N-No….”

What are you doing Ong?

“I….I like you too.”

More gasps and claps are heard from the now much larger crowd that had formed.

Eunah’s eyes light up and she engulfs Seongwoo in a hug.

“Aish,” Seongwoo punches his backpack in anger. Why couldn’t he have just rejected Eunah’s confession? She wasn’t the one he liked. Seongwoo didn’t want to embarrass Eunah in front of all those people. She had somewhat of a reputation to hold. Seongwoo was planning to tell Eunah that he had just said he liked her out of panic. That the person he actually liked wasn’t her, but you.

However, he kept missing the chances to tell her. Before he even got to see Eunah again, more than half the school already knew about the new couple.

Now, Seongwoo decided to “date” Eunah for about a month and then break up with her. He’ll try to be distant with her and careful to not make Eunah like him more or anything worse.

Throughout all this happening, you were the only person that Seongwoo could think about. He worried about how you would react and how you would feel about this. He had sometimes thought that maybe….maybe you liked him back.

Seongwoo had always tried to show his feelings to you, but you would always take the gestures as a friendly one.

And now, after the few hours he had spent with you, Seongwoo had sensed a feeling that you have some type of thing for Jinyoung.

While Seongwoo was stressing out about Eunah and what tomorrow would bring, you were frantically reading the missed messages you had received from Jinyoung.

2:53pm

Hey, let’s meet at the big tree by room C-9.

2:58pm

ANSWER YOUR CALLSSSS

3:05PM

Did Mr. Kim hold you back in class again?

3:13pm

Yah. Where are you? ANSWER YOUR PHONEEEEE

3:16pm

Did you forget the ice cream:(

3:20pm

Did you seriously forget?

3:23pm

Y/N? Are you okay? Are you dead? I asked Yoona and she said she saw you leaving

3:24pm

Oh are you with Seongwoo?

3:30pm

We can get ice cream next time, I guess. See you tomorrow.

You curse under your breath. How did you forget about Jinyoung? You could tell he was pretty upset by his texts. He wasn’t a very expressive person, but after being friends with him for almost four years, you noticed when he was feeling a bit distant and such.

You finally arrive in front of Jinyoung’s house and text him a quick message.

7:43pm

Hey, Jinyoung. I’m so sorry I just saw these messages right now!!! I’m in front of your house… Can you come outside for a minute?

You try to catch your breath as three dots pop up on your screen, telling you that he was typing something.

7:45pm

Okay.

Oh gosh. Jinyoung was really upset. He never texted you by spelling out “ok” and ending it with a period.

“Ah…. What do I do…?”

You bend over and place your hands on your knees.

Stay calm, Y/N. Just apologize and it’ll be okay. He’ll understand….right?

You see a stream of light and immediately straighten up to see Jinyoung looking down at your shoes.

“H-Hey….” you fidget under his cold gaze. It was something you got used to after being friends with Jinyoung and his somewhat RBF. However, this time his gaze felt unfriendly and distant.

Jinyoung sighs and closes the door behind him as he walks out. When you stay silent, Jinyoung speaks up.

“Y/N,” Jinyoung looks down at the ground.

“Y-Yeah.”

“What did you need to tell me?”

“Oh! Right…” you sigh. “I’m….really sorry, Jinyoung. I....”

“It’s okay, Y/N. It’s not like it’s the first time you did this…” he mumbles.

“What?”

Jinyoung lets out a small scoff. “Y/N. I can’t even count how many times you’ve chose to hang out with Seongwoo over me when I was the one who asked you a week before he did.”

“I said I was sorry Jinyoung. I just forgot this time and-”

“Ha. Yeah. That’s what you always say,” Jinyoung rolls his eyes.

You squint at him. “What’s wrong with you today? Why are you acting like this? You know I like Seongwoo… Shouldn’t you be understanding? We always hang out, Jinyoung. It’s not every day that I have a chance to hang out with Ong Seongwoo.”

“Don’t you think I’ve been understanding enough?” Jinyoung runs his hand through his hair, frustrated. “If you think about it Y/N, you’ll see that most of our texts are your empty apologies. You’ll realize that there were more days when you cancelled our plans to hang out with someone else who’s, weirdly, always Ong Seongwoo.”

“Yah. Bae Jinyoung.”

“I think we should have a break from each other before our friendship becomes….well destroyed completely.”

“What? No. Jinyoung. Listen to me,”

“You should go home now. It’s getting late,” Jinyoung barely looks at you and turns to head back in his house.

“Bae Jinyoung!” you run up the steps and take a hold of his wrist. “Listen to me! You didn’t even give me a chance to explain!”

You end up heading home two hours later.

“I left my four-year long crush on the bus by himself to talk to you.”

Jinyoung looked at you, confused. “Why would-”

“No,” you give him a stern look. “Let me talk first.”

“I...I don’t like Ong anymore. I’m not sure what I feel right now, but I know for sure that I don’t like Seongwoo.”

Jinyoung waits for you to go on.

“I think you’re right….” you sniffle.

Jinyoung looks up and into your eyes that were turning watery.

“Maybe we need time.”

You leave Jinyoung’s house and end up going to the small cafe and spending an hour there just crying into your jacket sleeve.

Regret.

You knew. He knew.

He knew of your feelings that were disappearing for Seongwoo, but increasing for him.

You knew about the stares he would give you when he thought you weren’t looking. The smiles he would have on his face when you were overly excited or overly emotional.

But why did you never say anything?

Why did he never say anything?

The next few weeks are terrible without Jinyoung by your side. You missed his smiles, his laughs, his cheerful voice, the ice cream dates he would offer.

You missed everything about him.

“Y/N?”

You slowly open your eyes to meet a pair of bright, chocolatey eyes. The eyes you were so certain two weeks ago that you had loved them. You were so sure that the one you were crushing hard on was Seongwoo. But weirdly, being apart from Jinyoung hurt so much more than when you had found out Seongwoo was dating Eunah.

“You okay? You seem out of it these days,” Seongwoo leans his head on his right arm and looks at you with concern.

You look at the desk, blankly. “I-I’m….okay.”

Seongwoo cracks a smile and sits up. “Wanna head to that dog cafe after school? I heard-”

You bolt up from your chair as you spot Jinyoung walking past the classroom and glance at the once again, confused Seongwoo. “Uh….S-Sorry Seongwoo. Maybe next time. But maybe you should take Eunah.”

You throw your backpack on and rush out the classroom.

Seongwoo merely smiles at your retreating figure, dashing to catch up to Jinyoung. “She’s.... not my girlfriend.”

Today was the day. Today had to be. You were determined to finally talk to Jinyoung today. The past few weeks were the worst you went through. You found yourself always missing him and thinking about him. When he passed by, you felt your heart soar at the sight of him, but then, soon after you would break down in tears in the bathroom stall, realizing you couldn’t really talk to him like the way you did before all those things happened. The pain without Jinyoung made you realize…

You fell in love with your best friend.

So today, you knew it would be different than the longing looks you would catch yourself giving Jinyoung from the class window when he was in P.E. or during lunch. You would talk to Jinyoung. You would say you were ready and hope the two of you will make up. Maybe you could even confess.

“Jinyoung!” You run after your best friend, or ex-best friend. You barely notice the dirty looks shot your way as you push your way through the large groups and crowds in the hallway. “Baejin!”

Jinyoung halts at your hurried, panicked voice calling him by his nickname that you spent ten days to decide on.

Hey, it was either “Jin the Bae” or “Baejin” and those were pretty hard choices.

“Jin…..Jinyoung….Ah….” you try to catch your breath as you lean your hand against the wall next to where Jinyoung was standing.

You clear your throat and offer a small smile.

A small smile graces Jinyoung’s lips in response.

“Uh...How’ve you been?”

Seriously, Y/N? You finally have the confidence to call his name out to him at school and that’s what you say?

“Fine,” Jinyoung stuffs his hands into his pockets. “You?”

“I’ve...I’ve been good.”

No you weren’t. You were crying just a few hours ago.

“Jinyoung.”

“Y/N.”

Jinyoung chuckles, feeling awkward the two of you had said each other’s name at the same time.

You suddenly pause and you feel like you can’t breath. Hearing Jinyoung say your name for the first time in three weeks made you want to cry and jump of joy at the same time. Hearing his awkward, cute chuckle made you want to just run up to him and give him the biggest hug.

You’re shaken out of your thoughts when someone runs between you and Jinyoung, making you lose your balance.

“Ah!”

You shut your eyes and brace yourself for the hard, cold tiled floors.

Not for Jinyoung’s arms holding you by the waist.

“A-Are you okay?” Jinyoung asks as he helps you stand back up on your feet.

“Y-Yeah. I’m good,” you slightly step away from Jinyoung, but end up on the floor after tripping over your shoe laces.

You grimace in both pain and embarrassment as Jinyoung attempts to stifle his laugh.

You playfully glare at him as he reaches his hand out for you to grab and stand up. You grasp it gratefully and thank him.

Jinyoung’s laugh and smile disappears as the both of you remember why you were with him in the first place.

You briefly say a mental pep talk to prepare you to spit out the words that you’ve been practicing for two week. “I-I need to talk to you...Um.. You know I realized something after these….few weeks. I...I think-”

“Jinyoung!”

You sigh in exasperation and look over to see the second most popular girl in the school, Jeon Somi run up to Jinyoung and give him a side hug. Jinyoung nervously looks over at you, but you’re too busy glaring at the girl to notice his anxious glances.

“Who’s this?” Somi shoots you a smile and looks at Jinyoung questioningly.

“Oh… This is Y/N. My friend.”

You feel a small pain in your heart.

Heh. Friend.

You force a smile at Somi.

Somi smiles widely and sticks out her hand. “Hi, Y/N! I’m Somi. Jinyoung’s….Mhmm I guess you could say almost girlfriend?”

She nervously laughs as you watch Jinyoung shyly grin, but also give you another nervous glance.

You feel your heart shatter.

Oh. They’re dating. He found someone. He moved on. He doesn’t like me.

“I….I never knew Jinyoung dated someone…” you give the two a small smile.

Jinyoung looks up. “I-”

“I-I’ll talk to you later, Jinyoung. Nice to meet you Somi,” you force another smile and turn away.

You glance at Jinyoung from the corner of your eye when he slightly reaches his arm forward and opens his mouth, but knowing him for the last few years, you know he won’t reach out to you.

As you walk away, you can’t help but feel the regret seep in. You were too late. Just as you hear Somi’s laugh bounce around the hall, you realize how blind you’ve been.

You were so obsessed with trying to like Seongwoo, you forgot about the person you actually liked. You forgot the wide smiles that were only directed to you. You forgot about the times when you would wrap Jinyoung in a hug and his whole body would tense up, his face becoming a beet red. You forgot that Jinyoung was the one who you had fallen in love with. You forgot that you were feigning your crush on Seongwoo because of your fear of falling in love with your best friend.

And that was your biggest regret.

#wanna one #bae jinyoung #ft. seongwoo #wanna one scenarios #jinyoung angst #jinyoung fluff #highschool!au #wanna one imagines #bae jinyoung imagines #what even is this #hope you liked it tho #i need to edit this more

252 notes · View notes

knowles-morgan · 7 years

Text

Part 3 Keeping her Safe

It had been a couple months since Juice had broke your heart. It was to hard to visit your mom and them. It had too many reminders of your life with Juice. Besides your dad seemed a little too happy you weren’t dating Juice any more.

“Have you talked to your sister?”

“Morning to you too mom,” Jax said answering his phone.

“She hasn’t called in over a week. I need you to go check on her.”

“Have you gone over there?”

“She won’t answer the door or my call,”

“Mom she has a life, but I’ll stop by later,” Jax said hanging up and then dialing your number.

Getting out of the shower and getting dressed as your phone started to ring. You hurried and threw on some jeans and a shirt and went to find your phone.

“Hello.”

“Hey, sis.”

“Hey big bro.” You said smiling

“You sound better.” He knew how hard this had been for you and this time he didn’t know how to fix it.

“Jax it will always hurt me but what can I do. I can’t spend every day in this house wishing he would come back.”

“Y/N I wish it could be different.”

“Jax tell mom I'm fine. I know she probably called you. I’m going to have lunch with a friend and I got to go. I’ll come visit the boys this weekend.” You said hearing your friends jeep pull into the driveway.

“Just call her.”

“Love you bro and see you later.”

“You're not going to call her are you?”

“I got to go he’s waiting for me.”

“He?”

“Bye Jax.” You said hanging up the phone.

Checking that your hair was okay you grabbed your purse and walked out smiling.

Jax hung up the phone and looked over at Chibs.

“Y/N is going to lunch with a friend.”

“It’s good she is out.”

“It’s a he.”

“Who is he?” Tig asked walking over

“I saw her outside of the store yesterday and she was talking to Hale.” Happy said speaking up.

“I’m sure there is no way she is seeing Hale,” Jax said looking at the guys.

Or were you. You wouldn’t call mom and usually, you two always talk. You haven’t been to the club since the breakup.

“Who’s seeing Hale?” Juice said walking into the club.

Everyone was silent after that.

Getting in and smiling at Hale. He smiled back at you as he pulled out of your driveway.

“You look beautiful today.”

“You clean up nicely too.” You said flirting with him.

This was just a two friends having lunch together. I mean you couldn’t date him. It just wouldn’t work.

“I was thinking maybe since it was a nice day we could have lunch at the park.”

“Sounds like a great idea. Did you happen to bring food with you?”

“Of course I did.” He said looking back at the back seat.

“Good because I am starving.” You said smiling as you put your seatbelt on.

It just hit Hale how much he loved seeing you smile. Your smile could light up a whole room. You and Hale had been friends for a while. Not the best of friends but he was fun to talk to and once you really noticed him he wasn’t bad to look at either. He wasn’t your type, but then again your dream guy just broke your heart into a million pieces.

Pulling into the park Hale got out before you and went around to help you out.

“Thanks, but I could have made it out on my own.”

“Then I wouldn’t have the best manners letting a pretty girl open her own door,”

“You're a little charmer aren’t you.” You said taking the hand he had held out for you.

Using his other hand he grabs the basket and you guys went to find a shaded spot.

Chibs, Juice, and Happy had left the club earlier to go get some lunch. For some reason, they decided to take the shortcut thru the park. It was a pretty day beside it was a quiet day at the club. Chibs saw you and Hale first. The guys had stopped and was waiting there turn to go. Happy noticed you the same time Juice did.

“What the..” Was all Happy got out before he watched Juice back up and go over to your guys.

“This isn’t going to be good,” Chibs yelled over to Happy

“Let’s go save his dumbass.”

“Looks like we might be getting some company.” He said as you were laughing at something funny he told you.

“Who?” You said never looking behind you

“Y/N?”

It couldn’t be him.

“Juice.”

“It didn’t take you long.”

Happy and Chibs had walked up at the end of that sentence.

“How's it going Love.?” Chibs said giving you a hug

“It was going great till that dick showed up?” You said looking over at Juice,

How dare he say that to you. He dumped you.

“David let's go.” You said grabbing the basket and walking away.

“She isn’t yours anymore. So you need to back off. You had your chance.” Hale said

As he started to follow you Juice punched him in the face.

“What the hell Juice.” You said running back and dropping the basket.

“Are you okay?” You said looking at Hale then over at Juice.

Seeing that Juice wasn’t done you hurried over to stand in front of him.

“Juice stop.” You said touching his arm.

“Are you dating him?”

“No. were having lunch, but this isn’t your business. You don’t love me anymore remember.”

“I will always love you Y/N.”

“You left me you have to accept that,” You said starting to turn away and go back to Hale.

“I should take your ass to jail”

“Let’s go get some ice for your jaw. .” You said smiling at him

He knew this smile would be the death of him. He could fall for you and nothing would come from this.

“Chibs take him home.”

“It wasn’t his choice to leave you doll. Be careful who you mix company with.” He said getting back on their bikes.

You didn’t watch them leave, but you couldn’t get his words out of your head.

“I’m sorry about that back there.” You told Hale as he took off.

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“Don’t be so nice. He hit you because you were with me.”

Moving his hand off the steering wheel he placed it on top of yours.

“It’s really okay Y/N.”

He pulled back into your driveway.

“Come inside and let's get some ice for you. Besides I made some cake and we didn’t get to finish our lunch.”

“Are you sure?”

“Come on Hale.” You said laughing at him.

Walking into the house you threw your stuff in the chair. Hale followed you into the kitchen. As he watched you get the ice. He noticed how well your jeans fit you. Why had he never noticed this before and what in the hell was he thinking. He was leaning against the sink when you walked up close to him. He could smell your perfume. It was a smell he never wanted to forget. Your face was inches apart as you put the ice on his face. He locked eyes with you and you froze. Leaning forward he kissed your lips. When you didn’t move back he kissed you again. This time you joined in. taking control of the kiss. You dropped the ice into the sink as he pulled you closer to him.

“What the hell!”

Jumping back you couldn’t believe your mom was standing there.

Part 4 soon. Will Gemma freak out? Will Y/N learn the truth about what her dad did? Will she date Hale? Will she forgive Juice and get back with the man she truly loves?

#sons of anarchy imagines #part 4 #Keeping her safe #juice ortiz

28 notes · View notes

getseriouser · 7 years

Text

20 THOUGHTS: And then there were Eight

WELCOME to September.

Any by that, I do hope you enjoy the Legends game tomorrow evening, and the AFLW State of Origin Saturday, because the Crows-Giants Qualifying Final is still seven days away sadly.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, we find ourselves in the pre-finals bye, the chasm of over-self-consciousness, a space in your year where time slows down, it doesn’t’ feel right nor feels comfortable.

The end to a rather exciting year was even more exciting, the fact Melbourne was out of the eight, in the eight and then ultimately out of the eight, all in during time on in the very last quarter of the very final game of the season was mesmerising.

But now, yep, we’ve got a bit of mickey mouse filler really until this time next week.

Talk amongst yourselves...

1. Ten teams have gone by the wayside, so who’s who in the Finals Zoo? Always easier from the top four as history teaches us but gee, the 2017 Sydney are probably a better team than the 2016 Bulldogs, and the Swans finish in sixth, with a home final, the Dogs were seventh and had a trip to Perth in Week One. From there, the Dogs had to go via the cape last year and to their eternal credit did it with aplomb, taking out all the key players. This year, three of the top four are either untrustworthy, grossly overrated or properly unproven. Sydney, these finals are on your terms gentlemen.

2. Here’s the theory I can’t believe this column has ended up with after all the thousands of words dedicated to these two teams – the winner of Geelong vs. Richmond will be incredibly hard to stop hoisting the cup. Here’s why. If Geelong wins, it hosts a prelim final, probably against the GWS, down at Simmonds, and if the Cats can overcome the Tigers juggernaut up the highway next Friday, whose to stop them getting through the Giants on their own turf. Then, as a Victorian side at the MCG on the last Saturday in September, two finals wins under their belt, their skipper back, good luck stopping them.

3. On the other hand, and here’s the one that gets the hair on the back of your neck standing up – imagine, bloody imagine would you, that Friday next week, about 10:30pm, Richmond is in front when the final siren goes. First finals win in forever. Not just a finals win, but it’s a qualifying final win, which earns them a home preliminary final. The monkey is off the back, they will be the darling of Melbourne come a fortnight’s time, the utter momentum this city would generate for them alone will be almost impossible to stop. For those under 40 really, watch what happens when Richmond is top of the tree, it’s incredible. It’ll almost win them the cup almost in itself.

4. Adelaide and the GWS are the other fancies, get the double chance and damn, one was minor premier, the other has the best team on paper, so plenty of credentials between them. For the Crows, get the first win out of the way, prepare well to take care of whoever they confront in the Prelim, take their chances and back their form in come Grand Final Day. Super plausible. For the Giants, if they don’t win Thursday, they need to take out Geelong or Richmond in Victoria at some point, and not beyond them, but their form line doesn’t arouse enough to make you feel confident. Maybe 2018?

5. How about those bloody Demons hey? On one hand, they were bloody stiff. Had a great record against top eight sides, finished with 12 wins and a percentage over 105, most years that gets you in comfortably. But when the finals spot was on their racquet, and they chose to double fault big time against the Pies, especially in that first quarter when by the time they had racked up their sixth tackle, they were six goals down, it’s all on them. Really super list, but no pressure on them making the finals next year is there?...

6. West Coast, how lucky? They are an average side at best (watch them do well now I’ve chucked the jinx on). Look, the actual player roster is fine and it’s why I scoff at suggestions they were staring down some serious list management decisions at years’ end because I don’t fault the on-field capabilities at their disposal. Sure, their best player was out all year with a knee, but with him they should be top four minimum. So they’ll bundle out, avoid too much heat, and Adam Simpson can feel a bit better next year should they not start so well, than otherwise we suppose.

7. Essendon, now there’s a good news story. Shame they end up facing the best team in the comp first week otherwise we’d actually back them to sneak a finals win way ahead of schedule. Sure, they flirted with danger letting Freo get far too close last weekend but say what you like about their crime and their time, this is a footy side that can do some things in the years to come. Thoroughly deserving of a finals spot and will disgrace no-one no matter how they go against the Swans.

8. And can we point out, further to the success story of the Bombers, that to have Paddy Ryder for Port in the finals after the year out too, that’s a great news story in itself. Traded out because of the drugs saga, sitting out the 2016 season at his new club and then to do so well this year, earning AA honours to boot, awesome result for the Western Australian ruckman.

9. Onto the All-Australian team, not too bad a year for the selectors other than missing Clayton Oliver. The only other real note is an extension of the previous thought, that for Ryder but also Michael Hurley and Michael Hibberd, to miss all of last year and then to come back and earn a spot in the AA team is such a magnificent achievement, cop that to WADA et. al.

10. We must at this point offer an apology. This column found excellent value in Josh Kennedy for the Coleman, and then at worst suggested the hedge bet on Joe Daniher late was excellent logic. We didn’t allow, sadly, for the ten-goal Buddy Franklin show to come in over the top. What is it they always say – the house always wins?

11. Alright, alright, let’s address it. Nathan Buckley. Three things here clearly. One, they did in fact look around at who was gettable, poachable, and must have gotten donuts. Two, if there’s no-one out there who they think would be that ‘ significant upgrade’ over what’s already waiting at home, then they’ve chosen to stay faithful. Three, Eddie McGuire, even though he say he would have if he had to, is really glad he didn’t have to sack his great mate, immensely glad.

12. So now Collingwood is all in on the Damien Hardwick precedent. We will see assistant coaches turned over, and Scott Burns, Anthony Rocca are two already to move on, we will see further changes in the football department, the fitness guy has already gone, the list management team will reshuffle big time too. We will see who comes in, if it can make any sort of difference, the jury remains unconvinced.

13. Last one on the Pies – they are hard to read. Overall, and rightly so, a disappointing year, no question. Technically though this is the first season for Buckley to perform better than previous, yes, the ladder position is lower, but the points tally is higher. Collingwood were the only side to not lose by more than 40 points, they were largely one of the unluckier sides in close games, and had a harder draw than Richmond or Essendon. They get the soft draw next year the Pies which helps - they played the bottom 8 teams 8 times in 2017, Richmond and Essendon 12 times, Geelong 11.

14. Just some numbers on those close games, for matches decided by three goals or less, St Kilda won four of five, yet North Melbourne won four of ten. Yes the Saints missed the finals, just, but we don’t really see these two teams together, but the Kangaroos left plenty of wins out on the park, inexperience, a bit of bad luck, either way there’s some optimism for the North fans next year. Further, games a goal or under, Giants 1 loss from 6, North 1 win from 6, Geelong unbeaten from 5, Dogs 3 wins from 4, Pies one win from 4.

15. So apparently Dusty will make a decision soon. He might end up staying after all that, but can we make a case for North? Yes, it’s about a million dollars extra after tax to move to Arden Street, but if we flesh out the previous thought a bit more, they had three close losses by Easter. Win all those, they are 5-2 after Round Seven and the season looks way different. They played like a 10, 11 win team this year, and with Dusty on board, with further games into their kids, they are not far off top four. It’s a stretch, but the comp is so even you can’t rule anything out these days.

16. The Crouch brothers have become a column favourite and we will continue to push their cause, and this week particularly Matt’s. The second youngest named on Wednesday night (Zach Merrett is only five months younger). But whilst the Bomber winger is heralded as one of the very best young players in the game, and someone who had a huge 2017, he ranked 4th for disposals per game yet Crouch was ranked 2nd. Crouch too was 7th in the league for effective disposals per game and 9th for score involvements. He was as instrumental to Adelaide taking home the minor premiership as any Crow and whilst most outlets have awarded their player of the year to a Dangerfield or a Martin, The Age actually had Matt Crouch on top. He is only 22, that’s all, but a megastar in the making.

17. As this will be the last column for the footy season, let’s finish off with some predictions of the weeks to come. Firstly the Brownlow, and well, theory has it the ineligible Patrick Dangerfield, who wins the count, hangs the medal over the second place getter in Dustin Martin. Oh, what theatre! But we think one of two things will happen – either Martin smashes it in anyway on his own merit, well over 30 votes, well ahead of Dangerfield. Or, someone pops up from nowhere and goes super close to winning it. Watch out for Tom Mitchell, Josh Kennedy or even my man Crouch. Matt Priddis won his Brownlow as a $41 chance, for what it’s worth that’s Marcus Bontempelli’s odds this year.

18. Then we have the Grand Final. I tell you, I am beyond compelled by the winner of this Geelong-Richmond game. The path that opens up for the winner is so advantageous and as the Dogs proved last year, getting on a roll is beyond powerful. I have massive respect for the Crows’ season, I think Sydney is the best team in the competition and its shattering they missed top four, but right now, I am tipping the Tigers to win next Friday, and I don’t know who beats them after if they do.

19. We have the free agency/trade period next month and we expect a bit to happen. We wonder if someone pays the price to get Tom Lynch down from Gold Coast a year early (Collingwood or Carlton), we wonder if Jake Lever does indeed up a Demon and too whether Gary Ablett plays on but down at Geelong. It appears Josh Kelly will stay or become a Saint, that North Melbourne despite all their cash may fail to land a big fish, and that it will be the pursuit of Jacob Hopper, Devon Smith and Steven Motlop that may cause the biggest news. We do expect that Bryce Gibbs does get home this year though, write that one down.

20. And we sign off the year with another retirement during the week, although if we’re honest we knew a little earlier but kept it in camera – Leigh Montagna finishes up after 287 games with St. Kilda. A terribly underrated midfielder, a key component of the more successful periods for the Saints in the early part of last decade and then again in those Grand Final years. He played 21 games or more ten of the last 12 years, so he was incredibly durable and reliable yet a hamstring on its last legs went at the SCG and that was that. He will end up in the media, a proper talent in front of the camera or equally behind the mic, and deserves all the success he has upcoming. A terrific competitor, a highly-skilled midfielder turned backman and an even better bloke. Well done to him.

(originally published August 31)

1 note · View note

everlarkbirthdaydrabbles · 7 years

Note

Hello, everlarkbirthdaygoddesses! 😘 My birthday is April 1 (no foolin’!) ☺️ and I would love a gift to share with everyone in the fandom. If it were rated M/E, that would be purrrfect, but I'd be happy with anything. Thank you for sharing the love. xo

Happy Birthday, @katamount! The birthday ‘goddessess’ (your words not ours ;)) have decreed your special day a very worthy one, indeed. Thank you to @katnissdoesnotfollowback for the incredible part 2 of All’s Fair. You can find part one here.

“We’re graduating in a year, Gale. Going into different branches with different bases and little chance of being assigned together,” Katniss says.

Unless we’re married. Even then, we’d maybe get one or two assignments together if we’re lucky, and there’s not even a guarantee of that.

But I can’t say any of that to her, because this is the first time she's even mentioned what happens after, and while my battered heart lurches at the knowledge that she's actually thinking about us in the long term...if she’s already thinking of dumping my ass over this, then mentioning marriage now would just be the nail in my coffin.

R.I.P. Gale Hawthorne. He opened his mouth too wide and choked on wanting too much.

“We can find a way to make it work,” I hear myself say, and the words sound useless even to me. A hundred million pleas sit on the tip of my tongue, all the things that won’t mean a damn without her, all the ways I want to fight for us, but I can’t stop my brain from jumbling them all together and she doesn’t need me to be a pathetic mess right now so I choke them back.

“Gale,” she says and it already sounds like ‘good-bye.’

I squeeze my eyes shut and clench my fists, feeling the bite of the plastic cuffs into my wrists and hoping the physical pain will keep me grounded through the pain of her leaving.

“Just...do it fast, okay?” I whisper, hoping it'll be like ripping off a band aid and knowing it won't. “You don’t even have to say anything. Just...go.”

“That’s the problem,” she whispers back. “I can’t. It’s always been you, Gale.”

LOL! How many of you vomited? Don’t lie! We just couldn’t resist since this day only comes around once a year. @katamount you are a fan to all and a fabulous person in this fandom. We wish you the best birthday EVER! Your REAL story is below the cut. *hugs*

All’s Fair

WARNINGS: RATED E for mild language, immature pranks, and smut. Everlark college/military cadets AU. ;-)

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

I’ve been on edge almost all day. Waiting for her to pounce.

It doesn’t help that I’ve been awake for twenty-two hours and only got about three hours of sleep before that. I’m just so tired and every corner I’ve turned today has been a moment of anxiety, waiting for gray eyes flashing in anger.

I jump when a stray cat darts out from the bushes next to my apartment building and then order my pulse to slow down. Maybe I’m overreacting, but I haven’t seen her or talked to her since she left me tied up and hard as fuck for her, the taste of her still lingering on my tongue. By the time Mason was done cutting my bonds and giving me shit, Katniss and her squad had already left, probably to report back on their pseudo-success. I was left to trudge through my day, waiting, wondering what she was thinking and feeling.

At first, I wasn’t worried. I’d thought we were flirting, pushing each other to see just how far we’d go to get what we wanted. I expected her to stop us at every turn, but she didn't, and those thirty minutes or so that we’d spent in my office had felt so...exhilarating, sexy. Even if we’d caught her squad, they still managed to complete their prank. And she’d easily gotten the upper hand on me, even when I knew what she was up to.

When my text messages to her went unanswered, though, I slowly came to realize how wrong I was. During my last class of the day, I began to accept that I had really fucked it up and started working on a suitable apology. It didn’t help that Finnick kept ribbing me all through our shared classes, despite my insistence to him that Katniss and I aren't more than friends.

She wanted to keep things low key. Just for us, but we've ruined that in spectacular fashion. I've ruined it. I didn’t meant to. Now, everyone seems to think they know, or always knew, what Katniss and I are to each other. I thought I knew, but I’m not so sure after what happened this morning.

Around dinner time, I stopped by all her usual places, since she hadn’t answered my calls either. But to no avail. I couldn’t apologize to her if she wouldn’t even see me. So I changed into jeans and a t-shirt, something more comfortable than my uniform, and hid myself in the library to work on my psyc paper. I really wasn’t lying to her about that, and I still have every intention of finishing it early, even if I spend my weekend groveling to her instead of taking her out to the lake for a relaxing weekend away from campus like I’d originally planned.

Now, it’s close to midnight, and still no word from her, although my paper is drafted at least. I’m not looking forward to a night spent alone. Even though she still doesn’t want to advertise our relationship, I’ve gotten used to sleeping beside her every night. Holding her in the dark. Because I’m beyond a goner for Katniss, and I'm not sure I can survive losing her.

“Fuck,” I mutter as I smack my forehead into my apartment’s front door frame. I didn’t think she’d take it this hard. But the longer the silence has stretched between us today, the more I’m convinced that I’ve finally messed up enough to lose her.

I let my arm go limp, keys dangling from my fingertips as I torture myself with the memory of her legs wrapped around my head, so tight that I could feel every spasm as she came on my tongue, but also so tight that I couldn’t hear a thing. I knew she did that on purpose, but it didn’t stop me from being turned on by it. By the thrill of playing that game with her. Of getting her to shatter when she knew she shouldn’t and was trying so hard not to. I wouldn’t be surprised if she hates me now.

Standing out here won’t fix anything, though, so I force myself to unlock my door and enter my pitch dark apartment. I flip the light switch and curse when nothing happens. Just one more thing to add to my list of why this day fucking sucks. I lock my front door and drop my book bag, pull my phone from my pocket to use the flashlight on it.

The light in the kitchen is blown, too, and I stand perfectly still, waiting for a sound or a noise. Pushing down the hope in my chest that this is her vengeance. An attack in my apartment in the dark? I can deal with that. It means I’ve got a chance to talk to her before she decides to publicly skewer me.

A creak in the bedroom draws me in there and I sweep the space with the flashlight to provide more illumination than what the street lamp outside provides. The lights in my bedroom don’t work either. Damn, she’s not playing around tonight. Only, there’s nothing. Katniss isn’t in here. I can feel my shoulders sagging with the realization.

I’ve just decided that she must have removed all my bulbs as the opening move of her retaliation and that I’m alone, turning to return to the kitchen and see if I’ve got any extra bulbs under the sink, when my bedroom door slams shut and I jump back, dropping my phone as she stalks towards me, still dressed in her camo pants and black shirt that make her almost one with the shadows.

“You,” she says, jabbing a finger in my chest. I hold my hands up in surrender and back away from her.

“Katniss, I--”

“Shut up. You don’t talk unless I ask a question,” she snarls and I guess I deserve it, so I clamp my mouth shut. My feet tangle in something on the floor and I go down hard, wincing at the blow to my pride and my backside as Katniss bends over me. I am so focused on the pain in my tailbone and trying to figure out what it is that I tripped over that my mind doesn’t register her moving my arms until the distinct zip-click noise fills my bedroom.

I look up at her in astonishment and try to tug my arms down from over my head. No give. She’s chained me to the leg of my own bed.

“Are you kidding me right now?” I say as she stands up with a smirk and crosses her arms over her chest. That’s twice in one damn day.

“Do I need to put tape over that pretty mouth, too?” she asks, and while part of me wakes right the fuck up at that idea, there’s just enough bite in her voice to tell me she doesn’t mean it as some kind of pleasant game.

“You think my mouth is pretty?” I stupidly ask instead.

“Shut it, Mellark.” I snap my mouth closed again and press my lips together.

“You caused me a lot of trouble today, you know that?” I nod and try to look contrite. Her scowl deepens and she sets one booted foot on my chest but doesn’t push down on me. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“I didn’t know for sure it’d be your squad,” I blurt out and she lifts an eyebrow at me, telling me that she’s not convinced. “Look, there’s always at least one prank you guys pull on us around this time of year and Finnick and I have been trying to figure out how to prevent it or get you back for it this time. Then you started acting all weird and jumpy around me this week. I figured you might at least know what the plan was, even if you weren’t involved. When you told me you had a drill from two to four in the morning, I took a gamble that that must be it.”

“You could’ve asked me, rather than playing games, Peeta,” she says.

“Would you have told me?” I ask and can’t help the grin that lifts my lips, because I already know the answer.

“That’s beside the point!” she insists and presses her boot down on my sternum, although not enough to hurt.

“You’re right. I still would’ve figured it out. You’re not a very good liar, Katniss,” I say and enjoy the flush that blooms across her cheeks and the challenge that blazes to life in her eyes.

“And yet, you’re the one who keeps getting tied up,” she says and I flounder for a response. She preens a little when she realizes I don’t have much.

“Just a second, let me think,” I say and tug on the cuffs. How do I tell her that she keeps getting the best of me because I don’t guard myself against her?

“Something wrong, Peeta?” she coos and my pulse trips at her sensual tone. “Cat got your tongue?”

“I wish,” I say with a smile and her smirk falters. “So am I forgiven?”

“I was embarrassed today, Peeta” she says, her voice breaking a little and I hate myself enough in that moment for the both of us. “We had to report a failure and now I have to pick, plan, organize, and lead another raid.”

“It’s not required for graduation,” I remind her. “They can’t make you do that.”

“No, but it’s a tradition, Peeta. I lost a lot of respect today because of this.” She drops her boot to the floor and to my astonishment, she lays down on top of me, curls up on my chest, gripping my shirt in her hands and sniffling slightly.

“Hey,” I try to soothe her, difficult with my hands restrained, but I manage a kiss on the top of her head. I don’t know how to fix this mess, how to balance our loyalties to each other and to our respective corps. “Will it help if you take pictures of this? I mean, getting the jump on the Vice Wing Commander twice in one day’s gotta count for something, right? Maybe draw an army star on my face before you do it. In permanent marker.”

Her shoulders shake a little, but she doesn’t move to document my captivity. I lick my lips and swallow the pain balling up in my throat. Eventually, Katniss sets her chin on my chest and looks up at me, her gaze softer this time.

“They lectured me on breaches in security. Like the fact that I can't lie to my boyfriend means that I’d spill national secrets to a spy or something,” she murmurs.

“That’s a bit of an overreaction,” I say and she sighs.

“Yeah, but it’s the way they think. To them, I’m now just a silly school girl with a crush.”

I feel her words like a stab in the heart. We’re supposed to be on the same side, but these ridiculous inter-service rivalries make me a threat to her. To her success. And I hate myself for proving them and their backwards ideas true.

“Katniss, I’m so sorry,” I whisper. She looks down at my chest and traces her short nails over the writing on my shirt.

“At first, I thought they knew about us and maybe rigged the drawing as punishment,” she says and I swallow heavily. “But now it’s so much worse. My whole squad is paying the price. Gale won’t even speak to me.”

And I thought I couldn’t hate myself any more. I’ve managed to embarrass her and destroy her relationship with her squad and her best friend. Okay, maybe there’s a tiny part of me that’s not as upset about that last one as I should be. The piece of me that’s always been a little jealous that she’s so open about her friendship with Gale when she’s oblivious to how he looks at her. Like they’re inevitable and he doesn't even have to try. But she won’t so much as hold my hand in public. Not even when we’re both out of uniform.

“He’ll forgive you, especially if your next raid is a success. He cares about you too much,” I try to soothe. She looks completely unconvinced, and I know I have to give her the out she needs. As much as it will pain me to do it.

“Maybe we should, I don’t know... If you want t-to take a break...or e-end th-things,” my voice is shaking pathetically and the words nearly choke the life from me, but I shove them out anyways, “I’ll understand.”

And all I can do is chant in my head.

Please say that’s not what you want. Please say THAT’S not what you want. Please say that’s NOT what you want. PLEASE say that’s not what you want.

“It’d be easier,” she says and my heart breaks right then and there. The pain of her words blinding me to everything else. Even though I considered the possibility several times throughout the day, I never allowed myself to do more than think it in passing and then shove it away before it could destroy me.

“We’re graduating in a year, Peeta. Going into different branches with different bases and little chance of being assigned together.”

Unless we’re married. Even then, we’d maybe get one or two assignments together if we’re lucky, and there’s not even a guarantee of that.

R.I.P. Peeta Mellark. He opened his mouth too wide and choked on wanting too much.

“Peeta,” she says and it already sounds like ‘good-bye.’

I squeeze my eyes shut and clench my fists, feeling the bite of the plastic cuffs into my wrists and hoping the physical pain will keep me grounded through the pain of her leaving.

“Just...do it fast, okay?” I whisper, hoping it'll be like ripping off a band aid and knowing it won't. “You don’t even have to say anything. Just...go.”

“That’s the problem,” she whispers back. “I can’t.”

My brain barely has time to register her words before her lips crash into mine and my eyes fly back open to watch her kiss me. She’s kissing me?!

I’m confused. But her eyes are closed and her fists are pulling on my shirt and her lips move over mine with firm determination. I try to talk, to ask what she meant, but her tongue takes my open mouth as an invite. I give up on talking as light sparks inside me, warming as it spreads from my chest outward. And I kiss her back, as best I can without touching her.

She moans in my mouth and shifts her body so she’s cradling my jaw in her hands and rocking her hips over mine, her knees pressing into my sides so her legs almost embrace me. My mind goes all hazy when she grinds her hips down, pressing my zipper onto my cock. I’m already half hard and if she keeps this up, I’ll be desperate in about two seconds flat.

I yank my arms down in an attempt to break the thick plastic ties binding me, but nothing gives. All I manage to do is drag my bed across the floor and hurt my wrists. Katniss sits up and smiles down at me, her hands slowly skimming down my chest then back up, over my shoulders and up the length of my arms towards the cuffs as she lowers herself back over me.

“Do you want something?” she asks in a sing song voice that tells me I won’t be getting what I want.

“Can we take these off now?” I ask anyways and tug on the cuffs again. She stretches out over me, her hands caressing over my skin, just below the cuffs, but just when I think she’s going to free me and let me touch her, she pulls back slightly and shakes her head. A desperate whine escapes my throat as I squirm beneath her, my hands flexing with the need to feel her.

“Who can’t lie, Peeta?” she asks, and fuck me if I don’t get harder at her taunt. I groan as she bites my earlobe and pushes down into me with her hips. Again and again. “I'm still upset with you.”

Her motions and her whispers in my ear feel so damn good, they distract me from trying to get free. Instead, I brace my feet on the floor and thrust up into her. It’s her turn to gasp and I bite back a smile as her nails dig into my forearms. My jeans are too tight, tighter with each press of our bodies together and the resulting burst of pleasure that burns through me.

Without warning, she stops and I whimper, fucking whimper like a dog denied a biscuit. But she moves down my body and her hands yank violently at my belt, the button and zipper on my jeans. She grabs fistfuls of denim and pulls, taking my shorts too. I lift my hips to help, sighing in relief when my dick is free of the restriction, but she’s moving so fast that I lose my footing and fall back to the floor with my jeans and my shorts halfway down my legs.

She growls in frustration and moves again, tugging my shoes off before throwing them across the room and then tearing my clothes the rest of the way off. She moves around the bed and I listen to her pull the nightstand drawer open. She doesn’t bother closing it, but returns with the short strip of condoms I have left, dropping them on the floor next to me and standing over me, one foot on either side of my hips.

“Don’t I get a cuddle or something first?” I tease and she scowls at me. But I think maybe I understand now. She's had a rough day, faced failure and ridicule, and now she wants to feel like she can control SOMETHING, even if that something is us.

Katniss whips her shirt and sports bra off over her head and drops them to the floor before placing one booted foot on my chest. My palms ache for the weight of her breasts, my thumbs for the pebbled nipples already taut with desire.

“Unlace me, Mellark,” she orders.

“Can’t,” I remind her, jerking my wrists to prove it to her. Undeterred, she moves to set her boot next to my bound hands.

“Unlace me,” she repeats. Somehow, I manage to shift my wrists up the leg I’m attached to and blindly unlace first one boot and then the other. She sits on the corner of the bed, legs splayed on either side of me to finish removing them herself. They drop to the floor with resounding thuds. When she stands, she turns to face the bed and shoves her pants down her legs. I groan in agony at the view of her black boy shorts right above me and the damp patch between her legs. I am dizzy with the need to touch her and taste her, and I try once more to break free as she looks down at me with a sly smile.

“Katniss, please,” I beg. She tucks her thumbs into the waist of her panties and shimmies, slowly lowering them until they land on my face. She steps out of them and kicks them aside. I blink as she sits on my mouth.

“Fuck,” I say, but the word is garbled.

“What was that, Peeta?” she asks coyly, my name a squeak as I tilt my chin and suck on her lips. I fucking love eating her out. All the breathy little sounds she makes, the way she swivels her hips to get my tongue right where she wants it. Her taste like nectar, her scent a perfume. I could do this all day and die happy.

This is the first time she’s sat on my face and my hands are tied...literally. So I can’t guide her hips and she bumps into my nose and drops too low once or twice. She’s still enjoying it, though. Panting my name here and there in a beautiful song. Her legs shaking. Before I can get her close, she tears herself away from me.

I’m recovering from the sudden change and hardly notice her rip open a condom until her hand grips me and I buck into her touch. Before I can ask her to slow down a little, she’s got it on me and she’s lowering herself onto my cock.

“Oh fuck, Katniss!” I say as my spine bends and my head drags on the floor, my wrists aching as I strain against the cuffs and my cock throbs eagerly inside her wet heat. I don’t even try to control the sounds I make when her hands push my shirt up enough for her nails to burrow in my skin, hands clenched on my abs as she rolls her hips over me. But I want to watch and force myself to at least lay flat again so I can see her.

Eyes closed, braid swaying over her chest with her movements, arms straight and strong, holding me to the floor, mouth parted, tongue and teeth glistening, cheeks flushed. Radiant. Powerful, if a little vulnerable. Gorgeous.

As she speeds up, I once more bend my knees and brace my feet on the floor to rock myself up into her. Her hands move up to my chest as she groans my name and her walls squeeze once. I bite my lip, concentrating on keeping the pace as her eyes flutter open and her gaze locks with mine. Fire tickles down my spine and I try to stave it off by talking.

“Katniss, fucking take it from me. You know you want it. Your pussy wants it so fucking bad. You can’t lie to me. I can feel it. Feel you squeezing me. Right there?”

She keens wordlessly at the slight shift in angle, and the sounds alone are enough to get me right to the edge. Her hips thrash and I bite my lip hard as she comes all around me, her walls clenching and her juices coating me. She remains rigid above me as she rides it to the end and then her elbows buckle and I grunt as her weight lands squarely on my chest.

Her fingers trace over my shirt and her hot breath paints over my neck, tickling and arousing me further. With a deep sigh, she slides her hands up my arms and fiddles with something. There’s a slight release of pressure and she holds up a carabiner for me to see before tossing it aside. My wrists are still bound, but I’m no longer attached to the bed.

I bring my arms down to trap her to me and shove one foot against the floor to flip us over. Katniss gasps, wrapping her arms and legs around me, clinging to me as I twist my hands enough to get my palms flat on the floor. It’s fucking uncomfortable with her weight pressing down on my wrists and the cuffs, and my arms bent at this angle, but the pain is not as bad as the desire to plunge into her until I come.

She smiles and tilts her head back as I try to move, exposing her throat to me. I lick up the column of smooth skin, tasting the salt of her sweat and the musk that’s all Katniss. When I reach her chin, she rolls her head up and holds my face close to hers, so our noses and foreheads brush and her breaths float warm and inviting over my lips while we stare at one another. Then her heels dig into my ass, and I lose it. I buck like a fucking madman and can’t seem to stop. It’s fast and harsh and all too soon the fire races back through me, leaving my skull buzzing and my body flaming as I shout and slam into her before my body is seized in release, going rigid and still as it rocks through me. The cuffs finally snap as I stop coming and my arms give out.

I barely manage to catch myself before I crush her, my face pressed into the floor as I gasp and blink and try to figure out which way is up. It’s her fingers, tenderly caressing my neck and shoulders that guide me back to reality. Her legs still wrapped around me tightly, holding us together.

When I can breathe normally again, I gather her in my arms and move us onto the bed, discarding the condom and the broken cuffs, and removing my shirt before I join her beneath the covers.

“I still can't believe you went down on me with my whole squad down the hallway.”

I laugh and wrap my arms around her, relieved when she curls into me the way she always does.

“May I remind you that you kissed me, and you're the one who went for my belt first?”

“You may not.”

“I would've stopped if you'd told me to,” I whisper. “I still can't believe you let me go that far with your whole squad down the hallway.”

I grin and trail my fingers over her hair. She yawns and presses a handful of soft kisses to my chest, sending up a wave of fluttering from my middle. When I turn to kiss her cheek, though, she stiffens in my embrace.

“The navy,” she whispers.

“What are you talking about?” I ask and manage to lift my head to look down at her. She’s wide eyed and flushed, her gaze is excited and eager.

“That’s my target. The Navy midshipmen,” she explains. Then she bites her lip and lifts an eyebrow. “Since you kind of owe me, Zoomie, you think you might be willing to spare a few cadets to help out and earn some bragging rights?”

“I might be able to help. We've always talked about turning that gigantic, tacky as fuck brass anchor in their entry way into a clothes line. Put a sign on it that says ‘Salute Your Shorts,’” I tell her and she wriggles with glee.

“I knew there was a reason I put up with you,” she teases and I laugh, just happy that she’s not angry and leaving.

“Anytime you need to loosen an idea from your mind, I’m more than willing to put my body at your service. And I’d like to remind you that we in the Air Force pride ourselves on Service Before Self,” I tease right back and nibble on her neck until she’s squealing in laughter and clawing at my shoulders. I fling the sheets up in the air and crawl beneath them. “It's a dangerous task, but I am completely willing to sacrifice myself to get it done right.”

Her laughter stops when I settle in the cradle of her legs and tilt her hips to taste her again. There will be other obstacles to face in the future. The most glaring one is what we’ll do after graduation. But for now, I just want to focus on helping her regain that respect I cost her. To spend every possible minute with her that she’ll allow me.

160 notes · View notes

badcowboy69 · 7 years

Text

Unexpected part 3

Finished this in a more proper time frame and hopefully it’ll continue onwards this way. Third part of my ongoing story of Riley’s adventures in New Vegas with Travis. Part two can be found here Unexpected 2 Sweet and tender fluff this time around...new thoughts and emotions for both fellas. I actually quite like this one. It let me get into Riley’s head a bit more. @zoey-and-dakota hope I did well with that! Enjoy the lovely chapter under the cut for length. This one is sfw

Early mornings weren’t Riley’s thing...they never were...even before the war. However, this particular morning he was wide awake and quite anxious to get the day started. He was still in mild shock he actually attempted this journey and still couldn't believe he did it, but here he was. He doesn’t know fully what provoked him to take such an insane gamble by hiring a Vertibird pilot from the Brotherhood of Steel to fly him across the country to find Travis. It was a very risky move for many reasons. The unknown was a huge factor, but if Travis could pull it off by driving a motorcycle across the terrain then certainly a Vertibird could fly through the skies.

Although the travel was a big risk by itself, for Riley to actually find his cowboy lover was another chance with bad odds. If New Vegas was truly as huge and secure as Travis had described it, Riley might have a difficult, if not impossible, time locating him. For a stranger to roam around asking for the city’s co-owner might raise suspicions. There was also the issue that Travis might not even be here anymore. He did state that when his business with Mister House was over he’d be right back on his motorcycle zooming towards Boston to be with Riley.

However the biggest worry that had lurked in the back of Riley’s mind was what if Travis didn’t even want him back? What if the entire separation was a ploy to eliminate Riley from his life in the most painless way possible? When Travis left Boston over two weeks ago he was obviously devastated. Unfortunately, Riley knew all too well moments like that had high emotions and feelings could change quickly in separation. Travis could realize it wasn’t worth the bother coming back to Boston. Maybe in their separation he realized he didn’t even want to be with the redhead anymore. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, but it can also make it forgetful. Maybe Travis was so frazzled from his trip and business undertakings that he truly shoved Riley out of his thoughts. Seeing him again would be more of a burden than a blessing and it was best to let him go before things became too serious.

Three big risks were taken on this journey out west and all paid off nicely. Very nicely in fact. Not only did Riley get to the New Vegas outskirts unscathed, but it was Travis that greeted him at the gates. Even though the courier had no clue it was Riley in the unexpected craft it was still a relief to see him. Once Travis realized none of the happenings were a dream it was quite evident that he was thrilled to see him. From the exclamations of joy, to the tight embrace, to the kisses shoved all paranoid thoughts from Riley’s mind. Everything Travis did in their reunion proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was way more than overjoyed being reunited with Riley.

After a long night of catching up with amazing sex with his amazing boyfriend, Riley finally slept peacefully for the first time in weeks. He slept deeply and soundly for the most part, but yet his mind was still buzzing and going a million miles an hour. Of course he did his typical squirming and kicking, but this time his restlessness was for other reasons. This was all too exciting and he felt like a child at Christmas and was unable to stay asleep for very long.

Finally giving in, Riley now found himself lying awake and staring at the ceiling of the Presidential Suite with Travis dozing peacefully against his chest. Giving a contented sigh, Riley closed his eyes and snuggled down against the pillow. The black satin sheets on Travis’ queen sized bed felt glorious against his naked skin. Hell, Travis felt glorious against him for that matter! Reaching over to the nightstand, Riley blindly groped for his glasses and put them on bringing clarity back to his blurry world.

Blinking a few times allowing his eyes to focus, he gave an impulsive glance to his right in hopes to see the time, but this wasn’t his home back in Diamond City. For some reason Travis didn’t have a clock next to the bed and lifting his head to look around the room Riley saw he didn’t have one anywhere. No matter. Time was not important right now. Settling against the pillow again, Riley sighed and closed his eyes in contentment. As eager as he was to look around the large bedroom and take in all of the Mojave splendor Travis no doubt decorated it with, Riley wanted nothing more than to focus on his lover first.

Leaning forward to place a soft kiss on Travis’ head, Riley began to gently smooth Travis’ mussed up hair before sifting his fingers through the soft, black strands. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he fondly reminisced over their unusual first meeting so many months ago. Oddly enough it all started with Travis wishing to touch Riley’s hair.

Riley had seen the newcomer, who was always wearing a cowboy hat, drifting around Diamond City now and then, but never really paid him much mind. People always came and went through the small town and Riley didn’t have the time nor desire to befriend all of them, if any. However, the day came when he was approached by the lanky cowboy. He spoke in a low, shy drawl, but made his bold request quite clear. He wished to sift his fingers through Riley’s red hair. At first Riley was taken aback. Who in their right mind walks up to a complete stranger and asks something like that?

Still, the question intrigued Riley and he agreed and led Travis somewhere more private. The cowboy went ahead and fingered through Riley’s hair, but before Riley could make any moves himself, he instead got the man’s cowboy hat shoved down on his head. Looking up he watched in confusion as the man sprinted off. As he wondered what he might have said or done wrong, Travis returned shortly afterward and apologized. Apparently he simply wanted to play and be pursued.

Figuring it was worth a shot, Riley suggested they start over and invited him to his house for a drink. As both men drank and talked, it eventually became evident that Travis was interested in more than just that. It didn’t take long for more heavy flirting to happen which led to hot and almost desperate kissing. Eventually their urges could no longer be held back and they made passionate love on the couch. Come morning, Riley awoke hearing his front door close. To his surprise it was Travis returning as opposed to leaving like Riley has grown so used to happen with others. Travis simply had slipped out into the morning light to seek out breakfast for them. This was new and right then he realized that Travis was someone special and not a one time fuck. At least that’s what he dared to hope.

Through the weeks, which eventually turned into months, both men learned a lot about one another. They had long discussions that would literally last all night and into the wee hours of the morning. They also explored and tended to things together in the Commonwealth. Riley enjoyed sharing his world with the westerner and took delight in Travis’ enthusiasm for learning and seeing new things. Of course they also had the most amazing and mind-blowing sex. Travis could be quite shy at times, but Riley learned it didn’t take much to encourage, or even fire up the man from the Mojave. Once enticed, Travis proved to be just as spicy as the peppers he would eat with gusto.

It eventually happened where one was found the other generally wasn’t too far behind. They were almost inseparable. That was until the day came when Travis got a letter from his “boss” back home. He was being forced back immediately to New Vegas for some important business matters. It was unclear who was crushed more by the news, Travis or Riley. The remaining few days were dealt with best as possible, but both men were pained. When the day came for Travis to ride off towards the west on his motorcycle, he placed his coveted cowboy hat on Riley’s head before kissing him good-bye. The hat was Travis’ forever promise that he would always return to him. Regardless, a sickening knot formed in the redhead’s stomach as he watched Travis ride off in a trail of dust. He feared he saw the last of his courier.

Riley still doesn’t know what possessed him to track down Travis out in the uncharted Mojave wastes. Seeing Vertibirds flying through the Boston sky might have unwittingly sparked the idea. Having a few more drinks than usual while thoughts of Travis weighed heavily on his mind could have pushed it. No matter how it was conceived, the journey wasn’t something he thought up overnight. However, once the idea hit him it was all he could think about. Seeing Travis again was the main issue, but there was also the bonus of seeing if New Vegas was as fantastic as Travis made it out to be.

Even though Riley was friends with the Brotherhood of Steel, convincing a pilot to do this wasn’t going to be easy. It was no doubt forbidden and of course labeled as a suicide mission, but he had to try. It was with extreme luck Riley was able to find a pilot willing to do this and for a few hundred extra caps was able to keep the mission secret. It took much planning and cap saving and a few times Riley didn’t think it was going to succeed. Still, it happened and the outcome was more than what he was expecting. Travis was not only incredibly excited to see him, but the courier also rewarded the Vertibird pilot quite handsomely ensuring future flights back to New Vegas would certainly be guaranteed.

Now as he lay in content comfort in the Presidential Suite of the Lucky 38 with his dear Travis in his arms, Riley felt an unfamiliar serenity flowing through him. The feeling was foreign to him, but it was one he had felt centuries earlier at least a few times. Pushing thoughts about it away for now and letting out a long, blissful sigh, Riley began to once again sift his fingers through Travis’ hair. It was a true amazing turn of events that began with a random question about hair to where they are now. Chuckling, Riley shook his head still in mild disbelief that all of this was even possible. Had he read this kind of story in a book he would have thought the author had a high sense of creativity and imagination.

Opening his eyes, Riley looked down at the man still dozing on his chest. He looked so innocent and peaceful, but even Riley knew better than that. Travis could be a handful at times. He was extremely playful and full of energy and sometimes rather curious. Those traits, however, were mild compared to the wicked glee the courier has in setting things on fire or blowing them up. Riley could only hope that such a dangerous hobby wouldn’t literally blow up in his face.

Almost as if knowing disapproving images were being thought of him, Travis squirmed and mumbled something unintelligible under his breath while his hand glided absently over Riley’s chest. The courier flinched and mumbled again before snuggling against his partner. Once Travis settled down, Riley continued stroking the man’s hair. It would figure that the first time in ages for Riley to actually be awake before him, Travis was dead asleep.

Pushing the hair back on Travis’ brow, Riley took a moment to look at the barely visible scar over his right eyebrow. Had Travis never mentioned anything Riley might not have ever noticed it. Travis claimed it was much fainter than when he first got it over six years ago. Although it would eventually vanish from sight the scar would always be there. It would be a permanent reminder of Travis being shot in the head simply for doing his job. Riley frowned and tenderly rubbed his thumb over the fading mark. Why did people have to be so cruel? He sighed sadly and attempted to push the horrible thoughts of cruelty that was dealt to him in his own past out of his mind.

As Riley’s fingers absently traced over Travis’ ears, the courier slowly began to rejoin the waking world. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he twitched his moustache and inhaled deeply while tightening his hold on Riley. Furrowing his brow he lifted his head and turned to look up while feeling a pleasant warmth go through him as he stared fondly into his lover’s eyes. “Look who’s up early for a change,” he jested while pulling himself up to press his lips against Riley’s in a slow, tender kiss. “Are you hungry?”

Riley arched an eyebrow and laughed over the sudden and random question. “Somewhat. I take it you are?”

“Uh-huh,” he replied, but instead of leaping out of bed and scurrying off to the kitchen as Riley expected him to, Travis settled back down against him and nuzzled against Riley’s neck. “Last night was amazing,” he breathed against the freckled skin. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”

“I can’t either,” Riley replied sighing wistfully while gliding his fingertips lightly back and forth over Travis’ arm. “I’ve done a lot of impetuous things in my days, but this…” he trailed off with a soft chuckle.

While stroking Riley’s beard, Travis gave his cheek a delicate kiss and let out a sigh of contentment. “Glad you did. Now then...about breakfast!”

“Fine, fine!” Riley laughed, squeezing his man against him. “Go cook before you starve to death and before I get other ideas on how to start this morning.”

Travis gave a lascivious smile and brushed his moustache against Riley’s lips. “Sounds good to me, but I’ll hold you to sharing those iders later.” Giving Riley a kiss that slowly deepened, Travis suddenly pulled back right as he felt Riley’s arms tightening around him. “Go wash up. I got breakfast to make,” he smirked while squirming out of Riley’s hold and swung his legs over the edge of the bed to search for his boxers.

“You’re such a tease,” Riley whined and playfully gave Travis a nudge with his foot almost sending the courier off the bed. Sitting up to search for his own undergarments Riley asked, “So, what’s the plan for today?”

“Thought we’d get that tour of Mormon Fort. Maybe check out the Atomic Wrangler or stop by and see the Kings. Don’t matter none to me. I’ll take you wherever you wanna go. Tonight we can have a good dinner, go for a swim, see a show, gamble. Hell, Riles, there’s tons of stuff to do. I can even show you around all day here if you want. I know how much you liked the elevator. We can start there if you want.”

“Very funny,” Riley dryly replied while standing and stretching. He was stopped mid-yawn as he felt Travis suddenly embrace him and nuzzle against his neck. Wrapping his arms around him to return the hug, Riley rested his chin on top of Travis’ head and gave a blissful hum of approval. “It’s so intoxicating to be holding you again.”

Travis pulled back and looked up at him with half-closed eyes as the corners of his mouth lifted into a lazy grin. “You cain’t imagine how happy I am right now.” “I have a pretty good idea,” the redhead replied simply as he bowed his head down to place a tender kiss on his cowboy’s lips. Reaching up between them Riley began stroking the black hairs on Travis’ chin, smoothing them, before giving him another lingering kiss.

Gliding his hands over Riley’s bare back and into his hair, Travis smirked and purred, “Best be getting a move on, pard, or I might just be servin’ ya sausage in bed for breakfast.” “As tempting as that suggestion is, I’m afraid I’m going to have to turn it down at this moment,” Riley hesitantly replied while stifling the groan that was forming in his throat. “I’m sure getting water all the way up here isn’t going to be easy and is going to take me a while. Unless of course you have a spa or something downstairs.” Travis furrowed his brow and shook his head while pulling from Riley’s embrace. “Naw. Bathroom’s down the hall on the right. Go wash up, got plenty of time to do whatever you wanna do and then some. I’ll be in the kitchen fixing up some good belly-fillin’ grub.” Travis gave a wink then shuffled out of the room while yawning and scratching his head.

Stopping in the middle of the hallway, Travis changed direction and went to the elevator instead and pushed the button on the intercom. There was a pause of static then Eli’s voice was heard. “Mornin’, mister! How’s things going with you and your man?”

Travis felt a wash of warmth surge through him and he looked shyly over his shoulder watching as Riley made his way down the hall towards the bathroom. “Right as rain, Eli, thanks. Listen, when you get the chance, send ED-E and Rex upstairs.” “Sure thing, pardner. Y’all have a great day, ya hear?”

Clicking off the intercom, Travis continued towards the kitchen and began to set up the coffee pot. A smile curled his lips as the strong, pleasant scent of the beverage began to fill the air while it brewed. Opening the refrigerator, Travis’ shoulders slumped at how barren it is compared to normal. He wasn’t expecting a guest after all. However, he was a cowboy and a survivalist and knew he’d be able to whip up a good and hearty meal for the two of them with what meager supplies he has. Grabbing a Brahmin steak, two gecko eggs, potatoes, onions, and a few other ingredients, Travis set up the counter in preparation to make one of his infamous omelettes.

Riley, on the other hand, was standing perplexed in the rather large bathroom of the Presidential Suite. To his left was a desk and a small table covered with neatly stacked papers and medical books. The large bookcase next to it was stocked with unbelievable amounts of medicines, stimpacks, braces, and other healing items on a few of its shelves. One shelf was dedicated to towels, shavers, and a little bowl filled with a variety of soaps. On the bottom few shelves were large metal pots, cleaning supplies and a clothes iron.

Grunting in approval, Riley continued further into the room. For some reason the two toilet and bathing areas were separated by a long curtain. It was an unusual set-up to say the least and possibly the designers cut corners by not installing a proper wall. Looking around, Riley smiled seeing the entire room was decorated nicely with old pre-war advertisements for Nuka Cola, Sunset Sarsaparilla, and Giddyup Buttercup. Random toys were on a small stand with a radio and more books were on the end tables next to the toilets. Empty beer bottles were also on the tables making Riley chuckle. Travis wasn’t as anal of a neat-freak as one might assume. Picking up one of the books, which was a science fiction novel, Riley flipped through it and was surprised seeing how perfect the pages were with no tears or creases. Setting the book down he made a mental note to definitely read it while he bathes.

Speaking of bathing, he thought and began looking around wondering where the bucket of water was he would need to wash up in. Not seeing one he was about to call out to Travis when he noticed a shaver and scissors sitting on one of the sinks. A fluffy cream colored hand towel was draped over the faucet and when Riley touched it he pulled his hand back in mild surprise that it was wet. Taking a chance he turned the knob and after a few hisses and spits of air, water came pouring out. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he gasped, not expecting running water. Shutting off the faucet he leaned over the bathtub and repeated the action. As like the sink, water rushed out with a good surge. Riley vaguely remembered Travis talking about baths and showers in New Vegas, but he never realized functioning indoor plumbing is what he meant.

Feeling rather giddy with these discoveries, Riley next pressed down on the handle of the toilet making it flush. He watched with child-like fascination as the water whirled down and refilled the bowl. Flushing it again, Riley moved on knowing he had to get washed before Travis began wondering what happened to him. He was already teased about his amazement with the elevator. The last thing he wanted was to be teased about the bathroom. He could just hear Travis saying, “Gosh, Riles, you got a kink for the bathroom now? Maybe we can start fucking in here! It’’ll make clean-up a whole lot easier.”

Smirking to himself, Riley returned to the sink and rinsed out the little towel while lathering it up with a bar of soap. Gritting his teeth from the combination of tepid water and cold air coming from the vent on the wall, Riley finally began to wash. Once he got used to the chill he wondered how Travis managed to enjoy taking a bath. There wasn’t anywhere for a fire or any sort of electrical element to warm the water. It was then a realization hit him and he wondered if there was still one more modest secret to be discovered here in Travis’ unbelievable bathroom. Daring to not even dream it might be possible, Riley shut the cold water off and twisted the knob for hot instead.

He remembered from the past one had to wait a few moments for hot water to come through. With the suite being so high up in the casino the hot water could take a bit longer to get there, that is if hot water even existed. After a moment Riley put his finger under the water, biting his lower lip in anticipation. However, it was no surprise to him that the water was still coming out just as tepid. Sighing in mild disappointment he reached for the knob when he noticed a small curl of steam rising from the basin. It vanished quickly, but he still spotted it. Gingerly putting his finger back under the water, Riley gasped loudly feeling the pleasantly hot water wash over his skin.

He cursed himself for not trying the knob sooner, but he never would have imagined it possible. Then again, if this place had air conditioning why wouldn’t it have hot running water? Squeezing the cloth out, Riley resoaked it and glided it over his face and neck, enjoying the comforting warmth it provided. His blue eyes glanced at the tub and he knew what he planned to enjoy later tonight when Travis got done showing him Mormon Fort. Grabbing a fresh towel off the shelf, he dried himself off and began to make his way towards the kitchen.

As Riley passed the elevator he was startled as the bell suddenly dinged indicating someone has arrived. The doors slid open and ED-E flew out beeping rapidly before zooming down the hall towards the guest room. Rex bounded out, spotted Riley and gave a happy bark as he jumped up on him demanding to be pet. “Well, good morning to you too, boy,” Riley laughed as he ruffled the fur on Rex’s neck. “Come on, let’s go see what Travis is cooking!”

Rex gave a few excited barks as he pushed away from him then bolted into the kitchen. Riley followed and casually leaned against the doorframe while crossing his arms in front of his chest. He watched in admiration as Travis scuttled back and forth tending to the sizzling pan of food, setting the table, fussing with the coffee pot, then back to the food again. He knew how much Travis loves to cook and seeing him at home in his element was a pleasure to behold. Pushing away from the door, Riley stepped into the vast kitchen and dining area.

As he was looking over the grand dining table with its seating for about twelve people, Travis caught his eye. The courier was grinning broadly holding a hot cup of coffee. “Hope you’re hungry,” he beamed, passing the cup to Riley. “Sugared it for you just how you like it.”

“Thank you and yes, I’m rather hungry,” Riley replied before taking a careful sip of the coffee. “By the way, yet again you held out on me, Travis. The running water was amazing enough, but hot water? All those months you were in Boston with me never once did you complain about the lack of such commodities.”

Travis shrugged as he motioned for Riley to take a seat. “Ain’t no use in squawking about something that can’t be helped. Y’all make due with what’s there. Who am I to come and complain? I was roughing it way before I got all this dropped in my lap. Hell, I still rough it just the same when I travel around so Boston wasn’t much different. Hell, ya don’t adapt, ya don’t survive is how I see it.”

“You’re something else, you know that?” Riley said with admiration as he took a seat at the table. Thinking back to the time spent in Boston it was true that never once did the courier complain about anything other than the occasional dirty or lack of sheets on beds. He took everything Boston threw at him with a smile and barely indicated how contrastingly different things were there compared to New Vegas. All of Travis’ vague ramblings about luxuries in New Vegas were always overshadowed by his talks about his adventures and life in general. When he did mention things it was never bragging nor said in ways to make anyone doing without feel bad or awkward.

“Dig in!” Travis exclaimed as he set a steaming plate of food down on the table bringing Riley out of his thoughts. “I’ll help get you set up with your unpacking after we eat then we’ll head out to the Fort if you wanna.”

“Sounds perfect to me,” he replied as he fixed his gaze on his partner who was happily playing with his cyberdog before getting himself a serving of food. Turning his attention to the dish in front of him, Riley began to poke at the fluffy yellow omelette with his fork. “So,” he began. “What’s all in this glorious concoction of yours?”

Sitting heavily on the chair next to him, Travis shrugged and said almost too casually, “Brahmin steak, potatoes and onions. Topped it all off with some shredded bighorner milk cheese, salt, pepper, and a wedge of tomato. Was gonna put jalapenos in ‘em, but I know you ain’t a fan.” Shoveling a forkful of food into his mouth, Travis turned to Riley with an arched eyebrow seeing he wasn’t eating. “Somefin wrong wiff it?”

“No, not at all. I’m simply amazed you have such a variety of fresh food,” Riley replied as he took a bite and suddenly found himself overwhelmed by the vast array of flavors. “Holy shit, Travis, this is fantastic!”

The courier chuckled and took a sip of his coffee. Grimacing, he poured more sugar into it and gave Riley a proud smile. “Glad you like it, but breakfast really ain’t my speciality. I’ll make grilled steaks with baked taters and a salad later tonight if you want. Hell, maybe I’ll even make a mutfruit pie for dessert!” “It’s a wonder why you’re not as big as a Super Mutant if this is how you normally eat,” Riley chuckled with a shake of his head. Travis gave Riley a playful nudge, scooped the last of the omelette in his mouth and stood to take the dish to the sink. “I see your insanely rapid eating habits aren’t just something you did in Boston,” Riley continued.

“Ain’t got time to waste eating slow now,” he replied eagerly as he refilled his coffee mug. “Got me a few morning tasks to take care of myself before we mosey outta here. Gotta get you unpacked too unless...you’re...plannin’ on leaving some time soon.” Travis said the last part almost in defeat and toed at the carpet. As much as he hoped Riley was here for more than a few days he knew not to get high expectations.

Fixing his gaze on the remainder of his food, Riley responded softly. “No. No, I’m not leaving anytime soon unless you need me to go. I know my coming here wasn’t exactly in your plans. I’m sure running this place probably has a lot of responsibility and I don’t want to get in your way. You already got in mild trouble once because of me. I don’t want to see you lose your status around here.”

Travis grunted in annoyance and in a few quick strides he was back at Riley’s side. Flipping a chair backwards, Travis straddled it like a horse and put his hand on Riley’s shoulder. “This place did just fine without me all those months I was with you in Boston. Ain’t nobody here gonna dictate how long you’re gonna stay other than you. Ain’t nothing gonna keep me from you ever again unless you will it. You can stay here as long as you wanna, but the deal is I gotta go back with you when you leave.” Riley looked up at him and held his gaze as if searching for some kind of jest with those words, but it was evident Travis was dead serious. “I mean it, Riley. These past two weeks was torture for me and I came to reckoning on a lot. Ain’t gonna happen no more. I ain’t gonna allow us to be apart unless that’s what you want. We probably got lots of shit to figure out eventually, but right now you’re here and you’re gonna be showed the time of your life.”

Riley continued to stare into Travis’ crystal blue eyes both surprised and flattered to hear the courier’s compliments. He knew how much Travis liked him and enjoyed his company, but this...he wasn’t expecting this. Riley then diverted his gaze to a spot on the floor and began to chew at his bottom lip. He was totally at a loss for words even though his mind was screaming at him to say something. Anything! Taking a slow breath Riley lifted his eyes and mustered up a nervous smile. “I’m...I’m really glad to hear you say that, Travis. I...I feel the same way.”

Travis returned the smile and did his best to contain his excitement hearing Riley’s demure response. During their two week separation Travis had come to realize that he not only loves, but is in love with Riley. His heart breaking from having to leave Riley justified those feelings he felt he might have. One wouldn’t be so miserable and heartbroken if love wasn’t involved. Travis wanted so badly to stand, gather Riley into a tight embrace and kiss his freckled neck and face all while declaring his love over and over. However, these wonderful feelings were still all technically new to Travis. Granted he had someone in his life before he had met Riley, but those feelings were nothing like this. The last thing Travis wanted now was to say something too soon and have it ruin things. Deep down he knew Riley had to feel the same way. He had to. One simply doesn’t randomly get into a Vertibird and fly thousands of miles to find someone on a whim. You did that either for love or revenge and Riley certainly wasn’t after the latter for any reason.

Still, as small and as insignificant as it might seem, their exchanged words spoke volumes and if nothing else reassured each man how they felt about each other. Travis knew he would tell Riley his full feelings one day soon and no doubt say those three small, but very powerful words to him as well, but for now he was content. After giving Riley’s shoulder a squeeze, Travis trailed his hand up into the man’s red hair. Leaning forward he gave him a tender kiss before standing. “I’m really looking forward to sharing my world with you.”

Feeling a flush of warmth go through him, Riley smiled to himself and finished the remainder of his breakfast. “I look forward to it, Travis. I can’t wait to see and do everything even if you truly want to take me for a ride up and down your elevator all day. I already have very good memories tied into that as it is. We can always...enhance them.”

Travis swallowed hard hearing that as he took Riley’s dish to the sink. “Y-yes we can. Got lots of other places we can make those kinda memories in though. Like you said we got two weeks of fucking to catch up on.” He turned to look at his partner and felt a shudder surge down his spine at the recollection of what they did in the elevator last night as well as everything else afterwards. “Ahhh...anyways, let’s get you unpacked. The faster we get things situated in here the faster we can head out. I’d like to get to the Fort before lunch and it gets too busy there. We won’t be able to socialize with a few of the people I want you to meet if that’s the case.”

“Sounds perfect to me, Travis.”

“Great!” Travis exclaimed, barely able to contain the excitement in his voice this time. “C’mon, Rex, let’s get ready to go bye-bye!” he called to his cyberdog and the pair bolted out of the room leaving Riley behind, amused at Travis’ sudden surge of energy.

As Riley slowly followed Travis to the bedroom he couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He was still thinking about what Travis had exclaimed about not wanting to be apart from him ever again. He did wonder what shit needed figuring out that Travis mentioned, but for now Riley took things as they were. He had his own shit that needed figuring out as well. One thing for sure, taking the bold and very risky trip to New Vegas proved to be well worth all the fears and anxieties that came with it. Although he didn’t want to admit it just yet, the odds were certainly in his favor in regards to having someone in his life who would always be with him.

To be continued....

#travis blackfox #riley #i think i really like this one a lot #the boys can certainly have a lot of adventures in new vegas #lots more chapters ahead i'm sure #this is fun #long post #writings

5 notes · View notes